Goodbye, So Long, Fare Thee Well

From TonyV

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Unlike high school, in college, no one will make you get up and go to class. This has been the academic downfall of many students. If you don't go to class one day, no one is going to come get you. No one is going to call and see if you're okay. There will be absolutely no repercussions whatsoever. You'll get away with it scott free, because no one really cares if you show up or not. But it's a trap. Once you get away with it once, you'll try again. Then again. Then you'll miss two days. Then you'll tell yourself, "I just need to study for the test, I don't really need to go to class." Trust me on this, missing class is the single greatest reason I've known people to end up college dropouts and flunk-outs than any other, and NONE of them thought it was a big deal at the time. The single greatest factor that will determine whether you are successful is whether you bother to SHOW UP. Do not slack off on this.

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Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill This... is huge. Especially when mixed with things like work. I'd also suggest paying attention to *when,* time-wise, classes are offered. One of the things that bit me in my first attempt was an evil multi-hour gap between my second-last and last class (which happened to be calculus or pre-calc - it's been ... er, well, longer than you've been alive. >.<) It also happened to coincide with rush hour, and I lived well off campus - it made it easy to miss. And then start putting off. It certainly didn't help things. And TBH I wasn't *ready* for college, attitude-wise, right then - if I'd gone with a plan similar to yours, I think I'd have been much better prepared. In any case, A_C, good luck.

Both the discipline of showing up for class, even when you don't "have to", and the wisdom of scheduling your classes to take advantage of your strengths will be key to success in higher education. As an "Owl", I can tell you that 8 a.m. classes are sheer torture, especially when it's something you are only taking because it's required rather than something you would have freely chosen.

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Originally Posted by Thirty_Seven Wow... Judging by your vocabulary and the age at which I perceived you to be, you will do fine in college. The best advice I can give? Figure out how you learn the best and try your damnedest to tailor things to that style. For instance, I learn best via lecture and note-taking... so I tried to take professors who were good at lecture and were known for passing out topic outlines... it served me well.

Also good advice. And listening to the grapevine to find which profs fit your style is a good strategy.

Another thing about selecting professors - look for those who are still learning. That sounds funny, right? I mean, they are the teachers, shouldn't they already know it all? Wrong! In a changing world, their knowledge can become outdated and the good ones know this and are constantly looking for those changes to pass them on to their students. Fossilized professors are no good to you, no matter how much book knowledge they have from the past.

Also - learn quickly which profs want true open discussion in class and which ones don't. Avoid those who don't when you can, but if you have to take them (and you will have to take them eventually from time to time) - keep your head down if that's what gets you thru it (I know, that's counter to the uplifting advice you have been getting, but it's good survival strategy). Pick your battles.


AC, your past debating style on the forums will help you a lot in some classes and with some professors. You gather data and plan out supporting arguments - use that on tests, especially if you get some essay tests (which may or may not be common in first year basic classes, but will likely be less common in engineering classes).

I really wish you good luck. Come back on the next activation weekend and let us know how it's going!


And now a slight threadjack:

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Originally Posted by PhiloticKnight I made the mistake of going for dual degrees in Computer Information Systems and PHILOSOPHY at the same time. Silly me.

PK - this explains so much!

You are a wise man to drop the game for college. There will be more than enough distractions without it. Considering how much time I wasted on games of nowhere near he level of addiction of an MMO in my college years, I'm quite glad I didn't try one (well they mostly didn't exist back in that prehistoric era).

I imagine you have been warned, but engineering is pretty much among the hardest majors at any school and you will be taxed to keep it it. There will likely be a weeding out year, but if you stick through that the rest will be doable, but not easy. In the end, though, you will be justifiably proud upon getting that degree. Engineering is a very respectable profession, and you will likely be able to work on many cool projects.

My advice is to jump on homework right away so that you don't fall behind, and keep at it. My father has a Mechanical Engineering degree, my mother has a Nursing degree, my sisters have degrees in Accounting and in Occupational Therapy. I managed a 2 year community college degree but I never finished my 4 year English Major... and I came pretty close. I wasn't a bad student but I was often distracted and could have used my time better. I might still not have used that degree (what's an English Major good for anyway?) but I wish I'd finished it.

And make some good friends in college! That's the one thing I managed to do there. ^_^

Hey A_C, is the community college Austin Community College by any chance? If it is, you should look me up as I work about 6 blocks from their main campus.

