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PSU callout and some thoughts on college

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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
So this is my second semester at Plymouth State University and yes I am a freshman. But I'm sure like most freshman do, I am very seriously considering moving out west next year in search of big mountains and a better education. After my second semester at PSU I have found it to be nothing short of a joke. Sure you can go to class and do your homework and get a degree but at what cost? Over $120,000 in debt for an out of state student with no scholarship after 4 years. But let me explain what that $120k will get you. Now before I go any further I am in no way trying to hate on getting higher education but I guess I am hating on PSU. Now that 120k you spend on 4 years will get you this from what I have experienced so far in my time here:
- Professors who know less about the subject matter than the student does
- Shitty food
- Terrible academics
- Residential life who seemingly works day and night to make students lives on campus miserable and harder
- Shitty Athletics (the hockey team actually is decent) D3 school
- Town cops and Campus PD who will do everything in there power to bend you over and fuck you in every position they can
- a university that will nickel and dime you for anything they possibly can whether you did some good or bad
- and a town that wants to charge you a fee for living in a rental off campus and wants to search your rental whenever they so feel the desire. Not just students either. Anyone in the the town of Plymouth.
That being said my experience has not been all bad. Loon and Waterville both under 30 minutes away. Decent ski and snowboard community and most of the students are very friendly. Classes are easy and if you like to party you'll probably be turnt thursday through tuesday. I have made quite a few good friends and had some pretty good times here but I don't think its enough to stay or support this university.

So I'll conclude with my final thoughts and a tl;dr for you lazy fucks

College may not be for everyone and it may take a semester to figure that out but don't make the same mistake I did. Choose somewhere you know you will enjoy and want to go. All my time spent off campus and out and about in the NH wilderness has been amazing. But you can't let beautiful scenery or big parties or friends keep you somewhere where you are no longer happy because I have learned this the hard way and nothing feels worse than realizing you wasted a year of college, a year of your life, and a shit ton of yours and your families hard earned money on something that really isn't quite worth it. Live your life the way you want to and not the way society wants you to. Life is short, especially youth. So I tell you this my fellow mountain sports enthusiasts, if you are like me and sitting in a dorm room or sitting on your parents couch reading this and realizing "is this really what I want? Is that really what I want to do?" its ok, life's not over yet, there is always more time. Think about that dream you had of doing what you love in that dream location with that dream group of people. That is always attainable you just have to pull the trigger.
I've always thought the idea of chasing dreams seemed a little silly and childish until I realized this: Don't Chase Dreams, Catch Them.

See you in a few months Colorado.

tl;dr:
PSU is a not the school for everyone
College is not for everyone
Think about what YOU want to do and not what society thinks you should do
Don't chase dreams, catch them
You should actually go and read the whole thing because I put a lot of thought and time into this
Mar 4 2015 10:56PM
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SupremeDeity
Posts: 695 - Karma: 1,112
You're assuming you can't do both
Mar 4 2015 11:19PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51744 - Karma: 163,529
This party last night there was pretty crazy. I fucking wish we taped it. I dance my face off and got this one chick totally naked.


MAn, I fucking love college!
Mar 4 2015 11:21PM
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ben_southworth
Posts: 1063 - Karma: 447
SupremeDeityYou're assuming you can't do both


Yea dude, it is well within reason to have your cake and eat it too.

If you do take time off and come west, do some regular thinking about what you do want to do next. As you said, college isn't for everyone, etc. However steady employment at some point is or should be for almost everyone. There are non-college options and options closer to skiing, e.g. being a mountain guide or ski patroller, but make sure you understand what they require and what they offer.

A fool's errand is one with no purpose - in college or not you should always be considering how you want the future to pan out, where you want to be, and how you will get there.
Mar 5 2015 12:13AM
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
I don't think I was clear on my full intent of moving to CO. I do plan on having the cake and eating it too haha. You have to live in CO for 12 months to get in state tuition so I plan on going back to school for sure
Mar 5 2015 12:23AM
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ben_southworth
Posts: 1063 - Karma: 447
Strange.Journey.I don't think I was clear on my full intent of moving to CO. I do plan on having the cake and eating it too haha. You have to live in CO for 12 months to get in state tuition so I plan on going back to school for sure


Haha then definitely come this way. We're getting hammered with snow right now. Skiing is fantastic.
Mar 5 2015 12:27AM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,302
As someone who has called PSU home for 3 years, I understand where you're coming from, and some of the shit you said is spot on, but other shit you said is plain wrong.

As for academics, they aren't totally shit. Plymouth has an outstanding business and marketing department, with over 70% of the grads finding work directly out of school. Its meteorology department is also one of the best in the country.

They nickel and dime you because tuition is down, in part due to people like you that stay for a year and leave, and because they are spending all our tuition money on this new "4 stage" development plan (Ice rink, P.E. center, and two others I forget). Sodexo is shit, wont disagree with you on that.

As for cops, my house has received two summons this year so far. The residents are pretty fed up with the noise so its almost a 1 call automatic summons kind of deal. As for res life, you're a freshman what do you expect?

This new bill they are passing is BS. And it isn't for all residents, only for rental properties. Pretty much they can enter and search your home without a warrant if its a rental (Im pretty sure) and us (the renters) have to pay some ridiculous fee the town selects. Once again, this is because the residents are sick and tired of all the belligerent drunks they have to deal with every thurs.-sun.

But yeah, you chose a party school, what did you expect? I always ask out of state kids why they chose plymouth over the variety of similar schools in there area, and then why they complain about it. Personally I love plymouth. Im a business major and find the majority of my profs know EXACTLY what they are talking about, especially since the majority are very successful business men themselves (3 of my 5 profs this semester are millionaires). Its a party/ski school, not BU or BC. You either love the plym lifestyle or you don't.
Mar 5 2015 9:13AM
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