Advice to optimize the undergrads

As my college career is nearing an end, I've come to realize there are important lessons to be learned here at Eastern. Aside from what I have gained in the classroom, there are some equally important virtues I hold dear to my maroon heart and should share with the dear underclassmen.First of all, don't wear your high school letter jacket on campus. I'm not trying to discredit the fact that you played twenty quarters of varsity football in high school or that you might have even been all-state in cross-country.

But, there are certain things you have to let go of and your letter jacket is one of them.

I'm not making fun of you for showing your pre-collegiate school-spirit, but trust me, somebody is. Sweatpants, hoodies and other high school wear are just fine, but the letter jacket is a little too much unless, of course, it's Halloween and your costume is "the guy who can't let go."

Second, roller backpacks aren't cool. Unless you're a non-traditional student (who for some reason pull it off nicely), you don't need one of these things.

There's nothing wrong with strapping that book bag around your shoulder and carrying your books like the good lord intended. Your books aren't that heavy and there's something else rolling away along with those books in your roller-backpack-your sense of style.

The jukebox in the upstairs Powell isn't your iPod. Don't create a playlist and make everyone listen to your choice of music the whole time they eat. Chances are, some people won't share your taste in music and may want to listen to something else or nothing at all-so, let them.

Don't be the excessive question asker/comment maker in class. If the instructor says something along the lines of, "OK, that's all I have for today unless anyone has any questions," for God sakes don't make any comments or ask questions. Ninety-nine percent of the class wants to leave, and you could crush their dreams. Catch your instructor on your way out or e-mail them later because your question could lead to a whole new discussion or spawn a whole slew of other questions, thus pissing off several of your peers.

If you're in a classroom with computers, the odds of you not getting on Facebook are pretty slim, especially if you have the attention span of a ferret on meth like I do.

And, your odds of getting caught are probably pretty slim as well.

Ask the instructor before class if you can take notes on the computer. Take about five minutes worth of notes and then Facebook your little social heart out. If the instructor walks by, just close it out or minimize the window.

Also, if you decide to Facebook stalk someone during class, make sure he or she isn't sitting behind you, as this may make you seem creepy

Take advantage of the facilities. Eastern offers so many freebies and opportunities for students while they are here, so it's nearly shameful not to. Campus Recreation offers everything you need to help get in shape, the writing center can help you write that perfect essay and career services can help you craft an ideal resume to land that job you've worked so hard for. The infirmary is another asset you can utilize on campus if you become sick. It's free for students and you can get prescribed medicine if you need it.

Be good to the staff. The people who keep campus clean, serve you food and clean up your mess in the residence halls deserve your respect because they do all the physical work associated with the university. Be appreciative to them, and even say "thank you" every once in a while because they really play a major role in everything you do on campus, and they do a fine job at it.

Go to the games! Believe it or not, Eastern has awesome athletics. We're like the Chuck Norris of the OVC and we nearly dominate every sport. There's no reason not to go show a little support. Tickets are free for students and the games are actually exciting.

Finally, show up to class. Building a rapport with your instructors makes it easier to talk to them when the material gets a little tough. Also, if they see that you're at least making an effort, they'll be more likely to help you out in whatever way they can.

I know everyone's college experience is different and some may benefit none from my advice. But, if at least one more person gets away with Facebooking in class, makes the next home game or decides not to spend their money blaring 45 minutes of "Soulja Boy," then I feel I've made a difference.