12 Things that Every UConn Student Should Know

Teaching is more than just lecturing in class. It also encompasses helping students to think about vital issues in their world. Here are twelve things that I want my students to know, or, at least to think about once.

 

#12. UConn has stupid cheers.

There’s a lot to like about being here at UConn, but it does have one big shortcoming: stupid cheers. What happens in a ballgame when its gets very close and the beloved Huskies needs support? The crowd stands up and spells the school’s name, actually not the entire name, just an abbreviation: U-C-O-N-N.

Doesn't this speak of institutional insecurity? As if we don’t think that anyone will know who we are, so we constantly remind them—sort of like someone always reintroducing themselves to others at a party.

This spelling would make sense if it was of the university's whole name because Connecticut isn’t the easiest state to spell. In fact, I was here for a couple of years before I got it right every time.

It actually gets worse. Some guy from the community (Big Red?) usually leads the cheers—spelling out the letters with his body--suggesting that the students might have trouble going at it alone.

Since UConn is the #1 public university in this part of the state, it’s high time that UConn students do better in this important matter.

 

#11. Read the book "What Should I Do with My Life?"

In his late twenties, Po Bronson had a career crisis--having been successful in the financial world and in writing. He asked himself what he should do with his life, and he answered the question like a sociologist--he did a study. He interviewed about 100 people who had answered the question successfully, and he identified common themes across the interviews.

This book helps undergraduates figure out how to go about figuring out what to do with their lives. The various stories that Bronson recounts also serve to lower expectations... very few people figure things out right out of college.

It's available used at Amazon.com for about $1.

 

#10. Keep your wheels straight when waiting to turn left

Okay, this may sound silly, but this little driving tip probably saved my son's life once when we were in an accident. If you're stopped at an intersection, waiting to turn left, keep your front wheels pointed forward until you start making the turn. If not, somebody who bumps into you from behind will knock you into oncoming traffic, and you might have a much more serious, head-on collision.

 

#9. Students should have access to professors' evaluation scores

Many universities make available professors' student evaluation scores (the numerical ratings--not written comments), but UConn does not, and students should have this information. They pay plenty of money, and they should make fully informed decisions when choosing their classes.

The want of this information is evidenced by the popularity of websites such myprofessorsucks.com and ratemyprofessor.com. Someday a student will use the Freedom of Information Act or whatever legal entry point to compel the University to release evaluation scores, and that time should come soon.

 

#8. Don't get into credit card debt as a college student

As a marketplace of ideas, the university should have its doors open to all sorts of people. One group, however, should be run off campus--the people who sign up students for credit cards. Let's see--a future compromised by debt for a free t-shirt? Sounds good to me!

I've met more than a few students who had to park their lives in neutral after graduation in order to work to pay off credit card bills. The few years after college are golden in terms of personal freedom--to lose this due to debt is a waste.

 

#7. The importance of writing

Students have far fewer requirements for writing than they used to have. Classes are larger and use standardized tests, and much of written communication uses short-hand English (e.g., instant messaging).

Ironically, the fewer people that can write well, the more valuable this skill becomes. Most good jobs require frequent writing, and the ability to excel in this will make a difference. If nothing else, Norah Vincent, in her book "Self-Made Man," makes a compelling case that writing well will dramatically improve your love life!

 

#6. A liberal education

Most professors are somewhere between liberal and very liberal in their personal politics. I've seen estimates for sociology that place the ratio at 20 democrats for every 1 republican sociologist, and even in less "liberal" fields than sociology, professors predominately lean left.

This world view, as with any, can not help but come through when professors teach, and so, in this sense, students are truly getting a "liberal" education.

Whether this good or bad I'll leave for others to debate (I'm not very political--being uncomfortable with both Republican and Democratic approaches). I do, however, want students to understand the perspective from which probably most of their classes are taught.

 

#5. Travel or die

One of the most educational activities possible is one that the university doesn't actually require: traveling. You learn things overseas about yourself and your world that are just not possible here at home.

Consider a study abroad program--they range from several weeks to many months. Consider a quick, low-fare jaunt to someplace cool. However you do it, get going.

 

#4. What should be the role of religion?

Stephen Carter, in the book "Culture of Disbelief," argues that public institutions such politics, the law, and academia trivialize religion by pressuring its adherents to keep quiet about their personal views. Essentially, religion is okay as long as you keep it at home--sort of like a slightly-embarrassing hobby.

This raises the question: "What should be the role of religion in public life?" The issue here is not separation of church as state, which should be affirmed for the protection of both, but rather how should people of faith live bring it to public life. I do not offer an answer other than to point out the significance of the question.

 

#3. Take a year or two off after college

Most college students have been students their whole lives (at least since age 5). As such, they don't have the chance to the lessons that come with living in the "real" world. In addition, recent college graduates usually have relatively few obligations that would keep them at home. As such, taking a year or two off after college is usually a really good idea.

Go live someplace cool. Volunteer for a charitable organization. Travel. Become a ski instructor, a beach bum, a wine taster. This is a time to do things that you'll probably never have another chance to do.

Need specific ideas? Go to gapyear.com.

 

#2. Be less docile in class

An implicit norm for students at large universities is one of quiet conformity--show up to class, sit quietly, take tests, and then leave at the end of the semester. Students would learn much more, in addition to having more fun, if they were a little more aggressive in challenging the ideas and material presented in class. Do you think that something is a load of crap? Then say so! (Though you may have to use a different term, depending on the professor). Wouldn't it be great if professors worried a little bit before going into class?

At some point you'll need to think for yourself. Now is a good time to start.

 

#1. Take your time to find a job you love

Do you think that college lasted a long time? That was only 4 or 5 years. Your career will last that many decades! You should therefore find something that you love to do, a job that you'll enjoy going to most every single day.

There is no hurry, either, in finding this job. If you don't figure things out till you're thirty years old (gasp, hard to believe that you'll ever get there), you'll still work for about 40 years till retirement age. Getting this one right is fundamental.