1. Professors Could Date Their Students Without Consequence
It’s almost unbelievable now, but back in the day, it wasn’t uncommon for professors to date their students. There were no strict policies against it, and many colleges turned a blind eye, as long as the relationship was “consensual.” Some professors even gained a reputation for dating multiple students over the years. There were cases where students would receive better grades or special treatment because of these relationships. Power dynamics weren’t really questioned, and some students even saw it as a status symbol to date a professor. It was just another one of those things that people accepted as part of college life.
Today, most colleges have strict policies forbidding any romantic or sexual relationships between faculty and students. The ethical concerns are obvious—there’s a clear imbalance of power, and it opens the door for favoritism or coercion. Many universities require faculty to report any potential conflicts of interest, and violations can result in termination. With the #MeToo movement bringing even more scrutiny to these kinds of relationships, schools now take them extremely seriously. The idea of a professor openly dating a student would be a major scandal today, whereas back in the boomer era, it was barely a blip on the radar.
2. Smoking in Classrooms Was Totally Normal
Back in the day, it wasn’t unusual for students to light up a cigarette right in the middle of a lecture. Professors didn’t just tolerate it—some of them were doing it too, casually puffing away while explaining complex theories on a chalkboard. If a student didn’t smoke, they still had to sit through a haze of secondhand smoke, with no escape unless they skipped class. It wasn’t just classrooms either—dorms, libraries, and even student lounges had designated ashtrays everywhere said Medium. Imagine trying to concentrate on a final while the room smelled like a bar at closing time. Today, the idea of smoking indoors, let alone in a classroom, would send campus health officials into a panic. Many colleges now ban smoking even outdoors within a certain distance of buildings. But for boomers, cigarettes were just part of the college experience, like textbooks and all-nighters.
Looking back, it’s almost shocking how accepted smoking was in an environment dedicated to learning. Professors didn’t mind lectures being interrupted by the flick of a lighter or a coughing fit from too much nicotine. There were even vending machines inside dorms, making it easy for students to grab a pack on their way to class. Health concerns? Not a big deal yet. The shift didn’t really happen until the ‘90s, when anti-smoking campaigns and bans started rolling in. Now, even vaping can get students in trouble, with many schools cracking down on any kind of nicotine use. It’s wild to think how different things were just a few decades ago.
3. Drinking in Dorms Was Basically Encouraged
For boomers, a dorm room wasn’t just a place to sleep—it was a mini frat house, complete with kegs, bottles of liquor, and a barely enforced drinking age. RA’s often looked the other way, as long as things didn’t get too out of control. There were no strict campus alcohol policies, and underage drinking was more of an open secret than a serious offense. Parties weren’t limited to weekends either—weekday hangouts often included a few rounds of beer or shots before heading to class. Many schools even had their own on-campus bars, where students could grab a drink between lectures without anyone raising an eyebrow explains Forbes.
Today, dorm drinking is a huge no-go, especially with most campuses having strict rules about alcohol possession. Even for students over 21, many schools enforce dry campus policies, meaning no booze at all, anywhere. The thought of an RA just ignoring a full-on dorm party is laughable now—most would be required to report it immediately. Universities have cracked down hard due to liability issues and health concerns, with alcohol education programs in place to prevent underage drinking. Some colleges even require students to take an online alcohol awareness course before setting foot on campus. Times have definitely changed, and while college partying isn’t extinct, it’s nowhere near as carefree as it used to be.
4. Hazing Was Practically a Rite of Passage
For boomer college students, joining a fraternity or sorority often meant enduring some pretty intense hazing. Whether it was being forced to drink until they blacked out, being humiliated in front of their peers, or even experiencing physical abuse, pledges were expected to prove their loyalty in brutal ways. Many students saw it as a tradition, something everyone just had to get through. If someone refused, they were often ostracized or even denied membership. Some hazing rituals were relatively harmless, like running silly errands for older members, but others crossed serious lines. Colleges often turned a blind eye, seeing it as a private matter between students adds Business Insider.
Now, hazing is taken incredibly seriously, with many states even classifying it as a criminal offense. Colleges have strict anti-hazing policies, and any organization caught engaging in it can be shut down immediately. High-profile cases of injuries and even deaths have forced schools to crack down hard. Many fraternities and sororities now emphasize “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” without dangerous initiation rituals. If a school even gets a whiff of hazing activity, the consequences can be severe, including expulsions and lawsuits. It’s a huge shift from the boomer era, when hazing was just seen as a tough but necessary part of Greek life.
5. Streaking Across Campus Was Practically a Sport
If you went to college during the ‘70s, odds are you either witnessed or participated in a streaking event. It was all the rage—students would strip down and run naked across campus, usually during finals or big sports events. Entire groups would coordinate mass streaking runs, sometimes with hundreds of people involved. The news even covered streaking as a cultural phenomenon, with students seeing it as a form of rebellion or stress relief. Some colleges had unofficial “streaking traditions,” where students were expected to run naked through a particular building or courtyard before graduation.
