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How much did you like your first year of college?

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Bensun
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,654
Would like to get some feedback about your first year of college. Dealing with some first world problems and thought ns could help me out.

basically I go to private school in LA and started thinking about transferring or dropping out and go to a school closer to home?


Went there primarily for the education and small school vibe. I spend a shit ton to go there despite a couple scholarships. I think it's okay but not great. Don't really dislike the people there but many are preppy/douche/wannabe frat stars. Only thing I am looking forward to is the girls...

thinking about transferring but am not convinced that graphic design is what I want to pursue... I feel if I drop out all the handwork I put in will go to waste.

OVERALL: I don't know if it is worth going to a school that I don't really like and don't know what major to pursue/while spending a lot ?

How many of you did not like your college or first year? Did it get better?

$$$$$*****Also for you graphic design majors what is the difference between a degree in graphic design that you get in normal college versus an art school? pros and cons?
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Jul 14 2014 3:38PM
21 3
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NotoriousT.S.E
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 439
First of all, don't pay private school tuition for a graphic design degree.
Jul 14 2014 3:46PM
2 0
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
NotoriousT.S.EFirst of all, don't pay private school tuition for a graphic design degree.


Agreed...massive waste of $ if your paying for yourself / loans you will regret heavily in 4 years. But if its your parents then enjoy the hell out of it.

My first year of school looking back was amazing. Easiest classes I have taken during the 4 years by far. Everyone in the same boat looking to meet people / friends, etc. Everyone super friendly and looking back freshman parties were awesome. Not to mention the freshman girls who were finally free to do whatever they wanted...
Jul 14 2014 4:21PM
1 0
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PartyHon
Posts: 2019 - Karma: 425
First semester was pretty hard. Not only did I have school work to deal with. But I was also in a fraternity(U of I AKL) that demanded a good deal on effort as well. And for those who have the stereo type of hazing, it in no way happened in my house, or I would have left immeditately. On top of the transition from easy ass work to really hard shit.

I learned that time management is key to being successful. Get your school stuff done and out of the way so you can have time to party. Instead of drinking away your tuition.

I went into college in a relationship, she was in a sorority here too. If you end up doing that make sure its meant to last and you two are willing to make things work equally. If not, being single is the way to go.
Jul 14 2014 4:49PM
1 1
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,179
I went to a community college in my home town for the first two years of college and got my generals out of the way. Lived at home, tuition was great. Most of my good friends went there and I had an awesome time. If you have an opportunity like that I would highly recommend pursuing that route, at least to get your generals out of the way.

I spoke with a graphic designer and he said that it's not really the school you go to that will get you a job but rather how good your portfolio is. Obviously a 4 year degree helps but it's how hard you work and the quality of your work that will get you places.

With that in mind, if I were in your shoes I would transfer.
Jul 14 2014 5:01PM
1 0
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Came looking for tweens pretending to rage all day and drown in vag-juice at their state college. Got a detailed, specific question and thoughtful responses.

2/10 would not click again.
Jul 14 2014 6:09PM
7 1
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LIL_WAT
Posts: 1900 - Karma: 475
BenjEEI feel if I drop out all the handwork I put in will go to waste.

OVERALL: I don't know if it is worth going to a school that I don't really like and don't know what major to pursue/while spending a lot ?

It is a sunk cost. Plenty of people drop out/transfer. It's not the end of the world. Sticking around for the sake of 'not wasting' what you've already put in is foolish. Do something worthwhile instead


JAHpowI went to a community college in my home town for the first two years of college and got my generals out of the way. Lived at home, tuition was great. Most of my good friends went there and I had an awesome time. If you have an opportunity like that I would highly recommend pursuing that route, at least to get your generals out of the way.
Great advice
Jul 14 2014 9:53PM
0 0
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KA-47
Posts: 76 - Karma: 626
First year was really fun but I was not focused on what was really important. I was more concerned with my social life and partying. Also your first year you have not developed any real relationships with professors or have taken classes that will get you invested in your future career. Junior and senior year are far more rewarding and by that time you have start to feel like a part of the school community and have a purpose and drive for the future. Its hard to see that fresh man year because everything is new. My advise is to stay there, develop a good relationship with your advisor and ask what the school can do for you and why it is the BEST place for you and why your money should be spent there instead of somewhere else.
Jul 14 2014 9:56PM
1 0
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las.
Posts: 1959 - Karma: 1,455
First year of uni was..interesting. Accomplished absolutely nothing academically, but had an awesome time. Don't worry too much about your direction; most first year students have second thoughts about their choices, and a lot of them usually end up choosing a different path (myself included). You also shouldn't feel restricted or tied to a certain degree in the fear that changing your course of education will put your previous learnings to waste. It is essentially about what you've learned and will learn, so don't get too caught up over what you will and won't be officially certified for.
I took far longer to finish my studies than I would like to admit (mostly because I was a lazy ass with a tendency to procrastinate on a terrifying scale), but I do think completing something that you're happy with in your own relative time is more rewarding and ultimately more useful than rushing through four years of whatever to get into the outside world as fast as you can.

