Since June, twice a week my nights have been drama-filled with hook-ups, break-ups, parties and unexpected twists. No, I haven't been partying at the local bars and I don't belong to a sorority. \nFox's "Paradise Hotel" has become an addiction to many on this campus. My roommates and I almost cried when the scandalous last episode aired last Wednesday.\nBut the alliances and gorgeous cast of this reality show bring far more than just entertainment to our lives. I've realized the life lessons that this skanky reality show can teach us.\nFor those of you who have been spending your Mondays and Tuesdays doing homework and whatnot (how dare you?!), check out the Web site www.paradiseonfox.com for a full explanation of the show.
Lesson One: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Sure, the drinks are free, the people beautiful and the beds comfy, but when it comes right down to it, these people had a miserable time in "paradise." The same goes in life. Some things are just too good to be true.\nLesson Two: There will always be an annoying guy in the group that just won't leave.
The fact that the political-minded marketing consultant made it to the final rounds of the show remind me of that one guy in everyone's group of friends that just doesn't go away. \nYou know the guy. When he calls, no one wants to answer his or her phone, and when he opens his mouth, everyone automatically stops listening. But as we see, even that annoying guy exists in "paradise."
Lesson Three: The only person you can really trust is yourself.
The backstabbing and lying on the show is what makes it juicy, but it's also what hurts us in real life. Everyone knows that the only earthly being with whom they can 100 percent trust is themselves. In order to win the game, you had to be faithful to one person -- yourself.
Lesson Four: Keeping your mouth shut can win you $250,000.
Charla was the outsider of the originals. She often sat back in her own little world and while everyone else went out of his or her way to hurt her feelings, she ended up winning the entire game. \nSometimes in life it's best to just keep quiet. It won Charla a quarter of a million dollars. It could win you integrity and respect.
Lesson Five: Your friends now could end up your competition.
The famous foursome in the show, Keith, Tara, Charla and Dave, ended up against each other in the final moments.\nThink of all your friends in your major. As you sit around and talk about fun things in your classes and even make good friends, these are the same people you'll be up against when it comes time to find a job.
Lesson Six: If you're going to hook up, someone somewhere will find out and tell everyone.
Charla and Keith. Keith and Tara. Tara and Alex. It was a round robin of hook-ups for quite sometime. The cameras caught it all and it caused for some serious tests of loyalty to alliances and friendships.\nSo many people go around hooking up, not thinking about whom it's going to hurt. And while the dorms, apartments and houses in Bloomington aren't equipped with night-vision cameras, someone will find out -- and that someone will leak your dark, dirty secrets.
Lesson Seven: Loyalty will get you places.
Tara was as loyal as can be to her roommate Keith. It won her $125,000 because she was so loyal to her man. Dave, who just plain lied instead of remaining loyal, did not receive the $125,000 check from Charla. She kept it for herself.\nLoyalty is the key to success. While it might not land you $125,000 on your first job, employers want someone who will show loyalty to their company. And it couldn't hurt to do the same for your friends and family. \n"Paradise Hotel" threw a lot of twists and turns at its players throughout the summer. Life does the same. And even when you think life is fine and that a night out at the bars is just what you need, the unexpected twists begin. You run into your ex, or multiple exes, you spill your drink, you get arrested or your friends get into a fight. \nEven "Paradise Hotel" had one last twist. If you missed this summer's fiascos, never fear. Host Amanda Byram ended the show with a smirk, "There's something you need to know about next season…" and it was to be continued.
