Dear graduating seniors, as a fellow peer on the cusp of adulthood, I offer things I think we should focus on during this final stretch of comfy college freedom. And no, it’s not all about the “Benjamin’s” or surviving in a failing economy. Come on, there’s more to life than CNN headlines.
I have not lived student life to its fullest. A few more months and its over, so let’s get the ball rolling, kids, and live it up.
Free stuff won’t last much longer. From food and presidential lectures to movies gratis at Meacham auditorium and numerous other events offered in the community every semester. I remember chatting with a guy who met the Beatles at an ashram in India in the Honors College during an evening lecture.
Yes, the evolution of the Beatles’ White Album is vital pre-graduation information. More importantly, that was an event I’ll never forget.
Which leads to my next suggestion: make memories. While you can still run on caffeine and two hours of sleep, why not host an all night David the Gnome cartoon marathon? (Remember that show? Ah, nostalgia.)
Slack-lining between trees outside the library, bike-jousting, dressing up in superhero costumes for the heck of it.
Whatever your cup of tea, do it just because you can. Who needs a better reason to add a dose of fun to your final school days?
Read flyers in the Union and those tacked on poles on the South Oval. Many funky and interesting events occur on campus and in the community. Go see a local concert or listen to a poet. Check out the Campus Notes in the paper you’re holding. Now pick an event. Go to it. Who knows who you will meet and what you might learn?
And please snuggle with your pillows like you mean business on days when you don’t have class until 10:30 a.m.. Our lazy days are zero and counting. At the same time, let’s prepare ourselves for the sunrise shock of 7 a.m. alarm clocks by gradually rising earlier.
In my few weeks of this new attempt, I’ve found my morning routine rather nice. It’s slow and steady, and gives time to savor each bite of cereal and actually read more than the Opinion page in the paper. It beats scrambling to class in public with bed head and sleep crusties in your eyes.
I have to say the inevitable: we should probably focus on the future. At least for a half-hour or so every day. But we don’t have to figure it all out today. I suggest brainstorming. Keep a possibility list.
Where do you want to be after graduation? What do you really want to do? Help people? Start a business? Write a book? What makes you happy? Helping poor people? Planning events? It’s invigorating to think of our options.
I could grab my diploma, hop on a plane and go anywhere in May. So could you. When the time comes, I want no regrets. Let’s make this semester one to tell our grandkids about.
Lindsey Allgood is a professional writing senior. Her column appears every other Friday.
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albe6806 3 years, 4 months ago
I love this. So true.
libertarian 3 years, 4 months ago
Good to know the Daily isn't posting worthless drivel like it did last semester. Oh, wait...