What Were You in College
A late night muse on times long past53 total reviews
Comment from Bridge
A very well written piece. Very engrossing from start to finish. I have a 2 year old son and found your experience really thought provoking. A great piece indeed
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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A very well written piece. Very engrossing from start to finish. I have a 2 year old son and found your experience really thought provoking. A great piece indeed
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks for reading and your kind feedback! Enjoy that 2 year old, a precious age! Bill
Comment from moyramouse
I think you are being too hard on yourself. We do the best we can at the time and hindsight is not a comfortable bedfellow. I have 2 boys both brought up with the same values etc. One graduated and went on to do his masters, always working as hard as he could and having a job to supplement his grant. Luckily he was a good cook, so he never went hungry cooking for other students:):) My younger son, who had been an academic scholar throughout school as well as a very gifted sportsman in 3 sports looked as though University would be his oyster. Not so, he fell apart and could not cope. It took him many years to find his path but now if happy in his job and has a lovely family. Nature v Nurture - my jury is still out. You can give your kids the means but they have to live the life. You can show them the way, but they have to choose the path. All we can do is be there for them and metaphorically bandage their knees and send them out into the world again. A very honest write and I enjoyed the way you developed your theme. xmouse
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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I think you are being too hard on yourself. We do the best we can at the time and hindsight is not a comfortable bedfellow. I have 2 boys both brought up with the same values etc. One graduated and went on to do his masters, always working as hard as he could and having a job to supplement his grant. Luckily he was a good cook, so he never went hungry cooking for other students:):) My younger son, who had been an academic scholar throughout school as well as a very gifted sportsman in 3 sports looked as though University would be his oyster. Not so, he fell apart and could not cope. It took him many years to find his path but now if happy in his job and has a lovely family. Nature v Nurture - my jury is still out. You can give your kids the means but they have to live the life. You can show them the way, but they have to choose the path. All we can do is be there for them and metaphorically bandage their knees and send them out into the world again. A very honest write and I enjoyed the way you developed your theme. xmouse
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks X - you are certainly right. It was a strange post for me as I started to write as a humorous post and my mind twisted in mid stride. I might write the humorous one yet. Regards, Bill
Comment from Writingfundimension
This highly personal essay was very touching for me. Your honesty is really admirable. How many children today are being raised in a manner you discussed, with the parents trying to, honestly, help them avoid unnecessary roadblocks. You've probably touched many a nerve with your extremely well written piece. Which is as it should be. Beyond being a parent and a business person, you appear to be a fine human being. Cheers! Bev
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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This highly personal essay was very touching for me. Your honesty is really admirable. How many children today are being raised in a manner you discussed, with the parents trying to, honestly, help them avoid unnecessary roadblocks. You've probably touched many a nerve with your extremely well written piece. Which is as it should be. Beyond being a parent and a business person, you appear to be a fine human being. Cheers! Bev
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks Bev - first for reading and then for your warm comments. Both are highly appreciated! Bill
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You bet Bill!
Comment from JW
This was a interesting story and it brought back a lot of memories. You did a good job writing this. Thanks for sharing it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how one looks at it - except for my Freshman year - I was a full time college student and held a full time job. Needless to say, I learned the realities of life quite fast as a result.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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This was a interesting story and it brought back a lot of memories. You did a good job writing this. Thanks for sharing it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how one looks at it - except for my Freshman year - I was a full time college student and held a full time job. Needless to say, I learned the realities of life quite fast as a result.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Hi Jonathan - yours a tougher path, but perhaps a better one. Thanks for reading and your kind comments.
Comment from eliz100
This was an interesting read from beginning to end. I agree with the idea that it gives kids 4 years to grow up. I admire your honest about what was good in your life and what was not so good.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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This was an interesting read from beginning to end. I agree with the idea that it gives kids 4 years to grow up. I admire your honest about what was good in your life and what was not so good.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks for reading and your kind feedback! Regards, Bill
Comment from FredCollingwood
I haven't been on FS much this year, but I thought I'd check in to read some of my favorite writers. Excellent as always!
Fred
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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I haven't been on FS much this year, but I thought I'd check in to read some of my favorite writers. Excellent as always!
Fred
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thank you very much for reading and your generous feedback. By the way, you have been missed, at least by me! Regards, Bill
Comment from livingwords
All three of mine finished college and are none the happier for it. I consider the jury still out. They may end up happy or not. Either way, it has little to do with my fatherhood. Same for you and all. Dan :))
Nit: This sentence should be restructured:
I never got them to buy in to what their own responsibility was
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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All three of mine finished college and are none the happier for it. I consider the jury still out. They may end up happy or not. Either way, it has little to do with my fatherhood. Same for you and all. Dan :))
Nit: This sentence should be restructured:
I never got them to buy in to what their own responsibility was
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Hi Dan - I truly don't obsess on it, just another example of hindsight being 20/20. I'll definitely look at that sentence. Regards, Bill
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Also, shouldn't you put a question mark at the end of the title? Looks like you're getting rave reviews. Congrats! Dan
Comment from Nicky B
Honest last line there which shows that college doesn't necessarily teach you everything. I am and never was interested in such an undertaking, but neither am I a father. So you have a couple of things there that I found quite illuminating. Thanks for that. Nick.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Honest last line there which shows that college doesn't necessarily teach you everything. I am and never was interested in such an undertaking, but neither am I a father. So you have a couple of things there that I found quite illuminating. Thanks for that. Nick.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks for reading Nick. I appreciate your kind and generous review. Bill
Comment from R. K. Alan
Don't blame yourself for their inability, or unwillingness, to commit to college. At the end of the day, we all make choices and we need to live with those choices. You provided the means, they needed to provide the will. Ray aka R. K. Alan
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Don't blame yourself for their inability, or unwillingness, to commit to college. At the end of the day, we all make choices and we need to live with those choices. You provided the means, they needed to provide the will. Ray aka R. K. Alan
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks Ray - I certainly can't disagree with your advice. Bill
Comment from sweetthanesue
A very interesting write reminiscing about the past. it is interesting that sometimes we think we have failed or fallen short though in fact we all have our own individual downfalls. enjoyed this read, bit different.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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A very interesting write reminiscing about the past. it is interesting that sometimes we think we have failed or fallen short though in fact we all have our own individual downfalls. enjoyed this read, bit different.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2011
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2011
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Thanks Sue - you grasped one of the things I was trying to say. Thanks for reading and your kind feedback. Bill
