This morning, while dropping off files with the accounting office, the secretary was proudly showing off her child's acceptance letter to university. She then expressed what most parents, I imagine, worry about . . . what would he major in? Would he be able to find a job and make a living one day?
I pointed out an education is about learning new ideas, being exposed to new influences, and becoming a well-rounded person more than just gaining a rubber stamp towards a career.
I suggested that she make sure he lived in the dorms, (avoiding the temptation to set him up in his own apartment) so that he could learn independence gradually. Plus, living in the dorms means learning to get along with people in a very different setting than being the only child of doting parents. Also, there are going to be things he is going to want to be a part of that she isn't going to want to know about. That's part of creating those memories.
I also told her that he should be encouraged to major in anything he wanted to . . . and that if he wanted to DO a job that wasn't a natural leap from the major, that he should look to have summer work and internship experiences in the field he'd like to work in someday.
Lastly, I told her to encourage him to get involved in all that dorky college stuff . . . the pep club, a frat, attend the freshman mixers, join student government. He'll find himself exposed to lots of new people, and the activities may help him find his passion.
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