Three Down, One to Go

So Gregory started college yesterday. For the next five years he'll be studying architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This means that Mark is now the only one left at home, which is indescribably weird. Going from having seven people in the house all summer to only three when I leave on Sunday is rather odd.

It's strange for me to think that Gregory is old enough to be in college. You see, Gregory being born is my first memory. I've been cognizant enough to remember his entire life, and it really doesn't seem possible that 18.5 years of that life have already passed. They aren't kidding when they say that time flies. How is he already in college and I am already out?

I think Gregory will have a wonderful time at college. Among the four of us, he is the most easy-going. It's practically impossible not to get along with him. He's comfortable around anyone, makes his own decisions regardless of what everyone else is doing, knows exactly what he wants, and has a fabulous sense of humor. Because of this, I think Gregory will be incredibly successful. He's never liked school, but I think he will love college, because he is getting to do things on his own terms. While Matthew and I are still forty years old and wavering about what it is we really want to do, Gregory will be out doing the things he's always wanted to do and doing them magnificently. Maybe Mark will end up as focused as Gregory...we'll have to wait and see on that one.

Gregory, if you're listening here's what my four years at Rice taught me...
1. Get involved as a freshman. The longer you wait the harder it is.
2. Meet lots of people. Don't judge them until you know them. If you end up not liking them, fine. Just give them a chance first.
3. Take your classes seriously. But take having fun just as seriously.
4. Never refuse an offer for free food.
5. Use your summers well. Intern to make sure what you are studying is what you really want to do. But give yourself a few weeks off to do nothing but have fun.
6. Consider studying abroad. It's a great way to see the world and meet new people.
7. If you have a professor you like, take the time to really get to know him/her. Professors can open a lot of doors, but you have to take the initiative.
8. Have fun. Be silly. Do all the things you probably won't get to do once you are out of college. Take pictures of it so you can laugh about it later. Enjoy being a college student. Make the type of memories you'll still enjoy when you're old and can remember nothing but things that happened decades before.