College life… Immediately these two words sum up being young, free, idealistic and inventive. You really can iron your clothes with a toaster and toast your bread with an iron (see Hallmark card, second floor, Union). In Steve Hofstetter’s book “Student Body Shots: Sarcastic Look at the Best 4-6 Years of Your Life” college life expands into many more experiences. The horror of student orientation, the art of hooking up and dorm bathrooms are all crucial parts that collectively embody college memories.
In his book Hofstetter is trying to categorically capture the humorous reality of being a college student. But in his attempt to reject the pristine Felicity/Dawson’s Creek-like perceptions of college, he overdoes the clichéd humor and we find Hofstetter’s college years just as superficial as Pacy’s.
However there is truth in his observations and on occasion a genuinely funny anecdote arises.
“When you forget someone’s name, the typical thing is to joke about how you were incredibly drunk when you met them. This works in college. This does not work in real life. ‘Oh, we met at the staff meeting last week? I am sorry about that. I must have been totally wasted.'” Funny.
“I’ve seen a lot of professors try to scare kids away on the first day of class by talking about all the work they’ll be assigning. I wonder how those classes turned out.” Right…
To Hofstetter’s credit when he does see a common thread he has a knack for summing it up, “Alarm. Snooze. Alarm. Snooze. Roommate’s alarm. Roommate’s alarm. Throw something at roommate. Roommate’s snooze. Alarm.” But overall “Student Body Shots” is a collection of IM messages authored by that guy in class who asks half-witted questions just to draw attention to himself. Yes, many will relate to the nuances of drinking, trying to get laid and finding a job. But the sarcasm so directly implied in the title is more annoying than funny.
With lines like, “I saw a huge woman wearing a shirt that said ‘USA.’ I think she did a pretty good impression” and “I was afraid I’d get my ass kicked for making fun of college sports. But those who would have kicked my ass can’t read this in the first place,” one can’t help but listen for a drum’s bah-dum ching that’s pending.
“Body Shots” would be an innocent attempt at lightheartedly reminiscing on college life if the author didn’t come across so narcissistic. As he pokes fun at freshman and light-weights overcompensating just to fit in, we see him doing the very same thing by throwing his Greek-ness into picture whenever he can.
Regardless, Hofstetter is right, you shouldn’t take college too seriously. But to ignore the contributions of a brilliant professor you had freshman year or the personal benefits of a volunteer organization you joined from your bank of college memories leaves Hofstetter’s observational humor a bit skewed.