The Observer, April 28, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 26
Undergraduate experiences are priceless and unique
One foot out the door
Seeing as how my last topic was "The Top Ten Things I Really Didn't Need To Do In Order To Get The Most Out Of My College Experience," it's probably instantly obvious to the casual observer that this week's topic is:
The Top Ten Things I'm Glad I Did While I Was An Undergrad:
10. Make a consistent effort to work out. I started out running varsity cross country and track, then stopped after a year when I ran out of time. However, I've still tried to run, play squash, lift, play tennis, swim, play racquetball, pooljog, or at least do something almost every day. Not only did working out keep me from having to spend precious study time worrying about the freshman fifteen creeping back up on me, it also gave me a place to vent out my physical chemistry-related frustrations.
9. Undergraduate research, SOURCE symposium, and Research ShowCASE. Not only did I get to stand in front of my poster, wearing a new suit and feeling pretty darn important, but I also got to actually participate in the whole scientific development process, which personally I think is pretty cool.
8. Learned how to create a website. Granted, there was much whining, complaining, and carrying on in general when I got the assignment, but I figured out how to make it work. That is to say, I figured out how to link the pages together but didn't quite have time to actually stick any content up on the stupid thing. However, once I got over my deservedly mediocre grade, I decided to use my website to post photos, so now I can show them to people without having to fish through my files. Plus it's always nice to feel just a little tech-savvy.
7. Hudson Relays. Because it's fun to get out there and jump and scream and show some team spirit. On that note, Go class of 2006!
6. My film concentration. I don't actually think I'm going to be able to use it to do anything – ever – but it was still fun to take a bunch of classes in a subject that I knew nothing about but had always been interested in. When else am I going to have the opportunity to learn about Italian neo-realism and German expressionism? My art history class and history of sports class can also be filed under this category because they were also courses I took just for the heck of it.
5. Weekly rituals with friends. Monday night racquetball. Sunday afternoon chemistry homework at Falafel Cafe. Friday evening Hillel services. Not only did it allow me to structure my week a little better because I always knew what I was doing and when I was doing it, but it also meant that, with the exception of the semester I was studying for the MCAT, I was still able to see my friends for at least an hour a week.
4. Wrote a few letters to the editor of The Observer and a handful of editorials. Because really, an opinion is a terrible thing to waste.
3. Learned how to review petitions, suction airways, and run molecular simulations. I'm actually kind of interesting to talk to at parties.
2. Stayed on good terms with my academic advisor. This is a big one, which is why it's near the end. In addition to providing me with my PIN, my advisor has helped set me on the right track to wherever the heck it is I'm going. Whenever I was really stressed and frazzled and frizzy-haired, I knew I could just go and vent to him for a while and he would listen patiently and then help me figure out what to do next. In addition to coming to my SOURCE presentation and writing me numerous letters of recommendation, my advisor has kept me sane because when the rest of the world was going crazy with finals and research papers, he was always there to listen and provide guidance.
1. I came to CWRU and stayed for the full four years. In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm quite the Caseophile. I love it here because I've had the opportunity to do almost everything I've ever wanted to do, and I'm glad my baby brother will be here next year to carry on the proud Kingsberg tradition.
And with that, gentle reader, I bid you farewell and best of luck with finals!
