Oh college...

[Jyson]

Forgive my absence but I've been away at college, but anyways I wanted to say a few words about my experiences in college (well community college, I'm working on getting my AA then I'll transfer to a university after that) so far.

I have to say it's nothing like I expected, about 60% of the students are over 30 and the work was freakishly easy. For example in english the "biggest" assignments we had was watching (yes watched, not read) Othello, did a 6 page research paper (which was the hardest but we had like a month to do it), and then did an oral presentation on our short story analysis (instant A).

Regardless of the required classess, I'm loving my electives. So far I have Creative Writing (which is great), but I'm working on getting Short fiction class and 'Politics and poetry' class (Hoping to become a better writer.) And I'm also thinking about taking World Religion since I've heard good things about it.

The only thing that truly sucks about college is that I've had to cut back alot on my herp goals. Which technically isn't necessarily a bad thing depending on how you look at it, but still those hypo still-water bull snakes are soo cool. lol

Anyways, for those who have already done college; do you have any advice or experiences you would like to share?

[mainbutter]

[QUOTE=Jyson;1479206](well community college...)[quote]

I have to say it's nothing like I expected, about 60% of the students are over 30 and the work was freakishly easy.

That's the difference between a traditiona l4 year state university or private college and a local community college. They serve completely different segments of the population (for the most part) and accomplish education goals in different manners.

Anyways, for those who have already done college; do you have any advice or experiences you would like to share?

Make friends and keep friends. This might not be quite as easy in a community college. At my undergrad, we were forced to live in dorms surrounded by peers of similar educational backgrounds and similar ages. I'm still in connection with at least half of the people in my class who lived on the same dorm floor as I did freshman year.

[aalomon]

I understand the scaling back on reptile dreams. Im transferring from the University of Puget Sound to the University of Tampa for spring semester. Right now most of my focus is on the move. Im driving down with all the animals (reptiles, sugar gliders, 2 robo hamsters, lungfish, 60lb dog) and Im going to be completely wiped out before I can even get to Tampa.

This is also going to be the first time I have all of my animals and be on my own, before Ive either lived at home or in a dorm. Im crossing my fingers for at least one semester of easier classes just to make the adjustment a little easier.

[SlitherinSisters]

It's no fun, I'll tell you that!!! I did the exact same thing you are doing. Start with a community college, get an AA, transfer to a University and get a BA....it's a long road, but you'll get it done eventually! I just finished my last semester at the University of Iowa, a big ten school-we're famous in Playboy

Anyhow, my advice is to keep at it! 70% of people go to college, and only about 50% graduate. It's even worse for guys. For some reason they don't think it's as important as women do. I don't remember the exact stats on it, but much more women are graduating then men. I will also tell you that an AA is worthless. Unless you get a technical AA degree it's no better than a high school degree, and a BA is no better than an AA was 10-20 years ago because so many people are getting them. I'm actually struggling to get a job right now because all the jobs that are hiring are looking for someone with only a high school diploma or someone with a masters+. It's so frustrating!!! But I know it will all work out eventually!

My reptile dreams definitely had to be go on hold for several years, but you can still do it. When you get your extra financial aid there's always a little bit left over after you pay for books to put towards a snake Don't let it get you down that you can't afford anything, eventually you will get through it and it will all pay off in the end!

Also be prepared for the switch from CC to a university! The CC I went to was a cake walk, easier than high school! Then going to a school that's ranked in the top 40 schools in the US was a real shock! Some classes were easy, but boy oh boy, nothing like the CC!!! The hard classes at the CC were the easy classes at the University! If you go to a school that ranks high the professors are sure to remind you how lucky you are to go to that school and how much you should work to stay there! I couldn't tell you how many times I heard "this is school is ranked in the top 40 I expect your work to be top 40 work. People would die to be where you are!"

[Jyson]

I couldn't agree more mainbutter, it's been easy making friends there but mostly everyone is there for different reasons so Idk if I'll remain friends with them since I may not see most of them next year.

I understand the scaling back on reptile dreams. Im transferring from the University of Puget Sound to the University of Tampa for spring semester. Right now most of my focus is on the move. Im driving down with all the animals (reptiles, sugar gliders, 2 robo hamsters, lungfish, 60lb dog) and Im going to be completely wiped out before I can even get to Tampa.

This is also going to be the first time I have all of my animals and be on my own, before Ive either lived at home or in a dorm. Im crossing my fingers for at least one semester of easier classes just to make the adjustment a little easier.

I'm thinking about going to the university of Tampa too; however, I would have loved to have gone to Berkely but as of right now it's just not a realistic goal...yet!

It's no fun, I'll tell you that!!! I did the exact same thing you are doing. Start with a community college, get an AA, transfer to a University and get a BA....it's a long road, but you'll get it done eventually! I just finished my last semester at the University of Iowa, a big ten school-we're famous in Playboy

Anyhow, my advice is to keep at it! 70% of people go to college, and only about 50% graduate. It's even worse for guys. For some reason they don't think it's as important as women do. I don't remember the exact stats on it, but much more women are graduating then men. I will also tell you that an AA is worthless. Unless you get a technical AA degree it's no better than a high school degree, and a BA is no better than an AA was 10-20 years ago because so many people are getting them. I'm actually struggling to get a job right now because all the jobs that are hiring are looking for someone with only a high school diploma or someone with a masters+. It's so frustrating!!! But I know it will all work out eventually!

My reptile dreams definitely had to be go on hold for several years, but you can still do it. When you get your extra financial aid there's always a little bit left over after you pay for books to put towards a snake Don't let it get you down that you can't afford anything, eventually you will get through it and it will all pay off in the end!

Also be prepared for the switch from CC to a university! The CC I went to was a cake walk, easier than high school! Then going to a school that's ranked in the top 40 schools in the US was a real shock! Some classes were easy, but boy oh boy, nothing like the CC!!! The hard classes at the CC were the easy classes at the University! If you go to a school that ranks high the professors are sure to remind you how lucky you are to go to that school and how much you should work to stay there! I couldn't tell you how many times I heard "this is school is ranked in the top 40 I expect your work to be top 40 work. People would die to be where you are!"

I actually read about that study, and I could definitely believe it since most advance courses have mostly women in them. Come guys WTH you all need to get on the ball. lol

It sucks to hear that an AA is worthless but I am focused on getting a masters for sure, in what major I have no idea yet. As of next semester I'm mostly focusing on pre-requisite courses. My electives are going to be focusing on writing and environmental sciences since the career choices within those areas are what I am best at.

Thankyou for the advice you guys!

[David802]

I actually read about that study, and I could definitely believe it since most advance courses have mostly women in them. Come guys WTH you all need to get on the ball. lol

It sucks to hear that an AA is worthless but I am focused on getting a masters for sure, in what major I have no idea yet. As of next semester I'm mostly focusing on pre-requisite courses. My electives are going to be focusing on writing and environmental sciences since the career choices within those areas are what I am best at.

If you already work in the field you plan to get your masters in you might try talking to your manager once you get your AA. I talked with my boss (and my AA has absolutely nothing to do with what I do for a living) and he put it in writing that he'd give me a 2 dollar an hour raise once I finish my AA next semester.

Heck talk to your boss even if you don't work in your field of study. A lot of jobs only care about the peace of paper. Seems like a lot of managerial jobs are that way IMHO.