Many of our beliefs are the result of our personal experiences. Others are a result of a stereotype, which is a generalization—usually exaggerated or oversimplified, and often offensive—that is used to describe or distinguish a group. A negative experience with members of a particular group may result in the stereotyping of people in that group. We may acquire stereotypes about people we have never met before, or we may have bought into a stereotype without even thinking about it. Children who grow up in an environment in which dislike and distrust of certain types of people are openly expressed might adopt those judgments, even if they have had no direct interaction with those being judged.

In college, you might encounter personal values and belief systems that run counter to yours. When your friendships with others are affected by differing values, tolerance is generally a good goal. Talking about diversity with someone else whose beliefs seem to conflict with your own can be very rewarding. Your goal in this kind of discussion is not to reach agreement, but to enhance your understanding of why people have different values and beliefs, and how this understanding can enrich your college experience and your life beyond college.

Before coming to college, you might never have coexisted with most of the groups you now see on campus. In college, you have the opportunity to learn from many kinds of people, possibly many more than in your home community. Your lab partner in biology may be a veteran, and your sociology study group may include international students. Even your roommate or suitemate in a residence hall may be someone of a different racial or ethnic group. If you are taking one or more online courses, explore the diversity among other online students. You may get to know students from other states, adult students, students with disabilities, and others who could be taking classes on campus but prefer to learn in an online format. Your college experience will be enriched if you are open to the possibility of learning from all members of the college or university community.

While in college, your openness to diversity will add to your understanding of the many ways in which people are different from one another. Learn not to make assumptions, rely on stereotypes, or rush to judgment. Give yourself time to get to know someone before forming an opinion about him or her.