Honest discussion of the College Experience & Life Vol. Higher Learning

[abeautifulhaze]

I'm about a year away from finishing an accelerated Masters program and i've been reflecting on my life, my future and the role that the collegeexperience has played in all of it. I'm wondering if all the sacrifices made have been worth it, what have I really learned and what path are these degreesputting me on....

How do you guys feel about the college experience?

Is it working out for you?

Is it setting you on the path that you really desire to go...or the path that you feel that you need to travel?

For those who have graduated and are currently employed (or unemployed) ...was it time well spent are you satisfied?

Lets get some honest discussion about the pro/cons of the college experience....

 

[soltheman]

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

 

[jordanpp30]

Right now im a sophmore.

Have only taken one class in my major, Communications, and think about this everyday. Hopefully once I get into my major classes, things will be a lot clearer.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

Is that what you plan on specializing in or is that your current majoring?

 

[omgitswes]

a computer science major is a pain, i've heard no good stories at all. and if you don't like math don't even consider it.
I'm an EE major and I can't stand math but I'm good at it, so might as well do something to earn me money.
and for my experience it's been crap because of the stupid school I'm at thats why i'm transferring, already landed me an intern and it's onlymy first year though.

 

[toy collector123]

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

graduate next year with business degree in MIS..

has definitely been worth it. finished school in 2 years from a great university.

 

[dead stokc]

I enjoyed my time spent in college. I learned
alot, about my self, eduacation, and life experiences
over all. I would do it over again 10x but choosin a
diff major. Im not doin anything that I went to skool
for, and I really dont plan on it. I majored in finance
and I cant stand math, did it for real estate and that
market is all $+%% ed. My interests have changed since
then as well. Much rather have a job I would love to
get up and go to, much rather than dread it for the $$$.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

graduate next year with business degree in MIS..

has definitely been worth it. finished school in 2 years from a great university.

Thats whats up.

What do you plan on doing post graduation?

 

[bhpbadboi]

Last year millions of Americans lost there jobs,

I graduated from University of Cincinnati 08' and it was our schools biggest graduation class ever!

So basically, there are more candidates and less jobs available!

 

[infamousod]

college can really gives you direction and purpose.

surprised no ones come by yet knocking college

 

[omgitswes]

Toy Collector123 wrote:

graduate next year with business degree in MIS..

has definitely been worth it. finished school in 2 years from a great university.
yo what can you do with a MIS major cause i thought about that one for a bit

 

[dr spaceman]

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

graduate next year with business degree in MIS..

has definitely been worth it. finished school in 2 years from a great university.

damn how you do that?

 

[soltheman]

Originally Posted by abeautifulhaze

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

Is that what you plan on specializing in or is that your current majoring?

That's my plan, and I pretty much have to stick with it.

Or I'm out of 100k+ in scholarship money.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Much rather have a job I would love to
get up and go to, much rather than dread it for the $$$.


Basically.

 

[i drink your milkshake]

Originally Posted by abeautifulhaze

I'm about a year away from finishing an accelerated Masters program and i've been reflecting on my life, my future and the role that the college experience has played in all of it. I'm wondering if all the sacrifices made have been worth it, what have I really learned and what path are these degrees putting me on....

How do you guys feel about the college experience?

Is it working out for you?

Is it setting you on the path that you really desire to go...or the path that you feel that you need to travel?

For those who have graduated and are currently employed (or unemployed) ...was it time well spent are you satisfied?

Lets get some honest discussion about the pro/cons of the college experience....

pros-

-helped me decide that clinical psychology is NOT what I want to do
-got me more in tune with the black community/experience globally
-met some people I will be friends with for a while-
-met some professors who will always have an impact on me
-REALLY enjoyed the small class size and being on first name basis with my professors
-let me live on my own for a while and practice independence
-got to travel out of the country at no extra cost (kinda

)
-I'm a teacher, so my psych major doesn't mean squat now but it'll help when I go back to grad school

; however, taking gen ed classes did help somewhat because I know enough about alittle bit of everything to help my students in whatever they need help in, even tho I only "teach" science

cons
-i should've been more involved in campus activities
-was kinda boughie most of the times
-admin could've been ALOT better
-certain classes could've been a bit more rigorous and modernized


I graduated last year--HU stand up

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by soltheman

Originally Posted by abeautifulhaze

Originally Posted by soltheman

I'd like to know as well. Specifically those majoring in Computer Science/Computer Engineering.

Is that what you plan on specializing in or is that your current majoring?

That's my plan, and I pretty much have to stick with it.

Or I'm out of 100k+ in scholarship money.

Good luck with that fam.

Make sure to give your best, you're going into a very competitive field.

 

[soltheman]

Originally Posted by omgitswes

a computer science major is a pain, i've heard no good stories at all. and if you don't like math don't even consider it.
I'm an EE major and I can't stand math but I'm good at it, so might as well do something to earn me money.
and for my experience it's been crap because of the stupid school I'm at thats why i'm transferring, already landed me an intern and it's only my first year though.

I'm on the fence about math. I like it well enough, it's just my teachers have always been (with the exception of this year) d-bags.

I just hated Algebra 2. Calc I do fine in, for some reason. But Algebra 2...

.

But I spoke with the head of the Computer Science/Engineering department at my university already. He said not to worry about it, the computer aspects ofthings will be much more difficult. That's fine, though. I've already had experience with Oracle and other similar programs, which is what manyprofessionals use, so I'll be fine.

 

[lazy b]

How do I feel about the college experience?

