So, I just completed high school today. Now for another four years of college, and then I join the rat race. Whee.
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So, I just completed high school today. Now for another four years of college, and then I join the rat race. Whee.
where you going to college?
Oh and congrats! for me that day was like the end of a prison sentence.
I'm gonna go to a local college for a year, and then I'm going to try and transfer into Georgia Tech.
So what do you want to be when you grow up?
college is way cooler than HS. Take my word for it.
Congratulations on graduating and making a smart decision, going to a community college and getting all your basics out of the way is a damn good idea. I wish someone had recommended it to me when i got out of high school. Just remember that things are going to be harder than you expect. I dont mean to rain on your parade but leaving high school presents new freedoms, as well as many many new problems - just stay focused and don't panic and know what you have to do - get good grades and get out of college as soon as possible with a degree.Quote:
Originally posted by The Ampersand
I'm gonna go to a local college for a year, and then I'm going to try and transfer into Georgia Tech.
Try to avoid credit card debt if possible and just keep your mind sharp. Dont get in over your head and attempt to do something you feel you aren't prepared for (as you can tell, alot of this is based on my own experiences). Stay at home with the parents if possible and try to save your money carefully, as they say, rent free is the way to be.
But most of all, have some fun with the freedom you get, but dont skip college classes (big no no) but revel in the freedom that you have now that you dont have to be in a classroom 8-3pm by law. Enjoy life I suppose, the last thing you want to do once you reach 21 is have regrets - and I have alot - dont make the same mistake. Good luck.
I'm old. :D
Heh, I graduated HS in '94.. and now I feel old, too. :)
Gotta disagree with 820 here. Dorm life is one of the most important parts of the college experience. If you skip out on that, you're missing out on a LOT. Besides, who wants to live with their parents for another 4 years?Quote:
Originally posted by station82o
Stay at home with the parents if possible and try to save your money carefully, as they say, rent free is the way to be.
yeah for University thats a given - but he's going to community college for probably 2 years - most of those don't have dorms and if they do .... well... they're just community colleges. Sure stay at a dorm at a major uni - but don't bother getting an apartment or something for the 2 years you'll be at a junior college.
Indeed.
Based on my experience, dorm-life is for suckers, delinquents, potheads, and those that are scared of any sort of independence. If the college experience means not being able to study in your own living space, then there's something seriously wrong with that.Quote:
Originally posted by Contra
Gotta disagree with 820 here. Dorm life is one of the most important parts of the college experience. If you skip out on that, you're missing out on a LOT. Besides, who wants to live with their parents for another 4 years?
Congrats on graduation...I guess. Now send out plenty of "I'm related to you, but we don't know each other, and I just graduated High School, so send me some money!" letters...I thought that was retarded, got nothing. My friend sent them out like crazy, and raked it in.
Well, I'd like to get into computer programming. Hopefully something to do with video games.
Please don't pop my dream. ;)
And I don't think I'll be moving out this year. At least I wont without a decent job and a car.
I gotta agree with Station on all of these points. I went straight into a University after HS, not knowing what I was doing, and ended up taking classes I either wasn't ready for, or had no interest in, because I was lost in all the freedom. Needless to say, I failed out, and ended up going to a local college, that's smaller and a good deal more friendlier (I run into the same people alot these days).Quote:
Originally posted by station82o
Congratulations on graduating and making a smart decision, going to a community college and getting all your basics out of the way is a damn good idea. I wish someone had recommended it to me when i got out of high school. Just remember that things are going to be harder than you expect. I dont mean to rain on your parade but leaving high school presents new freedoms, as well as many many new problems - just stay focused and don't panic and know what you have to do - get good grades and get out of college as soon as possible with a degree.
Try to avoid credit card debt if possible and just keep your mind sharp. Dont get in over your head and attempt to do something you feel you aren't prepared for (as you can tell, alot of this is based on my own experiences). Stay at home with the parents if possible and try to save your money carefully, as they say, rent free is the way to be.
But most of all, have some fun with the freedom you get, but dont skip college classes (big no no) but revel in the freedom that you have now that you dont have to be in a classroom 8-3pm by law. Enjoy life I suppose, the last thing you want to do once you reach 21 is have regrets - and I have alot - dont make the same mistake. Good luck.
It's a bit cheaper, and definately don't skip classes. I mean, it's possible, but you'll fall so far behind. Honestly, one of the staying points of my new school is that attendance is even stricter than HS.
Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out your major, but that's ok. It took me almost two years before I settled on mine. Now, I'm going at my own pace, and college is a good deal better. And remember, taking classes during the summer is a good deal as well, so this way you're not cramming classes into Fall and Spring.
