I can't summarize my college experience in a single article and I won't even try. What I can do is attempt to summarize my thoughts on the people and culture of Brandeis, while offering up a few pieces of advice. There's no possible way for me to cover everything, but I'll try to hit the main points.

For starters, yes, we're awkward. Let's not beat an awkward dead horse, but many of our jokes are received with silence. There's always that kid who just raises his hand way too many times in class-and is wrong more often than he'd like to admit-and most guys would be better off using books like, How to Pick Up Chicks for Dummies, or 100 Fool-Proof Pick-Up Lines.

But so what? There are worse traits to have as a school identity than awkwardness. We also have intelligence, earnestness and passion; those just aren't as fun (or funny) to talk about.

I would go so far as to say that I have never been to a place as accepting and friendly as Brandeis, and I probably never will again.

I don't think I realized this until about halfway through my sophomore year. Like others, I considered transferring and visited other schools because Brandeis just didn't feel "college" enough for me. Our parties were too small, as was the campus, and feeling like I knew everyone at the school within a week of starting was a bit underwhelming. What I found was that no other school was quite as warm and welcoming. At other schools, the "bros" were "broey-er," the intellectuals smugger and the artists more isolated. I took an honest look at where I was and decided that I could do a lot worse than being in a place where you have to say "hi" to 50 people on the walk to class.

Next, this place radiates with passion. From volunteering, to activism, to academics, to even what music we listen to, Brandeisians just care about what they do. I'm constantly excited to hear how people spend their time, and what fuels their motivation. Our professors by-and-large mimic that same excitement, and even if it means that they constantly go over class time, I'd take that any day of the week to the alternative.

The passion with which they teach us ensures that future Brandeisians will be inclined to adopt with the same spirit and passion. Our professors help to pass the torch.
I'd be remiss as an editorial writer if I didn't offer up a few suggestions. To the activists, high-minded ideals and large world issues may be pressing and popular to support, but don't underestimate the power that you can have locally. That's not to say that the choice is between one or the other. Often, change has the biggest impact when it starts from the ground up. While it might be popular to throw money at "Kony 2012" and stage protests, don't forget about the people in hospitals nearby who could use your help, the kids that could use a mentor or the schools that could use a hand.

My next piece of advice: grade point averages, majors and extra-curriculars aren't all that define you. If that hits home, the best I can say is, don't be afraid to just be a person for a change.

It's great that you study chemistry, but that doesn't mean that you don't have anything else to offer. On a similar note, if you still haven't taken a class you've enjoyed in your major but you find yourself volunteering, painting, advocating or doing anything else without being able to wipe the smile from your face, you just might have found your calling.

I get it. We're paying thousands of dollars and accumulating debt in an attempt to put ourselves in a position to succeed. To get off track and go in a completely opposite direction is scary, naive and potentially necessary. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't work hard.
It just means that you should make sure that what you're working hard at is actually fulfilling. Yes, in theory, it's great to go to law school and become a lawyer, but if you're hating the entire journey, you'll never be as successful as you would be doing something you love.

And even if you're reading this and graduating with a degree in an area you're sure you want to pursue, don't be afraid to give your other dreams a shot. Worst comes to worst, you've reaffirmed that you're making the right choice-congratulations.

Which leads me to my next point: Take a chance. Brandeis is a bubble. Sometimes it's important to just stick your neck out and try something new.

Diverse experiences are just as important as what you learn in class; they just don't get you a degree.

As with the previous point, we're in the best position possible to make a mistake. We're young, energetic and-hopefully-curious. While five-year-plans can be comforting and important, recognizing other opportunities along the way is vital. Again, we're young.
We don't have to have everything figured out, and we probably shouldn't. Why deny ourselves the opportunity to find what truly makes us happy? I'm not saying we shouldn't be ambitious, I'm just saying that we should take the blinders off.

Overall, Brandeis is filled with the type of people who give others hope in the outside world.
We're the door-holders, the spare-changers and the "just because" gifters that remind everyone else that people aren't that bad. What I'm trying to say is-thanks, it's been a pleasure.
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