College!

[CubaTBird]

well lesse... i start college in a week (give or take) and im perplexed... im all for the social scene and what not but will put forth great emphasis on my study habits

so as you can see its mixed thing.. i figure thats normal considering the fact 4000 incoming freshman have no idea who each other are... my two "orientations" have come and gone and i must say i met some pretty cool people... mostly women lol.. who knew? "college orientations... the new hookup scene" and plus the free food was alright too i guess...

so its all got me thinkin.. that FIRST day of school.. anything i should do and shouldn't do? kinda like a do's and don'ts sort of thing? just lookin' for some warm hearted advice :o

[yellow]

DO go to class.
DON'T skip class.

DO do your work.
DON'T be a lazy piece of ****.

DO realize that this is incredibly important and should be treated as such.
DON'T figure you can make it up later and figure this is a social scene builder.

[gwuMACaddict]

i would stop saying 'like' so often, it makes you sound much younger than i assume you are (entering first year of college)

other advice- be polite to everyone, and outgoing- you never know who you'll need help from in a class later, or when someone will be having a fun party that you'll want to go to.

[WinterMute]

Have fun, make friends, be yourself and...

DO THE READING AS ITS SET!!

Leaving stuff till later will kill you quicker than a gallon of vodka.

Oh, and don't drink a gallon of vodka... :D

[devilot]

Have fun, make friends, be yourself and...

DO THE READING AS ITS SET!!

Leaving stuff till later will kill you quicker than a gallon of vodka.

Oh, and don't drink a gallon of vodka... :D
reading is overrated. I'm j/k... every student "works" in different ways; find what works for you. And by the way WinterMute, I personally haven't really had issues w/ vodka; it was the tequila that slaughtered me. I can't smell that stuff w/out a gag reflex now. :o

[CubaTBird]

i would stop saying 'like' so often, it makes you sound much younger than i assume you are (entering first year of college)

other advice- be polite to everyone, and outgoing- you never know who you'll need help from in a class later, or when someone will be having a fun party that you'll want to go to.

good point.. has been edited

[devilot]

oooh, buy used textbooks vs. new, even try shopping around-- some universities have multiple bookstores around and believe me, the prices can vary (I also really like half.com for textbooks)... keep the receipts in case you decide to drop the class.

I bring water, gum, mints to class so that if I start getting drowsy I can freshen up a bit.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CELL ON. I mean it, some profs will go "loc" (crazy, or short for Spanish's "loco") on you and it gets so old, so fast... I mean off, no vibrate mode because in some classes, that bzzz can feel ten times more annoying.

Always have good communication w/ your profs. Go to office hours. Ask! Ask! Ask! Open communication w/ profs pretty much ensures a sympathetic and caring person (who happens to also decide on your grade). I got 2 extensions on the major papers of my history class simply because my prof knew who I was, and because I asked nicely.

[joecool85]

I met my gf of 2 years at my college orientation. We are still together and doing great.

[Doctor Q]

Join campus organizations/communities. Some are online (e.g., livejournal), some are interest-area clubs (e.g., basket weaving club every second Thursday), and some are location-based (e.g., dorm residents).

Get your books as soon as possible. Nothing's worse than finding the required textbooks are backordered and "everyone else" has them the first day of classes. OK, so maybe that's not the very worst thing that can happen to a student, but it's a good hint anyway.

If you are on the semester system, avoid getting sick. It's so easy to get behind if you miss a week of school. If you are on the quarter system, absolutely do not get sick!! How to avoid getting sick? You can try sheer determination, but taking care of yourself helps too. :)

[Nanda Devi]

oooh, buy used textbooks vs. new, even try shopping around-- some universities have multiple bookstores around and believe me, the prices can vary (I also really like half.com for textbooks)... keep the receipts in case you decide to drop the class.


I definitely second the used textbook thing. Books can be REALLY expensive. In fact, I was so poor one semester and could barely come up with the dough to buys books, so I came up with some pretty sneaky ways to save lots of $ on books...

For example, if you have to read a novel or something that might be available in a used book store for a dollar or two, or better yet, in the library for free, try to get it there.

