<p>I'd love to generate a list of what we collectively hope our children will get from their college educations, apart from job skills or career prospects. I'm hoping the entries will be more specific than "a love of learning." The list can include big things or small things; all responses are welcome.</p>
<p>I suppose the most obvious answer is: "I hope my child becomes an educated person." I'd like to unpack what we think it means to become an educated person. The answers could fall into any number of categories, including particular areas of knowledge or particular skill sets; particular attitudes or world views that you hope your children acquire; or particular social benefits you would love for your kids (among many other possible categories). </p>
<p>Again, for purposes of this exercise, I'm hoping to stay away from job or career based benefits. </p>
<p>Any thoughts? Again, big or small things are welcome! And you don't need to provide a complete list!</p>
<p>(Sorry if this is a duplicate of a past thread).</p>
<p>I agree. I think a big part of college is for them to have (responsible) fun and enjoy themselves when they will have freedom that they won’t have later on in life.</p>
<p>D2 - I hope (and I believe she is) learning about music IN DEPTH - more than just a love for singing and music, I hope she has an appreciation for the evolution of music, different genres, the instrument that is the voice, and what can be done with it, as well as its frailties. I hope she learns so much theory that she is able to really enjoy her gift to a MUCH greater degree.</p>
<p>D3 - Little early to tell. I hope she finds her passion. I hope she learns to look outside of herself more, and grows more compassionate and more spiritual. I hope she gets excited about something that peaks her interest. I hope she becomes “smart” about her new-found independence, and I hope she plugs in and REALLY enjoys herself while she’s working so hard. I hope she learns to a greater degree how to balance it all.</p>
<p>I want my kids to learn from interacting with the people around them, which is why I’m personally a big advocate (for my own kids) of colleges with national student bodies and a decent international pull as well.</p>
<p>A few things come to mind. First is Bowdoin’s classic statement of “The Offer of the College.”</p>
<p>“To be at home in all lands and all ages;
to count Nature a familiar acquaintance,
and Art an intimate friend;
to carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket,
and feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake;
to make hosts of friends…who are to be leaders in all walks of life;
to lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends –
this is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life.”</p>
<p>Another is an aphorism sometimes attributed to Thomas Henry Huxley that I heard at Carleton: “Try to learn something about everything and*everything about something.”</p>
<p>Both are more eloquent ways than I’d find to say that the long-term goals of a good collegiate education are not only to prepare oneself to be a young adult who contributes to society (economically and otherwise) but to develop the clarity of thought, cogency of expression, and habits of mind that allow one to continue to learn, change, and grow throughout a career and, more importantly, a life well lived.</p>
<p>I wanted my younger to attend a school with tough classes and exceptional peers who would challenge him to the limits of his abilities. In the end, I hope he comes away with a deeper understanding of how the world works and maybe finds a way to improve some small corner of it.</p>
<p>As kids grow up, you get glimpses of their future selves–their personalities, abilities, predilections–and you start to get an idea of their potential as adults. What I hope for my kids in college is that they become self-actualized, that they turn into the people they were meant to be in terms of intellectual ability, life skills, and approach to building a community for themselves. My son is in college now, and it is gratifying to see him grow and become self-possessed as he moves through a challenging engineering curriculum in a collaborative and friendly college environment, just the sort of place he was looking for. And when I’m feeling particularly delusional, I take some of the credit.</p>
<p>Besides the obvious , meeting people who are more diverse than the area where they grew up. Becoming independent and taking initiative when it comes to their future. Making a lot of contacts is important and also venturing out of their comfort zones.</p>
<p>My daughter is a sophomore at a big flagship. I hoped she would find a nice group of friends who would appreciate her brains and sense of humor. I hoped that, if it was her wish, she’d find a nice romantic partner. I hoped she do more than participate in her college’s social scene (ie partying)-- that she’d participate in some the limitless opportunities that are available at her school. I hoped she’d learn some life skills by navigating through hoops like renting a house, paying bills and getting along with her roommates. </p>
<p>Thus far, things couldn’t be going better. All of my hopes for her are being realized. She has great friends and a great boyfriend. She likes her campus job. She participates in a couple of clubs and “do-gooder” organizations. She has a really interesting internship lined up for next summer.</p>