How was your college experience?

[ichy]

my grades arent top notch (due to my high school, although the name itself carries a weight to it).

I'm sorry but that's bullshit. Your grades are your responsibility, NOT your school's. I don't mean to sound like I'm giving you too much grief though, as long as you aren't a total fuck up then your high school grades won't matter later on in life. The attitude that your grades are the school's responsibility will hurt you though.

 

[xanis]

Drank a lot, did a lot of work, went to a lot of classes. I didn't have a ton of friends, but I had a small group of really good ones. Graduated with a so-so GPA and got a good job right out of school, and now I'm at an even better one. No real regrets.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I'm sorry but that's bullshit. Your grades are your responsibility, NOT your school's. I don't mean to sound like I'm giving you too much grief though, as long as you aren't a total fuck up then your high school grades won't matter later on in life. The attitude that your grades are the school's responsibility will hurt you though.

Its alright. Just that my school is known to be rigorous. I take responsibility for taking these hard classes (5APs, 3Honors, no lunch)

Drank a lot, did a lot of work, went to a lot of classes. I didn't have a ton of friends, but I had a small group of really good ones. Graduated with a so-so GPA and got a good job right out of school, and now I'm at an even better one. No real regrets.

sweet.

 

[shortylickens]

Greek Life is great
Join a frat.
Do not get a GF in college. Wasted a couple years of my college life.
Get a good degree
Get an internship in your latter years.
Profit?

Are you suggesting he avoid women entirely, or fuck around like a dirty tom cat?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Are you suggesting he avoid women entirely, or fuck around like a dirty tom cat?

No he's not. He's saying that I should have casual relationships and not to chase around girls.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

So in College, enjoy yourself, do get drunk and go to parties. Be as social as you can, make contacts because contacts in the future will get you much farther in life than a degree or 4.0 GPA.

This advice wins the thread.

Let me tell you young whippersnappers something that may or may not surprise you. Think you're a big shot and super skilled? Do you have awesome skills in whatever field you're majoring in? Guess what? It probably doesn't matter. If you want to succeed and move up the ladder, networking and social skills are FAR more important.

I was an EE major and I thought that because of my intelligence and skills, I'd have no problems going far up the ladder. Guess what I learned? If you're skilled and a hard worker, you're going to get stuck in a position making management look good while they "reward" you with more work and blow sunshine up your ass. As an example, I accidentally saw the review of one of my managers (who was the CIO). He got a stellar review but guess what? Every single point he was praised on was MY work. He wasn't some great visionary with an incredible vision and just left the details to me, either -- much of it was my own ideas. So he was getting stellar reviews based on my work while I was just getting very good reviews and no big raises. How do you think that made me feel?

My advice is this -- socialize and network at every opportunity. Even do a little sucking up because that's what it takes to move up. Don't care to move up? There's nothing wrong with that either, especially if you enjoy your job, but every single one of you will eventually work at a company where your manager (and maybe his/her manager) are dumbasses and only got his/her position because they networked and it WILL piss you off.

 

[Chapbass]

This advice wins the thread.

Let me tell you young whippersnappers something that may or may not surprise you. Think you're a big shot and super skilled? Do you have awesome skills in whatever field you're majoring in? Guess what? It probably doesn't matter. If you want to succeed and move up the ladder, networking and social skills are FAR more important.

I was an EE major and I thought that because of my intelligence and skills, I'd have no problems going far up the ladder. Guess what I learned? If you're skilled and a hard worker, you're going to get stuck in a position making management look good while they "reward" you with more work and blow sunshine up your ass. As an example, I accidentally saw the review of one of my managers (who was the CIO). He got a stellar review but guess what? Every single point he was praised on was MY work. He wasn't some great visionary with an incredible vision and just left the details to me, either -- much of it was my own ideas. So he was getting stellar reviews based on my work while I was just getting very good reviews and no big raises. How do you think that made me feel?

My advice is this -- socialize and network at every opportunity. Even do a little sucking up because that's what it takes to move up. Don't care to move up? There's nothing wrong with that either, especially if you enjoy your job, but every single one of you will eventually work at a company where your manager (and maybe his/her manager) are dumbasses and only got his/her position because they networked and it WILL piss you off.

A very enthusiastic +1. I'm not very old, but as someone who is semi-well connected, I totally agree with this.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

A very enthusiastic +1. I'm not very old, but as someone who is semi-well connected, I totally agree with this.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't learn this advice when I was younger and now I'm just old, cranky, and don't care.