And living with your parents is a good deal... mine are cool, it's rent free, and they really don't bother me (I have girls sleep over whenever, to give you an idea). Good luck to you.
EDIT: I read through the rest of the posts, and ya know, as fun as moving out sounds, it's really NOT feasible right now. The classes I need to take are so spread out, that even with a shit retail job, I won't make enough to even come close to supporting myself. I'd need about three roommates I can really trust. Hopefully all these computer classes will start to pay off soon and I'll get myself a real job.
Hahahahaha....yeah, who indeed?Quote:
Originally posted by Contra
Besides, who wants to live with their parents for another 4 years?
*ahem*
/me looks around nervously
As far as college goes, I'm finishing third year, and let me tell you that it'll be a fun time. But finishing in four years? Only if you take a full workload of classes, or opt for summer course as well as regular session.
The finishing in four years deal is a bit of a pipe dream for us working college students. Hero is right - unless you take loaded 16-18 hour semesters (which I don't recommend for anyone who wants to work part time) and full summer school loads (about 2 classes per summer session). The most important thing about College is to take it at your own pace... only feel like taking 3 classes that semester b/c one of them is guaranteed to be super difficult? Go for it. Don't let other people pressure how you take college classes... just b/c your friends are graduating doens't mean you have to - Do shit your own way. .... argh... I feel old now. I'm going to stop.
Thanks for the advice guys -- I'll keep it in mind.
The best part about graduating high school is the way you gradually forget every single person you went to school with. It rules.
There are people I see from HS once and a while, and even though we both went to the same building everyday for four years out of our lives, I won't even say hello to them, simply because I can not remember their names!
Congratulations on graduting high-school. My personal tip for collegiate happiness is to pursue your degree based solely on what you are interested in and with the intent to learn more about it. Pursuing college with only a career in mind can be an un-fulfilling path.
I'm older :pQuote:
Originally posted by Kidnemo
I'm old. :D
I disagree 100%.Quote:
Originally posted by Satsuki
college is way cooler than HS. Take my word for it.
I agree about not cutting classes.
You miss a class at college and YOU are responsible for the material. You miss a test or a due date and you better have a doctor's note or something equally official. Your professors probably won't go out of their way to tell you you owe them assignments or a test either. I sure as hell don't with my students. It's your responsibility to keep up with the work and if you're absent, you're screwed.
yeah - good point on the above - and with a community college sometimes you'll get cool professors who will really help students out as far as reviewing for exams, making sure everyone knows whats going on and whatnot - but these are slightly rare exceptions. Forget about that in a major university - they dont care about you there - you're pretty much just another number to them.
Asshole, I still have another month to go...Quote:
Originally posted by The Ampersand
So, I just completed high school today. Now for another four years of college, and then I join the rat race. Whee.
I'm not a fan of college, either. I hated high school while I was there, but looking back on it, it fucking kicked ass. I passed all my classes with good grades while doing barely any work whatsoever, I had practically no responsibilities, and I got a ton more sleep. High school rocked; too bad I was too stupid to realize it at the time.Quote:
Originally posted by 88mph
I disagree 100%.
*points and laughs*Quote:
Originally posted by Mr-K
Asshole, I still have another month to go...
neener-neener
Station has his shit straight. While I was at university, there was only ONE teacher in all the classes I took that even bothered to learn my name.. and I think it was out of spite, since I never went to class except for test day and ended up with an A.Quote:
Originally posted by station82o
yeah - good point on the above - and with a community college sometimes you'll get cool professors who will really help students out as far as reviewing for exams, making sure everyone knows whats going on and whatnot - but these are slightly rare exceptions. Forget about that in a major university - they dont care about you there - you're pretty much just another number to them.
I'm not at community college, it's a real college just really small, and all the teachers I've had class with has known my name, they ALWAYS offer help on carrer choices and what the next step should be, give awesome review sessions, and are usually very nice.
I was almost ready to drop college forever, but luckily I've changed my mind.
Don't cut classes.
Don't accept any credit cards. Handle everything in cash. Break the system. Don't bow down to those who would be your financial overlords -- The Learning Institution is now your financial overlord solely due to tuition (and it's even worse if you have loans), you don't need a credit card company demanding payment. Don't listen to those who say "BUILD YOUR CREDIT", even if they are your parents -- THEY KNOW NOTHING. To hell with the free t-shirts -- do not sell your soul for a mere token "gift"!
