50 things to remember from an MIT graduate to entering freshmen:

full article: http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/life/workplay_balance_at_mit/50_things.shtml

my favorites: 

3. In college more than ever before, songs will attach themselves to memories. Each month or two, make a mix cd, mp3 folder, whatever- just make sure you keep copies of these songs. Ten years out, they'll be as effective as a journal in taking you back to your favorite moments. 

i do this now... haha. it's interesting looking back on playlists :). 

7. At least a few times in your college career, do something fun and irresponsible when you should be studying. The night before my freshman year psych final, my roommate somehow scored front row seats to the Indigo Girls at a venue 2 hours away. I didn't do so well on the final, but I haven't thought about psych since 1993. I've thought about the experience of going to that show (with the guy who is now my son's godfather) at least once a month ever since.

haha this reminds me of mr. jennings. shoot i gotta e-mail him my return letter.

9. Carve out an hour every single day to be alone. (Sleeping doesn't count.) 

so needed. 

13. In the first month of college, send a hand-written letter to someone who made college possible for you and describe your adventures thus far. It will mean a lot to him/her now, and it will mean a lot to you in ten years when he/she shows it to you.

this one makes me want to cry

23. It's important to think about the future, but it's more important to be present in the now. You won't get the most out of college if you think of it as a stepping stone. 

'yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift- that's why it's called a present' :)

25. Don't be afraid to fall in love. When it happens, don't take it for granted. Celebrate it, but don't let it define your college experience.

yikes

27. Things that seem like the end of the world really do become funny with a little time and distance. Knowing this, forget the embarassment and skip to the good part. 

haha sigh. i know i will have a few.

28. Every once in awhile, there will come an especially powerful moment when you can actually feel that an experience has changed who you are. Embrace these, even if they are painful. 

...

29. No matter what your political or religious beliefs, be open-minded. You're going to be challenged over the next four years in ways you can't imagine, across all fronts. You can't learn if you're closed off.

in ways you can't imagine... 

33. Your health and safety are more important than anything. 

YES

37. In the long run, where you go to college doesn't matter as much as what you do with the opportunities you're given there. The MIT name on your resume won't mean much if that's the only thing on your resume. As a student here, you will have access to a variety of unique opportunities that no one else will ever have- don't waste them. 

one of my commitments

40. Eat badly sometimes. It's the last time in your life when you can do this without feeling guilty about it. 

you got it mister. ahhaha

46. Life is too short to stick with a course of study that you're no longer excited about. Switch, even if it complicates things. 

uh huh! we will see...

49. Enjoy every second of the next four years. It is impossible to describe how quickly they pass. 

sigh

50. This is the only time in your lives when your only real responsibility is to learn. Try to remember how lucky you are everyday. 

seriously 

Be yourself. Create. Inspire, and be inspired. Grow. Laugh. Learn. Love. 

Welcome to some of the best years of your lives. 

-B

reading this list is making my heart feel funny