This letter is based on observations that I saw throughout my first year here at Iowa State University. It seems apparent that the freshman class is not in the least bit respectful to their professors and the faculty. They also seem to think that college is exactly like high school.

One observation involves seeing most of a lecture hall start to pack up five minutes before dismissal. This is not ideal. The noise made by 150 or so students packing up increases the sound in a lecture hall and drowns out the voice of the professor, even if he is using a microphone. I personally would like to hear what my professor has to say in that last five minutes. He or she may have some very important info about the next exam or a homework assignment.

Other observations deal with more general behavior. The freshman class seems to always want their parents to solve their problems. I understand that the first year of college is a transitional phase and that some of us don’t completely disconnect from the high school mindset untill our sophomore year, but college is not a continuation of high school. College was made for adults and it has been that way for decades. Your parents aren’t always going to be there for you and they cannot solve all of your problems. 

Some may argue that I am being helped by my parents for college. That is true. They are helping me get back home to Ohio every break, whether by train or car. They also pay off whatever amount is left over after loans and grants. The only exception here is that the money being used for my tuition is money that was put aside by my grandmother for me, for college.

The theme of this letter is pretty simple. Freshman class, learn some respect for your professors and other students around you. In addition, your parents aren’t always going to be there, this is college. College was made for adults, so start acting like one and stop thinking that college is like high school.