Time Travel For a Better Today

By Lev Novak

In college, you have an unprecedented opportunity to try new things. Good and bad ideas alike are afforded by a suddenly flexible schedule, and the benefits of age. Want to go on a road-trip? Want to take Chinese? Want to record a rap album? Some of these ideas might be better than others, but all of them are equally possible now.

But with this exciting future, it’s time to take a look to the past.

1. Check Your Old Closet

When you go home next, maybe for Thanksgiving, go to your closet. Really search. Because the things you thought were lame at twelve, or weren’t in the mood for at fifteen, might be awesome as heck at twenty.

For example: I found, in my closet, a faded Michael Jordan sweater from the 90’s. I never wore it as a kid because the red had faded to a sort of pink, but, older and wiser, I am now the proud owner of an awesome-as-heck Michael Jordan sweater.

I’m not saying you’ll get so lucky, but you might find shoes for the gym or an umbrella; you need an umbrella, right? Before you hit Goodwill, hit your house. Cheap is good, but free is better.

2. Classics Don’t Age

You can watch Arrested Development over and over again, and you probably have. But the same thing can apply to old Simpsons episodes. Tons of new stuff is out that’s great, like Archer and It’s Always Sunny, but sometimes you just want a throwback.

Similarly, that policy extends to every other form of media too. GTA V is great, but so is Sonic 3 & Knuckles for the Sega Genesis. If you’re thinking about saving money for the Xbox 1, well, fair enough; but your old Super Nintendo might be just as valuable. Those games were as awesome as you remember.

Also, if you watch The Lion King with a girl, snacks, and some drinks, I promise you’re going to have a good night. Because no matter what happens with the girl- you just had snacks and saw The Lion King. That’s a good night.

3. Switch It Up

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the college living pattern. It’s super easy, after all, to get caught up in the exciting new world of people, drinks, and parties. But, on occasion, it’s nice to change things up. Don’t drink for a night, and instead just hang out playing video games with some friends. Wake up early- we’re talking, like 9:15 AM on a weekend- and enjoy a beautiful fall day. Play around outside; get a frisbee or a soccer ball.

Changing your pace and life can make everything more interesting. Because, as good as cheap beer is, occasionally it gets boring. Spend a Sunday without a hangover here and there.

4. See Old Friends

Maybe you want to combine the old with the new; maybe the whole “waking up at 9:15” idea earned an eye-roll from you. Well, that’s fair. But seeing old friends can make a new experience feel familiar, and can give you the weird thrill of worlds colliding. Old friends and new! Super Nintendo and beers! College and grade school friends! It’s a nice way to celebrate the people and things from your life to mash them all together.

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