Follow this list to have college fun

I'm speaking from the highly confused vantage point of a senior without a thesis topic, who is all too soon to be an English graduate without a job. I've begun to think, in fact, that all these advice columns really ought to be written to people like me.

You first-year students - you'll figure it out. Compared to the real world, college is not that complicated.

Liz Lucas Country Feedback

Still, I have managed to learn a few things over the past three years, which I only wish I'd known when I entered the University. So I will henceforth pass this wisdom on to you.

Here it is, everything you'll eventually learn in college, in an easy-to-read column format that you can save forever.

Well, everything except the things you'll get tested on. That would just take away all the fun.

* There is life beyond Central Campus. I could never list everything there is to do in Ann Arbor, but here are a few suggestions: Watch a team practice on the athletic campus. Visit the many restaurants west of State Street, such as Real Seafood Co. (when your parents come to town) and Dinersty (when you actually want to go out for Chinese instead of getting delivery).

Go to community events such as the Saturday Farmer's Market and the immense used-book sales at the Ann Arbor District Library.

Tour Gallup Park or Burns Park next time you want to enjoy some of Michigan's rare good weather. After a few months, you'll be able to add to this list yourself.

* Go to Meijer at least once. Those of you from out of state may not have experienced Meijer before, but once you have you will never forget it. University students know Meijer as the most well-stocked and cheapest source of groceries, not to mention other essential consumer goods like magazines and bargain-bin two-dollar cassettes.

Open 24 hours, Meijer also provides late-night entertainment when there's absolutely nothing else to do. If you can get there, of course. Which brings me to ...

* Make friends with someone who has a car. If you don't own one yourself, it's definitely helpful to have guaranteed rides to Meijer, the mall, the airport or - if you're feeling really daring - the rest of the metro area.

Though 'U' students often seem to overlook this fact, Detroit boasts a celebrated art museum, the state's largest bookstore and the country's best hockey team, among other cultural landmarks. Not to mention, it's three hours closer than Chicago.

* Join a group or activity. This means that you'll instantly know people, and that you'll have the chance to leave your mark on one - or possibly more - facets of the University. Whatever your interest, you're virtually guaranteed to find other people who share it, and you'll be assured of a niche in what can be a vast and overwhelming atmosphere.

* Be ready to change your mind. Don't feel obligated to always have the same type of friends, study the same subject or want the same career that you do now.

College allows you to meet different people and pursue a variety of interests, and these may very well take you in unexpected directions over four years.

Remember, this is one of the only times in life that you'll be freely able to completely change your plans.

* Above all, take college seriously but not too seriously. Trust me, life will not end if you fail one test (or even one class) or if you take a long time to choose a major or a job.

Having fun is only a part - but an important part - of being here. This might sound a little contradictory - be serious but not too serious, involved but ready to change. The truth is, though, that college is made up of just such a variety of experiences.

It's equally as rewarding to be entirely committed to one organization as to sit in the Arb and watch the river without a care in the world.

In other words - you've got four years here to do what you want. Don't miss out on any of it.

- Liz Lucas is a former Daily Weekend, etc. editor. She can be reached via e-mail at erelucas@umich.edu.

09-08-98