Don't be stupid

Continuing my “Back to School” thoughts

Don’t be stupid!!

In a week, I will teach my first class in three years.  On my class roster two-thirds of the students in my Introduction to Statistics are freshman.  

So, let’s think about this.  Two-thirds of my class are away from home (on a semi-permanent basis).  And, they are largely unsupervised. The floor RA (resident assistant) isn’t going to wake them up in the morning, check with them if they have been eating nutritious foods, or that they have gotten enough sleep, did some exercise, or even that they studied and did their assignments. Mom is not there to see that they are okay.

So, some of them can overindulge in “freedom”.  Some might drink excessively (after all, “College is The Fountain of Knowledge, where students go to drink).  Maybe they discover drugs (or they find that they can get marijuana easier - and Mom isn’t going to check on them. 

Now, being stupid isn’t only for college freshman - but for all of us.  Maybe you know of somebody who <ahem> drank too much alcohol, and shouldn’t drive home, but did drive home anyway.  (That is buzzed driving or drunk driving - neither one is good). The highway signs that say “Drunk Driving: You can’t afford it” are true.  The expenses are high, it will affect your auto insurance (for years). It may keep you from a job down the line as employers don’t want to hirer people with drunk driving records.

I understand that marijuana is fairly readily available.  While states are debating legalizing marijuana, there are still issues with altered perceptions.  And, as I understand it, some will find that smoking marijuana is more fun that going to class.

Or, how about an ‘innocent’ passion - that of gaming.  I know of students who will pass up meals, not sleep, and play games with enthusiasm - to the detriment of homework and studying.  

For all of us, stupidity is available in so many ways.  My spouse is out-of-town, so I can have an affair with a neighbor or a co-worker.  

Maybe I can just take a little of funds out of the till at the end of the day.  Maybe I can steal things from my job and sell them on eBay.  

In this day-and-age of electronic communication and instant posting of pictures, it doesn’t take long to post a picture of you being drunk or being stupid.  And it doesn’t even have to be you that is posting such images. It could be your best friend who snapped the picture with you wearing a lampshade. And, once it is on the internet, it is very hard to get it deleted!!

So, freshman - and all of us - don’t be stupid!!  Think where this could lead!!!

(Okay, a sophomore story.  In my sophomore year, I was an orientation leader.  It was great to be back on campus with great friends - and showing those ‘little’ freshmen the ropes.

One of our orientation events was a watermelon feed.  It was a nice event, but at the end there were several watermelons left over.  Somehow - as a group we decided we would take a watermelon (not steal) and go to a “Happy Chef” restaurant.  We asked our server for plates and knives, forks and spoons and proceeded to occupied a table and devour the entire watermelon.  The server didn’t call the manager (which was good as we probably would have been thrown out).  

Not the worst story - but one of group stupidity.  

There are other stories I could tell, but … maybe it is best to not show how stupid I have been in the past!!!)

So, for you parents with children heading off to school, convince them not to be stupid.  (And, unless you think it is warranted, don’t tell them about your stupid college days!!!)

Karen