College: good, bad or horrible?

[Nathan]

So here's the question of the night for you college student NICO members: Do you like and enjoy college or do you find it a bad experience. If you find it a bad experience, would you go so far as to say that it is a horrible experience? I believe that I would. I realize that having a college degree is better than not having one, but that doesn't make the process of aquiring said college degree any easier. I hated elementary school, I hated junior high, I hated high school, and now I continue the trend by hating college. If it wasn't for the fact that my parents and girlfriend would be very disappointed in me if I dropped out and the fact that right now, college works into the chronologically laid out plans that I have for my life, I would certainly drop out. I will further expound upon my hatred later, when I'm not sleeping instead of studying How do you feel about college?

[Bunta240]

I cant really say since im not in it. But im looking forword to it much more then this High School hell.

[Touchdown038]

I'm here, and I enjoy it for the most part. but DAMN I need to meet some more car people... all the people on my hall don't know jack about cars. It can be really frustrating.

[DAEDALUS]

I'll need to hear more details on why college is so horrible. College is an awesome time for most people I think, though many only realize it later in life. You will always associate your college years with your youth (I assume you're of typical college student age) and and all the benefits that come with it. There is a lot of satisfaction in that little diploma. The harder it is to get, the more rewarding. Yeah, it's really tough, but once you get it you can look back and say you kicked some A. I guarantee that thinking back on all the hoops you have to jump through to get through college would be much more pleasurable than thinking back to the same age if, instead of being a student, you were stuck in a rut of a dead-end, meaningless job. What would you be doing if you weren't in college?

[rico05]

I really like college. Mostly for the easy access to loans for my car, and the meager hope that the degree I attain will make enough money to pay them back

[-HyJynX-]

I like college, I actually do stuff, unlike HS. Im glad im out of HS and in college.

[Jesda]

I live with the parentals a mile away from campus, and I like it just fine. I'd turn into a serial killer if I had to share a room or live with noisy idiots.

[I H8 UR DSM]

So here's the question of the night for you college student NICO members: Do you like and enjoy college or do you find it a bad experience. If you find it a bad experience, would you go so far as to say that it is a horrible experience? I believe that I would. I realize that having a college degree is better than not having one, but that doesn't make the process of aquiring said college degree any easier. I hated elementary school, I hated junior high, I hated high school, and now I continue the trend by hating college. If it wasn't for the fact that my parents and girlfriend would be very disappointed in me if I dropped out and the fact that right now, college works into the chronologically laid out plans that I have for my life, I would certainly drop out. I will further expound upon my hatred later, when I'm not sleeping instead of studying

Maybe you're not in the right place...maybe you have to think about what you want and how college will fit into that, and you might want to consider going to college somewhere else, diff state, country, etc....I would imagine you have some sort of plan or view of what you might want to try to do in your future,and there are steps to get there, and if you are trying to get someplace, you wont 'hate' school, because you understand its necessary, and would probrobly be something you enjoy since it would be directed towards the goals and idea's you have set for yourself

[MaineExport]

I went to college right after high school... and did miserably. I HATED it! I wasted a year of my life and a lot of money doing something that I wasn't ready for... or mature enough to do successfully.

SEVEN years later I went back to school when I was ready to go. I graduated with a 3.88 average in my major and a 3.82 overall. I am now back in school again and still kicking A. I treasure the college experience now.

Had I forced myself to stick with it over 10 years ago.. who knows where I would be now. Maybe I would be financially successful and in a great limitless career... but I don't care one bit. I had 7 years of fun, friends, love, youthful ignorance, and hard work that ALL contributed to who I am today. I wouldn't change anything I've done.

I do well in school now because I am at a point in my life where I can devote myself to FORMAL education. The way I look at life and my role in this world, I learned and grew more in those 7 years out of school than I ever would have.. had I stayed in school. Now that I am mature enough to handle college, it is time to be there.

