Editor's Note

This book of stories was born out of a desire to create a tool to add to the dialogue on our university campuses about student health and student life. Too often I hear conversations which make assumptions about who students are or about a typical undergraduate student profile, or which simply dont acknowledge the complexity of being a college student here and now. We forget that worrying about being pregnant can distract from a college course lecture. We forget that the student in the cafeteria might be struggling with an addiction, just like us. We are not alone, although it often feels that way.

Reading these stories, I am reminded again how different students are, how much we dont know about one another, and, if we took the time to start learning one anothers stories, how much more compassionate and understanding we might be. Particularly at a larger university, it might seem hard in a sea of faces to know that there are people who might have similar thoughts, struggles and experiences. I hope that this book might be a small reminder that sharing our stories is a way of making the world feel smaller. I also hope that a world that feels smaller might be a place where its citizens feel cared for, and are able to care about others. I know that is a world in which Id like to live.

Perhaps students will talk with one another about some of the stories in this book. Perhaps parents and other family members might talk with one another about their own stories, too, and really start to listen to one another. Perhaps student life leaders on campus might start their own storybooks as part of their continuing dialogue about building community.

Tara Williams is a doctoral student in English who took this idea of a book of stories about students and health, and with little guidance (but much commitment), created the book you are about to read. Her calm and caring demeanor created an atmosphere of trust and respect for students, who upon meeting her for the first and only time, were able to speak frankly about very personal topics. Joshua Edelman is an undergraduate graphic artist who took grainy Polaroid snapshots and brought out the essence of the students. Any success this book may have I credit to Tara, Josh and the students who were willing to tell you their stories. I admire their honesty, courage and commitment to make the world a little smaller.

I look forward to hearing your stories, and hope that you enjoy reading ours.

Last Modified 12/22/2005