致大一新生：你的大学你做主

By George Forsythe1) 译 / 朱甄雯

亲爱的大一新生们，告别了令人窒息的高三，跨入了梦寐以求的大学，从此学习和生活都由自己做主，想必你一定感到如释重负又兴奋不已。但且慢，进了大学并不等于给未来上了保险。对于每一个正青春的你而言，要想不辜负自己，不枉费青春，不放过人生最宝贵的四年所能提供的所有机会和可能性，你必须从现在就开始思考：我要怎么从大一开始充实地度过这四年？也许，下面这位校长写给自己刚上大一的儿子的一封信能为你提供些许答案。

Dear Gavin （and all incoming freshmen），

Congratulations on the start of your college career！ I know how excited you must be about your achievements to date2）， as well as this chance to begin the next phase of your life. As a college president， I want to pass along a few words of wisdom as you begin your college careers.

I want to begin by dispelling a few misconceptions about college. I know you just graduated from a challenging high school with a strong college prep program. You are certainly well-prepared. That said， you cant expect to coast3） on your high school work ethic and succeed in college. Higher education requires more diligence and focus than high school. Here are some tips：

★ Dont be fooled by the schedule. Two or three classes a day would appear to leave free time to do your own thing. Actually， your professors will expect you to use that open time to study vigorously. Meetings， study groups， and assignments will dominate this “free time.” Be prepared.

★ Dont expect to get all your homework done in a few hours each night. College work requires you to spend more time on task than you did in high school. However， the hours at the library or study lounge will pay off in success.

★ Avoid the misconception that class attendance is optional and all that matters is the final grade. You may find that professors dont take attendance. You might be inclined to think they wont notice if youre not present. Trust me—your attendance will have a direct impact on your learning. Go to class， sit in front， take good notes， and participate in class discussions. Its your education， so make the most of it.

★ Finally， many new college students think that an education is simply about acquiring as much knowledge as possible， and its the professors job to provide the answers. Not true. An education is based on learning how to think critically about a wide range of topics， and then putting those ideas into action.

Now that Ive addressed some misconceptions， lets focus on the learning opportunities：

Own Your Education

An education is about making your life more meaningful， and its your job to “make the meaning.” Learning is an active endeavor. Your professors are there to help you， and they actually care about what you think and do. Respect your professors and yourself through active learning and participation.

Professors will expect you to learn the material before you come to class. Your time in class will be devoted to in-depth exploration. You will critique， test， and apply ideas. It takes a while to get used to this switch， but this is how you learn to become a self-directed， lifelong learner. You are extremely bright， but in college， you cant get by on natural talents alone. You have to do the work， seek additional help from professors and learning specialists4）， and schedule your time wisely. If you do， youll still have time for co-curricular activities and leisure time.

You have to be disciplined. Dont expect an academic counselor or professor to monitor your progress， like in high school.

Beyond the Classroom

You are going to meet people from diverse backgrounds. You might meet people who wont agree with your views on politics or religion， and I encourage you to suspend judgment and be open to new and different ideas. Dont be afraid to respectfully ask questions about other students backgrounds. You will find that getting to know a person unlike yourself not only helps you strengthen your own values， it also allows you to appreciate and enjoy that very difference.

While you and your roommate will probably get along just fine， roommate conflicts are a natural part of going to college. Try to work them out on your own. If you cant， get help from your resident hall advisors. Challenges with roommates or classmates actually provide excellent practice in conflict resolution， a vital lifelong skill. Above all， be kind and practice the Golden Rule5）.

Family and Independence

It will be an emotional time when you say goodbye to your family. These emotions are good. They demonstrate the bonds of love that you have for one another. Part of that love includes your parents letting you take flight. I encourage you to become engaged in campus life. Make the campus your new community. This is your chance to write the next chapter of your life as a young adult.

Try to keep your family informed. Dont be afraid to share your successes and struggles； both are natural. You are an independent young person， so you wont need to rely on your parents when you encounter difficulties. We all have the confidence you can handle the challenges， but were also here for advice if （and when） you need it.

Remember： you are ready for this next step in your lifes journey. Go make the most of it.

