College...Yikes!

[Denizen]

Don't rush into social circles if you get lonely. I don't know what the proper phrase is but it speaks for itself, "when shit gets real, people show their true colors."

My roommate had it the worst. Freshman year he started going around with a group of people who really just started hanging together because they didn't know where else to turn to. Anyway, as the semester went on, one of the dudes started to make false rumors about him to gain sympathy with others that he was a "victim" and also would cheat him out of money. Luckily my roommate met some real good people and the false rumors proved to have no long term affect because his personality and actions showed them to be false.

(Obviously one way you can avoid this problem by bringing a few true friends with you)

 

[Superior Mind]

I've just finished my degree. My advice to you would be this:

Do something you enjoy doing. Don't worry about where it will lead you career wise, do something that you're passionate about. If you don't you'll wind up being 22 and having a degree in Political Science like me - or worse still you'll get to your final year of study, realise you're sick to death of the subject matter and have a really hard time finishing it, (like me,) or even decide to give the damn thing up entirely, (almost like me.)

 

[Catalyst6]

In college getting a 4.0 won't get you beat up or ridiculed, it may get you chicks. It is the land of the nerd.

Also, always study for tests, even if you don't think you need to. Never overestimate your intelligence.

Also also, you can still game, but make sure you get your hw done...

 

[UnusualStranger]

OK....Let me see if I can impart some knowledge on you....

1. FASFA. Do it with your parents. Its an online thing now, so you are going to have to get a PIN for yourself and Parent. Do it. Its damn important.

2. Look universities over. Visit them, and get a feel for the environment. Just going there because they offer a good degree won't do you any good if you are freaking out because the people are asses, and the instructors are even worse.

3. Understand that they are a business. They want your money, and will do what they can to screw things up so you have to pay more than you should. Take a full load, and work hard at it. It's damned important you succeed at these classes, because they are not all available all the time, and they want you to have to take longer for more money.

4. Take what you can, when you can. If you know advanced math, you should be able to take a college placement test which allows you to get past many required beginner classes. They will try to tell you it would be better for you to have a grade there. THIS IS BULL. If you can get out of doing a beginner class, do so. Grades do not look better. In fact, you could end up looking worse.

5. Take advantage of anything the college offers. Academic Advisors? Visit them if you have any class concerns. Worried about paying for things? Meet constantly with Financial Aid offices. Research need to be done? Use their library, internet, and paper.

Thats a taste of what I know. It isn't very good....but I wanted to keep this kinda short.

 

[clzark]

You're not in high school anymore. College is very serious, and most of the people you will be with are taking it seriously. The people who don't are the freshmen who still think you're in high school. This doesn't mean you can't have fun. Study time is study time, but make sure you have fun outside of study time.

If you need help ASK. Whether it's the prof. or the TA, ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT. That is what they are paid to do, and it's stupid to be confused about something and try to ignore it. Even if you need to schedule a half-hour session with a TA, do it.

Also, what worked great for me when studying for exams is creating your own study guides. The prof. will typically give you an outline of what will be on an exam, so the day I got that I typed up a more formal study guide on my computer to study from. Making one helps greatly with remembering the material, and reading a study guide made by yourself will mean it will be more clear to you and in a way you understand

And lastly, DON'T BE HARD ON YOURSELF. Again, you're not in high school anymore. Personally, I only had to study five minutes before a test in high school, even for my AP/honors classes, and I'd still get an A. College is much harder. Don't let a C in a class bother you. You're a freshman. No one is expecting a 4.0 from you (though that doesn't mean you shouldn't try) Keep your spirits up even if you do bad on something

 

[Goremocker]

Spoiler: Awesome advice

So, in a matter of weeks, I'm going to graduate high school. After a brief summer, it's off to a university for four years.

Since I have terrible judgment, I decided to come to you, people on the internet who I don't know, for extra advice.

Due to the demographics of "gamers", many of you are likely either in college or just recently graduated. I'm sure that you have all had interesting experiences in college that have taught you valuable life lessons.

My request is simple: share any stories or advice you may have that could benefit someone who is preparing to make that great leap into the void of higher education. I look forward to reading your responses.

Your grades MATTER now. DO NOT FUCK THEM UP. Your GPA will directly affect your starting income at jobs until you've racked up at least 3 years of experience. (And if your GPA is too low to even get a job to get experience, then you're going to have to get a job that didn't need a college education in the first place).

-Also, don't get a bullshit major because you think it'd be "interesting". You need to seriously plan to make a career out of it. If it's a major that is hard to turn into a career, being exceptional is the barest minimum, because even straight A students in useless majors aren't getting jobs, so don't even bother unless you plan on being the best. I don't even recommend trying in the first place. Those inner-city kids are NOT going to get out of the hood planning on a career in the NBA, don't expect your dreams to save you from reality. So step one is to prepare yourself to be employable, after you have a safety net of having a useful degree, you can screw around later in life by taking a risk and chasing dreams. That way if/when your dream fails, you can fall back on a career that will still earn a decent wage.