I wouldn't recommend this, because I think it's probably illegal, but I also went so far as to buy a couple of textbooks (the shorter ones) and go to Kinkos and copy them and put the pages in a binder, then return the textbook. Ended up costing about half as much as the book. But if you do go this route, be sure to check on the bookstore's return policy...

[yg17]

If you bring your iBook to class, yank out the airport card before you go.

I brought my iBook to class often first semester. My campus also has very good Wifi coverage. I'd be sitting there in a boring lecture taking notes in Word and would look up to see a wifi signal at full strength. And it was very tempting to pass time during a boring lecture on the internet. So, I didn't do so great in a couple classes because of that. Remove the airport card so you can't be tempted to go on the internet. Leave the card behind in your room, or even stick it in your bag if you plan on hanging out on campus later to use the internet. But being within range of a wifi network during class can hurt your grades if you're like me ;)

[tangerineyum]

If you bring your iBook to class, yank out the airport card before you go.

I brought my iBook to class often first semester. My campus also has very good Wifi coverage. I'd be sitting there in a boring lecture taking notes in Word and would look up to see a wifi signal at full strength. And it was very tempting to pass time during a boring lecture on the internet. So, I didn't do so great in a couple classes because of that. Remove the airport card so you can't be tempted to go on the internet. Leave the card behind in your room, or even stick it in your bag if you plan on hanging out on campus later to use the internet. But being within range of a wifi network during class can hurt your grades if you're like me ;)

It isnt the airport card thats hurting me, its watching familty guy dvd's and Harry Potter in itunes that got me my B- in Psych.

[besler3035]

Leave your door open the first few days. And go out and visit people and introduce yourself, or else your entire first semester will be very boring!

[devilot]

For example, if you have to read a novel or something that might be available in a used book store for a dollar or two, or better yet, in the library for free, try to get it there. I thought that most universities require X number of textbooks to be on hand at the school's library(ies)? If you're really short on cash, then definitely, camp out at the library and get your reading done w/ those copies or, if you'll be in a dorm setting, borrow somebody's books (w/ his/her permission!).

I wouldn't recommend this, because I think it's probably illegal, but I also went so far as to buy a couple of textbooks (the shorter ones) and go to Kinkos and copy them and put the pages in a binder, then return the textbook. That is illegal... that infringes upon copyrights etc. etc. That is also why those stupid paper photocopies called, "readers" that are the required "texts" for some classes cost so dang much-- because even though those are only photocopies, the money is going to the proper people because of copyright protection.

[superbovine]

reading is overrated. I'm j/k... every student "works" in different ways; find what works for you. And by the way WinterMute, I personally haven't really had issues w/ vodka; it was the tequila that slaughtered me. I can't smell that stuff w/out a gag reflex now. :o

yep, i agree about the reading. some professors you can get by without the reading. your'll just have to feel out the class. what that usually means is you will probably have to goto class and at least listen maybe occasionally write something do that is important. although if you one of those kids who can never go to class and get A's more power to you.

señor jose cuervo is not your friend.

[3rdpath]

don't stress about stuff too much....as you said, there's 4000 other freshman wondering what the heck is going on.

show up early for class...you might get to say a few words with your new professor--which may help establish a relationship during the semester.

don't prejudge your professors or go by other's opinions of them...they don't know YOU either. I found I really liked some of the profs that everyone else hated...remember they're just people hoping to get some feedback that they're making a difference to someone. students can inspire teachers too.

and try to remember how incredibly fortunate you are to be attending college.

[CubaTBird]

don't stress about stuff too much....as you said, there's 4000 other freshman wondering what the heck is going on.

show up early for class...you might get to say a few words with your new professor--which may help establish a relationship during the semester.

don't prejudge your professors or go by other's opinions of them...they don't know YOU either. I found I really liked some of the profs that everyone else hated...remember they're just people hoping to get some feedback that they're making a difference to someone. students can inspire teachers too.

and try to remember how incredibly fortunate you are to be attending college.

yeah, though im sure that first day its gonna be quite awkward for everyone in class being that no one knows anybody else..

