In honor of the last Beacon of the year, today's wisdom comes courtesy of Living Editor Cassie Sheridan. Cassie drops some serious truth about what makes people sexy and why you should study abroad.
Name: Cassie Sheridan Hometown: Soldotna, Alaska Major: English and Political Science
What is your UP claim to fame? Surviving being a Diggie. I wrote some stuff people may have read. I have a very loud laugh that makes me easy to spot on campus.
When I was a freshman…. I was scared witless at Block Party by then-president Fr. Beauchamp with a megaphone demanding that “the seniors end this unpermitted street party now.” I am still laughing about how much that end-of-the-year celebration grew in a mere three years to something permitted and sponsored by Redbull.
Best piece of advice you received from someone during your time here? My first semester at UP I was the only freshman in this upper level English class and a senior during a small group discussion told me after I voiced my opinion that “If I didn’t speak with confidence, no one would bother to hear me, and that I really knew nothing at all.”
I think he meant it as an insult, but I also think that it helped me more than I realize to have someone tell me so early in my academic life that I needed to be confident in what I did know and recognize I knew very little in the first place. I also think English majors were way harsher when I was a freshman because I can never imagine saying that to someone now.
What are three pieces of wisdom you learned during your time at UPortland that you want to impart to those coming next?
1. There is nothing more leisurely than a slow, quiet morning. Making yourself some coffee with breakfast and picking up a copy of the newspaper with no serious rush is one of life’s simple pleasures. I truly believe waking up early for this (something I am terrible at) has been a huge reason for my success and low anxiety/general mental health in the face of a crazy packed academic and social four years. Something about this process centers me in my day. I highly recommend it.
2.Travel. Go abroad and be okay if it’s not “the most amazing experience” of your life. My year in Salzburg was enriching and incredible and one of the best things, but also really hard and challenging. I grew as a person more in nine months than I think I had grown existentially in 18 years. It taught me more about myself than any other experience could have.
3.Read the newspaper. Let yourself care a little. Be a global citizen. The most truly interesting human beings know what is going on in the world and can tell you about Cuba or the new Nicholas Kristof column. It’s a good party trick and adults will be impressed with you. It’s fun to be the friend that knows current events. It’ll serve you well in pub trivia matches and may earn you free drinks. Intellect and knowledge and the ability to speak about trade embargoes makes you infinitely more sexy, just don’t be a superior ass about it. You’re welcome
The Commons or The Cove? The Commons brunch on Sunday mornings freshman year for weekend recap. Cove salads over everything.
Best advice for experiencing Portland? Turn 21 and eat everything. Go to Powells every chance you get. Enjoy this weird city explore all the corners of it. Go to the art museum for free Fridays. Sunday happy hours on 23rd or in the Pearl District are always a good choice.
The infamous… what’s next? I’m going back to Alaska for the best five months of my year and fishing for salmon in Prince William Sound. After that, wherever the wind blows me. Potentially moving to D.C. to join a media startup or join the political mayhem there. Trying to finish my novel, enjoy being incredibly young and free.
Any regrets? I regret the nights I forced myself to go out for fear of FOMO when I would have been way happier staying in with some wine and the new “House of Cards” episodes.
Every time I didn’t think I was good enough or doing enough, I was wrong.