It's overrated but its what you make of it. Going away to school has helped me grow a lot. I'm nowhere as dependent on my parents as I was prior toAugust 2006. I've literally grown right before their eyes. With the exception of putting a roof over my head and paying my tuition I don't really needthem. I've done the party thing so much that I enjoy staying in on the weekend. I've attempted to go Greek and didn't think it was worth it (NPHCand IFC). I've messed with girls (no smash for personal reasons) and its true (()) is everywhere in college. The classes are great. While my gradesdefinitely don't reflect that I'm taking a lot away from what I have learned. Do I wish I could go back and re-do my freshman year? Hell yes. I wouldhave taken math instead of foreign language and have a better overall GPA as a result.

Is it working out for you?
Socially: I could be doing better. I partied heavily my freshman and sophomore year so my social game was actually on point at one time. I have a decent amountof friends but I always think that I could get to know more people. Looking back on it now, I should have held onto friendships that I let dissolve over pettystuff but my ego and pride won't let me say sorry. Being a nobody has its benefits as I'm not included in school gossip which probably would havehappened had I gone Greek. I need to get involved more on campus before I go. I also feel that I've lost touch with the black/hispanic community on campus.I say that because I hung out with a lot of white people my frosh and soph years but now I don't hang with anyone. I just roll solo most of the time.

Love/Relationships: They say that you find your wife in college and its true for some people not everyone. I think I could be in a relationship if I wanted butmy personality and pride is preventing that from happening. I'll regret what I'm doing now when I'm truly an adult and on my own.

Academically? Nope. My GPA is horrible compared to my colleagues and classmates. My GPA in my major is excellent though. However, if we aren't talkingabout GPAs, then I benefited a lot from university. I will leave a lot wiser and open minded than I did when I entered. Sure, I am a conservative, right wingblack male and have taken a lot of undeserved heat for it but studying the social sciences has opened my eyes a lot of what's around me. Hell I evenlearned that there are plenty of students that think that minorities don't belong in the same universities as them.

Is it setting you on the path that you really desire to go...or the path that you feel that you need to travel?
To be honest I don't think so. I said that I wanted to be a historian coming into college but the path is so long and in the end it might not be worth it.To be a good historian, you have to write well and this semester alone I've felt my ability to write an effective paper regress dramatically and as aresult I'm straying away from that goal. I'm thinking about law school but I have to go hard on the LSAT so that I would get some consideration.Overall, I don't know where I am headed and that scares me because I will be a senior this fall and once I am out of school that is that and I will have tocompete for the same job as my contemporaries who have done much better academically than I have.

I don't know if I answered your question but if you need me to be more specific, feel free to ask.

EDIT: Great post eye see soles.

 

[eye see soles]

College does teach you a lot. It teaches you how to BS. Fact is, you really don't learn much in college that will help you snag a job. They don't teachyou networking skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, but they do teach you how to pass a class. They teach you how to have a good time.

College is a business. First and foremost. It may be made up as this world in which young adults learns all life has to offer, but that is far from the truth.A good majority of the professors do not care about their students, but moreso about maintaining the status quo. A lot will pass you for trying; otherswon't.

I don't know. College to me has been a waste of money. Yea, I'll have a few bachelors degrees when I graduate, but what does it mean if I can't usethem? It is not the fault of academia that job are so scarce right now, but I don't think they are doing much about it. An employer wants someone who iswell-rounded enough to handle the workload, but also to wear other hats if possible. A liberal arts college may very well prepare you for this, but in myexperience, it doesn't.

So instead of a school boasting about its ranking, it ought to emphasize how it can help us, the students, achieve at life, and not just this four year holdoff from the "real world". I'm not really proposing they do many things different, but that they stress the importance of certain skills and notjust GPA and various graduate entrance exams.

A lot of students will miss the ball due to lack of preparation. If that isn't the task of college, then whose task is it?

 

[youngmoney]

im currently a freshman and am debating just dropping out and start working. i already have a job lined up. i feel like i just wanna get money and buy things

 

[harlemtothebronx]

I think it was worth it. I actually just picked up my diploma a few days ago. One of the proudest moments in my life was bringing that home to my parents.

I feel like I've grown a great deal while in college. It helped me learn about myself and think in a much more broad manner than I did before. Now, Idon't know if it was natural growth that taught me or the actual college experience, but I feel that I took a great deal of knowledge from all theprofessors I've been able to pick the brain of.

I've got a degree in Criminal Justice: Law & Due Process, and right now it's so hard for me to get out there and get any kind of experience in thefield.

Right now, I work as a waiter. Its all I've got, and it's better than having nothing. In this time, I'm lucky to even be employed.

I'm hoping things get better out here. While I wait though, I hope to get a position in a much more professional environment.

So, right now I can't really say if it was worth it. I'm not in debt...so all I really had to give was time. Lets see if it gives me the leg up that Ihoped it would.

What you getting your MA in, by the way?

 

[lilstarz07]

college is nothing but a piece of paper ... i say that intelligently and honestly

 

[justhotkicks]

Originally Posted by LilStarZ07

college is nothing but a piece of paper ... i say that intelligently and honestly

It'll get you a piece of paper, but without it, where can you go? Answer that intelligently and honestly.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by HarlemToTheBronx


What you getting your MA in, by the way?

BA/MA Economics
BA Political Science

 

[airant23]

YO!

Originally Posted by I Drink Your Milkshake

-got me more in tune with the black community/experience globally

Girl, bye!


As for a playa like myself, I feel as though I got out of it what I put in. I wasn't very proactive in mapping out what my post-grad steps would be. Insome ways I'm paying for that now. I know this much about myself though, the college experience I wouldn't trade for anything.

DF!!!