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The following essay was included in our Department Newsletter for the Spring of 2007, Issue 4 |
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As my law school graduation draws near, I find myself growing fearful of what the working world will require. What do I know? What do I not know? And do I know the right things to survive in the vast land outside of Studentdom? I've never really been anything but a student for the last 20 years. As I look back on my education I realize that for the most part, wisdom is not at the top of graduate school mountain, but instead amongst the airy walkways and classrooms of Manly Hall. Now I'd like to share a few of the teachings that Manly Hall has to offer—three basic lessons that I trust will provide a strong foundation for anyone's post-Studentdom endeavors. |
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Don't take things that aren't yours
For me, my time at Manly Hall involved writing many essays and papers. Now most of these involved the critique of someone else's ideas (usually someone much smarter than me). That meant that I relied, at least in part, on someone else's writing to provide some foundation for my important reflections. Whether I was borrowing an entire block quote or just a catchy turn of phrase, I learned the importance of citing my sources. It really was helpful—without this lesson I could have been kicked out of law school for plagarism, disbarred for intentionally mischaracterizing the law in a brief, and eventually fired from my cushy law firm job. But my time at Manly Hall taught me an important lesson that will help for years to come—don't take things that aren't yours (whether those things are ideas or something else entirely, like a bicycle).
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Don't judge a book by its cover
I'll tell you the first thing I learned when I began my classes in religious studies: the books are quite ugly. My personal favorite was a Rudolf Bultmann reader that I used for one class. As I remember it, the book was an oversized paperback, with its cover a gloriously repulsive faded tangerine color. Giant, white block letters—reminiscent of a sign for the DMV in Communist Russia—alerted the reader to the book's title. And behind the title, covering the entire front of the book sat a crude white etching of a theologian's head. It was so frightening that I lent the book to one of the local churches for their annual Scare-o-Ween house. However, focusing entirely on the ugly book jackets would be disingenuous, and miss the point because these hideous wrappers hid interesting and beautiful pearls of wisdom illuminated and elborated by my teachers. Perhaps the teachers selected these books intentionally to teach this extra lesson—only by overcoming our initial judgment would we be able to truly appreciate the actual contents of a text (or a person perhaps?). Regardless of whether it was intentional or just a lucky side benefit, I know I'll be better prepared for life thanks to the ugly books in Manly Hall.
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An afternoon snack covers over many sins
Whether you suffer from writer's block, a post-lunch slump, or some inner-office tension, an afternoon snack is the salve you need. A Jones Sode and oatmeal raisin cookie saved many of my days as a student and employee at Manly Hall. If you're mentally or physically tired, a snack will give the calories you need to get back on track and last until it's time to clock out. And if, heaven forbid, you are having problems with someone close to you, try sharing an afternoon snack with them. It's tough to stay mad at someone when you're both sipping on a Fufu Berry drink and munching on a Snickerdoodle cookie, and those interesting photos on the soda bottle labels can provide you with something non-confrontational to discuss. Now I know that many professionals prefer a half-caf, low-fat mochachino, but consider stocking your office with Jones sodas and cookies—it just might save everyone's career.
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Aside from the brilliant teachers and the exciting material in the courses, people can learn more fundamental lessons while in residence at Manly Hall—even after you've left Manly's friendly confines. I'm sure these lessons will aid your journey in the sometimes frightening world outside of Studentdom. |
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Mark, who double majored in REL and Communications, graduated in the Fall of 2003, worked in the Spring of 2004 in our main office, and then began law school that Fall, at the University of Chicago. |
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