-Just to be clear about this, I'm saying that unless you're pursuing graduate education or teaching after college, don't major in philosophy, communications, art history, history, english, economics, political science, etc. etc. And if you really want it, you need to be really serious about planning for your future.

-If you don't know what major you want, pick Math, some kind of Engineering, or a Business-field. If it's unfulfilling, that's a shame, but at least you'll have money. Let your personal life fulfill you, your work life doesn't have to be everything in your life, it just needs to generate the income that supports the rest of your life.

-If possible, wake up at the same time everyday. People ***** in college about waking up for morning classes because they wake up so late on days that don't have morning classes. If you get used to getting up early, you won't mind at all. You're doing it right now for highschool anyway! And jeezus, go to class, and don't fall behind. Quit MMOs for a while and switch to gaming that you can start and stop at anytime. You can go back to MMOs during summers or when you're out of school and have free nights after work.

-Join a club in your spare time. College is a nice time to broaden your horizons. If you don't do this, you might be a boring tool.

-Don't forget to exercise, I gained the freshman 55 after I got to college (that's not a typo, instead of 15, I gained 55). I got rid of it by the end of college, but it was a pain in the butt. Just work out regularly. If you're not doing it already, start in college, it seems like everybody changed their fitness lifestyle in college, either starting it or stopping it.

-Poop at the lecture hall or library. It saves money on toilet paper.

But no matter what, do not screw up your grades.

Yeah listen to that guy ^^ some of the best advice I've seen for collage(no matter how obvious). Makes me glad I've got a year or two left before I have to deal with that crap.

 

[blankedboy]

Spend your money on booze, drug and women. In that order.

Just ONE drug?

 

[rekabdarb]

My suggestion, make friends with your roomies

DON'T DITCH... OFTEN

 

[OpiateChicken]

Don't drink constantly

Whatever you do, do not listen to this man.

Instead, drink a lot. If you are living in a dorm on res, do your best to MAKE FRIENDS THE FIRST WEEK. After that it's a little harder because everyone already seems to have their groups they hang out in. Be sure to get in one--I didn't, and it's sucked since. None of that "join a club" crap really works.

Make your motto "work hard, party hard." Study and work profusely from Sunday night to Thursday, then drink and do crazy stuff on Friday and Saturday. This will yield maximum success and pleasure. But be sure to not let the two infringe upon each other (although sometimes studying will take a priority over partying if there is an essay or exam).

 

[Robby Foxfur]

Make friends, they are important even if its just a few here and there. Good luck and have fun that's the most important part, work hard but you have to have fun too

 

[Krion_Vark]

So, in a matter of weeks, I'm going to graduate high school. After a brief summer, it's off to a university for four years.

Since I have terrible judgment, I decided to come to you, people on the internet who I don't know, for extra advice.

Due to the demographics of "gamers", many of you are likely either in college or just recently graduated. I'm sure that you have all had interesting experiences in college that have taught you valuable life lessons.

My request is simple: share any stories or advice you may have that could benefit someone who is preparing to make that great leap into the void of higher education. I look forward to reading your responses.

Your grades MATTER now. DO NOT FUCK THEM UP. Your GPA will directly affect your starting income at jobs until you've racked up at least 3 years of experience. (And if your GPA is too low to even get a job to get experience, then you're going to have to get a job that didn't need a college education in the first place).

-Also, don't get a bullshit major because you think it'd be "interesting". You need to seriously plan to make a career out of it. If it's a major that is hard to turn into a career, being exceptional is the barest minimum, because even straight A students in useless majors aren't getting jobs, so don't even bother unless you plan on being the best. I don't even recommend trying in the first place. Those inner-city kids are NOT going to get out of the hood planning on a career in the NBA, don't expect your dreams to save you from reality. So step one is to prepare yourself to be employable, after you have a safety net of having a useful degree, you can screw around later in life by taking a risk and chasing dreams. That way if/when your dream fails, you can fall back on a career that will still earn a decent wage.

-Just to be clear about this, I'm saying that unless you're pursuing graduate education or teaching after college, don't major in philosophy, communications, art history, history, english, economics, political science, etc. etc. And if you really want it, you need to be really serious about planning for your future.

-If you don't know what major you want, pick Math, some kind of Engineering, or a Business-field. If it's unfulfilling, that's a shame, but at least you'll have money. Let your personal life fulfill you, your work life doesn't have to be everything in your life, it just needs to generate the income that supports the rest of your life.