Now, streaking is seen as public indecency and can land students in serious legal trouble. Schools have cracked down hard, and anyone caught streaking could face expulsion or even criminal charges. With campus security and surveillance cameras everywhere, getting away with it is nearly impossible. Colleges today emphasize professionalism and safety, and public nudity is definitely not part of that. While older generations may look back on streaking with nostalgia, for today’s students, it’s just another relic of the past that would never fly now.
6. Dorms Had No Security—Anyone Could Walk Right In
Back in the boomer college days, dorms were basically open to the public. There were no security desks, no key cards, and no locked exterior doors. Anyone could walk into a dorm building, whether they were a student, a visitor, or a complete stranger. Students didn’t worry much about safety, and it wasn’t uncommon to leave dorm rooms unlocked—even overnight. Friends could drop by unannounced, and if someone forgot their key, they could just push the door open or ask a neighbor to let them in. It was a time when people assumed the best in others, but looking back, it was a security nightmare waiting to happen.
Today, college dorms have security measures that rival some office buildings. Most require student ID cards to even enter the lobby, and many have security personnel checking visitors. Some universities even require guests to be pre-registered or escorted by a resident at all times. Dorm room doors automatically lock when closed, and security cameras monitor entrances and hallways. It’s a stark contrast from the boomer era, where safety was mostly based on trust. With growing concerns about crime and personal safety, schools now prioritize keeping dorms as secure as possible.
7. Homework Was Turned in on Paper—With No Chance to Revise
Before the internet, homework was a one-and-done deal. Students had to physically write or type their assignments and hand them in without the luxury of spell check, grammar tools, or plagiarism detectors. If they made a mistake, there was no way to edit it unless they rewrote the entire paper. Professors would return graded assignments with red ink everywhere, and there was no such thing as re-submitting for a better grade. If you lost a paper, that was it—you had to start from scratch. It was a brutal system, especially for students who weren’t great at proofreading.
Now, students have the advantage of technology to catch mistakes before hitting submit. Many professors allow electronic submissions through platforms like Turnitin, which checks for plagiarism and formatting errors. Some classes even let students revise and resubmit assignments to improve their grades. Spell check and AI writing assistants help polish essays, making the process far less stressful than it was in the boomer era. While older generations might argue that students today have it easier, modern academic standards are actually tougher in many ways.
8. Attendance Was Optional—And Nobody Took Roll
Boomers had it made when it came to attendance. In many classes, showing up wasn’t mandatory, and professors didn’t bother taking roll. If a student skipped class, the only consequence was missing out on the lecture—not some attendance penalty that could tank their grade. Some students only showed up for exams, relying on borrowed notes and textbooks to pass. This gave students a lot of freedom, but it also meant that skipping class became a habit for many. Since professors didn’t track attendance, students could coast through a semester with minimal in-person effort.
Today, many college courses enforce strict attendance policies, sometimes counting absences as part of the final grade. Professors often use online attendance tracking systems, and some even require students to sign in with biometric scanners or QR codes. Missing too many classes can lead to academic probation or even automatic failure. Schools now emphasize participation and engagement, making it much harder to slack off. While older generations may reminisce about skipping class without repercussions, today’s students have to be far more accountable.
9. College Cafeterias Served Nothing But Junk Food
For boomer students, the campus cafeteria was a paradise of greasy, carb-heavy meals with little concern for nutrition. Fried foods, sugary cereals, and mystery meat were all staples of the college diet. There were no vegetarian or vegan options, and dietary restrictions weren’t accommodated. The concept of a “healthy eating station” didn’t exist—most meals were loaded with butter, salt, and questionable ingredients. Many students lived on burgers, fries, and pizza because it was cheap and readily available. If someone wanted fresh produce, they had to go off-campus to find it.
Now, college dining halls look more like upscale food courts, offering gluten-free, vegetarian, and even organic meal options. Many campuses partner with local farms to provide fresh, sustainable food choices. Nutrition labels are clearly posted, and some schools even have dietitians available for students. While unhealthy options still exist, students today have far more control over what they eat. The shift reflects a broader cultural change, where health and wellness are taken much more seriously than they were in the boomer era.
10. Textbooks Cost Pennies Compared to Today
Boomers might complain about modern college costs, but one thing they had easy was textbook prices. Back in their day, a semester’s worth of books might cost under $50. Students could buy used books for dirt cheap, and many professors didn’t even require students to purchase them. Some classes shared textbooks among friends, and libraries had plenty of copies available for free. The idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a single book was unheard of. Bookstores even had buyback programs that gave students a decent amount of money back at the end of the semester.
