Ask the RA
By DeNae Thomas
Staff Writer
Dear RA,
Since you have been a student at Pepperdine for four years, I am sure you have learned and grown a lot. I am a freshman—what are some words of wisdom you can share with me so that my next three years are even better than this year has been?
Curious in Conner
Dear Curious,
OK, OK, I’ll admit that I made up this question, but considering it is my last column I am taking the liberty of consolidating and sharing the insight I have gained during my four years as a Pepperdine student. I must say, I envy my make-believe freshman because she has three more years at this amazing institution and the foresight to realize those years will pass more quickly than she could ever imagine.
Now that I only have a month left, I can’t help but get nostalgic, sappy and reflective on all I have learned over the years. Obviously everyone’s time at Pepperdine will be different, but here are some of the things I have learned through my particular experiences.
• Wear Sunscreen. Sorry, that wasn’t funny. (It’s for all those 2000 graduates who heard “The Sunscreen Song” every five seconds of their senior year.)
• Be Spontaneous. If a friend calls you at 11 p.m. wanting to go for a walk — go for the walk. Most likely a half-hour isn’t going to destroy the paper you’re doing; and 10 years down the road you’ll remember the excellent conversation you had — not the homework you could have been working on. (Obviously I don’t need to remind you that too much spontaneity is not wise if it keeps you from achieving your goals.)
• Branch Out. Sororities and fraternities are great, but if you join one don’t let your friends comprise solely of your Greek brothers or sisters. Looking back, my closest friends have come from diverse fraternities and sororities — had I been exclusive, I wouldn’t have made half of the fabulous friends I made.
• Volunteer. Sadly, it took until my senior year to discover all the Volunteer Center has to offer. There are so many wonderful programs, and I highly encourage you to participate in a weekly activity. Even if you feel like you don’t have enough time, it’s strange how a few hours can miraculously fit into your week if you make them. Also, you will be surprised at how therapeutic it is to take a few hours each week to think about something other than your busy life.
• Become Involved. There is no excuse to sit in your room all the time at Pepperdine — there are simply too many clubs and programs. Definitely take advantage of the amazing international programs for a year, semester or summer; and if you can’t, at least try to go to Washington D.C., and intern in our nation’s capitol.
• Get Engaged (in your classes). It’s easy to sit in the back of the classroom, cram for tests and get good grades — but it’s not beneficial in the long run. You don’t have to sit front and center, but do ask questions and attempt to relate what you’re learning to real life. If you get actively engaged in what you are learning, rather than passively memorize facts, you will be surprised at how stimulating and enjoyable learning is. I know this sounds cheesy, but don’t discount my words until you have at least tried it.
• Appreciate Everything. We are so blessed at Pepperdine. I know it gets difficult after a while, but never look at the ocean without stopping to think how beautiful it is, and never watch the sun set over the campus without stopping to be grateful for your life and the four (or five or six) years of it you get to spend at Pepperdine.
Submitted April 1, 2004
