Dan's December 2003 Journal
Dan's January 2004 Journal
Dan's February 2004 Journal

3-10-2004  How to handle your time!

 Hello Chicks and Roosters!

Surprisingly, they asked me to write another journal entry, and because I love all of you so much, I agreed! Before I do anything, I give a standing ovation to the Women’s Basketball team on an outstanding season and playoff run! WooHoo!!!

Alright now down to the big stuff. With college comes greater responsibility. Sort of think of the part in Spiderman where the uncle goes, “With greater power, comes greater responsibility”…more or less something like that haha. Any who, when you first start college, you really don’t know how it’s going to relate to high school. When you look at how many classes you’re taking and only see that you have to take 5…you think, wow this is going to be easy. Let me tell you that it’s not. Depending on the professor, the workload can many times seem unbearable and impossible. So my advice is when going into college, don’t take anything too lightly because it may bite you from behind in the long run. But this isn’t the subject of my entry so here it goes…

When you start classes, you think that you’ll have time for everything. You might party a lot, become very involved in school, or just have so many friends that you’re already finding it hard to make time for each one of them! Haha! No matter what the case, balancing your time between school and your social life is not such an easy transition. I realized this the hard way. I had very good friendships with 5 guys in high school and they became brothers to me. Unfortunately one moved away to Cleveland, one I barely talk to anymore, the other is on and off, and the last two I am still close with. Now I also have a girlfriend, and like most college guys, balancing time between the boys and the girlfriend is one of the hardest jobs that a young male can take on. Many times I find myself ditching the boys to hang out with my baby. What can I say, I’m the hopeless romantic! Hehe! Now I just described just my two groups of friends -- now add college into the mix and you have a Royal Rumble on your hands. Balancing my time between all three has been the biggest challenge of my young life and many times I won’t see my guy friends for weeks and my girlfriend for at least a week.

Here I am goofing around with some friends from "Cartoon Student Association", better known as Commuter Student Association.

My best advice when it comes to hanging out with your crew or chillin’ with a book in the library, you’d be wise to choose the library. Your friends will always be there for you because that’s what friends are for. Not only will those friends remain but you’ll also make friends at college that will last forever, and I’ll be witness to it since I have made a few of those friendships. Now I’m not saying to be a geek and study your brains out everyday, 7 days a week, but when you have something do, do it. When you’re finished with what you have to do, then you can go out and party or go to activities around the campus. Just make sure that everything with school is done first.

 My parents told me before I started college, that college is my NUMBER #1 priority. This is true in every sense. College is only 4 years of your life, but ultimately it goes beyond those 4 years. College shapes you into the person that you’ll be for the rest of your life. Just like high school prepares you for college, college prepares you for the real world. The lessons that you learn in college and those memorable professors that you had in college will always be in your thoughts for the rest of your life. Like your friends, college becomes a part of you. For the most part, if you commute, you’re at college more than your own house (if you’re involved). Many nights my mother has complained that I was at college too late!

In closing Sky hoppers, learn from Yoda and follow the light of the dark side…oops, wrong analogy…haha. No matter what path you chose and how you decide to spend your time throughout college, learn from your experiences and enjoy these years of your life because this is what it’s all about. Also, if you do plan on attending Canisius or are currently attending Canisius, I’ll leave you all with a quote from my hero, Pete Burakowski…“If you’re not getting something for free everyday at Canisius, you’re getting ripped off.” I think I’m going to go hibernate for the rest of winter and come back out in about a month. Maybe I’ll go see if Phil wants company…Till next time Rescue Rangers!

Dan Puccio
Freshie, Class of 2007
CSA Secretary and Co-Chairman for CSA Week
Got Questions: Pucciod@canisius.edu
Got Milk? Go to your refrigerator…wise guy!