[yg17]

Leave your door open the first few days. And go out and visit people and introduce yourself, or else your entire first semester will be very boring!

Ditto. Our RA's recommended leaving our doors open and I'm glad they did. I met many people that way.


There were some kids on the floor that kept their door shut 24/7. Even in May when it was the end of the year, they knew no one and no one knew them.

[St Soichiro]

From a Professor's perspective :D :

DO
go to class
turn in HW on time
get to know your prof
go to the office hours
have fun

DONT
leave your cell phone on (most Profs can pick out SMS/IM etc in class, but will ignore it. You do end up on their ****list however)
haggle for a point or two
piss away your parents hard earned money (or mine, if you are on a taxpayer-money-funded-scholarship)

Avoid all instances of academic dishonesty even if everyone around you seems to be doing it. More and more universities are coming down on this really hard, and it will be tough to explain to your parents why you have had to take a year off because you were caught copying in an exam.

Most professors are extremely approachable outside class. We're bored too, you know, teaching the same thing over and over again. If you are polite and respectful you can get a lot of help with course work.

[stridey]

yeah, though im sure that first day its gonna be quite awkward for everyone in class being that no one knows anybody else..

Actually, in some ways it's the opposite. Nobody knows anybody, so every single person you meet is a potential best friend.

[tobefirst]

Like devilot76 said, find the strategy that works for you. The sooner you do, the more successful you'll be. Mine was to not take notes in class and just sit and listen and absorb. I found that if my profs wanted me to know something, they would include it on a handout, or it'd be in a text book, or it would be part of the homework. This REALLY worked for me. Also, I found that studying early in the morning, as opposed to late at night helped me do better on exams. Everyone is different. Take notes if it suits you better.

Take your classes seriously, but remember that at least 50% of everything you learn during the next 4-5 years will be things you discovered outside of class. Remember this, but don't use it as an excuse to loaf.

Get involved in clubs and organizations. Meet as many people as you can. Go to the games and be a part of the school.

Above all, remember this:

You can only do two of the following things successfully in college: study, sleep, party. Choose wisely. (:

[Brother Michael]

Don't be 15 minutes late to the first class of your college career because you read the schedule wrong... :rolleyes:

Do join the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. :D

Oh and do pay your bursar bill on time so that you can move in...unlike me...

You have taken your first steps into a larger world. Welcome to it.

Now you too will become educated enough to set the VCR without spilling piping hot gravy all over myself.

[Brother Michael]

Above all, remember this:

You can only do two of the following things successfully in college: study, sleep, party. Choose wisely. (:
I disagree. I did all my homework and went to bed around 10pm or 11pm on the weekdays and partied very hard on the weekend and I did just fine.

I suppose though I may be a freak.

[stridey]

You can only do two of the following things successfully in college: study, sleep, party. Choose wisely. (:

Hmm... I only really do one of those... is that bad?

[yellow]

Do join the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. :D

No no! Sigma Chi!

[tobefirst]

Hmm... I only really do one of those... is that bad?

Nope, that just means you're REALLY good at it! (: I bet I can guess which one!

[CubaTBird]

actually guys.. the thing about leaving your doors open.. erm im commuting for the first year at least so as i can raise money with my current part time job

[topgunn]

DON'T pay for food. There is always some organization on campus hosting an event with tons of free food. It's usually pizza which may get old after a while but hey, its free.

DON'T let class get in the way of college. Have fun. Enjoy the best years of your life. Don get me wrong, your education is very important but 3 years down the road, no one will care about your GPA.

DON'T believe anything your professors tell you. Just remember it for the exams.

[40167]

yeah, though im sure that first day its gonna be quite awkward for everyone in class being that no one knows anybody else..

... hehe, thats why you do like me... have your gf attend the same college; and even have the same classes when possible... morning japanese 8-9am and animation class 9 to 3pm on fridays; the rest was english/math and she placed higher on math while I placed higher on english... oh well.

That and I know a few people from my school going there, and I checked out myspace.com and talked to a few that go to the same college... Not knowing people the first day is probibly the least of my concerns.

