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Back
to School: The Adventure Continues
School is back in session. Kids are waiting impatiently for
the bus. Teenagers are forgetting their locker combinations.
And college students everywhere are gasping at the size of
their book bills. With an aura of academia surrounding you,
it's a little strange not to participate this year, isn't
it? You're beginning to really miss your college days and
all they entailed. Planning tailgates. Sleeping in late. Scheduling
Fridays off. Spending an entire day watching reruns of "The
Cosby Show" and then brilliantly concocting a
philosophy paper based on the profound wisdom Dr. Huxtable
bestowed on Vanessa and Rudy.
It's funny. You were so ready to enter the "real world."
Now you'd give anything to go back.
Sorry, Charlie. It ain't happenin'. I've researched it for
myself enough to know. Luckily (or not so luckily, depending
how you view things), you're not the only one who feels this
way. Ask around. All your chums are chomping at the bit to
return to campus, eat one last dining hall cookie, and read
the latest sidewalk chalk messages. While you can't go back
for good, it's healthy to continue to nurture your college
friendships. Here are some ideas for easy, cheap and fun mini-reunions
to enjoy with your friends:
Homecoming. Chances are good your college or
university has a weekend (usually devoted to football, basketball
or some other sport) where alumni/ae can come back and wax
nostalgia without being critically labeled "those old
people" by the newbies on campus. Take advantage of it. Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity for friends to reunite. Everyone
is already familiar with the surroundings and probable agenda.
And if you still have acquaintances on campus (or in your
sorority or fraternity house), you can probably bum a free
place to stay for a night or two. See who's taken over your
old bunk, check out your horoscope in the campus newspaper,
even gloat to your old profs about what a huge success you've
become. (Hey, it's okay to lie a little).
Take a Road Trip. It's not uncommon for recent
grads to be spread out across the country. Call in sick and
make a long weekend road trip to visit each other. [Try this:
"I have a problem with my eye. . . I can't 'see' myself
coming in to work today."] Last year, during Columbus
Day
weekend,
I made a trek to visit a friend who had moved to Columbus,
Ohio
. Sure, Columbus for
Columbus Day is kinda random. But isn't randomness what we
miss about college? It was a fun trip. I saw my friend, envied
her new house and explored a new city. It had all the ingredients
of a mini-vacation - with a free place to stay. Bonus!
Create Your Own Holiday. Sure, your college
roommate's wedding is inked on the calendar. But why not plan
a time for everyone to get together without the fuss and formality?
Some guy friends took this advice to heart and developed Fantasy Football
Friday, with draft picks and hot wings. Some of my girlfriends and
I look forward to celebrating Matthew
McConaughey's
birthday
in November. It can be anything you want - planned or spontaneous
- just like in college.
Travel Abroad. You and your college friends
learned a lot together. Why not continue the tradition? If
you're being good and saving pennies, consider stepping outside
your usual playground. Call up your buddies and go on a real,
grown-up vacation complete with airfare, a hotel,
the works. Simply phoning a travel agent will make you feel
more sophisticated. So will posting brochures for exotic destinations
in your cubical at work. Look up landmarks. Purchase a foreign
language phrase book. Step aboard the fun plane or hop on
the whimsical boat. Broaden your horizons. |
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