My husband and I thought that we knew a lot about parenting. After raising our twin boys for the past five years, we are realizing that we still have a lot to learn. Despite being older parents, their antics are keeping us young. Here are a few examples of our fountain of youth.
A few weeks ago, Matthew lost his first tooth. After reading a story about the tooth fairy, he was very eager to put his tooth under his pillow with a note. The next morning, Matthew found two coins. He seemed satisfied with his gift. The next day, however, while sitting at the dining room table, I noticed that Matthew had only half of his bangs. Brian, his twin brother, had convinced him that the hair fairy pays more than the tooth fairy. I found the hair clippings under his pillow. Matthew quickly learned that hair fairies do not exist!
The other day I found Matthew sitting under a tree putting mud all over his bike. My curiosity got the best of me, so I asked him what he was doing. Very confidently, he responded, "Turning my bike into a dirt bike!"
After the first day of school, I was anxious to hear about their day. I turned to Brian and asked him what he had learned that day. He somberly responded, "we went over the school rules." My response, "well, can you name one of them for me?" Brian turned to me with sadness in his eyes and said, "you can't get married in kindergarten." Boy, I sure am glad they got that rule covered!
The boys came home from kindergarten with their sight word list. My husband was reviewing the words with them. They came to the word "mom." My husband had the boys say the letters M-O-M , and then told them he was giving them a hint. He said, "It's the name of your favorite person in the whole world." Matthew quickly shouts out, "Emma!" You gotta love that boy.
On Saturday morning, I was busy getting ready for a meeting. Matthew and Brian were playing quietly in the office while my husband was making breakfast. Brian came running into the kitchen to report to my husband that Matthew was talking to someone on the phone. When my husband realized that Matthew was playing with an old, obsolete phone, he scolded Brian and told him that it was just an old phone and that it hadn't worked in years. A few minutes later, the doorbell rings. My husband answers the door to a policeman and two squad cars. It turns out that an obsolete phone really can have 9-1-1 dialed on it.
At this rate, these boys should keep us young for years!
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Luckily, many colleges offer a number of ways to take part in campus and community life, without forcing you to dedicate all of your time to these organizations. Here are a few ideas!
1. Look into Housing and Dining.
Many first-year students start off college life in residence halls, and the Housing & Dining network throughout campus often provides multiple opportunities for students throughout the year. Many buildings have student community councils that work to create policies and events that make the dorms a more welcoming home for residents. Becoming a community assistant (or the students who work the desks at the front of many halls) is another easy way to have a consistent, well-paying job only minutes away from your room.
If you really enjoyed your housing experience, consider applying to be an RLA, or, if the school offers it, help to teach the first-year community. You'll get the chance to help support new and returning students over the year, and many of these positions also cover major costs like board and meal plans.
2. Pay attention to campus postings.
This advice is more obvious, but it still gets overlooked a fair amount. Even on a busy day, taking the time to stop around campus and look at the flyers advertising clubs and events can draw your attention to something that you never would've noticed otherwise. Students on many campuses also chalk the sidewalk to catch students' attention while they walk to class. Just make sure that the event you're interested in hasn't taken place already!
3. Find common interest groups.
One way to find friends and get involved is to focus on what you're passionate about. Have you always loved to sing? Do you enjoy playing video games? Is photography your favorite past-time? Have you always wanted to join Greek life? Whatever you love devoting your time to, chances are there are organizations around school who are focused on the same thing. Check the student life section of your university's website, or stop by a student organization fair at the beginning of the semester.
4. Join an intramural sports team.
If you're the athletic type, you've probably heard of intramural sports. Often offered through the Rec Center or the residence halls, most colleges often offer various indoor and outdoor sports to take part in throughout the year. Personal favorite? Mini golf.
5. Work on a cause that you care about.
Whether you're passionate about a political group, a social cause, or a religion, working with people who value beliefs similar to yours can be an easy way to meet people, get a better sense of your own identity, and promote causes that are important to you. Look into getting involved with College Democrats, Republicans, or whatever party that you belong to. Find a club that supports social issues, from women's rights to protecting the environment. If you're religious, look into student organizations based on your faith.
6. Join a club related to your major.
Even if you're not entirely sure what you want to do after school, finding a club or organization related to your field of studies can benefit you long after you leave the classroom. From career-related workshops to conferences to professional connections, these groups have a lot to boast.
7. Get an on-campus job.
If you have the time, need to work, or want to save a few extra dollars, finding a job on or near campus is a time-effective way to build up your bank account and gain work experience. Check in your residence hall (see #1), at local businesses and offices, or make an appointment with your school's career center.
8. Volunteer.
When you're caught up in school life, it can be hard to think about the bigger picture. Volunteering your time to people (or animals/an environment) in need puts things in perspective and allows you to feel good while making a positive difference. Check if your college town has a volunteer page, or look up local organizations requesting help.
Best of luck this year! Get out, and get busy.
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