Those who didn't go to university.
Those who didn't do a ministry apprenticeship (MTS)
Those who are single.
Those who are married without children.
Those with a spouse not studying.
Those who are overly formal and don't like calling people by nicknames.
Most students will fit into one or more of these categories therefore the majority of people at some level will feel they don't belong.
It's hard not to play the victim.
People at college have thus far made particular efforts to make everyone feel included; especially spouses not studying. This is extremely wise as the added physical distance from college life can easily lead to the feeling of isolation for wives and husbands of those studying. Though unfortunately the general unstated assumption is that to pick a student at random you would find a university educated ministry apprentice who is married with children and likes shortening your name and adding an 'O' or 'Y' on the end. There is a certain truth in that but I imagine the orientation to college life has been particularly difficult for any single tradies who came straight from the workforce and like addressing people in a formal manner.
Because everyone feels insecure at some level it really is hard not to feel and thus act like the odd one out, but instead look to serve others.
#7 - people from outside of sydney.
ReplyDelete#8 - non-Anglicans
Yes, I missed those.
ReplyDelete#7 Definitely problematic. Though as I reflect this group has probably been focused on more than any other to be made to feel welcome.
#8 Interestingly this may not be as big an issue as it once was. The more common complaint I've heard so far is from Sydney Anglican candidates saying they havn't met many others applying for candidacy.
From my time at SMBC i discovered this group felt most left out..
ReplyDelete#9 Older folk who haven't studied in years and struggled to get back into things
Costa
Costa, that's still very much the case. Except one thing I've noticed about most the older students this year is they're quite outgoing by which I mean they'll yell at Gibbo if he's going too fast for them. Doesn't mean they'll necessarily feel any more part of the group, but it has meant those of us that fall more into the majority are very much aware they're with us and valued members of the group.
ReplyDeleteJust how old are you Costa???
ReplyDeleteHello Dave,
ReplyDeleteHow could you ask me such a personal question Dave and we don't even know each other. Tsk, tsk...
Actually, I was a virtual spring chicken at SMBC - a spritely 31 years of age. I was referring to the over 40s, in particular those over 40s with kids. College was not a lot of fun for them.
Then there were those over 50s who wandered around zombie-like muttering "I haven't done an essay in over 30 years...I haven't done an essay in over 30 years...I haven't done an essay in..."