What if I did better in school this semester? What if I called that guy back? What if I didn’t listen to Britney Spears every second of the day? OK, maybe that last one is just me.
As the 2008 semester and year come to an end, I feel that I, and assumingly most other students, have included the phrase “what if?” in front of many sentences this year.
We often get hung up on the past and dwell too much on what could have been.
Sometimes I wonder if we should blame our generation or the generation before us, but a lot of issues lately have kind of sucked.
Whether in regard to hooking up, grades, politics or the economy, students, especially in these uncertain times, should try to change their attitudes to be more positive in the new year, if they haven’t already.
Now, more than ever, the rate of “what ifs?” must be through the roof. So what do we do? Do we reminisce about what we could have done or do we say forget the past and storm the streets yelling “Carpe Diem!”
I say the latter. Well, maybe without the dramatics.
Of course, we can’t forget the past completely because we do need to learn from it. However, we don’t need to become entrapped in it.
Like I said, times are rough right now, and if you’re not doing what you feel like doing – school-wise, socially or financially – then stop having “what if?” conversations with yourself and start doing something about it today.
Before this turns into an inspirational lecture, I believe we have to blame ourselves to an extent.
It’s time to take responsibility for our generation and stop moping about how monstrous the economy is, how you can’t get a job or how cute the guy who ignores you is.
We have to stop waiting for politicians to save us, we have to stop waiting for other people to bail us out and we have to save ourselves.
We need to look to friends, family members and classmates for help and guidance, but when it comes down to it, we need to change our attitudes and ourselves.
After all, who is the one who didn’t start saving early, didn’t get a job or didn’t start the conversation?
Don’t get me wrong, we all make mistakes. I know that more than anyone else. But I’ve come to realize my fascinations with “What If’s?” has made me not involved as much as I could be.
It’s time for our generation to stand up for ourselves, start taking responsibility and stop trying to blame others.
We need to look toward the future and act now. We do not want to forget the past, but learn from it.
In 2009, Northeastern, I challenge you to seriously decrease your number of “what ifs?”
In the words of the legendary Ms. Spears, I ask you, Northeastern students, “Why don’t you get up and do somethin’?”
– Daniel Buono is a sophomore journalism major.
