Here at Luther we have a lot of things that divide us. We can’t decide who is better (Iowa vs. Minnesota), whose major is better (Music or Biology) or which baseball team is better (the Twins or anybody else). I think I’ve found the key to keeping this campus from experiencing a complete social breakdown, and that’s every student’s love of doodling.

I think it’s quite amazing that no matter what class you’re in, you, or somebody around you will be doodling something completely unnecessary in his or her notebook. One might even say this is something of a phenomenon, and that one is me, right now.

Doodling isn’t just drawing a caricature of Abe Vigoda in a T-Wolves jersey or putting Kirby Puckett on Mount Rushmore. Oh no, it involves so much more. I basically define it as something that keeps a student entertained through lecture.

Some of my favorite things to doodle are very simple. Since I have artistic skills equivalent to Ryan Leaf’s career in the NFL, I draw very simple things, like a 3-D box or a pencil. Sometimes I try in vain to do an artist’s symbol, like the Beatles or the Doors, but it never pans out.

Sometimes I wish I had some artistic skill, because I’ve seen some very creative doodles. I think the best one was an elaborate mushroom labeled “The Son of Man” drawn by one of my friends.

I usually get frustrated quite easily by my lack of artistic skill, so I go on to something else, like listing. I usually try to list all of the U.S. states, and sometimes their capitals. I can usually get all 53 states in five minutes. One time I did it in less than three minutes, and I felt as smug as a physics major.

I have tried listing different sports lists, like all of the MLB teams by league and division — I usually have trouble with the NL East. Sometimes I’ll do my dream NBA team, but I can never decide between Hakeem Olijuwan and Shawn Bradley as my center.

I have seen some pretty elaborate lists in my time, including a list of every Iron Maiden song by album. Another was every “Simpsons” character my friend could think of.

To some, doodling may seem like a waste of time, but it usually consists of about 1-2 minutes of class time and happens maybe once a week. I don’t want my professors to be alarmed that I’m writing the states and not listening about the importance of legumes. Don’t worry, we’re still listening while we’re doodling.

Besides, isn’t it better that we’re in class and mindlessly drawing, rather than skipping altogether? Now if only I could remember the capital of Kentucky …