College-Goers And Graduates: Advise Me
Dec. 10th, 2009 06:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
exhilarationI really do need to start planning this stuff now - cause I won't be back from China until July, and the fall semester starts in August. That's cutting it pretty close.
Considering: buying a new laptop (mine caught fire... remember?) I do have a computer. But my plan is kind of to use the school day, you know, when I'm not in class, to do the work for those classes. I'm going to have to do a lot of writing. I want to be able to work on my school stuff at school - I'm going to need to be able to use my computer at home and on the campus. Right? All students need laptops these days, right? It's kind of a requirement, a necessity? Cause other wise I'd have to wait till I got home to do my work, or hand-write stuff (ummm... I can barely read my writing...) and then type it later, or use the computer labs on campus, which wouldn't necessarily be available all the time... So I do need a lap top. Right?
Considering: living on the campus. I know, I know, I'm too old. Except not really. They have housing for upperclass students, transfer students, grad students, etc. I'm not that much older than a traditional graduate student, or even a transfer student. I lived on campus, um, once, for one semester, and I didn't like it. But that was in one room, not in like, upperclass apartment housing. Philadelphia is too expensive for me to live by myself. I don't even like living by myself. But I have no friends to move in with - I could just let the school throw me some room mates and live in school housing. Of course, I'm scared shitless about living with randomly assigned girls, but, I mean... I did this once already. It can't be that bad - right?
Considering: minoring in Chinese. I wonder how useful that would actually be? I need to be a full time student (for health insurance and for housing and to make the best use of the rest of my scholarship money) but I've already taken all my core required classes (and had I waited another year or two to do this, I would have had to start re-taking them, so... good thing I'm going back now...) and the classes I need are sequential. So it would take two years to finish, part time, and two years to finish full time as well. I just... have to add an extra class each semester. Might as well minor in something - and four more Chinese classes gives me a minor in Chinese.
Considering: does anyone actually know what they want to do with their education when they're only sixteen, and actually stick to it? Is that even possible, to know with such certainty what you want to do with your life that you take all the right classes in high school, go to the right college, start in the right program, right away, and in four years, have a job/are on your way to grad school? Does anyone even DO that?
Considering: buying a new laptop (mine caught fire... remember?) I do have a computer. But my plan is kind of to use the school day, you know, when I'm not in class, to do the work for those classes. I'm going to have to do a lot of writing. I want to be able to work on my school stuff at school - I'm going to need to be able to use my computer at home and on the campus. Right? All students need laptops these days, right? It's kind of a requirement, a necessity? Cause other wise I'd have to wait till I got home to do my work, or hand-write stuff (ummm... I can barely read my writing...) and then type it later, or use the computer labs on campus, which wouldn't necessarily be available all the time... So I do need a lap top. Right?
Considering: living on the campus. I know, I know, I'm too old. Except not really. They have housing for upperclass students, transfer students, grad students, etc. I'm not that much older than a traditional graduate student, or even a transfer student. I lived on campus, um, once, for one semester, and I didn't like it. But that was in one room, not in like, upperclass apartment housing. Philadelphia is too expensive for me to live by myself. I don't even like living by myself. But I have no friends to move in with - I could just let the school throw me some room mates and live in school housing. Of course, I'm scared shitless about living with randomly assigned girls, but, I mean... I did this once already. It can't be that bad - right?
Considering: minoring in Chinese. I wonder how useful that would actually be? I need to be a full time student (for health insurance and for housing and to make the best use of the rest of my scholarship money) but I've already taken all my core required classes (and had I waited another year or two to do this, I would have had to start re-taking them, so... good thing I'm going back now...) and the classes I need are sequential. So it would take two years to finish, part time, and two years to finish full time as well. I just... have to add an extra class each semester. Might as well minor in something - and four more Chinese classes gives me a minor in Chinese.
Considering: does anyone actually know what they want to do with their education when they're only sixteen, and actually stick to it? Is that even possible, to know with such certainty what you want to do with your life that you take all the right classes in high school, go to the right college, start in the right program, right away, and in four years, have a job/are on your way to grad school? Does anyone even DO that?
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no subject
Date: 2009-12-10 11:52 pm (UTC)Ahem, sorry. Throughout everyone I've ever met I only know of ONE person who did that. ONE.
The rest of us kinda fumble our way along.
Advice? Sure!
