petre

Started college in oz like 3 months ago, and till now, I'm really not finding anything even close to being fun or wild beng a friggin college student...1st off, the fees are a friggin ripoff, they're teaching high school stuff for $150 per tutorial, and now i recall highschool being much more interesting than boredump of classes i'm attending..Im clueless y r they charging me so much for things I could simply read and learn by myself, which I'm currently suggested to do by the way...U hav to look for info, by urself, u hav to find facts, by urself, u hav to practice, by ur self, u have to look for materials, by urself...now im not saying im lame and dependant, but if this is the freaking case, y do i have to pay 10k per trimester in the first place?? To be told what to do?? This is shit....

Working part-time while ur studying isn't that fun either. In fact, its not fun at all, its miserable. Mcdonalds isn't exactly what I thought of becoming an employee of b4 coming here, but guess what, Mcdonalds it is. Im 18, and I'm having to wake up at 6 am to work, and go home at 6pm after school...i don't think its going to get better, unless i retire one day as a very rich man, but then, surely after so many years of the same routine, I won't be able to sleep well and long even if i wanted to, which is just crap.

I'm probably sounding real lame rite now, but even the weather here is crap...just 2-3 full sunlightly days out of urm..90. Others are either just cold and windy and depressing.

Maybe I'm just depressed, but i don't feel depressed, I just feel college sucks deep, tomorrows my math exam, if i fail this shit, i'm just doomed.

__________________
With great power, comes the great temptation to break stuff.

Cynthetiq

maybe you can find a yo to add to the u in your posts while you are at it.

there's no babying in college. pick yourself up and move yourself forward.

what do you think happens when you work? do you need to be told how to and what to do? when you have your own business will someone tell you what you need to know and research?

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Iliftrocks

College sucked for me also. Almost everyone I knew in college, who had a good time, was being supported by the Mom-And-Dad corporation. I was poor and worked through. Each of those new fees and tuition jumps in mid-semester almost sent me over the freakin edge. There were weeks that I didn't have anything to eat, but I damned well better come up with some more money for a new supplemental book the prof just pulled out of his ass... wheeee!!!!!!

It gets better afterwards man, just keep chugging away.

I say that and I never got a job in my field of study. The job I have now, I could have had by working my way up from high school. Much as I had to do from college...... It's a terrible investment money-wise, but I really don't regret it. I busted my ass and finished an engineering degree. Most people can't say that. Now I work a nice, easy, boring IT admin job......


EDIT: I really did have a little fun in college, but for the most part it was just hard work AS IT SHOULD BE.

It does get better. Nothing worthwhile in my life has been easy.

__________________
bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

thespian86

Okay, so I'm going to be blunt.

Welcome to the real world my man. Time to grow up. Here are a few lessons your are learning the hard way right now and the simple truth is learn em' fast lest you be eaten alive.

1) You have to be self-reliant; no one is going to coddle you or hold your hand in university. High school is for everyone; the under and over achievers, the party animals, the geeks, the in-betweens. Post-Secondary is for people who WANT a Post-Secondary education.

2) Life takes will and descipline. I wake up at 5 every morning and work out for two hours, I eat nothing that I want, I don't drink a lot, I don't smoke, I read about 4 to 8 books a week (and in university that means reading them about 4 times: a shallow read, an indepth read, an analysis, and a tag read [where you tag/under line all of the important speaking or discussion points for easy access in class or work). Did I mention I go to school from 8-7? Six days a week? And that doesn't include the number of master classes, and rehearsal labs I have at night. I also take two private workshops. It all comes down to how bad you want it.

3) FIRST YEAR SUCKS. First year is a shitty version of high school for most university students. Mostly because you are doing similar stuff and getting shitty marks for it. That's life. Stick it out. In a couple of months it'll be over and in a year you'll be saying "FINALLY"

4) You're not depressed. You're adjusting.

Sorry that it's kind of harsh but seriously dude, that's life. That is life. And it's what you make of it. So work hard, smile, do the things you want to do on your time off, and when your done be a better person for not giving up.