We are only young once... for me that meant being part of the full time work force and full time party force in my late teens and early twenties. That is NOT to say that this plan is good for everybody... or you specifically. It is just to add another perspective to the mix. It IS possible to leave school now to peruse other interests.... and come back later with great success. But, it really boils down to YOUR goals and plans for the future. If you want to be 26 and firmly established in a career path.. then you should stay in school. If you're not worried about being a career whore and don't mind biding your time in the name of growing as a person... then maybe some time away from formal education is for you.

Time to do some serious soul searching.

[I H8 UR DSM]

I never really thought twice about going to college..it was always just something i guess i took for granted, and thought was 'necessary', i knew my parents both did and wanted me to, and i was a athlete, so it was always the 'next step'....so when the time came, i selected the school that had the best athletic program to fit me, accepted the scholorship and jumped in....did i get the full education i could or should have as a dedicated student, nope....i would learn a lot more and get more out of it if i went back now...but it did get me to where i wanted to be ( i now work in the front offices for one of the professional sports team), and i always have the opportunity to go back for my masters or just to go back in general...its dedication, and if your not dedicated, there probrobly isnt much reason to be there, take a break and do what you really want and think you should

[I H8 UR DSM]

I never really thought twice about going to college..it was always just something i guess i took for granted, and thought was 'necessary', i knew my parents both did and wanted me to, and i was a athlete, so it was always the 'next step'....so when the time came, i selected the school that had the best athletic program to fit me, accepted the scholorship and jumped in....did i get the full education i could or should have as a dedicated student, nope....i would learn a lot more and get more out of it if i went back now...but it did get me to where i wanted to be ( i now work in the front offices for one of the professional sports team), and i always have the opportunity to go back for my masters or just to go back in general...its dedication, and if your not dedicated, there probrobly isnt much reason to be there, take a break and do what you really want and think you should

[I H8 UR DSM]

double posting takes made skillz

[I H8 UR DSM]

*spelling 'mad' wrong, takes even bigger skillz*

[MaineExport]

*spelling 'mad' wrong, takes even bigger skillz*

Ummm... yeah... maybe it is time to get back to school!

[Nathan]

lmao at Jesse...way to be there I think the issue for me mainly is one of frustration, I'm not on speaking terms with my roommate, my bedroom has no windows (this is really starting to bother me). I have never been a fan of formal education (I prefer to learn things when I need them, not when someone tells me it would be a good idea). I'm pretty pissed that my car STILL doesn't run (I'm not going to make it to the march meet ), its test week and I have tests in financial accounting, and algebra which are my two worst classes, if I dont pass algebra this time around then I cant file for my degree plan. My girlfriend is extremely busy this semester and I haven't been able to see her much, I'm having to borrow money from my parents to pay the bills this month...in short, I have a *****fest of little gripes that are adding up to really frustrate me. Its not like I'm starving in a shack or something here, but I'm in a bit of a negative mood. I'm sure it'll come around a bit when I have some transportation again I still have issues with college though, for what I want to do with my life it really isn't necessary and my time would be better spent doing something else. What I want to do is start a sailing charter service, you know...2 hr lunch cruises, dinner cruises, snorkeling trips, that kind of thing. However, to do this I need my USCG Captains Liscense, which requires 360 days of saltwater experience. I think my time would be better spent gaining this experience so that I could move on to the Captains liscense and start gaining some more experience. I have all the freshwater experience I need but I lack any salt yet It just frustrates me to be working on a degree that I most likely will never use. However, as I said before, college fits into the chronological plans that I have: Married in 3 years, graduate within 4, move to one of the places I have in mind for my charter business (lots of ideas, but most likely somewhere in south florida/key west) crew on ANY boat I can for about 2 years to pick up some experience, then start trying to get together the small business loans and things necessary to start up the business. Ultimately, I'll be an entrepreneur co-owning the business with my Father...certainly something that a degree is not necessary for. The only thing the degree is good for is helping me run the business, get the loans, and as a backup plan in case things dont work out. I see a lot of the college classes I have to take as completely useless, such as College Algebra...I mean really, when am I going to be sitting there going "hmmm, let me find the vertices of the parabola so that I know how far back to the harbor it is" NEVER. Obviously math is important for navigation skills, but its not the kind of math that I have to do now. I apologize for the ***** fest, and I'm NOT going to drop out of college, its just that the whole formality of it and the fact that I'm really only here for a stupid piece of paper really gets to me at times. Besides, even if I wanted to drop out I couldn't...I'd never hear the end of it from the girlfriend She's very big on the importance of school and an education, I frequently anger her with my apathy towards it all

