As I sit here at 5:30am, drinking coffee and cooking breakfast for co-workers, I've got the luxury of looking back upon my experiences, joys, despairs, trips, and absolute insanity that encompassed my six plus years at Texas A&M University.
While I am by no means old, I do have the blessing of experience and age to temper my nostalgia for my time on campus and in the woods.
The purpose of this topic is simply for me to draw into coherent statements the difference between my formal and informal educations at Texas A&M. As an active Student Bonfire participant, I cherish the latter despite the former.
So let's kick this off:
Texas A&M taught me to reach out to new people and make friends. Bonfire taught me to cherish any person, and earn my friends.
Texas A&M taught me how to think for myself. Bonfire taught me the consequences of NOT thinking for myself.
Texas A&M taught me that we are all Aggies. Bonfire taught me that all Aggies love Aggies--no matter Corps outfit, non-reg dorm, off-campus group--as long as they're not buying their friends in frats.
Texas A&M taught me that questioning parts of life is important. Bonfire taught me that there are parts of life that are important not to question.
Texas A&M taught me that there is life outside Bonfire. Bonfire taught me that there is life outside Texas A&M.
Texas A&M taught me to accept, conform, and not to question that change happens. Bonfire taught me to be redass enough to question change, conform to no one, and to accept that no matter what, there will always be Aggies BUILDING THE HELL OUTTA BONFIRE.
Texas A&M taught me that starting the day strong is the best way to take care of each other. Bonfire taught me that starting each day taking care of each other is the best way to be strong.
That's why I'm sitting here at 5.30am cooking breakfast for my coworkers. I have to be at work in an hour and a half. I could be sleeping. But I'm not. I could have slept on Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings, and the nights of Stack. But I didn't. Sometimes it's the things we choose _not_ to do that create the greatest benefits.
All I ask is that the rest of you share what contrasts you found between your formal education and the "other education." The purpose of this thread is not to denigrate the current status of the campus or to over-glorify Bonfire. It's simply here to make you think what you've learned during your years in God's country.
While I am by no means old, I do have the blessing of experience and age to temper my nostalgia for my time on campus and in the woods.
The purpose of this topic is simply for me to draw into coherent statements the difference between my formal and informal educations at Texas A&M. As an active Student Bonfire participant, I cherish the latter despite the former.
So let's kick this off:
Texas A&M taught me to reach out to new people and make friends. Bonfire taught me to cherish any person, and earn my friends.
Texas A&M taught me how to think for myself. Bonfire taught me the consequences of NOT thinking for myself.
Texas A&M taught me that we are all Aggies. Bonfire taught me that all Aggies love Aggies--no matter Corps outfit, non-reg dorm, off-campus group--as long as they're not buying their friends in frats.
Texas A&M taught me that questioning parts of life is important. Bonfire taught me that there are parts of life that are important not to question.
Texas A&M taught me that there is life outside Bonfire. Bonfire taught me that there is life outside Texas A&M.
Texas A&M taught me to accept, conform, and not to question that change happens. Bonfire taught me to be redass enough to question change, conform to no one, and to accept that no matter what, there will always be Aggies BUILDING THE HELL OUTTA BONFIRE.
Texas A&M taught me that starting the day strong is the best way to take care of each other. Bonfire taught me that starting each day taking care of each other is the best way to be strong.
That's why I'm sitting here at 5.30am cooking breakfast for my coworkers. I have to be at work in an hour and a half. I could be sleeping. But I'm not. I could have slept on Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings, and the nights of Stack. But I didn't. Sometimes it's the things we choose _not_ to do that create the greatest benefits.
All I ask is that the rest of you share what contrasts you found between your formal education and the "other education." The purpose of this thread is not to denigrate the current status of the campus or to over-glorify Bonfire. It's simply here to make you think what you've learned during your years in God's country.