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

abaya

He said it.

Welcome to the real world. Kinda. College is pretty cake compared to the real world... but for you right now, it's going to suck. After a while, college will be easy cheese, and then you'll graduate... and go through another adjustment/shock to the system. It just keeps getting better, doesn't it?

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Iliftrocks

Having picked a pretty hard major to get, I can say without a doubt, that real life is cake compared to getting an engineering degree. Most people drop out in the first two years, before it even gets hard. All college experiences are not created equal. I always heard your first year is the hardest. It was my easiest.

That being said, you really do need to work through it. Getting out on your own sucks for a while, till you get used to it and make your own way. You can do it. You are tougher than you think.

__________________
bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

abaya

True. I guess I was thinking more about the whole expectation of "partying" that so many students seem to have (especially in the US), and how it really is just an extension of high school for many people, in that sense.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Poppinjay

College was a blast, except for that time I got arrested.

Freshman year does kind of suck. You don't know anybody, especially since you're apparently off campus. Even when you're a resident, freshmen are usually kept in seperate housing from upper classes, so you're in a building full of newly independent jerkwads.

Once I learned the myriad ways of the financial system, fees and books were not a problem. I checked out one textbook for a semester. Plus the school paid ME to do things like edit the paper, run the radio station, serve as a senator, waiter the scholly banquet.

Can you qualify as a work-student? It's easier to work at your school than Mickey D's.

__________________
I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

petre

lol, u managed to get urself arrested?? What for?

Regardless, y would i want to work at college?? They pay like 8-10$ ph to work at the cafeteria, i'm currently getting 14ph at mcdonalds, plus free breakfast and discounted french fries

And yeah, got to agree with mr rocklifter, engineering is just darn hard...its one thing to do ur assignments and homework, but to understand all those things u learn is a totally diffrent story, esp eng. maths, still couldn't get calculus although Im just retaking the same thing i took in high school lol

But seriously, i really can't c where im going these days, for all the effort i give in school, I still get stuck in between lessons, and worse still, I'm really losing the plot here, can't recall a thing i learned just a month ago, been damn bz just doing two things, work and school...whats more depressing is seeing how easy my classmates r going thru this course, and me taking twice the effort to finish half a job...can't wait for this trimester to end next week, seriously need to consider my course again and my pals, if they could be any less helpful, they are. Im telling u, my countrymen, esp the ones studying abroad are the worse ppl to make friends with, most of them r just petty bloodsuckers and favor-beggars, atleast thats the kind of ppl im currently stuck with.
You wouln't believe how ill-spirited some of this pricks be, this guy, since i met him 2 months ago, i've done nothing but help and do favors for him, afterall he was the only malaysian i knew then so i had to make him a friend, I let him into my room when he moved out of his, and covered all his expenses while he was there coz he was broke, i helped him find a room, and hell, even lend him some money to get by until he manage to get some of his own. But now the prick doesn't even bother to answer my calls properly, and avoid me like donno what, and i don't think he has even the slightest intention of paying back my money. Well im not a spiteful guy so i just stopped thinking about these ppl.

Any1 of u guys have ever met these type of persons b4??

__________________
With great power, comes the great temptation to break stuff.

snowy

College is going to be difficult if you can't form a complete sentence and use whole words to express yourself instead of AIM-speak. I'm sorry, but it's really hard to stomach your "I'm better than this" attitude if you can't use the English language as it is meant to be used.

College is hard, cupcake. Get used to it. It is the kind of endeavor that requires a lot of humility and willingness to ask for help. It's not a wild and crazy scene of partying and sex all the time. More often than not, it's about having your nose stuck in a book and studying hard. Those all-nighters you hear about? They're for writing papers or studying for tests.

If you're having problems with studying and learning the information you need to know for your courses, there are probably resources on your campus that can help you with that. I suggest you take advantage of them, as that's what your fees are paying for.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Poppinjay

As a work-study student, you generally end up with a job in your acdemic department. This saves you the time of commuting to McD's AND increases your time with your professors.

