Helpful hints from a savvy
veteran
Margaret Mitchell
You, like the vast majority of people,
probably made New Year's resolutions this year.
This year I've resolved to lose weight,
get myself into shape, stop smoking and pay off my credit cards.
A new semester also brings another slew
of resolutions: keep up with the assignments and reading, get to class
on time, actually attend the classes and write the papers before the weekend
before they're due. You know the drill.
But new beginnings aren't just limited
to the little people. In a few days, former Gov. George W. Bush will become
the next president of the United States. With him will come all sorts of
resolutions; most will have some kind of effect on us.
His resolution to cut taxes will definitely
affect us. Whether that effect will be positive or negative depends on
your point of view.
For several weeks now, politicians and
pundits alike have been batting around the big question: how successful
will Bush be in achieving his resolutions?
Will he be able to come through on his
"promises" to rebuild the military and end the era of so-called big government?
Will Bush get that tax cut? Will I lose
20 pounds by Spring Break? Or will most of Bush's resolutions end the way
mine usually do: abandoned (in my case, somewhere in the crumbs of Girl
Scout Thin Mints cookies)?
While the future of this country is very
important, at this particular moment none of that really matters to me.
Much more important things need to be dealt with right now.
For instance, in classrooms all over this
campus, students are scanning course syllabi and sizing up professors in
a critical attempt to decide whether or not to drop certain classes.
You can hear the cogs in the ol' brain
grinding along: "Jeez, eight books, four papers and three exams? Drop."
Or, "Only two small books to read and an
'I don't care if you ever show up' attendance policy? Maybe that's a keeper."
Staying in a course requires commitment.
Sadly, oftentimes that's easier said than done.
The good news is that in the absence of
true commitment (which always seems to fade sometime before the beginning
of February), some juggling, creative manipulation and even dogged determination
can be your saving grace.
Now that I've gone over the philosophical
aspect of new beginnings, I'd like to mention a few practical things to
make our (yours and mine, mostly mine) college experience a little more
pleasant.
Turn off your damned cell phone and/or
pager. I say this every year and I really mean it. You aren't that important.
If you are, why aren't you at Harvard?
Park between the lines. There are not enough
parking spaces on campus as it is. Don't be a jerk by hogging two.
Remember that you're not the only person
in the classroom. Don't think you're the center of the universe and that
you're the only one with thoughts and opinions on any given subject.
Having opinions is great, but we'd appreciate
it if you didn't share every thought that comes into your head or always
feel the need to get in the last word.
Asking questions is fine, but if your fifth
consecutive question is greeted with the moans and groans of your classmates,
it's time to shut up. See the professor after class instead of taking up
everyone else's time.
Make the decision now whether or not you
plan to attend class. If you rarely show up, remember we know who you are
and you shouldn't expect us to fill you in on the eight weeks of lectures
you've missed.
One final note that can never be repeated
enough: the squirrels are not your friends, no matter how cute they may
appear.
That's it. I hope everybody has a great
semester and that you manage to keep at least some of your resolutions
... at least until the Girl Scouts hit the streets.
