August 22, 2007
So you're in college
now. Youíre a big girl
and you think you are
grown.
Well there are some things
that you should understand
about this next phase in your
life. You can blame youth
and your childhood for
mistakes that you made in
elementary and high school.
Itís a new day and you
need to bring a new attitude
into this college experience,
especially if you were a loud
mouth, promiscuous, hateful
gossip.
Or you might have been
an introvert.
The thing you want to do
in college is find balance in
your life. You definitely
donít want to be the class
garden tool and you donít
want to be the ìme nobody
knowsî or gets a chance to
know.
Going away to college is
like getting a second chance
at lifeóto right some wrongs
and to straighten things out.
Now is the time for wiping
the slate clean.
First you have to do an
assessment and evaluate
your past behavior and
lifestyle. Ask yourself some
tough questions about how
youíve lived your life,
decisions youíve made in the
past and the people you have
associated with.
College affords you an
opportunity to break some
ties and build some bridges.
Hopefully you are
spending your freshman year
on campus in the dormitories.
You have no business
leaving your parentís home
and moving into your own
apartment. You need to be
around people in the
dormitory. There, you will
have a chance to learn some
serious coping skills.
Mediation, sharing, standing
up for yourself, moderation
and temperanceó just a few
of the skills you will get an
opportunity to work on in
college. And, believe it or
not, you have to learn how to
say no, not just to men, but to
women as well.
You have to make sure
that you donít let anyone
coerce or guilt-trip you into
doing something that you
know is wrong or that you
donít want to do.
Girls in the dormitory will
ask to borrow from you. I
know you want to make
friends but if you pay close
attention, you will see that
some people are users, they
will try to suck the life out of
you while pretending to be a
friend.
Make sure that you take
care of your possessions and
donít abuse anyone elseís
property. It helps to avoid
borrowing. If you donít have
it, do without.
Learn to keep your mouth
closed. Donít become known
as a gossiper. Avoid carrying
bones. Some people just like
to keep mess going. Stop
them at the door, remain rim
when telling them that you
donít care to hear what
anyone is saying about you.
As time goes on, you will
realize that the very people
coming to you to spread
mess are the same people
running around spreading
mess on everyone else.
Donít let them include
you in their game and
hopefully you are not the
ringleader.
It is important to note that
if you screw up royally your
freshman year, folks will
never forget your behavioró
and they will constantly
remind you of your indiscretions.
It is up to you to not forget
your home training and to
not let folks negatively
influence you.
Sure youíre ìfree,î but
with that freedom comes
responsibility.
Smoking, drinking and
having sex should not be on
your agenda. You donít have
to judge other people, just
watch your actions and
remain firm about what you
wonít do.
Just because you are in
college does not mean that
you are segregated from
unscrupulous perverts.
Sadly, some of them make it
to college. Some of them are
the friends and relatives of
college students and they
will be visiting on campus,
looking for victims.
You must not be a victim.
You must be responsible
for your actions and
inactions.
Find someone to talk toó
someone who doesnít want
anything from you, a person
who will be honest. Talk to a
professor and say that you
need someone to mentor you
and help you through this
too-important time in your
life.
You donít have to go it
alone.
You can even call me!
|