[Cold_Zero]

I enjoyed College and it was good to live away from the parental units while still under their wing. I met my wife at school and have a lot of good experiences. Repo and I went to a high school that was pretty strict as far as attendance and doing things their way. College was not like that. You get more responsibility and leeway when it comes to classes. I had some classes that I thought that there was no way it was a class and that I get credit for it.

People will tell you that you have to have a college degree to make it in life. I don’t think that is always the case. It is good to have at least a bachelors in the work-force and it will help you in many situations. Repo and I are working in jobs that are not even remotely close to what we studied for our degrees. You need to find a school or after high school training that fits your needs. Don’t let anyone tell you that only one school, degree program or training is the only way to go. There are a lot of options.

Bud

[MaineExport]

So.. go to a school that suits your needs better. The Maine Maritime Academy, for example, has degree programs in all aspects of marine studies. They also have a great business program.

It's just a thought... but if you were at a school and in a program that suited your future goals a little better, perhaps it would be a more tolerable (or dare I say enjoyable) experience. I am sure that there are schools like MMA all over the east and west coasts.

[Nathan]

Well, for now it fits my needs...my girlfriend will be here next year and I expect that will have a profound impact upon my outlook on college I'm really looking forward to next year, its just this semester thats kicking my ***...I absolutely detest almost every form of math I have encountered, its just so bleeding boring.

[skydragoness]

I hate college. And the one i go to (University of D ) is overrated, it's filled with stupid kids who think they can drive, or think i'm supposed to stop my car when i have a greenlight because Mr.Rich-kid-that-dresses-like-a-homeless-person and his abercrombie girlfriend can just walk in front of my moving car. That's called jaywalking you retards! There's so many parking fees, $180+ parking permits, petty crimes, and tons of other crap that i can't wait to get the hell out of here.

That was just a rant, because i commute.

Seriously, unless someone's paying your tab, it's no fun. I have to go through so much paperwork for financial aid every year, and they always lose it, and ask for it 4 times over. And the quality of the education is poor (from what you would expect out of a college) I've only had a handful of classes that were meaningful, and i learned a lot. I've had highschool spanish classes more advanced than what my university offers, they just keep handing you semester abroad brochures as if that's the only way you can learn a language.

Take it from me. Go to college when you have the money and you know 100% what you are going to do.

[darkeagle]

Truthfully, I never ever planned to go to college. I never wanted to go but got forced into it when a friend stepped to far into telling my mother I would never make anything out of myself if I didn't go past highschool diploma. My mom got worried after a hell raising year, and my only reason was why I did go for a 1 year and 1 1/2 months was to please my mom and I did it for my VA benefits I got every month. How would you not go if you got paid $600 something a month?? I guess I'm crazy this time for quitting but I had a good reason to stop college for now.

