The Importance of Finding an Outlet

Where one gets plugged-in on campus can determine their social standing. Similar to high school except that most high schools do not let students bring their laptops to class. So, there are no experts here.

In the age of e-Campus, web portals, and cloud storage, one would be completely hampered without fully juiced modern technology. The modern student has one important charge during their time in college, and that is to find their outlet.

There are three rules to outlet real estate, and they are as follows: location, location and location.

If one wants to be seen on campus, there is no doubt that the MSC Flag Room is their best option. Sitting on a throne of plush couches, charging their laptop and listening to a personal pianist, it may be easy for the average student to imagine themselves as a king or queen of the campus. The experience is only enhanced by their endless stream of friends walking by making them look increasingly cooler with each greeting.

The trendiest students go off-campus to sit in suave coffee shops near their favorite outlet. There, they sip their organic coffee and not really study, but instead just feel intelligent as they discuss philosophy or theology (depending on if they are sitting in Sweet Eugene’s or Mugwalls).

After a brief interview with the Mugdown staff, sophomore Drew Allen, Chief Executive Officer of BUILD, said his favorite outlets on campus were the plugs behind the couches near the Fish Aides desk in the Student Activities wing of Koldus.

“I admit that I ‘graduated’—and make sure to note that I am using air quotes here— from Fish Aides over a year ago, but I love using those outlets.” said Allen. “The couches are not crowded at all, and the Fish Aides are so respectful of the surrounding organizations who are doing real work to serve the students of Texas A&M.”

“Not only do I still get to be a part of an elaborate cult, wait, I mean, enthusiastic freshman leadership organization that has defined my involvement on campus since I joined the group, but I also get to sit right outside of Reid Joseph’s door and catch up on all the juicy SGA gossip.” said Allen. “Being a Petroleum Engineering major, this outlet has really been the only thing that has allowed me to stay in touch with the real world.”

However, Allen’s experience is a starkly different one from those students who have not been fortunate enough to get plugged in. The powerless on this campus are those who do not have any outlet at all.

The most important thing a student looking for their outlet can remember is not to get too involved in the power struggle. Finding an outlet may be difficult, but it is the only way eager students will have the energy to survive these next four years.

-Lonely Lighter