College Life Lessons from Benjamin Franklin

Do you want to be like one of the fathers of the United States? Take Ben Franklin, for instance. Flamebright talks about how, at age 20, Ben Franklin devised a list of thirteen principles upon which to dictate his future conduct. Interestingly, they can apply to college life as well. Here they are, and here’s how you can make this system your own.

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation. Enjoy the college years, but don’t go overboard with partying, drinking, or even studying. Do everything in moderation. Don’t obsess over classes and enjoy your friends. But don’t do too much of anything.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation. Learn, but don’t teach unless you are ready. College is an incredibly diverse atmosphere, so take advantage of that. Chances are you will be learning a lot from your newfound friends about religion, foreign countries, and the like. Listen to them, but don’t force any beliefs onto them.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time. Organization is important. Have your class notes, clothing, and personal belongs organized. Ensure that you don’t double-schedule classes or meetings.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve. Now it’s time for your New Years Resolutions and goals to be realized. If you’re aiming for top scores, go for it. Don’t get discouraged. Aim for succeed, and don’t give up.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing. Chance are that you don’t have unlimited funds or you’re on a budget. Keep true to that budget. Save money whenever possible. Help your friends and they will return the favor when you don’t expect it. Give of yourself.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions. Make the most of your college years, for they are short and sweet. When you’re done with school, you’ll miss your college years dearly. Take advantage of every opportunity that knocks if you can: participate in extracurricular activities, study (in moderation, as per #1), and enjoy the forged friendships.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly. Your debate class needs your voice, so don’t shy away. Are you a member of the College Democrats on campus? Let your voice be heard. College is a time when you are able to make a difference in the world more so than ever before; activist groups abound and you be true to your beliefs and advocate them where possible (but not in conflict with #2).
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. Be the good person you can be. Be a good classmate. Be a good roommate. Whatever you do, in the end, it’s about being virtuous to yourself, so be nice to everyone around you and it will come back to you.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. Don’t overdo anything in school. Your courses are only a few hours a week for a reason. You can live, eat, drink, and sleep your lessons, but you’d be missing out on some excellent opportunities for friendship, internships, networking opportunities, and extra-curricular activities.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation. Keep your belongings clean. Keep clean notes so that you’ll want to refer to them again. Clean your clothes (do your laundry) so that your friends will want to hang out with you. Keep your dorm room clean so that you can have visitors over. Your habits are a reflection of who you are, and laziness is not one of Ben Franklin’s rules of living.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation. Why are you going to school? For a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or for your education? Remember first and foremost the reasons for going to school. Let everything else linger behind.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. Okay, so your roommate forgot to buy toilet paper again. I know it sucks. Is it worth it, though, to blow up over it? Let the small things slide and be a stronger person about it. Don’t let these things bother you. If they do, just calmly bring it up in conversation, but don’t let it go further than that.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates. Be humble. Be modest. Live your college life to be a memorable one but don’t do anything notorious or bad. Remember, Ben Franklin lived a life of humility and yet still is famous in our time. Emulate his virtues, look to succeed in school, and you’ll be respected and revered by your classmates and professors.