Things I've learned at BYU (part 1)

Seeing as how I'm graduating in April (!!!), I have been thinking lately about all the things I have learned in my years at Brigham Young University. I decided to do a 17 part series (I may be exaggerating that number a little) of things I have learned at this higher institution of learning.  So here goes something:

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a class at or before 8 a.m. Everyone thinks they can handle it. I remember very snootily telling my brother that I didn't go to four years of early morning seminary for nothing and waking up at 7 would be easy and blah blah blah. Yeah. I also went to bed at 9. Early morning classes = no bueno. Even if you are one of the rare people who are capable of waking up for 8 a.m. classes--and good for you--don't pretend like you like it. We all know you don't.

2. Even though they got rid of the required physical education stuff, everyone should take one sporty class, unless you really, really hate sports. They are so fun! I took Volleyball and it's the best class I've ever taken. Next semester I'm hoping to take either bowling or racquetball. or tennis. or flexibility. or ice skating. The possibilities are endless! Find something you're interested in and take it!

3. Things that were nerdy and lame in high school are suddenly cool again in college. It's basically my favorite thing because I am a super nerd. I spend a large amount of time playing Super Smash Brothers and other N64 games. I have long conversations about Star Wars and Power Rangers and TMNT, and everybody thinks I'm super cool. I'm not really sure why, but I do appreciate it.

You know you and your roommate will get along when you both bring your Rubik's cubes  to college.

4. No matter how hard it may be to climb the RB stairs, or walk up that ridiculously steep hill, it is not kosher to act like it is hard. This shows weakness. I have actually developed a technique of wheezing while still looking completely normal.

5. When you are a freshman, you will stay up way later than necessary doing absolutely nothing, just because you realize you can and your parents can't get mad at you.

6. If a group of people ask you to go do something that sounds random and stupid and dorky, always say yes (unless they are strangers in a creepy van, because those people are probably lying to you). It will always be a fun time and make for a great story later.
ex.
Inviters: Hey, we're gonna go throw stuff off the JFSB roof and probably yell at random strangers. Do you want to come?
Invitee: Absolutely I do.

Spend the night outside Denny's in February? Perfect.

7. If you ever do something embarrassing or clumsy around a large group of strangers on campus, or a small group of strangers walking home, or even around your closest friends, always laugh at yourself before they get the chance. Like if it's winter and you fall on the ice and bruise your butt, or if you accidentally punch yourself in the face with your umbrella, or maybe you leave a classroom because you think it's the wrong one, and then you realize it was the right one and you have to go back in there and explain that, or if you run into a pole, or even a building, or maybe you fall up the stairs, or get off the wrong floor on the elevator. There are so many ways to embarrass yourself, it's hard to cover them all.  These are just a few examples of things that I have witnessed first hand, as in they were done by me. I know I wouldn't have survived life if I hadn't immediately after said, "Well that was dumb" and jauntily skipped away, only to trip on nothing and face-plant.

What I mean is, don't sweat it. Everybody does dumb things, and if you try to act like it didn't happen, or run away crying, people will just laugh at you harder. You have to beat them to the punch. And hey, you can always remember after you've done something stupid, "It's ok, I'm sure Erica has done this same thing before, and people still think she's cool." Seriously, guys, why do any of you even think I'm cool?

Sorry. That was a long one. But it's an important lesson, so there you go.

8. Is my favorite number, so I will end on this one. If you are lucky enough to have family around, spend time with them. Sisters are really great when you are sick of your roommates. Brothers are awesome to take classes with. Other brothers are great at having kids and a laundry machine and Mario Kart. Eat dinner with them, go bowling with them, and most especially, make sure they know how much you appreciate them. Maybe in the form of a blog post. I am so thankful for my family and that they are around to play with. Also, call your parents every once in a while, you big jerk.

Bowling times are the best times.

Next installment coming soon if I feel like writing it.