Contemplations on College...
I just returned from 5 days in Steubenville, Ohio. Two of our children go to college at the Franciscan University. It was really good to see them and know that they can take care of themselves, although Mom spending her money for needed (and frivoulous) items is nice. We ate dinner in Pittsburgh one evening, but most of the time we spent visiting and shopping for needed items. This was Parent’s weekend and there was a Medieval Fair on Saturday. That night was Karaoke and dancing. Mike sang a couple of songs and Leenie and some of her friends sang as well. I got swung around the dance floor and felt like I was back in the 50’s with all the swinging going on. Everyone seems very happy, although tired, since sleeping is not a requirement of college students.
Here’s something that crossed my mind while I was visiting there:
1. How did you choose where you attended college, if you did?
2. Was it your choice, your parents, bribery?
3. Did you have a choice?
4. If you’ve graduated, would you do it the same way if given the chance?
5. If you are temporarily on hiatus from school, do you plan to return to the same place?
6. When or if you have children of your own, how would approach the subject of
which college to attend?
7. Any other comments?
Our children sort of have a choice. It’s TAC or Steubie U., perhaps UofD, if you want our help in paying for it. If you get a scholarship somewhere else, we’ll help you decide if it’s a good place for you. Bribery, in the form of cars and “try it for a year” are a few of our tactics. In the long run, it seems to have worked and everyone is happy. One has graduated from TAC and is now in a graduate school of his own choosing. And, I know he really enjoyed TAC and the friendships he made there, although it is not an easy school.
The two at Steubie U. are good kids, but have a tendency to take the easy road. I've enjoyed watching them flourish and grow up a lot in the years they’ve been there. Steubie U. is more charismatic in nature then TAC and not quite as strict, and they both thrive on the fast paced life of the school. They are both in Christian households, Mike is in “The Brothers of the Eternal Song” and Leenie is in “St. Therese, the Little Flowers”. The households have intramural teams for soccer, rugby, baseball, football, etc. and all though they fight for the win on the field, afterwards, the friendships remain. The members of the households attend Mass together at least once during the week, go on retreats, have weekly meetings and prayer times. I went to one with Leenie, called “The Lord’s Day” and it was very moving to see the joy and faith that the girls have. These are just average kids, dressed for the most part like any kid you’d see on the street and acting just as silly, but when push comes to shove, they are there for each other and for anyone who needs their help. Christ is in the forefront of everything they say and do.
Having said all that, I feel that pushing our children to attend a Catholic college was a good thing (although I worried about it at the time) and we will be doing it again since there are still two at home. College is not easy wherever you go and no college is perfect, but the emphasis on Christ at a college makes the trials and temptations a little easier to deal with.
Hope all of you are well and enjoying the various things happening or about to happen in your lives.
In Christ, Kitty
Here’s something that crossed my mind while I was visiting there:
1. How did you choose where you attended college, if you did?
2. Was it your choice, your parents, bribery?
3. Did you have a choice?
4. If you’ve graduated, would you do it the same way if given the chance?
5. If you are temporarily on hiatus from school, do you plan to return to the same place?
6. When or if you have children of your own, how would approach the subject of
which college to attend?
7. Any other comments?
Our children sort of have a choice. It’s TAC or Steubie U., perhaps UofD, if you want our help in paying for it. If you get a scholarship somewhere else, we’ll help you decide if it’s a good place for you. Bribery, in the form of cars and “try it for a year” are a few of our tactics. In the long run, it seems to have worked and everyone is happy. One has graduated from TAC and is now in a graduate school of his own choosing. And, I know he really enjoyed TAC and the friendships he made there, although it is not an easy school.
The two at Steubie U. are good kids, but have a tendency to take the easy road. I've enjoyed watching them flourish and grow up a lot in the years they’ve been there. Steubie U. is more charismatic in nature then TAC and not quite as strict, and they both thrive on the fast paced life of the school. They are both in Christian households, Mike is in “The Brothers of the Eternal Song” and Leenie is in “St. Therese, the Little Flowers”. The households have intramural teams for soccer, rugby, baseball, football, etc. and all though they fight for the win on the field, afterwards, the friendships remain. The members of the households attend Mass together at least once during the week, go on retreats, have weekly meetings and prayer times. I went to one with Leenie, called “The Lord’s Day” and it was very moving to see the joy and faith that the girls have. These are just average kids, dressed for the most part like any kid you’d see on the street and acting just as silly, but when push comes to shove, they are there for each other and for anyone who needs their help. Christ is in the forefront of everything they say and do.
Having said all that, I feel that pushing our children to attend a Catholic college was a good thing (although I worried about it at the time) and we will be doing it again since there are still two at home. College is not easy wherever you go and no college is perfect, but the emphasis on Christ at a college makes the trials and temptations a little easier to deal with.
Hope all of you are well and enjoying the various things happening or about to happen in your lives.
In Christ, Kitty
posted by Kitty at 2:25 PM
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