Laptop: Yes, finding a computer to use can be a pain in the ass. Add the slightly cramped spaces in most computer labs I've seen with the fact that you'll be using a wheelchair, and I think you've got a fairly convincing argument to get one. However, there are odd places that seem to always have available computers (the Learning Center/tutoring place and you don't have to have a learning disability to use them, or the far reaching corners of the library, or an empty computer classroom, etc). It's up to you to determine the weight of the pain-in-the-ass-ness with the cost of the laptop. Other thought, how much can you carry? Not to be mean, but you'll be toting books and whatnot, can you carry a laptop case as well? Where does it all go in your chair?
Living on campus: Never done it. Having said that, not a big fan. If you're going to do this, at least get one of the serious dorms without the drinking and partying and carrying on. You don't need the noise distraction or the "hey come drink with us" distraction. Is it possible to get an on-campus apartment with a couple other girls instead? I've known a few people who did this and it was fairly successful; share common living areas but everyone has their own bedroom. Admit it, you like your privacy and sharing a bedroom with some random stranger is going to make you a little crazy. Oh, and being "too old" is nonsense :p
Chinese: DO IT!!! :) I wish I'd minored in something, but I ran out of time and money.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 01:16 am (UTC)yeah, that's kind of what I figured :P
Other thought, how much can you carry?
I have no idea. Flat out. That's why this spring semester is going to be such an experiment.
My laptop (the scorched one) weighs seven pounds. The one I've got my eye on, being new, I think weighs 4.5 pounds. So less than a text book. Standing up... that's about all I can carry. Anything else gets way too unbalanced. Forget multiple textbooks. Two will about do it. Sitting down... *shrugs* it all goes in a bag on the back of the chair. That's what I always did before. If it's too heavy, it's hard to push. If it's way too heavy... the chair tips over backwards should I try to, I don't know, hop over some minor sidewalk obstacle or curb or something. I'd like to avoid that if possible - obviously.
I know I can request that there be copies of my textbooks in the classroom already for me, but, like, I want them with me before the class so I can study/prepare/do work and stuff! So I don't know. I'm kind of worried about this, actually. Not so much if I can carry a laptop or not, but just whether or not carrying everything I want with me is even possible or not.
and being "too old" is nonsense :p THANK YOU!!
I'm not that old anyway :) And I was thinking an apartment-type housing situation when I said "upperclass housing." Maybe I've got this all wrong, but I figured the crazy-party-drinking buildings were the freshmen dorms. I know the school has about five apartment-style buildings for upperclass students only and they're like, two or three bedrooms plus a living area/kitchen area. Some are shared bedrooms and some aren't. Also... I'm counting on the school apartment buildings to be wheelchair-accessible. Because they have to be, legally. I have lived in a few different places in Philly - the house I rented with other students was in the perfect location and pretty much perfect all around, but if I wanted to go out in the chair, um, I had to sit on the front steps and kind of toss it down to the sidewalk. Not something I want to do every day :P I dunno how easy it is to find an accessible apartment that isn't owned by the school, or how affordable it would be, or how close to school it would be, etc.
Although. Now I have to wonder if all the school housing is so party-centric? The school throws legendary parties. Maybe it's not just a freshman thing. Although maybe you get to specify what kind of environment you want to live in. I kind of remember filling out a questionnaire like that before. Hm.
I'm not too old for college. But I might be too old for college parties. Especially when I'm trying to get stuff done.
Good points, thanks.
How many years did it take you to finish college and did you start out as a French major and did you go right after high school? I'm curious - what would you have done differently, if anything?
the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 04:40 am (UTC)I dropped out of high school too b/c the time I missed due to my surgeries was deemed un-excused by the idiot PTB. Long story. My mom found out that I could go to college sans diploma if I passed the entrance exam thingies, which (of course) I did. Had I known they would be that easy, I would've dropped out sooner.
I started the fall 2000 (you thought YOU were old?) with 12 credits (4 classes), going every day of the week. I figured out real quick that most of the counselors were morons, since they couldn't figure out that commuting 2 or 3 days is preferable to commuting 5 days. I was out of practice with the whole school thing and ended up dropping 3 classes. I kept French (quelle surprise) and got an A. I knew I wanted to keep taking French classes til I was fluent. And I dreamed of doing a study abroad, but didn't think it was possible. Remember, I was paying for myself from the get-go. So no, I didn't know. My original plan was to get my associate's and transfer to a 4 year...I had a couple ideas of where I wanted to transfer to.