-If possible, wake up at the same time everyday. People ***** in college about waking up for morning classes because they wake up so late on days that don't have morning classes. If you get used to getting up early, you won't mind at all. You're doing it right now for highschool anyway! And jeezus, go to class, and don't fall behind. Quit MMOs for a while and switch to gaming that you can start and stop at anytime. You can go back to MMOs during summers or when you're out of school and have free nights after work.

-Join a club in your spare time. College is a nice time to broaden your horizons. If you don't do this, you might be a boring tool.

-Don't forget to exercise, I gained the freshman 55 after I got to college (that's not a typo, instead of 15, I gained 55). I got rid of it by the end of college, but it was a pain in the butt. Just work out regularly. If you're not doing it already, start in college, it seems like everybody changed their fitness lifestyle in college, either starting it or stopping it.

-Poop at the lecture hall or library. It saves money on toilet paper.

But no matter what, do not screw up your grades.

Everything that guy said is TRUE. I just finished my first year of college my grades are shit. I went into a major because I thought it would be interesting. Do not get me wrong I had an amazing year met some great people who I will miss dearly BUT this is definitely not something you want to fuck up. I am transferring to a different school entirely since they actually have the major that I am interested in and I only chose the major I did because I mentioned it like two times and my dad ran with the idea and I felt like I was letting him down in some way not going for it.

I cannot stress this enough THIS IS YOUR LIFE DO NOT FUCK IT UP TRYING TO PLEASE SOMEONE ELSE DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO!!!

 

[chozo_hybrid]

Don't come to the internet for help like this. Seriously.

 

[Worgen]

So, in a matter of weeks, I'm going to graduate high school. After a brief summer, it's off to a university for four years.

Since I have terrible judgment, I decided to come to you, people on the internet who I don't know, for extra advice.

Due to the demographics of "gamers", many of you are likely either in college or just recently graduated. I'm sure that you have all had interesting experiences in college that have taught you valuable life lessons.

My request is simple: share any stories or advice you may have that could benefit someone who is preparing to make that great leap into the void of higher education. I look forward to reading your responses.

Your grades MATTER now. DO NOT FUCK THEM UP. Your GPA will directly affect your starting income at jobs until you've racked up at least 3 years of experience. (And if your GPA is too low to even get a job to get experience, then you're going to have to get a job that didn't need a college education in the first place).

-Also, don't get a bullshit major because you think it'd be "interesting". You need to seriously plan to make a career out of it. If it's a major that is hard to turn into a career, being exceptional is the barest minimum, because even straight A students in useless majors aren't getting jobs, so don't even bother unless you plan on being the best. I don't even recommend trying in the first place. Those inner-city kids are NOT going to get out of the hood planning on a career in the NBA, don't expect your dreams to save you from reality. So step one is to prepare yourself to be employable, after you have a safety net of having a useful degree, you can screw around later in life by taking a risk and chasing dreams. That way if/when your dream fails, you can fall back on a career that will still earn a decent wage.

-Just to be clear about this, I'm saying that unless you're pursuing graduate education or teaching after college, don't major in philosophy, communications, art history, history, english, economics, political science, etc. etc. And if you really want it, you need to be really serious about planning for your future.

-If you don't know what major you want, pick Math, some kind of Engineering, or a Business-field. If it's unfulfilling, that's a shame, but at least you'll have money. Let your personal life fulfill you, your work life doesn't have to be everything in your life, it just needs to generate the income that supports the rest of your life.

-If possible, wake up at the same time everyday. People ***** in college about waking up for morning classes because they wake up so late on days that don't have morning classes. If you get used to getting up early, you won't mind at all. You're doing it right now for highschool anyway! And jeezus, go to class, and don't fall behind. Quit MMOs for a while and switch to gaming that you can start and stop at anytime. You can go back to MMOs during summers or when you're out of school and have free nights after work.

-Join a club in your spare time. College is a nice time to broaden your horizons. If you don't do this, you might be a boring tool.

-Don't forget to exercise, I gained the freshman 55 after I got to college (that's not a typo, instead of 15, I gained 55). I got rid of it by the end of college, but it was a pain in the butt. Just work out regularly. If you're not doing it already, start in college, it seems like everybody changed their fitness lifestyle in college, either starting it or stopping it.

-Poop at the lecture hall or library. It saves money on toilet paper.

But no matter what, do not screw up your grades.

damn your making it really hard for me to want to finish my degree

 

[the_anderspawn]

-Poop at the lecture hall or library. It saves money on toilet paper.

I'm going off to college in September and this is the first bit of brilliant advice I haven't already heard, so thank you very much.

OT: If you're going into a science or engineering major, be sure to do some legitimate research in a professor's lab before you leave, ideally starting in your Sophomore or Junior year. Grad schools and employers like this, and it can help salvage your CV if your grades aren't the best in your class. Getting into a lab can be hard if you're going to a major graduate-research-oriented university like MIT or Northwestern, so if you're competing with loads of grad students be sure to make yourself known to the professor. Most of the time you will have to find another job to support yourself, as one of the main reasons for professors taking in undergrads is to save the money they would have to pay a grad student, but sometimes you'll get lucky.

