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| "Willie Gillis in College" by Norman Rockwell (1946)This artwork may be protected by copyright. It is posted on the site in accordance with fair use principles. |
Given this correlation, should colleges organize themselves in a way that discourages "social isolation" and seeks to increase "group affiliation" and "regular and close social contacts"? For this reason, should students be required to have roommates (and not just suite-mates)?
Does university money spent on "social activities" benefit student learning? Are social contacts made in a work environment (a class, say) qualitatively different from contacts made in non-work environments (such as, say, a ping pong tournament)?
Would the health of students (emotional as well as physical) increase if they continued to live at home or closer to their family? Do some people thrive in "relative social isolation"?
Not only do people who have “many regular and close social contacts” live longer but their quality of life is also higher. For both of these reasons I believe that it is important for colleges to create a framework that promotes social interaction. I also believe that most colleges are set up this way. When a student moves onto a campus at a university, not one that commutes from home, they are basically forced to make new friends and meet new people. Universities facilitate student involvement in a variety of social interactions by having many different organizations in which to take part. They make known to the students the various clubs and organizations and offer a wide variety so that each student may find something that captures his or her interest. This is as much as a university can do; they can not force someone to be social. Each individual must take responsibility and choose to participate.
ReplyDeleteAs for the actually living with a roommate, I am a person who loves social interaction, but also recognizes that I enjoy alone time and need a break from constant stimulus. I enjoy having my own room, because although I enjoy social interaction, there comes a time when I need to take a break and be by myself for a little while. Let’s face it being social is a lot of work. Not to mention there is no guarantee that a roommate is going to share common tastes and preferences and no one wants to spent lot of time, let alone cohabitate, with someone when they do not enjoy their company.
Not only do social activities benefit the individual’s health and quality of life but it also benefits student learning. If a person spends all of their time focused on academic studies they are going to burn out. Whereas if a person can take their mind off of study long enough to play video games, go shopping or play a game of pool with some friends for an hour they will be more likely to function better in a classroom setting because their mind will have a variety of stimulus rather than solely an academic stimulus. A classroom environment produces more formal relationships and not ones where you’re likely to discuss personal issues. If you grandma dies or you are in a bad breakup you are probably not going to walk up to your lab partner and spill your guts in the middle of biology. You will probably find a friend that you have met in another social setting and look to them for advice and comfort. For this reason it is good to have both work and non-work friends to discuss issues and seek advice.
I do not believe that students would will thrive if they continued to live at home while attending college. For some this arrangement can be a good thing and fulfill a purpose for a time, but I believe that there is a time to leave the comforts of home and strike out on their own. I understand that for financial reasons some continue to live at home while in school and I do not see a problem with this as long as the individual has friendships outside of the family. In saying that, I believe that family is an important part of society, one of the most important, but in order to be a well rounded individual we must have social interaction outside of it. Also, most people eventually move out of their parents’ house and it is easier to make that transition during the college years than later on in life.
Although some people thrive in social seclusion I do not believe that anyone could grow into their full potential without social interaction. After all it is discussing topics with others that helps form and create our views and help us discover and consider new things.
Kathryn Keiffer
It is natural that individuals in a new, unfamiliar environment seek the comfort of each other. As Mlodinow states, “people intuitively realize that there is strength in numbers and take comfort in the company of others, especially in times of anxiety or need” (81). For many, college can be this time of anxiety and the need for others’ support. Colleges therefore appropriately emphasize the need to be social, as they encourage “group affiliation” rather than “social isolation.” In the few months that I have been registered to attend East Central University, even before I have moved in on campus, I have already received brochures for the Sororities, the various clubs, and the activities on campus. Enabling close friends seems to be the first job of the college.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that being said, individuals should not be required to have roommates. For some, in the whirlwind of constant social life, a quiet sanctuary just for oneself is exactly what is needed. Several times I have heard my cousins, friends, and former classmates say that one thing they loved about coming home was being able to close the bedroom door and be by themselves. Considering how much being a socialite is emphasized, coupled with how many opportunities there are to meet people, roommates should not be mandatory. This would be an example of how “relative social isolation” could be good for some. Students have the opportunity to be involved and constantly social, yet still be alone in the dorms, or they can be less of a socialite and place more emphasis on creating a close friend through a roommate.
