College means something different to everyone. At a school as “rambunctious” as UW-Madison, it can be argued many come looking for a social experience — one filled with weekends out of American Pie and parties you’ll never forget (or never recall). This isn’t a surprise to anyone, and most serious students would rightly criticize this as a simple view of college. Nevertheless, the 80 percent six-year graduation rate can largely testify to the existence of this elusive creature that we’ll call the “Partier.”
On the flip side, there are those that are somewhat equally elusive — yet immensely more respected — super students, who take 18 credits every semester, model a flawless GPA and double or triple major. For our purposes we will refer to these folk as the “Brains.”
Fortunately, many of us can claim residence as an “Inbetweener:” somewhere between the Brain and the Partier, a land of studious application and occasional footlooseness. In general, such moderation is ideal and treats most, those not made out for either extreme, well throughout college.
However, this class of individual is in just as much peril as the Partier and the Brains. This is because the Inbetweener is in the most danger of simply going through the motions of college.
Let me explain.
The Partier comes to college expecting a wild ride, regardless of grades, which in the case of true partiers will result in eventual academic failure. Such types see themselves failing academically and, for reasons legitimate or otherwise, continue with their lifestyle. The point, however, is that the Partier knows what they want out of college — they want a giant party, or more poetically put, they want a social education.
Likewise, the Brain comes to college demanding academic perfection. Arguably at a social cost, the Brain will — to the extent of their commitment — master their field and often go on into academia. Again, however, the Brain knows and achieves their scholarly goals.
And then there is the Inbetweener.
At the risk of oversimplifying the subject, it can be said the Inbetweener is the least self-knowledgeable college species. Many in this group apply themselves to their studies out of best social practice and secondarily for a degree which will theoretically improve their standing in the job market. If asked why one is spending tens of thousands of dollars on college, an Inbetweener will respond, “So I can get a degree and a job down the road.” However, this response goes nowhere in describing what the Inbetweener wants out of college. Is the end goal to learn about the history of Polynesian art? Or is it to get a degree symbolizing your knowledge of the history of Polynesian art? Or perhaps it is to somehow get a job teaching the history of Polynesian art? No matter the response, the question must again be asked, “Why?” Among other things, it could be the money, happiness or status one is looking for, but how do you know your college degree will grant you such amenities?
The Inbetweener views college in the wrong way.
It is at this point I would like to introduce the fourth category of individual — the “Student.” The Student, while like the Inbetweener in many ways, is set apart by one very important characteristic: The Student views college as a holistic learning experience. The Student treats college as a time of self-improvement instead of a societal step in a logical progression to success. Much like Benjamin Franklin’s quest for moral perfection, the Student strives to emerge from the chrysalis of college in their best form. This involves as much self-enlightenment as social or scholastic. It means meeting new types of people, trying new types of things and most importantly — following your interests with an aggressive passion.
If reading interests you, make it equally if not more important than your schoolwork. You will learn more about yourself and what your end goal is by doing that than you will by obsessing over schoolwork. This is not to say you should put aside your schoolwork, but to remind you that a college degree is a tool to reach your end goal, not the goal itself. This being said, make every effort to pursue a worthwhile interest. Binge-watching Netflix (while fully acceptable, if not encouraged, on occasion) is not an interest and is unlikely to teach you anything of worldly value. However, if you can use your passion for television to inspire you to join a cinematography club or teach yourself video editing, then you will be rewarded.
Overall, it seems many take the wrong view of college. College is about being involved and staying active to the point of fatigue. It is about learning about yourself, others and the world around you. There should be more emphasis on self-improvement than on simply going through the motions to graduation. College is meant to take in kids and output worldly citizens, not just give them a degree. Nowhere else is one afforded such an opportunity, so don’t squander it.
Samuel Fritz (svfritz
