Wants versus Needs

I always have a million lists, usually on a sticky note or a scrap piece of paper. To Do. Pros and Cons. Shopping. Wish. DIY House Projects. Prospective college students must be diligent with their list making, as well; the most important of which is the "wants versus needs" list. In the technological society in which we live, there are many college search engines available to students, allowing them to enter in everything they ever dreamed of having as part of their college experience (a particular major, Greek affiliation, varsity sports, big city or more rural, beach or mountains, the "list" goes on). But it is also that much easier for a student to become consumed by the options available. Conversely, it is quite possible for a student to enter in all of their heart's desires and have a list of zero schools match their criteria. In both of these scenarios, the student must compile a list of wants versus needs with regard to their future collegiate career. This involves both the academic setting, as well as location and extra-curricular activities. When researching prospective campus communities, the need list must remain stagnant; no omissions. It is the want list that must be flexible and willing to make a sacrifice here or there. From my own college search, I really wanted to be a fan in the stands at a DI football stadium and I really wanted to have years of pride and big traditions, all of which was provided by one of the big public universities in my home state. This school also offered large lecture classes, required tickets for tutoring sessions, and a two town spread of campus buildings. That was perfect for many of my friends, but I learned quickly that my needs outweighed my wants. I needed a more close knit campus community. I needed a discussion based classroom setting where the professor knew my name and whether or not I was actively participating in class...or even there. I needed to be able to easily set appointments with my professors to further discuss the material. I needed to recognize my classmates by face and by name when I saw them in the quad or the cafeteria. I needed opportunities to grow as a person outside of the classroom through student groups and leadership courses. I sacrificed big time sports, but I visited my friends at their schools and went to televised games with them. I gave up participating in deep seeded and historical traditions like Bonfire and ring dunking at the Chicken, but we did enjoy a few quirky ones such as "First Snow" and every graduate crowding into the tiny Hilltop before getting kicked out just in time to "go get graduated!" I would not change my undergraduate experience for anything, but it would have been quite a different life path had I not understood the aspects of my education that I simply wanted instead of those critical components that were necessary in making me who I am today.

Sugar Cereal and College Dreams

I surrendered to a craving at the store and purchased a sugary cereal I enjoyed as a kid when allowed. As I poured the tiny cinnamon toasts into my bowl this morning, a "prize" dropped from the box and I was immediately transported to my youth. Every cereal commercial, one after another after another, exulted the toy inside, usually related to an upcoming movie release, overshadowing any information about the (un)healthy ingredients or the importance of a good breakfast to start the day. This was also true of fast food chains and kid's meals. The commercials were dominated by who had the coolest toy inside the special box, not about the food inside or the the monetary, or gasp, health value of a parent purchasing this meal versus another. No matter if it was cereal or a kid's meal, as a child in those years, the toy was the important aspect of the advertising dollars, not the food. Times have certainly changed! So have I. What used to be important, now seems trivial. What we used to freely spend money on, we expect to be value added or even free. Commercials announce balanced meals and low fat/low cal food, not the plastic trinket that may accompany it. As I began to think about what else has so drastically changed in our world (the television shift from game shows to talk shows to reality shows, as another example), I drew an immediate correlation to the college process. Too often, I hear from a parent, "My daughter is in seventh grade. She is in this activity and that activity and also does this when she isn't doing that. Will all of these activities, plus her A+ grades, of course, get her into School X?" No. Your daughter will change drastically over the next six years. So will that particular higher ed institution. And so will the admission process as a whole. Participating in an activity or a service project for the sole purpose of resume building, earning an A+ solely for the grade instead of the value of learning, and fixating on particular campus (usually a super selective or Ivy League) can be detrimental. Students should focus on learning first, the grades will follow. Then seek activities that are not only enjoyable, but that also pair well with what they learn in the classroom. Life lessons are imperative, no matter if it is Stu Co or the soccer field that provides those teachable moments. And this will naturally lead the proverbial horse to cool water...properly preparing for COLLEGE, not just for one particular school. And in five years, maybe she does still has an interest in participating in that same extra-curricular activity. Perhaps School X does match her high school academic profile and still has a strong program in an academic field she might pursue in relation to a potential future career. More likely, however, she has since discovered a new dream within herself and School Z is a much better fit for her current interests, academic abilities, and educational and social needs. The first few bites of this nostalgic cereal were pretty good, but now I have sugar coated teeth...and a plastic toy that I am hoping my cat might enjoying batting around the living room. I have changed. And I now prefer whole grain cereals with nuts, raisins, and a sliced banana on top.