Lots of lessons learned at MSU

Lindsey Poisson

This is the time of year most seniors would choose to eulogize their college experience with a teary farewell. But I somehow doubt the impact of sappy senior goodbyes — especially when they all tend to say the same things.

But like a grinch who stole graduation joy, even I’m experiencing the inevitable hint of sorrow in my two-sizes-too-small heart. There’s no denying how much I’ve learned during the last few years, through good and bad. Some of these life lessons — more like common sense, really — aren’t new, but their importance has been highlighted now that I’m on the way out.

Just a couple of things:

1. Unless you’re a complete idiot, you’ll survive. That’s not to say those who find themselves slightly above total idiocy will be truly successful in their careers, although sometimes I have to wonder.

I’ve witnessed so many people plagued by doubts lately about whether they can really make it in the “real world.” Armed with common sense and a college education, it’s difficult to fail.

2. Most people get what they don’t deserve. Of course, this might easily be construed to mean unfortunate things happen to good people, but I’m referring to the praise and opportunities that seem to land in the laps of the wholly incompetent — most of the time without effort.

We’ve all run into some students who clearly shouldn’t attend MSU, yet somehow manage to survive.

Semesters ago, I had a math teaching assistant who I turned to in my frustration over the course’s online work. Realizing he had no power in this area, I apologized for “going off on a tangent.”

His reply? Oh, the geometry section concerning tangents won’t occur until later in the semester.

There’s no bright side here. These individuals will always be in the workplace or occupying influential positions — accept it and move on. Only one redeeming quality helps them stay afloat and from flunking out of school — the art of B.S.

3. Try anything, even if it doesn’t seem appealing. Career and life opportunities will crop up and offer some unexpected routes. When it happens, no one should be confined by shyness or inflexibility. Recognize that these are decisions that, down the road, can be fond memories or woeful regrets.

There have been plenty of times when I didn’t want to do something, perhaps out of laziness or nervousness. Thankfully, I’ve begun to develop a knee-jerk reaction to these situations: Give yourself a mental kick in the ass and go for it. There’s nothing to lose most of the time, and the opportunities they lead to can be spectacular.

4. Pick fights carefully. In the old black-and-white movies that portray a bustling newsroom with chain-smoking reporters punching out their stories on typewriters, there’s usually a yelling match between an ethically-driven reporter and a bottom-line editor. Though amusing, heated arguments between two strong-minded people aren’t going to result in one swaying another. Confrontation happens everywhere, in and out of the professional world, and continues to be a waste of time.

Some might argue that defending one’s morals and beliefs always should be a priority. I agree. Some of the biggest problems and issues can be traced back to the fact that no one speaks up or does anything. But there’s a difference between letting one’s thoughts be known and getting into a slap fight with a disagreeing person, which doesn’t achieve anything besides resentment.

5. Trust your gut. I seem to remember most of my high school teachers saying something along these lines back when I graduated in 2004. It just so happens to be damn good advice — something that’s proven useful again and again.

Although there might be a large group of family and friends to depend on, there are decisions only individuals can make. And as I mentioned before, those who aren’t completely mindless will be fine.

More than likely, others have come to these same conclusions — with many more prospective lessons to come. To put aside my unflagging cynicism for a moment, college was good, but I’m hoping — especially with all these concepts in mind — life after MSU is a lot better. Adieu and good luck.

Lindsey Poisson is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at poisson4@msu.edu.

Published on Tuesday, April 22, 2008