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

[littlepetewrigley]

Thanks for the response impalaballa187! Very helpful. So, the Penn name, outside of Wharton, really doesn't have much "juice"? It's stillgood for something though, right? Ivy League...

Also, I thought Harvard performed a good job at "promoting social unity/school spirit"? Maybe Columbia is the best at that (at least out of theIvies). I say this mainly because its in NYC, where one comes across/interacts with all classes, cultures, beliefs, etc on a pretty much daily basis. Eventhough I've heard the same complaints about them.

Man, pickin' a "good school" is confusing...

 

[impalaballa187]

Originally Posted by Lazy B

Originally Posted by impalaballa187

I spent my Freshman year attending CUNY Baruch, and despised my time there. The overachiever in me thought the only way to make the best out of my college experience was to not only go away for school, but go to as prestigious a school as I could possibly get into. That was a grave mistake, and I'm paying for it everyday here at Cornell. I never visited the school, just applied because it was ranked in the top 1%. Unless you're of the majority race, I feel any school of this caliber will whittle away at your sanity and stability. I had a 4.0 leaving Baruch, have around a 3.0 now, and during the weekdays I don't have time to do anything. Thurs-Sat though, I'm drunk and at as many parties as possible. This isn't necessarily to have fun, but to temporarily take my mind off of how badly this school sucks. Had I known what I know now, please believe I would have went to Morehouse or HU and had the time of my life. Nothing here is very beneficial for minorities (at least socially). Parties are usually lame, Greek life is weaksauce, and the girls are psycho-vultures for any guy who is mildly attractive.

No wonder people from Cornell are always at Syracuse on the weekends.

I didn't think you would hate Cornell the way you do. I remember when you got in and you were excited to go.

That was before I knew what it was really like

. Musicians are excited when they 1st get signed... then they see what the game really is andstart contemplating suicide

.

 

[mojodmonky1]

Originally Posted by blazinjkid

I'm in my 3rd year of undergrad and I go back and forth on this subject with myself at least weekly, if not daily. I just turned 22 and I've already taken 2 breaks from school, once for a year and once for a semester.

I'm an English major. I love reading and writing. At times though, the educational regimen seems so structured and rigid. Everyone talks about how much more free flowing college is compared to high school, and it can be, but at times it still feels very confining.

As far as the social life goes: enjoy it while you're young. It'll definitely get old after a while. I'm only 22 and I've honestly been sick of it for a good 2 years, but I still participate.


Honestly, it may be because I %#!#@% around in high school despite my intelligence and I should be at a more "prestigious" university, but I really feel like I'm surrounded by dumbasses 90% of the time. Nobody cares anymore. Nobody wants to put in the effort (myself included). I look around a class at any given time and at least 1/3 of the class is glued to their QWERTY keyboard cell phones. It's kind of disturbing to be honest.


At the end of the day, college is like anything else in life: it is what you make it.

Geez man, GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

blazinjkid you sound exactly like I was 5+ years ago. I think you pretty much hit it on the head. You definitely get what you put into it.

I went to a very average state school (Cal State Long Beach) for a couple of reasons. My grades were just below a 4.0 so they weren't good enough to getinto my top choice schools like UCLA or Cal. My 2nd choice school was too expensive cause it was out of state, private, and they didn't offer me anyscholarships (Boston College), and ended up taking an opportunity that came out of nowhere. Literally. The University Outreach Office called my High Schooland they came and pulled me out of my english class to take a phone call in the principal's office. I too was an underachiever in HS and didn't reallyput forth much effort in class, when I decided to show up. Lucky for me, due to my God given intelligence (honestly, no doing on my part, just luck of thegene pool) I always tested really well on most standardized testing. The ironic thing is, it wasnt my grades or SAT score that got me into the school. It wasmy damn PSAT scores of all things, which were good enough for me to become a National Merit Scholar... go figure. I guess that was a big deal at Long BeachState cause they came a knockin offering 4 year full ride with room and board, food, plus books. Crappy school or not, I was taking that free meal ticket so Iwouldn't have to pay for school.

I think thats where it kinda started poorly for me. I came into that school with a sense of entitlement. My first few semesters basically sealed my fatecause I felt that I was smarter than 90% of these idiots sitting in my class so I just lost my motivation to really put forth a good effort and kinda justskated through it all. Looking back now I really regret not taking full advantage of the whole college experience. Sure the social aspect was fun, but it gotold after awhile. I felt like the only useful knowlege I gained from college was a PhD in BS'ing. College really is what you put into it, and I didnt putmuch into it. I hope some of you guys who are just about to start dont make the same mistake I did.

 

[impalaballa187]

Originally Posted by LittlePeteWrigley

Thanks for the response impalaballa187! Very helpful. So, the Penn name, outside of Wharton, really doesn't have much "juice"? It's still good for something though, right? Ivy League...