Do not own a cellphone. Stand up to those unmannered animal bastards who interrupt your classes with their stupid phones with "Who Let the Dogs Out" ring-tones -- challange them, they will back down once they realize how stupid they look.
Don't eat the fried shrimp at the cafeteria. It will chip your teeth.
Don't cut class.
Get a job and pay your own tuition. Don't take loans if you can avoid it.
Read your assignments, even if they are boring.
When the odd-yet-cute girl flirts with you, flirt back. Don't be a moron.
Unless "odd" translates to "really weird, not right" and "cute" cannot possible apply to this person. In that case, run like hell.
Corralary to the above: Don't go after the unattainable girl. Recognize her for what she is or what she is doing to herself, and silently disappear.
Don't cut class. Really.
I'm about to graduate this summer. I've been in the system a little longer than most -- I graduated HS in 96. Here's my accumulated financial debt:
- $12,000 in school loans, accumulated for 2.5 years. I'll have to start paying these off soon. Avoid these if you can -- get a job, make some cash during the semesters to pay them off.
- The credit card has been tapped out twice. This is between regular payments and rare actual pay-downs. Don't get one, you don't need it.
Good luck on your college education. Pick something you want to do -- and if it's something in the arts, have the presence of mind to pick something to fall back on, like a business minor or something that will pay the bills while you look for that acting gig. And don't do stupid stuff with your money, research everything before buying into it.
Well, if you can manage a credit card and not charge 10000 dollars on it, it's a good way to build credit.
I honestly use mine very rarely, and when I do, it's for 10 dollar NES games and I pay it off as soon as I charge something (I pay my bill online).
This way, I'm still establshing credit, but paying for things I would have paid cash for at the exact same time.
Lhadatt, $12,000 is not a bad debt at all. I think the average for college students is like $28,000. I know I have much more than $12k in loans and Im not done with college yet. But whatever, I figure Im gonna be making plenty after I graduate. :) But your advice is sound, definitely keep all that junk to a minimum, and dont get a credit card unless you can totally avoid it. And if you do get one, only charge a bare minimum to it. I got one in January, Ive put all of $200 on it, and thats just for a plane ticket home. And I dont plan on putting much more on it.
It's only been about a year and I'm already like that. Lots of people who I see at work come up to me like "HEY! HOWS IT GOING MAN I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE!" and I blink and go "Do I know you?" Then they get all weirded out and walk away confused going like "Uhh..okay..it was nice seeing you again".Quote:
Originally posted by Regus
The best part about graduating high school is the way you gradually forget every single person you went to school with. It rules.
There are people I see from HS once and a while, and even though we both went to the same building everyday for four years out of our lives, I won't even say hello to them, simply because I can not remember their names!
I bet everyone thinks I had ammnesia or something :lol:
I'm also doing the community college thing before hitting up a real college. Getting the basic stuff out of the way while dabbling in a few classes that focus on my interests. Hopefully by the time I'm done I'll actually be sure of what I want to attempt to do for a living :)
Congrats &
I'm lucky that my community college turned into a real 4 year school. It's got all the feel of a nice community, with the benefits of a real college.
Plus, their technical building and lab equipment are fucking amazing, thanks to all the new grants from the city, heh.
And just in case the message hasn't sunk in, NEVER SKIP CLASSES EVER.
I just saw someone about a month ago I went to school with at Blockbuster... he was all like "DUDE! how's it going, man, it's been awhile, remember me, blah blah". I never did like him, no need to be nice to him anymore, so I just said "Yea, I do remember you, now fuck off or get beaten". He gave me this look like I just killed his mother, and walked away, and my then gf was like "what the hell did you do that for?!?"
Roufuss, thats pretty dick man. Havent you ever heard, "the best revenge is living well?". Even if the guy treated you like shit in high school, you never know. He could've changed, cleaned up his act, whatever. Ive seen a few of the assholes from my high school in the years since graduation at the mall or whatever, many of them are very different.
People change, you know.
You just made yourself out to be a total ass - petty, spiteful, scornful of the past, immature, and unable to let things go. Grow up.
I guess I'm alot like you on the boards then :lol:Quote:
Originally posted by diffusionx
Roufuss, thats pretty dick man. Havent you ever heard, "the best revenge is living well?". Even if the guy treated you like shit in high school, you never know. He could've changed, cleaned up his act, whatever. Ive seen a few of the assholes from my high school in the years since graduation at the mall or whatever, many of them are very different.
People change, you know.
You just made yourself out to be a total ass - petty, spiteful, scornful of the past, immature, and unable to let things go. Grow up.
EDIT: By the way, don't even bother replying, because I won't see it, if you know what I mean.
