Missing the "College Experience"

[PyroChamber]

For anyone here who never went to college, or at least never went to a big university type college, do you ever sometimes think that you missed out on a lot of things that people get to do when they're in college?

Or if you did go to college, do you ever miss it?

 

[knowsbleed]

I for one, am very glad I got to experience the whole dorm and apartment scene in college. Learned a lot... learned very little... both at the same time!

 

[Majic Walrus]

For anyone here who never went to college, or at least never went to a big university type college, do you ever sometimes think that you missed out on a lot of things that people get to do when they're in college?

Or if you did go to college, do you ever miss it?

I went to two colleges. The first one was a religious school that prevented ANYONE from having anything even close to fun. The school had even suspended students who engaged in "immoral" behavior outside of the school and outside of school activities.

Then I went to another college that was a liberal arts school. Unfortunately I was older and more mature than most of my peers and I didn't get to party as much as most people.

 

[Timstuff]

I'm living the "college experience," and I hate it. I hate it so much in fact, that I'm actually kind of glad that my 2-week early-summer class got canceled, simply because it means I can leave this stupid dorm sooner and go home. Maybe it's because I'm just not *****ey enough to fit in with the fratty crowd, but I honestly can't wait until this part of my life is behind me.

And ironically, I'm in a Christian school.

 

[CELTICPRED]

I was at a four year university for only one day, had a mix of problems in my life that caused me to leave, financial and personal alike, but ended up going to a media institute and got my degree in video. Those 2 days I spent there, I hated, not because of my mixed feelings about the education, but I just hated the amount of people, and how loud it was.

I've got a few friends who I hang out with at their dorm every once in a while, that's quite enough for me. I've just always had problems with lots, and lots of people.

 

[Crazy Flakes]

I'm living the "college experience," and I hate it. I hate it so much in fact, that I'm actually kind of glad that my 2-week early-summer class got canceled, simply because it means I can leave this stupid dorm sooner and go home. Maybe it's because I'm just not *****ey enough to fit in with the fratty crowd, but I honestly can't wait until this part of my life is behind me.

And ironically, I'm in a Christian school.

Christian schools are the absolute worse. I used to go to one (a high school, not a college) and there were maybe two or three guys in the whole school who weren't jocky *****es. If you really hate it, definitely consider transferring - you won't regret it. I went into public school from private and I was so much happier! Not that you should transfer into community college from a university, but definitely consider some schools with a more extended curriculum or more people from different backgrounds.

 

[SapphirePrima]

I for one, am very glad I got to experience the whole dorm and apartment scene in college. Learned a lot... learned very little... both at the same time!

Very true.

 

[Go Web Go!]

I'm in & out of college. The saying "college isn't for everybody" applies perfectly to me, but I do sometimes wish I could have experienced certain things that come with college life like going to a new place, meeting new people, taking part in certain activities, so on & so forth. At the same time, I am glad that I'm not one of these people that do go to college & are stuck at the library on campus for hours on end with my face planted in a book. Or broke.

There's 2 sides to it.

 

[Timstuff]

Christian schools are the absolute worse. I used to go to one (a high school, not a college) and there were maybe two or three guys in the whole school who weren't jocky *****es. If you really hate it, definitely consider transferring - you won't regret it. I went into public school from private and I was so much happier! Not that you should transfer into community college from a university, but definitely consider some schools with a more extended curriculum or more people from different backgrounds.

I'm here for the animation program, because I am too broke to go to Cal Arts or a New York school. I'm only going to be here for another year and a half tops, so I'll survive.

 

[Wiseman]

College is just an excuse to wait 4 years to start your real life and instead spend it partying and drinking way too much...........I decided to skip the college part and just spent my time drinking and partying too much

 

[Darthphere]

Yeah, the college experience is kind of overrated. I mean, at least for me I don't plan on partying or doing anything wild because I was paying for most of it. So no, college is not anything like the Asher Roth song.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

I went to a 4 year university and got the whole "college experience" and loved it. Some of the best times of my life. It's where I truly learned who I was/am, I went there not knowing anyone so was really able to grow without fitting into any preconceived notions of who I was. I'd love to relive those times, but only if I could be that age again, I'd never be able to surivive that lifestyle again.

 

[Darthphere]

I went to a 4 year university and got the whole "college experience" and loved it. Some of the best times of my life. It's where I truly learned who I was/am, I went there not knowing anyone so was really able to grow without fitting into any preconceived notions of who I was. I'd love to relive those times, but only if I could be that age again, I'd never be able to surivive that lifestyle again.

I figured out who I was when I was 3.

 

[xisaacx]

My first year of college was the best experience my entire life

 

[Jack Bauer]

"If it weren't for my horse..." as in, giddy up, giddy up, let's go - "I wouldn't have spent that year in college."

Actually I miss going to my community college because it had loads of stuff to do and keep me entertain, including a large, Olympian-size swimming pool for those hot summer days and acting. And they had special guests there like Jon Voight, Scarlett Johansson, and Alicia Keys, the latters were both filming a movie there and Voight was promoting a indy film of his.