Also, I thought Harvard performed a good job at "promoting social unity/school spirit"? Maybe Columbia is the best at that (at least out of the Ivies). I say this mainly because its in NYC, where one comes across/interacts with all classes, cultures, beliefs, etc on a pretty much daily basis. Even though I've heard the same complaints about them.

Man, pickin' a "good school" is confusing...

Columbia's pretty bad at school unity. Since it's located in NYC, there isn't really much happening on the Campus. Their sportssuck... atually most all their extra-curriculars suck. Harvard is crazy easy, but the thing about them is that most of the student body are children of richand/or powerful individuals. There isn't too much color in the upper echelons of the American social ladder. My friend from Princeton told me about a timewhen she was at a small party and some kid came in and announced "why are there !*@@!#* here?" It would have been logical to wild out, but there arehalls named after his family. It's just sketchy in the "League"

 

[tmay407]

Originally Posted by ericberry14

so i say go ahead & do it... where would you be going btw?

It really just depends on where the programs for my major are going. My top preference is Italy, though.


And it sounds like I'm not the only one that's kinda soured on the whole partying thing. A lot of my friends go out and party like crazy on theweekends, and I used to really enjoy doing that too. After a couple of nights as DD, I realized how lame it really was. It was just the same thing over andover and over. Now I've gotten to where I'll just go out and party maybe one night Thursday-Saturday, then just chill at home and have drinks with somefriends the other nights.

 

[littlepetewrigley]

Originally Posted by impalaballa187

Columbia's pretty bad at school unity. Since it's located in NYC, there isn't really much happening on the Campus. Their sports suck... atually most all their extra-curriculars suck. Harvard is crazy easy, but the thing about them is that most of the student body are children of rich and/or powerful individuals. There isn't too much color in the upper echelons of the American social ladder. My friend from Princeton told me about a time when she was at a small party and some kid came in and announced "why are there !*@@!#* here?" It would have been logical to wild out, but there are halls named after his family. It's just sketchy in the "League"

Hmm... that makes sense. Yet how come kids in NYU seem to enjoy being there so much? So, Harvard really does inflate their grades. I figured this had to betrue a while back. Unfortunately, (thanks to slavery, "the system," etc) there aren't many of color in high society. Athletes and entertainersnotwithstanding. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me to hear these stories. Still doesn't deter me one bit, in fact, it strengthens my resolve.

 

[SUSHI AND GRITS]

Bottom line: don't let school use you, use school. don't run towards a college degree thinking a 100k job afterward isguaranteed.

too many people are living the "college life" so they don't have to face the real world.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by GUNNA GET IT

Haze, If u dont mind me asking, How are u paying for your Masters?
Grant? Loan? outta pocket? Scholarship?

My job pays 70% Gunna, rest is out of pocket.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by I Drink Your Milkshake


This guy

but it all honesty, I don't know if I'd be doing what I'm doing if I hadn't gone to HU, or an HBCU. Prolly would continued on with clinical....gone to grad school, basically lived a selfish existence. Right now my entire career outlook is devoted to service and helping out a younger generation; help that I may not even fully see manifest in my lifetime. The want to do that definitely came from Howard and listening/looking at professors that did that. It came from tutoring/mentoring kids right around the way from out campus. I'm glad and forever greatful for it. College helped me find my true passion. I honestly could care less about having a ton of money and driving expensive cars, which is some reason why many people major in what they major in at school. I'm totally content that at best, I'll be prolly be middle class, hopefully upper middle class--and I'm totally content.

I encourage all my students to go to college and strive for that, even the ones I know probably won't want to---but I don't want to be the teacher they look back on and say "maaaaan, even she didn't even think I'd amount to anything" I encourage all people to get SOME kind of higher learning (whether it be a tech or vocational school)....cuz I see too many people now in their 30s, and 40s tryna hustle and go back, just do it when you're young and can reap social benefits from it as well.

Godd business B2M.

Keep doing your thing sis. You're going to lead a rewarding life on that path.

 

[abeautifulhaze]

Originally Posted by blazinjkid

I'm in my 3rd year of undergrad and I go back and forth on this subject with myself at least weekly, if not daily. I just turned 22 and I've already taken 2 breaks from school, once for a year and once for a semester.

I'm an English major. I love reading and writing. At times though, the educational regimen seems so structured and rigid. Everyone talks about how much more free flowing college is compared to high school, and it can be, but at times it still feels very confining.

As far as the social life goes: enjoy it while you're young. It'll definitely get old after a while. I'm only 22 and I've honestly been sick of it for a good 2 years, but I still participate.