My biggest issue was finances. Because I was under 24, I still had to file my taxes under my parents'. They didn't make enough to help me out much, but made too much for me to get any real aid. And I dropped out of HS so I didn't exactly score any scholarships. If I could do things differently, I would have kept going up the chain of command in the school's financial aid office until somebody gave me another option. I heard much later (after I turned 24 of course) that you can do something to not have to file under your parents.
I would've bought my books online instead of in the store. After a couple years I started scoring them off friends who had taken the classes before me, and likewise passing mine down to other friends.
Long story short, it took me 4 years to get a 2 year degree (my AA in general studies with a concentration in lib. arts). That was Dec 2005, I took a year off to work full time and plan the wedding, and began a 4 year in Spring 2007.
Because transfer studies are somehow lower on the totem pole than 4 year ppl, I didn't have any kind of (useful) orientation. Freshmeat got to meet the pres of the college, and the Deans and everything. I waited til I was about to drop out of college before going to the Dean with the problems I was having with my French prof.
What I would have done differently: INFORMATION WILL SAVE YOU. Sorry, that deserves caps. You sound really independent, but getting help doesn't make you less independent, it means you're working smarter not harder. I would have used all the resources available. Turns out the women's center could've helped me financially & you can make money tutoring at the college (did that for a year, nice to get paid for basically a study hall since hardly anyone comes). I can almost guarantee that they'd love to have you as a Chinese tutor, esp. once you've been to China. Ask people for advice, esp. upperclassmen. They've been through the ringer, and they'll tell you which profs grade unreasonably hard, etc. Take some of it with a grain of salt, but some of it is pure gold.
Ask your profs for help; extensions, study materials, extra coaching, whatever. They LOVE that, and (I believe) they grade you nicer if they know you're working hard.
Join clubs! I got to go to a free movie every semester because I joined the history honor society. Clubs are a great way to meet people, and the next couple years are gonna suck if you don't make a couple friends. And being in clubs/leading a club will look good on your resume, although it didn't come up in my (one) interview.
I can't help much with housing. Rumor has it that the partying at my college was mostly freshmen, and I know it wasn't ALL the Greeks. They do have "themed" dorms though; I don't remember them all but for example one was the "healthy living" dorm: in theory supported each other in making healthy choices, exercising, no drinking/smoking (I only know this b/c of the slightly obnoxious poster on the dorm's entrance)
And don't worry too much, you can change things if you need to, that's what the RA and Dean of Students are for. And yea, I remember ppl mentioning the questionnaire too.
Re: the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 04:42 am (UTC)Sorry!
Re: the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 05:00 am (UTC)I see we did the same thing here, leaving high school for medical reasons/stupid high school rules reasons.
I didn't go full-time to start out, though. I also got impatient and did not finish my associates and transferred without it - looking back, that was a mistake, I think.
I chose the 4-year school that I did because they offered me a scholarship. My advisor at the community college told me to take this test, like the SATs but not (I had to take those too, and he told me to take them both and I did) and the scholarship came from that score. No other school offered anything like that.
what kind of clubs did you join?
oh, and there is something you can do to keep from having to use your parents' tax information - sort of. One of my friends was emancipated before he turned 18. That's it. If your parents are still living, and they didn't emancipate you when you were a minor, there's really nothing else you can do. They just assume your parents will support you.
Mine supported me. Unfortunately, I didn't take advantage of that when I should have.
Re: the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 05:14 am (UTC)I also joined the French honor society because I kinda HAD to, but it sucked and we never did anything EVER. YMMV, I hope.
I also joined the swim club, but never made it to a meeting lol. Was mighty useful for being able to use the reserved lanes tho.
It wasn't a club per se, but I made a LOT of good connections at the study abroad office. Seemed like all the language ppl congregated there, and the lady in change was made of SO MUCH WIN.
And word to the wise, FREE THERAPY at the student counseling center. Hour long sessions, three times a week...I felt like a rich person! :D
The women's center at CC was very similar to the counseling center at 4yr. These ladies really want to see women succeed and they'll likely know people who can help you.
As for the gov't assuming my parents would help me? That still really pisses me off. They *would* have if they *could* have. Four knee surgeries isn't free. No leftover anger there, nope, none at all.