 

[Knightsaber Priss]

For anyone here who never went to college, or at least never went to a big university type college, do you ever sometimes think that you missed out on a lot of things that people get to do when they're in college?

Or if you did go to college, do you ever miss it?

I took one semester of college and just never really could get into the experience at all. It was just like an extension of High School but I was wasting money on it. Heck, I'm still paying for it with a loan I took out.

 

[Halcohol]

University has been simultaneously the best and worst experience of my life. I got to continue learning about sociology and the purpose of our cities, and that was really very interesting and gratifying. The social aspects I kinda missed out on, since I lived by myself and kept transferring between faculties, so I didn't really make a lot of friends until my last year.

Had I the ability to do it over again, I would have gotten some roommates for SURE. Partying, I didn't do on a regular basis, but when I went out, I went balls to the wall hard partying. Now I'm starting to mellow out, which is incredibly fortunate.

All in all I would say I missed out on the traditional "college experience" and instead it felt like being punished, banished away from my friends and family.

 

[AndThePickles]

I went to a 4 year university and got the whole "college experience" and loved it. Some of the best times of my life. It's where I truly learned who I was/am, I went there not knowing anyone so was really able to grow without fitting into any preconceived notions of who I was.

Same here. My university likely wasn't as wild as some, but I still had lots of fun. I miss it all the time!

 

[Catman]

I went to a college that's in my hometown. So, I didn't do the dorm and frat thing. That being said...it was fun! You got good training and knowledge for your career. And got to meet a lot of people in your field.

Yet if you're basing this on movies and TV with the parties and what-not...it's not true. There was a party like once a week, usually on a Saturday. Darthphere is correct. Not everyone is rich and smart. A lot of people had to pay for their classes. So, they took it seriously. Plus, many had part-time jobs as a result of having to pay for classes. So, it's not like people got out of class and said, "let's party!" Their only party was getting their butt to work.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I never had the oppertunity to go to college. Got married and had kids too early and spent my time supporting them. However, while I do wish I could have went to college for the education, I've never cared to have the "experience". Wouldn't mind making friends, but the partying and all that just seemed stupid. I've never done it, don't plan to.

 

[AndThePickles]

I went to a college that's in my hometown. So, I didn't do the dorm and frat thing. That being said...it was fun! You got good training and knowledge for your career. And got to meet a lot of people in your field.

Yet if you're basing this on movies and TV with the parties and what-not...it's not true. There was a party like once a week, usually on a Saturday. Darthphere is correct. Not everyone is rich and smart. A lot of people had to pay for their classes. So, they took it seriously. Plus, many had part-time jobs as a result of having to pay for classes. So, it's not like people got out of class and said, "let's party!" Their only party was getting their butt to work.

Eh, it's all about time management. I worked two part time jobs and took a LOT of credits each semester, and still went out 2-3 times a week when I could. I took college VERY seriously...I guess luckily even though I'm not rich, I was really smart and excelled at my classes.

 

[Catman]

I worked two part time jobs

Weren't your jobs at the school? I recall you saying that you worked in the computer lab. Working at the school computer lab isn't the same as doing a part time shift at Best Buy.

I'm not trying to sound like an a-hole or anything. I'm just saying. Work at the school is easier. It's less hours and they cut you some slack since you're a student.

 

[MadVillainy]

As long as you dont stay in your dorm by yourself (unless your studying) most days, then I dont think you would miss out. I'm on the outside looking in, I have not attended college yet.
But I think if your studying in your room by yourself instead of partying thats cool, thats actually the wise thing to do. But if your in your dorm by yourself every night because you find everyone else "too loud or too annoying" than thats a waste. At least have 3 friends to chill out with. You dont have to go to parties and become a frat meathead. But still friendship>>>>>>>>>>>solitude

 

[AndThePickles]

Weren't your jobs at the school? I recall you saying that you worked in the computer lab. Working at the school computer lab isn't the same as doing a part time shift at Best Buy.

I'm not trying to sound like an a-hole or anything. I'm just saying. Work at the school is easier. It's less hours and they cut you some slack since you're a student.

At computer labs and as a writing consultant. I still worked 20 hours a week, and at one point was taking 18 or 19 credits a semester. I knew plenty of people who worked outside of school who also managed their time just fine, though. I wasn't able to procrastinate with school work, either. If I hadn't just forced myself to do hours of work every day, then I wouldn't have been able to have a social life.

 

[Watson]

I loved the uni experience, but I think people need to realize that the experience isn't just handed to you. You have to get out there, be willing to try new things, and talk to new people. And it doesn't have to be all about boozing. While I did have a lot of fun doing that, the experiences that had the most impact on me were getting involved in social justice intiatives. That's why I'm going to law school next year. I know other people that joined the campus paper/radio station and ended up realizing that was what they wanted to do with thier lives instead of what they were majoring in.

And while Uni isn't for everyone, I really think education is important especially in times like these. Anything that can make you more employable is a plus. But that's why people need to make informed decisions about where they go to school. If you're not into partying, then don't go to a school that is known for it.