Every semester the graduating staff members of the Hornet use their last column or story to espouse the wisdom they’ve gained in college or to share their concerns about the future. Well one thing I’ve learned in college is not to do what everyone else does. Here are a few suggestions for those not graduating yet, to help you make the most of your time here.

Learn what services the university offers and take advantage of them. Examine the statement of where your fees go to, then go to the respective departments and demand you get your money’s worth.

Visit the ASI office; tell them you want to conduct a productivity audit to see if your investment is paying off.

Go to the health center and make sure you get all the visits you’re entitled to.

While we’re on the topic of money, here’s an idea that will save a few bucks when it is your turn to graduate. Caps and gowns cost $35. That could be your cable bill, a weeks worth of groceries or two weeks worth of gas! If your high school cap and gown were black, use them again! It’s not exactly an everyday outfit, why buy two of them? Go to the ASI office and pay five bucks for the current year’s tassel and you’re set.

Speaking of graduation (and this is serious!), you must make absolutely sure that you know exactly how many classes you need to graduate and hound the people down in admissions and records. If you don’t ensure that things are running smoothly, then something will go wrong and you’ll be stuck here for another semester. Turn in your graduation petition extra early and check with your department to make sure there aren’t any requirements you’ve forgotten.

If your parents live here in town, visit them often and exploit their love while you still can. They’ll be much more understanding when you show up at dinner time expecting food while you’re still in school and you can use the poor college student excuse. They probably cook better than you do, and once you have a paying job, they’ll start asking questions and wondering why you can’t feed yourself.

Spend as much time at the bar as possible (once you’re 21 of course). Experiment with drinking times; see what it’s like to get wasted at two in the afternoon. College is probably the only time you’ll ever get away with having a hangover on a weekday. Future bosses and “adult” society will frown upon this type of behavior in general, so it’s best to get it out your system now.

If you don’t drink, stay out all night; take an impromptu road trip or buy something expensive. Do whatever wild thing it is you think won’t be acceptable in the “real world.”

College goes by faster than any of us care to admit, and it is an exceptional time when you are legally an adult yet still considered a kid by most of society. I say make the most of this dichotomy and have as many adventures as possible; while it’s still acceptable to claim youth as an excuse for what some may consider reckless behavior.

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