While contemplating the vortex of homework I seem to constantly be pulled into, I had the most profound (or at least beyond exciting) revelation – spring break is approximately two weeks away. I always thoroughly enjoy myself ? yes, the beach, sun, waves, actual heat – no sweatshirts, parkas or Carharts needed. Okay, not quite that picture exactly. I’m usually stuck at home, but it is one whole week of glorious freedom from all thoughts, sticky notes and day planners related to homework. Just in case you’re wondering, I don’t have all things organized to a “T,” only all homework and due dates duly noted.

Many people will be flitting home or to some “exotic” warm place for that entire week. Spring break is by far one of the more celebrated breaks in the school year because it’s stereotyped as “fun in the sun” and occasionally “don’t ask don’t tell.” I look forward to spring break for two reasons – a whole week of sleeping in, absolute laziness and no schedule, and also because it means that one day during that week of blissful freedom I have the opportunity to celebrate another year in the hourglass.

Seeing as how we all are participating in the great and infamous college experience, I must say you only live once so you should try to have a good spring break experience. It’s even better because you can leave the worry, stress or boring classes behind. I’m sure the professors will be glad to see us all gone and they can have some peace and quiet.

Being up there in years, I feel compelled to give some advice, random and maybe helpful (it might even crack a smile). You only live once and usually only have one college experience, so make spring break enjoyable, even if you are one of the “stranded” i.e. left in South Dakota. Have fun in the sun, but please, for all of us and all the teasing you’re sure to get later, avoid the funky tan lines – you may be tan but we’ll still laugh because we’re white and tan line-free. Also, if for some reason you manage to honestly get yourself stranded somewhere, don’t take the old guy offering you a ride up on his offer. One, it’s obviously not the right choice and two, it’s just plain creepy (shivers). Oh yeah, the most important of all – souvenirs are always welcomed by those stranded in S.D. (I’m for serious now).

Enjoy spring break, wherever you end up. I will be as snug as a bug in a rug under six blankets sleeping the days away and doing as little as possible, even washing the dishes – wait, I don’t even do that now.

Ahoy, thar matey! Keep a weather eye out for an internship, will ya? I’d be much obliged. I be wanting to land that big one for awhile now for I missed me big catch last time ‘cuz danged it all if I didn’t wait ’til the last minute to cast me bait.

For the uninitiated, many students will face that point in their academic career where they must complete an internship to finish their major and eventually graduate. Why do it? It’s not because our professors, college deans, Board of Regents, etc., deem that we should do it for kicks and giggles (although some students dread it like torture). They require internships because it gives us the experience we will need in our future professional careers (and to keep us on an even keel to meet the growing demands of employers).

Internships do five things for us, besides giving us a competitive edge over other job candidates. The five key points of an internship are: observation, contacts, networking, being proactive and evaluation.

By observing we gain inside knowledge of how our field works and we make contacts when we work the professionals and also with other interns who could one day be future co-workers. We would have the opportunity to network not just with our co-workers but also with other professionals at trade shows, company meetings, events, etc.

Being proactive is not only good for the review you’ll get at the end of the internship, but it also helps you in the long run when you help others because it shows you’re willing to work. You can also approach your coworkers and ask questions about the work because they won’t randomly tell you anything. You have to be proactive about it.

Lastly, the evaluation. It may seem scary because it can determine your success (or – hopefully not – your failure). The evaluation really is a great tool because it shows you where you improved, did well or can improve.

Plus, on the flip side, it’s always better to find out in an internship that that career is not the one for you, instead of tackling it as a new job.

However, if you are a junior or a senior, I feel the slightest urge to warn you now: search and apply now! Waiting until early spring almost guarantees that you will be working a boring summer job instead of the internship you wanted. I guess you learn the proactive tip sooner rather than later. Finding an internship can be like trying to find the perfect pair of shoes, reeling in the perfect fish or shooting the deer with the best rack (okay guys, I tried my best to use an analogy you could relate to).

Did I mention that all internships are either paid or unpaid? Yeah, it’s a downer when the internship you want is unpaid (bonus if it is) but, chin up – you’re getting valuable experience, contacts and networking. The silver lining of an internship: some companies hire 80-90% of their interns for full-time jobs once they graduate.

Good luck, matey, may fortune smile on ya and the stars guide ya.

Shoes are the icing on the cake for an outfit, to give it that extra oomph or admiring glance. Now, I am not talking stilettos, kitten heels, ballet flats, Dockers, sandals or cowboy boots (and the list goes on), but tennis shoes.

Yes, I did say tennis shoes. Some people may consider tennis shoes to be the bane of all shoes created, but tennis shoes have a certain appeal. Tennis shoes in this modern day are not the monstrous high tops of years past or your grandma’s orthopedic walking whoppers. They are edgy and sleek with various styles to fit individual taste.

Personally, I prefer wearing my trusted tennis shoes. With the distance that I inadvertently cover each day, it is a fashion risk I am willing to take. Why get blisters and bruises, not only on my feet, but on my face as well? Because I know I will trip on the rough cobblestone concrete outside of Ag Hall. Blonde days in heels, especially when walking on hard surfaces, are not good days at all.

The last time I bought a pair of slim, comfy tennis shoes, I was told that they’re good for 600 miles, and then it’s time to come back for a new pair. Of course, I have realized the sales associate could be spinning a yarn to earn more commission, but it’s true. So when walking is in the forecast each and every day, why get all tied up in knots worrying about the distance. It’s a walking reason to go shoe shopping.

For instance, my tennis shoes and I start the day bright and sometimes disturbingly early to walk from the west side of campus to the east side, where the brand new student Wellness Center is located. During the fifteen-minute walk, I come across various ROTC members, up before dawn, finishing their workout, and I am half-heartedly wishing that that was me and I was almost done exercising. Running a mile on the track or lifting some weights (sorry, I can’t pump iron as well as the guys) are not the only reasons I drag myself across campus.

Swimming is my go-to exercise to ensure full wakefulness for at least two hours afterward until I hit an energy slump. Then, you guessed it, it’s walking back to my apartment to prepare for the day’s classes.

By week’s end, I have logged roughly forty miles, and those 600 miles are wearing away fast. It looks like a shopping trip for new tennis shoes is in my future. So, when walking to class or hiking to the far realm of campus for that elusive club meeting, remember what happens when the pedometer clicks to the 600-mile mark. New shoes!