The Modern Day Thoreau: Chris McCandless

It has been difficult to stomach the common stereotype of a female college student. I have no problem admitting that I do not fall into this 'cool' category. I have enough respect for myself where I will not get piss drunk and wake up in the morning wondering who the naked boy is laying next to me. I go out in moderation and prioritize. I spend my free weekends exploring Atlanta with friends. I work to strengthen the relationships with my friends and family members. I attend poetry readings and watch local bands perform at The Variety Playhouse and the Masquerade. I support the members of Hare Krishna by donating whatever change I have in my pockets. According to society, there must be something wrong with me. There is no way I can have fun experiencing college the way I am. Well I think society needs a reality-slap-in-the-face.
I believe that all college students obviously further their education for a purpose,but the reasons are numerous. Some may want to conform to society and get that ‘true’ college experience. Others want to obtain a degree that will guarantee money in the long-run. Some may want to branch out and develop long-lasting relationships and create one-of-a-kind friendships. And few journey through college with questions which they want answered. The story of Chris McCandless is so sensational because it defies what a 'normal' college student should be like. Because he is one of the few who questioned life and appreciated the simple entities that completed life itself.
Chris McCandless was able to separate himself from the materialistic world. Money was not important to him. The $20,000 dollars he had in his bank account upon graduation was donated to the Oxford Famine Relief Fund. Not only does this show his lack of interest for money but his passion to help others. After his yellow Datsun broke down in July of 1990, McCandless burned whatever remaining money he had left. He did not want to have a care in the world. He wanted to experience it all first hand. “Chris McCandless intended to invent a new life for himself one in which he would be free to wallow in unfiltered experience” [Krakauer 4]. Nothing could stop him; he was determined to live his life to the fullest.
Along with being able to set himself apart from the materialistic world, Chris was able to overlook all he had in his life and start over. He was the perfect student in high school, receiving all A’s and he graduated from a highly accredited university with honors. Besides school, he was one of the top distance runners and was named captain of his high school cross-country team. While at Emory, McCandless was given the opportunity to actually be a ‘real’ college when he was asked to join a fraternity. He left all this behind and traded it all in for a fishing rod, a rifle, sleeping bag, a camera, and some books. With these few items he was able to settle himself in the Denali National Park and survive for an entire 113 days.
Every college should aspire to do what Chris McCandless did. Question life and seek the answers. Take risks; do not be afraid to make mistakes. Everything should be treated as a learning experience. Have faith and hope. One should not be afraid to test their abilities. It will only increase their inner strength.