Life Does anyone here go to college? - Page 6

TigerPig · 01-11-2010, 12:37 AM

I'm going to college for the first time tomorrow. I'm actually in my mid twenties, but I took a lot of time off, and realized life sucks without a job you can enjoy and actually make some money at.

Anyway, I'm kinda freaked just because I don't know what to expect. I'm going to be an Engineer (Industrial, I think). I'm taking Pre-calculus (tested in to it and thought it would be a good stepping stone), Composition I and Philosophy. Not a full load, but I also work 40 hours a week (it might be too much, lol).After this year I transfer to U of A (hence TigerPig), but I digress.

I was really wanting to know if anyone out there goes to school, and has any advice on ways to do well. I know about going to class and doing all of your homework (just like high school), but any sort of personal experience information would be great.

BTW, don't tell me the advice of banging lots of hot chicks. I already try doing that as much as I can, albeit not as many as I'd like.

TigerPig · 01-11-2010, 11:30 PM

First day of class is over, and so far so good!

First was Philosophy. Out teacher seems like he's really tough, and I was thinking, "Crap, if this is what its like then this is gonna SUCK!" The class seems to be straightforward and doable, but he's very picky about things being done a perfect, exact way. We didn't really even get to class stuff, just talked about the syllabus.

Second was Composition. This one was a lot better. The teacher in there is really laid back and easy going. She smiled a lot and made me feel pretty darn comfortable. I liked it.

Last was Precalculus. I was freaking out over this class. I'm sitting in the chair as we're getting ready to open the book to chapter four (forgetting the first three, just diving on in, lol). And she starts going over it, and I knew EVERY SINGLE thing she was talking about, even after ten years! I don't like to brag, but I was pretty damn proud of myself.

So everything seems to be going quite well. So far, so good, which is a great big step in the right direction.

Lastly, I will say I was HIGHLY disappointed in the whole meeting chicks thing. First off, no one ever says a single word in class, at all. They all just look straight forward, and when you try and look around the room everyone is just zoned in on the teacher. I don't see how people say college is the easiest time in your life to make friends, cause I think I'd have a better chance hooking up at a funeral. Plus a large portion of the women are much older than me with kids and a husband, about 1/3 of the class in Composition and 10% of the class in Precalculus (not so much in Philosophy).

So much for hooking up with chicks...lol!

Anyway, you can by all means keep posting stuff, cause I'm listening. It all seems fairly straightforward, but I also haven't taken a test yet or anything. It seems like if you do what the teacher tells you you'll be fine. And if you can't then get with him to figure out how you can do what he tells you to. And if you still can't, then you have problems...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

My strategy is to survey the room the first day of class, find either the most attractive girl or a group of them and sit there. It helps the whole attending class thing, and if there's a group project you can't go wrong.

Then again, I do take my ADD meds so paying attention isn't a problem.

Not a single person was in the mood for talking at all!

Spicy McHaggis · 01-11-2010, 11:52 PM

To preface my advice here, I'm back in school myself for a last semester finishing a business degree as the history degree wasn't doing much on the job market. I'm an "older" student myself (25) and it can be a bit of an adjustment getting back into it and it's much easier said than done. So first of all, congrats on doing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerPig

First was Philosophy. Out teacher seems like he's really tough, and I was thinking, "Crap, if this is what its like then this is gonna SUCK!" The class seems to be straightforward and doable, but he's very picky about things being done a perfect, exact way. We didn't really even get to class stuff, just talked about the syllabus.

Philosophy is a cakewalk as long as you do the reading. If you read, then you can talk in class without making an ass of yourself. If you talk in class, your prof usually will love you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Lastly, I will say I was HIGHLY disappointed in the whole meeting chicks thing.
Not a single person was in the mood for talking at all!

Here's my simple steps to meeting girls in class. Find a seat next to at least one girl you want to talk to. You probably have absolutely nothing in common with this girl, except that you're taking the same class. This is okay. It will be enough. Use the class material as an icebreaker, "Isn't this reading kinda bullshit?" or "I didn't really get the stuff about Kant, did you?" Then as the first test approaches suggest that you get together to get coffee and study. Gives you a chance to get to know her and opens the possibility of future non-school related hanging out.

**Bearcat** · 01-12-2010, 12:01 AM

It's pretty cool that you remembered everything for PreCalc... I had two years between Calc I and II and was completely lost during the first couple of weeks of Calc II. It's a strange feeling to be in that situation and have light bulbs going off in your head that you didn't realize were there in the first place.

