The Millennial Movement

Jamie Eddy | Feature Editor | The USD Vista

 

This is my senior year, along with about a fourth of our student body. I believe the majority of seniors agree that they feel, act, and see things far differently than they did their first year on the University of San Diego campus.

It is crazy to think that it is already October (sorry to bring it up) and that graduation is just around the corner. Don’t worry, I won’t talk about graduation, but instead, new perspectives, owning our strengths, and what’s to come.

College is a growing, learning, and listening process that enables very fortunate students, such as ourselves, to adopt ideas and perceptions about who we hope to be and where we would like to end up in a few short years. With that said, we are still very young and will continue to evolve. It is important to take risks, interact in unaccustomed environments, and stimulate creativity. We are the generation of innovative, strong willed, entrepreneurial millennial’s.

I find it interesting and refreshing that 30, 40, 50, something year olds are turning to our age group for novel ideas, technological intel, and leadership roles that have not typically gone to recent graduates.

In my sociology course, Professor Erik Fritsvold, PhD, asked the class which one of these six labels were the most intelligent: Blondes, doctors, nurses, college students, professors, and garbage men. Research shows that college students are the smartest group of individuals. Why? Because we are well versed among many different subjects, foster diverse cognitive abilities, and are highly competitive, unafraid to critique, challenge, and motivate one another.

This in-class activity stood out to me for three reasons. First, and most simply, it made me feel good. Second, it makes you think about how many different subjects, teachers, peers, presentations, projects, that you’ve completed and interacted with; which is such a rewarding feeling. Lastly, it allows students to reflect on their college experiences and relate it on a wider, global scale. The idea that we are able to transition and adapt into a new and unfamiliar environment and successfully complete countless hours of work and studying over four or so years, ultimately shapes us into hardworking, knowledgeable human beings.

Although USD has only been in session for six weeks, I can see a difference among my peers, including myself. Seniors are busier than ever, with increased workloads, job responsibilities, career development, and planning for what’s next. I feel confident that wherever I end up after graduation will turn out to be a success, but more importantly, the rest of the senior student body. USD will likely see some big things coming out of this year’s class and I can’t wait to write about it when the time comes.