[Lyle]

actually guys.. the thing about leaving your doors open.. erm im commuting for the first year at least so as i can raise money with my current part time jobIn that case, you should probably get your parents' permission before you leave the door to their house open all the time.

[Lyle]

DON'T let class get in the way of college. Have fun. Enjoy the best years of your life. Don get me wrong, your education is very important but 3 years down the road, no one will care about your GPA.I definitely agree with the basic sentiment -- college can be the best six years of your life. But pay attention to your grades! It's true that once you've been out in the work force for several years, your work experience matters more than your college GPA, but for landing that first job, employers don't have a lot to go on other than your academic record.

[superbovine]

DON'T let class get in the way of college. Have fun. Enjoy the best years of your life. Don get me wrong, your education is very important but 3 years down the road, no one will care about your GPA.

that going to depend on the type of job he wants and weather or not he wants to goto grad school. some places like the hire people with a "C" average because they tend have better people skills. some places have a min GPA they will hire out of college. however, grad school your GPA matters.

did it ever occur to you some people can have fun and get good grades?

[CubaTBird]

that going to depend on the type of job he wants and weather or not he wants to goto grad school. some places like the hire people with a "C" average because they tend have better people skills. some places have a min GPA they will hire out of college. however, grad school your GPA matters.

did it ever occur to you some people can have fun and get good grades?

i have read that getting an MBA in today's business world is crucial.. as in you can't really get a decent high paying job in business/finance without it.. is that so?

[scem0]

I leave for New York City in two weeks from 18 years spent in Texas!

I'm shaking in my boots, but I really do think I'll enjoy myself more in NYC. I've never fit in, in Texas. I'll really miss my friends and my family, but I've never felt at home in Texas. I think I'll like NYC much more. There's just not enough diversity in Texas, even in Austin, and no one likes to be exposed to the same things over... and over... and over again. I definitely need this move for non-college reasons :).

So, I'm scared to death about moving, but I'm eager and partially-ready for it.

scem0

[Doctor Q]

I leave for New York City in two weeks from 18 years spent in Texas!I'm sure I am one of many here who wish you the best of luck, scem0. These will be some of the most memorable years of your life, and likely some of the best too. You might even learn a couple of facts or skills in college, and that's an added bonus.

[superbovine]

i have read that getting an MBA in today's business world is crucial.. as in you can't really get a decent high paying job in business/finance without it.. is that so?


all the people i know that have MBAs have engineering degrees.

[superbovine]

I'm sure I am one of many here who wish you the best of luck, scem0. These will be some of the most memorable years of your life, and likely some of the best too. You might even learn a couple of facts or skills in college, and that's an added bonus.

beer bonging doesn't count as a skill...

[Lyle]

some places like the hire people with a "C" average because they tend have better people skills.Could you name some of those companies that are actively seeking "C" students? I assumed he was shooting for something a little better than McDonald's as a first job out of college.

[Doctor Q]

Could you name some of those companies that are actively seeking "C" students? I assumed he was shooting for something a little better than McDonald's as a first job out of college.High school academic decathlon teams are always seeking promising C students, since they must mix students with different grade point averages. Yeah, I know, that doesn't help you here.

[Mike Teezie]

I leave for New York City in two weeks from 18 years spent in Texas!

I'm shaking in my boots, but I really do think I'll enjoy myself more in NYC. I've never fit in, in Texas. I'll really miss my friends and my family, but I've never felt at home in Texas. I think I'll like NYC much more. There's just not enough diversity in Texas, even in Austin, and no one likes to be exposed to the same things over... and over... and over again. I definitely need this move for non-college reasons :).

So, I'm scared to death about moving, but I'm eager and partially-ready for it.

scem0

I know the feeling, I've never eally "fit in" where I lived either.

Fortunately, the family biz is based in NYC, and I've gotten to live there in the summers since I was a little kid. You'll do just fine, you'll love it, but you WILL get annoyed eventually by people asking you to say things in your southern accent.

Oh, and for what it's worth - in my experience, a lot of people think southern accents are hot.