While I am not a first-generation college student - my mom was the first in our family - my mother was sort of "absentee" for most of my life, so it was sort-of like being the first. I moved to Austin from a small town in Northeast Texas...and I was overwhelmed. I don't know if you're coming to Austin or any other large(ish) metro area, or if you have any background of ever living in a large(ish) metro area. But if you do not, be prepared for a bit of "culture shock". If you think it's going to take you 20 minutes to get somewhere...well, it will actually take about 45 minutes. Stuff like that.

Another thing is the cost of your class materials. Your books WILL cost WAY more than they are worth. I remember paying $100 for a 200-page paperback for a class...and this was in the mid-1980s. It has not gotten any better since then. Quite the contrary in fact. You may be able to get some of them online, but be prepared for this expense. Oh and if you try to sell them back to the bookstore after the class is over, you'll be lucky to get 10% of what you paid.

Let me second, third and fourth the advice already given about credit cards. I really wish I had known about this when I was in college. I really screwed myself with credit cards. Everything's all good now, but it took me decades to correct the damage I did in a few short years. Credit cards can be great; they can really help out in a pinch with unexpected expenses like car repairs. Just don't get into the habit of charging every little thing on them.

Finally, don't think that your major is what will define your entire life. When I first went to college I was majoring in Physics. I didn't do well there because I wasn't strong enough in math. I ended up getting a degree in Psychology. For the past 17 years I have made my living as a computer programmer/network manager/desktop support/all-around IT guy, and I love it. Keep an open mind, because you never know where life will take you.

Well, that's about it for me, as most everything else I would give as advice has already been covered. Take care and remember: you're there to learn, but part of it is learning how to balance your life. Have some fun too!

Good luck AC, of all the reasons to stop playing, this is by far the best! Since you are the first to go on to higher education in your family, I already know that you know the value of it and that you will not squander the opportunity that most people your age do (I was one of them).

All the advise people here have given you are all true. Personally, the going to class one is what was my downfall, that and the close proximity of college bars and younger drinking age when I went to school. So as many others here have said...GO TO CLASS!!!

The other thing I would strongly advise you is to really look at the social atmosphere of the university that you choose to attend after your time in community college. The biggest mistake I made was going to ASU, party school if there ever was one. Even the non-party people had a hard time due to the insane party atmosphere of the school. My mass communication professor even held his Friday afternoon classes at the bar across the street from campus. (No joke!) Take a look at how much of a social scene there is at the university of your choice and just be realistic about it. I'm not saying to keep to yourself and avoid all partying (heavens no!) just be careful about it and keep it well within moderation. College is where your horizons and point of view will be expanded and part of that is meeting new people and experiencing life to it's fullest, just not too much of it at one time .

From all of your well thought out posts, I am sure that you will succeed in college. Good luck and enjoy it!

Goodbye to my Hami Raid targetter, my old PvP nemesis, and my friend.

Certainly had a lot of memories with ya!

Keep your nose outta trouble, ok?

A_C, TonyV and Manoa gave you some very good advice. After I graduated I taught for several years in CC and in Universities and I want to pass along one piece of advice from that experience.

No matter how good a Faculty member is, he might not be the best person to teach you. Sometimes two people just cannot communicate effectively with each other. If that happens between you and your professor do not get dejected! Do not think its your fault! Do not blame anyone! I have seen students get torn up by this.

Get help. The colleges I've been involved in have all had tutoring programs, I bet the one you will be going to will also have one. Make use of it if you have problems.

If you have no problems and are breezing through your classwork, get involved in those tutoring programs, its a great way to meet people.

Good luck A_C

Best of luck to you!

Here's my advice: If you have a chance to get any materials or books used, do so! No need to get any materials 100% new, especially with the constant rise in text books.

Also if you are getting it used, and are purchasing online, make sure you order far in advance of when you actually need to start doing work from the book or material.

I learned both of these the hard way.

Well A_C,
It's very hard to come up with something of value for advice to give you. You have already gotten great advice from everyone else.

I will give my adivce in the form of not education, but life.

Games are a distraction for sure, however, you will soon be facing off against far more addictive and potentially dangerous distractions.

Stay the course my friend. You have always come across as someone with a head on your shoulders.
Do not lose you head in the coming years!

I will don my parental suit for a second here.

