I’m sure we could all compare stories of how many stupid people we encounter in our everyday lives. Since this is my blog, I am going to take the spotlight for now.
Yesterday I talked to two well-meaning (I’m sure) students. They said all sorts of ridiculous things, but it got me questioning again what I’m doing with my life. Generally I love advising students, but sometimes I wonder if what I do will make a difference with people like this:
Girl Friday: (in a calming voice) It’s ok that you don’t know what job you want after college, but close your eyes and tell me what is the biggest thing you could dream for yourself.
Student 1: I see myself homeless. I think I’d like that.
Girl Friday: (incredulous) Honey, you don’t need a college degree if you want to be homeless.
Student 1: I mean I don’t want to have a home. I want to travel.
Girl Friday: Ok, have you considered studying abroad?
Student 1: No, I definitely don’t want to study abroad.
Girl Friday: (confused) You want to travel but you don’t want to take the opportunity to study and travel at the same time…?
The conversation went on like this for some time. It ended on this cherry:
Student 1: I don’t want to be one of those people who works in an office and does boring stuff all day and leads a meaningless life. I feel sorry for those people.
Girl Friday: (examines her tiny office and stacks of boring paper) So basically you don’t want to end up like me–
Student 1: –Not like you! I mean…
She suffered from a true case of foot in mouthitis.
My next conversation came on the heels of that train wreck…
Student 2: So, I noticed that your program is small, does that mean it’s not competitive since no one wants to be in it?
Girl Friday: (inward groan) Aren’t these the kind of things you ask Admissions before applying? (feeling rather put out already) You shouldn’t be judging our program based on the student class size, in fact, being small is a good thing! Have you considered the quality of the teaching faculty? That is more important than how many students we admit.
Student 2: I think a lot of guys try to get admitted into Women’s Studies because they think it’s funny.
Girl Friday: I think your friends are joking with you. What prospective student would do something that inane?
Student 2: (laughs insipidly) …
And curtain!
So there you have it. Two people who live their lives carelessly and say whatever comes to mind. Well, it’s my turn now.
You suck. Like majorly.
I guess it could have been worse… I have had dumber people say dumber things..at least those two made it to college..I got the ‘homeless” analogy right away.. but I guess they could have been more articulate if they wanted to say that they’d like to travel instead of having to pay bills and mortgage… and I have accepted that the average Joe/Jane is no Apolo or Kara Trace. No comment on the second person’s idiocy..