Ours is very much the college generation of the Iraq War. Most of us have never been on campus without the war raging halfway around the world. Certainly the conflict in Iraq has sparked heated debate on campus, polarizing student groups and galvanizing activism. Yet for the vast majority of us of us, the war remains largely an abstract concept, confined to the editorial pages of our school papers and dining hall discussion.
This issue’s cover story looks at those students for whom the war is as real as it gets. Matt Mireles listened as student veterans shared their harrowing experiences in Iraq and their frustrations in making the transition to campus life. They give us a glimpse into what it is like to return home after witnessing something the rest of us can’t possibly imagine. In contrast to the recent reports of the mismanagement at Walter Reed, our writer finds that universities are largely trying to adapt their policies to support the young veterans. Nonetheless, it is difficult for them to escape the sense of isolation, even alienation, that can come with the transition from bunkers to dorms.
Balancing academic, extracurricular and social commitments can be a challenge for any college student. Imagine all that on top of the full time job of motherhood, and going to school seems like an impossible task. Sarah Kliff explores the challenges full-time moms in college face as they juggle papers and Pampers, and the steps some universities are taking to accommodate them and their children.
With the SAT disappearing as an admissions requirement at a growing number of colleges, gone are the glorious days of analogies and right triangles. Robbie Brown explains this trend and its implications for the future of college admissions.
Whether you are a senior navigating the treacherous waters of the job market or an underclassman hunting for that last-second internship, our special section on “First Jobs” offers some ideas and tips on where that job is, how to get it and what you’ll need to do to keep it. While you may have thought that hookah smoking was relatively safe, new research shows that it can pose serious risks to your health. Lindsay Funston takes a look at hookah’s appeal for college students and the meaning behind new studies exposing its hazards.
And don’t miss Current’s interviews with reality TV celeb Nate Dern, Melissa Lamb of “Box in a Box” fame and “The Black Donnellys” star Olivia Wilde.I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Current. As always, the success of the magazine depends on the participation of talented college journalists. Please keep sending us your ideas and let us know what you’d like to see in Current. Whether you’re a writer, photographer or illustrator, email us at currentmagazine@gmail.com and join the Current Project for Student Journalism.