And yeah, wht snwy sed w/teh AIM speak.

__________________
I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

Willravel

For the average person the first year only sucks if you aren't able to balance schoolwork, job and a social life. That's why so many people's experience improves going into second year, they're more used to the schedule and it's easier to find that balance.

Me? I was a man-whore.

No, but seriously, I absolutely love learning. That made up for the high prices and having to work several jobs. It was like being a chocoholic working at Willy Wonka's factory. Sure it was hard work, and there was always the risk of being eaten by a whangdoodle or accidentally dying in a magical industrial accident, which is stressful, but at least you're somewhere that you love and doing something that makes you happy.

Try to enjoy learning. Start a debate about something, ask a difficult question of the teacher. Engage your classes with tenacity and devotion. You'll be repaid with enjoyment.

Edit: btw ur 18 yerz old now and joined in may 07? stinker lol.

The Faba

I moved out of Civil Engineering for a few reasons - none of which were that it was difficult.

I just happened to like Geology more.

Just one more semester left... Then four more for the master's degree.

Willravel

GEOLOGY, BITCHES!

/avatarjack

Leto

You know what they say...

subduction leads to orogeny

/end threadjack


As has been mentioned before so eloquently by Punkmusicfan and Willravel (amongst others) post secondary means that you WANT to te there. The 4 year programme is a process, you are at the beginning. Unless you are in the wrong discipline, start to really LIKE what you are doing. Become engaged with what you are learning otherwise you are doomed to mediocrity.

Iliftrocks

I have kicked myself many times for not switching majors. I surely would have had more fun in anthropology.

Social life was not a big problem. I went to a school with 10% women, AND I was an introvert, so..... Funny enough, I was one of the few guys I knew gettin' it steady. Who needs sleep?

Not accusing anyone here of quitting because of lack of backbone, but a giant proportion of the engineering students I knew that quit, did it because they couldn't hack the work. They were very unashamed to say so. I was just too damned hard-headed to quit. I hates feelin like a quitter.

I wish I had figured out what I liked earlier, I surely would have changed majors. I am thinking about going back to school. Imagine, if you will, a 40 something med student.

__________________
bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

genuinegirly

Have you visited your financial aid office to see what is available? They will give you the scoop on grants, scholarships, low-interest student loans, and perhaps other options.

Since you mentioned you're Malay, have you tried looking in to scholarships that cater to minorities?

Here is a link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (United States. I have no idea what options are available to you in other countries): FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student AidFill it out, have your parents fill it out (unless you're over age 23), and get free money for school.

Are you keeping track of academic expenses, including books, so you can use them to your advantage come tax time?

Have you looked into any scholarships through your employer? Here is a link to the McDonald's USA National Employee Scholarship Program website: Employee Scholarships

Do you live in dorms or with friends in cheap off-campus housing? Do you have any family members living close to your school that you could room with for a cheaper rate? Have you worked to minimize your expenses, such as riding a bike or walking when possible instead of driving a car, or purchasing less expensive food options (looks like you're eating at work, which would qualify in this category)?

Do any of your professors use books that are available through the school library? Perhaps your professors would be willing to place a copy of each textbook on reserve at the library's circulation desk, so you and other financially-strapped students can check them out for use inside the library.

When you must purchase a textbook, do you purchase them through the over-priced school bookstore, or through Amazon.com or other online book stores? Are you able to determine the books required before the semester begins, so you can skim through required texts during breaks between semesters? This often helps me to gain a better perspective on what will be required of me throughout the upcoming semester.

Are you involved with any campus clubs? Good place to make friends and aquaintances that will be helpful later on in life, assuming you're in an honors society or club associated with your field of study.

When you are struggling to pay for school yourself, NEVER LOAN SUBSTANTIAL SUMS OF MONEY TO FRIENDS. Be selfish with your time, your personal space, and your cash flow while you are in school. You require a solid base if you are going to succeed.