Today, textbook prices are outrageous, with some single books costing upwards of $300. Many courses require digital access codes, meaning students can’t even buy used copies. Some universities have introduced rental programs to help students save money, but the costs are still brutal. Online resources and open-access textbooks have helped a little, but it’s nowhere near as affordable as it was in the past. Boomers never had to worry about taking out extra loans just to afford course materials, but for today’s students, it’s a serious financial burden.
11. Final Exams Were a Free-for-All with No Security
Back in the boomer era, final exams were shockingly lax when it came to security. There were no ID checks, no proctors walking around, and no real efforts to prevent cheating. Students could bring in notes, whisper answers to each other, or even sneak in textbooks without much fear of getting caught. Some professors didn’t even supervise exams, trusting students to be honest. Take-home exams were common, and there was no way to verify whether a student actually did the work themselves.
Today, final exams are locked down tighter than ever. Many colleges require students to show ID before taking a test, and some even use online proctoring software to monitor for cheating. Open-note exams are rare, and plagiarism detection software makes it nearly impossible to copy work. Some schools even require students to use lockdown browsers that prevent them from opening other tabs during an online test. Cheating policies are strict, with harsh penalties for even minor infractions. Boomers may have had a much easier time skating by, but modern students have to work for every point they earn.
12. Party Flyers Were Plastered Everywhere—Even in Classrooms
Boomer students didn’t have social media to spread the word about parties, so they did the next best thing: plastered flyers all over campus. Bulletin boards, bathroom stalls, and even classroom doors were covered with invitations to the next big event. Fraternities and student groups went all out, sometimes using loudspeakers or handing out flyers in person. It wasn’t unusual for professors to walk into a lecture hall and see a dozen party posters taped to the walls.
Now, most colleges have strict rules about advertising events, especially ones involving alcohol. Many campuses require official approval before posting flyers, and anything promoting drinking or hazing is usually banned. Social media has taken over as the primary way to spread the word, but even that is monitored by schools. Schools now focus more on promoting academic and cultural events, rather than all-night parties. The days of seeing a neon-colored flyer for a kegger in the middle of a lecture hall are long gone.
13. College IDs Were Easy to Fake
Back in the boomer era, college IDs were little more than laminated pieces of paper with a blurry photo slapped on them. There were no fancy holograms, magnetic strips, or digital verification systems. If a student wanted a fake ID, all they had to do was borrow a friend’s, scratch off a number, or make a crude copy at the local print shop. Bouncers and bartenders rarely questioned them, and some colleges didn’t even use IDs for much beyond library checkouts. It was shockingly easy for underage students to buy alcohol or sneak into bars with minimal effort.
Now, college IDs are packed with security features, making them nearly impossible to fake. Many have embedded chips, QR codes, and university-specific security measures that link directly to student records. Colleges also require IDs for everything—meal plans, dorm access, campus events—so using a fake one would get a student caught almost instantly. On top of that, many schools partner with local law enforcement to crack down on fake IDs, with serious consequences for anyone caught using one. Boomers had it easy when it came to bending the rules, but modern students don’t have that kind of loophole.
14. Plagiarism Wasn’t a Big Deal—Unless You Got Caught
For boomers, plagiarism was mostly a “don’t get caught” kind of situation. There were no online databases, no AI-driven plagiarism detectors, and no real way for professors to cross-check sources. If a student copied a passage from a book or borrowed an entire paper from an older classmate, the odds of getting away with it were pretty high. Some students even turned in the same papers for multiple classes, knowing that professors had no way to check. Even if someone did get caught, punishments were usually mild—a lower grade, a stern warning, or a chance to rewrite the assignment.
Now, plagiarism is one of the biggest academic offenses a student can commit. Universities use software like Turnitin to scan every submission against a massive database of online sources, past student work, and published research. Even minor citation mistakes can trigger an academic integrity review, which could lead to failing the class or even expulsion. Professors take originality very seriously, and students are expected to back up every claim with properly formatted citations. The days of “borrowing” a paper from a friend and hoping for the best are long gone.
15. Professors Could Say Whatever They Wanted Without Consequences
Boomer-era college classrooms were a lot looser when it came to what professors could say. There were no strict guidelines about offensive language, controversial opinions, or inappropriate jokes. Some professors openly mocked students, made off-color remarks, or injected their personal beliefs into lectures without fear of consequences. If a student felt uncomfortable, there wasn’t much they could do about it—there were no official complaint systems, and many colleges valued “academic freedom” over student well-being. Professors had near-total control over their classrooms, and students were expected to deal with it.
Today, universities have clear policies about what is and isn’t acceptable in a classroom. Professors must follow strict codes of conduct, and students can file complaints if they feel disrespected or uncomfortable. Schools emphasize inclusivity, requiring faculty to attend diversity and sensitivity training. Offensive comments, bias, or inappropriate behavior can result in disciplinary action or even termination. While some boomers might argue that modern campuses are too “sensitive,” students today have far more protections against mistreatment. The power dynamic has shifted, making classrooms a much safer and more respectful environment.