Last year’s graduating seniors had to choose their colleges based on a variety of criteria that they had to evaluate sight unseen and then barely got to experience this year. At best, students got to live in dorms and attend class online, but had limited ability to socialize, join clubs or attend athletic events. At the very least, many had experiences like these students, who attended class from their own home, and did so while juggling additional responsibilities. What’s stands out as they share their stories, is that almost all of them are still motivated and inspired to continue and graduate in 4 years!!
How can that be when the criteria they used to find their “perfect fit”, things like spectator sports, joining a sorority and ability to bond with professors barely materialized?
It’s because they knew “why” those things were important to them.
Our values are the foundation for the choices we make in all aspects of our lives and “why” I chose to make it the foundation of how I work with students as they begin to explore their pathway to college. It’s based on integrating what I learned from Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” with my own coach training and part of my overall “coach approach”:
a. Begin with the exploration of a student’s values (the “why”)
b. Use that to introduce and then develop the criteria they’re looking for (the “what”)
c. Develop questions to ask colleges to get the info on “how” they provide that.
And this foundation continues throughout their journey from the application process to choosing which college to attend. When students know and understand what values are important to them and why, it helps them figure out “how” and “what” to do to make that happen, even in the midst of a pandemic! And how it’s not just one college that is the “perfect fit” but many colleges where that is possible.
The pandemic has had an impact on almost every aspect of our lives and the world of college admissions is certainly no exception as it’s spurred discussion on everything from the value of specific tests, to the inequities in the admissions process. It’s also increased competition at the “highly ranked” colleges due to a variety of reasons.
But whether it’s a more competitive landscape, a pandemic or not getting pledged by the sorority you hoped for, knowing your “why” puts YOU in control of the process.
In any given year, “what” the colleges are looking to achieve and what type of member Kappa Delta is looking to pledge will change, that’s a given and that’s out of our control, but when you know “why” something is important to you, the control is in your hands. You know that you have lots of ways to create those values of connection and fun and adventure.
That’s your superpower! Knowing “why” you love it helps you create the variety of ways you want to make that happen!