Columnist Sophie Kruse reflects back on her column, which she has been writing for three and a half years.
This column is a little bittersweet for me. I started writing Gamer Girl in the winter of my freshman year, three and a half years ago. Since then, I’ve written on what feels like everything relating to video games and technology.
I feel like it’s only appropriate to spend this column talking about why video games have been so important in my life throughout college.
During college, I think it’s really important to find a hobby that you can use to kill time and relieve your stress. Video games are great for that because you can spend as much (or as little) time as you like playing them, and you can do it all on your own. They aren’t weather dependent. No matter how social of a person you are, I think it does some good to spend a little time each week by yourself doing something that makes you happy. No matter how busy you are, make sure you take a little time to step away and do something just for the fun of it (even if it isn’t playing video games).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s also great to do with friends. Whether it’s hanging out between classes or spending a night in, it’s an easy way to spend time together. Who doesn’t love a competitive game of Mario Kart? My roommates and I spend probably too much time playing that together.
Though that one might sound a little corny, I think you can learn a lot of life lessons through games. In a popular Reddit thread, some Redditors shared what they’ve learned:
“It never gets easier, you get better.”
“Do the side quests, not just the main quest.”
“Even if you make all the right decisions, you may not get the ending you hoped for.”
“If something seems impossible to do, come back to do it later after you acquired new skills.”
“Gain every resource you can and use it. Because if you don’t, someone else will.”
“If you ‘run’ from all your challenges and avoid all your adversaries, you’ll never grow.”
Although I think it’s greatly important to play games, make sure that’s not all you’re doing. Sometimes turn off the console and go hang out with your friends. Go for a hike up to The Ridges or Bong Hill. Go to that party that everyone will be at. Try something you’ve never done before and then try something else. You’re only in Athens and at Ohio University for a few years. Don’t waste it.
Sophie Kruse is a senior studying journalism. Why are video games important to you? Email her at sk139011@ohio.edu.
