College Experiencear

[jai6638]

Hey there...

I'm a freshman in college and wondering what everyone's college experience was like? What'd you guys do in your free time?

So far, its been hanging out with friends, watching movies, a few parties and lotsa poker.

 

[pyonir]

Friends, parties, college sports, beer, practical jokes....and some classes.

 

[effowe]

It was some great times, but I give you one piece of advice. Your schoolwork is much more important than partying, I wasted a year before I realized that.

 

[NeoV]

best time of my life, by far

 

[sdifox]

much ado about nothing

 

[spidey07]

I was banging a girl my first weekend there. From there it was a blur of sex and boose. Best time of your life.

Funny thing is they girls always had a "boyfriend" at home. Didn't really matter.

 

[Orsorum]

For me, my four years was mostly wallowing in my own internal thought process. Lots of uncertainty, lots of work, lots of spinning in emotional circles and worrying about things I shouldn't have worried about. However, I came out of it ok and am in a good spot at 24, professionally and personally. I grew a lot and learned a great deal about myself emotionally, and I am a better person now for much of the turmoil I put myself through.

I did not have a typical college experience (at least judging by what is discussed here and in the media). I rarely drank, never had sex (I'm still a virgin, by choice (roll your eyes... NOW) at 24, and I've never regretted it), worked as an RA for four years, etc. However, I did what I liked to do and spent time with a small group of friends, and I had a great deal of fun.

Your college years are yours to mold. Like the rest of life, you only get out what you put in. Have fun and work hard, and you should be ok coming out.

 

[overst33r]

I am majoring in engineering... no time for that stuff... Although living on campus could easily fix that situation, but the cost tradeoff is not worth it for me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Eh i had a mix of things. Partying at first..but I don't like assholes in general so I didn't do it too much. Lots of poker, just hanging out, whatever.

It was fun but honestly I am having just as much fun out of college as I did in. Ummm...study abroad.

 

[ggnl]

It started out pretty fun. A lot of hanging out, parties, booze, etc. By the last year I was actually taking my studies seriously and working two jobs, so more than anything I just really wanted it to end.

 

[Farang]

Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

 

[Q]

I'm a freshman too, but going to transfer b/c my school is too small and I hate living in dorms, so I'm not a great person to ask. My hallmates are really cool which is the best thing if I had to say so.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

My experience was pretty well balanced I think. I ran on the varsity track and cross-country teams, so I spent a lot of time training, traveling to race, etc. I put in a decent amount of time studying and doing assignments, so I got decent grades. And I made time to hang out with friends - watching movies, drinking, playing Risk, Axes & Allies, and Cranium. Did a little gaming too.

I met my first g/f in third year, and we have been together since then (I'm 24 now) I still see a few of my buddies, but I have lost touch with many of them.

My only regret was not trying more new things - activities, food, etc. while I was there. I'm making up for that now.

Whatever you're into, keep making time for social events, and meet as many people as you can. Some of them will turn into great friends. Try new stuff that takes you a bit outside your comfort zone. And work hard, but not at the expense of everything else. Sounds like you're off to a great start!

:beer:

 

[zerocool1]

involved on campus
relay for life
phi sigma iota
mortar board
gamma iota sigma
university strategic planning committee
evolutionary algorithms research group
ACM
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
worked on campus
club ultimate frisbee team

drinking, hanging out with friends, movies

 

[Ns1]

joined a fraternity. became president. graduated.

most expensive, enjoyable, stressful experience thus far in my life. learned alot, grew alot.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: Farang
Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

Where did you go for your study abroad? Was thinking of doing it myself. They need a letter of recommendatoin from a teacher though so wondering how much of a role that playing in my application being "accepted".

What places do you guys recommend for study abroad from personal experiences ( I'm an engineering major and more into partying,nightlife,citylife,etc rather than history/architecture )?

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: Farang
Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

Where did you go for your study abroad? Was thinking of doing it myself. They need a letter of recommendatoin from a teacher though so wondering how much of a role that playing in my application being "accepted".

