I love the magic that happens when a college student first realizes he or she has found the perfect place to spend the next four years. My colleague Arun once wrote a newsletter to our Collegewise families recalling the campus tradition at his beloved alma mater, the University of Chicago, that takes place on Thursday night of finals week. When the last late-night bus from the library to the dorms returns the poor souls who still have finals to take on Friday, their fellow students cheer for them and blast Queen’s “We are the Champions” from the dorms. Arun was on that bus as a freshman and recalled that it was the first time he realized he’d found a home where “sheer nerdiness was celebrated.”
Georgia Tech sophomore Nicholas Selby has experienced that magic. I can’t imagine they could have made a better choice than Nicholas to give the welcome address to their new freshmen this week.
Think this kid loves his school? Think he’s excited about engineering? And best of all, do you think those lucky freshmen feel like they’ve found the right place?
Places like Chicago or Georgia Tech may or may not resonate with you. But find the place that does. You won’t know for sure until you get there, but thoughtful college soul searching and a commitment to finding the best fit will exponentially increase your chances of experiencing that magic.