Sage Advice

This Spring is a little different for me here at UAF. For the first time in my life, I am taking my last finals. EVER. That's right, I am a graduating Senior, and it's not bittersweet at all. It's FANTASTIC. I highly recommend 5 years of college just for this feeling. Just kidding. What I'm really trying to say here is that it's nice to see 5 years of blood, sweat, tears, and tuition finally pay off. And I think if I could do it all again, I'd take the following advice:

-Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's ALL small stuff.

-Maintain your perspective. Sometimes, things don't go exactly the way you want them to. But if you keep in mind that your education is the means to an end, you will lose a lot less sleep over that one bad homework score. Also remember that homework is a learning opportunity. Sometimes it feels like a major deal, but it's not, it never is.

-Manage your time. The earlier you can foster that self-discipline that makes you get all your work done on a wednesday night, the more fun you will have going on adventures, going to sporting events, and getting off campus to get to know the Fairbanks community on thursdays, fridays, and saturdays.

-Choose a major that is going to get you a job you want. Everyone tells you to follow your passions. I boldly disagree. Keep your passions, and remember that you will work to live. Not live to work. With that in mind, look at the JOB market. Not the course catalog. Find something you think you'd like to do for the rest of your life, and then TALK to that person. See what their story is, where they came from and what they studied. Sometimes you find the most interesting combinations of major and profession.

-Internships are key. Especially for engineers. It does not matter what your internship is in. TAKE it, and learn from it. You will find that the most important things you learn in life you don't learn in school, and often don't have a formal title.

-Find a study method that works for you and stick to it. For me, it was flashcards. I still have flashcards with organic chemistry compounds...from 5 years ago.


I think that is about all the wisdom I can muster on this lovely tuesday morning. It's beautiful outside. Fairbanks in the spring... with freedom just on the other side of finals! :) Whoopity Whoop!