Stay away from the drugs, the gambling, the booze and mix smartly and with adherence to saftey and respect with the opposite sex.

Don't let any of those distractions pull you away from the reason for being there.

Have fun, but have *smart* fun!

Learn my friend, learn well and it will serve you throughout the rest of your life.
Learn poorly and it will haunt you throughout the rest of your life.

That is not a preaching to you A_C, it is my sincerest desire that you live to your fullest potential without any downfalls or pitfalls along the way.

Seen you around re-activation weekends my friend!

Fare thee well, and good luck. Won't be the same around here.

A_C, For what it's worth I still remember that debate, not because of the subject matter, or even anythign specifically said, but because it was one of the most entertaining ones I'd had in a long time, and for that I thank you (and the others involved in it).

You are/were one of the CoH reactionaries, and every group needs a reactionary. Your posts were ones I looked for when on the forums because even when I thought you were dead wrong, heading completely off the rails, they were entertaining and provoked thought. I, for one, am going to miss having you around and hope you come back sometime in the future.

I am sure a lot of people are going to give you academic advice, but I'd like to give you something a bit more broad. I was also the first in my family ever to go to college in 6 generations. I was the second generation in my family to graduate high school (well, primary education, the local system was a bit odd back in the 1800s) in 6 generations.

The first thing I'll tell you is, don't let the sudden freedom drive you a little nuts. It's sometimes hard to reel ourselves in and not get a bit drunk with the new-found freedom and sudden openness of ideas and modes of thought. However, revel in that same freedom at every possible chance. In some ways I envy you. College was the absolute best time of my life because of all the potential, ideas, new thoughts, new knowledge waiting to be picked up and put in my pocket.

Second thing: be as social and outgoing as possible but not to the detriment of your degree. You are very likely going to meet people who you'll be friends with for the rest of your life and a few you'll trust with your life. They're more valuable than anything you're going to see or hear in your studies, but you have to keep a watchful eye on your degree and know when to tell you friends "I have to study, so I can't go to Denny's at 2 AM." You also have to know when to bin the studies, go with them to Denny's and pull and all nighter to make it up.

Third, moderation. Watch the "bad habits" that come your way. There is nothing wrong with having a drink, nothing wrong even with getting drunk, but it all has to be in moderation. You have to be very aware of how much you do anything, "good" or "bad," and when it starts becoming a problem. Fastest way to get your read-end on Academic Probation (or Suspention) is to wake up one morning and realize it's a month later and the last four weeks is a haze.

Fourth is to find your mentor as quickly as possible. You may not always know who he or she is right off the bat. You may not have much contact with them once you're out of school. But they will guide your whole life, even when you're not aware of it at the time. I didn't initially do the first three, and the fourth is what saved me. Had it not been for a particular professor named Blair Beasley, there's a very good chance I'd not even be alive today. Blair has been dead for many years now, but something he said, or something he showed me helps me every single day.

Good luck, and once you get all rich and famous, give us a yell so we can come over and mooch off of you.

Good Luck at College AC!

Remember, you'll always have the summers off so don't feel guilty about dropping in.

He never thanked us for the fish...

Good Luck A_C

Grin, as you can see in my location, I live in College Station, home of Texas &M University, one of the Colleges on your list. College Station is a conservative place so if you are serious about getting a good education this is a solid choice.

I work with a lot of college aged people, and most of them both game and get great grades. They say fighting things is a great stress reducer, and I concur.

Things to look out for..hmm..everyone has come up with good points. The ones I stress are your parents are not going to be living with you. You will have to manage everything from eating correctly, to washing your clothes..and fueling your body and mind with the correct type of food is very important..beer is not a substitute for dinner. Don't laugh...I could write a book about some of the things I have seen and heard about here.

OH, and if you decide to become a Fighting Texas Aggie, two things,

(1) You must like Football, and (2) please, please, please, know how to drive amongst idiot freshmen all who seemingly just learned how to drive, and don't do it very well

Hugs and learn lots
Lisa.

A_C, wow. Lots of wisdom here. I wish that I had had the foresight and a venue to ask for advice like this before heading off to college--more than a few years ago.

My one thing that I haven't seen mentioned is: Don't let one professor/class have too much effect on your plans. I headed off to college with the idea of pursuing a Computer Science degree. My first "computer class" was so terrible, that I decided that if that is what being a computer scientist was like, I didn't want any part of it. I've since found my way back to it, but "respec'ing" in college is expensive so have a plan.

