Good advice is something we all need in our lives, especially during times of change. Most likely if you are reading this article, you are finding that you are facing a time of transition - and I am not just talking about freshmen.
At some point in our lives we have all received advice about college - whether it be from our seemingly paranoid parents warning us of the dangers of partying or from campus security threatening us with tickets for improper parking - and it is all up to us to take the information to heart.
I would like to offer you a piece of advice that you may have never heard before. However, I guarantee it will make your life and the lives of others much better. This advice is to simply be considerate of other people's pet peeves.
I know, this may sound a bit strange or maybe even obvious at first, but there are a few things I would like to point out.
You are now living among thousands of other students and coming in close contact with them on a daily basis. It is important to take some of your everyday actions into consideration.
For example, do you really think the girl in front of you appreciates the fact that you have decided to tap the back leg of her desk with your foot for the entire duration of calc class?
Or how do you think your friends really feel about your "hilarious" "Baby Got Back" techno remix ringtone that blares several times a day? I doubt they are thinking it is very funny anymore.
Maybe you could consider your roommates when you decide to hit snooze four times at 8 a.m because you really do not want to shower before class anyway.
And I know everyone enjoys the occasionally leisurely walk - however, you might want to pick up the pace when you are walking on a main sidewalk two minutes before class starts. Everyone has somewhere to go, so save that slow stroll for a Sunday afternoon.
Perhaps you have complete control of your feet, only set a simple ring tone on your cell phone, and are a fast walker at all times. Still, take some time today to see if there is something you can change to make others' lives a little easier.
So as you are meeting new friends in these next few weeks and are asking the same cliché questions, such as "Where are you from?" and "Do you call it pop or soda?" stop and ask, "So, what are your pet peeves?" It is a great conversation starter that can lead to lasting, peaceful relationships.