As a veteran of college campuses for the last 47 years -- counting my time as an undergraduate student, graduate student, coach, senior administrator and now college president for the past 17 years -- what counsel might I offer up to young people embarking on their college careers? What might I say to their parents?
You have already learned in high school that some subjects and activities -- for instance, the math class that is perhaps not your favorite or is your most challenging -- are preparing you to make future work easier and more important all at once. Similarly in college, involve yourself in new activities -- a club or two, volunteer work, campus work -- but be mindful that whatever the activity, you are preparing yourself for an opportunity yet to be discovered. In other words, realize that adventure is an attitude.
I would even go so far as to say this. Prepare not for your first but your last job. Even more, prepare for work and professional challenges that may not yet exist, that you perhaps will create. This is the kind of broad, liberal arts education we offer at Centre College that provides a foundation for lifelong learning.
Third, look for and expect to find joy. College life will bring regular challenges and occasional disappointment. But at every turn, look for and expect to experience what may be beyond words. To this end, surround yourself with classmates who believe their cup is half full.
Tied to this, if you start to feel yourself headed down a dark path, then reach out early. Choosing to get help before you are in deep water is a sign of strength, not weakness. Ask for help, even if you think you don't need it.
Celebrate that your daughter or son is choosing to be in college. Take an interest in what she or he is doing. But -- and I can't emphasize this enough -- don't overdo it. This only creates more pressure.
Like it or not, the college experience (compared to the high school years) is supposed to be a crucial time for growing up and putting some distance between you and them. If you sense this is happening, then good! Be available to them. Love them unconditionally. But, unless you believe your daughter or son is in real danger, do not -- I repeat, do not -- show up unannounced or hover as if in a helicopter.
I'll end with what I've learned these last 17 years as a college president. When alums come back to their alma mater, they share with me joys, experiences and memories that are both unique and profound. Why? College remains a more fundamental and foundational experience than any other concentrated period of time in their entire lives.