University money is well spent on the various activities across campus and it does indirectly benefit student learning. Consider the movie Happy that we watched. Several of the communities have activities that are purely for enjoyment. They enjoy life because of it. Then, on the other hand, there is the Japanese culture who work themselves to death, quite literally. Too much work and not enough play is a bad thing; social activities balance out the work side of college. Acquaintances made in class are qualitatively different from friends made outside of work. When work is part of the friendship equation, there is a constant feeling of work; it always seems to come up in conversation. But when friends are made purely from fun, one can meet a diverse group of people who are different from the day to day work friendships. Perhaps for some students their health would increase if they lived at home, however, there comes a time when there is a need to be “on your own.” As students find friends, both through class and through activities, the emotional gap of leaving home will fill and the health of the students will be fine as they venture into a new world.
When I read this part of the book I was actually at work. That day I had to work the drive-through at the bank, so I was with one other person. This lady and I discussed this part of the book, and analyzed our own lives and our degree on the social scale. We both saw each other as being social but not full out social butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that when I read this I was so surprised, I had never thought that interaction with others would affect my life expectancy. When I discussed this with my co-worker she pointed out the idea that having people around you and close to you, gives you a reason to live. I agree with her completely on this.
We also discussed if interaction at work counted as having social contact or social ties. Personally I believe that friendships and close relationships with people are what truly affect your life and have a lasting effect. Interacting with people at work is healthy and something that is required, but is seeing your co-worker everyday something that pushes you to live life?
If your co-worker was your friend or you enjoyed their company then yes it might, but if they were just someone that working with was a required thing to do, I do not think these are the social ties that affect our quality of life or the length of it. Now in order to meet people and such, you have to talk to strangers or start new relationships which could start in places like the workplace or in a college dorm. I guess in a way "group affiliation" could promote and encourage this, but making friends and opening up to others is a personal choice; so whether someone works closely with others or not, it all comes down to if that person wants to open up and have social ties with those people or not.
Chelsi Norris
I believe that those with more regular interactions with close friends and relatives live longer because they have more chances for moments of happiness. For this reason I think colleges should increase efforts to get students to make new friends and get involved in groups to broaden their experiences. In high school I was someone who tried to be friends with everyone during school, but when the day was done I rarely communicated with others. I was alright with it at the time but now looking back I wish I would have tried to create stronger connections with my fellow students. Making new friends is hard, especially during a huge change like moving to college, and having a roommate can help because you have the chance to become friends with their group and vice versa with yours.
ReplyDeleteWith that said I do believe that some personal space is needed for people to relax and recuperate from stress and have time to be themselves. Some people love constant interaction but for myself, I like a little quiet time to listen to some music or play a video game. I agree with Katy that there is a chance that you and your roommate won't have anything in common and that can make the space you are given to relax one that is awkward and uncomfortable. I feel having your own room is a good choice to have and suite-mates can work just as well as roommates.
I think contacts made in class are very helpful in the learning process. They offer extra perspectives outside of your own that can lead to a deeper understanding of situations and thoughts. You can go to them for help because they too are going through or have been in the same situation. Contacts made outside of class and work aid in the learning process as well. They offer a break from the stress of class and allow the brain to be stimulated in different ways to keep things from becoming monotonous which keeps learning interesting.
Some people can only live in social isolation because they are "programmed" that way possibly due to their childhood experiences. In this instance, being close to family can be the best option. Others who live in isolation may just need a little nudge out of their comfort zone to reach their full potential, but as Chelsi stated, it comes down to if the person wants to open up and have social interaction or not.
Clayton Worsham
I agree with the responses above mine; while social interaction is fine and dandy there also comes a time when an individual needs to cater to his or her own personal needs of time and space alone. I think that most institutes of higher learning foster a spirit of community and encourage social extension and growth. That is one of the reasons for the numerous campus clubs and organizations at East Central. ECU fosters community by creating outlets (often suggested or carried out by students) for creative and social development. As for whether or not social contacts outside of the classroom walls are more or less beneficial than those in class contacts, I would have to say that both are equally beneficial but not in the same way. While we as students all have intellectual needs that must be served on a social level, we also all have purely social needs (fun, excitement, silliness, etc.). I think that friends in and out of the classroom help to meet our needs, sometimes overlapping.
ReplyDelete-Emily Davis
While keeping a good social life is certainly enjoyable and may contribute to the life span of an individual and that individuals quality of life, in absolutely no way do I believe colleges should do more to increase group affiliation. While I understand that many people have lower levels of social activity due to being too timid or shy many others simply enjoy the peace that solitude brings or only feels comfortable around a very low number of people. If colleges start putting a greater emphasis on “group affiliation” although this will benefit the “shy” group, the ones that genuinely do not like group activities will suffer and feel they are being forced to change their individuality in favor of the personality of the majority of their peers. In a time where individuality is encouraged and rewarded this would be a terrible injustice to these students. Colleges should simply encourage the students to kindly invite the ones they see as a “loner” to their group activities. Ask a few times on separate occasions and if they never give any indication of interest let them be. The ones that are simply shy will eventually give the kind face the benefit of the doubt and try the activity. The others will simply remain the way they are, but who are we to say that their personalities are wrong?