Expect to spend 2-4 hours outside of class reading and studying for every one hour you spend in a classroom. If you find you don't require that much time for a given course, spend that extra time on another course. You cannot over-study for difficult courses. Do not over-schedule yourself. Focus on getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night, so when you need to pull an all-nighter, you won't be phased. You may have to pull 3 all-nighters in a row when it comes time for finals or midterms in exceptionally difficult courses. Expect this. Learn to embrace the challenge.

You are pumping so much money into every semester because you're paying for a degree. It's a stupid piece of paper that shows you made it through. You waded through all of the crap and stupidity, you taught yourself everything important, and you made it to the other side. It means a better paying career in a field you enjoy, rather than flipping burgers for the rest of your life.

Find a field that you LOVE, that you want to spend 8 hours every day pursuing for the rest of your life. This will supply you with the drive required to make it thorugh the crappy courses. Spend your summers with internships and volunteer work in the field you want to work in. It will be a break from studying, and it will open doors for your options when you graduate.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

curiousbear

College both UG and PG was the best ever time in my life. the performance, fun and awareness.
I think it is just starting trouble. Please check every thing the Tfpers have said here (Genuinegirl, so sweet, your checklist is thorough)

Anormalguy

I worked my way through most of college, lived with my parents most of the time, lived on my own some of the time, & also had the joy (not!) of living with my in-laws some of the time.

COLLEGE SUCKED!

Meeting my future wife was the only really bright spot.

__________________
In a society where the individual is not free to pursue the truth...there is neither progress, stability nor security.--Edward R. Murrow

World's King

My guess is that you're not going to school for English.


I got halfway through your first post and gave up. I'm sorry. I have little respect for people that can't type properly.

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

abaya

We do tend to have a lot of fun, as a department (at least, at the graduate level). I majored in English as an undergrad (switched from pre-med, ha!--one of the best things I ever did), though, and we also managed to have some of the most fun on campus. If my undergrad had offered anthropology, I definitely would have taken that (or international relations).

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

thespian86

Petre I remember your post about getting in and not knowing if you should go a few months ago and my post was "If you got accepted then you deserve to get into that school". Now I see the problem is either:

a) A confidence/Self worth problem. Because, face it buddy, everyone's major is hard. School is hard; no on finds it easy. No. One.

b) You're lazy. It could be this too.

c) both.

Dude, there are no excuses in life. Do it, or don't do it. Sure, you have your reasons, but don't kid yourself. You are either going to do it. Or not. Just do it.

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

petre

sorry about my language though, been chatting to much these days, got too used to it. And just for the record, I'm not poor okay, just a bit cheap, but certainly not poor enough for school, anyway, Im working so money isn't a big deal, its only when paying too much money for thing's I believe shouldn't be that expensive in the first place. I could just feel the money going down drain day by day, and its not comforting at all. Makes me feel really uptight and confused about everything I spend my money on. But there was particular thing that made a bit happy, a friend of mine sold me his civic for around 3k, and I kinda had lots of money then coz my parents just banked in so I bought it straightaway. After a week, I found I don't actually need a car much, and I don't like driving much, so I tried to sell it back in my local marketplace and guess what, managed to sell to for i think close to 4k, which although might be unethical, but the girl who bought it from me seemed really satisfied with the deal, and I made around 1k in little over 2 weeks..but thats about it, I hate it here.

Math exam in 2 hours, and I'm loitering here, I won't be surprised if I fail lol. But seriously, gotta go study, so adioss amigos.

__________________
With great power, comes the great temptation to break stuff.

cadre

It seems like 80% of the Engineering majors I know have either switched or dropped out too. I think a lot of people get into it without realizing that it actually is a challenge. Same thing happens with my program (photo) when I was taking lower level classes there'd be 40 people the first couple weeks and it would slowly dwindle down to about 10 when people realized there's work involved.


College is more like real life in that they won't give you something unless you're willing to work for it but at the same time no one is really out to get your grade or job in the same way people will be in the real world.

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

thespian86

yeah my class starts out with 30 something and only a dozen graduate. It takes a lot of commitment to survive school; no matter the program.

