Students should stay occupied

School's been in for what, three weeks now? Seems way longer than that though.

I was hoping to be done with puberty by now.

Oh well. (sigh)

It's seemed long because so far, my schedule's been packed. Sure, at night I have time to be an unproductive college student, but throughout the day I'm as busy as a rabbit during mating season.

Yet I feel left out.

I drive by, seeing students just sitting around for hours. I never knew even guys could be such good people-watchers.

They sit outside their house trying to look all cool and pretty, tightening up whatever they have for muscles as freshman girls walk by.

You know who you are. Come on. Get off your butts.

My grandparents are more active, and they've been around since the Civil War.

Don't get me wrong, sitting around enjoying yourself at college is great, but it's also a time to learn how to manage life in the real world. And the real world is busy.

Don't use the excuse, "There's nothing here that interests me."

This is Purdue — we almost have more student organizations than actual students that go here. There's something for everyone.

I actually prefer being busy. Besides keeping me out of mischief, Mom tells me it's preparing me for life after college. I hope to God that woman's right.

But it makes sense. If you can't manage a busy schedule by graduation, adulthood is gonna kick your butt. Think of all the priorities: a full-time job, a house to keep intact, not to mention a marriage to keep intact. And along with having kids, there'll be the counseling sessions and AA meetings as well.

For my final semester, I'm attempting 16 credits, two extracurricular activities and four part-time jobs. I'd prove it and name all my jobs, but you probably could care less where I work, so just trust me.

It can suck because at times I don't even have the free time to make sure my fly is closed. But if I get used to it now, I'll be able to retain my sanity and keep my fly closed after I graduate.

Now don't think this is a "look how cool I am" column. I'm simply using my experiences to pass along some advice: keep busy and get involved here.

There are numerous positives from doing so. Pay attention, there's a quiz on them at the end. Here goes:

Time Management

If a busy schedule to you is having to miss reruns of "Friends," you're going to have problems. Keeping busy teaches you how to have tons of things to do and still get everything done. Homework, club meetings, a job — the less free time you have, the more you're forced to manage your time. And it's not as simple as carrying around your Mortar Board. It's about taking multiple tasks and prioritizing to make the time for it all to get done.

Dinero

It's simple. There's no money in making a hole in the couch. If there was, college would be pointless. So get a job. I know, most jobs around here pay less than that of an intern for a really low-budget sweatshop, but the money you make should at least cover the gas it took to get to work.

Seriously, college is more fun having the funds to enjoy it. Otherwise you'll either be sitting at home broke or you'll have to constantly call home asking if your allowance still counts in college. Relying on Daddy might be the easy thing to do, but grow up. You'll be cut off sooner or later, so get used to financial independence now.

Got Friends?

Unless you get a job as a truck driver, you'll meet future friends at work and in clubs. Soon you'll notice your parties will attract people other than the same old faces you see in class. Not that old is a bad thing. Now initially it sucks being the new guy. I'd rather be a veteran stripper than the new guy at any job. But strive to be annoyingly outgoing and soon the "new guy" title will vanish quickly like a fart in the wind. A strong wind.

Now don't get so busy that you don't have time to enjoy college, but a job and a couple of extracurricular activities go a long way in terms of preparing you for adulthood.

It's finding the balance between the fun and the responsibility that allows you to get the most out of your stay here. So, your 20s will be the best times of your life, but with the same token you'll be able to pay your bills and keep your fly closed. What more could you ask for?

As for the quiz, if you made it this far you get a 100 just for doing so. Rock on.

'Till next week guys.

Brian Dillon is a Senior in Purdue's Professional Pilot Program. He had to skip work to finish this column. What a hypocrite. Feel free to e-mail comments and suggestions to him at dillonb@purdue.edu.

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