I handle two classes of InTACT--The Introduction to Ateneo Culture and Tradition.  This is a non-credit course designed to help freshmen cope with college life and the transition into adulthood.

One of the activities we ask them to undertake is to envision themselves ten years hence and then plot a course to reach that vision. I read through the assignments.  While many students sounded pretty grounded, others, well, let's just say they need a reality check. Many were aspiring for large houses in exclusive subdivisions, luxury cars, and trips abroad.  While there is nothing wrong with these dreams, I wonder whether they seriously contemplated the sort of professions they have to have in order to afford all of these.  I also wonder if they asked themselves whether they will be qualified for this profession by the time they are 28.

Although the InTACT curriculum does not call for this, I will give my classes an additional assignment tomorrow, one in which they will have to cost out their dreams.  I don't mean to dampen their spirits, but I do want them to appreciate that what they want for themselves may be more difficult to have than they think.