[superbovine]

Could you name some of those companies that are actively seeking "C" students? I assumed he was shooting for something a little better than McDonald's as a first job out of college.

when i was in college NEC was recuriting these types of students before the bubble burst.

[Whyren]

Never, ever think "ah, I can just read that tomorrow/with the next assignment." 'Tis a slippery, slippery slope.

[drno9999]

During your freshman year do well in your courses as they will probabally be easy gen eds. This will build a nice buffer for your GPA for when you have to take harderer classes. Many people often think that if the bomb their first year they can make it up later; however, this can be very tricky as not only classes get harder but good grades count less and less when u have more classes. (mathematics of averages).

[njmac]

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

[mad jew]

Regularly change your underwear.

[CubaTBird]

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

hehe, yeah i guess i plan on doing the stay hungry part.. dunno about the stay foolish :rolleyes: and how foolish are we talking about again? :p its just intense how so many things are starting to happen so fast right now.. its exciting yet nerve racking at the same time.. if that makes sense.. :o

[yg17]

I leave for New York City in two weeks from 18 years spent in Texas!

I'm shaking in my boots, but I really do think I'll enjoy myself more in NYC. I've never fit in, in Texas. I'll really miss my friends and my family, but I've never felt at home in Texas. I think I'll like NYC much more. There's just not enough diversity in Texas, even in Austin, and no one likes to be exposed to the same things over... and over... and over again. I definitely need this move for non-college reasons :).

So, I'm scared to death about moving, but I'm eager and partially-ready for it.

scem0


Good luck!

My sister moved from St. Louis to NYC for college and loved it. She had a very rought start up there with 9/11 happening a couple weeks after she moved (living 2 blocks from the WTC didnt help either) but after that, she loved it up there. We were up there for a week in June for her college graduation. Its a very different city, but don't be scared. After a few days of being up there, I was able to figure out the subway system (still needed a map to get around, but you begin to get the gist of what train takes you to what area) and the subway is really all you need to get around.

And you're from the south, so you're probably used to southern hospitality. Don't expect that in NY. The stereotypes about people up there being rude are generally true (my sister says the trick is to be rude back to them :D). Don't get me wrong, there are some very polite New Yorkers, but generally, they're not ;) My sister moved down to New Orleans last weekend to go to law school at Tulane and after 4 years in NY, was shocked at how nice people are in NO.

[superbovine]

Regularly change your underwear.

how long did it take you to learn that?

[mad jew]

how long did it take you to learn that?


Really depends how you define "regular"...




I seem to get it right most days now. :)

[MacHarne]

There are plenty of student perspetives here and even a professor's perspective, but here's some middle ground. I am a TA. List first:

Know that everyone else is in the same boat and people are much more willing to talk to strangers instead of quickly clinging to groups.
Realize how important it is to stay on top of your education (and class for that matter); someone else mentioned to keep up with reading, and I will reiterate that here; it does depend on your course material, but slacking on reading assignments really will kill you, no exaggeration.
Get involved in clubs and groups; it's a great way to meet people, form important contacts, and experience the best that college life provides; Warning, don't let this come before your studies, that would also be a ticket to a healthy 2.0 GPA.
Talk to professors and meet them; one of mine ended up being a Mac geek and I was eventually hired as an assistant for the courses she taught; having friendships with professors is a HUGE plus for future employment references.
Relax, have fun, and be glad you're out of high school.

In addition, in prose now, understand that college is not high school and you will, in fact, be expected to know some things going into the first classes. If you are skipping any courses (perhaps, from qualifying with AP or Baccalaureate credit), realize that it is expected that you have full comprehension of the opted-out material. So, for example, if you skip differential calculus and jump to integral as your first math course, you will be expected to know every differential calculus concept (this is from my experience and likely varies, but I saw very little slack or deviation from that tendency).

Really pursue excellence in your studies. Going at it from the start is an enormous buffer for later down the road when hitting a 3.5 GPA in a semester becomes incredibly difficult. The first few semesters shouldn't be too tough at maintaining a 4.0 GPA if you really push yourself. At the same time, don't overwhelm yourself in books and study corners because you'll be burnt out at the end of the semester. Find a healthy middle ground that lets you achieve great things academically and also in your social life.

