LATIMER: What could go wrong?

Do you remember the last time you got that tingling in your toes? You know, that almost shaking cold sensation like a flickering fluorescent light that travels up your ankles then up your spine? It happens when you’re at the top of a tall structure or when you’re leaning too far over a ledge.

Well, I got it yesterday sitting in an office. At first I thought I was stroking out. Then, I thought I was insane. I was sitting, for Christmas sake! All I had to do was talk my way into this professor’s class.

How hard could that be?

So I called this professor up after my classes. I couldn’t find where his office hours were online, so it made sense to call him directly, right? So I did. Then he told me to look online a lil’ bit harder.

Terrific. I was off to a great start with this first impression.

I told him I’d be there in ten minutes. Why did I do that when I was in West Campus and his office is in South? What’s wrong with me? Seriously, someone diagnose me with something.

So I scampered across Commonwealth Avenue. I think I jumped over a Nissan GT-R, a cyclist and an old woman on a rascal to get there. I probably caused an accident because I ran across the Boston Univeristy Bridge. “I’ll make it,” I actually screamed while soaring between two runners. What could possibly go wrong now?

Just more than 12 minutes after the phone call, I discovered that the door to the building was locked. Excellent!

If I didn’t get into this class I couldn’t graduate with a history degree. Key the cold sweats and palpitations.

Must. Impress. Professor.

To put a long, silly story short, when I sat across from the professor, all I had to do was ask to join his class. Then he let me join his class. The tingling stopped. I probably exhaled too loudly when he said I could come in next Monday.

You see, I’m one of those students that prefer to do things on the fly. Three days ago I decided that I would rather major in history instead of journalism. You know, learn the content of the story instead of how to write it and still minor in journalism.

While you’re here at BU, don’t be afraid to change your mind. If you play your cards right, you can change the direction of your university education. All I know is: If I didn’t sprint my way through campus today like a feral cat, I would still be on my way to a degree that I would be fine having.

The key word in that last sentence is, “fine.” I’d be fine majoring in journalism, but wouldn’t it be exciting to major in history?

So I did it. If you want to change directions, don’t hesitate to do so. What could possibly go wrong?

Brian Latimer is the Editorial Page Editor and a junior at Boston University studying History; Journalism; and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. He can be reached at letters@dailyfreepress.com.