For Boo

Our baby heads off to college in a few weeks. We're excited for her and what God has in store for her education and future. Before she goes just a few words for my "Boo". These are for you, baby, based on my own undergraduate and graduate experience:

• Go to class and resist the temptation to blow them off (profs take notice of who's there and who's not, even in big classes)---getting behind in college is a killer.
  
• Take great notes and find out what's more important to your professor like note-taking, reading assignments, lecture content, etc.
• Don't kiss a fool and don't be fooled by a kiss.
• Get involved in a campus ministry organization. It will change your life and you will meet some great people who will become friends for life as well as the opportunities to serve.
• Everyone crams but pace yourself and do the daily work, reading, and research so you aren't constantly cramming. Continual cramming will eventually backfire.
• College is an investment. You will get out of it what you put into it.
  
• Take advantage of the great health and fitness centers. After you graduate you have to pay for them!
  
• Live out the gifts God has deposited in you on campus by serving through CFC, Campus Crusade, or other ministries. Part of the college experience is giving as well as taking. Those who "take" all four years don't know how to give and they become selfish adults.
  
• Get familiar with the library and make spending time there a habit. You won't regret it.
• Ask the "stupid" question. As you know the only stupid question is the one that is never asked. You will save a lot of time, anxiety and confusion by simply asking and seeking clarification from professors, registrars, academic advisers, grad assistants, etc.
  
• Decide for yourself early on if you are going to be "influenced" by the crowd or be an "influence" to others.
  
• Values matter.
  
• Stay up with class reading. Again, falling behind is a killer to catch up.
• Go to events (homecoming, pep rallies, student government sponsored events, poetry readings, etc.) it's where you meet people and it's free. Don't miss theatre productions by the drama/theatre department, concerts by bands, guest lecturers, etc., it will broaden you culturally and expose you to other ideas.
• Pizza is your friend.
• Save the late night caffeine (cokes and coffee) for finals, midterms and papers. The rest of the time limit caffeine to earlier in the day because you'll need your rest.
• Remember whose you are (Psalm 139).
  
• Have fun, but remember you are making a deposit on your future. Sleeping in, skipping classes and partying is fun, but it will bankrupt you as an adult. You want to get dividends like a good job, grad school, etc. Those who only make withdrawals end up broke academically so invest in your future.
• Pick your friends and include people others leave out.
• We're a phone call and a two hour drive away, never hesitate to let us know when your hurting, upset, tired, cranky, sick, happy, or sad. Like we've always said, there's nothing you can't tell us. We're your biggest fans.
• The "in crowd" is a load of bunk. I never bought into it. "In" inevitably excludes others whose wallets, race, or family background they consider less than desirable, or equal to theirs.
  
• Write, email and phone family regularly. We want to know how you are doing and we want to know how we can specifically pray for you and help you.
  
• Last and most important, read your Bible and keep a quiet time. When the world is crashing down (trust me it will) you need truth and an intimate relationship with the hope of the world, Jesus. Not even Mom or I can come close to the power of His presence.