While I've never held an editorial position at this newspaper, just working here has made me unable to turn a blind eye to some of the events that transpire in State College and the underlying issues they uncover.

I've noticed a common theme -- many personal tragedies printed here each day are preventable with a little self-restraint.

Since I began pursuing my degree, I've lost both my mother and godmother to cancer. My maternal grandparents are suffering from dementia and can no longer care for themselves. My grandfather can no longer talk, my grandmother only sings.

I've been through a polarizing breakup that stemmed from my intervention in a serious personal problem of hers -- one that I had pushed her to fight. I failed.

The lack of control we have in preventing tragic events from entering our lives is not something I came to accept full-circle; rather, I sunk into it with time. I've emotionally exhausted myself trying, in vain, to chase the specters of a life I used to know, and those efforts resonate through every distant friendship or failed relationship I've had over the past few years.

I had hoped that a move to University Park from my home would allow me a fresh start, but it hasn't happened, and I think the campus culture I've witnessed here plays some part.

The only closure I've gotten for some of the things that have happened to me is by eventually realizing the outcome was unavoidable. So imagine how frustrating it is to read about a tragedy or loss that occurred here in State College that could've been easily avoided.

I am confused by the elaborate efforts of some people to subvert conscience and self-control through the use of alcohol and drugs. I am not perfect by any means, but the things I've personally seen have forced me to heed reverence to the consequences of my actions and take note how they can hurt other people.

I exercise extreme restraint to make sure the things I do won't negatively affect the people around me, even if it means shutting them out completely. It may be the last virtue I have.

I may not have the same idealistic outlook as I did in my youth, but I do believe that the current culture at Penn State can change.

Want to help? Question the norms you've accepted about campus life and think about the potential you might have squandered by engaging in them. Stop relishing some of the more unsavory parts of Penn State's reputation and realize how trivial such things are in the grand scheme of things. Just look to someone who suffered through loss because of it.

Real activism starts with yourself, and the very least you can do is promise others you'll always be in a position where you can make decisions consciously and with their welfare in mind. If you can do this, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary drama.

If you can convince others to do the same, you may be able to become a catalyst of change within Penn State and help temper the degree of drunk driving, sexual assault and racism that occurs at our university.

If you do this, it won't be to humor me. I'll have graduated and left.

And if you want to find me, I'll be off looking for another fresh start.