Waking up the other day in the early afternoon, I groaned, rolled over and realized that the fast-approaching school year would hamper my ability to keep such luxurious hours. Adding insult to injury, I realized that I had been awoken by none other than Alice Cooper's "School's Out." Yeah, for what's left of the summer, anyway-classes are right around the corner, something I'm not exactly looking forward to. Wait a minute: As president of the Student Union, am I not supposed to love every aspect of school and quiver with anticipation of the campus filling with equally excited and anxious students?Honestly, no. Becoming Student Union President a few months ago did not change my attitude as a student. I still dread early-morning classes, contemplate faking my death before midterms and pray for snow-days before bed, sometimes even in the early fall (it's always a possibility in Boston). Yet, these thoughts have not diminished my desire to become involved on campus, or impaired my ability to function as president. While it is certainly easier to remain free of commitment and use your ample free time to catch up on reruns of Saved By The Bell, taking part in campus activities ultimately provides a more rewarding experience.

As returning Brandeisians know well, and as new students will discover shortly, Brandeis provides an environment that is particularly conducive to getting involved in the community. Whether joining a club or seeking a leadership position, taking advantage of the abundance of extracurriculars this school offers can be the most effective way to enjoy your years at Brandeis, as well as a great way to build an intricate social web. As long as you are willing to take some initiative, you are almost guaranteed to find a niche.

Do not fall victim to the misconception that only a certain type of person can get involved or eventually become a leader. Choosing a major or deciding whether to take Protein X-ray Crystallography is not the most difficult obstacle you will face during your college years-fighting apathy and combating laziness are. To those who do become involved, I promise you a happier and more fulfilling time at Brandeis.

Thinking back to my first year here, I remember making the excruciatingly difficult choice to give up my precious sleep in order to wake up daily at 5 a.m. for crew practice, sometimes in near-freezing temperatures. Even if I went to bed at the college-early hour of midnight, I got a mere five hours of rest. This might seem like a ludicrous decision since sleep is a college student's most precious commodity, but somehow I convinced myself that I could survive on a less-than-ideal nightly amount of slumber.

It turned out to be one of the best choices I have ever made here. While the coach's demanding and exhausting training routines did not make my mornings any easier, my teammates and I formed a bond that remains strong to this day. Despite my having to leave the team, they continue to be my closest friends at school.

My experience is just one reason why I believe that the biggest disservice you can do yourself is not to take full advantage of your opportunities at Brandeis. While this advice will serve incoming students especially well, it is never too late for upperclassmen to find a place, become involved and maximize their potential for their remaining time on campus.

I urge you to become active and contribute to the campus community, whether by ad hoc volunteer work or by being a member or even the founder of a club. I assure you that there are plenty of clubs that will appeal to you, but on the slim chance that one doesn't, you can always create your own to promote a cause or activity in which you believe, or just to have your own unique brand of fun (within the bounds of Rights and Responsibilities).

Remember that your college years provide the perfect chance to explore outside interests and discover yourself. To ignore these opportunities is not simple apathy, but rather conscious negligence. Don't blow it.

Editor's Note: Mark Schlangel '05 was elected president of the Student Union in April. He served as chair of the Finance Board, previously called the Allocations Board, during the 2003-2004 academic year. This column, which will appear weekly starting in this issue, features points of view from student leaders and members of campus organizations.