I just googled “back to school tips for college students.” Here’s what I found: one page (which looked like it was designed in 1997) dedicated to helping you plan how to study and succeed in class, one page dedicated to fashion tips (apparently it’s a good idea to mix and match what you already own as opposed to buying a bunch of news clothes), and the rest had to do with money (I’m not kidding).
So, what did we learn here? Students: be wise with your money! But also, there are a lot of really boring web pages dedicated to helping the average college student not screw their life up.
Here is my not-at-all-boring top 5 list: 5 Ways to create memories this semester!
1) Do something completely awkward. Have you noticed how overused this word has become? I mean the awkward turtle is so 2007. But I think it says something interesting about us: we place a ridiculously high value on avoiding anything uncomfortable. Do you want to be memorable? Blast through this barrier and do at least one awkward thing during the first week of school: Walk uninvited into someone’s room, go to the wrong class, eat lunch with people you don’t know and ask personal questions. Be creative, put yourself out there, and don’t miss an opportunity to stretch yourself socially.
2) Stay up all night, but don’t study! When I was a student in California my friends and I would drive to Reno, NV (about 4 hours away) on a whim to eat the $3 breakfast at the casino’s. The breakfast was terrible, but the experience was awesome, and it became a tradition and right of passage. Living on the east coast, we have the unique opportunity to see the sun rise in spectacular fashion. Drive to Maine and watch the sun come up with your friends.
3) Join Red Sox Nation. Face it people the Red Sox are going to playoffs, which means post-season baseball is coming to Boston. If the Sox are about to win a series (especially if it’s against the Yankees) or even the whole thing, make sure you get out and join the celebration!
4) Go to a part of the city that someone told you to avoid. Go with people and go during the day, but I think you will find that “that place” is not as scary as it was made out to be. Plus you might meet some cool people and have conversations that will blow your mind.
5) Be a Tourist. If you are like me, you want to be a “local.” You want to be in, know the lingo (it’s Comm Ave, not commonwealth people), and you never, EVER, want to be labeled a tourist. But, hey, sometimes doing touristy things is kind of fun. So, go for it, drop the local persona for a day, and ride a Duck Tour, walk the Freedom Trail, and grab a canoli at Mike’s Pastrys.
Welcome (or Welcome Back)…let’s make some memories this semester!