The little things in life, college, and much more inside...

This subject is important to me for many reasons. And by "subject," I mean the little things; someone holding a door open for a stranger or letting them in between traffic. These things are important and change the impact of people's daily lives. Why is this? Is it because these occurrences are so rare, that when they finally do occur it brings upon reactions of appreciation? Or perhaps this subject is more relative to the actual persons performing these small acts of kindness?

Are you generally aware of the little things? For example: You're late to class. When you finally reach the classroom, you notice that the only available seats are in the middle of the rows. Do you casually walk to the seats, saying "excuse me," as you pass the seated students? Or do you simply get to your seat without acknowledging the minor inconvenience of walking over classmate's feet?

Here's the big deal. Whose to say that merely acknowledging these instances provokes a negative response? I suppose the bigger question at hand is whether saying "excuse me" (when appropriate) effects the reactions of those around you?

I remember a time...I must have been around ten years old. My family and I drove to Alabama to visit with aunts and uncles, play with cousins, typical family stuff. My dad's sisters have always had a fancy for me, ever since I was young they would go on about how cute I was and smart too! I didn't mind the positive attention so I did what I could to impress, to show that my parents did a fine job with their son. The story goes on but I distinctly remember my parents receiving praise for teaching me to be respectful and to share an "excuse me" whenever appropriate.

I suppose the real concern here is people who are overly respectful and apologetic. I plan on attending college sometime in the future. The environment will be changing and I will soon adapt or return home a disappointed failure. To many the thought of balancing being respectful and focusing on schoolwork just don't enter the mind.

Most college students seem to exhibit this eternal existence in a focused reality, like they're enhanced humans with the essential skills for surviving the college experience. My question is: how do I acquire these skills?

Skills such as: critical listening & thinking...I thought there would be more but those two alone describe my strife. What if I am in class and I begin to lose focus on my professor's lecture? I'm not generally this worried. In many cases, I could provide a solution for these ailments of anxiety and nervousness. I cannot escape my concerns though. I know what college requires of me. I know that if I want to make something of myself, college is my best chance-this little I do know. I also know I am capable of achieving success in college.

It is no mystery to me; the adventure of college. I know it will put me against wit and will.

Am I preparing for the unknown?

I say it is no mystery but who can tell what awaits me? I certainly cannot and I don't expect anyone else to tell me what they cannot know. I know one thing, and that is I cannot go in there expecting failure.

I owe it to myself to go the whole nine yards. I'm sick and tired of being negative, thinking negative. Guys and gals, I am having some difficulty applying success to my perspective. Positive feedback please?

Or, offer your hand to a lady getting out of a car.

Saw some old lady-celebrity complain about it on TV, the other day.

if your worried about missing parts of a lecture, then isuggest that you invest in an audio recorder. i got one of them and sit up close or put it on the teacher's desk. saves you a lot trust me.

You're putting way too much thought into this. Just let it flow.

I remember a few months ago when College was about to start, I started to worry about skipping classes, missing important notes, long essays, etc.

When the big day did arrive and I started college, it was nothing that I expected. Believe me, almost everybody, if not everybody is in the same situation as yourself. Just be relaxed and absorb the college life the first few days, you should be fine.