A 2012-2013 Welcome Back Advice from Yours Truly

Hello there ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to another (or first) year of Ithaca College. I invite you all to “ooh” and “aah” at this time, for there will be no more “oohing” and “aahing” afterwards.

And now that you have finished your marveling, let me break this down to you.

Are you worried about this year? Are you panicking about your grades for the classes that have barely started? Are you scared that your roommate just may be the roommate from hell? Are you already planning your summer plans and how to beef up that resume that looks the size of your pinky?

Well, good! That means you are officially a college student, so congratulations!

So, here are some things that we (myself included) all must remember to keep on our radars. If you want the college experience that your parents gloated about, then you must remember to keep these little tips on your mind. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, close your eyes and try to remember the talks where you just want to melt into your seat because you’ve heard your mom’s talk on the glory days for much too long. Or maybe the ones where your dad’s watching a movie with you and you’re listening to him yell at the television, “I’ve done that too buddy! Except I was in college! That was the best time of my life!” Do you get it now? Fabulous.

Ready? Get your highlighters out! The yellow ones, the bright neon yellow ones that look like they can blind you within a blink of an eye. Those are my favorites. Now that you’ve got them out, you can start marking down my advice.

Classes – Make sure to attend your classes! I know it’s college and it’s awesome to skip them so you can go and feel like a badass for a day, but really, think of it this way: You are paying tons of money for your top-notch education. Every time you skip class, you are literally throwing away $70. Yes, just like that. And taking a $70 nap isn’t worth it. It really isn’t. Just get yourself out of bed and brush your teeth before you slump off to class. After your class, feel free to go back to your dorm and fall back asleep. But then again, what do I know? That’s just my opinion. You do what you want.

Employment – Are you already looking for your superstar career? Good for you! You can go to the Ithaca website and look for some student employment services there. Go earn a little bit of spending cash for yourself, because really, who doesn’t like luxury items? First you have to go to the NSEP, the New Student Employment Program, and get registered. Then you can go and work to feel that new bling inside of your bank account. Sweet feeling, right?

Volunteering – Do you have some free time when you’re not working or learning? Do you want to make a difference? Or maybe you want to make your application for your future job look awesome. Volunteering is the way to do it. You get to work with people (or files), you get to learn new skills and it’s a good way to make sure you’re keeping busy! Frankly, I can’t recommend it any more than that. New skills, new people, and making a difference? Talk about your super duper resume coming right up!

Friends – For those who are just tuning in right now, this section is for those who cannot seem to figure out where they belong in life. Who are my friends? Who do I want to be like? Am I an active member in my community or am I a Wallflower? (Don’t mind that last question, I’ve been watching too many trailers). Yes, this is for you. You’ve probably heard this a lot in high school and wherever you go, but just be yourself because there’s no one like you. Whether that is a compliment or an insult, take it however you’d like. In such a big town, there’s bound to be someone you can stand and who’s willing to deal with all your drama. When you find that person, you’ll feel more at home. You’ll learn to love (or stand) college, and you’ll have a great time. So go out and hang out with people. Meet them in your classes. Meet them at parties where you can later use their drunk videos as blackmail to be your best friend. You know what I mean. Just go and have fun.

Social Activities – College isn’t all about grades and school. It’s about having fun and getting to learn who you are. And why is this important? Because there’s no better feeling than feeling like you fit in your own and strangely unique way. Ithaca’s not that big, I’ll admit. Coming from the city, I completely understand and I get this. I know people who go out and party. If you’re into that scene, good for you! There are plenty of parties to go to. And if you’re like me, and you like to make your very own Christmas piñata with friends and really go out with a candy filled big bang, there’s even room for that. No matter where you go or who you hang out with, you’ll probably end up having a good time. You just have to be open to the experiences and try new things. (Try new things as in trying a new flavor of ice cream or going scuba diving… Uh, yeah).

Anyways! For those dedicated readers and devoted fans of yours truly (I’m kidding, I’m kidding… I have no fans), thanks for sticking around to read these last few words. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. You’ll have fun in your own twisted pretzel-Twister sort of ways. Just work hard and keep in mind that you’re the one in charge of your own fate, and it’ll effect everything you do this year. Don’t waste it.

Sincerely,
Yours Truly

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