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Being a graduating senior, some may say I’ve been around the block. Some may say I’ve seen my fair share. Some might just say I’m used up and bitter. Whatever the case may be, I feel I will be walking away from the University of Maine with at least a few bits of wisdom – gained from my own missteps – that I feel obligated to pass on to the youngsters out there.
Drink less booze. This might sound strange coming from someone who writes a column titled “Beer Police,” but more bad decisions can be made in one belligerently drunk evening than the entire rest of a college career. I am not encouraging complete sobriety – although I hear good things – but moderation is fantastic. It ought to be understood that the goal of nights out is to have a good time, not pray to the porcelain god and regret your drunken hook-up the next morning.
Watch less television. One will never be counting down their last weeks of college life and think, “Damn, I wish I had sat inside more often and caught up with ‘Lost.’” There is enough to do in Orono/Bangor/the state of Maine that the old excuse of “there’s nothing to do” doesn’t hold water.
Go to at least one UMaine production per year. Chances are you might actually know someone in the performance, and they are surprisingly well-done shows. They’re usually free and at worst, you’ve lost a couple hours and gained something to bitch about for the next few days.
Go to all the lectures that fit in your schedule. Despite being mostly out in the sticks, interesting individuals come to UMaine – besides the MythBusters. Some of the most intellectually stimulating events I’ve been to were not part of any class, simply lectures I’ve attended.
Peruse the “Announcements and Alerts” folder on FirstClass. Despite what you may think, there are oft-overlooked events in there.
Speaking of FirstClass, keep your log-on time to a minimum and avoid the UMaine Forum. It’s a life-sucking force that encourages people to get in semi-anonymous “flame wars.” The majority of the posts are made by the same dozen people that have insane views.
Don’t get too upset over people with insane views, and meet new people. You will never meet all of UMaine’s most interesting individuals, but you might as well try. They don’t usually seek seclusion, often hiding in obvious places like the Oakes Room or even the editorial board of your local newspaper. You will hear views that don’t necessarily jive with your own. Hear these people out. At least be understanding as to why they feel the way they do. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with them. It makes you a better person to understand multiple viewpoints.
Become involved in one group that doesn’t make you feel like you’re paying for friends. It becomes both easier and harder to get involved as your class standing rises. This dichotomy exists because of vacating upperclassmen and the inevitability of finding a comfortable groove. Find something you’re interested in and give your time to it, even if it doesn’t pay.
Things do not always fall into your lap. It would be nice if things were handed to you, but it is a rarity that it works out this way. You will need to strive in order to take advantage of the majority of the opportunities presented.
Write for the newspaper – even if it’s not The Maine Campus. There is something definitively satisfying about seeing your name in print, and the Bangor Daily News often publishes student articles and opinion pieces.
Support local establishments. The next time your friends decide to go out to Olive Garden or Denny’s, convince them to check out the Thai place on Mill Street or the Indian joint in Bangor. The food may be a little pricier, but you would be giving your money to your neighbors, not a corporation based in New York. Some places even accept MaineCards
Don’t be too proud to admit fault or deny help. People hate perfect individuals. It makes you approachable to show your flaws. Flaunt them. Be aware of your limitations and work on them.
Enjoy your time here. With that said, know when you should finish up. They say graduating in four years is kind of like leaving a party at 9 p.m., but no one wants to be the guy passed out in a corner, covered in Magic Marker at 5 a.m. I know I am being quite cliche when I say this, but my college experience did not last as long as I had anticipated. Four years seems like a long time when you’re 18, yet when 22 rolls around, it’s hard to explain where all the time went. Seeing as time is money, spend yours wisely.
Bretty Sowerby once was blind but now is old instead.
Bangor Daily News