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.

[Extra Point]

Attend class, pay attention, take notes, review your notes after each class, ask questions, do your homework at the lab of each class, study like hell for each test, and don't spend too much time on this website.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by H5N1

sure, I'll bite.

I'm pretty close to finishing up my B.S. in biology (comprehensive, emphasis in microbiology/biotech with a minor in chemistry). I also work full-time, and it can be difficult at times to balance one's time.

it's ironic, I also started a bit late and have taken small breaks throughout. I turn 27 here in a few weeks, and hope to be completely done (I'm going to do the grad school/Ph.D route in order to go into public health/virus research) within a few years.

the best advice I can give you is to balance your time as well as you can. it can be a lot to handle at times, but try not to get too distracted and stay focused. I'm lucky in that I have a photographic memory, but even that gets overwhelmed at times--work your ass off and you'll be successful at most things in life--you'd be shocked at how many people aren't willing to work for what they really want.

THIS

[DaKCMan AP]

Good luck. It's going to be a long road ahead, but Engineering is a rewarding career path. It will be difficult. Especially with your part-time schedule you will have years of math and science before you get to any real engineering courses. Don't give up, go to class, ask for help when you need it and try to enjoy it.

I have a BS & MS in electrical engineering and later this month I'm starting a part-time 27 month MBA program.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I actually teach at the college level.

The best advice I can give you is to properly manage your time. With as much as you work, set a schedule and try not to deviate from it.

Most of the time, if you attend all of your classes, pay attention, take notes, and do the homework, it will fall in line. If you have any issues or concerns, contact the instructor, but do so in advance--don't wait until the night before.

P.S: One of the classes I teach is composition. If you ever need help with a paper, send me a PM.

Thanks. Composition at least used to be fairly easy to me. I actually know what misplaced modifiers and passive voice are...lol. Now my reading comprehension of literature absolutely SUCKS! I can read Robert Frost and enjoy it (yeah, I admit it, lol) but start asking what themes and other stuff are going on in the work and I just DON'T know what the hell you're talking about. But if I'm making my own paper I'm great cause there are rules to follow that are fairly firm. But yeah, NO paper is getting turned in without someone with a degree in English looking over it

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Good luck. It's going to be a long road ahead, but Engineering is a rewarding career path. It will be difficult. Especially with your part-time schedule you will have years of math and science before you get to any real engineering courses. Don't give up, go to class, ask for help when you need it and try to enjoy it.

I have a BS & MS in electrical engineering and later this month I'm starting a part-time 27 month MBA program.

I'll be going to full-time with classes this fall, and dropping to part time with work. But for now its 10 credit hours and 45 hours a week.

Thanks for all the help, guys. It sounds like its pretty damn straightforward. Pretty much the gist of it is to work hard and put in the time to get everything done. I can do that!

[Slayer Diablo]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Yeah I'll get right on that...nlm LOL

I have really bad ADHD which is going to suck (Psychologist diagnosed and everything). I've never taken meds, but am going to cause I think it will help me out. Plus if it doesn't, at least I'll be able to clean my house at 4 in the morning!

Another thing I'm concerned about is notes. I can't take notes at all. I write and then I forget to listen to the teacher (ADHD). So the only way I can actually get something out of the class is to listen without writing. Then I have NOTHING when I get home.

I'm kind of rambling. I'm pretty freaked, like I said. Enough so that I created a thread about it on a freaking football message board. BTW sorry about that. I would have picked another place but you guys seem really cool.

If an application has optional essays like "what makes you more diverse than every other Joe Everyman", that could help...might want to talk about being able to overcome it, though.

As far as picking a general place for Engineering...Rolla.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by Slayer

If an application has optional essays like "what makes you more diverse than every other Joe Everyman", that could help...might want to talk about being able to overcome it, though.

As far as picking a general place for Engineering...Rolla.

Thanks for the advice!

Rolla doesn't have an Industrial Engineering program.

[Skip Towne]

Doesn't an engineering degree require more hours for graduation than a BA or BS? That's an awfully long row to hoe for a part time student. I'd look at other areas of interest that took less schooling.

[TigerPig]

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Doesn't an engineering degree require more hours for graduation than a BA or BS? That's an awfully long row to hoe for a part time student. I'd look at other areas of interest that took less schooling.

Engineering is something I've wanted to do since I was a child. And after this semester I'm going to start going full time. This is just my "get your feet wet" semester.

And at this point I WILL NOT compromise. I have things I want to do, I am GOING TO DO THEM.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Yeah I'll get right on that...nlm LOL

I have really bad ADHD which is going to suck (Psychologist diagnosed and everything). I've never taken meds, but am going to cause I think it will help me out. Plus if it doesn't, at least I'll be able to clean my house at 4 in the morning!

Another thing I'm concerned about is notes. I can't take notes at all. I write and then I forget to listen to the teacher (ADHD). So the only way I can actually get something out of the class is to listen without writing. Then I have NOTHING when I get home.

I'm kind of rambling. I'm pretty freaked, like I said. Enough so that I created a thread about it on a freaking football message board. BTW sorry about that. I would have picked another place but you guys seem really cool.

The nice thing about being in engineering is that in a lot of your classes, your professors will probably write everything you need in your notes on the board (or show them on a projector) so you'll have time to follow along AND write your notes.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by TigerPig

Thanks for the advice!

Rolla doesn't have an Industrial Engineering program.

Their Engineering Management program is pretty much the same thing.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Been in college the last 8 years. Currently in grad school finishing up my thesis project with graduation in May...finally.

My advice I will throw on the pile is...

...DISCIPLINE

You may have classes where the instructor does not take attendance. This makes it very easy to say to yourself, "Oh, I don't need to go. I will just read the syllabus and read the chapters for today." Some people will say this works, but with ADHD, I think you will benefit most from attending every lecture and class. Make yourself go to every class. There is not anyone to hold your hand or push you in college. You are just another student.

The more you put into school, the more you will get out of it.

I have been told that by a few professors. Reflecting back, it can not be anymore true. Be disciplined. No one will force you to attend every class. No one will force you to take notes. Stay organized and stay focused. College goes by fast. Have fun.

[KCUnited]

I got 12 hours and work 40+. Start today at 3:30.

[NewChief]

Get to know your professors. Sit in the front row. Come to class on time. Ask questions. Basically, remember what the "good" students in high school acted like? Yeah, do that.

Most professors will be fine with you recording their lecture as well. Just tell them your situation, ask their permission, then record.

[DaFace]

Your mom goes to college.

[NewChief]

Oh yeah, if you have full on diagnosed ADHD, you might want to contact the Special Services department. They can usually get you some accommodations to help out with that.

At the UofA, this is the department: http://csd.uark.edu/