Take your time, and enjoy yourself.
Jul 14 2014 9:56PM
1 0
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
why not make your poll scale out of 5 if you're going to go in increments of 2 anyways?
Jul 14 2014 10:43PM
0 0
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Scaredwhiteboy
Posts: 1395 - Karma: -938
I hate wannabe frat stars too man. Unfortunately every college has them. I wish schools would start expelling kids that can't get a bid. Fucking GDIs really bring me down.
Jul 14 2014 11:03PM
0 1
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neutralzombie
Posts: 8629 - Karma: 606
college was the best. i made a ton of new friends, studied whatever the shit i wanted, drank, dated ,and had sex. i went to a rich private high school, and it sucked donkey dick. in the long run, job dependent perhaps, but where your degree comes from can mean very little.
Jul 14 2014 11:23PM
0 0
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
i explored many a fresh vagina hole with numerous appendages
Jul 14 2014 11:25PM
0 0
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acualywasdolan
Posts: 1172 - Karma: -747
Soph year is the best
Jul 14 2014 11:28PM
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Bensun
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,654
brotowhy not make your poll scale out of 5 if you're going to go in increments of 2 anyways?


cuz i like even numbers
Jul 14 2014 11:35PM
1 0
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Scaredwhiteboy
Posts: 1395 - Karma: -938
BenjEEcuz i like even numbers


You fucking bigot. Odd numbers are just as good as evens.
Jul 14 2014 11:40PM
1 0
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UphillIce
Posts: 123 - Karma: 138
I really liked my first year.

I worked my ass off as suddenly classes took actual effort, but I really liked most of what I was studying and I liked the people and environment a whole lot more than I liked my high school environment. Overall, that made for a good year.

I did consider transferring at one point, but didn't do it in the end. My college might not have been the absolute ideal fit for me, but I like how things eventually played out, so I guess I'm glad I didn't transfer. If I was to do life over though in a scenario where I maintain perspective, but not specific knowledge, I'd probably have gone to the other school as a safer bet.

If I were in your situation, I'd probably transfer. Particularly if you can get into a program of similar quality at a price that is much lower. My one worry would be getting out of the college track. I'd have everything set up at my new school before leaving my old one.
Jul 15 2014 8:43AM
1 0
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gRAPEFRUIT
Posts: 380 - Karma: 272
First semester of Freshman year I literally cannot even remember. Our RD used to buy beer for us, and I was in a suite with several upperclassman. I remember a party every night, not going to bed till 3 every night and showing up to class/exams hungover or still drunk. I calmed down second semester. I wouldn't trade it for anything though.
Jul 15 2014 9:31AM
1 0
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ModMommy
Posts: 10831 - Karma: 57,376
I fucking hated my first year. I'm not the biggest fan of my school, and that really made it hard to enjoy it.
I'm trying to transfer schools right now- it really isn't worth it to pay so much money for something I'm not excited about.
Jul 15 2014 11:29AM
1 0
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,010
It was a haze of drugs and poor life choices and I dropped out halfway through sophomore year. Granted I wasn't really motivated and had no clue what I wanted to do with my life so I spent more time skiing and doing hallucinogens and coke rather than going to class. Dropping out is still one of the best decisions I've ever made
Jul 15 2014 11:37AM
0 0
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
i basically partied all year and did hardly any work so yeah it was fun as a whole, but the actual first year of my course was boring as shit since it wasn't specific to what i wanted to do (ie it was "general" engineering as opposed to actual chemical engineering).

to answer your other question, would i assume graphic design at an art school would be better since they'd be better equipped both in terms of teaching staff and facilities
Jul 15 2014 11:41AM
1 0
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HamFaceGirl
Posts: 5242 - Karma: 2,676
100/10 would do again
Jul 15 2014 11:59AM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Freshman year was fun because I made friends.

Sophomore year was more fun because I partied my ass off.

Junior year and on, schoolwork starts to get real and you get less and less time for skiing and partying.
Jul 15 2014 1:12PM
0 0
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