Volunteer State was alright considering it was a community college, off-campus and 30mins. from home. I went there because it was a small 6 room college that was made out of a warehouse. Yeah for some of you all probably can't believe a 6 room college. lol I loved it because it was like sitting around at home but at college. Since this year, I moved and started a new college which was much bigger such as lots of buildings where classes are not in one room anymore which was fine. It was just complicated for me to get everything situated and once I was alot of bs and mistakes went on which I rather not discuss, basically college faults. Anyways, that was taken care of and decided maybe another year when everything settles I will return and finish the degree I had been working on since 2002 of August. However, I did get one year in and it knocked alot of classes down so that I wouldn't have to take many. I can still get my VA benefits until I'm 25. I want a break and my family understands for me quitting for now and congratulated me on being the first for going to college.

My original plan was to work and thats what I'm after. I have my somewhat experience in office and my Office Skills I have learned throughout school. Highschool was same way, hated every bit of it because of a lot of bs too. Somehow I made it through and got my diploma which I'm very proud of. I was the same way about elementary school too, hated it too. But oh well. I did have my good times in all schools I went to and friends I made. I voted I hate it b/c well I do. I'm getting my break from it considering as soon as I graduated from highschool, one month later I was in college and had been non-stop. Well, thats my thought on it and sorry for it being long. LOL

[EnzoRWD]

Im at UW Madison here, and i like college well enough. City is awesome, and madison parties pWn mE. :-/ if u know how to make urself work, its fine. all about the willpower. which i need, going for a BS in mech engineering and then a masters <maybe?>. soo much work ahead of me.-Enzobtw, ppl fess up, this campus is crawling w/ s13's....

[Bubba1]

I think college is absolutely worth the investment. Living away from home while at college actually prepares you more for life after school than the curriculum itself. And there is no law that sez you must do for a career what you major in. I had to work all year round to swing my college education. I had far less free time than my wealthier classmates but it didn't bother me. Of course it was was stressful and tedious at times. But college is what you make of it.

[InstantRice]

if it wasn't for the constant problems w/ whoever is my girlfriend at the moment i would love college.

[captain nismo]

I'm in my 2nd year at University. I like it alot, there is always so much to do; which is bad when grades are concerned The work load can be crazy depending on what your taking (mines pretty intense , but it'll be worth it... i think

[krazy skwerel]

I quit Tennessee Tech (Mech Engineering) to go to Nashville State Community College (Business MNGT.) Becuase I couldn't see paying twice as much for the same education, that and I decided that engineering was not what I really wanted to do. Only bad part is I drive 45 miles one way to school. That sucks.

[gabossie]

I am in my third year of Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona. I worked my *** off the first two years of school, had fun occasionally, but spent pretty much all my time, every night, every weekend in studio working on my projects. First quarter of this year, I did the same, but this quarter I finally got burned out. I still love what I do at school, but no longer have the work ethic to give up spending my time with friends in favor of spending nights working. I think, and really hope that this will go away, and I can get back to work, but I think when I do, I'll be able to find a more moderate balance of work and fun. If college is worth nothing more, it's worth it for the people you meet (and the girls you take back to your dorm those first years out of hs). Also, I could never put a value on getting out of the house and living on your own. My first two years of college, my parents came down to visit all of two times, and one time I had the worst hangover of my life

[GirlRacerS14]

Nathan....you're such a whiny butt. I loved college. I thought it was great. I went to Univ. of TN. Had a blast. I'd do it all over again if I had to. Then again.....it's a big party school. I learned some junk too though.

GR

[darkeagle]

Before I moved from Tennesse I was enrolled to get ready for Nashville State Community College as well. After I started to request everything down here I found out that I got a scholarship (I didn't know til month later) to go there for $1,050. I tried getting it transfered but I think that got screwed as well. Nice to know I was awarded something. I sometimes thought maybe I should have suffered and stayed until I finish college in TN. It was off campus in Cookeville, TN but thats when me and Mark moved here to stay with his family.

[krazy skwerel]

I happen to enjoy Tenessee. We are not too country/ hick anfd we are not completly boring. Good Medium.

[dareo]

i hated working and going to school at the same time. It left no quality time for video games, cars, and of course homework. So right now im just working full time saving up for the car and future schooling.