I went to my first Lady Tiger’s basketball game the other night.
If you know me, you know how monumental that is.
I was judging the contest between faithful fans that was to decide the fate of a few of those SEC Championship tickets.
After having a good time watching the first half of the game, I was shocked to see all of the students who showed up to display their Tiger pride.
I realize a lot of them were doing this to secure tickets to this weekend’s game, but that doesn’t matter.
Basically, my hat goes off to the people who take their lives for what it is worth everyday.
I have caught myself being less-than-enthusiastic about my life lately.
I have been feeling like I have been wasting my time at LSU and would be better off somewhere else – textbook senioritis.
I used to make fun of the people who got really into sporting events and things of such a temporary nature.
Now, I realize that is stupid of me – they have it right, and I have had it wrong – very wrong.
I sat in the stands of the PMAC for the first time and saw students on a random Tuesday night screaming their heads off about a game that would have little to no effect on their lives.
Why?
Because it was fun and that is what college is about.
I started feeling that jealosy you feel when you see other people with something you want, but can’t have.
I began wondering what had led them to that point in their life – why was I sitting in the stadium wearing a polo and jeans when they were donning their finest purple and gold cow suits and Batman costumes.
Why was I sipping on a Diet Coke while they held signs that read, “Poo on Georgia?”
Life isn’t always about your future.
Sometimes life is about the things that are right in front of you that you never realized could give you satisfaction or joy.
I have worked at this newspaper for as long as I have been in college.
Don’t get me wrong. I love this place and owe my professional career to it.
But, it kept me from a lot of the things that characterize the college experience.
I didn’t go to the game – I covered it.
I didn’t go Greek ( my first year) – I covered them.
I didn’t paint my body in purple and gold – I took pictures of those who did and put them in the paper.
I will cut to the chase.
Don’t let life pass you by because you are worried about messing up your future.
I didn’t allow myself to participate in anything that I didn’t think could get me anywhere or add a line to my resumé.
Take it from me. You need a successful college career.
Just don’t let the pressures of college rob you of the experiences that really matter.