College success in three steps
By Michael Maxwell
Another year of Santa Clara is upon us. Another year of Benson food and events at The Bronco. Another year of watching the freshmen class transform from confused packs of nomads on Friday nights in September, to confident packs of party-hungry wolves by June.
For those of you joining the Santa Clara program for the first time: welcome and good luck. Santa Clara is a school with great people, fun professors, and personality to spare. No, we don't have a football team, but we're great at the other football (the one popular in every country except ours). So be sure to give that a try.
It's my senior year here at Santa Clara, and every year I make a habit of examining what I've learned from college. Allow me to present the culmination of my research: the three S's of college: studying, socializing and sleeping. These three words hold the key to success in college and in the real world.
The first "S" is fairly straightforward. In almost every case, the more you study, the better you do in class, which in turn translates into a higher grade. This, unlike actually achieving those high marks, is not rocket science.
The effects of socializing in college are a bit subtler. A Syracuse University survey found that most students believe that socializing is almost equal to learning in defining success in college. Socializing makes studying bearable and ensures you won't be the next Milton (a la "Office Space") in your workplace.
Last but not least, the average college student needs a minimum of 8.5 hours of sleep per night -- the most out of any other age group. The average college student gets between six and 6.9 hours of sleep per night. Studies show that lack of sleep leads to distraction, tension, depression and anger, all detrimental to a healthy lifestyle.
Now that you know and understand the three S's for success in college, allow me to throw one last variable into the success equation -- a footnote, if you will.
It is only possible to be successful at two of the S's at any given time. Getting nine hours of sleep, studying all day, and going out to parties just isn't going to work.
What is a person to do besides introduce legislation to enact a new ingenious 30-hour day?
My advice is to find a balance you like, then find others who share your preferences; that way, you'll have something to build a relationship on.
And never engage in the same two S's for too long -- you will realize your mistake just as you receive your official Santa Clara proof of purchase on commencement day.
*Ã Ã Michael Maxwell's column appears once a month. He can be reached at mmaxwell@scu.edu.