The Operation Log of Agent Delta

College Thoughts

Posted On: May 31st, 2008 at 9:53 am

Well, I haven't been blogging much recently, as you've probably noticed. If you're still around here to notice, I thank you.

In the meantime, since I've just completed my first year of college, I suppose I could write up some of my thoughts for those of you who are going to be diving into your freshman year this fall.

First the scary stuff, especially if you're going to the same college I go to, which you probably aren't, unless you're Seth, in which case you're definitely going to the same college I go to. There will be papers to write, and things to read (duh). The whole point of going to college is to study and learn, so expect to spend most of your time doing that. There's a reason that the phrase "full-time student" exists. You will also meet new people. You will not always agree with these people, and they may pressure you to do things you know are wrong, or not to do things you know are right. Sometimes the pressure will be light, other times, it will be quite strong. Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with any strong pressure, yet. Key word: yet. In instances like these, go with your gut. Most of my readers are life-long Christians. To y'all I say: your upbringing has instilled a lot in you. You know what's right, and in your Bible, pastor, parents, and friends back home (and God. Never forget God.) you have what you need to discern right from wrong when things are 64,000 shades of gray instead of clear-cut black-and-white. You also have the support and backing you need to not conform to the pressure.

Now for the good: you'll also meet some wonderful people. You'll encounter some wonderful professors. If your professors have office hours, take advantage of that. Stop by and visit them. If they're willing to review drafts of papers, take them up on that offer. Even if you don't have any questions related to class, drop by anyway and talk about whatever is on your mind, be it politics or whatever. If they're anything like my professors, you'll enjoy such discussions (and so will they), and you'll learn a lot. I've talked with my professors about everything from the presidential elections to Eastern culture, and I've thoroughly enjoyed and immensely benefited from such discussions.

Keep in mind that not all your learning will take place in the classroom. A lot will happen as you navigate through daily life, meeting people, debating with them, and figuring out how to live your life away from home. And if you find yourself spending a lot of time missing friends and family back home, there are 2 things to keep in mind: 1) That's perfectly normal, and 2) Somehow, someway, you are not busy enough. As soon as classes started, I found that I was so busy that I didn't have time to dwell on what I'd left behind at home. If you're missing home, and all your homework is done, then go find something to do! Find your chapter of the College Republicans or Students for Life and get involved! Find another club you like. If you don't find the club you want, start it! That's what one of my friends is doing next semester. Do all these things even if you feel like you're too busy with homework and whatnot.

Another thing: Make time to have fun. Sure, you'll have to spend most of your time on classes and classwork. But if all you do is classwork, you'll quickly burn out. So watch a movie with some friends on Friday night. Organize a game of Capture-the-Flag or Calvinball. Join an IM sports team, if you like. Find some way to have fun and keep yourself sane.

One final thought: You'll grow a lot during your college years. The person who comes back home next summer won't be the same person who leaves home this fall. You won't noticed the changes nearly as much as those who haven't seen you for a year, but you'll still be a somewhat different person. And that's a good thing. That's part of college. Enjoy it. Just don't go off the deep end. :P

I know that a lot of this sounds like what your parents would or will tell you, and for good reason: a lot of this is what my parents told me, or what I consider standard but true advice about college. However, the same thing sometimes takes on different meaning coming from different people, so I'm posting these thoughts here for y'all. Make of them what you will.

-AD

Comments:

Re: College Thoughts

Posted On: June 02nd, 2008 at 9:29 am by luvable lutheran
Great post. Thanks for sharing. Don't forget to visit yoru nearest Christ on Campus chapter Blogger Smiley

Re: College Thoughts

Posted On: June 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am by Aaron Nemoyer
I must say, being at a good college like Hillsdale (or Bethany) really helps with the pressure thing. Having spent a summer block at Colorado College, a semester at Lake Forest College, and various short ocassions at state colleges, I can tell you (and anyone else who stumbles across this), that you may find yourself under much heavier pressure places like that.

Re: College Thoughts

Posted On: June 16th, 2008 at 3:24 am by AgentDelta

I must say, being at a good college like Hillsdale (or Bethany) really helps with the pressure thing. Having spent a summer block at Colorado College, a semester at Lake Forest College, and various short ocassions at state colleges, I can tell you (and anyone else who stumbles across this), that you may find yourself under much heavier pressure places like that.

That's a good point. Thanks for throwing it into the fray!

Re: College Thoughts

Posted On: July 30th, 2008 at 10:01 am by Magsplat
Sounds like great advice, I'll try to remember it in three years.

How much does one organize Calvinball?

Re: College Thoughts

Posted On: July 30th, 2008 at 10:10 am by AgentDelta

Sounds like great advice, I'll try to remember it in three years.

How much does one organize Calvinball?

One simply prints up posters telling everybody that a game of Calvinball will be played at a certain location at a certain time on a certain day. One usually includes a relevant Calvin & Hobbes strip that explains the rules of the game, and then plasters said posters around campus.