ReplyDeleteTell Jordan
Colleges should definitely discourage social isolation. ECU absolutely encourages interaction with so many extracurricular activities, Greek life, campus wide activities, clubs and other organizations. The money spent on all of these helps attract new students and keep people here happy. Staying active on campus builds relationships with other people, and it builds up East Central.
ReplyDeleteAfter saying social interaction is important, roommates should not be required. Most people need time to themselves; I definitely do. Being an only child, I need time by myself in order to positively interact with others; I get grumpy if I don’t have any time by myself to focus on whatever I choose. I do love being with people, but I need some sort of break. I think suitemates are just as good as roommates. My suitemate and I both enjoy time by ourselves and can easily sit in our room all day, but being in this new environment we’re forcing ourselves to join in activities aside from programs we’re in, like playing volleyball even though we aren’t athletic instead of only attending mandatory rehearsals, meetings, or orientations. I know some people live at home, but staying active on campus should still be important to them; everyone can benefit from it no matter what the living situation. Some people do better staying at home for various reasons; sometimes there are specifics such as personal illness or a family member’s illness, or maybe they don’t have the funds to afford on-campus living, that keep them at home. However people can do better in “relative social isolation;” we’re all made different, raised different, have multiple influences day to day and throughout our lives different from our peers. We should appeal to our individuality by having the choice to live at home, in the dorms, in apartments, with a roommate, or without a roommate.
Now social contacts at work environments compared to non-work environments have different upsides but sometimes can mix together. For us students, it’s good to have familiar faces in class for obvious reasons such as study partners, help with homework, or keep you up to date if class is missed. But it shouldn’t be all about work; we need play time too! It’s a nice release being able to forget about work for a bit and just play a sport or game, talk with friends, or hang out with a group you’re affiliated with like a team or club. If someone is constantly in work mode, their brain is bound to hit overload; I think it can even stunt growth and ideas if the mind is constantly being pushed. -Elizabeth Keck
I think that it should be the choice of the student whether or not to have a roommate. I tend to keep quiet and to myself. I like to study without noise. I am not one to make friends in a matter of minutes. I have to really get to know someone before letting them be a part of my life. That is just the way that I was brought up. I have lived in the country all of my life, so I don't do well with living near a lot of other people. That is why I chose to stay in Knight Hall. I know myself, and I know that if I was required to have a roommate, my school work performance level would drop. I know that there are several people who love to be around other people and become friends with everybody, and that is great! They should also be given the option to stay in a room with another person.
ReplyDeleteIt seems my comment will be in the minority, but I will make it anyway: I think colleges should not encourage "social" behavior whatsoever, on the dual grounds that there are better things to fund, and that social behavior can in fact be detrimental. The fact is that while many enjoy social gatherings, the most important use of a college's funding is to provide enriching experiences such as field trips, noted speakers, shiny new lab equipment, and paychecks for our professors--not to fund and/or organize parties. Things like interest-centered clubs are a horse of a slightly different gait, because they can enrich the university as a whole, but I believe a school should encourage separation of people in things like dwelling and classes (example: single rooms, small class sizes). Many people are caused massive amounts of stress by being forced to always "be social", enduring the company of others when they may not feel comfortable in that setting, through no fault of anyone. When schools require social behavior, this only incurs more undue tension, and can eventually lower morale. I personally would find it difficult to explain the so-called proven concept of the long-lived socialite to someone whose blood pressure and cortisol levels both skyrocket when presented with a social event.
ReplyDelete--Hinton
I can say from personal experience that social isolation is not good for myself. My first semester up here I barely knew anyone. Although I must acknowledge that I was more focused on my goals and getting done as soon as possible rather than making friends. This had a terrible affect on me. Not only was I constantly depressed, but also I was sick all the time and my school work did suffer to a degree. Now, I live with one of my best friends and I am more involved with campus activities. I also kept my job on the weekends back home so I get to socialize with people I have known for years unlike last year when I hardly talked to anyone. I feel one hundred times better and I am doing much better in my classes. This does raise conflict in the fact that there will be issues with time management and getting your work done outside of class but one just has to make the best judgment to be able to accomplish all that is required. I definitely feel like social interaction is a big part of helping a student do his or her best.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Jackson