2008 Woodie Awards
Keep arms wide open to challenges ahead
Jeremy Johnson, SGA President
Issue date: 7/26/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
There is a degree of comfort in familiarity.
Familiarity brings comfort because we are creatures of habit. But we'd be boring creatures indeed if we succeeded in being static and habitual, not worth a second glance. Change, though, is what makes us interesting, makes us human, makes us who we are. Change shows others what we really are, and shows us what we can truly be. This is something familiarity will never bring.
So when the school year ushers in a new era of change into our lives, rather than being fearful of it, we should welcome it with open arms, embracing it as our own. When school brings unexpected surprises aplenty, fear not; let us bask in what we shall become.
Many of you (namely upperclassmen) will hit the ground running, but I urge you not to run blindly and as quickly as possible without opening your eyes. This will produce only poor consequences, as well as a thoroughly underwhelming experience. Don't do it. Open your eyes, see the beauty, enjoy the scenery. Slow down and walk occasionally. You'll hate yourself less later for it.
An equal number of you (namely freshmen and transfers) will be scared to death of the next several years of your life. This, too, I would strongly advise against. If you wander the halls of the greatest years of your life (I'm sure you've never heard that phrase before) in utter fear of change, you'll die at 30, miserable and alone, probably of an overdose of fast food. Step up to the challenge that college provides you. If you have no fear, you'll be shouting, "Veni, Vidi, Vici!" by the time you're done.
As cryptic as all this may sound, worry not. Here are a few pieces of solid advice to chew on:
1. Go to class. It sounds trivial, but it'll do you wonders.
A. Participate in class. Just showing up doesn't do your mind or your grade any good.
2. Take classes you wouldn't normally find yourself taking. This broadens your mind and makes you aware of new experiences you didn't know you could have. Worry not, a broad mind is nothing to fear.
3. Pay attention to what's going on around campus. Read the Collegio. Know who the administrators and teachers are, and what they're doing at PSU.
4. Get involved on campus. Find an organization you like, and attend meetings. You'll meet new people, learn new stuff, and more mind-broadening will occur. If, for some reason, you can't find an organization that appeals to you, do the university a favor and make one with your friends. A little more diversity isn't going to be bad for PSU.
5. Be willing to change your mind. All that higher learning isn't doing you any good if you don't learn and grow from it.
Welcome back, everyone; I hope this is a start to a progressive and productive year for all. We'll be speaking later on, no doubt, so until then, happy evolving!
Familiarity brings comfort because we are creatures of habit. But we'd be boring creatures indeed if we succeeded in being static and habitual, not worth a second glance. Change, though, is what makes us interesting, makes us human, makes us who we are. Change shows others what we really are, and shows us what we can truly be. This is something familiarity will never bring.
So when the school year ushers in a new era of change into our lives, rather than being fearful of it, we should welcome it with open arms, embracing it as our own. When school brings unexpected surprises aplenty, fear not; let us bask in what we shall become.
Many of you (namely upperclassmen) will hit the ground running, but I urge you not to run blindly and as quickly as possible without opening your eyes. This will produce only poor consequences, as well as a thoroughly underwhelming experience. Don't do it. Open your eyes, see the beauty, enjoy the scenery. Slow down and walk occasionally. You'll hate yourself less later for it.
An equal number of you (namely freshmen and transfers) will be scared to death of the next several years of your life. This, too, I would strongly advise against. If you wander the halls of the greatest years of your life (I'm sure you've never heard that phrase before) in utter fear of change, you'll die at 30, miserable and alone, probably of an overdose of fast food. Step up to the challenge that college provides you. If you have no fear, you'll be shouting, "Veni, Vidi, Vici!" by the time you're done.
As cryptic as all this may sound, worry not. Here are a few pieces of solid advice to chew on:
1. Go to class. It sounds trivial, but it'll do you wonders.
A. Participate in class. Just showing up doesn't do your mind or your grade any good.
2. Take classes you wouldn't normally find yourself taking. This broadens your mind and makes you aware of new experiences you didn't know you could have. Worry not, a broad mind is nothing to fear.
3. Pay attention to what's going on around campus. Read the Collegio. Know who the administrators and teachers are, and what they're doing at PSU.
4. Get involved on campus. Find an organization you like, and attend meetings. You'll meet new people, learn new stuff, and more mind-broadening will occur. If, for some reason, you can't find an organization that appeals to you, do the university a favor and make one with your friends. A little more diversity isn't going to be bad for PSU.
5. Be willing to change your mind. All that higher learning isn't doing you any good if you don't learn and grow from it.
Welcome back, everyone; I hope this is a start to a progressive and productive year for all. We'll be speaking later on, no doubt, so until then, happy evolving!
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