Do Something Crazy

“Once you become predictable, no one’s interested anymore.” – Chet Atkins. Yes, it’s slightly harsh, but true.

On the very first day of my very first Political Science class, my professor asked everyone to form a circle around the room and to announce an unusual secret to the entire class. Upon this request, I was ready to label this guy as religious conservative trying to get us to do some kind of spiritual cleansing before the new school year. With that in mind I said something safe; I said, “My hair color has been 6 different colors in the past 4 years, including green.” He announced, “I’m gay and have two children.” Damn, I fail.

After class, my peers were engaged in conversation focused around our teacher’s sex life and other secrets revealed around the “circle of truth.” I, however, was still baffled by the exercise in general. Why did he want us to tell a group of strangers something so personal about ourselves? How could he expect me to do that? Then, I realized he was trying to get us get engaged about something seemingly mundane, like a classroom icebreaker, by being unpredictable.

This first day in class inspired me to think beyond pomp and circumstance and to throw away what society dictates as “acceptable.” I thought to myself, maybe I need to start taking more chances in the classroom and in life. However, I, an alumna of a strong Catholic, (and secretly Republican), education, struggled to expand my mind around the idea of “stepping outside the box.” I found comfort in rules and conventions. I liked surrounding myself in familiar places, even that college was a safety zone for me.Since that first year, I’ve transferred schools and decided I’m not as predictable as I was raised to be. Most recently, I’ve been accepted to study abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science and to intern for Parliament. Yes – bold, daring, and no longer predictable, much like that first day of class. Predictability is a comfort zone that we too often find ourselves in. In college, “Do something crazy,” (preferably not a keg stand), and make it worth your time. I did and now I’m no longer just the girl with formerly green hair.