Young Mr. Steckelberg gives you some advice … don’t listen to him
August 24, 2003
Dj Steckelberg
Hi!
Glad you could make it. Wipe your feet before you come in.
Hey, guess what!
College is fun.
Lots of fun.
However, you better make sure you do it right.
You want to start off on the right foot, so that later on when you are lying on your face you can still get up.
First of all you need to realize that you are going to have more free time then you have ever been prepared to deal with.
Some people go insane and party twenty three hours a day.
Some people go insane and take 23 credits and run for president of every organization.
Other people go insane and find a job or jobs where they can work 93 hours a week.
The bottom line is: it will drive you insane.
You just need to learn how to handle your insanity the right way.
Your first year should be all about settling in, making some friends, getting some of your generals out of the way, and making good grades.
It isn’t about drinking your face off or trying to graduate in two years (save that for your junior year).
You aren’t dumber or less talented than anyone else on campus, yet it may be good to remember that you don’t have everything figured out (especially if you are pretty sure that you do).
You have a chance here to be yourself.
You will find that just being comfortable with who you are makes all the difference in the world.
You will also find better and longer lasting friends by being yourself….and frequently showering.
Yes.
You should buy the books the teacher assigns. It will be better yet if you actually read them.
If you don’t want to read or don’t know how, you really need to ask yourself why you want to go to college.
If your answer is:
“I would like to meet girls” or “I would like to meet boys” you need to go some place warmer where they wear less clothes most of the year.
All in all, just don’t go too nuts.
Think about what you would do if your parents were around, then discard whatever that is and do what you think might be right for you.
Remember:
No one owes you anything; earn your grades, respect, and reputation on your own.
Oh yeah, be nice to people too … it’s the right thing to do.
DJ Steckelberg is a columnist for the Collegian. Contrary to the column’s name, he already runs the circus. He just doesn’t know it yet. He can be reached at [email protected].