It was great to walk on my son's campus yesterday and see so many enthusiastic families and students ready to begin a year of study. These students and families weathered a tough COVID-19 year last year, and did what they could to make the best of it. My son, a college junior last year, and his buddies created an off-campus apartment community near their closed college campus. Together they made the best of the year as they studied remotely, played basketball in the local park, and worked a variety of online and offline jobs as available. Clearly, they were joyful moving back to campus and being able to live in nicer senior accommodations this year.
I loved my college days. I enjoyed meeting so many new people, studying multiple topics, and having a lot of good times and positive challenges. Yes, there were tough college days due to procrastination, typical college social strife, and dealing with the many perceptions of what it's like to be a college student, perceptions especially from those unfamiliar with the experience. But overall, it was a positive life-changing experience.
I want my son's final year to be as good as possible which means successful studies, positive social relations/events, work success and overall good health and happiness. I want the same for all students embarking on a year of study--college is an awesome opportunity in so many ways, and I hope students can find their people and places on the campuses where they study.
I also want to bring that spirit of excitement, learning, and adventure I witnessed on the college campus yesterday to my life and lives of others in my midst. We can recreate that enthusiasm and commitment in our own lives through continued learning, positive social experiences, contribution, and happy and healthy living.