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?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
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.
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)
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
This 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
Honestly, 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
After 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