Please read Chapters I and II of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life. There's a lot of advice in these two chapters, much that you've heard before, plus (perhaps) a few things you hadn't. What (if anything) in these chapters surprises you? Of the familiar advice, what seems worth reinforcing? Is there anything you would have added to the chapter if you were giving college success advice?
Monday, August 25, 2014
How to find what you are not looking for
Please read Chapters I and II of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life. There's a lot of advice in these two chapters, much that you've heard before, plus (perhaps) a few things you hadn't. What (if anything) in these chapters surprises you? Of the familiar advice, what seems worth reinforcing? Is there anything you would have added to the chapter if you were giving college success advice?
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In the chapters, there wasn't really anything that surprised me. I have pretty much heard it all before from friends that were or are college students and from my high school teachers who were giving advice about how to survive college and make the most of the next four or five years.
ReplyDeleteOf the advice, I think the thing that seems worth reinforcing is the studying. It is hard to wrap my head around how many hours I might need to study and review the material right now, but I am sure that I will get used to the amount of time that needs to be put into each class.
A piece of advice that I would give would be to be bold while in college. Do something that you haven't done before or join a random club on campus, because you never know if you might actually like the thing that you would never see yourself doing.
-Allyson Gascoigne
There wasn't too much information in these two chapters that surprised me. If anything, I was surprised by the numerous problems that occurred on campus or involved NSU students that you were able to use as examples in the book. I believe that the advice topics that needs to be reinforced the most are that we shouldn't drink and that we shouldn't succumb to peer pressure. Too many students think that in order to become liked they have to do exactly whatever the "popular" kids are doing, and too often those activities that they partake in involve drugs and alcohol. People need to learn to just be themselves (which is the advice that I would add on to this chapter) and not to feel like they have to live for others. I understand that people want to start a new life when they get to college because they feel like they have a fresh start. There is nothing wrong with this to me unless you aren't being yourself when you decide to change your ways. You'll never be happy if you're not being yourself, and that is, to me, the main point of college.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing in these chapters that surprised me really. Some of them are pretty obvious such as not experimenting with drugs in alcohol. I was on the other hand surprised with the stories about the intoxicated man freezing to death and we'll as the young man who took his life. The pieces of advice that I feel should be reinforced are most definitely using your time wisely; it's true that most students have just a few hours of class each day. It is our responsibility to find enough time to study. If your dorm is too loud, go to the library, especially the second floor. The final piece of advice that should be reinforced is the part where it mentions havering that feeling of emptiness. Obviously the solutions to this problem are indefinite, as it will vary upon the individual. If I had to add any advice, it would be to also look out for your mental health, as many people may start to have problems with depression, anxiety, etc. If you are struggling you need to be talking to someone whether it be your roommate, a call to a friend or family member back home, your RA, a counselor, or any trusted person. In conclusion, study hard, keep up your health, and go wolves!
ReplyDeleteThe chapters reminded me of a self help book, very similar to the advice that high school counselors and teachers dole out to try and level with a student they feel should live up to their potential. I agree, we all should exceed the expectations others hang over us, we should set a better example, not allow ourselves to be willing to succumb to peer pressure, but that's the hard thing. No matter how many examples you give us or drill into us it's a difficult concept to see that it could be one of us that could lose our way. The advice was sound and seemed like a good idea to try and apply into my life in college. I want to strive for great things and overthink most ideas when I should more practically be studying for an exam, which is bound to occur. The homesickness struck with me, I have absolutely no feeling of that what so ever, albeit it hasn't been very long, but I came to Northern knowing that I can't just drive eight hours and be home, I have to assimilate and create a family here or go visit friends in other states at their own respectable colleges. I guess the point I'm trying to say is, if I were to give advice, it's not to make mere acquaintances, open up and make friends that will become a family like surrounding here so you never have to worry if something happens; also don't lose your old friends, they help ground you, they've known you longer than four days.
ReplyDeleteAs I read through the chapters nothing really surprised me too much. I've heard quite a bit of it before and while it was mostly review, hearing it again helped remind me how important that advice really is. What I think is worth reinforcing is the importance of relationships you'll make here. It is scary and a bit of a challenge to make friends all over again, but having peers is a huge part of your life during college and it's exciting to think about, albeit scary at times. Another thing would be the importance of study habits, since I know mine are certainly not the best.
ReplyDelete- Ann Scott
There wasn't too much information in these two chapters that was new to me, except the specific examples of Northern students. In my opinion, the topics that need the most re-enforcing are the effects of peer pressure and drinking alcohol. The first topic, peer pressure, should be re-enforced because many students go along with their classmates and friends, because it's the "cool" thing to do. But this can lead to bad situations at times. Because of this, the topic goes hand-in-hand with the other subject that needs to be emphasized. Drinking is an issue among most teenagers and young adults. It's portrayed as "the thing" to do in college. Which is where peer pressure comes in. Drinking can ruin lives, or even just take it off the best path. Especially when it's done irresponsibly. Many people, especially in the teen/ young adult years struggle with finding themselves. So its the perfect environment for peer pressure to take effect. What I took from the chapter was that college is a good time to discover yourself and your individuality.
