Mut(e)iny: The Silent Rebellion

Dear Bison,

The process of deciding what to say to you in this freshman edition has given a whole new meaning to the term "senior moment" as I faced the realization that the beginning of your Howard journey marks the beginning of the end of mine.

At the end of every school year, I post a Facebook note recording the "lessons" I've learned. I've decided to paraphrase and share some of those lessons with you as we both embark on a very important year in our respective lives. Feel free to take them, tweak them, or leave them as you inevitably find your own way.

1. "The Mecca" is not Mecca. I know you are in the honeymoon stages of your Howard relationship, and I probably shouldn't burst your bubble. I'm sorry. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can adjust and respond accordingly. Something will be lost or out of order. Some professor will be unnecessarily difficult, academically and/or personally.

You will not love or even like every member of the HU family. Without question, this is the greatest institution on the planet, but there will be days when you feel like you are in the Underworld—not The Mecca. Learn to take the good with the bad (and to do something about the bad) because your Howard experience, like most experiences, is what you make of it.

2. Don't wait. Participate. This message is not for everyone. I know one of you will be class president in a matter of weeks and any number of you already have a list of organizations that you are eager to join. For the ones who are more inclined to watch the game for a while before playing, that's fine. Just don't wait too long. It's over before you know it.

Don't take any moment for granted. If you don't like the way you see the game being played, it doesn't necessarily mean that's not the right one for you. It might mean they need your input. Either way, don't be afraid to suggest new rules or to start a new game altogether. If you don't like games, even better. Go to work. It'll pay off in the end. If you didn't understand these analogies, don't worry; you will eventually.

 3. Be Yourself. Yes, it's a big cliché, but it's an important one. This applies to every category imaginable: academics, wardrobe, hairstyle, language, personality. Conformity leads to uniformity, and no one wants that. Howard accepted you, not a clone of the person you think you need to be.

 4. Be open to change. Your friend from Freshman Week might find a new crew. You might realize you hate biology. You mom might turn your room into a gym. It'll be ok. Just go with it. If you can stick it out, I promise you won't leave the way you came—and that's a good thing. Welcome and enjoy the ride.

Sincerely,

     A Bison