Albright College... take #2

After being on campus for just under a week I've had some time to take in an empty campus, and comprehend some lessons that wouldn't have been learned if not for my own poor past decision making. While sitting through an opening convocation ceremony on the current-student side, I had a second chance to listen to and reflect the messages being shared by Lex in his speech... without the distraction of simply being an excited freshman.

A paragraph along the lines of, 'Your key to success here at Albright is to accept and involve yourself in the challenges we will present to you.' really struck a nerve. In my own translation, 'simply indulging yourself into many facets of campus life is how you'll truly love this school'. Myself, of all people, complained endlessly throughout my freshman and sophomore years about everything I could blame as an excuse for my own boredom and overall lack of success. The night after convocation, I asked myself, 'Why have I been here for two full years, and have not a thing to show for it?' Fact is, I denied myself the opportunities and challenges that Albright had given me, and indulged only in the side of campus that really is a one-way ticket to a less-than-awesome GPA.

Although GPA is kind of important, reading over my transcript and realizing 'I have NOTHING extra-curricular to show for my time.' was disturbing, to say the least. Between the reactions to President McMillan's words and a realization of how boring I really am on paper, I took the next few days to make a serious change in a once-was stagnant lifestyle.

Within the last 5 days I've filled my next semester(s) up, not only keeping me busy... but happy! My schedule is more full and involved than it's been in my whole career at Albright. Being excited to wake up early and start classes and more eager to socialize and interact on campus through various organizations is a healthy burst of fresh air, and a very welcome change to the smoggy and over-polluted life so many people get sucked into so easily. With very little effort at all, a full schedule awaits. Every day has something different and stimulating to partake in this year. As of now, rediscovering my musical talent landed a seat with the symphony band yet again, my 10 years in restaurants helped me get an on-campus job at Jake's place (not my usual 4-star cooking, but it's a paycheck! :-P), and a legitimate interest in my major and education started things off well between my professors and me.

Why am I baring my educational life to be read on Albright Faces? For starters I always enjoyed writing, but thought xanga and livejournal were pretty whine-y in style, and there wasn't really an audience I cared to share things with. The main reason would be that I hope that incoming new students would have a chance to read and potentially learn from someone who's made the least of their time at what could either be the best time in your life, or a hazy memory of struggle with not much to show for it.

Get involved. Opportunities and challenges are everywhere around this quaint little campus. Take advantage of this place, make huge waves, and be the one that knows everyone and everyone knows (or wants to know ;-)).

Spanish... Out. Thx4reading.

(PS. I'd like to keep doing this. Feedback/comment/judge my blogs people, so future stuff won't bore like this!)