I apologize if I've needlessly repeated other people's points, but I didn't have time to read all of the entries before I wrote this up :o

[Lacero]

I know plenty of people who are struggling with making ends meet because of college tuition debt. I was priviledged with parents who paid for my college. Before that my parents worked hard to put themselves through college.

I'm not saying one shoudn't further one's education. However I believe a lot of colleges today are setup as 'diploma mills'. If you've got the cash they've got your diploma ready to hand you.

[CubaTBird]

i hate doin' "what if" but what if i get some professor that is an absolute moron and doesn't even teach the material properly? can i just transfer out of his/her class and transfer into a diff teacher who teaches the same class at the same time?

[MacHarne]

i hate doin' "what if" but what if i get some professor that is an absolute moron and doesn't even teach the material properly? can i just transfer out of his/her class and transfer into a diff teacher who teaches the same class at the same time?
Sometimes. It depends on the class' department and available spots. That's something to immediately contact someone in your college about, an advisor or another professor. If you are stuck, grin and bear it. Better that than saying "to hell with it" and getting an F.

[jefhatfield]

I'm not saying one shoudn't further one's education. However I believe a lot of colleges today are setup as 'diploma mills'. If you've got the cash they've got your diploma ready to hand you.

i once heard that stanford (a great college as we all know) is "hard" to get into and "harder" to get kicked out of...in other words, they need your tuition money ;)...but that being said, anyone who could get that hs gpa, extra curricular activities, and an sat score in the top 1% percent in english and math should be branded with their ba degree right on their tushie right then and there and sent out into the work world as a college graduate since they are smart enough and they probably won't need teachers to make them any smarter than they already are ;)

my wife and i once heard a talk by famed musician branford marsalis and a person asked him what it takes to make it at berklee college of music (the best in jazz) and he said, "a check that won't bounce"...and while some college musician academics were not happy with that, we all knew he could kick anyone's butt on stage

[jefhatfield]

i have read that getting an MBA in today's business world is crucial.. as in you can't really get a decent high paying job in business/finance without it.. is that so?

is it better to have an mba? yes.

is it crucial? well, ask steve jobs, bill gates, larry ellison, walter cronkite, aaron brown, barbara streisand, steven spielberg (and the list goes on), and btw, most of those people don't even have their bachelor's degree

but the bachelor's degree is still the basic standard for upward mobility if you don't have a lot of ambition...but if you are very ambitious, any level of education or lack of it, won't be the deciding factor...while donald trump got his college education, he believed he was pretty much primed to rout the new york real estate developer competition while he was a teen who already has his skills/knowledge by simply watching his dad negotiate the art of the deal

if you are going to get an mba, then go for the best program you can get into...and this is not for the education since most mba programs are the same (first year - undegrad biz rehash, second year - case studies and business specialization), but the better PRIVATE UNIVERSITY mba gives you the added plus of having a lot of lifelong business connections...many mba dropouts met their business match made in heaven in the first semester and before either partner was old enough to show gray hair, they were millionaires, or billionaires

the mba experience, more than any grad degree, is part education and part connection

if you want the advanced degree information of an mba but do not care to make tons of money or kiss butt and climb ladders or slay foes, then save your money and get an mba from a public university since the education you get there will basically be the same

and with all this said, the great business leaders in history, and today, never went to graduate school...but academics, just for the sake of academics, is still a very honorable and enjoyable way to pass the time

[jefhatfield]

i have to mention one more thing, unrelated to the other two posts...watch out for religious cults preying on students!

they target college kids who are away from home for the first time...my employee, a college student who went to and graduated from sonoma state university, became a jehovah witness minister and it turned his life, and his relationships, upside down...he gave all his time and money to that church, who some believe is a cult...but you be the judge

the international church of christ, once affiliated with cult leader kip mckean, who also goes by "the church of christ of "fill in the city/region", is an especially successful cult on college campuses and banned at harvard, where free speech is king and membership with the nazis, communists, or al qaeda is legal

and there is one more landmine in college besides cults...and possibly more damaging...the credit card slingers who love to give any kid in college a credit card and start him/her on a lifetime path of debt

i would never let the credit card salesmen get me...unless i could get a mac ;)

