In 2016, I was the epitome of the college freshman. I was heavily involved with the Honors College and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, I always had money for “fun activities” because I had a job, I was at the bar until 2 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday, and, most importantly, I excelled in all of my classes finishing my freshman year with a 4.0 GPA. There were dozens of freshmen just like me. Key word, “were.”
Since 2016, each incoming class of freshman has gotten progressively more unmotivated and bleak. It’s gotten to the point where I almost guarantee that there isn’t a current freshman at Emporia State that can even hold a candle to the freshman class of 2016.
What’s the matter with freshmen?
As a freshman, the shackles of your old life are broken, you are free from your old, high school self. You are a phoenix, reborn; the world is your oyster. Why are freshmen not taking advantage of the Garden of Eden that is ESU?
Now is the one time in your life where you can say “yes, I went out on a Thursday but it’s okay because my homework is done and I have an alarm set for class tomorrow.” Why are freshmen not academically and socially thriving like I was?
Freshmen are chronically unmotivated and aloof to personal, social and academic enrichment; trust me, I live with several. Freshmen are a great example of “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” You can provide freshmen with all the resources necessary to absolutely THRIVE and they won’t take advantage of it. Why?
What’s the matter with freshmen?
Many would cite that the COVID-19 pandemic caused freshmen to be so unmotivated and bleak, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think the answer is simply the passage of time. The college freshman is a thing of the past, a relic of antiquity.
Current and future freshmen, it’s not over for you; you still have a chance. All you have to do is go to ACES, communicate with your professors, form study groups, ask questions, ask for help, go to class, manage your time, communicate with your employer, and chug a beverage every now and then. It’s not rocket science, it’s the point of college.