Analysis Of Finding The Lost Freshman

fter reading, “The Milestones of Mistakes” excerpt taken from “Finding the Lost Freshmen”. I believe that the author’s message is to give the reader examples of mistakes that could be made by a freshman entering college. These mistakes are ones that could be fatal; however, you can be rescued or rescue yourself from them if you are made aware of what could possibly happen. The author has broken each step into milestones that are numbered 1-4. I have received that the extended message is that being lost mentally or morally is as equally terrifying as being lost in the wilderness. The author has given several analogies, comparing a person’s milestones and mistakes that could possibly affect them in the long run. I believe that the message was

The author says that it comes too late. This is when you have realized that you are lost. The author compares it by using the analogies of “The alcoholic who “bottoms out”, the Boy Scout who hurried up the wrong trail, the worker who wondered from the corporate strategy often don’t realize they have passed the first two milestones until they are well beyond them.”(Finding the Lost Freshman 16) At this point you are an emotional wreck from my understanding, you have lost yourself completely. This can have a major effect on you mentally, physically, and emotionally. The author wrote on a Lisa who actually ended up in the hospital because she was not prepared for what had come. The fourth milestone the author mentions is usually out of our control. The author calls it “The point of intervention”. To me, this is where you need help to get out of what you have placed yourself in. You have gotten so low and realized the way you are attempting to go about is not the road to take. This to me is when family and friends step in and assist with solutions to a problem that you cannot come up with alone.

In all, I feel that the author’s message was to prepare the reader being the college freshman on the journey to becoming a college student. The author wants the reader to know not to lose what they have learned before making the journey of becoming a college student. I believe that if you stick to what you have learned prior to becoming a college student, and know that this is a journey where you will find success, in not losing who you are you will graduate and will have fewer worries on the