Don’t read this. It’s a waste of your time.

Time doesn’t care how old you are. Time doesn’t care what you look like, how much money you have, where you’re from, what your religion is, what your family life is like, what your mistakes are, what your proudest accomplishments are, or the fact that you spent $68 at the bar last night.

In fact, time is the one of the only things on the planet all human beings share. The only problem is – we all have our own fixed amount of time. Unlike the bank account where those 68 bucks came out of, we never know how much we have in the “time” account.

Since we cannot be certain about how much time we have, and because we cannot change the allocation, we must change our priorities. This column is not the usual “manage your time” speech, but something that is far more important. This is about fulfillment. 

Are you a freshman that has thought about starting a pre-professional organization? Do it. Are you a sophomore that has thought about adding a second minor? What’s holding you back? Are you a junior that wants to study abroad? Pack your bags. Are you a senior that wants to take an internship in a new city, but is afraid of leaving what you’re used too? Your time is now. If college has taught me one thing, it’s the fact that life doesn’t give you the chance to take a second chance. 

So, join the study group that your mom keeps pushing you about. You’ll thank yourself you used that time when you had it. When you leave class to go home for the day, take the long way to gaze at the beauty of our campus. Have a corny sitting-on-the-quad reflecting on life moment. Go to Taco Bell at 2 a.m. (That is time well spent). Take a class on something you have no interest in. Who knows, you may end up liking it. Oh, here’s a new thought: stay four quarters at the next Alabama football game – or for all games, for that matter. 

As hospice nurses will tell you, when your loved one is on their deathbed, they don’t ask for more money or more assets. The remarkable clarity of realization that people gain at the end of their lives is, many times, too little, too late. If only they could have one more day. If only they could have one more chance to say what they really meant. If only they could have more time. 

If only I could do college over again. What different things would I do with my time? It’s an easy answer. I would push myself out of my comfort zone. I would focus more on developing my talents, rather than obsessing over my weaknesses. I would use campus resources more such as the student recreation center or the library databases. I would’ve visited my professor’s office hours more in order to make a connection and gain insight on their experience. I would’ve complained less and said thank you more. I’d be quick to apologize and eager to help. I would call my parents more. I would trust the process – Nick Saban style. 

There is a great quote by author Marc Tracy. It reads, “If you want to know the value of one year, just ask a student who failed a course. If you want to know the value of one month, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. If you want to know the value of one hour, ask the lovers waiting to meet.  If you want to know the value of one minute, ask the person who just missed the bus.” That got me thinking about time. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. If you want to know the value of a college education, just ask me. 

So, Alabama: everyone is running out of time. What are you going to do with yours? 

Collin Burwinkel is a senior majoring in public relations. He was the social media editor of The Crimson White in the 2015-2016 school year.