2008 Woodie Awards
Graduating with a major in leaving words of wisdom
Brett Sowerby
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Soap Box
Being a graduating senior, some may say I've been around the block. Some may say I've seen my fair share. Some might just say I'm used up and bitter. Whatever the case may be, I feel I will be walking away from the University of Maine with at least a few bits of wisdom - gained from my own missteps - that I feel obligated to pass on to the youngsters out there.
Drink less booze. This might sound strange coming from someone who writes a column titled "Beer Police," but more bad decisions can be made in one belligerently drunk evening than the entire rest of a college career. I am not encouraging complete sobriety - although I hear good things - but moderation is fantastic. It ought to be understood that the goal of nights out is to have a good time, not pray to the porcelain god and regret your drunken hook-up the next morning.
Watch less television. One will never be counting down their last weeks of college life and think, "Damn, I wish I had sat inside more often and caught up with 'Lost.'" There is enough to do in Orono/Bangor/the state of Maine that the old excuse of "there's nothing to do" doesn't hold water.
Go to at least one UMaine production per year. Chances are you might actually know someone in the performance, and they are surprisingly well-done shows. They're usually free and at worst, you've lost a couple hours and gained something to bitch about for the next few days.
Go to all the lectures that fit in your schedule. Despite being mostly out in the sticks, interesting individuals come to UMaine - besides the MythBusters. Some of the most intellectually stimulating events I've been to were not part of any class, simply lectures I've attended.
Peruse the "Announcements and Alerts" folder on FirstClass. Despite what you may think, there are oft-overlooked events in there.
Speaking of FirstClass, keep your log-on time to a minimum and avoid the UMaine Forum. It's a life-sucking force that encourages people to get in semi-anonymous "flame wars." The majority of the posts are made by the same dozen people that have insane views.
Drink less booze. This might sound strange coming from someone who writes a column titled "Beer Police," but more bad decisions can be made in one belligerently drunk evening than the entire rest of a college career. I am not encouraging complete sobriety - although I hear good things - but moderation is fantastic. It ought to be understood that the goal of nights out is to have a good time, not pray to the porcelain god and regret your drunken hook-up the next morning.
Watch less television. One will never be counting down their last weeks of college life and think, "Damn, I wish I had sat inside more often and caught up with 'Lost.'" There is enough to do in Orono/Bangor/the state of Maine that the old excuse of "there's nothing to do" doesn't hold water.
Go to at least one UMaine production per year. Chances are you might actually know someone in the performance, and they are surprisingly well-done shows. They're usually free and at worst, you've lost a couple hours and gained something to bitch about for the next few days.
Go to all the lectures that fit in your schedule. Despite being mostly out in the sticks, interesting individuals come to UMaine - besides the MythBusters. Some of the most intellectually stimulating events I've been to were not part of any class, simply lectures I've attended.
Peruse the "Announcements and Alerts" folder on FirstClass. Despite what you may think, there are oft-overlooked events in there.
Speaking of FirstClass, keep your log-on time to a minimum and avoid the UMaine Forum. It's a life-sucking force that encourages people to get in semi-anonymous "flame wars." The majority of the posts are made by the same dozen people that have insane views.
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