There's a sign on one of the Collegian bathroom walls that serves as a reminder of one of life's great lessons. It reads: "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, please be neat and wipe the seat."
As we go through life, worrying about what we're going to do tonight or where we will land post-graduation, it's easy to forget those things we learned -- including proper bathroom etiquette -- so long ago.
I read Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten in 8th grade, and looking at his opening statements, his words are more true now than they've ever been to me.
Whether you've read the book or not, his sentiments can provide you with some good advice.
Share everything. Last week, I was sitting on my couch when I heard something banging against my window. I looked out to see a container of Tide detergent hanging from a strand of garland from the floor above mine, reaching down to the floor below. In these tough times, it's nice to know I can ask my neighbor for a cup of detergent, and in return, could offer him or her a glass of milk.
Play fair. In beer pong, Catch Phrase, flag football and in class. Cheating won't make you any smarter or any more skilled, and really, it just takes all the fun out of the game.
Don't hit people. I'm going to go one step further with this and extend it to walls, moving vehicles and technology. Many a Penn State student has hurt him or herself and others by forgetting this in anger. And although the consequences of hitting a brick wall and a person are vastly different, it should go without saying that in the end, nothing good's going to come from it.
Put things back where you found them. And if you broke the thing you borrowed or it's in desperate need of a good dry cleaning, please don't wait for someone to ask you why the hell it came back snapped in two or covered in mud.
Clean up your own mess. What you do with your own space is fine, but when your shoes stick to your kitchen floor and you're afraid to sit on the couch, do something about it, before you decide to have people over.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. If you don't play fair, make a mess and especially if you hit someone, an "I'm sorry" can go a very long way.
Flush. While this should be a no-brainer, I'm shocked at how many situations I've run into -- especially at bar and fraternity bathrooms with one functioning stall. And guys, keep the sign in the Collegian's bathroom in mind too, please.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. And so are chai lattes from Saints, sandwiches from Fraser St. Deli and meals at home with my roommates. Even on a college budget, you can get some great food with good company around here.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. These are things that bring balance to a person's life. So, even if it means procrastinating a little bit to go out and play or taking five minutes to finish the Friday crossword or Sudoku puzzle, take more time to make yourself complete.
Be aware of wonder. You may think it difficult to find wonder around here, but you just need to look. It's so easy to get into a routine (something I'm guilty of), but then you miss some truly great things in life like fresh flowers from the farmer's market, sunsets at football games, the leaves changing color on campus and Allen Street's decorations during Christmas time.
And most important of all, especially in a college town where people drive like there's no tomorrow:
"No matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
Jessica Remitz is a senior majoring in journalism and until 6:15 a.m. today was The Daily Collegian's opinion page editor. Her e-mail address is jmr5073@psu.edu.