Funniest thing I've ever read on TNL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:Quote:
Originally posted by diffusionx
Roufuss, thats pretty dick man. Havent you ever heard, "the best revenge is living well?". Even if the guy treated you like shit in high school, you never know. He could've changed, cleaned up his act, whatever. Ive seen a few of the assholes from my high school in the years since graduation at the mall or whatever, many of them are very different.
People change, you know.
You just made yourself out to be a total ass - petty, spiteful, scornful of the past, immature, and unable to let things go. Grow up.
It likely just an act, Doufuss. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally posted by Roufuss
I guess I'm alot like you on the boards then :lol:
EDIT: By the way, don't even bother replying, because I won't see it, if you know what I mean.
I have to agree with him. Continued pissant resentment over crap done by clueless children during their developmental stages is rather lame.
Most people can't manage a credit card -- especially with small college towns usually not presenting much in the way of employment. Clueless college students = high debt.Quote:
Originally posted by Roufuss
Well, if you can manage a credit card and not charge 10000 dollars on it, it's a good way to build credit.
Jesus tap dancing Christ, have you had some bad experiences?Quote:
Originally posted by Lhadatt
Don't cut classes.
Don't accept any credit cards. Handle everything in cash. Break the system. Don't bow down to those who would be your financial overlords -- The Learning Institution is now your financial overlord solely due to tuition (and it's even worse if you have loans), you don't need a credit card company demanding payment. Don't listen to those who say "BUILD YOUR CREDIT", even if they are your parents -- THEY KNOW NOTHING. To hell with the free t-shirts -- do not sell your soul for a mere token "gift"!
Do not own a cellphone. Stand up to those unmannered animal bastards who interrupt your classes with their stupid phones with "Who Let the Dogs Out" ring-tones -- challange them, they will back down once they realize how stupid they look.
Don't cut class.
Don't cut class. Really.
Anyhoo, I'm graduating college this Friday, I did it in 4 years. More than half of my close friends aren't graduating on time. I've absolutly loved the past 4 years, worlds better than HS was. High school took forever, college flew by. HS was all about a horrible routine, wake up at 6:15 and go through tbe same shit day after day 7:30am-2:45pm.
I think if you choose the right school, it'll just click with you and you'll have fun while you learn. I think college is all about growing up AND having fun. You have to make some big decisons, but with guidance and if you follow what you love, you should be okay.
Biggest piece of advice: Don't fuck up your freshman year. It is worlds easier to keep your GPA high then to raise it up. I know a lot of people that did shit freshman year and are still paying for it. By the sounds of it, you won't have a problem with this one.
You guys make a whole shit load of a deal about skipping class...it's not the end of the world. You'll be able to figure out what classes you can miss a day on and be fine. Friends are important man, they can help you out more than you think.
As bad as this may sound...cheating is rampant in schools. Ask around and you can find the easy teachers, the person that took the class last semester and can give you work or point you in the right direction. There are ways around a whole lot of shit if you know where to go. Life: It's all about who you know. Make friends with teachers and they'll look out for you and point you in the right direction when you need help (and I'm not talking about cheating here).
It's bad in my eyes. :p And yeah, I know the numbers -- a friend who just graduated with an English degree told me he's got $30K in college debt. It's rediculous -- to get those loans out of the way in a decent amount of time (say, 5 years), you need to pay $500 a month. That's quite a strain for an entry-level job, if you also try to get an apartment, a decent car, etc. like many graduates end up doing. The whole system is designed to ruin people financially unless they end up with good jobs.Quote:
Originally posted by diffusionx
Lhadatt, $12,000 is not a bad debt at all. I think the average for college students is like $28,000. I know I have much more than $12k in loans and Im not done with college yet. But whatever, I figure Im gonna be making plenty after I graduate. :)
:lol: I'm at my 4th school now. Does that answer your question?Quote:
Originally posted by Rumpy
Jesus tap dancing Christ, have you had some bad experiences?
Then you had an easy degree or you worked your butt off. Given real-world conditions (like needing money, which necessitates a job, which takes time away from studies), most people will take 5-6 years to get a degree.Quote:
Anyhoo, I'm graduating college this Friday, I did it in 4 years.
Alot of my problems stemmed from those factors.Quote:
I think if you choose the right school, it'll just click with you and you'll have fun while you learn. I think college is all about growing up AND having fun. You have to make some big decisons, but with guidance and if you follow what you love, you should be okay.
1) Picked the wrong school to start with. Evaluate the schools you want to go to with an open mind, don't cross some place off the list because you don't like the common perception of it. Actually visit the campus, get a feel for the community.
