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5 Suggestions on how to achieve a higher education
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1. Go to that quiet sanctuary filled with the thoughts of millions of minds, the library.
How many of you shudder when I say research? I went into convulsions the first time I was assigned a 12-page paper. I begrudgingly sifted through an ocean of books at Albertsons library, trying to determine if Aaron Burr truly had an incestuous relationship with his daughter Theodosia, as claimed by Alexander Hamilton’s
character in the historical novel “Burr” by Gore Vidal. To my surprise, I found researching to be as exhilarating as reading Vidal’s novel. By the time I finished my paper I’d driven my friends crazy with angry rants about how Hamilton was a punk, and Burr was my new personal hero. On my quest to discover Burr, I encountered strange creatures called, librarians, who I thought of as the shush-police before I started college. I see them now as guardians of knowledge and invaluable resources to my education. Because of that paper, I fell in love with research and became the library’s number one fan. Learn to love the library and I assure you, the library will love you back.
2. Get involved and build an Urban Tribe.
Taking advantage of the plethora of opportunities to be involved on campus is important because it gives you an outlet to apply what you learn in the classroom and relate it to real experiences. It provides an opportunity to network and build relationships with people who can help advance your career after college. You’ll also forge friendships with students who’ll join your Urban Tribe. My Tribe is full of people I met through various activities on campus, from serving in student government, working at The Arbiter, sitting on campus committees and volunteering to help with events. Chose your Tribe wisely. Surround yourself with people who inspire the best in you. Fill it with folks who will tell you when you aren’t getting enough sleep, you’ve had too much to drink, are neglecting your studies or are making choices that lead you away from achieving your goals.
3. Have a blast!
A huge part of college is the experiences you have. So rather than tell you to not go to parties, or text message the hot-guy from Geology instead of studying plate tectonics, I highly advice you take advantage of every opportunity you have to meet new people and have fresh experiences. However, this kind of freedom is not meant for the weak minded. Bronco Cemetery is filled with people who weren’t able to set goals and establish priorities for their college experience and ended up losing out on it as a result. Own the consequences of your actions before they own you.
4. Ask for help.
You will make some bad choices. You will fail at some things. Yes, even you Mr. 4.0, overachieving, never screwed up in your life, role model . even you will hit a rough patch. The hardest lesson I had to learn is to ask for help. Talk to my professors, reach out to the Health Wellness and Counseling Center, talk to a classmate or a friend – never be afraid to say, “I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?” I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how eager and willing people are to be a shoulder to lean on, or a hand to guide when you need it most.
5. Diversify.
We spend a lot of our lives surrounded by people who think, talk and behave like we do. While in college you’ll be exposed to people from all over the world with diverse cultures and life experiences. Get to know as many as you can. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Ask questions and remain curious about what the world has to teach you, in doing so, you share more of yourself with the world.
SHANNON MORGAN
Editor-in-Chief
