by Jordan McGill
Staff Writer

Upon concluding the first month of each quarter, I always take a look at my classmates to see who has emerged from the clamor of rearranged schedules unscathed and decided to give their mind to some louse who’s standing in front of a whiteboard, preaching.

But that’s the proud highway. Those people who are teaching us have lived full and exciting lives—why else would they be there? That’s how a university works. It doesn’t matter where you enroll: The same model of universitae, developed in Alexandria from 336 b.c. to a.d. 646, is a true and time-tested equation inherent within every didactic institution.

Therefore, as we get into the grind and sludge of our daily routines, I offer up a challenge to those who feel that they don’t have that high level of endurance needed to succeed: Fall in love with knowledge. Listen closely to that particular oral history of the world. Ask coherent, deducing questions.

The best high I’ll ever have in my life is thinking the entire time while in lecture, paying attention to what the orator is saying, hanging at the edge of my seat, all the while penning furious notes.

School is about getting involved with our own subjective educations and deciding what to learn. Knowing how to learn is half the battle. Keeping a positive attitude instills a moral fiber that can spread quickly. The more good vibrations the better—we all know that.

So this winter quarter, as we get down and dirty with the grime buckets and bolts of basic reasoning, I urge you to get your homework in on time, receive top marks and have too much fun with the people you know.

It is time to take a break from all of the intense stimulations of the world—to have patience— and to take things one day at a time, seeing how each is a different adventure.

Remember that we can mold moments to our liking. We prosper in producing destiny by choosing to take matters into our own hands.

As these winter embers burn cold like frost on a hot plate, warm yourself with awareness. This ride will be over before you know it. Don’t waste time drifting donuts in the parking lot.