Well, my time here at UTM is drawing to a close, and as graduation approaches, it seems as if I don't have enough time to finish everything that I need to finish. During my first year of college I was given some advice that I didn't follow, and now I look back and wish that I had because things would be a lot easier on me now. I am going to pass on these words of wisdom in hopes that someone heeds my advice and makes their life easier in the long run.

1. Go to class. I know that during your first year the only things that you think about is how much you can drink in one night and how late you can stay up, but believe me, when grade time comes around and you are on the edge, the teachers are going to try to help the students that they saw in class.

2. Join clubs early. Don't wait until your senior year to join a club or organization. Get involved early so that you can hold offices and become an important part of that organization. Trust me, it will look good on your resume.

3. If you are in one of the majors that require a portfolio of work that you have done throughout your years here at UTM, I have two words for you - START EARLY! It is really hard to try and do all of your work in one or two semesters that you could have done over the course of four years.

4. Get to know your teachers. I think that this one is really important because believe it or not, your teachers are here to help you. When it comes time for you to start looking for a job, your teachers can be a strong asset in your career hunting process. They can also write recommendations for you, and prospective employers look highly upon recommendations that come from professors.

5. Finally, get involved. You will find that college passes you by quicker than you think, and if all you did was study or party, you look back and realize all that you have missed out on. There are so many different things to experience at college and my advice to you is try them all. These are the memories that you will look back on fondly for years to come.

Erika Jacobsen is a senior Communications major from Knoxville