March 16, 2007 \ The Clarion
OPINION
Page 7
Skipping class, tlie spring edition
by Molly Carlson
Layout Editor
The other day while walking to class, cross
ing the bridge over King’s Creek, I felt a sensa
tion missing since last year It was that uncon
trollable, magnetic pull and slinky voice in my
head whispering “that creek looks really
nice...it’s so warm...you don’t really need to
go to class.” That time, I shut up the voice and
dragged myself the rest of the way to Honors
Existential Philosophy. Don’t get me wrong,
Dostoevsky is fascinating, but sometimes so
are butterflies landing on the grass.
I am not advocating skipping class, well...
actually I am. If you have done considerably
well so far this semester, why not give your
self a break? College is about getting an educa
tion, but it’s also about a complete package and
growing as a person. Part of that growth is
experiences you will have here, and the memo
ries that will stay with you when you leave. To
be honest, I will remember wrapping up in vi
brant “Kmart commercial” towels with friends
clad in giant sunglasses (a style I’m sure we
will laugh at later) after jumping into a pool
under a waterfall more affectionately than the
notes on bell curves I should have been present
to take.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for you fail
ing your classes, but if done responsibly, you
can give yourself miniature vacations. So here’s
my formula: keep your grades up. Get your
work done for all your classes. If you’re going
to miss a class, make sure it’s worth it, don’t
miss because you overslept or were sitting in
your room watching something lame like MTV’s
“Nexf’ (you’re not going to remember that
fondly either). Check your syllabus, most pro
fessors give three free absences. Miss only one
class a week and vary the class you miss so
you aren’t consistently absent in one particu
lar course (that will screw you over). You’ll
keep your sanity in tact and on top of your
work. So get out there! The creek is gorgeous,
and a great place to catch up on homework or
um.. gossip. And don’t forget about Pisgah or
DuPont, the trails are calling you (I’m evil)!
You could spend a morning walking through
shops downtown, or cut out early on Friday
for some adventures in Asheville. The possi
bilities are unlimited. Just remember to be smart
about it, don’t let your skipping strategies ruin
your GPA.
As a senior about to graduate with honors in
exactly one month, three weeks and five days
(not counting or anything), I am ready to be
done. All of us seniors are stressed to the point
of tears, and unfortunately most of my skip
ping these days has been to catch up on school-
work. Regardless, I can tell you those four (or
five, or six) years will go by lightning fast. I
want to make sure I leave here with a degree
that means something, but more importantly I
want to remember why I loved Brevard College
and the people who were there with me. I
apologize to my professors in advance, but if
you don’t see me in next class... I promise I’m
doing something worthwhile.
Playing with friends and innertubes in the Davidson River Photo by Katie Berube