Advice for the College Launch

"Picture yourself here." "Become all you can be." "This will be the best four years of your life." The college pitch to high school seniors is alluring—though it doesn't sketch a very clear life plan for a young person entering higher education. As Heights Headmaster Alvaro de Vicente points out, a successful time in college can be measured in growth: Are you physically, spiritually, and intellectually stronger by the end of these four years? In order to answer yes, students will need to embark upon college with a plan and a healthy way of measuring those dimensions of growth. This week on HeightsCast, Mr. de Vicente shares incredibly practical advice for spending the college years well, drawing on a letter he sent this summer to the newly graduated Heights class of 2024. Chapters: 1:45 The best four years of your life? 6:44 Old truths remain fresh 9:17 College success measured by growth 12:05 Five battlefronts, five tools for success 12:36 One: Shower and eat breakfast 15:30 Two: Look at your day as a 9-to-5 job 19:26 Mr. de Vicente's study plan 25:32 Three: Find the right peer group 30:04 Four: Chart a path for spiritual growth 32:00 Five: Have a mentor 35:27 A reasonable study load, being effective without overloading 41:26 Laptop distractions in class 44:25 Breaking out of the "self-focused" college attitude 50:40 A truer pursuit of happiness Featured Opportunities: The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024) Also on the Forum: Considerations for College-Bound Students featuring Dr. Peter Kilpatrick of The Catholic University of America The College Experience featuring Dr. Jonathan Sanford of University of Dallas Rethinking College: Why Go? How? When? featuring Arthur Brooks