2) College is the student's decision, not the parents' decision. If you need time off from HS to make a decision about where to get your education, take a semester out and work at a retail job or something. Don't let anyone pressue you into deciding -- that was what happened to me since my parents seem to think that time not spent studying increases the liklihood of never going to college at all ever again. Well, my parents are nuts, and I ended up making alot of the wrong decisions. I felt miserable for a while, but I eventually got back on track.
A few skipped classes are ok. Skipping alot is not though -- for normal students, more than 3 missed sessions hurts their performance in the class.Quote:
You guys make a whole shit load of a deal about skipping class...it's not the end of the world. You'll be able to figure out what classes you can miss a day on and be fine. Friends are important man, they can help you out more than you think.
Congrats Rumpy, I'm glad you had a "normal" experience with your education. Just keep in mind that there are alot of people who have not. :p
I finished highschool around 6-7 months ago, and I'm taking a year or so off to get my shit sorted. I've gotta save up a shitload of money while spending a shitload at the same time, so I need all the time I can get. I plan studying music performance at a prestigious music academy (here)and my current music gear is shoddy. I'll end up spending anywhere between 2000-7000 on the gear, and I have to pay for tuition at the academy, which will cost a shitload.
I'm also thinking of travelling before I study. I figure that if I don't do it before then, there's a good chance I'll never get to do it (due to things like debt and responsibility). Any advice?
Georgia Perimeter, or somewhere else?Quote:
I'm gonna go to a local college for a year, and then I'm going to try and transfer into Georgia Tech.
Congrats on the graduation. What HS did you attend?
Not fucking up your freshman year is important. I fucked mind up and am trying to deal with it thesedays, oh well, life goes on.
i just graduated college last weekend.
don't skip class
sit in the front row
converse with the teacher before/after classes
it's worth as much as a full letter grade. I even slept in the front row, didn't matter, the teacher knew me and liked me. Therefor i get a better grade than all the kids in the back row.
Don't get the wrong impression about professors not learning you name. There are a lot of students in classes today and it isn't always possible. Any good teacher, however, will learn it before the end of the semester.
For example, last semester I taught 7 courses at the college at which I work and 2 at the college from which I graduated. In all I had over 250 students, in 6 different English classes. It was a bitch learning all their names but I got most of them.
We do remember faces and who comes to class or not. Where you sit and what you do in class can have a BIG impact on borderline grades. ;)
... Only 7 more days of High School...
I suppose that is a point - but even if I tried I could not bring myself to sit in the front row. My preferred place in any classroom/lecture hall is the very back row corner seat - I guess I have a problem with people being behind me or around me. I can't handle it and wouldn't feel comfortable.Quote:
Originally posted by stormy
i just graduated college last weekend.
don't skip class
sit in the front row
converse with the teacher before/after classes
it's worth as much as a full letter grade. I even slept in the front row, didn't matter, the teacher knew me and liked me. Therefor i get a better grade than all the kids in the back row.
man... when i was in high school i was still going on about "metallica"... and here you are into great stuff like opeth - Good for you man!Quote:
Originally posted by FirstBlood
... Only 7 more days of High School...
Totally. I miss High School man :/Quote:
Originally posted by 88mph
I disagree 100%.
ºTracer
I'm going to Kennesaw State University for a year. Not a community college, but a great place to start out.Quote:
Originally posted by Bacon McShig
Georgia Perimeter, or somewhere else?
Congrats on the graduation. What HS did you attend?
I went to Alan C. Pope High School.
god I can't wait till I graduate, just four more weeks...
I can't wait until you stop ending every post with ellipses.
whats your problem with ellipses man...
I had a bad childhood experience with ellipses...
...
It's called flow of consciousness, my thoughts don't end, they just flow, thus the elipses... if you don't like it, I don't care...
i still have 2 more years on my high school carrer to go, im gonna enjoy every second of them
;) Sure does my friend.Quote:
Originally posted by Lhadatt
:lol: I'm at my 4th school now. Does that answer your question?
I'm well aware of that, I know more than a few people who are taking more than 4 years. Everyone has different experiances and circumstances around their life and I guess I was just able to take advantage of my good fortune. You just about nailed it on the head. I picked my major almost from the start and stuck with it through the whole time. I think I dropped one class the whole time (ended up replacing it with another class that actually was worth 1 more credit) and I never failed a class. I did my fair share of work, believe me. I owe a lot to my friends and family for the support they've given me.Quote:
Congrats Rumpy, I'm glad you had a "normal" experience with your education. Just keep in mind that there are alot of people who have not. :p