I'm kind of confused by the last chapter I just read in my book My Freshman Year by Rebekah Nathan. She seems surprised by her findings about the community or lack of community among the students in the dorms, or I'm interpreting it all wrong.
At the first mandatory dorm meeting, the dorm residents are asked to share something about themselves. The author announced that she had lived overseas before. She was surprised that none of the other students asked her anything about the experience. As classes began, she hoped to get a "sense of the rhythm" of the students' lives. In the early days of the semester, it proved hard for her to devote time to her study because of the necessary demands of being a student--getting books, getting classes straight, finding the right class buildings, etc. The author started a daily journal so she could record her findings. She found out very early on that students had numerous responsibilities that required their attention and these responsibilities took up a lot of time. Once settled into a daily routine, the author began conducting interviews with selected students for her research.
After interviewing students on their routines, responsibilities, and usage of time, she found that (compared to another study conducted by Michael Moffat http://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/30/books/paperbacks-no-orgies-please-we-re-studying.html) students were spending approximately 1.45 hours per week of prep time for academics. Moffat's study in the 70s showed that students were spending approximately 2 hours per week of prep time for academics. Compared to Moffat's study, her data showed that students were studying a little less and socializing less, so what were the students spending their time doing?
Data showed that some students worked, some were involved in extracurricular activities (which also could involve volunteer/community service requirements) in sororities/fraternities, and some having to both work and involved in extracurricular activities. Her findings showed that on a typical weeknight, half of the students were in bed by 11:30 pm and up by 9:00 am the next morning. The author followed ten students and these students all led very distinctly different lives. A sampling of the students she followed included an athlete who could not stay out late, a sorority pledge who had late night commitments and slept past noon, an ROTC student who had to be up very early for training, and another student who professed to being a procrastinator who changed her major seven times and socialized at least three times per week, and another student who worked 25 hours a week and used the funds for food and socializing. These students' paths would cross only with great effort on their parts to do so--they were like ships passing in the night.
The author seemed surprised that although these students all attend the same university and some of the same classes, their circles didn't always come together without great effort. Once she realized their differences, she understood why it took effort on their parts to come together. Even those students, who were roommates, friends, in the same clubs, etc., had to have some forethought and planning with each other to build a social circle. The author thought that there was no real sense of community among the students. When visiting the dorm after the freshman year experience, she was surprised that she did not recognize anyone on her old dorm floor. The RA explained that students were always shifting--rooms, majors, activies, etc.
More to come...
When thinking back about my college years and a sense of "community" it seems clear that yes, we are all different and on different schedules. I attended a state college with approximately 13,000 students each year. It may have seemed to an outsider like I was too busy to socialize. I worked part-time. I was enrolled in 18 credits most semesters. My free time was spent in the rec hall cramming for upcoming exams. Still, those whom I connected to were always aware of my schedule, sneaking in visits where time would allow, and considered best of friends. I think freshmen in college do create social circles in many arenas of their day. Perhaps the students couldn't relate to the author, as she was much older/didn't seem relatable. Also, social skills are very different when you are 18.
ReplyDeleteDid the author have this experience (the one which she bases her book) before or after the Facebook, Twitter, and texting era? Based on my daughter's college experience, kids seemed to use those venues to stay in touch and plan social engagements.
ReplyDeleteThe copywright date of the book is 2005, so Facebook and Twitter were not so popular. Texting was probably just gaining popularity among the college crowd.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting compliment to the book I'm reading about the changing face of communities in America. The point is that the building of strong communities is declining across all people (so that would include college students, I think). I haven't come to the big conclusion yet as to why this is happening but I'll keep reading your blog to see if your book offers any clues that either support or go against the conclusions from my book.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, it's not too surprising that students with such different commitments and priorities haven't really formed tight communities even if they have classes together. But, it would perhaps be nice if that happened.
My son joined a learning community as part of his first year experience in college. He just graduated and at his graduation party were many of the kids he lived with his freshman year in the dorm. I believe the learning community aided in creating those friendships. The learning community was formed around an interest in environmental issues and activities.Overall it really brought a richness to his college life.
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