I’m going to let you in on a big secret, and it is going to completely revolutionize your thinking. It’s so groundbreaking and earth shattering, you may have to question everything you have ever been told. Are you ready? Here it goes…

College is easy. Extremely easy. In fact, it’s so easy; there are days when you won’t even have to work hard. I know what you’re thinking, “did he really just say that?” Yes, I did. The truth of the matter is that college is easy, granted you do a few simple things to keep it that way.

First things first, you have to first accept that fact that no one is going to be here to hold your hand. No more mommy and daddy to wake you up, remind you to do your homework, or ask if you are going to class. By accepting this fact first, you set yourself up to journey down the college highway in the fast lane.

The second thing you have to do is build upon the first thing, by taking responsibility for every decision you make. I know that you have probably already heard this, but just think for a second. Can you really get mad at your professor for giving you a bad grade at mid terms if you didn’t go to class?

Taking responsibility is critical to making sure that things stay easy, because once you do that, you most certainly will have no trouble with the third thing. And it’s something so simple, you won’t believe it when I tell you.

The third thing you have to do is try. Really, that’s it. If you can find the courage to actually try to study, to try to do your homework, to try and write your term papers, go to the library, get out of your bed for class, and try to participate, you may actually find that it’s all worth while. Heck you might even learn a thing or two.

Before you know it, you’ll find yourself trying to answer questions in class, and trying to educate yourself, trying to get the most out of your $13,000 – $25,000 (depending on your tuition status) college experience.

I was fortunate enough to have some upperclassmen pull me aside on the first day of class, and share this wisdom with me. I had no idea who she was, but I found out later that she was the SGA President, who graduated Summa Cumme Laude, or with highest honors. Now I’m sharing that same wisdom with you.

Those three things will carry you through college, the easy way, if you will let them.

Everyone your entire life has told you that college is the most difficult part of your educational career, but I beg to differ. I think that what they mean to say is that embracing responsibility and individual freedom is what can make it so difficult.

People run into problems when they choose to let the parties and ability to finally just do nothing get to them, and that is their fast track to their educational demise. It doesn’t have to be that way for you. The best part is, college is like the reset button on a video game, because you get to start all over.

Take this second chance and run with it. The easy way.  

• Dexter R. Mullins