Tertiary education #firstworldproblems

It was not a surprise to read from the "Toronto Sun" that frosh in UBC as well as across the country has crossed the lines with chants and rituals that advocated raping and racism. And this is not a problem just faced in Canada, USA is still infamous for underaged drinking drug use, stupid fraternal or sorority rituals aka irresponsible behaviors. 

At home here in Hong Long it is no better. Orientations camps consists of silly immature acts like "cornering" a person, as well as beauty pageants. 

The essential question here is: what are we allowing our next generation to do and learn in university? 

I recently watched a Malcolm Gladwell video talking about what he calls Elite Institution Cognitive Disorder (EICD), or more simply put Relative Deprivation Theory by psychologists. And it is astounding how our peers influence not only our academic performance but also whether we drop out or not, as well as how much we weigh our self value in relative to our immediate social circle as oppose to where we actually stand in the world. 

Theres no wonder kids drop out of college. The question is why wouldn't they? Despite the fact that these kids busted their asses on SATs, college feels more like a liberation than a privilege to learn. And at the same time when some kids get 4.0 GPAs, the ones who got 3.36 suddenly wonders if they are cut out for college, either drops out and becomes a bar tender or even worse overdose themselves with drugs and alcohol and die.

Did I go to orientation camp? No. Do I regret it? Not a second. What did I do in college? I studied really hard, joined the dance association, debate team, mun team. I signed up for sports day, the swimming gala. I interned. I fell in love, got my heart broken. Fell in love again. I travelled. Did I party at all? I would be lying if I said no. Was it excess partying? I  think anyone who knows me would say no. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a single thing at all. 

The moral of all this, is I'm sorry a clichè: work hard play hard, but with the extension: be sensible. Encouraging rape or racism is far from sensible, and is definitely immoral. Experience life because that is a part of college but also remember a part of life is making wise choices based on critical thinking and being responsible too. 

Enjoy college life! Someone out there, in fact almost a whole continent of kids dont have that privlege. And so cherish it, gain and give from that experience. 

Ciao for now!