As far as meeting people, that's not very surprising for a CC... I took a couple of summer classes at one, and it's not like a regular university where you would generally have to live on campus the first year and take classes with the same people you live and eat with.... group work helps, and people tend to lighten up a little after the first couple of classes, as people start asking questions and are less stressed about the class itself.

Tylerthigpen!1! · 01-12-2010, 12:41 AM

I've found the two best ways for me to meet girls is a) make friends guys that have friends that are girls and b) get the study sesh going.
Get you some

TigerPig · 01-12-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylerthigpen!1!

I've found the two best ways for me to meet girls is a) make friends guys that have friends that are girls and b) get the study sesh going.
Get you some

Are there any girls in engineering? There was a girl who was showing me around the building when I toured. It was just me and her for the orientation, and she was nice

But I hear there's no women in engineering classes. So I'll probably not find any women anyway, lol.

Tylerthigpen!1! · 01-12-2010, 01:45 AM

Well about a quarter of my general engineering class is girls but that is unusual. Most of them are pretty cool though. You can meet plenty of people in your electives too

TigerPig · 01-12-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylerthigpen!1!

Well about a quarter of my general engineering class is girls but that is unusual. Most of them are pretty cool though. You can meet plenty of people in your electives too

Someone told me industrial engineering has more women. That would be kind of cool I guess. I'm thinking after what I experienced today it would be best to learn at school and socialize outside of class. Like with people at work or something. But all I know is even walking around campus, no one wants to look you in the eyes and everyone just has this look on their face like they hate their life. It was probably the worst part of the day, cause I was all enthusiastic and excited and everyone else was beaten down on their first day already.

There were a few of them who were social, but they were the older women who were in their late 30s. They seemed to want to talk like crazy, especially to each other!

Ebolapox · 01-12-2010, 06:25 AM

oh, and your best friend (which is too late to help you now, nootch) will be http://www.ratemyprofessor.com . the downside is it's difficult at times to gauge exactly how a prof is... sometimes the only people who rate them are the morons who flunk out (omg, the outrage, I didn't go all semester and you won't give me the 500 bonus points I need for an A? YOU SUCK!), and good students rarely rate the profs... and there's always the rare good teacher that will have a personality that doesn't quite mesh with yours... but it's a good general tool to have at one's disposal to see if the prof is a total nightmare.

**DaKCMan AP** · 01-12-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Are there any girls in engineering? There was a girl who was showing me around the building when I toured. It was just me and her for the orientation, and she was nice

But I hear there's no women in engineering classes. So I'll probably not find any women anyway, lol.

Not many. During my undergrad and graduate engineering courses there were maybe 10% girls in classes, if that. However, industrial engineering probably has the most females followed by civil, mechanical/aerospace, agricultural/biological and chemical. Not many in electrical, nuclear, computer, etc. My girlfriend is also an engineer with her undergrad degree in industrial.

**DaKCMan AP** · 01-12-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Someone told me industrial engineering has more women. That would be kind of cool I guess. I'm thinking after what I experienced today it would be best to learn at school and socialize outside of class. Like with people at work or something. But all I know is even walking around campus, no one wants to look you in the eyes and everyone just has this look on their face like they hate their life. It was probably the worst part of the day, cause I was all enthusiastic and excited and everyone else was beaten down on their first day already.

There were a few of them who were social, but they were the older women who were in their late 30s. They seemed to want to talk like crazy, especially to each other!

CC's and commuter campuses in general will have more people attending part-time with other things to do and less people looking to socialize. Once you get to UofArk the overall demeanor should be different.

KCUnited · 01-12-2010, 08:03 AM

I've found that it is human nature to sit in or near the same spot throughout the class. It is also known that the professor will look to these spots to familiarize themselves with you before actually associating you with your name. So I sit in a completely different spot every class so as after a month or so the professor will realize that I am ****ing with him/her and it builds a certain intellectual rapport. It will get to the point where I can see the professor actually scanning the class to find me.

**Skip Towne** · 01-12-2010, 08:05 AM

Greg Herzig is a member here but he doesn't post much. He has a masters degree from UA and I'm sure he will help you with any questions you have. You might PM him. His username is "Herzig".

ziggysocki · 01-12-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Are there any girls in engineering? There was a girl who was showing me around the building when I toured. It was just me and her for the orientation, and she was nice

But I hear there's no women in engineering classes. So I'll probably not find any women anyway, lol.

