An article in the Los Angeles Times last Wednesday (9/9/98) included the
following table, based on surveys of college and university freshmen carried out
during the 1967-68 and 1997-98 academic years. They display some interesting
changes over the years! It would be interesting to know how these data compare
with the perceptions of you good people on this list.
The article cites a firm named NFO Research. Inc., as the source of the data.
QUESTION: Looking back on your freshman year, if you could have only one thing
in your dorm room (aside from your bed, clothes, etc.), which one of these would
you choose?
1967-68 1997-98
------- -------
Student loans 15% 31%
My parents paid for most of it 22% 22%
My parents paid 100% 18% 18%
I worked and paid for most of it myself 34% 10%
Scholarships (figures not available 12%
for 1997-98)
QUESTION: How did you typically dress for class during your freshman year?
1967-68 1997-98
------- -------
Casual: Wrinkled pants, jeans, 54% 54%
sweater, sweatshirt, newer T-shirt
Nice: Skirt, blouse, or pressed pants, 42% 9%
dress shirt, tie
Sloppy: Worn-out jeans, old T-shirt or 3% 7%
sweatshirt, baseball hat, cutoffs
Other 1% 2%
QUESTION: How did you spend the majority of your time during your
freshman year?
1967-68 1997-98
------- -------
Studying 68% 55%
Recreation/exercise 5% 16%
Working 13% 16%
Partying 13% 10%
Other 2% 7%
(Note: Due to rounding, the figures may not total 100%.)