Only five weeks left, just enough time to finish a checklist

Five weeks, that's all there is. If I had to choose one word that sums up the attitude that seniors take during their last five weeks of undergraduate education it definitely would be apathy.

Heather Kamins Kandid Kamins

After three-and-a-half years of paying attention during lectures, toiling over essays and exams, updating resumes, applying for internships and jobs, waiting for acceptance letters and collecting letters - I'm bored. Bored with it all.

Although my future is still very up in the air, I've got choices, and have resolved to do nothing more than enjoy myself during these last few weeks. This is what it is supposed to be all about second semester senior year. We're supposed to come back from spring break tan and relaxed. The biggest weight on our minds each day is supposed to be whether it is a bar night or a party night, right?

So we waste away the last few days to avoid becoming weepy while thinking of the past or overwhelmed by the uncertain future. Everything becomes one big love-fest. We even become nostalgic at Blimpy Burgers, wondering if it will be the last time we'll get scolded by the fry lady.

And all the details (classes, homework, meeting, meetings with professors) that have filled our days at the University become superfluous. Few events seem interesting. The presidential election has become dull. It's March Madness time but Michigan basketball still is dull.

My book bag and day planner have both been stored safely away in a drawer. My time now is divided evenly between sleep and socializing. The only commitments I have yet to fulfill on campus (besides a few credits here and there) compile a checklist of a few University nicks and crannies that I have to hit before I leave.

I agree, it may be cheesy, but bear with me - you'll understand when you're a senior. So here it is, my list of things I need to do before I graduate:

- Climb up the Michigan Union flagpole. Maybe I'll steal flag. Oops, that's already been done.

- Grow plants in the green house behind the Natural Science Building. Or maybe I'll just write my initials for posterity sake in the white gook on the sides of the windows.

- Take a photo atop the pumas in front of the Natural History Museum.

Go skinny dipping in the Huron River. Actually, I may just go fishing in it.

- Paint the rock. It's unoriginal I know, but I've never done it.

- Play in Maya Ling's landscape sculpture "Wave Field" on North Campus. She's world famous and a little culture never hurt anyone.

- Visit the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. It's not just for kids.

- Eat at Le Dog. I'm pretty partial to the "Dollar Dog" guy, but the little red stand always looks pretty enticing.

- Jump off the high dive at Canham. I've always wanted to do that. Hopefully, I won't have to make the diving team to get my chance.

- Go rappelling off the side of the School of Dentistry Building. They let the ROTC kids do it, why not me?

- Forget running the Naked Mile, how about doing it on a skateboard. Don't worry Mom, I'm not really going to do it.

- Take over The Michigan Daily. Oh, I already did that.

- Rent a helicopter to view the campus from overhead. I really just want to see if the School of Dentistry Building really looks like a molar or if the School of Music Building looks a piano.

- Have a meaningful conversation with the CRISP lady. A girl can hope, right? It'd be even better if they'd get James Earl Jones.

- Figure out how to open up my IFS space through Telnet. I've always wondered how to do that.

- Occupy a major campus administrator's office. Maybe I'll just take over the CRISP lady's office. It's how you get noticed on campus, at least how you get the press to pay attention.

- Run for MSA. I've always wanted to wear a sandwich board on my chest.

- Buy a coursepack. Speaks for itself.

- Start reading all those books I bought for my classes. I guess I have the rest of my life to do that. You never stop learning, right?

- Heather Kamins is definitely open to more suggestions, as she has a lot of time on her hands. She can be reached via e-mail at

hbk@umich.edu.