It's hard to believe there are just 13 days left in my sophomore year. It seems like just yesterday I walked onto campus thinking I learned everything already in my first year, but from day one onward, I felt like I was getting slapped with lesson after lesson. Sophomore year can be a great year: you're no longer a freshman with the stigmas that come with and you are too young to worry about post-graduation. From late night study sessions to early morning sunrise trips, my experiences were tough but made me who I am today. Here are nine things I learned:
1. Don't live for the moment.
This may sound counter-intuitive to mainstream culture, but don't discount it. People nowadays live for snapshots rather than the pleasure of an entire experience or a whole conversation. These little moments are nice but longer experiences are lasting and powerful.
2. In 1979, the people of Iran overthrew the U.S.-supported Shah.
After increasing secularization and 2,500 years of monarchy, among many other causes, the people of Iran became fed up and overthrew the Shah through demonstrations, strikes, and civil resistance. Also called the Islamic Revolution, it inspired people because they stood up to other countries not looking out for Iran's best interest. What a time!
3. Mark Twain didn't know how Huck Finn was going to end when he started.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn" in a couple sections and at times meandered through some of the middle of the novel because he couldn't think of an ending. He allegedly visited Hannibal and found inspiration to finish. Interesting stuff!
4. The 13th amendment wasn't certified in Mississippi until 2013.
The thirteenth amendment, as in the one freeing all slaves across the United States of America, wasn't fully certified in Mississippi until 2013, as in three years ago. What were they even thinking?
5. Andy Kaufman and Charlie Kaufman are not brothers.
Given these two's comedic talent, and their shared name, it seems like they must be related! But even though they are only nine years apart, they share no known relation whatsoever. Hmph!
6. The documentary "Supersize Me" was proven false.
Numerous studies have attempted to recreate the results of the study from Morgan Spurlock's famous documentary yet none have achieved it. Documentary busted.
7. The Bay of Pigs invasion was foiled by an American journalist.
A journalist caught wind of the impending invasion and published it, giving the heads up to Castro, preventing the element of surprise and thwarting the plan.
8. Shrimp farming in Bangladesh harms the people and the environment.
Shrimp farming requires mangrove destruction which opens the floodgates to floods that not only kill thousands but also destroy flora and fauna.
9. You don't have to be an athlete to get Athlete's Foot.
