What was your first year of college like?

Post Reply New Topic

I just finished my first year of college in April. During my first semester there, I ended up failing both my Math and Online English classes, however I had failed them due to motivation issues. Firstly, I struggled in Math, as Algebra is not my finest subject by far. It's not something that naturally comes to me, it's something I really have to practice, and not be reluctant to ask for help. Besides the fact that I dislike Algebra. And with online English, I found that I had to find motivation to do the copious amounts of work given, and believe me there was A LOT of work given. I'm normally good at English, it's one of my better subjects, albeit many of the paper writing can be boring (I'm more of a creative writing guy personally). Having to check on my assignments constantly is not something I was used to, as my senior year of high school did not prepare me for it. In high school, there's always at least one person checking up on you now and then, even if it's just a teacher asking about an assignment. So, the transition from high school to college was quite a heavy one. From having some slack in your responsibilities, to having all responsibilities being on you.

However, I learned from the mistakes I made in first semester, and came to accept my responsibilities. I learned that that's how college life is, all the responsibility is on you, and you have to motivate yourself. But, that's a good thing, because in some ways it teaches you about being a responsible adult. That is a part of being independent. So, in the second semester, I took what I had learned from the first semester, and instead opted to take one class, Math, and focus on that class, work harder, and make a passing grade. I chose to do one class this time around in order to get used to the responsibility college classes require from their students. I passed with an 85 percent, which made me quite happy. I was proud that I had passed my first college class.

I met with an Advisor at the college recently, bringing my mom in the meeting with me (since she knows me so well, and I felt more comfortable with her there, and figured it was important that she be there), who I spoke with for about an hour. In that hour, The advisor was quite helpful and listened to how I felt and listened to my experiences in school and in college so far. He gave feedback as we talked, and actually made me feel good about college, he made me feel excited for the next semester. He has also suggested taking a class I'm interested in as well as a required class, so that I can keep my motivation better, as I'd have a class to look forward to, as well as getting my requirements out of the way. I feel like I've learned a lot, and have grown in many ways while being in college. He also suggested I look into clubs that I might be interested in, in order to work on my social skills. Luckily there is an Anime club at the school, which I'll be looking into. Needless to say, me and my mother walked away from the meeting very happy about the future of my education, and feel confident about the next semester.

So, how did your first year of college go? Good? Bad? Meh? Do you feel like you've learned a lot, other than in your classes?

it was basically my first and last year- I totally floundered, I knew not what I was doing there, I could establish no rapport with any of the other students, the profs thought I was a mutant who had no place in their lecture hall.

I've been out of college for 1-2 years now and for the most part it was good. I have a few suggestions: Don't take online classes I tried to a couple of times and they didn't work out well. Go to a Jr or community college first they are more apt to help you if your struggling. Sit in the front row or the second row of the class room so you wont get distracted. If you are having problems with a course seek out a tutor at many Jr colleges they are free and provided by the college. And the most important this go register with the disability office at your college. You wont know what they have to offer if you don't tell them you have a disability. My first year of College went horribly bad I went to a local University unprepared and with out any support. I failed English 1301 or 101 lol. I was out of my element so I went to my local community college or Jr college were I did well.

It's been 37 years since I've been a freshman. It was a frustrating experience, especially with trying to connect with a woman in one way or another. I could never make a connection, no thanks to the bad experiences I had in the past. The town I grew up in was home to the biggest pot dealer in the county. His sister would be shagging every guy she could get her hands on. What's worse, bringing a girl , or any one i wanted to befriend into mom and dad's house was verboten.

On my first week at High School, a guy threw a chair to another, so I don't know if I would like to go to college.

I got very lucky and developed a really close-knit group of friends very early on. We lived in the same hall all four year in the same rooms. I even lived in the same room (on the same side of said room) the whole time! It was a really comfortable, safe, fun place to be! I feel very lucky to have had this experience. :0)

I wish I coulda had a positive and functional college experience.

Mine was actually pretty good. I had trouble with my first roommate until they moved me. My classes were interesting (I scheduled interesting classes first and got stuck with basic at the end), and I was free from my crazy mom for the first time. I had a REALLY hard time socially, but my roommate was an extremely social girl so I sort of piggy-backed off her social group. She also had pretty severe ADHD and OCD so she was a bit on the outside of the popular crowd as well. We ended up being a part of the same group of sort of socially odd people at our small university. This worked out ok. She was sort of the leader of that group, and I was on the fringes, but somehow it worked. It was the year I felt most included. In fact, it may be one of the only years I really felt included. I transferred to another university after the first year and a half.

I don't typically do well with roommates. I just stay in my room of the apartment the whole time. That first year was an exception.

My first year of college went horrible. I went straight to college out of high school and I was really immature and shy. I dropped out of the program I was in during the first week due to anxiety and switched to another program. I eventually dropped out of that program and just pretended to go to college everyday so my parents didn't notice but I'd go to the mall instead.