Hmmm, I think that's all...

 

[Superior Mind]

I like how the advice that is deemed to be the "best advice" is pretty much completely opposite to mine. "RAR DO SOMETHING THAT'LL LEAD TO A CAREER WHERE YOU EARN MILLIONS RAR!"

Grades are important, as is pursuing a career... but really guys, you only get one life, do you really want to spend it doing something you don't like to do? For the sake of money?

Okay now I was almost deafened by the amont of people saying "yes" to that question.

Regardless, I know that people generally push others to do the "important" subjects - Math, Engineering, Commerce, Law etc. - but you can't disregard things like Political Science, (I'm a Pol Sci graduate, shut up!) or History or even Philosophy. I've heard of employers who'll instantly look over any Commerce graduate in favour of an Arts graduate because, and I quote from Sir Bob Jones, "You can teach someone the buisiness but you can't neccesarily teach people how to think and that's what an Arts degree gives you - the skills you need to be able to think critically."

The main problem with being seriously career motivated at University level is that most high school leavers have no idea where they want their career to lead. I sure as Hell didn't when I started a Law and Political Science double degree. I'm only just starting to learn where I want my career to head and it's about as far away from Political Science as you can get - digital design. Now the thing is I knew that I liked designing stuff and playing with imagery and drawing and all that junk but I din't pursue it as University study. Why? Because I was too damn concerned with "where University study would lead me career wise." Thing is if I want to seriously follow this path I need another four years of University study, not to mention the fees involved. Sucks huh.

I mean this is a personal thing, I'm not saying everyone goes through the same stuff I did but I certainly know others who either have a similar story to mine or just through not being keen on their chosen path just gave up altogether and came out of University with nothing but a student loan.

But yeah, the other point - grades are important. Just try your best in whatever you choose to do. For one your success will motivate you, and for two because you never know when you'll have needed to have a high grade. Trust me, it sucks when you find you needed a certain grade to be able to do other papers - or even worse when it comes time to get a job.

 

[Billion Backs]

Definitely don't fuck around as much as you did in high school...

I'm not even in uni yet, and it's already biting my ass.

Although, time well spent =p

But to be serious, yes, grades are serious business and you sure as hell aren't going to be babysat about it.

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

Your first semester grades are not indicative of your overall four years. Don't stress about lower than expected grades for that first semester, as you are still gadging the grading curve and how each professor grades.

Focus first on your core and major courses, then your electives.

Get into good health habits early. Eat healthy when possible and find an exercise routine if you need to (and you know if you need to).

Watch your schedule closely. Don't get involved with too many clubs and organizations. Your plethora of freetime goes away reall fast after about the thrid week.

Budget some braindead time, when you are doing absolutely nothing productive, in order to maintain your sanity. You have no idea how important this is.

 

[Zyxx]

Go to class, do your homework, all that stuff. If you stick with it, you should do fine.
The party scene isn't for everybody. There's no reason to participate in it if you don't want to. (In all of college, I had a total of total of maybe 3 alcoholic drinks.)
Find good friends. Hang out with them.
Study abroad at some point if you have the chance.

That's all I got.

 

[Kelbear]

This is going to sound cold, but hear me out:

Associate with successful people. Losers tend to drag each other down convincing each other that "at least I'm doing as well as my friend", while the other one is telling himself the same thing. Winners spur each other on with advice, networking, and maybe even a little competition.

If you slacked off over the weekend and are feeling guilty for being unprepared for the test, a friend can give you the talk you want, or the talk you need. "Oh I've done that, I was totally wasted and forgot my midterm", might make you feel better, but what you need is the friend who'll tell you that you screwed up and that you need to get your act together. When you associate with winners, your own behavior can subtly shift.

If they have good study habits, it rubs off on you. You see how much they study, and it reminds you to make sure you're keeping up. You end up holding yourself to a higher standard and you become better for it. If you need tips on how to study, or help with the material, these friends can help you overcome the subject.

Networking works. My college study partner got me into my MBA program. I was first rejected, then he spoke to the administrator on my behalf and pointed out that we came from the school and got the same grades, but he is doing great in the program. So the administrator changed his mind and admitted me. I landed my second job because a college buddy who was doing well at his company heard his boss was looking for a new Global Bid Coordinator and he told him about me and that I was equally hardworking.

Help everyone around you. When you put good karma out there, it comes back to you. This isn't some weird spiritual advice. When you help other people, sooner or later, some of them will have a chance to help you. (That college study partner leaned on me in undergrad, and I leaned on him to get into the MBA program). In the meantime, it just plain feels good to help people anyway, do yourself a favor and help other people out, even if you can't imagine that you might get something return.