They’re here, but are we ready for them?

And what I mean by “ready” is — have we sufficiently done our homework in order to know who, exactly, the students that make up the Class of 2016 are?

If your answer to that question is “no,” — know that you’re not alone.

And thankfully there’s a resource that can help to quickly get us up to speed on this year’s incoming class of college students.

It’s known as The Mindset List and is put out yearly by Beloit College.

Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List, providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall. It was originally created as a reminder to faculty to be aware of dated references. It quickly became an internationally monitored catalog of the changing worldview of each new college generation.

SO, are you ready for your crash course on the Class of 2016?

This year’s entering college class of 2016 was born into cyberspace and they have therefore measured their output in the fundamental particles of life: bits, bytes, and bauds. They have come to political consciousness during a time of increasing doubts about America’s future, and are entering college bombarded by questions about jobs and the value of a college degree. They have never needed an actual airline “ticket,” a set of bound encyclopedias, or Romper Room. Members of this year’s freshman class, most of them born in 1994, are probably the most tribal generation in history and they despise being separated from contact with friends. They prefer to watch television everywhere except on a television, have seen a woman lead the U.S. State Department for most of their lives, and can carry school books–those that are not on their e-Readers–in backpacks that roll.

Click here to read The Mindset List for the Class of 2016 in its entirety.

And then come back here and leave a comment on what you found to be most insightful (or disturbing) about this list!