With all my love，

Pop

亲爱的加文（以及所有的准大一新生们），

祝贺你即将开始大学生涯！我知道你一定对自己迄今为止所取得的成绩感到很激动，对能得到这样的机会步入人生新的阶段感到很兴奋。在你开始大学生涯之际，作为一名大学校长，我有一些道理想要告诉你。

我首先想要消除人们对大学的一些误解。我知道你刚从充满挑战的中学毕业，也读完了出色的大学预科课程。你肯定对上大学做好了充分准备。但即便如此，你也不要以为靠着读中学的学习态度就能不费吹灰之力地在大学里取得好成绩。与读中学相比，大学需要你更勤奋、更专注。以下是我的一些建议：

★不要被课表忽悠了。每天只有两三节课，这看似给你留出了自由的时间可以去做自己的事情。而实际上，你的教授们是希望你能利用好这些空余时间去积极地学习。会议、学习小组、各门作业——这些将占据你的“空余”时间。对此你要做好准备。

★不要指望每晚花几个小时就能完成你所有的作业。大学作业需要你投入比高中时更多的时间去完成。不过，你花在图书馆或自习室里的时间都会给你带来成功的回报。

★避免以下认识误区：上课是否出勤是可以选择的，唯一重要的是期末成绩。或许你发现教授们并不点名，你也许倾向于认为如果你不出勤，教授们也不会察觉。但请相信我，你的出勤率将直接影响到你的学业。去上课，坐在前排，做好笔记，参与课堂讨论——这是你的教育，所以要最大限度地利用好它。

★最后，很多大学新生认为，接受教育只是意味着获得尽可能多的知识，而教授的职责就是为学生提供答案。这个想法是不对的。教育所基于的理念首先是学习如何对范围广泛的话题进行批判性思考，然后再将那些想法付诸实践。

既然我已经指出了一些误解，接着我们来着重谈谈学习机会。

主宰自己的教育

教育的目的是让你的人生变得更有意义，而创造意义的任务需要由你来完成。学习是一种积极主动的努力。教授们只是在那里帮助你，他们实际上关心的是你的想法和行为。主动学习，积极参与——这既是对教授们的尊重，也是对你自己的尊重。

教授们希望你在上课之前了解学习资料。你在课堂上的时间将用于深入的探究。你将评判、检验和运用各类观点。你需要一段时间去适应这种学习方式的转变，不过这会让你学会如何成为一名自主的终身学习者。你非常聪明，但在大学里光靠天分是行不通的。你必须完成作业，从教授和学习辅导员那里寻求额外的帮助，合理规划自己的时间。如果你照做的话，你还会有时间去参加课外活动和享受娱乐休闲。

你必须懂得自律。不要指望像中学那样会有辅导员或老师来监督你的进步。

把握课堂之外

你将遇到各种各样不同背景的人。你可能会遇到政治或宗教观点与你相左的人，对此我鼓励你先不要急于作出判断，而是对不同的新观点保持开放的态度。要勇于恭敬地询问其他同学的背景情况。你会发现，去了解一个和你不同的人不仅会帮助你坚定你的价值观，也会让你理解和欣赏你们之间的差异。

也许你和室友会相处得不错，但室友之间的摩擦是大学生活里很正常的一部分。试着靠自己去解决矛盾。如果实在无法解决，你可以向宿舍管理员求助。事实上，与室友或同学之间的冲突为你提供了一个绝佳的实践机会，让你学会如何解决分歧——这可是终生受用的一个重要技能。不过，最重要的是对人友善，学会运用与人相处的黄金法则。

平衡亲情与独立的关系

与家人告别时，你难免会有情绪波动。有这些情绪是好事，它们体现着你与家人之间爱的纽带。父母放手让你展翅高飞也是这种爱的一种体现。我鼓励你积极融入到大学生活中，让大学成为你生活的一个新圈子。这是你作为年纪尚轻的成年人书写人生新篇章的机会。

有事要尽量告知家人。不要害怕与家人分享自己的成功与艰辛，这些都是再正常不过的事情。你已经是一位独立的年轻人，所以当你遇到困难时，你不需要依赖父母帮你解决。我们都相信你有能力去应对各种挑战，但如果（或当）你需要帮助时，我们也随时准备着给你建议。

记住：你已准备好开始你人生的下一段旅程。去好好享受它吧！

深爱你的爸爸