“Yes, pay full attention. This is for gangstas, this is for gentlemen There’s two kind of people out there, I happen to be the boss type. I’m a product of my environment. Blame the streets, I am what they made me.”
– Excerpt from A Gangster and A Gentleman by Styles P.
Even though I should be studying for an exam right now, I think it’s definitely worth taking a break to look back and reflect on the past few years that I spent here at UMass.
I guess it’s true what they say, “Most people are here on the five-year plan.” I came in 2000 and it’s taken me five years to get out. My reason for being here this long (not to make excuses) is more acceptable than others. I was doing a double-degree, which necessitates an additional 30, totaling to 150 for those of you who don’t know.
Oddly enough though, a lot of my people that I came in with lingered too, anxiously to be part of the class of 2005. Only the extremely focused ones made it out in four years. It’s not impossible but it takes sacrificing that first year of just “f***ing around” and adjusting to the zoo.
The other thing too is even though we hate being here sometimes, where else would we rather be? Not home, not working, not on the block, but right here in the dorms killing our brain cells with ethanol and cannabis. Oh yeah, getting an education too.
Most of what I learned here didn’t come from books. It came from keen observation. You can learn a great deal just by watching people and studying your environment. Different circles and people from different backgrounds each take their own distinct approach to reach what is ultimately the same goal, getting by and getting out.
Another important skill that I picked up at UMass has to be the art of negotiation. Well, I’ve had to use the skill before in order to get out of high school, but here on the university level, I had to take it up another notch. I’m sure all my buddies know what I’m talking about.
How many times have you had to email your professor with a B.S. excuse? I’m sure the answer is plenty. The rate of success of these excuses depends solely on one’s ability to sound “down to earth” and also come up with a suggestion or remedy to your issue. For example, “I really can’t make it tonight because I’m sick. And since I’ve missed so many other classes, I would like to complete a make-up assignment just to be sure that my grade won’t be affected.” Nine times out of 10, it works. Underclassmen take note.
There’s so much more I’d like to share but my word limit is minimal. On that note, I just want to thank a few staff and faculty members who made the ride a little easier: Nick McBride, Jill McCorkel, Sid, Doris, Barbara McGlynn, Delsey Thomas, Dean Wikander, Millicent, Terry, Sandy and many others who know they have a place in my heart.
Lastly, I want to shout-out my menz and ’em: Rene, Jimmy, DL, P-Tek, Max, Frank-nitty, O, Dobber, and Rackizo.
I’d shout out the shorties but y’all are just too many. So yeah, this is my first and last submission to the Collegian. I was the photo editor all year and I loved working with each and everyone. McGovern stand up. People, the goal here is to get in and get out.
