So you have a huge paper due next week, two presentations, and a test you need at least a B on to pass? You and everyone else. First of all, stop thinking it’s the world against you like most college students do. Second of all, before pledging to stay in the entire weekend, hear me out first on why you should put down the books and pick up a drink.

1.    Putting off your work for a few more hours will only make you work that much harder on it later.

2.    Since we have an extended Thanksgiving Break this year, this is the last weekend to go out until 2009. 2009, people!

 3.     In years or even months from now, you’re not going to remember the grade you got on a test, but you will remember the hilarious stories from that night you could have gone out.

4.    If you don’t take a few hours away from work this weekend, you’re going to end up taking a break eventually. Would you rather take that break with the company of friends or during the week watching mindless TV by yourself? You decide.

5.    Depending on your major, I’ve learned over the years that grades don’t matter as much as we think. Get your diploma and your set. Life’s unfortunately all about networking, anyway.

6.    Even if you do stay in to study, you probably won’t get much work done because one of your neighbors will most likely be having a party. (The last time the people above me had a party, I couldn’t hear myself think.)

7.    When you hear your roommates talk about the night before the next morning, you’re going to wish you went out.

8.    For guys, you're missing out on valuable macking time. If you want to make sure you've had a chance with every girl at JMU, you better get out there!

9.    For girls going to college to get their MRS degree, you're not going to meet your future hubbie sitting in studying bio and eating candy.

10.   Because I said so.

Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. Okay, I stole that from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but he makes a good point. So throw your books to the side (literally), put on something fun (boa, cowboy hat, pimp coat, etc.), and go enjoy what you have left of college. It’s only about 5% of your life, enjoy it while it lasts.