It was a nice change of pace this week switching to My Freshman Year. While we have analyzed and reanalyzed proper instructional methods this semester, there is really no way to understand what is the most effective strategy unless you are a student yourself.
The most surprising/disappointing aspect of My Freshman Year involved the conversations Nathan had with students regarding why they are attending college. “Except for those pesky classes, why would I ever leave this life of friends and fun?” (p. 102) one student mentioned. Nathan seemed to draw an assumption that students come to college for the experience and seem to give very little thought to the value of education. In fact, she mentions throughout Chapter 5 that students have very little discussion with peers about academics. While maybe I am too immersed in graduate studies right now where every conversation involves school and I am therefore forgetful of my undergraduate self, it is hard to believe that this view represents the majority. I firmly believe that a good majority of students attend college for the education and not simply the college experience. Am I alone in this thinking? Do I simply have my rose colored glasses on?
Another section that was particularly interesting to me was the chapter on international students. While I was disappointed in the “American culture” and American college students and their lack of interest in international students and programs, I agree with what Nathan observed. “The single biggest complaint international students lodged about U.S. students was, to put it bluntly, our ignorance.” (p. 84). While I would like to stand up for American students and say Nathan got it all wrong, I unfortunately don’t think she did. I do think Americans and American students consider themselves somewhat privileged and are ignorant of other cultures. They believe that the U.S. is superior and there is no benefit to learning about other cultures. It saddens me and I wonder if there is anything that can be done?
The least surprising aspect of the book was the discussion about dorm culture. It was no shock to me that students did not attend organized dorm events because I never did either. As a freshman, I think a core group of friends is needed in order to navigate your way through your first year of college. Dorms are set up to introduce you to this potential core group right away. It becomes more important to get to know your roommate and hall-mate rather than have awkward social encounters with your entire dorm.
In light of the challenges faced by undergraduate students the advice I would give a new college student is hang in there. Your freshman year is a learning experience. Speaking for myself, out of all my years in undergrad, my freshman year was the most challenging emotionally and academically. While my courses weren’t necessarily hard, it was hard to manage classes, working and meeting new people. I think if you can make it through your freshman year, you can make it through college. I also think it is important to meet people outside of your dorm and join extracurricular activities that may be of interest. This way, you are able to meet people that have similar interests and values as yourself.
With all the challenges undergraduate students face, new instructors face their share of challenges as well. I think the best advice I could give a new college instructor regarding undergraduate students would be to remember how they were as an undergraduate, especially as a freshman. Be firm but also be understanding. Students are handling a lot more than classes during their first year of college.
Throughout the semester we have had a tendency to view undergraduates through the eyes of instructors. While this makes sense (obviously we are instructors), I think we have forgotten to take on the perspective of the student. For many of us, our undergraduate education was not so long ago. I do think this book made me a bit more sympathetic towards students in the future.
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