Ode to College Students

I admire college students. Taking classes and producing work that even approaches a high level of quality is not easy. Plus, many of these students take multiple classes per semester while at the same time holding down one or two jobs. Despite that, they still manage to complete their assignments on time, pass their tests and be actively engaged in each of their classes. Very impressive indeed. Oh, I recognize there are those college students who fritter away their time by acting irresponsibly and behaving in a foolish and, at times, illegal manner. Those so-called kids are known to all of us, particularly since that type of behavior and person are so often showcased in various movies and television shows.

While it may be a cliche to point this out, it nevertheless bears repeating: the kind of "party animal" that we see depicted in the media and sometime read about in news stories is far more the exception than the rule. Sure, college-age students like to have a good time, but so many of them do so in a responsible manner because they recognize the value of a college education and are aware of how fortunate they are to be working toward a degree. Many of these young men and women may not yet have families, but the effort they make demonstrates a profound respect for the opportunity of furthering their education they have been given.

As is the case for all who maintain such busy schedules, college students successfully navigate the challenges of a higher education by practicing effective communication skills. They are open and honest with themselves when it comes to assessing the work load before them, the time and effort it will take to complete those tasks, and the best ways that time and effort should be balanced with their other time-consuming responsibilities. In dealing with their not insignificant challenges, college students may not always get it right. Mistakes, particularly dumb ones, can and will be made by them. Yet all of us should remember that these men and women are not alone in that regard. Further, they are working extremely hard and are being successful because of their perserverence, belief in what they are doing, and ability to communicate with themselves and, as the need arises, others.