Advice for college students
Last year when I wrote this column about my younger daughter, HPU's president, Nido Qubein, asked if he could send copies to every incoming freshmen.
I suspect that Sunday's piece by Nancy McLaughlin will have similar clip-and-save impact. Of course, the intended audience, incoming college students, may not read it in the paper. Not because they don't read the paper as much as by the time they are finished with high school they have had their fill of advice from adults. We will depend on a parent or a well-intentioned older person to stick it under their noses.
In my experience as a student and as a parent of two students, the clergy has good advice, even if some of it the students will probably need to learn on their own.
Below is a factoid that didn't make it online, for some reason:
Rabbi Fred Guttman's Ten Commandments for Success as a College Freshman.
1. Try to be nonjudgmental when meeting new people, especially those who are different from you ethnically, religiously, culturally, etc.
2. Realize that you are on your own. Organize your time well. No one will tell you when to study and when to play.
3. Try to find your passion and follow it. What really motivates you? In what courses do you seem to do the best?
4. Call your parents frequently, especially if they are paying your cell phone bill and even if they are not! We love to hear from you and will try not to be too "nosey!"
5. When you visit your parents on break, spend time with them. Do not come home and drop off your dirty laundry and go out with your friends. Mom and Dad need "face time" with you!
6. Find your religious community at college and become a part of it.
7. Keep in touch with your pastor, rabbi, imam, etc. We, too, would love an occasional e-mail, call or visit when you are on break.
8. Become involved in some sort of volunteer work that will help someone else. College should not be just about "you." Through the act of giving to others, you will feel more alive and a greater sense of purpose.
9. Be grateful for this opportunity and do not waste it.
10. Prayer is always a good activity, and not just before tests!
Comments (2)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
My 18 year old granddaughter is soon to begin @ Appalachian State - three or four weeks ago we participated in her orientation and were given a campus tour - the restroom in her hi-rise co-ed dorm features a coin operated (25 cents) condom machine - the best advice I could give her was to keep a healthy supply of quarters close by.
Posted on August 10, 2008 2:15 PM
Heh. You're a good grandma. Keep in mind that quarters are also handy for the washing machines and dryers, too!
Posted on August 11, 2008 11:03 AM