Thank you for reading my column this year. I found great joy reading your replies each week.
Traditionally, final columns have often been a thank-you or a reflection piece. I want to leave you with two pieces of advice.
One of the greatest influences on my life has been Dr. James Caswell. If you do not know whom I am talking about, I encourage you to ask a professor or an administrator about him.
He had the remarkable ability to make you feel valued because he truly valued each student on this campus. Caswell once passed on to me some important advice: Prior planning prevents poor performance. He encouraged me to always plan, plan and plan.
As a fellow student leader, I also pass on this advice. Make sure you always plan prior to your events. Even in your personal life, you should make plans. Plan your schedule so you do not forget when your tests are. Plan out the things that you want to do while you are in college. Otherwise, you may never do them.
If you take time out to plan, you can easily mitigate the struggles and difficulties that arise. Speaking from personal experience, you should start planning for something three months before it happens. That is not to say that you should not enjoy the abrupt opportunities that will always appear.
My final piece of advice is to build relationships. The most important part of my college experience has been relationships. You will probably never have another opportunity to live in such close proximity to a group of people your own age.
We often take for granted how easily we can make friends. Just think about all the people you have met in the last semester. You will have the opportunity to meet new people in every class you take, every event you go to and every organization you belong to. Make the most of this time and form some real relationships. You will not regret it.
Build good relationships. It really is not that hard. You do not have to necessarily be in a fraternity or a sorority. You don’t even have to belong to a religious group. But please take time out to develop some good friendships. Go out to dinner with your friends. Go watch a movie together. Find a TV series to obsess over or an intramural sport to dominate. Explore all that Dallas has to offer. And when you find a great hole-in-the-wall place, share that with friends. Tailgate together and go to SMU football games together. Take a road trip.
Good friends are people who share life together. That’s what makes a strong community. Share your life with each other.
Whatever you choose to do with your time in college is up to you. However, I really want you to think about what kind of friendships you are forming in college. Is your drinking buddy someone you can depend on 10 years from now? Are the people you go out with every night going to be influential in your life? How are you being a good influence in their lives?
Respect the really close relationships you have. Never forget to say thank you to those closest to you. I know that sounds kind of silly, but you can never appreciate your friends too much.
Never be afraid to reach out and meet someone new. I will never forget the times when I have gone out of my way to say hello to someone. A simple conversation could turn into a friendship for life. If nothing else, you had a good conversation. It might be awkward at firs but a smile always helps. Never forget to make new friends.
As I finally graduate this May, I will be leaving behind many friends who are still in school. I also have many friends who are working already.
As I begin my professional career as a consultant, I know I will be very busy. I will not have as much time to spend with my friends. Therefore, I cherish these last few days I have on campus and pray that you will be able to take some time out of studying and spend some time with your friends.
God bless you all, my fellow Mustangs.
Daniel Liu is a graduate engineering management student. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].
