Does anyone here go to college?

[TigerPig]

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.

[Tylerthigpen!1!]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

I blame the Cowboy thing on Jerry Jones.

OOH! That's me! I will be in Freshman Engineering too! It looks like SOO much fun! Hard as hell, but fun! I went into that place and toured the I.E. and Freshman Engineering department, and felt like I BELONGED there! I'm really excited to be there, I just hope I can do this. I think I can. I keep telling myself I KNOW I can, but there's always doubt until its over with, you know?

BTW, what sort of calculator do you use? I HAD to buy a Ti-84 for my Precalc class. She won't allow a Ti-89. But I've heard Ti-89s are better. I didn't know if it mattered or not. To start with I don't want something that's too good, cause I want to be doing it in my head instead of relying on a machine. Machines are good as long as you can do it on your own.

Anyway, thanks for the help people. I will not have much of a social life the next four months. To be honest I'm kind of looking forward to it. I'll be like a monk.

Hah the TI-84 is a very nice calculator but probably not what you are looking for. Most lower level classes won't let you use them on tests because it can do algebra. On the same note I can't use my TI-84 on calc tests either. Most Calc professors are balls deep in the TI-30. They are pretty basic but have some time saving tools on them. Relatively cheap too.

I always get freaked out about how hard people say engineering is but you have to remember there is always someone less competent than you that graduated. So far it is not too bad. Most people I've met your age have no problem just because they are dedicated. Hit me up next time you are down here.

[ziggysocki]

Since you are diagnosed, why not try some meds and see if they help? If they don't, well, I know Adderal has a pretty damn good street value on college campuses. The key to college is going to class. Most, not all, classes are about 60-70 percent homework, so get every "gimme" point you can. Also, a lot of profs use the same tests over and over and just mix up the order of questions... so getting ahold of old tests makes good study material as well.

[Buck]

Your Mom Goes to college

Edit: Damnit, beat twice already.

ok...then um...Bang Lots of Hot Chicks

Edit: ****, didn't read your OP

lets see, um ok, I got it. Sniff a lot of ritalin/aderall

[OnTheWarpath15]

Some excellent advice here.

Talking about starting late, I'm a 37 year old Junior getting my BS in Secondary Education. If I can start in my mid-thirties and succeed, you definitely can. Follow the advice you've been given here, and you'll do well.

Absolutely see if you qualify for Special Services, and even if you do, I'd definitely invest in a digital recorder - I record every lecture I attend, and listen in the car, or during downtimes at work. I have an Olympus VN-2100 and it's perfect.

Best of luck to you.

[cdcox]

I'm a prof in engineering, and also the "head advisor" for our department. I've advised lots of kids with ADHD.

1. You may be eligible for extra time on exams. But you'll have to get paperwork from your doctor. This can make a big difference for some students.

2. Take your meds religiously. A common story I hear from students on academic probation is,

Me: "What seems to be keeping you from doing better in the classroom?"
Student: "I'm ADHD."
Me: "Are you taking your meds?"
Student: "No"

3. You're over scheduled. Figure 2 hours of studying for every hour you are in class. 45 hours working + 10*3 hours for school = 75 hour week. Heavy load, maybe manageable depending on how dedicated you are. But, what do you do during the week when you have a paper due in both classes and a pre-calc exam, and your car breaks down? You'll have weeks like that and they will tank your semester if you aren't prepared for them. Is your schedule flexible enough to cut back on hours at strategic times? If not, you may consider keeping the math and composition and dropping the other course.

4. Pre-calculus is on your critical path. You need that to get into calculus and Physics, which you need to get into everything else. If you don't pass pre-calc with a B (or preferably an A), I would recommend finding another career. Things will get harder before they get easier so use pre-calc as a barometer to see if you are on the right track.

5. You are older than your peers, which brings maturity and gives you an advantage. On the other hand, you are rusty from the lay off. The students you'll be competing against at U of A will come in calculus ready. I teach at a university similar to Arkansas and the students we are getting have been much better prepared than they were in the past. You need to eliminate that disadvantage by blowing pre-calc out of the water. You also need to develop a good management skills for for your ADHD before you hit the big time.

6. Don't work too many hours once you get to Arkansas. Remember the (work + 3*(credit hours)) formula. The classes will be much tougher there because 1) it's a bigger school and 2) you're in engineering.

7. Remember your motivation (getting paid well for something you like for the rest of your career). It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Good luck, I wish you the best.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by ziggysocki

Since you are diagnosed, why not try some meds and see if they help? If they don't, well, I know Adderal has a pretty damn good street value on college campuses. The key to college is going to class. Most, not all, classes are about 60-70 percent homework, so get every "gimme" point you can. Also, a lot of profs use the same tests over and over and just mix up the order of questions... so getting ahold of old tests makes good study material as well.

Engineering is 80-90% exams for the first three years.

Getting copies of old exams is a good strategy, but most faculty I know will always have some new problems or throw a twist into old ones. I normally don't have more than 1/3 of the problems that are re-hashes. But if you prepare using the old exams, you will probably learn enough to do well on the questions that are asked.

[ziggysocki]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Engineering is 80-90% exams for the first three years.

Getting copies of old exams is a good strategy, but most faculty I know will always have some new problems or throw a twist into old ones. I normally don't have more than 1/3 of the problems that are re-hashes. But if you prepare using the old exams, you will probably learn enough to do well on the questions that are asked.

Wow. I should have mentioned I was not in engineering (business and information systems) So it would make sense that engineering was much heavier on the exams, as are most math classes. Old exams are a great measure of which concepts the instructor is planning on testing on. Never trust that they will pass out the same exam every other semester (which is a rumor that was actually true for one prof I had). But if TigerPig takes 5% of the awesome advice in this thread he should have a great starting point.

[NewChief]

Oh yeah, and since you're coming to Fayetteville:

Stay away from Dickson Street.
Eureka Pizza is your friend.

That is all.

[Saulbadguy]

I'm doing the online route at Allen County Community College - I like it because I can't pay attention in normal classes and learn better by reading and visual things. I've only got a few classes left there before I move on and start work on my Bachelors degree.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

NWACC

Seriously? Straight outta Compton?

[sportsman1]

Yeah you know how they roll in B'ville.

[tyton75]

I had a hell of a time getting thru college because I didn't know what I was doing.

one tip:

Sit in the front row of every class.. can't stress that enough.. who cares if you look like a nerd.. you will get a LOT more out of the class and be more willing to ask questions

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by tyton75

I had a hell of a time getting thru college because I didn't know what I was doing.

one tip:

Sit in the front row of every class.. can't stress that enough.. who cares if you look like a nerd.. you will get a LOT more out of the class and be more willing to ask questions

I prefer the second row. it gives all the benefits of the first row and added benefits that there's usually an attractive girl or two that sit there as well

[Tylerthigpen!1!]

I don't think you will need to study 3 hours per class with that schedule. Maybe if there are lots of tests. Plus CC is generally a little easier than a university.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by H5N1

I prefer the second row. it gives all the benefits of the first row and added benefits that there's usually an attractive girl or two that sit there as well

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.