Slow down rat race for self-preservation
by Brian Abrams, Reporter

   I finally understand the meaning of the expression "take your time." Running to school, going to get the car washed, grabbing a quick bite, rushing off to work, driving, studying, piling into traffic to head home, driving, stopping for gas, feeding the cat, cooking dinner, keeping your special lady friend pleased and exhaustingly crashing into bed.

   You shut your eyes, and the next thing you know, the alarm clock goes off without notice.

   You did not take your time. Someone took it from you. Granted, we are all adults and can live up to our responsibilities, but somewhere in the midst of all our laundry lists, we need to step back and breathe.

   The same applies to goal-oriented students. You need a high GPA to get into a good four-year school, but pick the right school. You wouldn't want a future employer to think any less of you. Then, you must complete your required courses swiftly so you can move on to your major.

   Your major has to be perfect, and you need high marks for praise at graduation if you want to get a meaningful internship.

   The internship is important because without it you may not ever meet the right people. We all know that if you don't meet the right people, you may not make the money you want to make or get your dream job-and you could be stuck in an unhappy rut working at your hairy uncle's used car lot.

   Worse, you could find yourself three times a week at the neighborhood pub inhaling vodka to help you blame those selfish terrorists for snagging all the good jobs our country used to have.

   Before you know it, your 20s and 30s have blown by, and you have a spouse, children and a car with that Winnie-the-Pooh sun visor stuck to the back window. In the words of David Byrne, "You ask yourself, well, how did I get here?"

   Excessive planning can be more burden than guidance. Be ambitious toward your education for the sake of learning. Let's not get too wrapped up in understanding the politics and jargon of a certain trade better so you don't sound like a schmuck in your interviews.

   If our college years are the "greatest time in our lives," then let's not forget it. Remember to enjoy yourself; we can worry about our new boss when it comes time.

   We shouldn't all quit our jobs, smoke pot on the couch and catch up on Spike Lee and South Park-as tempting as it may be-but we should pace ourselves. Our goals and actions are important for today, but let's not worry too much about our well-being five years from now.

   If we're not too careful, this go-go-go lifestyle will kill us all, and we won't even notice when it happens.