The Class of 2020 - Their View of the World

With the start of each academic year Beloit College issues a "Mindset List" for the incoming class of freshman. 

 

Most student entering college this year - the class of 2020 - are 18 and were born in 1998.

Here's how they view the world….

1. There has always been a digital swap meet called eBay.

2.  West Nile has always been a virus found in the U.S.

 

3.  The Sandy Hook tragedy is their Columbine. 

 

4.  Elian Gonzalez, who would like to visit the U.S. again someday, has always been back in Cuba.

 

5.  The United States has always been at war.

 

6.   SpongeBob SquarePants has always lived at Bikini Bottom.

 

7.   The Ali/Frazier boxing match for their generation was between the daughters of Muhammad and Joe.

 

8.   They have never had to watch or listen to programs at a scheduled time. 

 

9.   TV ads for casinos have always been permitted to mention that there is actually gambling going on in there. 

 

10.  Vaccines have always been erroneously linked to autism. To greet them with some cheery news, when they were born, India and Pakistan became nuclear powers.

 

11.  If you want to reach them, you’d better send a text—emails are oft ignored.

12.  NFL coaches have always had the opportunity to throw a red flag and question the ref.

 

13.  Citizens have always been able to register to vote when they get their driver’s license.

 

14.   Bluetooth has always been keeping us wireless and synchronized.

 

15.   X-rays have always been digital allowing them to be read immediately.

16.  They have never seen billboard ads for cigarettes.

 

17.  Airline tickets have always been purchased online.

 

18.  Robots have always been surgical partners in the O.R.

 

19.  War films have always shown horrific battle scenes inspired by Saving Private Ryan.