My second attempt with college was a positive experience. I took Early Childhood Education and made good friends. I even made the honour roll. Now, working in the daycare field I found too overstimulating and stressful. I also didn't have that nurturing personality which you basically have to have.

I'm now in college for Library and Information Tech and the first semester went well but I failed a course last semester due to my learning disabilities and a bit of carelessness at my own fault. I'm not going to back down now though, I've made friends again and I'll keep trying until I get my diploma. I find that I'm a lot more mature and I have a more realistic view of life now. I'm also a lot less spoiled than I used to be.

Also, being from the fringe of PA Dutch Country, I was unprepared for spending time in Western PA. Indiana, PA has very unpredictable weather. If there was even a 2% chance of rain, snow, or sleet, Indiana PA got it. The town was in the middle of nowhere. It was almost an hour to Johnstown, PA, 2 hours to State College, and 2 and 1/2 hours to Pittsburgh.

TV reception was very spotty on campus. If your dorm was on the west end of campus, you could get all the Pittsburgh Stations (KDKA, WTAE, WIIC (Now WPXI), WQED, WPGH). On the East end of Campus you could only get WJAC Johnstown, WJNL Johnstown (if you were lucky. That station now no longer exists.) WTAJ Altoona and WPSX State College.

Music majors usually had it tough, as you were expected to carry18 or more credits per semester. You were expected to participate in 3 ensembles for credit each semester, private studio instruction each semester, attend 10 concerts and recitals per semester, plus all of your general education courses. You spent more times in the practice rooms than you did socializing. Heaven forbid if you had 2 major instruments as a major. I ended up switching degree programs 3 times in 2 semesters, starting as a music performance major, then switching to music education, then switching finally to music history. I spent all my summers in Indiana, like most music majors, in order to fill the general education requirements, so One could graduate in 4 years. I didn't party much, because it was made perfectly clear to me by my parents, that you are there to study your arse off and not to party. While they did float a few dollars to me (after I'd write a check and asked them to deposit money in my checking account before it would bounce). I was always catching all kinds of hell from them for doing so. They were of the old school, we're not paying a cent for your education. It's your name on the promissory note, so don't come crying to us if you can't pay the bills.

To make a long story short, here I am now, on disability due to mental defect, and barely making ends meet. Sometimes I wish I never heard of higher education. As the people I went to both high school and college with, as well as my brothers, are making more money than I'll ever see. Is it any wonder I don't go anywhere? I'm too afraid to show my fat ugly face anywhere, and it's my own fault for even wanting to do something that I was good at, but the prospects for employment were slim to none.

being able to study music is edifying, and an experience I wish I had.

Nowadays, people that do still talk to, I advise them to avoid the performing arts like the plague. Further, I'd probably tell them to avoid college altogether, as, unless you are going into natural sciences, and you got someone to pay your way, and have as much support as possible, and have a guaranteed job when you get out. To quote the late Rick Nelson, from his song Garden Party, "if memories are all I have, I'd rather drive a truck." Unfortunately, I can't even do that right!

^^^
unfortunately, America is not a nation where there is a handshake between academia and business needs. it is catch as catch can.

I went to get a haircut yesterday afternoon. The old geezer in the other chair was complaining how stupid kids are today, no thanks to the idiot teacher and the idiots that run the department of Education. If he were in charge, he'd eliminate the department of education, eliminate the schools, eliminate all welfare and put them all to work as slaves. It took all I could to stay quiet, and stay in my chair to keep from throttling this old goat. Of course, there's the old saying, opinions are like anuses, everybody has one.

In addition, this clown is a racist. He can't wait to see Obama impeached, especially with the current scandals that are going on. I got news for you, buster! Obama isn't the problem. It the jerks on Capitol Hill that are the problem! Beside the problems at the Pentagon with rampant sexual harassment have been going on long before Obama took office. The IRS, well, there has been waste and abuse going on there for years. As for welfare, buddy, you seem to be doing quite well on SSI and Medicare yourself, thank you very much. If you and your company are so rich, then why is your company accepting welfare from the government? Problem is, this guy is a tea party Republican, who worships the ground Michelle Bachmann, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Sarah Palin walk on. Of course it doesn't matter to him, because he's NT with barely a high school education, and I'm a stupid Aspie who doesn't know his arse from a hole in the ground.

^^^
I just automatically assume [presume?] that the old bastard probably can't even wipe his ass properly.

That's Pennsylvania Duutch country for you.

There was a story that made the rounds many years ago about the member of the York City Council made a trip to Baltimore to meet with members of Baltimore City Council. The York councilmen were acting high and mighty with their Baltimore compatriots. It got to the point that once the York men finally shut up, one of the Baltimore councilmen suggested that an air duct be installed between the two cities, since there was so much hot air coming from York, it could heat all of Baltimore all winter. Needless to say, York City Council was NOT amused.