Distraction and procrastination are two things that far too often detract from our educational experiences. As a matter of fact, as I am trying to think of ways to eloquently inspire the class of 2011, there are about a thousand other things calling my name. However, distraction and procrastination can sometimes lead to enlightenment. One night, a very good friend of mine was writing a paper when the phone rang. She went to answer it, and pretty soon she was caught up in the conversation, completely forgetting about the paper that she should have been writing. Eventually, she finished writing the paper, and when she did, it was better than ever! I am not sure whether her experiences during the distraction inspired her, or if she just needed a little time to refresh her brain, but either way, the moral of my little story is this: living is not about writing; writing is about living. As much as teachers and professors may hate to hear me say this, we can’t let schoolwork distract us from life. Yes, school is important, but we can’t pass up on experiences that may have life-changing effects just because we want that A+ paper or that spot on the Dean’s list. Little things like that probably won’t matter in the long run anyway, so let your life experiences and dreams be the driving forces that decide the path that your life, even beyond college, will take.