[CubaTBird]

i have to mention one more thing, unrelated to the other two posts...watch out for religious cults preying on students!

they target college kids who are away from home for the first time...my employee, a college student who went to and graduated from sonoma state university, became a jehovah witness minister and it turned his life, and his relationships, upside down...he gave all his time and money to that church, who some believe is a cult...but you be the judge

the international church of christ, once affiliated with cult leader kip mckean, who also goes by "the church of christ of "fill in the city/region", is an especially successful cult on college campuses and banned at harvard, where free speech is king and membership with the nazis, communists, or al qaeda is legal

and there is one more landmine in college besides cults...and possibly more damaging...the credit card slingers who love to give any kid in college a credit card and start him/her on a lifetime path of debt

i would never let the credit card salesmen get me...unless i could get a mac ;)

yeah i totally understand what you are talking about.. at my college we are having a club drive type thing near the end of august through early september and im sure such "scams" will be around... though im intelligent enough to ignore them so its all good! though for sure im going to join some sort of business club so as to get involved and what not

[jefhatfield]

yeah i totally understand what you are talking about.. at my college we are having a club drive type thing near the end of august through early september and im sure such "scams" will be around... though im intelligent enough to ignore them so its all good! though for sure im going to join some sort of business club so as to get involved and what not

jansport flooded our campus like the d-day invasion force and tried to promote their product line...as an enticer, you could buy one of their backpacks and they would throw in the student version of microsoft office or microsoft office for mac and all for $99 dollars...they want customers for life

while it was a good chance for me to get microsoft office for mac, i was, and still continue to be happy with appleworks on my os 9 ibook if i have to do any office related stuff at home

i may one day get microsoft office for my mac but really, i don't need a kid's backpack at my age ;)...but the $99 dollar deal is hard to beat and maybe i can give the backpack to the next kid who walks across campus at the junior college (which is half kids and half old folk like me)

[devilot]

jansport flooded our campus like the d-day invasion force and tried to promote their product line...as an enticer, you could buy one of their backpacks and they would throw in the student version of microsoft office or microsoft office for mac and all for $99 dollars...they want customers for life <snip> i may one day get microsoft office for my mac but really, i don't need a kid's backpack at my age ;)...but the $99 dollar deal is hard to beat and maybe i can give the backpack to the next kid who walks across campus at the junior college (which is half kids and half old folk like me)Oh my, that is an awesome deal!!! I wish my campus had had something like that. :eek:

[jefhatfield]

Oh my, that is an awesome deal!!! I wish my campus had had something like that. :eek:

they were on a nationwide tear and at first i thought it was a scam, until i walked into the junior college bookstore (who is a mac dealer, microsoft dealer, and jansport dealer)

what would be cool for jansport to do would be to offer a student version of photoshop or illustrator to college students majoring in art/design/journalism

[Kwyjibo]

The thing I hate most about college is the physical packing / moving, its a big pain at all times pretty much

[scem0]

I'm sure I am one of many here who wish you the best of luck, scem0. These will be some of the most memorable years of your life, and likely some of the best too. You might even learn a couple of facts or skills in college, and that's an added bonus.

I better learn at least a couple facts! My parents are laying down some big bucks for my college education and they expect compensation eventually :eek: .

I know the feeling, I've never eally "fit in" where I lived either.

Fortunately, the family biz is based in NYC, and I've gotten to live there in the summers since I was a little kid. You'll do just fine, you'll love it, but you WILL get annoyed eventually by people asking you to say things in your southern accent.

Oh, and for what it's worth - in my experience, a lot of people think southern accents are hot.

