Because of being stressed and overworked, I have handed the reigns of this week's article to one Mr. Gideon Ticho and asked him to share any words of wisdom he wished to relay. Enjoy:

One of my favorite sayings has always been “fortune favors the bold.”  For as long as I can remember, I’ve tried to live by these words, and they may never be more applicable than now, as I’m standing on the precipice of adulthood. 

The four years we spend in college are often considered to be among the best of our lives, but in order to gain the most from our precious time here, I’ve found that it takes more than just going with the flow, and allowing life to happen around you.  

College, more than any other time in one’s life, is a time for taking risks, for throwing caution to the wind, and plunging headlong into something new, exciting, intimidating, or fun. The choices that you make here can go on to become some of the defining factors of your career, your relationships, and most importantly your character. With that in mind, here are some tips for getting the most possible out of your college experience (some more obvious than others):      

• Get out of your room.It’s amazing how many things can happen to you when you simply get out of bed and walk out the door.  I’m not saying that lying around with Netflix and ice cream isn’t good once in a while, but don’t let it become a habit. The real world is much more rewarding than the one on screen. 
• Gravitate towards people. Whether this means joining a club or organization, playing sports, or just not standing alone in the corner at a party, your natural direction should be towards other people.  It doesn’t mean you have to be the most extroverted person in every situation, but by interacting with others, you’re just more likely to be presented with an opportunity that could change your life. 
• Talk to that guy/girl. Pop a mint or two, count to three, and just do it. Who knows, they might be your next boy/girlfriend. Or, worst-case scenario, they’ll be absolutely unbearable and you’ll never talk to them again. Either way, you’ll never know until you say something to them. 
• At the same time, say what you mean, and mean what you say. There’s nothing worse than people words conflict with their actions. If you have a strong opinion, speak up. If someone is making you uncomfortable, tell them. And for the love of God, don’t lead people on. It’s far better to make a clean cut than encourage a protracted, awkward situation where neither party ends up happy. 
• When in doubt, say yes (within reason, of course). You don’t necessarily have to be Jim Carrey from Yes Man, but when faced with a tough choice, accept the challenge. “Yes” might be the single most powerful word in the English vocabulary, and it takes you places. More places than “no” will take you, at least.  

What you’ve almost certainly noticed about all these tips is that they share one central tenet: the willingness to step outside the comfort zone.  It’s not a coincidence that the happiest people in life tend to also be the biggest risk-takers (according to a 2005 German study).  So what are you waiting for?  Get off your computer and go do something!  Go!