In Loneliness by Barbara M. Newman and Philip R. Newman, the subject of loneliness is discussed. The two authors describe the three categories of loneliness: transient, situational and chronic. Transient loneliness is only during a short amount of time such as being along in a cafeteria. Situational loneliness occurs when there is a sudden loss or move to another place. Chronic loneliness last a long time and there is no link to why it occurs. After explaining the different categories of loneliness and connecting them to college students, the authors explain that the friends college students have are the key to keeping them from feeling lonely. They emphasize on the point that friendship is crucial to college students’ success and physical, along with mental health.
The article Loneliness by Barbara M. Newman and Philip R. Newman point out a problem that many college students deal with: loneliness. Both the authors emphasize on friendship as the cure to loneliness. I knew that college students are lonely, but to highlight it as a common problem among college students was something I was unaware of. I agree that friendship will help prevent loneliness, but I also recognize that sometimes people like to be alone and sometimes it is for the best that they have their space for a certain amount of time. Loneliness is something that everyone will have to experience at a time of their life; they will have to learn to overcome it or tolerate it. Similar to other things in life, loneliness is an obstacle to overcome.
The article, Fitting In by Betty LaSere Erickson and Diane Weltner Strommer focuses on college students adjusting to college life. They begin by explaining that college students make friends and acknowledge that they should be in extracurricular activities, but they prefer to have “private and casual fun.” Erickson and Strommer emphasizes on the point that it is harder for minorities to assimilate to college compared to the majority. They highlight that the faculties of universities and colleges need to understand that “subtle behaviors or different treatment” can affect minority students. They also briefly add that the faculty needs to be sensitive and aware of the fact that their students are older with more responsibilities. Erickson and Strommer stress that the classroom is the place not only for academic success but also personal growth.
I think the points that are expressed in Fitting In by Betty LaSere Erickson and Diane Weltner Strommer are true. When Erickson and Strommer acknowledged that college students want to do other things besides extracurricular activities, even they knew that they were supposed to; I felt a sense of guilt. Just like they had described, I know that I am supposed to participate in extracurricular activities, but on my free time I would rather be doing other things. However, I am pretty sure I am not alone with this opinion. Erickson’s and Strommer’s emphasis on the difficulties that minorities have in terms of graduating compared to the majority also seems to be true. I can personally relate to it because sometimes I don’t feel as privileged as the majority. The point about how classes are the place for academic and personal growth made a lot of sense to me. It is mainly due to the fact that I view school as my second home because I spend most of my time there other than my actual home. Also I have learned many of the things I know from school and still am learning. Just as they had pointed out in Fitting In, the classroom does promote academic success and personal growth and it is important as to how the instructor/faculty member is guiding their students.