College Move-In Day: Caution and Encouragement

Yesterday was the official move-in day at UW-RF.  Driving through campus, I felt excitement and optimism bubbling out of young men and women.  Students looked eager to take the next steps in their lifelong journey of education and self-discovering.  I love this weekend.  All over the US, from big public universities to small private liberal arts colleges, "welcome week" encourages inclusion and school spirit and sort of gives everyone the, "hey, go get it" feeling.  It represents a clean slate for so many students; a fresh start for many who are really just beginning their lives.

This is an interesting generation of students entering higher level education, isn’t it?  So many life experiences at 18 years old that generations past didn’t see. Some good, some not-so-good. They’re, by far the most globally connected generation in history with the entire world's information in their pocket.  They have learned about compassion since kindergarten, yet at the same time, they might also be one of the most uniformed and self-absorbed generations we've ever seen.
They’re misunderstood by many and still easy to figure out. They’re equal parts appreciative and entitled.  Good and bad.  Fearful and hopeful.


It seems as though their lives have been a constant juxtaposition up to this point.  Yet, they are the future.  They are the hope for our nation.  They are the next group of business leaders, philanthropists, parents, judges, teachers, politicians, etc., etc.  Many social scientists assert that these young adults will pass the generation ahead of them in many significant ways.  They are the change we've been waiting to see in this world.  They must be, right?  After all, that Ghandi quote was on the wall of every classroom they've been in since kindergarten.

Here, I saw several hundred (not an exaggeration) volunteers (I hope they weren't paid) of upperclassmen unloading cars and carrying boxes inside the dorms for the freshman.  Sure, it's welcoming, hospitable and all of those nice things.  But be careful.  This is big time stuff.  Showing up on campus scared and unsure of yourself isn't a bad thing.  Navigating your way on day one is critical to how the next 4-5 years will play out.  No one is going to carry your boxes in life or your books to class and countless other examples. 

They have what it takes to get the job done.  So, let's get out of their way.  Stop holding their hands and believe that the good stuff inside can be pulled out of them in the next few years.  Speak to their potential, not their problems.  Allow their potential to actually become potent in order to make a difference.