I've never thought of myself as having a southern accent, and my friends from Michigain say that I don't have one :confused:. Oh well, I've never really wanted an accent. I better not get a New Yorker accent, I think they are horrible sounding, to be blunt :p. No offense meant to anyone who may or may not have that particular accent :).

scem0

[yellow]

The thing I hate most about college is the physical packing / moving, its a big pain at all times pretty much

Hehe.. I am SOOOO with you...

I figure since 1987 I've moved 32 times. And my wife wonders why I want to pay movers to move us into our new house!! :eek:

[m-dogg]

do your work, but have fun too - college is more than just books - it's an opportunity to grow, mature and expand your horizons. while you can get some of these from your classwork, you can learn a lot more outside the classroom. I came out of college a totally different person than I went in (and much better in my opinion), and looking back that was due more to the overall experience - being on my own for the first time, starting friendships, making mistakes, trying to learn from them and just interacting with people in general (in real life - not internet chat rooms ;) )

[question fear]

re: cell phones in class;

I had a TA once answer a students phone for him, and have a conversation with the student's mother about how her son was in class, and would he mind if she called back later? Then he hung up, said "call your mother later, she misses you" and continued in class.

I doubt that kid left his cell on in class again.

[m-dogg]

re: cell phones in class;

I had a TA once answer a students phone for him, and have a conversation with the student's mother about how her son was in class, and would he mind if she called back later? Then he hung up, said "call your mother later, she misses you" and continued in class.

I doubt that kid left his cell on in class again.


man, I feel old - no one even had cell phones when I was in college (except an occasional rich kid). or internet in every dorm room for that matter. and that was only about 10 years ago...93-97!

I feel like an old guy saying "when I was a kid, TV's were black and white. and you had to get up and walk across the room to change the channel!" wait a second, I remember the pre-remote control era too... :eek:

[_bnkr612]

Wrap that rascal.

[CubaTBird]

well i start tomorrow.. any last minute advice? :o

[Doctor Q]

well i start tomorrow.. any last minute advice? :oDrop out before it's too late! :eek: :rolleyes:

[CubaTBird]

Drop out before it's too late! :eek: :rolleyes:

LOL, best post of the day.. the irony.. :p

[me_94501]

well i start tomorrow.. any last minute advice? :o
If you find yourself overwhelmed, don't panic. Do your best to stay up on the work and don't hesitate to ask for help. Oh yeah, have a little fun too. ;)

Good luck!

[me_94501]

man, I feel old - no one even had cell phones when I was in college (except an occasional rich kid). or internet in every dorm room for that matter. and that was only about 10 years ago...93-97!

I feel like an old guy saying "when I was a kid, TV's were black and white. and you had to get up and walk across the room to change the channel!" wait a second, I remember the pre-remote control era too... :eek:
My family had a black-and-white TV and rotary phone until 1992. We didn't get a microwave or computer until the same time period. We waited until 1999 to get a cordless phone. Cell phones? It wasn't until last fall when we got those. And we don't have cable TV. :p

[Shaun.P]

So! How are you getting on at university/college?

I live in Scotland and the education thing is slightly different. Because Scotland is a small country, and the university I'm going to is Glasgow University (Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_University) (fourth oldest in the UK I believe) , it is simply a 30 minute train journey, then 8 minutes in the subway :).

I'm still living in my house, but I would have loved to have moved out. Argh my parents!

Tuition for my university is approximately £2000 a year ($4000). Fortunately, in Scotland - tuition is paid for! A company called 'SAAS' (Student Award Agency for Scotland) pays them. I think once you graduate you need to pay back £2000 - but over all they have spent around £8000 on you (for 4 years).

I'm going to study maths, physics and computer science (you are required to pick 3 subjects if you join the science faculty)

[CubaTBird]

so far its been pretty good... off to school now, shall report back later. ;) :)

[CubaTBird]

so yeah my first week has been pretty cool.. i must admit most of the freshman seem pretty meek and quiet though i have met some pretty cool people.. so.. so far so good is this college experience i am erm.. experiencing lol.. though i must say, i have some quasi-liberal teachers though but they don't get to me.. its funny though, because you have to actually "work" to meet people and stuff.. ie introduce yourself and what not.. i find myself asking same 20 questions type thing a lot hehe.. :o