And DUUUDE, if they can bump you to the front of the waiting list, do it! :) Just figure life owes ya one :p
Re: the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 05:28 am (UTC)well... it kind of works like this: they have more accessible housing than students who need it. So, if I were to say, ok, I would like to apply for school housing, and I need it to be accessible, they CANNOT say, nope, sorry, those units are all full OF AB STUDENTS. This is kind of cheating, because I just need the building to be accessible, not the apartment itself, and all the buildings are accessible. Not that I have a problem with cheating. But that's kind of what it is.
yeah I was thinking about how I could use the school fitness center and the pool and everything for free (only as a full-time student, part-time has to pay) but I didn't even think about student health services and stuff like that.
Are you actually fluent in French? Is everyone who graduated from that program fluent, or did you work harder/learn easier/take certain classes/whatever? After I take this class, I'll have a Spanish certificate. It'll say right on it that I speak Spanish, but I don't consider myself fluent. I think my Italian is better than my Spanish, but I'm not fluent in that either...
Re: the million dollar question
Date: 2009-12-11 04:43 pm (UTC)You hit a tough one there. After graduating, I did not consider myself fluent. It wasn't until I talked to the study abroad coordinator and told her how I felt that I finally got an answer.
A lot of ppl confuse "fluent" with "mother tongue." There's a difference! When applying for a translating position, those are two completely different choices. Fluent means you can speak, read, and write in that language (I'm assuming they're including listening comprehension in there as well, but it wasn't spelled out).
Yes, I am fluent in French. The SA lady basically said, you went to France, you understood and were understood by the French. Ergo, you are fluent. I found reading an 18th C. novel to be very difficult, but it turns out that novel's not easy even for natives.
No, I don't think everyone who graduates from that program is fluent. I have issues with the prof: his lack of clear deadlines, his persistent segues into politics, his dominant use of English in the classroom, and his failure to consistently correct pronunciation errors. Fortunately, by virtue of all my previous profs, I was able to escape being damned with an incomprehensible accent.
In a better situation, with better profs, YES you should be fluent when you grad. You may not know every word in the entire language, but really, I don't know every word in the English language either.
Again with the epic long comments...sorry :)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 04:06 am (UTC)Minor in Chinese? Depends on where you are going to live/what you plan to do. Over here (west coast) there are alot of East Asian immigrants as well as alot of business with Chinese companies so yeah might help. Hindi or Vietnamese would also help if you took a poll of the populations who live on my block. But then again, in my line of work I'm more likely to get sent to Europe, so I've pretty much settled on whatever languages I know, they won't be the right ones.
I'm lazy and don't like cooking so I lived on campus for three years so I could be on a meal plan. I was on a guys only floor and we never had issues getting along, but the floors that were co-ed or just the gals always seemed to have people pissed of and yelling at each other.
I only visited the "non-traditional" student housing at my school once, but it was definitely not the "get drunk and party" kind of place. Half the people there even had young kids, which bugs me more than the party atmosphere, but is probably more conductive to studying. Wouldn't have a clue about availability and/or accessibility at your school, but I know here the non-trad housing always had a waiting list. Maybe they can bump you to the front.
Yeah, laptop. I graduated in '06 and ~25% of people visibly carried laptops. I never had one, figured it'd be to big of a distraction when doing homework in the library and stuff. But in the engineering school we had huge computer labs because we needed $pecial software that no student could afford. So it wasn't a problem getting access and using either a network drive or a thumb drive I always had the files I needed. According to my alumni newsletter though they are requiring all students to have laptops now. Check to see if yours require one and if it has minimum specs.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 04:30 am (UTC)...oddly enough, so do I.
I know here the non-trad housing always had a waiting list. Maybe they can bump you to the front.
...they can. I feel like it might be silly not to take advantage of this. Then again... it might be silly to put myself in a situation where I might be possibly tempted to do away with my room mates... on account of the drama that tends to pop up when girls live together...
25% of people visibly carried laptops.
Yep, my last year of school was in '05 and they weren't too common on campus then. I had one but I didn't bring it to school with me. The school doesn't require students to own a laptop but it is "recommended." I just reallyreally want to replace my old one - I will, eventually. I'm not sure if I really want to drag it around campus with me. You're right, it might just be a big distraction, especially with everything being wireless - why do my schoolwork if I can just be online instead?
:P