What places do you guys recommend for study abroad from personal experiences ( I'm an engineering major and more into partying,nightlife,citylife,etc rather than history/architecture )?

As an engineering major, your experience may be different than mine. I am a poli sci major so I didn't need a specific set of classes at the university I went to, rather whatever politics courses they had and a few GERs.

I would recommend USAC Thailand if cost is an issue, for me it was cheaper than staying home (including plane tickets and everything). However one thing to consider is that USAC charged around $3,000 for the program fee, but had I enrolled directly in the foreign university my tuition would have been only $1,000. So see if you can bypass the program, but maybe find out where they put the program students so you can move into the same building independently.

A specific program doesn't make much sense to recommend, though, because I haven't done the others. More importantly I would recommend choosing a location that is outside of your comfort zone--that is, not Italy or Britain or Australia.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: Farang
Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

Where did you go for your study abroad? Was thinking of doing it myself. They need a letter of recommendatoin from a teacher though so wondering how much of a role that playing in my application being "accepted".

What places do you guys recommend for study abroad from personal experiences ( I'm an engineering major and more into partying,nightlife,citylife,etc rather than history/architecture )?

Anywhere you go, within reason, will be a party. All of Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. Don't worry about your application being "accepted" - as long as your GPA is decent and you tell them you want to go abroad to further your studies and yourself as a human being they'll take you.

 

[everman]

Figured out what I want to do, and I'm still in school as a result. But soon enough no more school...ever again...unless I go for an LLM sometime in the future, but I'd rather not think about that now.

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: Farang
Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

Where did you go for your study abroad? Was thinking of doing it myself. They need a letter of recommendatoin from a teacher though so wondering how much of a role that playing in my application being "accepted".

What places do you guys recommend for study abroad from personal experiences ( I'm an engineering major and more into partying,nightlife,citylife,etc rather than history/architecture )?

As an engineering major, your experience may be different than mine. I am a poli sci major so I didn't need a specific set of classes at the university I went to, rather whatever politics courses they had and a few GERs.

I would recommend USAC Thailand if cost is an issue, for me it was cheaper than staying home (including plane tickets and everything). However one thing to consider is that USAC charged around $3,000 for the program fee, but had I enrolled directly in the foreign university my tuition would have been only $1,000. So see if you can bypass the program, but maybe find out where they put the program students so you can move into the same building independently.

A specific program doesn't make much sense to recommend, though, because I haven't done the others. More importantly I would recommend choosing a location that is outside of your comfort zone--that is, not Italy or Britain or Australia.

Cost is not an issue for me although of course, the cheaper the better. Don't think my college has any study abroad programs in Thailand but will check it out and whether I could take any engineering related classes there. thanks.

1) How does the social scene when on study abroad work? How do you meet people? In case my friends don't land up joining me, how did you guys find people to hang out with? Classes?
2) I guess this is a silly question but it begs to be asked. lol.. If all the locations will "be a party" and if they satisfy my engineering requirements, how do I pick a country?

 

[TCPpacket]

for me, college pretty much consisted of starcraft, goldeneye, brood wars, counter strike, and diablo 2 (in that order). as you can tell, i wasn't the model student and wasn't fully focused on my studies. somehow i graduated and didn't turn out too bad. i still have nightmares to this day of walking into a class i hadn't attended in weeks, only to realize it was the day of the final. to put it in perspective, i graduated in '03.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: effowe
It was some great times, but I give you one piece of advice. Your schoolwork is much more important than partying, I wasted a year before I realized that.

Weaksauce. I wasted three. If you're going to do something, don't half-ass it.

