So who wants to talk about college?

[yellowline]

I'm sure some of you have seen my sig...I'm entering college. I've been fairly excited up to this point, but with a week to go, I think I managed to psych myself out.

I've done pretty well in HS (1330 SAT, 3.5 GPA at a prep school), but I'm still scared that I won't do particularly well, especially at essay writing...I hear the horror stories. I tend to be precise and concise when it comes to writing schoolwork. I don't feel confident in my math skills (so science is probably out). I think I'm going to major in a humanity or social science somewhere down the road...I've done fairly well in those, and I somewhat enjoy history.

In addition, I'm a fairly quiet person and don't mind being invisible, but I'm starting to realize the value of having a lot of friends and being visible in a good way. I'm not scared of people, nor do I have social disorders, but I'm just not much of a conversationalist.

Then there's time management. I know that's a skill I have to learn on my own, but I'm sure somebody has something good to say on it.

In a way, I look up to you guys. The OT crowd seems to come together and help on these kinds of things. You seem to have experience with the world. I'm really looking forward to responses, helpful suggestions, and maybe something to boost my confidence. Thanks!

[bryanthompson]

If providence college is like every other one in the country, prepare to be kissing a lot of leftie professor ass to get by.

[dd74]

Do not put pressure on yourself about any of what you mentioned. There's thousands of freshmen encountering the same thoughts as yourself. University life is wonderful; some of the best years I've experienced. Socializing comes to you, not you to it. For you to avoid socializing, you have to simply not go to class. Time management; blah-blah-blah. Don't worry yourself with that. It all falls into place. You're either studying, drinking or banging.

[dd74]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
If providence college is like every other one in the country, prepare to be kissing a lot of leftie professor ass to get by.

If you're just getting by, you'd have to kiss a lot of anyone's ass.

[bryanthompson]

if college were true to its purpose, noone's ass would need to be kissed. Instead, "free thought" is cheered, when it's liberal free thought. Anything else is repressed.

So, speak your mind... as long as the libs won't get angry/offended.

[dd74]

I've read your thoughts on this before. If you hate it so much, why the hell are you still there? Let me guess. It's the women...

[B D]

You'll do great, don't worry. Remember teachers since preschool have been telling you every year that next year is going to be harder and to be prepared. If you got this far with those grades college won't be any different. My advice is to not to over extend yourself the first semester don't take 6 classes even if they seem easy, you will be busy with non academic activities. Also don't rush in to a major most students change there major once in college.

Beware of the freshman 15! If you have a GF leave her at home you will meet someone new who will blow your mind. Beware of skanks, example at SDSU 1 in 4 students have a STD so be careful. Don't be intimidated like a HS freshman walk around like you own the place girls don't care your age or grade level now.

The hardest thing for me was finding time to study, living away from home and with a roommate increases your social time dramatically. Use the library or other quiet places to study. In the dorms or college apts. every day and night is a party.

Don't worry about essays I never thought I could write a 20 page paper but it can be done in less than two days when needed. Your major concern will be money, there is so much opportunity for fun in college but not funds.

FYI I graduated in 2001 so my experiences are very recent.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by dd74
Let me guess. It's the women...

I went to the wrong college. If I had to do it over again, Arizona State or San Diego State, any others that I might have missed?

Actually college is a great experience. I would suggest however that you enjoy yourself and your four years if you can get out in four years. I switched majors a year and a half in and worked 20-30 hours a week and graduated in 5, needless to say I missed the real college experience. Get loans and get good grades, college GPA does matter depending on where you want to work. Otherwise as dd74 says, "You're either studying, drinking or banging."

[84porsche]

Originally posted by B D
FYI I graduated in 2001 so my experiences are very recent.

Right behind you, I am a 2003 graduate.

