thursday. september 4, 2003
jayplay.13
MAKE OUT IN THE STACKS AT WATSON LIBRARY
Who says books aren't sexy? The dark, quiet and easy to hide in stacks at Watson Library are your best chance at hooking up on campus without getting caught. The key is to stay quiet because you are in a library, and alert so you can slide around the corner easily if someone is browsing for a book nearby. Simply studying can be so boring.
PUT SOME MONEY AWAY
It's never too early to start saving for the future. And if you get a crappy job out of school — or worse, no job — then you'll have a little cushion to fall back on so you won't have to move back in with Mom and Dad. At least not right away. But if you're not comfortable stuffing your cash in your mattress or sock drawer, it couldn't hurt to meet with a-certified financial planner like Tana Ahlen, manager of Morgan Stanley, 1201 Wakarusa Dr.
Ahlen says saving depends on the individual. Whether you are a college student or have been working for 20 or 30 years, everybody's financial needs are different.
"A general rule for anyone is to have 20 months of living expenses in liquid form," Ahlen said. "Checking, savings, money market accounts or a certificate of deposit are all steps along the way you can take. Any kind of savings people do is important."
EAT AT BURRITO KING
Your best bet with The Burrito King, 900 Illinois St., is to eat there late. After a night of boozing and dancing you'll be so hungry it won't matter what you eat, and hopefully it will stay down. But later, much later, you will look back on that night with pride and realize that you followed in the steps of so many KU students before you having indulged yourself at The Burrito King.
SKIP CLASS AT 2:30 P.M. TO DRINK BEER AT THE CROSSING
The Crossing, 618 W. 12th St., is a great spot for people watching, to enjoy warm afternoons and, of course, to drink beer. This Lawrence institution is the place to be in the afternoons. And how can you not want to stop for a beer after seeing the crowded outdoor seating area? Bonus: It's close to campus so, if
you must,
you can
drink a
few then
he aed
back to
class.
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
Do this especially if you live in a residence hall, but it doesn't matter what kind of dwelling you inhabit. Getting to know
your neighbors may prevent noise problems and you may make some life-long friends. But in some cases, beware: There is always the possibility for problematic neighbors, no matter how neighborly you act towards them. So if they become too loud, call the non-emergency police number, 843-0250.
KEEP A HOUSE PLANT ALIVE
This is important to do because it shows that even though your parents aren't around, you can take care of things. And if you can't, it's just a plant so if it dies you probably won't care that much. A plant is a good place to start and if you can successfully keep it alive, it's probably safe to move onto a fish. This will prepare you for important life skills before graduation. My mom, gardener extraordinaire, recommends an aloe vera plant because, as she told me when she handed my first aloe, it's very hard to kill. I've kept mine alive for almost three years and it's grown so large my roommates affectionately call it Seymour.
MARCH IN A PROTEST OR PEACE RALLY
"Honking for Hemp" on Massachusetts Street doesn't count. There's always some group marching or protesting in Lawrence, so it should be fairly easy to find a cause you can support for your first rally. The protest and
"I would like to attend a taping of the Price is Right and visit the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory. In fact, that Is my plan for Spring Break." STEPHANIE WILKINSON WICHITA SENIOR
peace rally, once chic in the 60s and 70s, has come full circle with the U.S. troops occupying Iraq, terrorism and well, marijuana.
LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS
It seems like everyone plays basketball or goes running these days, but for exercise that's truly fun try tennis. It's easy to learn after a couple of lessons from Lawrence Parks and Recreation. Lawrence truly is lucky with the abundance of lighted courts so you can avoid the heat by playing at night.
SEND OUT RESUMES
This is something you know already but worth repeating. At least try to find a job so you can avoid moving back home. And if you don't send out any resumes it will be difficult to find a job and employers will rarely come looking for you. So let them know you're out there and think big. You may score your dream job. Maybe.
RIDE THE NIGHT CAMPUS EXPRESS
If you're into people watching or meeting new people, this is a must do. You never really know what type of people you'll see on the night buses, so look at it as diversifying your knowledge of your fellow KU students. It's an adventure, too. If you hop on and just ride without looking at the route map you won't know where you're going to end up. You will get to see parts of Lawrence you never would have seen.