 

[Reckoner]

Uhhh it was average at best. It wasn't as great as everyone makes it out to be, that's for sure.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: jai6638

Originally posted by: Farang
Mine has been quite scattered. I lived in my own apartment, then moved to live in a frat at UW for a summer. After that I moved back to Tacoma and lived in a house with a few buddies, drinking a lot and partying. Then I lived with a girlfriend for a few months. We took a quarter off and went around the world traveling. Then I moved back and dropped out for a quarter and worked full time, living with that gf in an apartment. Broke up with her and moved out to Washington State to go back to school, living in a house with some people. Then I moved to Thailand and studied out there for 7 months. Now I'm back at Washington State, but I think I'm going to take my final semester online and work in London through BUNAC for 6 months.

My advice to someone just starting college: study abroad as much as possible. Some programs are cheaper than staying at home. Had I known what I know now, I would've spent as much time as possible studying abroad (2-3 years) before coming back and doing all the requirements I could only get at home.

Where did you go for your study abroad? Was thinking of doing it myself. They need a letter of recommendatoin from a teacher though so wondering how much of a role that playing in my application being "accepted".

What places do you guys recommend for study abroad from personal experiences ( I'm an engineering major and more into partying,nightlife,citylife,etc rather than history/architecture )?

As an engineering major, your experience may be different than mine. I am a poli sci major so I didn't need a specific set of classes at the university I went to, rather whatever politics courses they had and a few GERs.

I would recommend USAC Thailand if cost is an issue, for me it was cheaper than staying home (including plane tickets and everything). However one thing to consider is that USAC charged around $3,000 for the program fee, but had I enrolled directly in the foreign university my tuition would have been only $1,000. So see if you can bypass the program, but maybe find out where they put the program students so you can move into the same building independently.

A specific program doesn't make much sense to recommend, though, because I haven't done the others. More importantly I would recommend choosing a location that is outside of your comfort zone--that is, not Italy or Britain or Australia.

Cost is not an issue for me although of course, the cheaper the better. Don't think my college has any study abroad programs in Thailand but will check it out and whether I could take any engineering related classes there. thanks.

1) How does the social scene when on study abroad work? How do you meet people? In case my friends don't land up joining me, how did you guys find people to hang out with? Classes?
2) I guess this is a silly question but it begs to be asked. lol.. If all the locations will "be a party" and if they satisfy my engineering requirements, how do I pick a country?

Your college is irrelevant. Most colleges (if not all) will work with you if you study with USAC, ISEP, World Endeavors, or other such organizations. What these groups do is transfer the credit you earn overseas to an American institution, which your college then turns into credits for them. Before you go you clear all the courses you will take and make sure they are accepted for whatever requirements.

Meeting people is half the point of studying abroad. Whatever program you go with, they make sure you're meeting other students. Usually, from what I've seen and heard, this mean an orientation and a common living area. Not that you're sharing a room, but you and the other Americans are at least in the same building. To be honest I feel that those who came with friends got less out of the experience.

How do you pick a country? It is as simple as where do you want to go? Find different organizations offering programs and see the cost and course offerings of each. Pick one. It can come down to gut feeling or you can research in-depth each country, but really if you end up in Chile or if you end up in Poland you're going to find you love the place either way.

 

[Finalnight]

Well, in my last semester so I will comment.

My experience was highly atypical.

I lived in my own apartment from day one, also worked part time till the second semester of my freshmen year, then full time till the start of my senior year. Went to a community college for freshman/sophmore years, then transferred to the 4th largest university in the US, big change, lol. I didn't drink or smoke. Also, due to religious beliefs/obligations, I didn't have any sex, though there were many many opportunities.

But, I didn't spend all my time watching porn and playing WoW, I made a lot of friends at work, some at school. I made some close friends who I hang out with regularly. I learned how to use firearms and got my carry permits. I figured out how to maintain/work on cars. I went travelling abroad and domestically. I learned how to be a businessman and a leader and how to not come across as an irritating ass.

I didn't realize till my senior year how much work was f'ing up my schooling, but somehow luck and divine intervention still allowed me to have a decent GPA.

There is no "typical" college experience and it is what you make of it. Some people view it as the best time of their lives, I don't. I think it was a great time, but the best is still yet to come.