Author: Kate Riordan

When we meet with prospective students and families, we often get into discussions about what students are like today. So we thought we’d ask you. Who are you? And how would you describe yourself?

When we asked you to use one word to describe your generation here is what some of you said.

Wild

Very cultured (no fair: that’s two words!)

Ascendant

Visionary

Facebook

Connected

Lackadaisical

Brave

Unpredictable

Caffeine

Unrestrained

Creative

Apathy

Dreamers

Divided

Technological

Awesomesauce (available in Lawrence’s new campus store)

Multi-interested (thanks for reading our stuff!)

The age old question we used to ask each other was, “If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have with you?” Since we’re certain Lawrence will be no island (though it has been described as a “bubble”) we minimized the question to, “what is one item you would say is the most important thing to bring to campus?”

Your questions varied, and some of you decided your “thing” didn’t have to be tangible. The number one item that you felt you had to bring–a laptop.

Here are a few other items you and your classmates cannot move to college without!

My cell phone

A desire to succeed

Subscription to a news magazine

My violin

A toothbrush

Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Chapstick

Enthusiasm

Electric Tea Kettle – I’m obsessed!

A notebook

Diversity

Ipod

My Apples to Apples Party Crate – it comes in a wooden crate.

A winter jacket so I don’t freeze!

A beanbag chair – I will sacrifice my bed if I have to. I’m getting a beanbag chair if it kills me.

You probably know that Lawrence University has a pretty amazing music conservatory on campus. But, since you don’t have to be a music major to enjoy music, we decided to ask the big music question: What is your favorite song right now? (True to form, our students’ answers are all over the place.)

I’m Not Alone – Calvin Harris

Gives You Hell – All American Rejects

Halo – Beyonce

Everything Must Go – Steely Dan

You Don’t Know Me – Ben Folds

Zombie – Cranberries

God Laughs – Delta

Love Story – Taylor Swift

Boondocks – Little Big Town

Wait – from Sweeney Todd

“Anything off of the new Green Day cd, or any Go Betty Go song.”

Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear

This Side – Nickel Creek

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Here I Am – Queen

Float on By – Modest Mouse

Baba O’Riley – The Who

Boy in the Bubble – Paul Simon

Fearless – Taylor Swift

Waiting – Rob Scallon (my friend!)