As the school year begins again, and the last heat-filled days of summer slowly give way to gusts of cold air, and the leaves on the trees begin to accept their fate and embrace gravity, it is important for each student to set his or her goals for the coming year. I cannot stress enough the importance of being pro-active Fall Quarter.
It takes a few days to get acclimated again with the wonderful city of Athens and all the perks of moving back to a college town: reuniting with friends, moving into a new place, preparing for school and enjoying the freedom that comes with being on one's own again. But it's too easy, with the passing days, to become caught up in the drifts of leaves and buried under pressures that accumulate restlessly throughout the first 11 weeks of school.
Who wants to wait until Jan.1 to make new goals and priorities for themselves? The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to make changes. It could be as simple as getting a calendar for the upcoming school year to keep yourself on track or maybe just to buy a new pair of running shoes to put yourself on the track. Maybe your goal could just be to read a little more each day, or watch less TV or to become a cleaner roommate. Regardless of the complexity of one's personal goals, it takes initiative to not only make goals, but to pursue them and there's no better time then now.
Classes aren't the only places in college to learn. Ohio University's mission statement emphasizes a collegiate experience integrating learning and living. For all incoming freshman and even returning classes, it is important to realize this. Integrate yourself into your surroundings. Athens is a diverse and exciting place where one can find a niche they love anywhere - as long as one goes looking. So open up, meet new people, join new clubs and make some legitimate goals for yourself. Don't put off what can be done today. Fall Quarter goes by quickly, so make sure you catch it.
4 Opinion
Jeff Tolman
