Opinions
Stop Segregation Class
By Michael Natalie Opinions Editor
Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. All of these words, especially the first, call up particular associations. Freshmen frequently are associated with naiveté, inflated expectations— be it of the college party scene or of their career prospects—and obnoxious behavior. A senior friend of mine and I recently spotted some property damage in his Mod. What were the first words out of his mouth? “I knew I shouldn’t have let those freshmen in, no respect for other people’s property.” The stereotype is not without some truth— after all, settling into a new environment makes for all kinds of awkward social interactions—but hearing someone immediately make such a negative assumption about one-quarter of our student body was a bit upsetting to say the least. Of course, most freshmen aren’t like this, and Gavel Media has already run articles picking apart those particular stereotypes. But our particular preconceived notions about other classes, the very idea of class labels, can be damaging. They encourage a sense of camaraderie with one’s own class at the expense of potential friendships between classes. Generally, college students’ ages range from eighteen to twenty-two. 30
Don’t let your graduating class define your relationships.
Four years may seem like a long time and college is a time of intense emotional and intellectual development. Yet, when compared to the preceding four years of high school the changes we undergo are relatively small. Furthermore, we all develop in different ways and at different rates. I have
Photo courtesy of Sportskido8/Flickr
seen freshmen with more maturity than seniors. Is it a common occurrence? No, but the point stands. One cannot and should not assume that Boston College’s youngest students are less intelligent, mature, or developed than their older counterparts. I’m guilty of making this assumption too. I have underclassmen friends and I frequently find myself presum-
ing to advise them. Whenever they mention something academically or socially related (read: most college conversations), I find myself tossing in my two cents with the general understanding that it’s valuable advice. I assume that the person in question wouldn’t reach that conclusion themselves, even if it’s something as obvious as “You shouldn’t do that paper in one night” or “freshmen aren’t typically welcome in the Mods.” They mostly smile and nod, but I can’t help but think they wish I’d get off of my high horse. Even here at Gavel Media, as an editor, I find I frequently have to stop myself from talking down to my underclassmen writers. I can only imagine it’s annoying; after all, I was annoyed by it when older students did it to me. I don’t mean to implicate all juniors and seniors in my self-critique, but based on what I’ve observed, this “been there, done that” attitude is quite common. I do not mean to assert that one should never give or accept advice. When I was a freshman, I found myself incensed at one particular piece of advice I got from an older student. He said to get used to the occasional bad grade, because an “A” effort in high school is, for the most part, about a “B” or a “C” effort in college. I was not the valedictorian at my high school,
May 2013
Photo courtesy of Mike Mertz/Flickr
Is there really that much evolution and change between freshmen and seniors? but I was close, so needless to say I was quite accustomed to thinking I was infallible. When he gave me this advice, I thought to myself, “challenge accepted.” And then, of course, my slightly older and wiser friend turned out to be absolutely correct. I found myself humbled at pretty much every possible turn. There does come a time when we can benefit from the experience of older
The very idea of class labels can be damaging. students. There are, after all, some things every student will experience. However, no one should assume that their experiences and those of another will align 100 percent. Alcohol is, somewhat ironically, a major obstacle to interclass relations. There are times I wish this were a dry campus, not because I don’t like to drink (I’m 21) but because of the social strata that rise around alcohol. Our natural preconceived notions www.bcgavel.com
about younger or older students are reinforced by the law, and campus policy. After all, minors are a liability and thus a hindrance at social gatherings, and not because they’re immature or no fun, but rather because of a technicality. On a darker note, if younger students (sometimes) want a commodity older students can (illegally) provide it can create a power dynamic which works to the detriment of an equal relationship. What do I mean by all of this? This dynamic of looking up to older students and down upon younger ones hurts everyone in the long run, even if it’s not outwardly malicious. We all got into BC. Everybody here has something to bring to the table. Viewing younger students as a nuisance or as pupils to be mentored (unless you’re a T.A., of course) obstructs the possibility of a healthy, equal friendship. Conversely, looking to older students as a model for your future undercuts your individuality. Sure, they may have some valuable advice, but the experiences of another student
are no guarantee of anything. My challenge to readers: Look to everyone you meet with a fresh set of eyes. When meeting someone new, don’t even ask about their graduating class. Just let the relationship develop organically.
Alcohol is, somewhat ironically, a major obstacle to inter-class relations.
Photo courtsey of MarkjwuMaurader/Flickr
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