Sea of change

Careers and Colleges, March, 2002

The summer before I headed to New York University to study journalism, I decided that if I plunged into something totally different it would broaden my view of life and give me the confidence to handle something new--like college. So a month before classes began, I volunteered aboard the sloop Clearwater, an environmental activist organization that sails the Hudson River promoting environmental awareness and raising funds to help keep the river clean.

My adventure began in Port Jefferson, Long Island, where the Clearwater was docked. The first few days I got my sea legs as we took locals for sails in the sound. I learned to coil ropes, tie knots, and clean the head (that's the toilet for you landlubbers). When a hurricane hit during a sail, we scrambled in Perfect Storm-like conditions to dock the boat and wait out the winds and rain.

It was a lot of hard work, and eating, working, and sleeping on a boat full of strangers was a whole new world. Eventually, we sailed around Manhattan at night and headed to our next port up the Hudson. As we approached Bear Mountain, the captain said I could climb to the top of the mast and sit in the crow's nest for awhile. It was an unforgettable view.

As you get ready to leave high school, your view is changing too, as a whole new world is sailing toward you at full speed. This change can be a rewarding experience, especially if you're prepared for what lies ahead. This issue is dedicated to that preparation--so you can survive and thrive on your own. How can you make the most of your life on campus and not become overwhelmed (or even drop out)? How can you maximize your money? How can you handle the everyday things like laundry and your own physical upkeep? How can you stay safe from crime and other campus dangers?

We hope that our Ultimate Survival Guide gives you some practical insight that will ease your transition out of high school and into "the real world." If you find a moment, drop us an e-mail about your post-graduation plans at staff@CareersAndColleges.com or log onto our bulletin board on our Web site. Good luck!

Don Rauf

Editor-in-Chief