What the future holds

Based on the conversations and communication from incoming first-year students, I think we have a lot to worry about for future generations.

First, most of the time it isn't them calling but their parents calling "on behalf of" their student. I understand most of these parents are paying the bills, but are they always going to be there when their kid has a problem? Are they going to teach them responsibility and self-reliability? No wonder kids these days can handle anything themselves.

Second, they are rude. This generation has a sense of entitlement unlike any before. When things don't go their way, they get upset and yell at you. Or they treat you like you're an idiot because they are the ones not articulating their problem correctly. Apparently we are supposed to meet every need and demand of these students. Sorry, folks - not realistic.

Third, similar to the second, they have no manners. Phone etiquette is a big thing to have to learn in one year, and the way these kids communicate over the phone will result in major catch-up when they leave the university system and are forced to call a future employer or take care of finances. Getting upset with the office assistant and demanding that changes be made immediately also do not work. The title "office assistant" alone should provide an idea of the amount of power she has in fixing the problem. That would be zero in case you're still wondering.

Fourth, the need for immediate gratification means they'll never have fun. These are kids who don't know what the world was like before the internet. They had a keyboard in their hands by age five. Text messaging was always an option for them when they got their own cell phone, at age 12. We've been getting phone calls from people who aren't willing to experience something different for once. They are unhappy about their placement and were spoiled as small children to get everything they want. Guess what, kiddies - life isn't fair and you're not always going to get what you want, so suck it up and get used to it.

A lot of these seem redundant, and perhaps that is because the fifth problem is they are redundant. No original ideas will come from the generation getting ready to enter college. The same reasons why theirs is a different situation from others keeps coming up. The redundancy comes from their concept of the world, which revolves around them if you were to ask them a question. They probably have never had to think for themselves, and they probably have had few experiences with thinking of others.

Hopefully attending this school, which highly values making people into good citizens of the world, will at least open their eyes. Many of the students here don't care. They think of college as a party every night, don't worry about studying, many of the athletes are getting a full ride and expect to become pros immediately after graduation. I laygh at the student athletes.

I see the future full of egocentric people who can't think for themselves and expect things to be handed to them. It's going to be a hard time getting these kids motivated. But maybe they'll surprise me and turn out to be the best generation yet. Doubtful, but there's always hope.