How do you feel about history?

In two different history classes recently I discovered that there was no student who knew who General Eisenhower was – the leader of the Allied D-Day invasion of Europe. Later, the 34th President of the United States. When I revealed the answer, I didn’t see any “Oh yes” recognition on anyone’s face. A colleague told me that maybe there were shy students who didn’t want to answer. I doubted it.

This kind of story always happens in colleges everywhere. But this time it’s different for me and I reflected on the experience. As I think about the days I have left,  I wondered about what I need to be sure and tell my students so they don’t leave at the end of our semester without a clue.

“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” ― Antonio Porchia

I was on a panel this week at our “chapel” service. The topic was love and marriage. My simple advice to that gathering of students was simple, get off your phone and go on a date. You might be surprised at how little real interaction takes place at college these days. Most students aren’t meeting and making new friends or reading books. They’re addicted to their phone. Ingenious marketing strategy. 

When I used to lead orientations for new faculty and adjuncts, one thing I would remind everyone is that their students may not remember much about what they had made so much effort to teach. But, their students will remember THEM. We all make some sort of impression – hopefully a positive and meaningful one.

What kind of history do I want to make? I will have to start being more conscious about what I say and do in my classes this week, how I interact with individual students, what I write in my feedback on assignments and how I prepare all that important content. What is so important? What will matter most?

Here’s a few items on my list so far:

• Why learning how to read is always going to pay off. This truly is a dying skill.
• Brief pep talks about the little things you do today that are building the future you. Like showing up on time and meeting deadlines.
• Habits that can go past this class and work in other areas of life. Asking questions, for example or always appearing interested in what’s happening (even if you’re not).
• Start crafting your own big and confident signature. Doesn’t that sound trivial? You wouldn’t believe the strange and cryptic signatures I see each day. They make an impression…
• Learning how to understand the “rules of the game” that will put you steps ahead of everyone else. That’s what my discipline is all about.
• Talk out loud as if you mean what you’re saying. A lot of mumbling and soft talking. Too much time texting, probably.
• Love isn’t just a word in a message, it’s an action that’s hard to practice sometimes. But practice makes perfect.
• History really can teach us a lot about tomorrow.
• God understands and wants to have a relationship with us all.

I’m still working on it. Anyone have any suggestions about what you wished you had learned when you were in your early 20’s?

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”  ― Roy T. Bennett

I’ve got journals filled up with what I’d do different in my college years. But I think the real answer for me would have been to have found a mentor or someone who would be willing to give me some wise advice. That’s what I’m trying to be next week. That person that I needed to have in my own life waaaaay back when.

“The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing.” ― Oscar Wilde