NationStates Jolt Archive

i just finished with university for good. i'm so happy. happier than i've been in almost a year. in fact happier than i've been in over a year, bad shit happened this time last year. i feel those sentences ought to have had some exclaimation marks. here they are: !!!!!! (i would have put them with the rest of the text but it's yet to hit me so i'm not actually feeling them at the moment)

so anyway, this thread is for discussing how you felt once you'd finished your undergrad or spell at university, and other university enjoyment related discussion. did you enjoy uni? did you enjoy university right til the end? (i could honestly have done without the extra year) do you still have time to go? are you enjoying it? are you anticipating enjoying university? are these really the best years of your life? (the best years of my life so far were 17-19, before i got to uni)

i know there are tonnes of prospective, present and past students on here. discuss away!! :)

It's terrible. I got three hours of sleep last night, because I had to stay up late writing discrete math proofs and graphing solutions to differential equations. I don't know why I do this to myself. I must be a masochist. I've never done so much erasing in my life as I have when I got to university. The bathroom has a foul odor. I've never been so tired in my life. It's hard to eat with plastic silverware. There are only 5 flavors of Snapple. The ice caps are melting. Rhubarb Pie. This doesn't make sense any more.

does this mean you have earned a degree or that you have just decided to no longer pursue one?

congratulations on starting this new phase of life!

It's terrible. I got three hours of sleep last night, because I had to stay up late writing discrete math proofs and graphing solutions to differential equations. I don't know why I do this to myself. I must be a masochist. I've never done so much erasing in my life as I have when I got to university. The bathroom has a foul odor. I've never been so tired in my life. It's hard to eat with plastic silverware. There are only 5 flavors of Snapple. The ice caps are melting. Rhubarb Pie. This doesn't make sense any more.
heh! university stopped making sense for me as soon as i got there.

does this mean you have earned a degree or that you have just decided to no longer pursue one?

congratulations on starting this new phase of life!

this means i have finished all the work i need to do and now it's just up to the people who are entrusted to mark my work whether i get my degree or not. i'm not anticipating anything above a 2:2. i wouldn't be surprised by a 3rd.

and thanks :) i'm sooo looking forward to not being a student anymore. actual recompense for effort is so much more satisfying that numbers with no immediate value.

It was ok... but the hangovers were from hell...!

this means i have finished all the work i need to do and now it's just up to the people who are entrusted to mark my work whether i get my degree or not. i'm not anticipating anything above a 2:2. i wouldn't be surprised by a 3rd.

and thanks :) i'm sooo looking forward to not being a student anymore. actual recompense for effort is so much more satisfying that numbers with no immediate value.

yeah. i loved university but i was very glad to be done with it.

congratulations again.

yeah. i loved university but i was very glad to be done with it.

congratulations again.

thanks :)

the 2nd and 3rd years were awesome, there's nowhere else i'd rather have been. but this last year has really put me off academics (the occupation, not the people) for a while. i woudn't rule out a further degree but there's no way i'd go straight into one even if i met the requirements.

It's nice that it is summer break and I work only 11.5 hours a day, and have days off!

Since I can only go half time, I've got many years to go before I've finished. But I don't mind the learning process.

Since I can only go half time, I've got many years to go before I've finished. But I don't mind the learning process.

what course are you doing? is it part-time only? i think i'd have been better off with a part-time course despite the legth time taken to complete it. my attention span doesn't stretch to a full-time degree. i wish that had been presented as an option to me before i decided on my degree.

It's the sex. I have very little time needed to devote to homework and classes are a breeze, with the exception of (this semester) Stat. Mech. And as far as the undergrad research I'm doing, I get to make my own hours and the stuff I'm doing is fun.

Oooh, and drinking on weekends.

Well, here in Brazil, the university system is totaly diferent (you pick a major BEFORE joining the uni, and sticks to it, among other things).

But, the deal is that the university doesnt matter much, the student do. Meaning you can go to uni and enjoy it or hate it acording to what you do and expect.

And since we party all the time (specially when younger than 21, or even 18) we dont go to uni because of that.

It's the sex. I have very little time needed to devote to homework and classes are a breeze, with the exception of (this semester) Stat. Mech. And as far as the undergrad research I'm doing, I get to make my own hours and the stuff I'm doing is fun.

Oooh, and drinking on weekends.

the sex? i only hear about it. it rarely came my way.

i only had 4hours per week of classes this year. i wish i'd had more though. edinburgh has way too much focus on 'independant learning', basically that means "your 10 grand per year doesn't mean shit, you have to teach yourself". i really wonder sometimes who's actually getting my tuition fees, my tutors certainly never earned it.

the sex? i only hear about it. it rarely came my way.

Not exactly what I meant. I was more responding to the question "how good is uni" with the answer "It's the sex." As opposed to possibly "what do you like most about uni?" In which case the answer is not, "the sex," though the sex is good.

i only had 4hours per week of classes this year. i wish i'd had more though. edinburgh has way too much focus on 'independant learning', basically that means "your 10 grand per year doesn't mean shit, you have to teach yourself". i really wonder sometimes who's actually getting my tuition fees, my tutors certainly never earned it.

