* Flexibility and unstructured time: The freedom to set one's own schedule (within the bounds of classes and assignments) is a stark contrast to the rigid structure of most jobs. The spontaneity of free time is often missed.
* Intellectual stimulation and learning: The constant exposure to new ideas, challenging coursework, and engaging discussions with professors and peers is often replaced by a more specialized and sometimes less intellectually stimulating work environment.
* Community and social life: The close-knit community of college friends, the shared experiences, and the constant social interaction are difficult to replicate in the often more geographically dispersed and less tightly-knit world of post-college life. The ease of meeting new people with shared interests is also missed.
* Lack of significant financial responsibilities: The relative financial freedom (or at least the predictable and manageable financial burdens) of college are often replaced by the stresses of rent, loans, bills, and saving for the future.
* The sense of purpose and identity: College can be a time of self-discovery and finding one's place in the world. The transition to the workforce can sometimes feel less purposeful or identity-defining, at least initially.
* The lack of pressure (relative): While college is undoubtedly stressful, the pressure is often self-imposed and related to personal goals. The pressures of a job often come with external deadlines, performance reviews, and the expectations of a boss and colleagues.
It's important to note that what people miss most varies greatly based on individual personality, college experience, and the nature of their post-college job. Some might miss the relaxed pace of student life more than others, while others might primarily miss the intellectual stimulation.