Last week I was at a loss of what to write about and my friend Ben gave me the idea to write about what I really do know best, and that is the E in Daily Eastern News.

After spending my fair share of time on this campus, I have compiled my top five things that I highly recommend people look in to before leaving here because trust me, it is the shortest 1,080 days you will ever live.

Join a Registered Student Organization (RSO). This is a fantastic way to get to know people or build your resume from the get-go.

I am currently on the search for a full-time position and am incredibly thankful that I have been so involved.

My resume does not have a line of filler in it. I had to keep some things off and pick what was most relevant to what I want to do.

Do something big. I’ll leave this one open to your interpretation. This item on the list will be even better if it is charitable.

During my time I helped to coordinate a fundraiser for a foundation called “Sheri Ann & Her Boys” and raised almost $1,000, one dollar at a time selling peanut butter and jelly with my sorority sisters.

I had an amazing time with some of my best friends and was able to give a huge donation to a very good cause.

Spring break road trip with your best friends to Panama (or somewhere warm).

Half of the fun was the actual road trip, so do not take a plane and skip out on the experience.

Six of my sorority sisters and I road-tripped to Panama on spring break 2009 and it took 12-and-a-half hours and at least 3 stops to get there.

Sure we had the girl who constantly needed a bathroom break, or the girl who got car sick, or the one who kept complaining about the smell or the scenery or the wind changing direction but at least it was not a road trip with family, right?

Go through Greek recruitment. I know this will not be a popular idea or opinion among many, that is why I did not say go Greek, but merely through recruitment.

My absolute favorite thing to do and best memories came from my number one pick: Sing along to Take Me Home Tonight at Marty’s on Ladies’ Night. Everyone should experience a Ladies’ Night at Marty’s before they graduate. A fishbowl is, in my opinion, a true EIU nightlife experience.

Also, a crowd favorite is taking a picture riding the panther outside of the bar.

I have heard Marty’s be called the campus bar many times and I totally agree.

Every time I am there, I know almost half of the people that are there. To me, the people are more important than the place.

Ashley Hoogstraten is a senior communications studies major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com