The Mindset List

Beloit College is a small college in southern Wisconsin. 15 years ago Beloit College started a tradition called the Mindset List. The idea was to provide the professors and staff at Beloit College with an idea of what the incoming freshmen class knew about the world, that could be particularly different from the staff who could be twice or three times the age of these new students. Sort of a generational difference guide if you will.

Here’s an example for the class of 2015, most of whom were born in 1993 – music has always been available as a free download. The idea of downloadable music is still that new and yet it has become so pervasive so quickly.

Here’s another from the class of 2008, most of whom were born in 1986 – the Energizer bunny has always been going, and going, and going. And still is!

The lists start with the class of 2002 and go to the current class of 2015. They are a remarkable study of how things change, how quickly they change, how they become part of everyday life so readily, and even how quickly things are gone.

The full set of lists is here at Beloit College – take a trip down memory lane and enjoy!