The Editor's Notebook - This New Year
Okay, so I know it's early, but the following is a draft of my first column for the start of next semester. Tonight some things started to irk me, so like any devoted writer, I sat down with my journal to jot a few of them down. This is what resulted:
The Editor’s Notebook
Daniella De Luca
This year’s solution? Build a fort and get over it.
Sometimes I think that at this point in my life, like many other college students, I am not supposed to know how to feel.
I’m only 20 years old and I’m all over the place with my feelings and my wants and needs. I’m constantly missing someone or something. I’m seeking attention. I want to lead and to follow. I’m confused about what the future might hold. I’m scared for all of the foolish people in this world. I’m attempting to shed my winter weight and so it seems like the plan of the rest of the student body. Hello to having to wait for an elliptical machine! What’s that all about? I’m in and out of "like," so fast it’s like I’m another tone deaf contestant on American Idol being ushered off the stage, rejected by Simon and therefore, the rest of America.
I’m stressed out already and the semester’s just beginning. I’m sure many can relate.
The harder I try to make sense of things or make things right at the beginning of this new year, the more that I realize that it takes a year or more to get even remotely close to what you’re looking for. Really, it takes a lifetime-but I’m too young to know this.
Although I make no claim to be able to forecast the future, I’ll make a few logical guesses about how the rest of the semester is going to progress at least from a college junior’s standpoint.
In January, it typically starts out pretty fast paced with all new classes, experiences, resolutions, and the start of new friendships among other things. Everyone has their new clothes, haircuts and iPods from all the time that they were away from the Haven. If you’re anything like me, you probably managed to get your iPod language settings stuck on Chinese characters. Thankfully, this minor setback is easily solved in one of the 500 different FAQ’s search results pages on the Apple webpage, all of which render useless. Thank you, Apple.
By the time we hit February, every man hides out until Valentine’s Day passes for their fear of all things that are red or pink and oh yeah, women. This year, rather than be on offense and jump right in looking for a date, I think I’ll take the man’s way out. Strategically place myself in my room until February 15 only going to class, work and absolutely necessary social activities. In fact, ordering pizza or Chinese food will save on unnecessary trips to Bentley or my dining area of choice in the snow storms that we are sure to get. Besides, with the assistance of my roommate I can make a pretty nifty fort out of all the cardboard pizza boxes. No boys allowed.
The fort will be absolutely crucial if you plan on surviving midterms depending on when your professors spring them on you either at the end of February or beginning of March. It’s all up in the air really. Don’t believe everything you see on the syllabus, and don’t be surprised if there is a pop-midterm. To make sure you’re prepared, you should lock yourself in and buckle down with your studies. You know…take the 80 hours of free time in every day to study, study, study like they tell you to do at orientation. Don’t worry; this is Lock Haven so there will still be snow on the ground for approximately 11 months out of the year. At least this year’s university calendar allows for spring break to be one consistent break instead of an every-other-week scheme like last year’s. Brilliant. Really.
Once break concludes, April is soon to follow. This, might I add, is the most important month of the semester because it is this editor’s birthday. Although two decades plus one year is hardly something to qualify me for the old coot category on the Late Show with David Letterman, I feel that it has been one crazy ride so far. This month is going to be tough for everyone because it’s so close to the end for many soon to be graduates. People will have to fight the urge to play outside in the 50 degree heat wave that comes after everyone has finally been able to shovel their vehicles out of the pit parking lot snow kingdom.
It’s not going to be easy to combat spring fever, senioritis and just plain lazy days of summer that are ahead. But somehow, we’re just going to have to all pull it together, Lock Haven, for finals in May.
So, in four, five, six or more years, your advisors, parents, and potential employers are asking you to just make up your mind and pick a major. Choose what you are going to do with the rest of your life already. It’s not that hard. So, quit forecasting what’s to come and make like Nike. Just do it. Swoosh.
Like I said though, I never claimed to be a psychic.
