Open Day (vignette)

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University Open Day
Posted by K8EB, 19 June 2015 · 183 views

Youth Hope Envy Future Family
Sitting in a Costa Cafe close to a major university. It is an open day so the town and the campus are flooded. Dozens of small groups led by someone wearing an orange T shirt with GUIDE written in enormous black capital letters front and back weave their way through the crowds. Occasionally they stop and form a huddle while the guide points and waves their arms expansively. Some of the group take advantage of the pause to check their phones while others look around, their necks swiveling and mouths half open preparing to be impressed. Others lean back, arms folded trying to appear world weary. Older people, obviously parents, are frowning, taking notes or checking their shiny, full colour, professionally produced guide. So this is where their hard earned money is going to end up. Is it as good as it should be at that price? Will Sophie or Ed be safe here? Sophie or Ed are standing at a distance from the parental shadow. Chatting to others their own age, relaxed in that easy way that a certain type of upbringing results in, they share stories of school or plans for a gap year. Little shrieks rising from the girls, some back slapping amongst the boys. When the tour continues they move off together, group identities established.
There is always someone standing at a distance, looking uneasy, usually in a black t shirt, jeans, a scuffed rucksack hanging from one shoulder. They are pale, a bit spotty either under or more usually overweight. Daylight and crowds seem to hurt them and they shrink away. Forced by parents or school to take part they would rather be at home, safe in their room with several screens glowing away, chatting with people called Grrrrrrrll76 or z_warrier. The guide moves on pointing out the sports hall with its Olympic size swimming pool and trophy winning water polo team.
What occurs me is how much opportunity is out there. How exciting the world is if you are blessed with a stable home, a good income, good health. Based on your A level choices and grades you can choose what to study and where, how to live, to stay in halls or home or off campus. You can go abroad, you can join societies, take up different sports, make friends, fall in love, fall out of love, get the flu and recover, learn how to cook or live on fast food. Study hard or slack off. It's all there for the taking. I feel envious.
It is bewildering to me that there are millions of people in the world who have never been hit or abused by those who are meant to be caring for them. There are millions of women who have said no and been respected. There are millions of people who have never, seriously wanted to die. I struggle to believe this.
They are blessed. Of course they are sometimes sick, have family members die, have some money or job problems, have a car accident, have their hearts broken, weep with grief and pain but, but they are experiencing the normal ups and downs of life with friends and family who are supportive.
I hope that they know how lucky they are because the majority of people stagger through life enduring rather than enjoying. I have no idea which of those young people or their parents are concealing their pain. I shouldn't make assumptions. We need to be kind to ourselves and to each other.