The Trinity Bubble

By Eric Lavigne

Staff Writer

o you ever wonder what you are doing with your life? Sometimes I find myself sitting in my dorm room wondering what am I actually doing at school. After asking several of my friends and colleagues I realized that I am not the only one pondering this question. Many people are unsure of what they are going to do with their life. Seniors realize that they have been isolated from the real world for nearly four years. The Trinity bubble has protected them from the harsh reality of the outside world. During the job application process it is highly unlikely that the Trinity graduate will be asked their opinion of this season's J. Crew catalogue.
A couple of weeks ago I was sitting here using my computer and wondered what I was doing at Trinity. I have been here for two years and have yet to order anything from J. Crew or L.L. Bean, it's a wonder that people still say hello to me on the Long Walk. Am I here so when I leave I will have a good job, or is it because most kids that do half way descent in high school just typically go to college? I came to the conclusion that it is a little of both. Or maybe I'm here so I can improve on my sense of fashion.
Unfortunately in order to get a good job that pays relatively well, society deems it necessary for people to attend at least four years of some kind of college program. Realistically, however, what you specialize in during your four year stay at college will probably have no bearing on what you do when you begin your real life. Sure, there are exceptions, but I doubt coordinating shoes and shirts are highly sought after in the competitive job market.
Many graduating seniors are facing the post-college problem right now. The real world is upon them. The country club lifestyle of Trinity College will no longer be around for them to take advantage of. They will either go in to a graduate program or get a job. Many kids take the graduate school route in order to further escape the realities of life, still others take the same route because it is something that is important to them.
Those who are stuck looking for jobs will be hard pressed. They will fill out countless applications and prepare for several interviews. Although they will look spiffy for all their interviews, it is doubtful that they will find a job with a salary suitable to their lifestyle. They just spent four years of their life and about $100,000 hoping that it would mean something once the time and the cash was spent. But, unfortunately, they have realized that they are in the running with thousands of other college graduates who may not possess the same sense of fashion, but are just as qualified.
So, is the time and the money spent in college really worth it? Some people say it is, and others differ in opinion; I argue the latter. The college lifestyle doesn't prepare students for the real world. Students here at Trinity are pampered. They get away with things that just aren't acceptable in the rest of the world. After being treated like princes and princesses for four years they pray that mommy and daddy will do a series of things for them so that their life turns out ok. Mommy or Daddy are usually expected to either send them to grad school, let them live at home, or get them a good job at Daddy's firm or through one of their 'connections'.
I know, however, that this isn't the case for everyone here at this fine liberal arts college. But it certainly is true for many of the students. One day last week as I was walking on the long walk, I overheard a conversation. A girl was complaining to her friend that her parents wouldn't by her the new $800 suede jacket out of the J. Crew catalogue. I thought college students had other more important things to worry about. Another kid was upset because mommy and daddy wouldn't send him to California for winter break. This brings me back to the question of what am I doing here at Trinity. I know for one thing I am not competing in a fashion show. Nor am I expecting to go on safaris or expeditions. I am probably doing what many do, that is, study, get a good education, and hopefully not end up too screwed up once I leave this place. What is scary is that after being here for four years I wonder if functioning in society is going to be difficult. I certainly don't take advantage of our lax college policies but I wonder if being here for four years will turn in to a spoiled whining country club brat.