Tips #21

In just a few days, newly graduated high school students will trek to Charleston, Illinois, accompanied by their parents and siblings, with their most precious belongings in tow. The class of 2006 will move into Carman, Pemberton, Stevenson, Taylor and the other residence halls at Eastern Illinois University. Once their clothes, computers, stereos and other necessities are deposited in their new rooms, these college students will say goodbye to their parents. Goodbye to the moms and dads who raised them and cared about them (no matter how bad they screwed up); goodbye to the rules that they often complained about; goodbye to their cooks, shoppers, drivers, cheerleaders, clothes washers, bankers, and problem solvers. Hello to roommates, resident assistants, professors, dorm food, washing machines, planners, syllabi, bills and budgets.

The changes in their lives will be dramatic. They will be living amongst strangers in a new building in a new town. Now, no one will tell them what they must to do. Their parents won't be around to check up on them. They are on their own. The final say about the choices that affect their lives will be theirs. Most eighteen-year-olds have longed for this independence. However, this cherished freedom will come with responsibilities. Failing to live up to these responsibilities will have consequences. In sum, the world will no longer revolve around them quite so much. When they arrive at school, they will become one person among many. They will no longer be the star athlete, the outstanding student, or the accomplished artist. Nor will they be known widely as someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, or friend. Everyone will start out the same--the new students will have to negotiate with others, develop friendships, earn recognition, and take charge of their own lives. Through this process, these young adults will learn about themselves, learn how to cope with change, learn how to interact well with others, and learn how to find their place in the wider world.

Most incoming students are aware that their lives in college will be different. Although they lack the experience, they generally know that they will have to:

manage their time and money
develop an appreciation for people who differ
set priorities
motivate themselves
make difficult ethical decisions
build new friendships
live in close quarters with others
persist in the face of obstacles
deal with distractions

Given time, most will adjust and become independence, intelligent, moral human beings. The challenge is to apply what they already know is right to what they actually do. Some students get off to a bad start academically because they do not fully understand their new responsibilities: College students are responsible for:

attending every class, turning in assignments on time, and taking all tests
reading the syllabi and following all directions contained therein
seeking out help when they need it
identifying the most important information provided in class and in their books
reviewing notes and other materials regularly
developing their reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills
following make-up policies
meeting and maintaining the standards necessary to enter an academic program

A few students will make really bad decisions: they will get into fights, have unprotected sex, develop alcohol and drug problems, skip classes, vandalize their dorms, cheat, abuse their friendships, or avoid doing any work. These students will not last long at Eastern.

Most students will make some minor mistakes along the way. Having the opportunity to make poor choices is part of what independence is all about. Those who learn from their mistakes will grow in wisdom and maturity. About 80% of the men and women who come to Eastern will graduate from college and look back upon their years here as a valuable time of discovery about themselves, the world, and their future.

If you are coming to Eastern Illinois University this fall, recognize the fact that your achievements in life thus far indicate that you have the capacity to graduate. Eastern only accepts those who can contribute to the community and complete a degree. Whether you finish a degree or not will be up to you. The most important things you need to bring with you are:

Openness
Tolerance
Dedication
Flexibility
Patience
Confidence
Humility
Persistence
Problem solving skills

When you arrive, consciously develop these traits. Say “hello” enthusiastically to this new phase of your life. Take advantage of all that college has to offer by making choices that will lead you toward long-term satisfaction. In just a few short years, you will be moving on to start another phase of your life. You will be saying goodbye once again to the faculty, staff, and your college friends. When you graduate, you will have become a different person, one who is ready to be a leader in a chosen field, one who is capable of developing long-term loving relationships, and one who is prepared to contribute to our democracy.

Hello to hard work and to some of the best days of your life.