Today held another full day of being re-oriented at UT, but it was extremely productive, I thought.
The best talk by far was that by Tim Rogers, Vice-Chancellor of student affairs. He explained pretty succinctly the way that the “millennials” (the current freshmen’s generation) differ from their parents (“Baby Boomers” or “Gen X” — I fall somewhere in between), along with the three stages they go through.
These kids, he said, are much more techologically adept than their parents, and tend to work well in groups; teamwork comes naturally. Where they fall short is in having confidence in their one-on-one social skills: to introduce themselves to their professor, a prospective employer, or other adults with whom it would be beneficial to make a good first impression.
I’m sure there are exceptions, but for the most part, he hit the nail on the head. Although my daughter can work independently, she prefers working in pairs or small groups. And, she is decidedly timid about approaching adults in authority outside the family.
The maturation process was described as the first half of the freshman year being one where they will want parental intervention for roommate issues, for an instructor they don’t like, for a grade they don’t think is fair. Rogers’ advice: listen patiently, and direct them to resolve their own problems through the channels provided at the University.
He also said that if they’re coming home every weekend, there’s probably a problem.
By Sophomore year, he told us to be prepared for them to swing to the opposite — wanting no advice, since they must know it all (having survived freshman year), and stumbling from time to time.
Junior year brings self reliance and responsibility, accompanied by apprehension and self doubt: am I living up to my parents’ expectations? Will anyone hire me? Am I really in the right major?
He didn’t say anything about Senior year, so I’m hoping that means they all turn out relatively normal.
The rest of the day held sessions on when fees are due, academic matters, student safety, and such. Unlike yesterday, it really was very informative.
Day 1 was a barrage of marketing ploys, from the UT Parents’ Association, advance Book reservations, the ALLSTAR card (like a debit card, but UT is the bank and keeps all the interest on the funds deposited) which is the only way to pay for doing laundry, printing or making copies, as well as purchasing incidentals and food at the many campus eateries outside the meal plan. I felt like I could have skipped the first day and just read some ads instead.
Am I ready to send my firstborn to the Big Orange? Sure.