<p>Walking through the famed quad of one of Americas best colleges before freshman year begins, I began thinking of what exactly Im here to accomplish, and its relevance in my immediate success. I also wondered how the various dynamics of my social life here impact both my immediate and long-term success. </p>
<p>I find it interesting that students here are especially accepting of the binge drinking culture, hook-up (for lack of a better term) politics, excessive partying, and Marijuana use. I take issue with these three aspects especially because of my own experiences at the High School level. As Im sure that, as college students, we are all familiar with the attributes mentioned above, I wont waste space describing them.</p>
<p>I rose to the top of my high school class not because I was the most intelligent student, but because I invested my intellect more prudently than my peers. Yet, my dreams of a reformed college culture have largely been shattered by my revelation that many of my peers harbor an alarming interest in the previously mentioned inhibitors of academic success. It may be true that it is merely orientation, and that serious academic work has yet to begin, but I hold the personal belief that ones actions taken now demonstrate the extent (and indeed behavioral tendencies) of a lapse in judgment that one will demonstrate during the academic year. Is it not true that if an individual gets wasted during orientation, they will certainly exhibit the same behavior during the academic year? This work hard, play hard behavior, I believe, is a malefactor in the academic success of this institutions student body because of its contradictory conceptual duopoly in the average students perception of what can be collective referred to as college life. Yet, nearly (or at least the vast majority) of students buy into this misleading philosophy. While this behavior can arguably be an accepted norm at an ordinary institution, its prevalence at even the most elite universities is alarming simply because these are the future leaders of America. Why are the future leaders of America getting trashed on Saturday night? But perhaps the most important question: are they? No. They are not. The students passed out at 3 am Sunday morning are merely individuals in the midst of greatness, yet not a part of it; they will do well, but not nearly as well as those who are constantly focused on their work (inclusive of extracurriculars, etc.). </p>
<p>Some will inevitably argue that there are students who get trashed on weekends, yet manage to excel academically, yet under scrutiny this claim fails as well. Even if a student manages to accomplish this, he or she is still not living up to his or her potential. Therefore, there still exists (at the very least) a contradiction of philosophies: the work hard, play hard mentality grinds against its very components rather than complementing its various aspects. More likely, however, this student will fall into the typology described in my previous paragraph.</p>
<p>My philosophy is that it is not the student that gets trashed every weekend who will succeed in the real world; on the contrary, it is the student who abstains from this behavior in favor of academics and career success/direction who will accomplish the most. The leading misconception of the latter student is that this individual will possess inferior social skills, extracurriculars, etc, because these attributes require social ability, of which the studious individual lacks as a result of a limited social presence. Yet, I refute this misconception on the grounds that the individual who is able to present him or herself professionally and intelligently need not be especially versed in social relations. This individual need only exhibit an ability to present himself professionally, and above all, be intelligent and hard working. Who is the student who will be most able to demonstrate the above qualities? One again, it will be the student who has abstained from the negative aspects of college culture in favor of the positive attributes who will go the farthest. The individual who indulges in binge drinking and drug use may be able to ape the elements of success, but the transcripts, recommendations, and resumes will be the differentiating factor, the determiner of greatness.</p>
<p>So, going into my first year of college, I choose to not party, not drink, hook-up, etc. and instead throw myself completely into my studies and chosen extracurriculars. I choose not to follow my peers. Instead, I will blaze my own path in this maze we call college. I may not be the most intelligent student on campus, but through prudence, will emerge ahead.</p>