All abide by the rules of school

Around this time last year, I was running to the mailbox on a daily basis, anxiously awaiting those heavy, scary-looking envelopes containing college acceptance letters.

At the time, I never expected many ofthe things I have experienced this year. Sure, I listened to former teammates who had graduated the year before and offered their opinion on college life. I asked questions of the students and faculty who called me to teJl me what my life would be like in four short months. And I made the obligatory visits to each and every school in which I was interested.

But on Aug. 28, 1996, every notion I had held concerning college life came crashing down. I was subjected to the biggest shock of my young existence.

Thus, throughout these two semesters, I have learned more about life away from home and in the company of total strangers than I had ever imagined. Things like:

No matter what your mom serves for dinner, it is guaranteed to be better than college food. There are three little words that sum up this observation better than anything else: crunchy mashed potatoes.

Do not expect your roommate to be your best friend. Some peo-