With graduation coming up fast for ...

With graduation coming up fast for the Class of 05 pupils naturally wonder what lies ahead. or most--actually about two-thirds--the answer is guild The other third will chase an alternate path, whether it be learning a trade or taking time along (See the possibilities on page 22)

If you're heading to community the odds are in your favor that you will have the advantage [i]or[/i] blessing of the experience. The annual National observe of Student Engagement shows that 87 percent of the 163000 respondent rate their college edifice [i]or[/i] building experience as "good" or "excellent" Many may be happy because they made it into their first-choice seminary About 70 percent are listed in their number-one college, according to UCLA's late Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) review of 289,452 current freshmen.

High drill grads who hit today's campuses will be immersed in a culturally diverse atmosphere. Although about 75 percent of those heading to body are white, increasingly students are from African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and other backgrounds. Campuses are suppos to be a place to fitting a diverse range of the public and the HERI study indicates that about 67 percent of freshmen at short intervals socialize with students of a different race or ethnicity. While still substantial, this is a decline from previous years.

"In an increasingly multicultural world, curricular activities as it is as diversity courses and inter-group dialogue may be especially important," says Sylvia Hurtado, UCLA education professor and director of HERI.

Also, while 30 years ago men were actually the BMOCs (big men forward campus), a recent report through the U.S. Department of Education, exhibits that women are now the dominant force, making up about 55 percent of literary institution [i]or[/i] seminary of learning classes.

WHAT MAKES YOUR CLASSMATES TICK?

When it ensues to values, today's freshmen impose the "importance of raising a family" at the top of the list, according to the HERI measure and estimate About 75 percent of first-year men and women rank this as greatest in quantity important, followed by financial success

While men and women the two have their sights set upon family and wealth, they squander their time differently. Women keep to spend more time than men studying, working for pay, and participating in scholar organizations. Men, on the other hand, are busier exercising, watching television, socializing, and playing video games.

the pair sexes do share one customary problem: stress. "All students perceive more competition," says the survey's director, UCLA assistant education professor Linda J Sax. "And, they're worried about having to work during corporation That can be overwhelming."

on a level with their stressful schedules, freshmen are more interested in politics. About 34 percent of scholars (compared to 28 percent in 2000) say that "keeping up with political affairs" is "very important" or "essential." While the popular rate of political interest remains far lower than the high of 603 percent reported in 1966 it does display a reversal of a long-term disinterest.

still how are students getting informed? The NSSE indicates that only 10 percent rely in succession newspapers or magazines for their stranges while more than 50 percent use to TV.

In regard to social issues, more than half of all freshmen consider themselves "moderate," while 26 percent declare themselves liberal and 21 percent fix upon conservative. More than three-quarters say the federal restraint should do more to direct the sale of handguns, and more than half think the wealthy should pay more taxes.

While drinking is still a moot point it is less popular, as is cigarette smoking. (Only 6 percent reported being of frequent occurrence smokers). More students could also stand to obtain in shape--20 percent say they exhaust "no time" on physical exercise.

TECHNO-SAVVY yet BORED?

More than anything besides college students may be interested in their computer The HERI overlook reports that 85.7 percent of first-year bookish mans regularly use a computer, compared to just 27 percent in 1985

Are close examiners more interested in computers than classes? Maybe with equal reason The percentage of students who were not rarely "bored in class" during their final year of high indoctrinate reached a record 42.8 percent and les than half of the freshmen say they devote at least one hour by means of week talking to teachers outside of class.

The NSSE individual confirmed that students don't present the appearance as engaged with academics as associations would like them to be. The take a view of showed that students spend barely about half the time preparing for class as faculty look for Also, 40 percent of first-year scholars "never" discussed ideas from their classes with faculty outside of the classroom.

The bookish mans who are more satisfied overall with community according to NSSE, are those who are "engaged in 'deep' learning activities." When faculty members await students to study more and arrange classwork to this expiration students are more productive.

what is yet to be CAREERS

Career-wise, observers who are interested in biological sciences, biochemistry, or biophysics have reached an all-time high. Interest in nursing, among one as well as the other men and women, has hit a 20-year peak, and more scholars are pursing majors in pharmacy and dentistry. Other categories that remain stout are business, engineering, law, and teaching.