I was bored. After all my time spent preparing, I ended up being ahead of the game.

This summer for my internship with a daily newspaper I was told I would be put to work in a tone that made me think I would not have time to even use the restroom.

My first day I came in I met my boss, and five minutes later I was dialing the phone to reach a source for one of the many stories I was just assigned. I didn’t even get a tour of the building.

I can say after I left the office the first day I was quite intimidated and wanted to curl into a ball on the floor.

But after a few days of getting used to my surroundings and meeting more than a couple of my co-workers my job got easier and easier.

It was my education and hard work that made my job easy and even sometimes boring, but it wasn’t because of the classes I have taken.

Sure my newswriting and editing classes have given me a few pointers, but it was my work outside of class on this very publication that has prepared me for the “real world.”

This is what makes a university setting so great. Students can fine-tune what they learn in class for free and in some cases even get paid for it.

I get paid to work for the newspaper from both the monthly salary and scholarship opportunities all while doing something I enjoy.

Let this be a lesson to you journalism majors. Listen up communication and business majors. For almost every major this fine institution offers, there is a group or club with other people with the same interests.

While I’m writing and editing stories, there is another Eastern student sitting at a student senate meeting and another hosting his or her own radio show.

One of my roommates deals with video production and makes his own DVDs with footage and photos he has gathered.

For those who do not have a major and have just arrived on campus for the first time, you should look around for anything that sparks interest.

Though I’m not in a fraternity, the greek life is something to be checked out. If that isn’t interesting, find a guest speaker to go watch on any given night during the week.

There are numerous ways of getting to know people and finding out just what it is you may want to do some day, and now is the perfect time to take advantage of it.

Fraternities and sororities will be looking for new members in their rush process. Student senate will be looking for students to fill in for their many committees. And, not to plug the newspaper any more, but we are always looking for eager writers, designers and cartoonists.

If none of those work, visit the tables at Pantherpalooza Sept. 8, which will offer many student organizations waiting for new members.

Whatever it is, get involved early and get involved often. Try to take more from the college experience than going through the motions of class.

Experience impresses employers and makes that job or internship that much easier.