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

KirStang

I feel your pain, I hated working and going to school. So many times I got home at 12:00 a.m. on a Saturday night, after a *crazy* dinner shift, with all the chefs riding my ass...and commenced studying til' 7 a.m.

It's all about how you look at it buddy. If you can turn success from this, you can turn success from anything.

Or take a loan. Enjoy college. Up to you. Student loans aren't hard to come by.

ASU2003

Part of it is that by the third year people realize that it probably isn't worth it unless you are gifted. For the schoolwork engineers have to do, the get 1/3 what lawyers and doctors get after they graduate. Business students have salaries all across the board. But I learned that that is where I should have been. But I don't kick myself for the choice I made in college, it all worked out 5 years later.

My advice is to take longer to finish. It may mean you suffer 2 more years, but I wish I hadn't rushed as much as I did (and I took 5 years). The real world will be there whenever you get done. You will be able to focus on a smaller number classes and do better at them. As well as having time for other stuff.

Then make sure you take some road trips, make some friends, and go to at least two parties a month.

(Do you like the college you are at? I know people that switched after their first year back to the state college where they knew a bunch of people from high school and had lots of friends instantly)

jorgelito

You know, you people need to lay off the guy for "poor writing skills" or be fair and criticize everyone who does it. This is just bullying. There are many TFPrs who do not spell check, use paragraphs, quote too much and heck, there are even some posters who never capitalize the first word of their sentences (a basic writing skill). So come on now, stop bullying and let's be fair.

__________________
"The race is not always to the swift, nor battle to the strong, but
to the one that endures to the end."

"Demand more from yourself, more than anyone else could ever ask!"

- My recruiter

Cynthetiq

There's nothing bullying about it. The community does police itself when it comes to communication and it's difficulties with the AIM-speak. That's why you don't see much of it, you know that jorge. I don't see any bullying in this thread.

It isn't any different when someone uses runon sentences and no paragraphs.

People are writing expecting to get a response, you write in a particular manner and style that appears incoherent it will garner less responses or reponses from thoughtful, helpful people who'd like to help but need or expex better communication. People explain to you that it's better to respond clearly, it's pretty simple.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

petre

failed my chemistry subject, now got to freaking fork out
$2050 to repeat the 3-month long course....I'm telling you, the teacher is a dick, he doesn't even teach, he just writes on the board and reads back what he wrote. I'm blaming him for this, though I could have been a bit more motivated in actually reading my textbook. Could have bought a 92' Corolla for that money.

Good news is I think I'm going to get a promotion to the inventories from next month, atleast that was what my manager implied to me...Not really sure, but would love to get away from the kitchen as soon as possible.

But this chemistry crap is really making me miserable, wish I get a new teacher next term.

Cheers

__________________
With great power, comes the great temptation to break stuff.

PonyPotato

Honestly, if you would rather have a 16-year-old car than a college education, by all means do so.

It is not your professor's job to motivate you. It is YOUR job to read your textbook, synthesize said information, and ask for help if you need it. Some professors are horrible, some are extremely good.

If you're so worried about the money and are too lazy to actually WORK at college instead of being spoon-fed information to memorize for a multiple-choice test, drop out and continue working at McDonald's.

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

petre

thats my problem...I don't know why I'm so high strung when it comes to spending money for education, I guess I'm just not used to it yet. And I said i could have bought a corolla, not I would have bought one, if thats the case, I would have, cause I got the money, but I can prioritize so I choose to retake the subject instead. Btw laziness is a genetic trait u know, people who have it just have naturally have more difficulty doing things they don't like than those who doesn't have the gene. So I should be satisfied to a certain extent that I'm doing all these stuff okay. Regardless I have to agree with you, college is more important than mcdonalds, and I do have to work harder. Thanks for that, cheers.

__________________
With great power, comes the great temptation to break stuff.

PonyPotato

Good, so go out and do it! Are you taking a full-time class load? I found it was much easier to work hard at college when I was taking a heavy load of classes and doing the bare minimum of part-time wage work. When work had to be done, it was easier to write off my homework because I didn't get paid for doing homework. What you have to realize, though, is that you'll be paying twice as much for that class credit if you DON'T do your homework and fail, so getting paid for a few hours of work in the meantime really doesn't cancel that extra cost out.

