Most universities like to pride themselves on providing students with a well-rounded, diverse educational experience. But let’s face it, as the world becomes more complex, majors become more specialized. Often students are secluded from the benefits other disciplines have to offer.
North Carolina State University is a well-rounded and diverse educational institution. However, every year students get so boggled down doing homework, meeting project deadlines and cramming for exams that they do not get a chance to take advantage of all the opportunities this diverse school has to offer.
Thankfully, summer gives students the time to take a step back from their particular academic focuses to get a better view of the “big picture.” This three month break from mid-May until mid-August affords students the perfect opportunity to explore new hobbies, build lasting friendships and learn about other subjects outside their majors.
Here is my advice to the students who were smart enough to stick around NCSU for the summer.
Instead of only surrounding yourself with people in your curriculum, make new friends. Introduce yourself to people from different cultural and educational backgrounds. Invite these new friends on a road-trip and explore all the great outdoor spots that North Carolina has to offer.
Better yet, invite your friends to a local café and practice your foreign language skills. Arabic and Japanese are increasingly popular languages, and there are opportunities around Raleigh to learn or practice it. For those who struggle at understanding a foreign language, this does not need to inhibit your ability to explore another culture or religion.
Explore new types of cuisine: Try some authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at Neomonde on Beryl Road or Japanese restaurants, such as Sushi Blues on Glenwood Avenue and Kanki Steakhouse at Crabtree Valley Mall.
Build a chuppah and celebrate Shavuot on June 6 by having a nice meal with your Jewish friends. Log on to the Student Organization Resource Center webpage and join one of over four hundred cultural, educational, professional or community service-oriented student groups.
In fact, summer is a particularly great time to get involved with a community service project. Enjoy tanning as you volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity build, or adopt a little sister or younger brother to play with you in the park as part of the Big Brother or Big Sister program.
Summer should be a time of unhindered exploration. You cannot learn all that NCSU has to offer from a textbook or even a classroom. You have to live it. So stop reading this article already. Get out there and start living, learning and loving college!
Tell Jenn how you’re spending your summer at [email protected]
