I read this on Walt Mueller’s blog “Learning my lines…”
I asked Derek Melleby (Director of CPYU’s College Transition Initiative) to share with me some of his greatest concerns regarding youth ministry and the transition from high school to college. I asked for five. . . . which made it a difficult task for Derek as there is so much more he’d like to pass on. Here’s the five he gave me. . . and I encourage you to think about each as you visualize each of your graduates:
1. There is a cultural assumption that college helps students mature, or is a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. The reality is that college, for many, is not a healthy, maturing experience.
2. The years between 18-25 are considered the “critical years.” Decisions are made during this time that are formative for the rest of life. Who they decide to be in college is most likely who they will be for the rest of their lives.
3. Too many students are being shaped by the “world’s story” rather than God’s story, understanding college as nothing more than the next step to a “successful” life: you go to college to get a degree, to get a better job, to make more money.
4. Students need to be shaped by the Biblical story: college is a “calling,” a time to develop minds, discover gifts and discern further calling. College should be about increasing our serviceability for God! What are we doing to prepare them for this type of college experience?
5. It should be noted that only 58% of students who enter college graduate within 6 years, and 25% of students do not return to the same school for the sophomore year.
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