 

[Imp]

Ya, gotta agree with the socializing part being equal/more important than grades. It'll be easier to get into grad school too with reasonably good grades (above B+ minimum) and on a first name basis with your professors.

Job wise... I'm a tech with a graduate degree in engineering. I'm either retarded, lack motivation, or am socially-inept/not an ass kisser. There's a bit of the first, but the latter two, and especially the second, are the big ones.

Edit: Also, concerning being social: you don't HAVE to join a club or frat. I'd never do join a frat and clubs are "meh" to me. But just going to class and talking to everyone you know, doing stuff with them, and *gasp* making friends goes places in itself.

 

[Train]

This advice wins the thread.

Let me tell you young whippersnappers something that may or may not surprise you. Think you're a big shot and super skilled? Do you have awesome skills in whatever field you're majoring in? Guess what? It probably doesn't matter. If you want to succeed and move up the ladder, networking and social skills are FAR more important.

I was an EE major and I thought that because of my intelligence and skills, I'd have no problems going far up the ladder. Guess what I learned? If you're skilled and a hard worker, you're going to get stuck in a position making management look good while they "reward" you with more work and blow sunshine up your ass. As an example, I accidentally saw the review of one of my managers (who was the CIO). He got a stellar review but guess what? Every single point he was praised on was MY work. He wasn't some great visionary with an incredible vision and just left the details to me, either -- much of it was my own ideas. So he was getting stellar reviews based on my work while I was just getting very good reviews and no big raises. How do you think that made me feel?

My advice is this -- socialize and network at every opportunity. Even do a little sucking up because that's what it takes to move up. Don't care to move up? There's nothing wrong with that either, especially if you enjoy your job, but every single one of you will eventually work at a company where your manager (and maybe his/her manager) are dumbasses and only got his/her position because they networked and it WILL piss you off.

The thing people need to know is...

No matter your major, your major is business. Sales specifically, and you are selling yourself.

Don't think you can be an introvert and hide out in some engineering field. Good communication and the ability to sell yourself and your ideas, is important in every field.

Don't put off learning good communication and networking skills.

 

[diesbudt]

Had way too much fun my first two years.

Got serious about what I wanted to do, knuckled down (still had fun), branched out, and had an amazing job waiting for me 8 months prior to graduation.


It's all about moderation. It's what you make of it.

^
Closest to my experience.

College is also a lot about learning how to network, and actually networking.

So meet people, don't hole yourself up in your home/dorm when not in class.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

OP, you're a semi bright fairly literate kid. Stay the hell away from Frats and study what you're interested in not, what you think will pay the best. Pay your own way and don't borrow. Do not, repeat, DO NOT look at a college education as a job training/preparation tool. That is not and, has never been the purpose of a University. If you want job training, go to technical school.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

OP, you're a semi bright fairly literate kid. Stay the hell away from Frats and study what you're interested in not, what you think will pay the best. Pay your own way and don't borrow. Do not, repeat, DO NOT look at a college education as a job training/preparation tool. That is not and, has never been the purpose of a University. If you want job training, go to technical school.

I know. College is an experience. You learn more from experience than what you learn in school.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I had a great time. I did well enough in the grade department but to be honest none of that even mattered. What ultimately mattered most were the contacts I made. The friendships. Ultimately one of those contacts, one of those friendships, led me to get a job at the corporation I work for today.

So at the end of the day, at least for me, the most beneficial aspect of college life was the social side.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I had a great time. I did well enough in the grade department but to be honest none of that even mattered. What ultimately mattered most were the contacts I made. The friendships. Ultimately one of those contacts, one of those friendships, led me to get a job at the corporation I work for today.

So at the end of the day, at least for me, the most beneficial aspect of college life was the social side.

Thats great!

Currently my parents are stressing the hell out of me (SAT score being high. ACT score being high. In order to make up for my above average GPA)

 

[Farang]

First two years are for socializing

Have to agree with this.

I had a great college experience, but it mostly centered around traveling and doing fun things. My first two years, though, I bounced around so much I never really made a circle of friends at the university I graduated from. In fact I don't keep in touch with anyone at all from there. It's because I enrolled/arrived on campus my third year and by that time people already had their own cliques and whatnot, it was hard to break in. The people there had just spent two of their most formative years bonding and I was off doing something else.

So my tip would be definitely study abroad at least once, and try to go to the same university for 4 years and do it the normal way whether via dorms or frat.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Have to agree with this.