There were very few women in my comp sci classes either. You want women? Go to elementary education or accounting. The accounting department was LOADED with hotties when I was there. As far as engineering, yeah, good luck. My advice would be to attend non class related stuff at the university... clubs, athletics, politico (if you can stomach it). Good luck horn dog.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-12-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H5N1

oh, and your best friend (which is too late to help you now, nootch) will be http://www.ratemyprofessor.com . the downside is it's difficult at times to gauge exactly how a prof is... sometimes the only people who rate them are the morons who flunk out (omg, the outrage, I didn't go all semester and you won't give me the 500 bonus points I need for an A? YOU SUCK!), and good students rarely rate the profs... and there's always the rare good teacher that will have a personality that doesn't quite mesh with yours... but it's a good general tool to have at one's disposal to see if the prof is a total nightmare.

****ing rep. I completely forget to mention this in my other post.

Pick-A-Prof is a good site too.

As I said before, I'm a junior, and I've used those websites to pick classes, and have only ended up with one professor I didn't care for in 2.5 years.

Scaga · 01-12-2010, 10:52 AM

Yes I went to college....
Got my 4 year degree in only 9 years.

They were the best/worst years of my life

01-11-2010, 12:37 AM
TigerPig One with the Force Join Date: Jan 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	Does anyone here go to college? I'm going to college for the first time tomorrow. I'm actually in my mid twenties, but I took a lot of time off, and realized life sucks without a job you can enjoy and actually make some money at. Anyway, I'm kinda freaked just because I don't know what to expect. I'm going to be an Engineer (Industrial, I think). I'm taking Pre-calculus (tested in to it and thought it would be a good stepping stone), Composition I and Philosophy. Not a full load, but I also work 40 hours a week (it might be too much, lol).After this year I transfer to U of A (hence TigerPig), but I digress. I was really wanting to know if anyone out there goes to school, and has any advice on ways to do well. I know about going to class and doing all of your homework (just like high school), but any sort of personal experience information would be great. BTW, don't tell me the advice of banging lots of hot chicks. I already try doing that as much as I can, albeit not as many as I'd like.
Posts: 879

01-12-2010, 12:01 AM	#78
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $-1005069	It's pretty cool that you remembered everything for PreCalc... I had two years between Calc I and II and was completely lost during the first couple of weeks of Calc II. It's a strange feeling to be in that situation and have light bulbs going off in your head that you didn't realize were there in the first place. As far as meeting people, that's not very surprising for a CC... I took a couple of summer classes at one, and it's not like a regular university where you would generally have to live on campus the first year and take classes with the same people you live and eat with.... group work helps, and people tend to lighten up a little after the first couple of classes, as people start asking questions and are less stressed about the class itself.
Posts: 59,543

01-12-2010, 12:41 AM	#79
Tylerthigpen!1! Starter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arkansas Casino cash: $7795815	I've found the two best ways for me to meet girls is a) make friends guys that have friends that are girls and b) get the study sesh going. Get you some
Posts: 831

01-12-2010, 01:45 AM	#81
Tylerthigpen!1! Starter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arkansas Casino cash: $7795815	Well about a quarter of my general engineering class is girls but that is unusual. Most of them are pretty cool though. You can meet plenty of people in your electives too
Posts: 831

01-12-2010, 06:25 AM	#83
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1710097	oh, and your best friend (which is too late to help you now, nootch) will be http://www.ratemyprofessor.com . the downside is it's difficult at times to gauge exactly how a prof is... sometimes the only people who rate them are the morons who flunk out (omg, the outrage, I didn't go all semester and you won't give me the 500 bonus points I need for an A? YOU SUCK!), and good students rarely rate the profs... and there's always the rare good teacher that will have a personality that doesn't quite mesh with yours... but it's a good general tool to have at one's disposal to see if the prof is a total nightmare.
Posts: 26,523

01-12-2010, 08:03 AM	#86
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1551756	I've found that it is human nature to sit in or near the same spot throughout the class. It is also known that the professor will look to these spots to familiarize themselves with you before actually associating you with your name. So I sit in a completely different spot every class so as after a month or so the professor will realize that I am ****ing with him/her and it builds a certain intellectual rapport. It will get to the point where I can see the professor actually scanning the class to find me.
Posts: 36,957

01-12-2010, 08:05 AM	#87
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Greg Herzig is a member here but he doesn't post much. He has a masters degree from UA and I'm sure he will help you with any questions you have. You might PM him. His username is "Herzig".
Posts: 69,689

01-12-2010, 10:52 AM	#90
Scaga Pissed off now Joboo Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: On my wife's $hitlist Casino cash: $1141665	Yes I went to college.... Got my 4 year degree in only 9 years. They were the best/worst years of my life __________________ Bluto: Christ. Seven years of college down the drain. Might as well join the f_cking Peace Corps
Posts: 3,401