College is like an oyster. There are many layers, and it’s not for everybody. Each year presents fresh challenges.

Most students can agree, we all dread the beginning of school. The stress of long hours in the library, busy class schedules and, for seniors, impending graduation. Whatever it may be, we have to mentally prepare ourselves for what the semester has in store. 

Entering my third year as a student, I have been on both ends of the academic spectrum. Time management is key, and I speak from experience. Use your time wisely, and it will pay off in the end. Nobody wants to be the sixth year senior. Ambition is an admirable quality.

Handling stress is also a big part of the college experience. Taking a break from your studies, athletics, and any other obligations can keep one revitalized throughout a stressful semester. It’s important to keep academics first -- after all, that is why we are all here. However, we’re still human. A daily trip to the rec center, or even a spontaneous wild Tuesday night out is totally acceptable, once in a while. 

At a school like ours, it is easy to get lost in the crowd of students who simply came here for the, “I’m Shmacked,” videos. The truth of the matter is, those who don’t prioritize their time will be lucky to make it past Thanksgiving of their freshman year. Those of us who value our time in school realize they’d like to have a job upon graduation. For the rest -- I hope living in their parent’s basement at age 25 is a wakeup call.

Those from the outside looking in, see WVU as a party school, but the fact of the matter is we have nationally competitive programs, including in business, law, and medical fields. The acceptance rate is high, but the dropout rates high, as well. 

The bottom line is, don’t be another statistic. Make a difference. WVU is known for it’s bad publicity, at least in recent years. I encourage you all to challenge yourselves this semester. You may surprise yourself.

Despite everything I've said, don’t take yourself too seriously. If you are reading this, you are most likely between the ages of 18 and 22. We’re young, and this is the time to make mistakes. Go out -- embarrass yourself (keep the vomiting in pubic to a minimum), and Let’s Go Mountaineers.