During SOG training yesterday, we had a discussion about things that we each thought were important to pass along to new students when they first arrive on campus.  There was one thought that came up in our group that I thought was so important and pivotal that I wanted to share it even before all of the new students arrive on campus.  Do you want to know what it is??  Well, you should.  Here it is:

Be Socially Tolerant.

This is such an important aspect of going to college, because as I’m sure you are aware, college is completely different from high school.  Of course it is different because you are moving away from home, taking harder classes, and potentially leaving friends, but all at once you are entering an entirely new social realm.  For instance, in high school people tend to be catty, and they might stereotype people or exclude others because of their “type”, but in college, it is a completely different world.  Now, I’m not saying that things are absolutely perfect in college, and that it is completely free of any high school drama, but it’s kind of as if people here are held to a higher standard of maturity.  At college, people seem to understand that they will not be just like other people, and they appreciate those differences.

So, if you are one of Butler’s incoming freshmen this fall (or a freshman at any other school), take advantage of this unique opportunity you have.  Let others surprise you, because you never know who could end up being a great friend, or even someone that you could learn amazing things from.  When I met my best friend Meghan freshman year, I never thought that we would be inseparable 2 years later, simply because we are such different people.  (i.e. I’m basically a carnivore, and she is an earth-loving vegetarian, among other things.)  Be tolerant, and embrace your differences!

Meghan and I...even though we dress alike, we are still very different!