(Drawing by Annie Raccuglia)
Hi Evan,
The end of the school year is approaching. What should we do to prepare?
Sincerely,
Ah, who am I kidding, you know I made up this question.
I’ve been asking my friends for questions I should answer for this column, and many of the requests I’ve gotten have been inappropriate — well, too inappropriate for The Lawrentian — or questions I’ve answered already in some fashion.
But all in all, they were questions asking what people should do to make the best out of their last days at Lawrence, or just this school year.
1. Work your butt off — academically, of course. I know what you’re thinking, “Aren’t we supposed to have fun during our last days together at LU?” Of course, but you don’t need me to tell you that! I’m sure you’re having a blast, but don’t forget that you still need to get good grades this term. Especially if you’re like me, graduating this term and overloading because you put off taking “gen eds” for five years.
Also, if you’re going on to grad school, institutions usually ask for your end-of-year transcripts, to make sure you didn’t slack off after they admitted you.
2. Do something you normally wouldn’t. I don’t mean to sound vague and like a self-help book, but for many of us, these are our last days in college. After this, it’s all downhill — well, that’s what grown-ups keep telling me.
So maybe end the embargo on SigEp parties you imposed because of that one time with that one creepy guy. Or go to a concert, play or anything you haven’t experienced at LU yet. Chances are you may not get to experience them again. Disclaimer: I cannot promise you will enjoy the activity you decide to do, but come on, live a little!
3. Visit some places in Appleton that you haven’t seen yet. Personally, people have told me that that creepy-looking castle museum is actually kind of interesting. I also want to extend my College Ave. restaurant list past subs, pizza and crappy Chinese food. Contrary to popular opinion, life does extend outside of the Lawrence Bubble.
4. Don’t burn any bridges. With your college career almost ending, it’s temping to tell that person you’ve been putting up with for years exactly where they can go, or where they can shove it — but you never know what connections that person may have in the future.
Especially for those of us in the fine arts fields, you never know which one of your classmates or professors will be in a position to put in a good or bad word to a person giving you a big job.
5. Wear sunblock. I guess this doesn’t have much to do with anything else on the list, but I’ve seen a lot of statuses on Facebook about people getting sunburned in the nice weather. Come on folks, we go through this every year — sunblock is your friend!
6. Don’t let anything go unsaid to a friend. Okay, time to get serious and sappy. Let’s face it, this may be the last time you see some of these people. Even if you’re able to keep up on Facebook, there is a big difference between seeing someone’s picture and sending them a message across the “Internets” and seeing them in person. Spend some quality time with your LU friends and tell them how they’ve made you a better person.
7-10. Ah, just do whatever you want! Make the most out of your last days here!