Convocation was a success. More than 3,500 first-year students gathered at the RBC Center for the quasi-academic ceremony/pep rally. Students also heard from writer Da Chen, author of N.C. State’s summer reading choice Colors of the Mountain.
Congratulations to Vice Chancellor Tom Stafford and the Student Affairs Division for turning Convocation into an annual tradition. Deb Luckadoo, campus activities director, summed it up best when she told NCSU News Services, “It’s really [the first-years’] very first community-building experience as N.C. State students.”
The problem with Convocation, as well as Orientation, is that students only hear one side of the story. They are only presented with information deemed appropriate and necessary by the University. But I believe there are other great truths that will aid you in the first-year experience. They are pearls of wisdom I have harvested along the way that will make your N.C. State journey more bountiful. And you definitely will not hear this information from a faculty member or administrator. And they definitely do not appear in an approved University policy manual.
First, understand that it is a privilege to attend college at N.C. State University — but always remember that you or someone who really loves you is paying an exorbitant amount of money in tuition, fees and other costs. And the bill will always continue to rise. When you spend tens of thousands of dollars annually on higher education expenses, students should demand the very best from the University. Everyone has a boss. Your professor, housekeeper, librarian, dean and the chancellor all have someone who holds them accountable. There is always someone higher in the bureaucratic pecking order.
Second, attendance is important and is a short cut to success — so go to class. I will guarantee you that if you go to every class (besides the usual necessary absences), your grade will at least be a C. To help me accomplish this monumental feat, I swore off eight o’clock classes earlier on in my college career.
Third, students are not required to graduate in four years. I would even go as far to say that if you graduate in four years — you aren’t getting your money’s worth. You should always make progress toward a degree, but don’t fall prey to the pressure of graduating in four years. There is so much to do: study abroad, co-op, athletics, theater, leadership, academics, partying — I don’t see how anyone can possibly fit it all into four short years. Never take more than 15 hours of class during a semester or go to summer school, unless absolutely necessary. Travel or work during the summer or just go fall in love.
Next, get off your ass. Get outside of your room and away from the television and computer. Join an organization, fight for a cause, go to the gym — just get involved. Take weekends off. Hang out and party or fellowship on Friday and Saturday nights.
Watch out for the Raleigh Police Department. I don’t think they like students and our ruckus lifestyles. I will expound on this topic more next week. Having seen the back of a squad car on two separate occasions, I know they don’t like me.
Finally, get over the fact that you will be paying for programs and services you don’t agree with, care for or know anything about. You may never use the gym, see an art exhibit, visit the health center, utilize the LGBT Center, attend an intercollegiate athletic event or ride the Wolfline — but you are going to be paying for them.
The University is here to serve us — the student body. So, if you are not 100 percent completely satisfied — do something about it.
Are you planning to do something? E-mail us your plans at [email protected].
