Chalk.
To a child, the word represents nothing more than the powdery substance he or she uses to draw useless but entertaining pictures on the sidewalk. To a first-year student (or "freshman" as he or she would be called at other institutions of "higher learning"), it's still just what high school teachers used to write on the board. But, for the rest of us, it is so much more.
Whether it's a club seeking new members, a sorority declaring is interest in the girl who lives on the third floor or someone running for office, chalk is a preferred medium of communication. This is why rain is so much fun.
With our beautiful Grounds covered by the many different pastel colors in which chalk is available, it's hard for an average student to feel involved.
"Who is Dan Dooley and why is he so determined to be Student Council president? What am I doing with my life? Maybe I should join the Fencing Club."
That's just a hypothetical example, of course. Obviously, everyone knows who Dan Dooley is. And if you don't, then you clearly do not read the Life section as often as you should.
Another example of how some students might react to being surrounded by ambition is, "Holy crap, I'm totally useless! I'm going to end up mopping floors for the rest of my life." [Curls up in fetal position.]
That, unlike the first example, is not just hypothetical.
As one of the top public schools, the University will not have any shortage of determined and ambitious undergraduates. They will wake up early, read the paper, drink some coffee and engage in countless other forms of adult behavior. After that, they'll go to class and silently kill the curve in all of their classes.
There's no doubt that these exemplary undergrads will go on to lives of upper-class glory, but what about the rest of us? I like waking up at noon, don't care about what's going on in the world and hate coffee. What am I supposed to do?
That question used to keep me up at night. Then I realized I'm still a kid and don't need to worry about it for at least another year or two. Sure, I'm allowed to drive, vote and smoke, but which part of that means I'm an adult?
I still go to Chuck E. Cheese's to win prizes and definitely giggle every time someone says "boobies." I'm not ready to be self-sufficient and successful. Yet I hope I will gain those qualities sometime during my fourth year here, but that's just not for me right now. I really hope I'll stop giggling at things and develop a real laugh, too.
If there's anything I've learned in my experience here at Mr. Jefferson's University, it is this: "What am I going to do with my life?" is one of those questions a college student will never be able to answer. It's right up there with:
--"How did this guy get a PhD?"
--"Who is that old guy in the back of my calculus class?"
--"What does Dean do to his hair to keep it so nice and shiny?"
and, my personal favorite
--"Why would anyone go to William & Mary?"
So the next time you start worrying about your future, just remind yourself that your life is still way out in front of you and there's no hurry to go live all of it right away. Go out, get drunk and make a fool of yourself. That's the part of your life that you're supposed to be living right now.
OK, maybe I shouldn't condone underage drinking, so forget that part. But still, go out, stay sober and find even better ways to make a fool of yourself. Hook up with someone you don't know, hook up with someone you do know, get that tattoo you've always wanted, tell that unbelievably annoying guy you met on Move-In Day that you hate him and call everyone you knew in high school and tell them what you really thought of them. Trust me, you'll feel better. And when that's all over, you can graduate knowing you spent your college years doing what you loved, which had nothing to do with the major you picked.
Just promise me one thing: When you get out there in the real world, let me know how it is. I don't think the Fencing Club will be taking new members forever.
Ed's column runs biweekly on Fridays. He can be reched at cao@cavalierdaily.com
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 6 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
