College students need advice before school, not after

Each spring newspapers across America feature "œadvice for the graduate" columns. I have written a couple of these over the years, even though I'm a little skeptical about the value of dispensing generic advice. Despite this predisposition, I think that if such sage advice has any merit, it's probably best passed out in the beginning, rather than after the whole thing is over. In that spirit, here are a few random tidbits for the matriculator (or matriculant, if you must).

1) Don't pattern your life after college movies. From "Animal House" to "PCU" to "House Bunny," this stuff is surely funny, but its humor is based in its unreality, not in its value as a blueprint. These movies didn't even star college kids. Anna Faris, Chris Farley, Jeremy Piven, John Belushi, and their co-stars were mostly a bunch of thirty-somethings well past college when they got famous lampooning the antics of younger people. Ironically, the best thing you can get from these flicks probably came from people like Dean Wormer. Indeed: out-of-shape, drunk and stupid is really no way to go through life.

2) Earn your education, not just a diploma. A diploma is a nice thing to have, but it's not a union card or a coupon that entitles the bearer to a job (especially not in this economy). Genuine learning about important things and the ability to think independently are what ultimately have 'cash value' in the real world.

3) Realize that times are changing. The hot major or career of a year ago that you have heard so much about may have cooled off quite a bit by now. Make sure your education has a solid base and that any professional specialty you pick isn't likely to leave you standing in a future unemployment line.

4) Pick or change your major with care. See number three.

5) Make good memories for the future. That is to say, not just good memories that are funny to talk about on Monday morning, but ones likely to make you smile and be proud when you are 70.

6) Remind yourself that you are lucky. The opportunity to earn an education is a great one. Don't squander it.

7) Thank the folks who need thanking. Parents, high-school guidance counselors, favorite professors, true friends - there are going to be lots of folks who help you along the way. Don't forget to let them know you appreciate them.

8) Have a backup plan (other than buying lottery tickets). In addition to your major, make sure you develop other marketable skills. Think about what might be a good minor area to study too. Who knows? You might decide to leave your chosen field someday and become an aromatherapist or something.

9) Try to learn some new things that you will be able to enjoy for a lifetime. Most people don't play team sports forever. Football is a great game, but unless you always want to just be a spectator, things like golf, swimming, scuba, canoeing and the like are more likely to be the things that you will still be doing at age 40 or 60. College is a great environment to pick up hobbies and interests that will bring lifelong satisfaction.

10) Realize that this is only for a little while. Even if you stretch it out to seven years like Tommy Boy did, university life is not forever. Enjoy what will be some of the best years of your life, but know that there are probably much better things to come in the many years ahead.

All that being said, do enjoy!


Matt Zuefle, who formerly lived in Athens, can be contacted at crotaxa@hotmail.com.