At the risk of sounding pompous and arrogant, I have an observation: there are many students attending BYU who are unsure as to what they’re doing and who, frankly, are using the space of others who would be getting more out of a college education.
It is undoubtedly a wonderful social and learning experience to be away from home and get to know many new people in a university setting, but many students—especially freshman guys—would be wise to consider other options before coming to college.
Those who serve in "God's army" know how great a work it is, and how much the soldiers (missionaries) in that army learn and grow. It's true that not every 18-19 year old guy or girl is immature and irresponsible, and that there are other ways of developing maturity.
The mission is just what did it for me. I believe it can do the same for anyone.
As I spent two years serving my best, I learned important life principles like diligence and patience, as well as skills like planning and working with people. These enhanced abilities and experiences have enabled me to pursue my goals more successfully than would otherwise be possible.
Is it the same for everyone? Are some students prepared for college at age 18? Yes, of course! Here's a little of my story:
I entered BYU as a freshman in 2008. I am now taking WRTG 150 with students who are nearly five years younger than me; these students are brilliant and hard-working, but I know that not all students their age are like them. Like I was when I was 18. I thought that I was going to study music. I also thought that eating burgers every day and allowing my brain to rot whilst playing the Nintendo 64 was a good idea.
I wasn't bad. I really came to BYU to learn and to grow, and grow I did. I learned about time management, how to build relationships with close friends and how to operate on my own. But I was distracted, and had trouble focusing. That made it tough to do very well in my classes.
I wasn't "stupid", either. I performed well in high school tests and A.P. classes, and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. My intentions were good, but my experience reservoir was decidedly shallow. I was looking for other things to do.
Why? Mostly because lots of guys my age had decided to serve missions. The girls I was around didn't seem interested in going on dates with a "pre-me" who was just going to be leaving anyway. I didn't know what I really wanted to study, and, while I was "having fun", it just wasn't all roses.
The question of "did I learn a lot as a freshman" has an answer in the affirmative: yes, I did learn. It wasn't all irresponsibility. I did study and grow. But I believe that, while my freshman year was wonderful, perhaps I could've tried something else in its place and experienced the same results.
I get that not all freshman students are like this. I sincerely applaud all those who start college with a bang--hard, long hours of studying, knowing what they want to do, getting involved in lots of activities, etc.
I also recognize that there are some out there, like I was, who thought that going to college was just "the next step" towards bajillions of dollars and an attractive spouse. While that may be partially true, it's certainly not the only way.
For the record, I've been able to turn things around. My GPA has almost doubled (embarrassing maybe, but I'm proud of it). I've participated in many activities that I never thought possible. I know what I'm studying and I love it! I'm just saying that IT TOOK A LONG TIME, and it took some pretty hardcore academic repentance.
Is my experience the only valid one out there? Of course not. Are there freshman that succeed and thrive in a university setting? Of course there are! My suggestion is merely to consider your options. Should you stay, or should you go?
There's so much you can do. Come to BYU and try your hand at academics. Go serve a mission and learn what hard work is. Go work some summers doing sales (or maybe don't...eesh). Explore your interests and career goals. All these things will help you become the person you want to be.
If you are unsure of what to do, ask around. Everyone has an opinion.
It's up to you!
"Considering your options" has recently become increasingly popular in today's society. In Europe, taking time off before going to secondary school is not only common, but often applauded. Even the best schools, like Harvard and Yale, are now encouraging students to consider taking a "gap year" after high school.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this?
Time off from education can give students the opportunity to ask themselves the important questions: "Who am I? Where am I going? Where do I want to be?" It also gives individuals the freedom to discover their interests and strengthen their skill sets.
I do believe that many freshly graduated 18-year-olds are ready to take on college (much more than you imply), but, I also believe that considering one's options, whether it be a mission, a job, or whatever, can supply much-needed direction for any person.
I had never heard that such prestigious schools as Harvard and Yale encourage students to consider a "gap year", that's very interesting! I agree strongly with your idea that the year after high school can be used for many things--college being one of those options. I also agree that many students are now prepared for a rigorous education, some of them possibly more than myself. I hope that the implication of this post isn't that they can't succeed, but rather that they should consider the options, as you pointed out. In that way, they'll be more aware of what they're doing than I was.
DeleteMaybe the problem with high school graduates not being prepared for college is not so much that they haven’t gone on a mission or had a job, but that their high school did not adequately prepare them for the rigors of college? I know that a lot of students get a real “wake-up call” when they go to college because instead of coasting like they did before during high school, they actually have to work hard and be disciplined. Maybe if students experienced more college-level work towards the end of their secondary education, more of them would learn the kinds of study skills, motivation, and experience to work hard in college and stay committed.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point. I definitely felt this way after high school, after having coasted through way too many easy classes. How would you propose that we help the secondary education to improve? I agree very much that if it were improved--and if the students in high school were able to fully grasp the significance of their important opportunities in high school--then we would see more high school graduates who are making something of themselves--college, or not.
DeleteLately, it has become apparent to me how important taking a step back from education is. I was considered “smart” in high school, and I performed well in many advanced classes. As far as the academic rigors of college go, I was wholly prepared. Because of this, I jumped directly into a challenging major at college, taking courses recommended to me by others that would prepare me for graduate school. As I started classes, the homework didn’t come as a surprise to me, but I started to feel burned out quickly because the nature of my classes seemed similar to the way they did in high school—merely requirements to advance to the “next step.” I know my experience will benefit from zooming out a little bit and spending some time thinking about what truly motivates me, and not necessarily what looks good on paper. Also, I know I am not the only student who feels this way. How would you suggest that students consider their options more carefully before they “dive right in” to college?
ReplyDeleteGreat question! I wish I had a perfect answer for you.
DeleteThinking about "what truly motivates me" as you put it is such an incredibly important aspect of our lives...and it's one that I fear very few people actually find. I hate to say this, but it really depends on the person. Some people begin to find out who they are as they dive in to school (I certainly wasn't like that). Others work for a year and do casual studying online to find interests.
I would suggest that time be given to each high school graduate (or anyone, really) to stop for a period of time. Just stop. Take time to consider what has happened in their lives, and consider their future. Not everyone is of our faith, but I think many people have a desire to meditate and/or commune with a Deity of some kind. For those of us in an LDS background, I suggest prayer and close conversation with people of trust (Bishops, parents, other leaders, friends, etc.). Try a variety of jobs and see if you like any of them, and why/why not. Take some personality tests and see if they fit you.
Again, I wish I had a perfect answer. I've considered starting a business plan for this exact reason: helping people who aren't sure what they want to do to be connected with all sorts of options. As to how this would work, I'm not really sure. But your comment has helped me thing of that again!
What do you think would be a good way to consider options, in your experience?
Also, Dylan makes several great points below.
DeleteIn light of the recent age change for missionaries this post is particularly poignant. This is exactly the article that I would recommend my 17 year-old brother to read and consider as he prepares for the choices ahead of him. Jacob mentioned the vital questions that arise at this time of life. Those questions are answered not by circumstances, surroundings, or even peers, but from on high. I propose that it's not so much a matter of where you are physically, but where you are spiritually that determines what is best for you 'now'. With a focus on conversion, looking for opportunities to serve, and really just to do good, the readers will have the right mindset to properly consider options and then go where they need to be.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. This "focus on conversion" that you said is exactly what we should be focused on! As we focus on that, we will begin to see those things that interest us the most and develop the correct mindset.
DeleteHow did you feel your freshman year was? Would you give any other suggestions to incoming freshman, other than the ones you stated already? Any particular examples you'd like to share?