Featuring Freshmen: The "Perfect" Gift for a Freshman

When buying a Christmas gift for a freshman, the options are obvious. A cell phone, an X-Box, a computer, or earbuds would top my list of guesses. I would also add shoes. Students talk about shoes. This week I had a student come up to me and say, “Dr. T, you need to step up your shoe game.” I looked down at my loafers and didn’t have much of a rebuttal. Yes, I need new shoes, but in thinking about a good gift for a freshman, I would like to offer a suggestion.

On Tuesday I met with a small group of freshmen to discuss grades. My goal was to tease out an idea or two that would inspire. I wanted to start out positive. Each student had a small sheet of butcher paper and a marker.

“Write down two things you do well.”

 Caps came of the pens and heads went down. And that was about it. Finally, one student started writing, and I was excited to see what he wrote.

“Nothing”

My heart sank. I realize now it was a tough question. Amid all that is high school, the social media downpour, the daily wind gusts of new ideas, the dawning awareness of all that a freshman doesn't know...the ability to wrestle from that storm a few things they do well is a bit of a trick. And so I have started giving out gifts as best I can.

The question was to write down things they do well. That’s easier for others to see. I think these are good gifts.

"You did a nice job on your Algebra test."

"You thought about others when you picked up that piece of trash in the hallway."

"People like to talk to you."

"You were really focused during class today."

"Your group succeeded because of how you lead them."

"You do a great job taking care of your younger sibling."

"You did an amazing job cleaning the kitchen."

As we head into this gift-giving season, I’ve found a very cost-effective way to give some great gifts.