Do you remember what it was like when you first came to the University and moved into your first-year dormitory? I remember feeling anxious and scared, completely vulnerable and exposed. I worried about everything: What if the guys I live with don't like me? What will I do if I fail all my classes? How the hell do I do laundry?
Luckily for me, I made it through my first year without encountering too many problems with those particular questions. There were a few other things that tripped me up, though, and I'm sharing those memories with you here, using excerpts from my diary. Yes, I kept a diary back then. Back off.
Aug. 25: Mom and Dad dropped me off. They cried a little, but college is about disregarding your parents' wishes and feelings, so eh.
Aug. 26: My roommate seems pretty cool. For some reason he won't stop talking about going out and "getting some," but I'm sure this will pass. Mom won't stop calling. I miss my dog.
Aug. 27: I'm starting to think my roommate might actually be the biggest pervert alive. Who knew books could be so expensive? I wonder why that hot girl I Facebook-messaged last night hasn't responded yet. Maybe she thinks we're moving too fast.
Aug. 28: Classes start tomorrow, so I decided to go to a frat party with my roommate and some of the other guys in the hall. We don't know any girls yet, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity to go out and meet some. When we got there, the frat brother up front was nice enough to explain why he couldn't let us in. Funny, that party didn't seem full ...
Aug. 29: I had my first class today! Wow, people always say college is so much harder than high school, but I don't see it. If the rest of my classes are anything like Math 121, this should be a breeze.
Aug. 30: Went to Chem 152 today. I want my mommy.
I know that this isn't an accurate representation of most of the Class of 2011's first few days at the University. Honestly, my first week at school went absolutely nothing like that either. Well, except the part about the sex fiend for a roommate -- that part is true.
A funny thing happened with that sex fiend, though -- we became friends. The same thing happened with all the guys from my hall, with the exception of one, but he was a total douchebag. Those of you who read this column frequently (anyone?) know I'm rarely serious about anything I write here. That said, let me be just a little bit genuine today.
I love my friends here. Yeah, sometimes they make me so angry I want to punch them in their faces, but that just means I care -- you don't get that mad at people you don't care about. People always look at college as a place to party all the time and get wasted, and for the most part, it is. But to me, the best parts are when you can just sit around with your friends and chill.
I know it's cheesy and a little lame to give out advice, but if there's anything I have to say to the Class of 2011, and anyone else reading, it's this: Appreciate even the small and seemingly boring things that go on while you're here. That message had been relayed to me over and over and each time I heard it I thought it was poppycock. After two years at the University, I finally understand what people mean. I don't expect that this column is going to drive that message home to anyone, but it's worth a shot.
Here are a few more tips for the young'uns.
1) Don't take your classes lightly, unless you're taking Math 121.
2) Try to make it out to Newcomb at least once for a meal. You'll know why after you get your card swiped.
3) Be friends with your RA. Trust me, I know one. You don't want to be on his or her bad side.
4) Don't worry if that girl you Facebook-messaged hasn't responded yet. She isn't officially ignoring you until two weeks have passed. At least that's what I tell myself.
Ed's column runs biweekly Thursdays. He can be reached at edcao@cavalierdaily.com.