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Local News

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Weekend column: First quarter of college full of lessons
Ewald Furniture - Tiffin
By BAILEY SHOEMAKER-RICHARDS

As my first quarter of true college life came to an end, I reflected on a lot of the things I have learned. Most of them have not been in a classroom, although that is not to say I haven't been learning a lot there, too. So much has gone on in 10 short weeks that I feel like I have lived here in Athens for 10 years. A lot of the things I've learned apply pretty specifically to college students, but some of the lessons apply to basically everyone.

People don't grow up. Most college freshmen are still in the mindset of high school seniors: they don't want to work, they want the world handed to them on a plate and they want it all to be easy, quick and painless. Most college freshmen have learned some pretty painful lessons about what college professors expect.

A lot of college juniors and seniors are still in that mindset, somehow scraping by. There is just as much drama in college as in high school. People don't change.

Not all college professors expect something from you. I have one class in particular where the professor basically expects students to fail. She sets us up for success quite well, basically giving out answers to tests the day before we have them, but there is no mandatory attendance policy. The responsibility is placed entirely on the head of the student. That's pretty cool.

However, most college professors do expect something from you. They expect you to show up to class, have the material read, turn in your papers on time and participate in discussions. Those classes are the hardest, the kind you leave with a headache, but they are also the classes that end up being your favorite because you learn so much.

You will learn, whether you like it or not. Even if the majority of your education happens outside the classroom, it's impossible to be on a college campus and not learn something about human nature, especially your own.

College is nowhere near as hard — or as easy — as people like to make it out. This one probably doesn't make much sense at face value, but work with me. College work might be harder than what a student is used to, but there is a lot more time to get all of the work done. Not having the exact same schedule every day allows us as students to plan our studying accordingly, and gives us a lot of freedom. That does open the door to some spectacular procrastination, but the all-nighter stories are some of the best.

You don't have to drink to have fun. I have been on Ohio University's campus since September and I haven't gone to any parties, but I'm still having the time of my life. Even though OU, and every other college, happens to be a party school, that's not all that goes on. All you have to do is find the right people at the right time, or even just do something by yourself. There is always something fun going on around campus.

Few things are more fun than running around shooting people with Nerf guns at all hours of the day and night. This one might be specific to a few colleges and universities, but it's definitely true. The game called Humans vs. Zombies is a week-long event in which about 600 people on OU's campus split into two groups and see if any humans can survive a zombie apocalypse. I have never had more fun in my life, and I met some of my best friends on campus through getting out and playing.

College is one of the most fun things you could ever do with your life. If you work it right, by which I mean applying to your life that policy of working hard before playing hard, then nothing can stop you from enjoying the college experience. I'm home for a six-week break, which makes my mom happy, but I know that I'll spend most of it missing all of the people and places I've come to love.

Bailey Shoemaker Richards is a freshman at Ohio University and a 2008 graduate of Findlay High School.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

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The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

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The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

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Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.