[joehahn]

MAN AM I JEALOUS! You are about to start the best 4 years of your life! When my folks dropped me off I cried (yep, I can admit it...i'm a sensative fella). 2 hours later my roommate walked into our tiny dorm room and we never looked back. It's ok, be nervous but try not to freak yourself out as you will be into the swing of things in no time flat...I promise you. And by now you obviously signed up for all sorts of general classes at orientation or whatever...next time take your time and really look at all the courses in the catalog and sample as many different ones as you can. Re: time management, don't worry, everyone's in the same boat and needs to find their groove so no need to sweat that for at least a month. I went to a prep/private school too and I was shocked to see how far ahead of the game I was compared to some of my classmates (for example, using topic sentences and creating separate pragraphs). This is by no means a slam or analysis of public v. private, just my experience. You will do great, revisit this post in three weeks if you find the time and let us know.

Couple other things:

1. My 2 best friends are Friars (Prov Alum) and a good tip is to hang out at the lacrosse games/players, lots of action.

2. If free and can score a ride, hit Newport RI, even if it is for an hour to just chill, take a break. Look up the "Cliff Walk" and well...just walk!

3. Don't get involved w/one girl early. I married the girl I dated freshman year and I truly lucked out. (she got crappy end of stick). I would be lying though if I said I didn't think about having some other experiences like all my friends did.

4. Savor it, you're gonna blink and it will be 2009, I'm serious.

Good Luck, again I'm jealous.

Joe

[bryanthompson]

I'm only there to collect a piece of paper. And yes, I regurgitate the nonsense I'm expected to. It sucks, but we're there to buy a degree, imho.

[masraum]

If you apply yourself it'll not be a problem. Not saying that the classes are easy, but from the sounds of your high school performance you should do fine. I suppose you might have a hard time if you want to be a doctor or lawyer, but I can only go by how they make those look on TV. I went for an EE and quit, but I had similar high school scores to yours 3.6 and 1400. I'd have done great if I had applied myself. As it is, I never studied and was basically a loafer and even with quitting half way through the last semester that I went I still came away with a gpa better than 2.0. I'm going back this time with some interest and experience under my belt.

[mikester]

DON'T get a social sciences degree unless you want to be a teacher...

Get a business degree of some kind, get a science degree of some kind or get an engineering degree of some kind, last resort - computers.

Math is not hard; Essay writing is not hard you just have to apply yourself in figuring out what it is they want in an essay. Find the college's writing standards book and read it. Then go to the library and practice it with a tutor. A couple of weeks of minor work and I'm sure you'll be a pro at the college level essay. Punctuation is important as is grammar so if you have trouble there the writing handbook will help you tons.

If math is truely a problem get a tutor to help you.

What was the last level of math you completed? If your GPA was 3.5 and you were on the college bound track in HS then it's likely your last class was a trig or a pre-calc. For a business major or a Computer Science major those are the hardest math classes you'll likely take. Calculus is MUCH easier than you might expect as long as you have a good grasp of basic quadratic equations and algerbra. Statistics is basic math, averages and sums mainly - it's just that you do a lot of them in one problem. Pay attention to detail and you'll get an A I'm sure.

It's worth it, stick with it and go to some parties.

[bryanthompson]

Get a business degree of some kind, get a science degree of some kind or get an engineering degree of some kind, last resort - computers.

So true, computer degrees seem to be useless now that everyone has one. I switched to Business and am having a lot more fun with it.

The easiest classes for me are math, science, accounting... anything with a 2+2=4 mentallity. When you get into the other crap, that's what's jaded me so badly. I apologize for being negative, but it's my honest opinion.

[dd74]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
I'm only there to collect a piece of paper. And yes, I regurgitate the nonsense I'm expected to. It sucks, but we're there to buy a degree, imho.

Hmmm...you sound like an engineering student or computer science major. So sorry for your failings...

Ya oughtta' hang out with some of the lipstick lesbians in English Lit or IR. Yeah, sometimes they let guys play, or at least watch. I'm telling you, it changes your whole belief system about college politics, bucko!

