LOOMIS: A few dos and don’ts for your college career

Welcome back, or just "welcome" if you're a n00b to UNL. It's Friday, and everyone knows the longest week of school is the week when everyone goes back, so I will keep this column nice and light.

This summer, I had a somewhat lengthy conversation with my roommate about what our futures held for us. After all, I only have one semester left from finishing my undergrad. As we continued, I started thinking about my collegiate past. We talked about things we did well, and things we might have done differently. Not that we regret our pasts, it's just that at some moments we did some idiotic things.

Considering I am now a fifth year senior, I believe I have the credentials to share with you (especially the younger collegians) some advice on what you should and shouldn't do during your wasted wonder years.

Do:

Do spend some time outside of your social bubble. It's human nature to associate with people you already know from high school or people that have the same interests or hobbies as you. However, I was glad to be put in several activities in the past years that have grouped me with people that were the polar opposite of me. Many have and will continue to remain good friends.

Do spend some time going out and partying. I'm not necessarily promoting drinking (okay, I'm lying a little), but it truly can improve your education in some ways. Parties are like an extremely informal method of social networking. You will likely meet people that will be of assistance in any difficulties you could encounter, be it stress, homework, a helping hand, etc. Depending on your preferences, you may also meet people that will help you out with, um, other "desires." Those that stay in to study over the weekend are likely absorbing more information, but being solely book smart seems to be less effective once the real world (aka a real job) begins after college.(I picture a "cubicle recluse" that sits in the dark corner stall that has never been documented speaking, but is loved by your boss. They secretly hate their lives and cry to themselves when not invited to the cribbage tournament).  Just don't do anything illegal, okay?

Do avoid going home too much and/or contacting your parents excessively. Parents are great. They are helpful in many situations, especially in the fresh years of living on your own. However, it's important to start figuring out who you really are while living on your own, too. Learn to make important decisions without the aid of others. If you force yourself to solve annoying issues like why your car isn't starting, the better off you will be in the future.

Don't:

I got this one as per a thought from a friend: Don't ever, ever, EVER have sex without using protection. Unless you're sure that person you met last week is "the one," it's simply not worth it. College is the first time in our lives when the rules have officially been eliminated. You can go out when you want, eat when you want, so on and so forth. It's thoroughly refreshing, but that all goes away for a while with young kids. Hearing from friends with experience, fun, personal-use money becomes diaper money, and being anywhere beyond your own home is not an option without the new addition being along for the ride. New life in this world is a great gift, but so is the ability to attend college and try new things before "the real world" begins.

Don't throw "ragers." You know that house of people that always throw the biggest, wildest parties? There's a reason why only a select few throw them. Parties that have gotten officially out of hand are obvious. You start seeing people you have never met in your life. Multiple people have or are about to puke. At least one expensive item has been broken (I saw a water heater get tipped over and busted out once), and something gets stolen. (Let's just say I am now on my second laptop, had a broken window fixed and I am down a keg tap. And I feel fortunate compared with some I have spoken with. Avoiding police intervention whenever possible is always nice too.

Don't try to park where you clearly aren't authorized to (except on Sundays, when parking enforcement isn't out and about). Myself and countless others have gotten parking tickets for this faux pas. It's like having a Vespa Scooter: it's fun to drive until your friends catch you driving it. Parking in a better spot is very convenient, but even if it doesn't happen the first time, you will get busted. And when you do get caught, it suddenly turns into whining that nobody cares to hear about. Like how "unfair this is," or a sudden support for an ASUN proposal that includes anything parking reform related.

Well folks, that about covers it. I am not the perfect role model for doing things the right way, but I am about to graduate and continue my education in December, so I did some things correctly along the way. When you encounter any of the aforementioned situations, (and you inevitably will) just know I told you so. Regardless, I hope you have the time of your life doing it.

Josh Loomis is a senior fisheries and wildlife major. Reach him at joshloomis@dailynebraskan.com