Scarlet Knights vs. Mountain Goats

In the minimal free time I had this week, I had a chance to relax with my boyfriend and watch TV, something that has been pretty much eliminated from life recently. Anyway, one of his friends told him to check out this show he found hysterical. So of course, we watch the show. The next hour and a half of my life was spent watching 3 episodes of one of the most idiotic, unrealistic and bad-mannered shows probably on the face of the planet; Blue Mountain State.

Just to get a feel of the show, here’s the intro:

…..impressed yet? I didn’t think so.

Just a quick overview of the show: It is a scripted comedy, aired by Spike TV, about the “so called” college life surrounding the star football players of Blue Mountain State University. The main character is Alex Moran, a freshman backup quarterback, whose life is filled with frat parties, drugs, and beautiful women worshiping at his feet. The show follows him and his friends on and off the football field, as they conquer “real-life college issues”.

So, as any good pride-filled student would do, I’m going to contrast “Blue Mountain State University” with a real university, Rutgers :)

College is NOT a constant party

BMS:

.....exaggerated? 

*In the three episodes I watched, there was not one reference to the actual school aspect of college. None. Zip. Zero.

*It is NOT ok to party every day of the week

*Apparently there are no cops at BMS

*There is a goat at every party at BMS. Yes, a goat. 

AKA: The show makes it look like there are no repercussions to partying EVERY SINGLE night. 

Rutgers:

In real life colleges, you will not make it through the first month if you decide to go out every night. Here are a few reasons why:

*Staying out late = Probably wont wake up for your 9:15 

* Large amounts or alcohol and drugs will wear your body down to a really unhealthy state

* When you are too busy partying, you definitely aren't studying
* The police don't mess around here. Public Intoxication is a real thing. You will be sent to the hospital, and you will be sent the bill. 

AKA: Time management is important, and moderation is key.


Here's how it relates:
As an OL my job is to get new students ready for life at Rutgers. And when they come into orientation expecting college to be similar to shows like Blue Mountain State, it is hard to break that expectation. We have to remind them that college is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work. And that people like Alex Moran don't exist. Balance really is key.