[dd74]

Originally posted by bryanthompson

The easiest classes for me are math, science, accounting... anything with a 2+2=4 mentallity.

So politics aren't your forte, eh? You're just using OT as a sort of pontificating testing ground...

[bryanthompson]

wow, so... let me get this straight. I'm an idiot because I think factual classes are easier than ones where you have to parrot garbage out of whatever propaganda a professor fishes up on CommonDreams.org?

I'm sure you'd be as offended if a professor started class by saying the Pledge of Allegience as I was when I had to sit through Michael Moore's movie in my Poli Sci class. Or when I had to sit through some palestinian's home videos. Or when I had to sit through his 45 minute diatribes about how oppressive the U.S. is.

[yellowline]

I love the number of responses so quickly!

PC requires me to only take 4 classes/semester for freshman year, and they're all core. I'm also 40 minutes away, so I can come home on weekends to help potential homesickness.

The women part is good. I'm starting to get over a bad breakup now (and wondering about the future in regard to women), so hearing that things work out definitely helps.

The freshman 15 is no problem, I actually lost 10 lbs this summer to prepare. I really plan on using the gyms there, too.

I was also thinking of business, I can't believe I forgot to mention that. I did take trig and stats in HS, and was fine. Also took a precal course at the community college last summer. Basic algebra and quadratics aren't a really big problem for me. I guess my biggest problem is that if I get stumped on something, I just panic a little.

I'll have to see how my dorm is in terms of noise. Most freshmen get triples or quads, and I think I lucked out with a double. I talked to my roommate, I think we'll get along. This dorm is mostly doubles and singles, so I'm thinking it'll be a little quieter.

Anywhere in RI is free via public transport for students, so I'm set there, Joe. Plus, I played lacrosse in HS and loved it, so I'll definitely be attending the games...I'm not good enough for D1 play by any stretch.

Bryan, I think I may be in the same boat as you. I never meant for the thread to get political, but I'll keep the professors in mind.

Thanks, guys. Keep 'em coming! Reading this has helped more than the "How to survive college" book I picked up. I think I'm bookmarking this.

[dd74]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
wow, so... let me get this straight. I'm an idiot because I think factual classes are easier than ones where you have to parrot garbage out of whatever propaganda a professor fishes up on CommonDreams.org?

I'm sure you'd be as offended if a professor started class by saying the Pledge of Allegience as I was when I had to sit through Michael Moore's movie in my Poli Sci class. Or when I had to sit through some palestinian's home videos. Or when I had to sit through his 45 minute diatribes about how oppressive the U.S. is.

No, I wouldn't be as offended as you if a professor started class with the Pledge of Allegiance (which you spelled "Allegience" - so much for your love of thy country spelling skills... )

One thing college teaches you is tolerance while also expanding your horizons to different thoughts, cultures, and beliefs.

Conversely to your case, I never met a real right wing bozo until I went to college. And funny, they were everywhere in the business school. That's irony...

[Porschephile944]

I'm going back on Sunday as a sophomore at WNEC in Springfield MA. I know how your feeling and imo you should only be scared if you aren't at least a little apprehensive about going.

If you worried about the writing aspect check out and see if your school has a writing center, somewhere to have paper edited and somewhere you can get some writing help when its needed. Some schools also offer a writing course that meets once a week for an hour or so and will cover some of the basis, might be worth checking out if you think it would help, and you can always drop it if your not interested.

Since you appear to be undecided about your major, which most people are, and those that have declared a major will change it, try to take general education requirements for the school.

on another note, don’t do anything stupid the first weekend or two either. Campus security (the guys who drive around in golf carts) and your RA, or whatever the call that person that they give free room and board to and tell to write people up will be looking for people brining beer in, smoking in there room, violating quite hours, stuff like that. It would suck to have a letter with the phrase "excessive amount of alcohol" sent home to your parents before you’ve been there for two weeks, trust me my roommates parents weren't even close to pleased with him when they got that one.