Good luck!

I've never contributed to one of your threads, A-C, and goodness knows I have often disagreed with you, but your post made realize how much the community will lose without you around.

On a personal note, as the author of a pretty melodramatic comic about love in the face of hopelessness, I'll always remember and admire your heartfelt comments about romance in one of the boards' many romance/dating-related threads. The world needs more people with that kind of faith in others.

Finally, I'm surprised to learn you're only 18. Considering how erudite your writing style is (heaven knows, you write better than most of my graduate-level students), I'm sure you will succeed in your academic endeavors.

Best of luck!

Good bye, AC! I certainly also thought you were much older than you are by your writing style, and that will serve you well in College.

TonyV made some great points, the one I want to reiterate is to get to know your professor and always ask for help! True story: I had the same professor for Physics 1 and Physics 2. Physics 1 I got an A in, mostly because I had already taken it in high school. Physics 2 kicked my butt, and I mean it *really* kicked my butt. I was getting anywhere from 20's to 60's on my homework and tests, and I was pretty convinced I was going to fail the class, so I asked the professor if there was any extra credit work I could do to keep me from failing. His response (he was russian, so this is how it still sounds in my head)? "Oh ___, I know you know how to pick up book and read how to do if you need to do it. I just give you B" And he did.

I also want to say that when it comes down to it, an addiction to a game is way better than an addiction to alcohol. You don't seem the type to go out every night and party, but the temptation is there. And honestly, most of your friends on here know that you're in school, right? They can bug you to study or go to bed, too, if you're ever on late. Granted, it's not foolproof, but it's still better than staying out late and drinking.

Also, someone mentioned trying to get books used, because they'll be expensive. I'd also suggest that you not get the books until AFTER the class has started. My freshman year I bought everything before classes started, and I ended up with at least 3 $50-$200 books that weren't even used for the classes. It turns out that all of the books that all of the professors want are listed - likely only 1 of them will be used for your class.

Good luck at your studies, AC! (Darn real life, always getting in the way). Going to miss you around here. I hope you come back someday for a visit.

I went to an engineering school for undergrad (Georgia Tech) and one of my roommates was aerospace - he works on space shuttle engines.

My advice:

You are likely one of the smartest people in your high school class. Once you hit your engineering courses, you will be surrounded by people who were also among the smartest people in their respective classes. You cannot afford to be as lazy as you might have been in high school - develop good study habits. (I didn't have to study much in high school, and never really developed good study habits, and suffered.)

If you struggle in your early calculus classes, consider a different major. If your early physics classes do not interest you, do likewise.

You seem like an independent and critical thinker. That's fantastic - keep those traits. However, on tests, you should always give the credited answer. On essay tests, do the same, but if time allows, go back and add your spin on things in a final paragraph, but only after you've finished everything else.

If all else fails, pick C.

Don't be afraid to break up with the person you are dating if things aren't great chemistry-wise. You'll NEVER be in this environment again, and it is your best chance to meet a lot of eligible single people who have a lot of shared experiences with you.

Try to live off campus after your freshman year, but one year in the dorms is good for you.

Good luck!

You seem to be a rather independent sort of person, so I don't know if my anecdote will apply to you.

My pre-college schooling trained me to be led. Wait for instructions and follow directions. This had me wholely unprepared for college. During the first semester I was wondering why the tests seemed to be about completely different things than the extensive notes I had taken during the classes.

It took me 3 months to finally come to the realization that "oh, they expect me to read these text books on my own." I had idlely wondered why the professors weren't giving any homework, but didn't pursue the thought because of my previous schooling: if they didn't tell me to do it, then it's not important. Wrong.

The professor gives you a overview of the topic in class, then it is up to you to follow up and research it (read the text, do the exercise problems, extra reading, etc). Learning in high school was linear: just go down that road, that's all you need to know. But in college, it's not just about the road. You're expected to anticipate the intersections, the twists and turns, and make decisions. Reading ahead is very beneficial. It'll give you some familiarity with the subject before the Professor discusses it in class.

I'll also emphasize asking about internships. Nobody brought this up to me until senior year and by then, the opportunity was lost. You need real world work experience. While campus jobs brings in some much needed income, they count for nothing. I could hear the mental sneers during the senior year job interviews.

Goodbye A_C, and good luck out there.

QuitteR