A Rich and Confusing Environment

College is a new environment. You are probably surrounded by a wider variety of classmates than you experienced in high school – students of different ethnicities and nationalities; students of different economic and social
backgrounds; students from more regions of the state, country, and the
world; students of more interests and accomplishments; older students returning to school after varied experiences; and upperclassmen and graduate
students with developed knowledge and commitments. Your professors will
often be deeply involved in their areas of specialization, in ideas they have
pursued over time with their colleagues, and in projects that apply their
learning to improving various aspects of life. The readings you have been assigned in your courses will introduce you to new subjects and to deeper levels of understanding of subjects with which you are already familiar. The
books and journals in the library and the bookstores provide opportunities to
pursue ideas and learning on your own in directions not limited by the curriculum.
You also get to see special accomplishments and skills up close – the sociology professor’s ability to analyze how people relate to each other, the literature professor’s ability to find the right expression, the philosopher’s
ability to cut to the heart of an argument, the architect’s ability to conceive of
a graceful and useful building, the government professor’s involvement in
state policy making. Many of your classmates may also have abilities, skills,
and knowledge you may admire- from the computer programming whiz
to the wrestling champion to the classmate who is just so witty. Seeing these
accomplishments may open your eyes to new goals and lead you to reassess
exactly where your best talents lie.
How do you make sense of all you come in contact with and set some directions for yourself? Some questions will sort themselves out spontaneously
as you become involved in a heated discussion or suddenly want to do extra reading for a course that fascinates you. Some instructors may encourage
you to think about your reaction to what you are learning through discussion
questions and informal assignments. They may be available for you to talk
with outside of class, during office hours, or even over coffee. Informal talk
with your friends and classmates also helps you sort through all the new
ideas and experiences you are confronting.