Keep the door open

In his 15-part series, Matt Flocco gives freshmen a slice of wisdom each week. So, you’re finally here. You’ve survived the first weekend. Half of you probably already had a Temple hangover, a quarter of

In his 15-part series, Matt Flocco gives freshmen a slice of wisdom each week.

So, you’re finally here. You’ve survived the first weekend. Half of you probably already had a Temple hangover, a quarter of you may still be hungover as you read this free newspaper. A little side advice before the real deal: there are oodles of free things in college. Take them while you can. Who knows, this newspaper could be your pillow in four years when you’re living in a box on the street post-graduation.

Back to the real advice.

This column will provide bits of advice about living in college as a fresh freshman. Barely any of it will be about studying, because we all know that no matter how many times we’re told not to procrastinate, we’ll do it anyway.

The first bit of advice is the most important for any freshman: keep your door open. (I said doors girls, not legs.)

Whenever you’re in your room, especially during the first few weeks, keep your door open. You will make so many connections in a ridiculously short time span. Facebook friend requests will be blowin’ up your inbox. Some of these friendships will last the next four years, and some will even last you a lifetime.

Most people that wander in will be cool. A few will be a little wacky. But those are the best kind, so keep your mind open to them. It may be a little tough and awkward to get to know people at first, especially if you’re shy, but keep at it. Things will get more comfortable as time goes on.

Keeping your door open is like a 3-D version of your Facebook profile. Let’s see James Cameron come up with that one. Meaning, whether you have your favorite movie poster hung up, or a flag from a country you’ve traveled to, someone could spot it and strike up a conversation. If you blast Biggie, Lady Gaga, Coldplay or Muse, someone is bound to stop in if they enjoy the same music.

But if you blast Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” expect people to knock on your door with a sledgehammer. Hard.

There are of course extenuating circumstances to keeping the door ajar – like when you’re sleeping, or studying (yeah, right) or trying to woo another freshie into sleeping with you. Ah, young love.

Obviously keep your door closed and locked when you’re not there. In a school of more than 30,000, especially with this economy, there are bound to be some kleptomaniacs.

Keep your mental door open, too. Don’t be afraid when people come in and try to meet you. Be open-minded to new people, ideas and viewpoints. And of course, don’t forget to walk into other people’s open doors too.

Matt Flocco can be reached at matthew.flocco@temple.edu.

2 Comments

  1. Literally not one person thought you meant legs and not door. Also, not to give your statement any weight or anything, because this entire piece is cool whip, but it’s not really just “girls” that need to keep their legs closed…it’s actually not really anyone at all that needs to keep their legs closed.

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