A few questions about college

[xanis]

This year is over so I'm now officially a member of the class of 2007. Since I only have a year left, I've been taking some time out and visiting colleges and checking out majors. Right now I want to major in Graphic Design. It's been something that I've always wanted to do, and I want to make it into a career. I've been to countless assemblies and meetings about college, and mos very helpful but I want to get some things answered by those on ATOT who either are currently in college, or have graduated.

1) What would be a good minor to pair with Graphic Design?
2) How much time on average will one spend on work outside of class?
3) Would it be smarter to take a laptop or desktop computer?
4) Should I join an extracurricular activity of some sort?

So far I can only think of four questions, but I'll edit if I come up with any more. Thanks for the help.

 

[mb]

1. Anything business related. Unless you are REALLY good or have some good connections I wouldn't count on making much income in graphic design.
2. That's up to you on what GPA you want. Do you care if you get a 2.5 or are you shooting for a 4.0?
3. Both if you can, laptop if only one.
4. Yes, always. Take your pick. You will meet people and it will help you socialize and network.

 

[junkerman123]

Originally posted by: Xanis
This year is over so I'm now officially a member of the class of 2007. Since I only have a year left, I've been taking some time out and visiting colleges and checking out majors. Right now I want to major in Graphic Design. It's been something that I've always wanted to do, and I want to make it into a career. I've been to countless assemblies and meetings about college, and mos very helpful but I want to get some things answered by those on ATOT who either are currently in college, or have graduated.

1) What would be a good minor to pair with Graphic Design?
2) How much time on average will one spend on work outside of class?
3) Would it be smarter to take a laptop or desktop computer?
4) Should I join an extracurricular activity of some sort?

So far I can only think of four questions, but I'll edit if I come up with any more. Thanks for the help.

1.) I don't know...maybe something practical like computer science/programming or web design.

2.) depends on the college and the major, with computer majors probably a lot, but not too bad

3.) laptop. you can take it to class and you wont be wasting away your life on it all the time outside of class like on a desktop.

4.) definitely. it will help with interviews and meeting new people. of all your questions, this is the most important thing for you to do.

 

[Umberger]

1) no idea, sorry
2) i am a mechanical engineer, and on average i spend the same amount of time working on classwork every week as i do in class.
3) i was required to take a laptop. it was more expensive than a desktop, and i never took it to class.
4) does partying count?

 

[Juno]

any laptop from apple would do good on photoshop nor illustrator.

to spend on a project, A LOT. i mean, A LOT! professors will be very picky on your projects. so, just simply don't give them hard time or they'll give you bad grades on your effort on the projects.

graphic design is a competitive field, you will have to boost your portfolio to gain a job position. also for your minor, do whatever you feel you'll be working for your job field.

yes, you should join at least one extracurricular activity for experience.

i'm an industrial design major with a minor in spanish. that projects really drive me crazy, i had to pull all-nighters before but managed to finish projects on time. so, good luck on the projects professors assign you in the future.

by the way, which colleges are you applying to?

 

[amish]

1. no clue
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.
3. shuttle it. small enough for the cramped dorm rooms, powerful enough to handle an all night LAN get together.
4. as many as possible.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Juno
by the way, which colleges are you applying to?

Well since my grades aren't fantastic, mostly state schools:

-Shippensburg
-Kutztown
-Art Institute of Philly
-Temple

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Juno
by the way, which colleges are you applying to?

Well since my grades aren't fantastic, mostly state schools:

-Shippensburg
-Kutztown
-Art Institute of Philly
-Temple

i would recommend you to apply to tech schools or the schools that provide the best program in graphic design.

i'm currently a student at rochester institute of technology.

 

[Saint Nick]

1) What would be a good minor to pair with Graphic Design?
2) How much time on average will one spend on work outside of class?
3) Would it be smarter to take a laptop or desktop computer?
4) Should I join an extracurricular activity of some sort?

1) I think a business or economics minor.
2) Expect to have up to three hours of homework per credit hour.
3) Like someone said, both if possible. Desktop for more power, laptop for when you gotta go to the library. Plus those laptops just don't play games as well But, if only one can happen, take the laptop. It will save you space and its portable, of course.
4) YES!!!

 

[lederhosen]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

I call bullsh!t. Now I haven't graduated yet, but I had nowhere near 2-3 hours for every hour of class unless you meant per week and even that's stretching it. I had at MOST 10 hours outside of class work to do per week taking 5 classes. Of course if you have multiple tests it will go up.
1. As for a good minor to complement graphic design, pick something you like. Like someone else said a foreign language is always a plus, especially if you live or plan to live in a diverse city. Your minor isn't for ATOT to decide, pick something you think you will enjoy.
2. Already covered above.
3. If you plan on living in a dorm definately a lappy, otherwise get a desktop.
4. As everybody else said yes, they help your resume out.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

I call bullsh!t. Now I haven't graduated yet, but I had nowhere near 2-3 hours for every hour of class unless you meant per week and even that's stretching it. I had at MOST 10 hours outside of class work to do per week taking 5 classes. Of course if you have multiple tests it will go up.

Dude chill, it's a guideline not something mandatory you have to do to pass. :roll:
I've had classes where I never showed up except for test days and aced, without studying at all for anything in that class.
Google the phrase if you must.. it's not just some random BS I made up.

 

[lederhosen]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

I call bullsh!t. Now I haven't graduated yet, but I had nowhere near 2-3 hours for every hour of class unless you meant per week and even that's stretching it. I had at MOST 10 hours outside of class work to do per week taking 5 classes. Of course if you have multiple tests it will go up.

