Fun Times . . . but you didn’t hear it from me

We all know there are fun times to be had at Redeemer in your first year. From F.R.O.G. groups (I just dated myself, and not the type of date that was discussed in last month’s article), what is now called LAUNCH, to pranking, to staying up all night, to skipping morning classes (which no one does anymore, right?). Redeemer is fun, but around this time it can feel like the average post-secondary student’s brain is so full of knowledge that, if fed one more brilliant quote from Dooyeweerd or anything to do with physics, then all of the information you’ve been storing will likely cause your medulla oblongata to erupt in a fashion which resembles spaghetti in a microwave. I’m no psychologist, therapist, doctor, or highly trained individual, but I do know that is dangerous. That’s why, in first-year, it is so important to cut loose and be fancy free…but not so much that you’re jumping around the halls like a modern Kevin Bacon. You would scare the new president.

So what can you do with the proverbial first-year clock a’ tickin’?

I suggest you make a bucket list of things you want to accomplish by the time April 29th takes its sweet time to arrive. Here are a few ideas from this old geezer to you fresh and youthful readers:

Enjoy the natural splendor that is the apple orchard . . . that’s still around, isn’t it? When I was there last, there were bushes and shrubbery, empty beer bottles and apple trees! Go there, journal in hand, and spend some time away from campus. Write about your first year at Redeemer-- the struggles and joys, or draw what is around you.

Order a vegetarian meal at communal. I became a half-vegetarian (a person who eats half of the four major types of meat . . . I eat fish and chicken, not beef or pork. There’s a real title for that, but I like calling myself a half-vegetarian. It’s indie.) Whenever beef was served at communal, I would ask for the vegetarian option. Or whenever the chicken was still pink, but whatever, we’re all still alive, right? The vegetarian option was always a delicious pasta pronto-type meal; very good and very healthy. If you get the veg option please do not be a baby and pick out the tofu, it won’t kill you - the undercooked chicken on the other hand…

Sleep over in the school. No really, before you dismiss the idea, just think about it. You could book a study room with an adjacent closet. For a few consecutive days, smuggle survival items (apples, water bottles, Stroopwaffles, sleeping bags, etc.) into the closet. When you’re all ready, book the room to study Business 121, and when 12 am rolls around, hide in the closet. Plan on how you will build your campfire…Now, I still want to graduate so I’m done fueling your sick plan for breaking into the school. Remember, you didn’t hear it from me!

Dear first years, I want to leave you with a new passion for these last few weeks that the school year holds. Do your best in your schoolwork or you might not be asked back. If your dorm is having issues, try to work them out to keep friendships intact. Lastly, intentionally live so that you leave Redeemer for the summer with little, to no, regrets.

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