Monsters University

Recently I took a break from home movie viewing and went to the cinema. I had an hankering to see Monsters University as a college administrator. I wanted to see if there was any similarities between Mike, Sully and the gang when compared to today's College students. 

There were a couple of those similarities. First of all Mike Wazowski is a bit of a book worm, he studies hard and works to get into the school of his choice, Monster's University (MU) with a major in Scaring. Students do work hard, study hard and they get admitted into their programs of choice. For Mike, being a Scarer is a childhood dream so he does nothing but study while on campus. Sully on the other hand, was from a family of scarers and he does not work hard in school but still expects to succeed. There are lots of those too!

Both of these monsters need to learn a better balance. Classwork is very important to scholastic success, but as any student affairs professional will tell you, the outside of the classroom stuff is just as important. Being in student groups, in Monsters University's case Greek Life, makes a good education great. Mike and Sully learn a lot about themselves as we watch the parts of the film that take place outside of the classroom. They learn some self confidence, how to deal with bullies, teamwork, and even make some great friends along the way. 

The hard work theme is still there through the whole film. At the end of the film we see Mike and Sully realistically entering the work force at an entry level position. More college students need to take heed to this lesson. The unrealistic expectations that a college student will leave the institution at a mid level management position at $70,000 a year gets lots of people in trouble. Many students enter their career at the entry level and have to continue working hard to make their career dreams come true. Don't get me wrong, things are easier with a degree than without, but that does not guarantee a lucrative first job.

I am glad that Pixar included this in the film. I am not sure that viewers that are not working in student affairs will make that connection, but maybe they will read about it here. Pass along this post to all high school and college students to help bring their expectations back to reality!

Overall the movie was pretty great. I enjoyed watching the depiction of students and even the Dean of the Scare School. There were a few minutes of RAs and orientation activities in the film too! I giggled and hoped for more but the RA did not reappear. Maybe one day Pixar will hire me as a consultant and we will see Monsters University-Residence Life.