Good luck!

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Cynthetiq

sometimes I practice saying, "Would you like fries with that?"

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Jinn

They don't really ask that anymore. I know it's kinda cliche, but everyone gets meals these days. It's usually "do you want to biggie size that for $$ more?".

And really, you need to find yourself a suave friend. I was the most shy extrovert (different than an introvert) geek when I went into college with an Engineering major, and I thought my Freshman year was going to be terrible. But I was roomed with an incredible extrovert for two solid years, and his constant motivation and connections allowed me to party basically every night.

It turned out OK - freshman year was cake compared to senior year, if you're really going to stick with Engineering. If you find yourself a good group of friends (4-5) you'll be surprised how much better life is. You need at least a few people to bounce your complaints off of.

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

levite

I loved college, and Freshman year was one of the best of my life. No reason school should suck so much.

1. Check out financial aid. Hard to believe there's no education money to be had in Australia. If no grants are forthcoming, consider at least partial loans. Remember, your time is valuable. There's little point to coming out of college debt-free if it means you had a crappy experience for four years.

2. Get a better job. Mickey D's sucks. Find someplace entertaining to work. Like a bookstore, or a music store, or something. Best job I ever had was working as a cataloguer in a rare book shop. I'd still be doing it if it paid the bills. But nothing is worse than going to work someplace you hate. Find a job you can enjoy, even if it's only a little.

3. Think about your major. Are you enjoying what you're learning? Why are you taking the classes you're taking? If your lifelong dream has been to be an engineer or an architect or something, and you're finding the classes hard, maybe you just have to suck it up: some classes just bite, and there's no getting around it. On the other hand, if you decided that majoring in engineering or suchlike would lead to good jobs when you graduate, then consider majoring in something more fun, even if you might make less when you graduate. To at least some extent, the learning experience will reflect a little what your experience may be like utilizing the knowledge. Not entirely, of course, or necessarily even a lot. But a little bit. And if you hate it, then do something else. Happiness is way more important than money or ambition. I switched from History to Literature to Theater before I was happy, and I have never once regretted it. I had a great time, and it actually ended up being relevant to my life after college a shocking amount of the time, considering that my career as an actor/director was fairly short-lived.

4. Lighten up, dude! So you pay tuition. So you flunk a test. So you hate a class. Shit happens, and to all of us. For Christ's sake, you're eighteen and in college. Have some fun! Smoke some pot, get laid, go hear some rock and roll getting played at ridiculous volume. Relish the moment. You're not just living the dream, you're making memories that will last a lifetime!

__________________
Dull sublunary lovers love,
Whose soul is sense, cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
That thing which elemented it.

(From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne)

BlueEyes

Agreed. I'm in my 5th (and last!) year of my undergrad, and my first two years were mostly mind numbing and yes, depressing. There's a lot that goes into this. Being fresh out of high school, its a hard adjustment. Going to college is so exciting, then you get there and you have to take gen ed classes that have nothing to do with what YOU want to do with your life. If you have a set path, your classes do get better, I promise.

As for the part time job-QUIT I realize that this isn't a possibility for everyone. I also worked a part time job the entire time I've been in college (some years more than others). If you can't get scholarships, get loans. You'll look back and wish you had taken the time that you spent at work to study more, and make connections with people. You can also find workstudy on campus that is much more convenient that working off campus.

MAKE FRIENDS MAKE FRIENDS MAKE FRIENDS. Again, something else I didn't do until the end of my sophomore year. Everyone in college finds their group of friends pretty quickly, and it gets harder to make social connections the farther you are into your time there. There are so many opportunities for this as a freshman. Go to the cheesy social events that the campus puts on, this will help relax you and get your mind off of work and studying.

Good luck, I hope everything goes well!

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The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
Horace Walpole

sprocket

Suck it up. Actually having to join the workforce full time is generally much worse.

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Remember, wherever you go... there you are.