Honestly, it may be because I %#!#@% around in high school despite my intelligence and I should be at a more "prestigious" university, but I really feel like I'm surrounded by dumbasses 90% of the time. Nobody cares anymore. Nobody wants to put in the effort (myself included). I look around a class at any given time and at least 1/3 of the class is glued to their QWERTY keyboard cell phones. It's kind of disturbing to be honest.


At the end of the day, college is like anything else in life: it is what you make it.

You already know we're too much alike.

Breezed through High School with my eye closed (literally)...breezing through College with out trying.
I don't study, go to the library or put in any extra time outside of class and my GPA is pretty good.
I have had enough knowledge to pass just about every class I have taken so far without actually attending the class. Its kinda frustrating having to prove thatI know something that I have known for years to a complete stranger who only cares about getting a paycheck.

For me college has been one elaborate game, that tests my patience more than anything else.

 

[airmaxpenny1]

I don't know for me. I am only a year in and I go to a small college in LA but I am transfering to either Syracuse or Tulane but I haven't decided yet.

The biggest change for me has just been getting out of NYC. Sometimes us New Yorkers forget there is a world outside of NYC but while I know I am a New Yorkerat heart, I am less tied than I was to remaining there for the rest of my live. Being here has inspired me to really want to get out in the world and traveleventually. I am still the same person I was last year in my mind, I just analyze things a little differently and put things into the bigger picture more.

I want to have a positive effect on people in my life which is why I think I am transfering to Tulane. I'm going to definitly try working on stuff downthere next year when I go there and since I am trying to go into Public Policy or something of that sort in my future I feel my work down their could end upbeing very benifitial in the long run.

The one thing I have really disliked about college is how much it takes you away from the Real World. It's cool to sit around and philophisize all the timebut it don't mean !##$ when you are struggling to put food on the table.

 

[timelessflight]

can anyone recommend me a good GMAT book?

 

[spot rusherz]

Bookmarked*

 

[dugtrio]

congrats soltheman, sounds like you are on top of your game already. be prepared for a culture shock though at st thomas, i got a few homies there. i'msure you already know how it is though.

college is not for me, i did 2 years and hated every second of it. now i am in my second quarter of tech school, i am going to be an electrician. that'smore up my alley, i'd rather be working hard than sitting in an office. it's hard though, i have 8 hours of school a day M-F. it's a workload butit's worth it. i will have no trouble getting a job when i get out, my school has such a good reputation each electrical graduate is getting three or foursolid job offers before they graduate.

 

[vctry20]

Damn I am about to be graduating here in 8 weeks and I have no idea what I'm about to do. I am planning on hopefully going to law school, but I made thedesicion a while ago that I was going to graduate before I took my LSATs because I really want to leave myself a lot of time to study, and not have to takeanytime away from my current studies because my course load is kind of intense.

I am taking them in the fall but I don't know what I am about to do. I'm just kind of tripping about trying to get a job this summer, and then possiblystepping away from that job within a year. Any grad school students with any words of wisdom? How are yall taking care of paying for school?

 

[joseph camel jr]

you don't learn nearly as much as you should for the money.

but the opportunities the connections/degree holds are incredible.

sidenote: i recently left dartmouth because i got tired of it. middle of nowhere, unattractive girls, etc. had a 4.0 too, but i couldn't spend 4 yearsthere. i'm at a less well-regarded school on the west coast, but i'm having the time of my life.

 

[roc boy jada]

Nobody cares anymore. Nobody wants to put in the effort (myself included). I look around a class at any given time and at least 1/3 of the class is glued to their QWERTY keyboard cell phones. It's kind of disturbing to be honest.
I can relate to most of the posts that I've read in here, so far.

I'll read the rest later.

 

[buggz05]

I did a certificate program of 30 credit hours for Mass Communication and it was the greatest thing ever. Alot of hands on experience and networking derivedfrom that.

Went back to get an Associates in Electronic Engineering. I feel like I'm wasting my time. I goto class everynight from 7pm-10pm. I could be out workinginstead of spending 12 hours a week @ night on only 8 credit hours. My professor is like a genius and doesn't understand human student questions

.

Eh. I feel like I'll be farther in my life 4 years from now through experience alone then I will be 6 years from now if I get a degree...

 

[toy collector123]

See,



I have a totally different view from most minorities in this thread.



Whilst many of you all are encouraging a lot of people to attend HBCUs, I would highly offer a dissenting opinion.



I was stuck, a year and half ago, between Morehouse, Tulane, UTexas, Texas A&M, Howard, etc.



Morehouse had come to my school to recruit me, but they didn't offer a scholarship.



UT had come to my school to recruit me and offered me a scholarship.



Eventually, Texas A&M offered me the most money and has given me a very rewarding experience.