While you ponder all that, I’ll order us a pizza. I need to get a head start on my fort.
Feedback would be great.
The Editor’s Notebook
Daniella De Luca
This year’s solution? Build a fort and get over it.
Sometimes I think that at this point in my life, like many other college students, I am not supposed to know how to feel.
I’m only 20 years old and I’m all over the place with my feelings and my wants and needs. I’m constantly missing someone or something. I’m seeking attention. I want to lead and to follow. I’m confused about what the future might hold. I’m scared for all of the foolish people in this world. I’m attempting to shed my winter weight and so it seems like the plan of the rest of the student body. Hello to having to wait for an elliptical machine! What’s that all about? I’m in and out of "like," so fast it’s like I’m another tone deaf contestant on American Idol being ushered off the stage, rejected by Simon and therefore, the rest of America.
I’m stressed out already and the semester’s just beginning. I’m sure many can relate.
The harder I try to make sense of things or make things right at the beginning of this new year, the more that I realize that it takes a year or more to get even remotely close to what you’re looking for. Really, it takes a lifetime-but I’m too young to know this.
Although I make no claim to be able to forecast the future, I’ll make a few logical guesses about how the rest of the semester is going to progress at least from a college junior’s standpoint.
In January, it typically starts out pretty fast paced with all new classes, experiences, resolutions, and the start of new friendships among other things. Everyone has their new clothes, haircuts and iPods from all the time that they were away from the Haven. If you’re anything like me, you probably managed to get your iPod language settings stuck on Chinese characters. Thankfully, this minor setback is easily solved in one of the 500 different FAQ’s search results pages on the Apple webpage, all of which render useless. Thank you, Apple.
By the time we hit February, every man hides out until Valentine’s Day passes for their fear of all things that are red or pink and oh yeah, women. This year, rather than be on offense and jump right in looking for a date, I think I’ll take the man’s way out. Strategically place myself in my room until February 15 only going to class, work and absolutely necessary social activities. In fact, ordering pizza or Chinese food will save on unnecessary trips to Bentley or my dining area of choice in the snow storms that we are sure to get. Besides, with the assistance of my roommate I can make a pretty nifty fort out of all the cardboard pizza boxes. No boys allowed.
The fort will be absolutely crucial if you plan on surviving midterms depending on when your professors spring them on you either at the end of February or beginning of March. It’s all up in the air really. Don’t believe everything you see on the syllabus, and don’t be surprised if there is a pop-midterm. To make sure you’re prepared, you should lock yourself in and buckle down with your studies. You know…take the 80 hours of free time in every day to study, study, study like they tell you to do at orientation. Don’t worry; this is Lock Haven so there will still be snow on the ground for approximately 11 months out of the year. At least this year’s university calendar allows for spring break to be one consistent break instead of an every-other-week scheme like last year’s. Brilliant. Really.
Once break concludes, April is soon to follow. This, might I add, is the most important month of the semester because it is this editor’s birthday. Although two decades plus one year is hardly something to qualify me for the old coot category on the Late Show with David Letterman, I feel that it has been one crazy ride so far. This month is going to be tough for everyone because it’s so close to the end for many soon to be graduates. People will have to fight the urge to play outside in the 50 degree heat wave that comes after everyone has finally been able to shovel their vehicles out of the pit parking lot snow kingdom.
It’s not going to be easy to combat spring fever, senioritis and just plain lazy days of summer that are ahead. But somehow, we’re just going to have to all pull it together, Lock Haven, for finals in May.
So, in four, five, six or more years, your advisors, parents, and potential employers are asking you to just make up your mind and pick a major. Choose what you are going to do with the rest of your life already. It’s not that hard. So, quit forecasting what’s to come and make like Nike. Just do it. Swoosh.
Like I said though, I never claimed to be a psychic.
While you ponder all that, I’ll order us a pizza. I need to get a head start on my fort.
Feedback would be great.