Learning from One’s Elders – Graduating Seniors Offer Indirect Lessons

There are a number of different meanings for the word wisdom:

• The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
• Common sense; good judgment: “It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things” Henry David Thoreau.
• A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.

Lessons from Graduating Seniors

Those about to enter college or in their first two years of higher education could do themselves a huge favor by examining some recent feedback from their graduating peers. Experience is a great teacher and it can provide a real dose of wisdom in the right circumstances.

A real key is that some students can learn from the mistakes of others without having to first make those mistakes themselves. If one can observe the actions of his or her peers and learn from them, then he or she can gain wisdom without having to experience all the pain and suffering firsthand.

A recent survey from CollegeHumor offers just such a chance. The site that offers a weekly “Cute College Girl” feature and “The Stupid Question Hall of Fame” might not be one that we associate with the word wisdom, but the results of their recent survey have much to offer those willing to listen.

Taken collectively, the results offer underclassmen a chance to learn from the mistakes of their peers. For far too many graduates, college has been too much about avoiding responsibilities and adulthood and too little about preparation for life and a career.

Consider:

In the “Avoidance of Reality” category, nearly 22% of survey respondents indicated they would fail on purpose to avoid life outside the classroom. On the flip side, 55% stated they would like to use grad school for the same reason. As to satisfaction with attending college, 31% indicated they wished they had spent their money on something other than tuition.

Further indications as to dissatisfaction with their choices fit the category of regrettable majors. The three most regretted major choices for students were communications (29%), psychology (27%) and political science (25%). Of course, graduation is the worst time for one to regret their field of study.

Again, on the flip side, there were some folks who were far more happy about their choices. Those demonstrating less regret had chosen the fields of nursing (6%), engineering (10%) and teaching/education (13%).

The graduation survey offers some very telling tidbits regarding the current employment status of those earning their degree. While 71% of graduating students said that a year ago they thought they would have a job, only 27% actually reported having secured employment.

But in a clear indication that life is about what you make it, 62% of graduating students without jobs had not had an interview yet. Maybe that is because 55% of graduating students had spent one hour a week or less seeking employment.

As for merit, of those who have secured a job, 41% indicated employment came by way of college alumni or relatives.

In what would have been an unthinkable development just a few years back, 32% of those graduating indicate they will be moving back in with their parents. Only one in four of those who will move back stated that was something that they wanted to do.

Time to Act

Collectively, these statistics offer some enormous lessons for those willing to pay attention. They include a thorough understanding of the reasons for going to college in the first place.

College is not about avoiding adulthood. It is simply far too expensive for the average student to be used in such a manner.

Hopefully, all underclassmen will take the time to glean from this survey the teaching points. As graduation approaches, the last thing you will want to be feeling is remorse and regret.

Learn from your elders – choose your major and course of study wisely. Use your four years to prepare for the next phase of your life and as that phase approaches, embrace it.

Think of the time you spent in your final years of high school applying to and selecting a college. Match that intensity and effort as you end college, with your efforts focused on applying and securing a job opportunity.

Otherwise you could simply be heading back home, deep in debt and with very little to show for four years of study.

And there is no way that can be a very good feeling for anyone.