Dude chill, it's a guideline not something mandatory you have to do to pass. :roll:
I've had classes where I never showed up except for test days and aced, without studying at all for anything in that class.
Google the phrase if you must.. it's not just some random BS I made up.

I don't care if you pulled it out of your ass or off google, its crap. OP wanted to learn about college, and I am giving him realistic expectations, not crap off google. And since I am not riled up, I don't feel the need to "chill".

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

I call bullsh!t. Now I haven't graduated yet, but I had nowhere near 2-3 hours for every hour of class unless you meant per week and even that's stretching it. I had at MOST 10 hours outside of class work to do per week taking 5 classes. Of course if you have multiple tests it will go up.

Dude chill, it's a guideline not something mandatory you have to do to pass. :roll:
I've had classes where I never showed up except for test days and aced, without studying at all for anything in that class.
Google the phrase if you must.. it's not just some random BS I made up.

I don't care if you pulled it out of your ass or off google, its crap. OP wanted to learn about college, and I am giving him realistic expectations, not crap off google. And since I am not riled up, I don't feel the need to "chil".

You need to chill.

 

[Starbuck1975]

1) What would be a good minor to pair with Graphic Design?
Depends on what kind of graphics design you wish to pursue. If you are looking to go the more creative route, then a visual arts minor would be appropriate. If your graphic design class is not intensive on the software side of graphic design, you might want to take some classes that will get you familiar with the tools that the industry uses, particularly Adobe products and Apple hardware.

2) How much time on average will one spend on work outside of class?
Really depends on how quick you can turnaround a project or assignment.


3) Would it be smarter to take a laptop or desktop computer?
Both if possible. Particularly for graphic design, you will want a powerful desktop and large enough monitor to make work a bit easier on the eyes...but if you have to choose between the two, I would say laptop for now...just because the classroom is so automated these days, you may not have a choice.

Then again, if your school has sufficient computer labs and desktop setups in their classrooms, just get a suitable desktop and a large capacity USB drive to transfer assignments back and forth.

4) Should I join an extracurricular activity of some sort?
Yes, that is how you meet women.

 

[iamtrout]

1. Fvcking LOTS of women!
2. 0
3. Both, one for in-house fapping and another for mobile masterbation (MM).
4. Frats.

 

[igowerf]

I majored in Computing and the Arts which is basically anything that is art + computer. I minored in computer science to build my programming skillz.

1) A lot of graphics designers end up dabbling in web stuff. Minoring in multimedia or something similar should give you a bit of experience with things like HTML, Flash, etc.

2) That really depends on your school and classes. Upper division art classes actually take A LOT of time because you really invest yourself in a few big projects. I did both upper div CS and art classes and I would say that they both take up around the same amount of time.

3) I would say both, but it's up to you. A desktop means more power. A laptop means that you can have your work with you and accessible at almost all times. A portable hard drive or a big thumbdrive might be good too. I had both a desktop and a laptop and I probably used them equally, although my laptop was mostly for my Comp Sci classes. I spent a lot of time programming in the library with my lab partners.

4) YES. Extracurricular stuff really helps in meeting people and, I think, improves the college experience a lot.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: lederhosen

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: amish
2. isn't there a rule, for every 3 hours in class you will have one hour of work outside of class. maybe it's the other way around.

Yup, the other way. Every hour of class = 2-3 hours of study time outside of class.

I call bullsh!t. Now I haven't graduated yet, but I had nowhere near 2-3 hours for every hour of class unless you meant per week and even that's stretching it. I had at MOST 10 hours outside of class work to do per week taking 5 classes. Of course if you have multiple tests it will go up.

Dude chill, it's a guideline not something mandatory you have to do to pass. :roll:
I've had classes where I never showed up except for test days and aced, without studying at all for anything in that class.
Google the phrase if you must.. it's not just some random BS I made up.

I don't care if you pulled it out of your ass or off google, its crap. OP wanted to learn about college, and I am giving him realistic expectations, not crap off google. And since I am not riled up, I don't feel the need to "chill".

If you're not riled up then you're obviously just being immature about it. No need to get all offensive about generally recommended guidelines just because YOU don't agree with them.
Fact is, most people do follow the guidelines. Never does it say that anyone absolutley has to. And it's not something I "pulled off google" or out of my ass. People all over the country suggest 2-3 hours of study for every hour of class. I sure as hell never followed it either, but I'm not going to cry about it just because that's what is recommended.

 

[Tu13erhead]

.

 

[Faulkner05]

1) I would seriously recomend looking into a different major, unless you plan to work your ass off and become really good.

2) Depends... but the average of my friends and I was probably about 2-3 hours a weekday.

3) Desktop. Nobody at my school took their laptop to class... and the size doesn't make up for the lack of power. I thought it was funny that so many people bought a lap top and left their desktop at home, but never actually moved their laptop from their desk.

4) Definitely, be social meet new people... plus free donuts/pizza and juice/pop can't be beat.

 

[mb]

I agree with Tu13erhead. That's why I said to take both a laptop and desktop if you can. For example, get a cheap and small laptop with decent battery life so you can take it to class or library if you actually ever do AND have a decent desktop in your room to do all the real work (and gaming ) on.

I only went to college with a laptop. I never took it out of my room. My junior year I got a 17" Dell 9300.. I actually took that to the library with me for group projects then and in my senior year, along with having my desktop back at my apartment. If I did it over again, at least with the technology that's out there today, I'd get a 12"-14" laptop and a desktop close to what I currently have.