College works!

My daughter leaves for college this weekend and I can once again declare college works! 

Martha told us about three weeks ago that she was ready to return to college. She was a bit sheepish as she told us. I wasn’t at all surprised. 

In fact, I was thrilled to learn of her excitement to return for her sophomore year at SLU–that’s Saint Louis University

for those of you not following along. Her enthusiasm to return and candor in telling us reinforces my supposition that college works! 

Below are a couple of proof points that college works: 

She appreciates freedom and independence–I think her declaration about three weeks ago was confirmation that she longs for freedom and independence, which is exactly what I want for her. While summer in the Barnds house has been anything but regimented for her, I do think that meal times, checking in and sharing a car with a sibling has felt confining. I respect and appreciate her desire to be in control of her time and independence. Education, at its core–especially at a liberal arts college, is about creating free people. I think it’s working.  

She’s deeply skeptical–I have been on the receiving end of more side-eyes and eye-rolls this summer than I ever could have imagined. Martha is deeply skeptical and is asking deep, probing questions of us and herself. The number of times I have seen her eyebrows raise and her eyes communicate a silent “really” makes me rejoice about who she is becoming. She thinks I am full of it and has learned how to push back, lean in and ask tough questions. She is seeking her own truth and learning how to think for herself. I couldn’t be more pleased that she’s skeptical about long-held beliefs and is forming her own. I dig her skepticism. 

She’s found new passions–Martha took a first-year seminar that focused on the place where she is planted for college–the City of Saint Louis. She learned about red-lining, White flight, the impact of the interstate on citizens, urban planning that promoted vehicles v. public transportation and the complete destruction of neighborhoods to “accommodate progress.” This class about place, ignited passions and curiosities she didn’t know she had. When we travel she draws upon what she learned about STL to offer observations and ask questions about other communities and urban areas. I am excited about her new passions and am learning alongside her. 

She understands the value of the dollar–Martha worked her tail off this summer to replenish her bank account. She took extra shifts. She held out to get a job that paid well. She complained when she didn’t get the number of hours she needed. She planned recreation around work. She interviewed (and secured) positions upon her return to college. She has a much greater appreciation for the value of a dollar and how resources she’s earned play into her desire to be more independent. 

She’s teaching us new things–Martha drops knowledge on the rest of us all the time now and it’s really cool. She teaches us all sorts of things because of her interests in sustainability and the environment. The explorer in her and passion for STL has resulted in lots of recommendations for restaurants and cool neighborhoods to explore. Her interest in art continues and she is constantly teaching us something new about an artist she has discovered. It’s pretty awesome to have your kid teach you things. 

One evening this summer we had a lengthy discussion about the economy, universal basic income, taxation, tax policy, government spending, priorities and wealth. It was amazing. She wasn’t having any of my so-called wisdom on the subjects. She put her phone down, made eye contact, formulated great questions, made great arguments and supported her ideas. She was convincing and persuasive. I was humbled and impressed.

As she heads off for year two and new experiences, I am more convinced than ever that college works. 

Yes, college works.