At the beginning of each semester during our first e-board meeting at The Oswegonian, we pass around a sheet to sign up for a week to write an ‘In the Office’ article. Each semester when the clipboard falls into my hands, I put my name as low as possible on the list. It’s not because I hate writing, but rather that I have no clue what to write about.
Last year, I wrote about the Occupy Wall Street movement, and I sounded like an idiot. I tried to write about something other than sports to prove that I know what is going on in the world, but in reality I don’t at all. Sports are what I love and know the most about. But it’s that same feeling keeping me from writing about sports now.
I wish I could express some sort of profound opinion on something, but that’s not going to happen. Like I said, I don’t want to write about sports, and that is where most of my opinions lie. I am a firm believer that Bruce Springsteen is the greatest musician of all time, but I can’t write about that because this is the opinion section, not the fact section.
Most of my colleagues give advice about your time here at Oswego State. Unfortunately, anything I could say has already been said. Go out, make friends, have fun, live off campus if you can, etc. So if you’re looking for enlightenment, you’ve picked up the wrong copy of this newspaper.
My college experience has not been much different than most. Monday through Thursday I’m stressed from classes, Friday and Saturday I go out and have fun and Sunday I relax while watching football.
That is not to say I haven’t loved every second of it. I’ve been blessed with a great group of friends, some of which left along the way, but I still am close with. I’ve got a girl that I like and I’m pretty sure she likes me too, so that is something to be excited about. I have an awesome house that I love living in, and I don’t miss the dorms one bit. I’m extremely comfortable where I am, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Wait, hold on. Maybe I can spread some wealth here. I guess if I could say one thing to everyone out there, it would be to get comfortable where you are. Professors constantly tell you to get involved, and they’re not wrong. But don’t overwhelm yourself with 13 different clubs on top of the six classes you’re taking. If you’re stressing, you’ll end up hating your time here, and I can guarantee that it will be your biggest regret in life.
Ease up on your load. Find what fits for you. Give yourself free time. Don’t try to give 100 percent to 10 different activities. Obviously, take care of what you have to do in your classes first, and then find a few clubs or groups to be in.
I’m not trying to tell you to do the bare minimum to get by and spend all of your time getting drunk with your friends, but you do need some time to relax and have fun. These past two years and change have been the best of my life, by far. I’ve been able to put up solid grades, work each week at The Oswegonian and have plenty of time to be with my friends and have a good time.
There is a saying I like to use when someone is acting stressed or anxious. “Gear down big shifter.” I use it mostly as a joke but it does have some truth behind it. Don’t stress and find your comfort zone. You have plenty of time to worry about the future. Don’t waste what you have here.
