Thursday, March 5, 1998
University reminds us to get most out of life every day
I recently had an enlightening conversation with a friend of mine. She had just given me a compliment on my writing skills, telling me that I should be grateful to have been given the gift of that talent.
Megan E. Deiger (med159@psu.edu) is a junior majoring in English and psychology and a Collegian columnist.
Her answer was simple, but wise, and one that I often lose sight
of. She quickly replied, "It doesn't matter if it will get
you a job, just be thankful that you have it for yourself, and
the people you love, to enjoy."
As midsemester approaches, midterms abound and papers pile up,
I sit contemplating my schedule for the upcoming year. There it
is, in black and white, right in front of me: the last 30 credits
of my college existence.
With thoughts of the real world, and the very real possibility of poverty dancing in my head, I think of my friend's words of wisdom. Not just the words themselves, but the fact that you can learn from someone at any time, without even realizing that a lesson is taking place.
1. Be Flexible: When dialing 3-9000, have an alternative schedule
ready. If the line at the Gingerbread Man is too long, have a
Plan B. Be willing to settle for Gumby's Pizza if the line for
Papa John's is busy.
2. Be kind to people: Dining hall workers have been known to pile
on a little extra something in return for a smile.
3. Carry spare change: You never know when the Loop will be a
necessity. Dropping money into a collection can is a cheap high.
4. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line:
Just examine the footpaths on campus. Who needs sidewalks?
5. Conserve natural resources: Doing laundry once every three
weeks is plenty!
6. Your life will not end, you will not have 7 years of bad luck,
and/or you will not die young if you do not send that annoying
chain E-mail to 10 of your closest friends: I know this from experience.
7. Bundle up: Central Pennsylvania has a very long winter. People
aren't always warm-hearted.
8. Try not to worry: The world will not come to a crashing halt
if you do not get that internship. Besides, a cone from the Creamery
can cure any ailment.
And last but not least, and the real reason for this column:
9. Time is precious.
Life is too short to begrudge your talents because they won't
result in a large paycheck. Time goes too quickly to be afraid
to thank someone or to tell them that you love them.
Days pass by too fast to waste any of them on people who don't
treat you with respect, or worrying about tests or building your
resume. The last 2 3/4 years have gone by in the blink of an eye,
and I plan to cherish every remaining moment.
So, when you come back from spring break, use the remainder of
the semester to learn from everyone and everything around you.
Talk with your friends, tell them you care. Do something for someone
else.
Revel in the fact that your biggest worry is where to spend your
Friday night. The next time a friend gives you great advice, thank
her. By the time I graduate next year, I expect my list of blessings
to be a mile long.
Keeping with my Dr. Seuss obsession, I will end with his lovely
words:
How did it get so late so soon
It's night before it's afternoon
December is here before it's June
My goodness how the time has flewn
How did it get so late so soon?
Make your own list of lessons and blessings, before it gets "late." You won't regret it.
