Week 2.
by Ben Davis
Staff Writer
Have you ever heard of the loser section of Christian Cafeteria? Chances are you haven’t. Probably because I made up the name.
I sat in the loser section for the two years that I had a meal plan here. It’s strategically located near the dishwasher, behind panels so no one can see you sitting there. Pretty depressing, right? Not at the time. I was new to college and petrified. It was intimidating. I was scared I would see people I sort of knew. The whole “Do I sit and talk? Do I just nod the head? Do I say ‘what’s up?’” You know what I’m talking about. The awkward… Sitting in the loser section prevented these happenings.
I didn’t do college the right way. And now I realize I should have.
A couple weeks ago I was talking to a friend. Well, for the sake of full disclosure, it’s actually a girl that rejected my date proposal, but that’s beside the point. We were talking about when she was first coming to college and how people told her to make sure and get involved. She said that she heard horror stories of people who didn’t get involved, stayed to themselves and were miserable. I couldn’t help but relate to the hypothetical victims she spoke of.
I’ve been at UCA since the fall of 2004 and before joining The Echo last semester, have never been involved in any campus organization.
For me, it has all been related to being overweight. As a really big person, it’s affected my view of self. I‘ve felt inferior. In my mind, people didn’t want me around. I know, it’s pathetic and full of self pity, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
I’m not saying I regret my collegiate career thus far. For example, Without my non-social life I wouldn’t have worked my way up to #32 in America in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! But, my superior Karting skills aside, I wish I had gotten more involved earlier. I wish I had made more friends during my tenure here.
As I’ve been losing weight, I’ve felt a little more and more confident as a person. I’m not as bashful. I don’t immediately head to the back of the classroom. An attractive girl in Boot Camp even laughs at my jokes every now and again.
Obviously, this isn’t going to strike a chord with everyone. Some people are natural introverts and that’s fantastic. But I know that there are students out there that are relating to this. I’m talking to you. You might be new to college; you might have just transferred. But I’m telling you, it’s not as bad or as scary as you think it is.
Get out there and do college. I wish I had. It doesn’t matter what it is. There are plenty of organizations: religious, Greek, academic, there is even an anime/manga club. If you decide to go the religious route, I hear you can get lunch for free each day of the week.
Btw, I weighed in Sunday at 310 pounds. Down 48. I’m sort of proud.
