CHAPTER XII

THROUGH DIFFICULTIES TO THE STARS

A college man not only wants his _sheepskin_ when the great day comes, but his _letters_ as well. To win his degree he must contribute to the _sum of human knowledge_--a man-sized job--considering the large storehouse already filled to overflowing. But the wreath somehow rests easier upon the brow of learning when Ph.D. or Ph.B. are safely tucked away among the laurel leaves.

Only the trained mind that delves its way successfully through college or university is likely to add to existing facts. The vast majority only succeed in developing a severe headache. Their intentions were good, but----

It isn’t so much the doing of the thing as the _satisfaction of having done it_.

My college career was cut short before my aspiration to excel took root. If I missed anything it didn’t occur to me then, but looking backward it has been only natural to regret that I didn’t stick it out and try for the honors.

But there are many other ways of making life worth while. _Versatility_ wins more “heats” these days than _originality_. Ideas are worth little to the man who can’t put them over and are usually to be bought at bargain prices. _Versatility_ and _personality_ hitched tandem are certified winners before they start as against mere originality.

It is not given to all men to make a success in college. But there’s one thing certain, whatever the gain coming out of an attempt _is that much to the good_.

College life in itself, with all its joys and stunts, is a fierce competitor of the curriculum. Those who would win a degree must necessarily _bone for it_, never for an instant straying from the narrow path leading to the goal. Likewise it behooves them to keep both eyes glued upon a lucky star--_for every little helps_.

Somewhere in the “milky way” of admonition he is almost sure to come upon that famous old signboard, which reads like this:

“_’Tis naught for sun to shine! Contribute thy share to the oceans of human knowledge--you can if you will._”

I must confess that this bit of poetic advice made a deep impression upon me. It seemed to urge me on but not to the same extent that other matters _urged me off_. It is a good little verse just the same and worthy of a hook in anyone’s memory. Aspiration, perseverance, never-give-up-the-ship-stick-to-itiveness is the way the prescription reads for those who would plant so much as a mustard seed of original information in the garden of wisdom.