College - The Thread

[HOBBIT]

This thread is about College! There have been some topics concerning college in one way or another, but there has been nothing like this. I’ll be heading off to Elon University in August. Post what college you went to or what college you are currently going to. (when you graduated or when you will graduate would be interesting too).

What did you major in and what are you currently doing with that major?

What Clubs/Activities did you do? What do you recommend doing? I need to find something to do……..my main activity that has taken upon 95% of my time in HS has been Band (jazz , marching, concert, all sorts…….)…Other activites have included writing articles for the school paper, and National Honor Society. I don’t want to do band in college; its been fun but I want to try new things.

Any college experiences you would like to share? Any advice for a soon to be college frosh?

[Farimir Captain of Gondor]

Well, I've been in and out of college now for 7 yrs. I started out in a local community college majoring in businees. Thought with that degree I could start my own business. I did that for 2 yrs and decided it wasn't for me.

Took a year off and went out to Colorado for awhile, came back decided to go to a school my dad worked for, Shawnee State University. It was a new school, small class sizes, and had a good athletic training program. The town it was in was *bleep*pit. It actually made national news why I was there about how bad it was. There was a doctor giving out perscriptions of oxycotten(sp?) to any and all that came in. The bad thing was his office was right by the gym, so I watched lines of people around the block waiting to get in. Needless to say, I left there after about 2 yrs. I didn't like the idea of rubbing cramps out of guys thighs for the rest of my life. a girls soccer team maybe, but the chances were slim.

I then came back home and started back at the community college i started at and got into the radiology program, because I had most of the medical and biology classes out of the way, got about two years into that and found out my grants had run out. I only had a year left too. So, now i'm taking some time off and saving up to try and get back in. I think I found a way to get my grants back but I have to wait until the end July to find out.


My only advise to you as a soon to be frosh, try everything. Even if you don't think you'll like it, do it at least once. I'm not sure if your into sports but an intramural league is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Just remember class is important but don't let it overwhelm you. Get out every now and then and have some fun.

[HOBBIT]

Thanks for sharing Farimir! I intend to try many different things. I forgot to mention that I will be majoring in Communications. I don't play much sports and I've never done sports for school, but I'll try out some intramural or club sports I suppose.

So if/when you do get back to college, how many semesters until you graduate? If you don't mind me asking: what are you doing now? (like what job, etc).

[Farimir Captain of Gondor]

No prob HOBBIT.

Right now I'm just doing odd things for my uncle. He has a farm and I go and help him out every now and again. I've worked for the city the last two summers ,mowing and what not, for the parks department and i'll probably do that again.


I've got two classes at the school and then a year at the hospital. I think it should take like 4 semesters, I think. I hope.

Definitely try a sport. I love softball. It's like baseball without all the running. It's for old and lazy guys.

[Rían]

are you going to live on campus, Hobbit?

[Nurvingiel]

My advice goes along with Faramir's - remember that you can't do everything. You're not Superman.

Try all the new food your friends tell you about, try on new ideas and thoughts in class, try new clothes or a new haircut, or join sports or clubs you've never played before. But there are over 200 clubs at UBC (my uni) for example, you can't join them all. There are many Varsity sports and recreation sports, and you can't play them all.

Give out your time wisely, because if you get too carried away you might get burned out. That being said, everyone's limits are different so just go for it! You'll soon find out what your limits are.

There's my advice for new college incuctees.

It's really nice to play one sport at least so you get some excercise.

edit: Also, cafeteria food is the worst "food" you will ever have the misfortune to "eat". Regard all meat with suspicion. I wish I was joking.

[Mercutio]

A music professor I interviewed/auditioned with at one college gave me a bit of advice for freshmen year.

Say No.

Every group will be wanting you to join them, do this, get involved with that activity. Better to start with "too little" and get yourself settled than jump on to too much right away.

[Farimir Captain of Gondor]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

edit: Also, cafeteria food is the worst "food" you will ever have the misfortune to "eat". Regard all meat with suspicion. I wish I was joking.

Good advise! Learn all the pizza numbers and be able to use them at anytime. I suggest putting them on speed dial. I had them put on my cell phone to where I simply said "Papa Johns" and it called them.

[Count Comfect]

Originally Posted by Nurv

Also, cafeteria food is the worst "food" you will ever have the misfortune to "eat". Regard all meat with suspicion. I wish I was joking.

Yeah, well, UBC has particularly bad food, but this is true most places.

I think the most important thing extracurricular-wise is to pick, say, 2 things you know you want to do and JUST do those, at least the first semester. Otherwise you will forget that academics exist and die when your grades come.

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Count Comfect

Yeah, well, UBC has particularly bad food, but this is true most places.

I think the most important thing extracurricular-wise is to pick, say, 2 things you know you want to do and JUST do those, at least the first semester. Otherwise you will forget that academics exist and die when your grades come.

Hey, do you go to UBC? z0mg

At least other unis have less godawful food than us. Not that that's saying much.

The pizza thing is good advice as well. Here in Vancouver, all you can eat sushi places are great value ($10-15 lunch, about $20 dinner) and provide a delicious, fun, healthy alternative to cafeteria swill *cough* food.

Find what's cheap and delicious in your town (East Indian and Middle-eastern food tend to be pretty good value) and treat yourself to some good eats now and then. Constant cafeteria food gets depressing. If you can, cook for yourself.


For non-food advice, go on exchange. Anywhere. Just go for it. As a bonus, you might even get to take credit courses.

[Count Comfect]

No, I don't go to UBC. I had a summer program there where we ate at the university dining halls... it helps that I'm from Seattle.

I assume by "go on exchange," Nurv, you mean what we call study abroad (in the US)? If so I completely agree (but get back to me AFTER I do mine... that's next spring).

[Lief Erikson]

My feeling about college is that usually professors are brilliant, dedicated, enthusiastic people, and students are dunces who care little about their education.

Of course neither of these statements is always true. There are thousands of exceptions for both. They're just my general impression from my 2.5 semesters in college, and I think education statistics in the US back me up.

[Nurvingiel]

I agree Lief, you do get the odd dud of a prof who is only interested in research and teaches because he/she has to. Those lectures suck eggs.

Almost all my profs have been dedicated, brilliant, good teachers, approachable, and also well-published. It helps that UBC Forestry absolutely kicks ass.

Count Comfect, I am so, so sorry about our food. One thousand apologies! I ate our rubbish *cough* food for two years at possibly the worst cafeteria on campus. Oh I'm so sorry about our food.

Canadian food is not normally like that.

I did mean "study abroad" by "go on exchange". I'm so glad you're doing that! What country are you going to?