Somewhere in between midterms, papers, last minute projects, yawns and dreams about spring break plans, ACU students were supposed to learn about makings choices this week on campus.
Event after event across campus advised the ACU student body on how to make good choices by warning of the dangers of alcohol, drugs and sleep deprivation. And it is sad, but often true, that all the good advice fell on deaf ears.
And why wouldn’t it?
Most students hear reminders on how to make good choices, how to avoid danger or how to stay safe on the roads, and nostalgic memories of an authority figure from one’s childhood scorning and hovering with a wagging finger begin to rise.
So rather than give the student body another lecture to add to the list, we simply encourage the students to remember that no matter how many times someone reminds about making the right choice, when it all comes down to it, it is the individual who has to make that choice.
About 350 students will travel across the nation representing ACU through Spring Break Campaigns, while others return home, go on vacation and get to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Abilene. But no matter where one goes, or what one does for spring break, making smart choices begins with the individual.
According to a study by Nielsen Media Research on behalf of Anheuser-Busch, 70 percent of the 1,299 students surveyed across the nation said they spend time with their family during spring break. But if one pays attention to the message that movies and TV shows put out about college students and
spring break, all college kids do is party all the time, consume large amounts of alcohol while having premarital relations and pulling pranks. Obviously, you can’t believe everything you watch.
Most of the energy put in by the Counseling Center to send off ACU students with advice to steer clear of danger over the break and the advice of road safety from the ACU Police Department conveniently comes just in time for spring break. Their message is one worth hearing, but in the end choice is a
personal matter.
Make smart choices, and try not to think about being cheated out of an Easter break.