I would high advise people to think twice before attending a HBCU school due to the global oriented approach this world is about to take. It doesn't makesense to me.



Why sell yourself short and take classes with those of the same race all. the. time... while James is down the street meeting people from all races andlearning to interact from all walks of life? Now I know cognitive dissonance does play into many of the HBCU's students in which they say, diversity ismore than face value, but let me tell you, the first thing people see in you is the face-recognition. So, please think about selling yourself short by going toa University where the culture is same thing. Nothing has changed at these Universities... the administrations, I've heard, are very difficult to dealwith... then the cog. dissonance comes into play, where people say "man, this is the 'black' experience"



No, it is not the black experience, its the experience of not being totally prepared for the real world.



So when you're thinking about paying that 40k a year for Morehouse and paying that 19k a year for your local/state University, think about your experiencesin life and whether they permit you to attend a one sided institution.

 

[thefuture2236]

abeautifulhaze wrote:

---

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....



1. I went to a JUCO back home in Cleveland right after high school to play basketball because i torn my MCL in my senior yr so all my offers were gone afterthat injury. Fastforward to right now at my current school, University of Charleston in West Virginia its like night and day from my JUCO. The amount ofstudents is eye popping from my point of view. Im just gonna say that the college exprience is WHAT you make it. You know that you are in college to get adegree but also grow spritually, personally and socially. You want to have fun but also know that you gotta pritorize your time to the books.

2.The college exprience for me has been nothing but a blessing from god cause im going on 3 years of going to school with paying a dime from my parentspockets. 2 years at my JUCO and 1 year at UCWV. At times I wish that some ppl would care about the athletic part here (being a D-2 school) but this school isHARD academic wise. Basically lot of kids are from West Virginia so ppl go home almost every weekend so basically its dead from friday afternoon to sundaynight. I have made great contacts with people in the corporate ladder here in Charleston. All I do is usually study, chill and kick it with my teammates at theclubs in Huntington and downtown Charleston.

3. Right now im on track to graduate in may 2010 with an Accounting/Finance Degree and i want to go into Tax accounting with the IRS or at the state level. Mytrue passion is to coach high school or college basketball because its hard to leave the game after im done with my senior year of basketball next year. I kindof have a clear path of where I want my life to go but all i know is that God has a plan for me in life.

Overall I cant complain cause basketball at this level is still a business with constant recruits comming from D-1 programs and I still have to prove myselfevery day to these coaches. I wish that this school has more diversity in the student population(Im Black BTW). Being in a small college has really helped meget to know my professors on a personal level and they all want us to graduate from here.

Great Post and alot of useful information in here from everyone. Props to everyone

 

[mattut]

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

See,



I have a totally different view from most minorities in this thread.



Whilst many of you all are encouraging a lot of people to attend HBCUs, I would highly offer a dissenting opinion.



I was stuck, a year and half ago, between Morehouse, Tulane, UTexas, Texas A&M, Howard, etc.



Morehouse had come to my school to recruit me, but they didn't offer a scholarship.



UT had come to my school to recruit me and offered me a scholarship.



Eventually, Texas A&M offered me the most money and has given me a very rewarding experience.



I would high advise people to think twice before attending a HBCU school due to the global oriented approach this world is about to take. It doesn't make sense to me.



Why sell yourself short and take classes with those of the same race all. the. time... while James is down the street meeting people from all races and learning to interact from all walks of life? Now I know cognitive dissonance does play into many of the HBCU's students in which they say, diversity is more than face value, but let me tell you, the first thing people see in you is the face-recognition. So, please think about selling yourself short by going to a University where the culture is same thing. Nothing has changed at these Universities... the administrations, I've heard, are very difficult to deal with... then the cog. dissonance comes into play, where people say "man, this is the 'black' experience"



No, it is not the black experience, its the experience of not being totally prepared for the real world.



So when you're thinking about paying that 40k a year for Morehouse and paying that 19k a year for your local/state University, think about your experiences in life and whether they permit you to attend a one sided institution.

Co-sign... Now i am a minority, not african american, but i would defiantly say do not pass up the chance at a major university or any school because ofdemographical make up. I attend U Texas as austin and really haven't regretted it. I had a lot of offers from smaller schools for sports but wanted to goto a big university and likewise was offered the most money here, do not let the college lifestyle or size scare you. The purpose of on-campus groups andorganizations are a big help in adjusting. I can say with confidence that you will be able to find poele to connect with where ever you go and not have TOOmuch trouble getting settled. I say go where you want but don't let anything discourage you.

 

[timelessflight]

what's the best way to study for a GMAT?

 

[justchillmann]

3-AP-SP09

 

[zzz1035]

Can anyone here speak on behalf of michigan state and/or northeastern university in boston? Thanks