Monday, October 20, 2014

It is our nature, as college freshmen, to make mistakes. We try, we fail, we learn, and adjust. It should be a tradition that at the end of every year, the freshman post these mistakes on a public bulletin board. It should go someplace where everyone can see it. Each freshman should write down their biggest mistake to be posted up for everybody to see. Though it may be something to be ashamed of, participating in this activity could act as a reminder that everybody makes mistakes. We could find a way to make it anonymous. There could be a box that people can voluntarily go up to in Gee or in Montgomery and write on a piece of paper to put inside of, similar to a ballet entry. Then, after the year has ended, a professor could go through them for approval to ensure that there is nothing that is utterly inappropriate. After all, we wouldn't want to seem like we encourage brutally bad decision-making. This way when the incoming freshmen arrive for the following year, they can see the board and be forewarned. It is much easier to learn from others' mistakes than to make your own and learn the hard way. Of course, there will always be that stubborn girl who says, "Well, GOLLY! That sounds like fun. Let's ignore their blatantly horrid experience and try it for ourselves!" However, at least that girl, as well as all others who read the board, will have gotten a kick out out of some of some good old-fashioned screw-ups. This, in my opinion, is a marvelous and simply fun idea. The entry box could be called the Confession Cube and we could title the board something like Freshmen Mishaps or Tales of the Foolish Freshmen. Let's forget embarrassment and realize wisdom.