4 replies to this topic

[Epic?OhYes]

I finally narrowed it down to the college I want to go to and the majors I want to do. Most of you guys are already been through college, so what things should I expect and be wary of? I have a year until I graduate so I should start mentally prepping myself. lol

[SpleenBeGone]

Honestly, I went to a local community college so my experience might not be of use to you. The biggest thing is just more responsibility. You're expected to keep up with everything without help. Also, there's a surprising amount of down time.

[Sethre]

I, along with Spleen, am going to a local community college and from here will transfer out somewhere else to finish my masters. It's hard to know what to expect, some teachers are super strict, and others don't care if I nap through their classes which is what I do more than I should. 

[The Robstar]

I went to college 7 hours away from home.

 

Straight outta high school, saved up 2k from my part time job.

 

That first year was the best thing ever!!!!! I was pretty socially awkward at 1st, but my new uni pals popped my cherry (metaphorically of course!!!) lol) and immersed me within the student culture which included a shit tonne of booze and the occasional joint or two, meeting new people and GIRLS!!! LOL (Or boys if you're into that thing)

 

I found the atmosphere and culture on campus very relaxed, people were hella friendly, many people come and go (especially during the 1st year)

 

I was a true nerd at high school, but somehow I matured at uni, and the people who were jocks no longer matter I found that girls were stimulated and turned on not by your muscles, but by your intellect!!!! lol, such a funny ironic outcome.

 

That's the social aspect.....

 

As for the education part, I took many interesting papers. I wanted to do as little theory as possible so I crammed my time table with practical classes such as Video Production, Computer Gaming, music and a whole lotta random papers such as Sociology, Social Sciences/History and classics and business just to fill in the gap.

 

One thing you must learn to be is very open and vocal about your ideas and thoughts. I love having discussions (sometimes debates) in my lectures. it is very interesting to hear how people think, and in turn you also learn from other like minded intelligent people.

 

However you will find that in your final year you would have outgrow your lecturers and for some reason you notice that all their material and lectures are basically the same shit from year 1 and 2.

 

I was a student for 3 and a half years, got a B.A In Media Studies with Honors, and a couple of Art Certs   lol

 

Cost me 43k in student loans, living cost, school fees to which i am still paying back 2 this day. Just for a few pieces of paper. Hardly seems worth it but the life experience is what proved to be the most valuable.

 

Becoming a student was the first real testament of LIFE where I had to fend for myself, get a job, go to school without the comfort of home. I had to pay rent, power etc. 

 

I must say it had it's ups and downs, mostly very positive tho. 

 

 

I did the stupid thing of working graveyard shifts (6pm-2am) and attending school the next morning at 8 lol Yeah I wouldn't recommend doing that.

 

All I say is have fun aye, I know I did.

 

GLHF

 

 

It was the best experience of my life thus far and I congratulate you on your decision. 

[SushiKitten]

Yay congrats! What did you choose to study?

 

I'm in my third year of university now, almost fourth. I think the hardest part of adjusting for me was responsibilities. In high school I valued myself a lot by my grades, I didn't have to do anything and I'd get an A, and so when my grades plummeted in university because I never really studied, I was rather depressed. I had to learn how to actually study to stay afloat. That being said, your responsibilities reflect what you choose to study, some majors are more work than others. I also had to balance studying with all the things my mom used to do when I lived at home: grocery shopping (which I still hate doing), cooking, cleaning, money management. 

 

It's also hella easy to be a hermit in university if you're moving to a new city. You have to actively seek out clubs and friends at first. Like Robstar said, people come and go in first year, some people realize university isn't for them and leave, some choose different majors and you only see them in passing through the hallways. That being said, try to make as many friends as you can.

 

It's worth it though, I started university as an insecure chubby girl who didn't think she was very smart, I've grown more than I can possibly think: in maturity, in being able to express myself and be proud of who I am. I do have a slight regret that I moved away from home, because I grew apart from so many of my high school friends, but I've made friends with so many awesome people here I can't imagine what my life would be without them.