ReplyDeleteOops, forgot my name- Vi Michel
DeleteI enjoyed the way you wrote them, but I don't feel the need to reiterate the fact that it was review. The describing the man with gonorrhea as a greek god was pure gold though.
ReplyDelete-Dalton Wagner (A-bruh-ham)
One thing I took from the first chapter was that, as freshmen students in college, we should learn to be safe, and obviously this is sound advice. As freshmen I believe that we need to be aware of our surroundings, we need to be aware that others may not hold the same beliefs that we do, and we need to be aware that the world is a lot scarier now that we're basically on our own. However, as well as the sound advice I found throughout the first chapter, as well as in the second chapter, some of the advice given was that we should deprive ourselves of life. That we should close ourselves off, experience life.. "but from the experience of others". And this, I believe, is wrong. I was taught, and I will teach, that life is short, and we should live it while we can. Take chances, make mistakes, die your hair a crazy color, find your niche, kiss girls, kiss boys if you want, eat Ramen noodles for weeks until we can't eat anymore, and EXPERIENCE LIFE as it is, and not through others.
ReplyDelete-Zachery Ell
To me it felt like the first chapter reinforced the often-heard advice to avoid drugs and alcohol, but the example stories did help to drive the point home. I also liked that you said we should ignore your advice and make our own decisions and experiences, but we shouldn't forget to consider the consequences. On that note, I don't think living vicariously through others has to be the only option. Give others the opportunity to live vicariously through you.
ReplyDelete~Kendall Merchut
When I started reading this I was reminded a lot, of many things that I have been taught by my family and teachers. Most of it was things that i have heard or is kind of common sense. The points that you made really drove the nail in my coffin of self doubt and fear. College is an adventure for me and I don't want to live through others. I know that if I make mistakes I will have to make up for them on my own. That is why I need to face my fears and live my life here to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteThis reading reminded me of the kind of conversations that I would have with some of my teachers. It was nice to see the words that I have herd so much on paper. The Hamlet references were awesome.
ReplyDelete- Camilla Johansson
All of the advice was very good, though I have heard most all of it before. I think it's important to reinforce how alcohol specifically will mess things up, as I've seen too many occasions of it. My own advice is to be fearless. Don't be afraid of peers, or professors, or homework. Don't be that quiet kid in the back of the room. Make friends and work hard, and you can succeed.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, none of the advice was knew news. I have heard it all before. However, I was really surprised by the advice given at the end of chapter one. It was written that the only thing that will cause us to feel true joy and peace in life is reliance on God. I was just surprised at how a professor would write that in a text he was giving to students at a public college. However, that is also the topic that needs the most reinforcing. I know from personal experience that life is basically meaningless without reliance on God. If I had to give any advice, it would be just that. Also, I think being social is huge for college students and especially freshman. I'd say not to be shy. Talk when you have something to say. Try and make friends. Everyone is in the same boat with meeting new people, and a friend isn't always just someone who shares similar interests and personalities. Often times, it's someone who just sort of happens to be there and to be there for you.
ReplyDelete- Cody Martens
As I read these two chapters I found out that I have already heard this from college friends, family, teachers and work colleagues. But the only thing that still shocks me is how much time you need to spend homework and it depends on how the class that the homework is from is how long. My advice to incoming freshman is not to be afraid of meeting new friends, speaking out during classes, and just work hard at what you want to achieve, but also have a fun four or five years in college.
ReplyDeleteMason Sundvold
As everyone has mentioned, the advice given is nothing any of us haven't heard in the past. What I mainly got from the first chapter was the examples. I think some if not most of us would be lying if we said we have not experimented with at least one of the activities we have been lectured about our entire lives. The examples given, really do show that you should refrain from these activities, but even if you don't, please be as smart as possible, because we always say "that would never happen to me," but those same people in all of the stories probably said the same thing at one point in their lives. In the second chapter, again we've all heard this advice from others, but I think it has a larger impact on us, as this advice is coming directly from students from the same college, with a lot of the same professors.
ReplyDelete-Riana Hopfinger
In the first two chapters I learned basically what I already knew. The thing I took away from it was that you need to use common sense and make smart descisions. Reading other students experiences and advice made me realize how much of what I do now will effect me in the future.
ReplyDeleteHolly
Even though I've had this information fed to me before, I do feel like some freshman may go into college losing sight of these morals they've heard over the years. They may just think life is going to be one big party. I do like how engaging the writing was and how I never felt bored reading lessons I've already heard. The stories may not have scared some people but they had me cringing. It was nice to see advice in chapter two from past students, because it gave me a point of view from their perspective and not just the professor's. I felt like the subject of turning to God was handled well and hit the points it needed to hit. All and all I liked the first two chapters and look forward to reading more.
ReplyDelete-Brandon Lunzman
DeleteAfter reading the chapters I came to conclusion that the information was very similar to things I had been told previously. Either by friends, high school teachers or counselors. Regardless, there are a few things that are truly worth reinforcing. Time management and studying are huge. If you can't do either or at least learn to, it will be extremely difficult to be a successful college student. If I was going to give any advice to others it would be to pay attention to detail, check email and stay on topic.
ReplyDeleteTyler Spearman