I had a great college experience, but it mostly centered around traveling and doing fun things. My first two years, though, I bounced around so much I never really made a circle of friends at the university I graduated from. In fact I don't keep in touch with anyone at all from there. It's because I enrolled/arrived on campus my third year and by that time people already had their own cliques and whatnot, it was hard to break in. The people there had just spent two of their most formative years bonding and I was off doing something else.

So my tip would be definitely study abroad at least once, and try to go to the same university for 4 years and do it the normal way whether via dorms or frat.

I do plan on studying abroad at one point. I want to go to Amsterdam, not for the weed but for the historical buildings.

Recently remembered that I used to want to be a cyber security person. Lol

 

[SagaLore]

It was a waste. I should have:

- Picked a university that was out of State
- Lived in a dorm
- Spent more time actually doing my work and get better grades
- Gone straight for a Master's degree
- Dated, a lot
- Never enter into a long term relationship
- Studied abroad for awhile

 

[Saint Nick]

It was a waste. I should have:

- Picked a university that was out of State
- Lived in a dorm
- Spent more time actually doing my work and get better grades
- Gone straight for a Master's degree
- Dated, a lot
- Never enter into a long term relationship
- Studied abroad for awhile

Lol, me too buddy

Oh well.

 

[TheVrolok]

Fantastic. Most fun years of my life.

 

[Imp]

I know. College is an experience. You learn more from experience than what you learn in school.

Umm... I think he meant that college is for expanding your knowledge and opening your mind. The "experience" is one part of it, but so are the courses and actual academic component. Learn about what you like, test your limits and see what you're good/bad at, and don't just go because you think the piece of paper is your gateway to a guaranteed, high-paying job when you come out.

 

[Muse]

I got drunk one time and one time only in college -- the toilet was my friend, repeatedly. Don't think I've had a rum and coke since.

Mostly I was studious, but I liked to enjoy myself on weekends, and I'm not talking about drinking alcoholic beverages. I'd maybe go out, listen to music, maybe some sports recreation.

I was a physics, then a math major and I eventually graduated in math.

I loved the university experience relative to grade school, which felt like I was in prison, surrounded by fences, paved with concrete and asphalt everywhere. The U was beautiful, landscaping, trees, grass, I was free to go as I pleased, I had electives, noone was doing roll call, but I never cut class. It was a privilege. I still get those dreams occasionally, like I guess just about everybody does of having dropped the ball on a class. I hate those.

My older brother preceded me there (UC Berkeley) and he and his wife (who he met there in the dorms) encouraged me before I attended to consider the frats because of the social life advantages. However, i never considered it. To me a fraternity was anathema. And no, I don't believe the first two years are for socializing. I got right down to my studies and getting A's.

 

[Muse]

Ignore people who tell you to "study what you love." I don't care how much you love philosophy, it won't get you a job.

But if you master philosophy you can be philosophical about what happens after you graduate, whatever happens! I listened to three Alan Watts lectures in the last 24 hours, fantastic stuff (check out Youtube)! The fact of the matter is (and Watts emphasizes this in the first of the two lectures linked), many if not most of the people in high paying jobs are incapable of seeing what life's really all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZNB3iYw9fc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSYnS5WG3I

Incidentally, I eventually became a programmer and many of the best programmers I have met did not major in anything resembling computer programming.

 

[Farang]

I do plan on studying abroad at one point. I want to go to Amsterdam, not for the weed but for the historical buildings.

Recently remembered that I used to want to be a cyber security person. Lol

Amsterdam is awesome, I'm sure it would be a lot of fun to study there. They actually have some nice universities too, I remember staying in Utrecht which is not too far outside Amsterdam

 

[Muse]

These days, a degree isn't enough to get you a job. You also need work experience which means internships and whatnot. College education won't fully prepare you for work either, a lot of it will be on the job training which you will have to adapt to.

So in College, enjoy yourself, do get drunk and go to parties. Be as social as you can, make contacts because contacts in the future will get you much farther in life than a degree or 4.0 GPA.

From an early age I've had disdain for people who get where they are in life by virtue of contacts/friends/associates/who-you-know. Rubs me the wrong way entirely.

OP, you're a semi bright fairly literate kid. Stay the hell away from Frats and study what you're interested in not, what you think will pay the best. Pay your own way and don't borrow. Do not, repeat, DO NOT look at a college education as a job training/preparation tool. That is not and, has never been the purpose of a University. If you want job training, go to technical school.

This was pretty much my attitude. I was very idealistic.