By Kayla Walker

At this time last semester, I wrote a fairly corny and sentimental column regarding what I learned in different courses. Because I received many compliments on it-and because it was so easy to write-this column will be a variation on that. Except, instead of writing about what I learned in class, it will focus on what I learned at the University without necessarily having stepped into a classroom.

First and foremost: excessive amounts of alcohol are not your friends. Although I never reached the point of learning this firsthand, I certainly realized it upon discovering a bathroom covered in vomit and feces after my floormates had a particularly rowdy evening.

I’ve also been regaled with stories about forgotten one-night stands and toilet paper parties, where the individual decided to wrap herself like a mummy with toilet paper after being locked out of her room without clothes.

Secondly, exercise and proper nutrition are the best ways to battle the “Freshman 15.” Going into college, I had been warned about the dangers of high-calorie junk food and alcohol coupled with laziness, which is why I began exercising regularly from the beginning of my freshman year. I exercise more and eat better than I did before college and know that the simple lifestyle choices I made early on will be even more beneficial to me when my metabolism starts to slow down, as it does for most people in their mid-20s.

Next take an unusual foreign language. After completing two levels of Italian, my doctor persuaded me to try out Mandarin Chinese. At first, I expected to transfer out of the class because the language is so difficult. Instead, I’m just finishing up my third level (which I took as an elective).

All of the businesses I’ve applied to for work next year have commented that my experience with Mandarin is what sets me apart from the 70-or-so other applicants that are just like me.

Another interesting fact I learned is that people lie all the time. The lying I’ve witnessed is usually of two varieties: lies about personal drama or lies about obligations. I don’t know how many times writers have lied to the news section of The Chronicle on Wednesday nights as we’re trying to put the paper to bed, but I’m sure it’s happened hundreds of times.

Instead of admitting they forgot/neglected to write an article, our reporters most often give excuses.

I’m sure not every excuse given has been a lie, but sometimes the excuse is so poorly thought out that one knows it is. The same thing happens in class. Professors always have to wade through unbelievable stories to determine who is lying.

Which I never understood; you are paying to take the course, you don’t have to do the assignment if you don’t want to, just don’t expect a good grade.No one at college is your mommy; don’t treat them as such.

Which brings me to the next lesson I learned: pick up after yourself. Now that you are grown, no one is obliged to clean up after you, this includes any cleaning staff you may employ. If you are warned not to abuse certain rules, don’t break them anyway. Or else you may end up with a dirty bathroom with no trash can for three weeks (thank you, freshmen floormates!).

Next, read the newspaper every day, especially if you’re a journalism student. You don’t have to read The New York Times or The Washington Post every day; Newsday is probably good enough.

But at least glance at the headlines to find out what is going on in the rest of the world. Newsday is great for local stories, but its international news always comes straight from wire services or syndication. It’s important to know what’s going on around you, especially considering our current political climate and impending election.

Lastly, senioritis is just as prevalent in college as it was in high school. Which is why I wrote this column instead of one on, say, Pakistan.

Kayla Walker is a senior print journalism student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].

(Julia Gardiner)