I took 15 credits last semester, taking 15-16 credits in the fall, taking 3-4 credits this summer.

NJIT is a difficult school, but it's pretty rewarding when you're taking something like Calc 3 and the average on the test is a 50 and you got a 92.

what course are you doing? is it part-time only? i think i'd have been better off with a part-time course despite the legth time taken to complete it. my attention span doesn't stretch to a full-time degree. i wish that had been presented as an option to me before i decided on my degree.Oh, you can take one class at a time here, or a few, or a full time schedule. I have to have a half time schedule because I need to work, and can't reduce my work hours.

College has been pretty awesome so far.

*shrugs*

I had some good times as well as bad times while pursuing my degrees.

My first undergraduate degree from a small, southern baptist university which didn't allow dancing on campus until 1988 (I started in 1990), so the social life left much to be desired. Had some great professors, but generally didn't get along with most of the people there (they had prayer meetings for me...), but I did have some fun tormenting the baptists. I went to school there tuition free, so I guess I can't complain too much.

Grad school is a blur now - many late nights, way too many books to read in a quarter, and I hated being poor. Did have some great times in the pub after class (the department went en-masse after the last class on Friday, and we generally didn't get home until sometime Saturday afternoon). Two years and thousands of dollars later, I decide that I'm not cut out for academia, so I go back to get a degree that I can actually use.

Second undergrad degree was at the local state school. Not much of a social life (working 40 hours a week, taking an overloaded schedule so I could finish the degree in a year and a half). Not very memorable in any way.

So, in 10 years after high school, I end up with 3 degrees (two of which don't really do me much good) and a very nice job. Looking back on it, I would definitely have to say it was well worth it, even though it wasn't always enjoyable.

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I soncerely hope it's going to be the ball the general experiance, and the specific university I will attend, is made out to be.

Incidentally, did anybody else, when leaving for Year 13 study leave, feel an unexpectedly profound sense of depression? I've had my last day today, and I feel thoroughly low.:(

Depends upon whether you truly enjoy your work. Personally, I cannot wait to start art school in September.

Depends upon whether you truly enjoy your work. Personally, I cannot wait to start art school in September.

Filthy hippy:D

I soncerely hope it's going to be the ball the general experiance, and the specific university I will attend, is made out to be.

Incidentally, did anybody else, when leaving for Year 13 study leave, feel an unexpectedly profound sense of depression? I've had my last day today, and I feel thoroughly low.:(

nope, i had a whole year planned which consisted of working 6 months then travelling 4 months with what i'd saved. best year of my life. the best thing i did regarding university was not going straight into it. end of 6th form was the best feeling ever.

Disappointing and unfulfilling.

I'm currently 1,000 words into a 10,000 word dissertation that's due for Monday, I've written the 1,000 in the last hour and a half, so I should have it finished in time. The major problem is that, apparently, I've got an exam on Monday as well.

Filthy hippy:D

Or mad, yes. Both my neighbours went to my art school. Both had mental instabilities.

Disappointing and unfulfilling.

I'm currently 1,000 words into a 10,000 word dissertation that's due for Monday, I've written the 1,000 in the last hour and a half, so I should have it finished in time. The major problem is that, apparently, I've got an exam on Monday as well.

Hence why you're pissing away time on NSG?:D

It's terrible. I got three hours of sleep last night, because I had to stay up late writing discrete math proofs and graphing solutions to differential equations. I don't know why I do this to myself. I must be a masochist. I've never done so much erasing in my life as I have when I got to university. The bathroom has a foul odor. I've never been so tired in my life. It's hard to eat with plastic silverware. There are only 5 flavors of Snapple. The ice caps are melting. Rhubarb Pie. This doesn't make sense any more.

Mathochist....

It makes sense to me, but that's probably because it's nonsense.

Hence why you're pissing away time on NSG?:D

Pretty much :D

nope, i had a whole year planned which consisted of working 6 months then travelling 4 months with what i'd saved. best year of my life. the best thing i did regarding university was not going straight into it. end of 6th form was the best feeling ever.

Lucky you. Despite having hated the majority of the sixth form years at school, I want nothing more than to remain a student now, and despite the fact that leaving amounts to the beginning of a life over which I have infinitely more control, I want to be at school again.

Not exactly what I meant. I was more responding to the question "how good is uni" with the answer "It's the sex." As opposed to possibly "what do you like most about uni?" In which case the answer is not, "the sex," though the sex is good.



I took 15 credits last semester, taking 15-16 credits in the fall, taking 3-4 credits this summer.

NJIT is a difficult school, but it's pretty rewarding when you're taking something like Calc 3 and the average on the test is a 50 and you got a 92.
I could never figure out why profs thought they had good tests when they could barely get anyone to score above a 50. I always thought a few challenging questions were a good policy, but I always shot for about a 70 average on my tests.

The first test I gave ended up averaging low 60-something. I felt so bad that I gave everyone the 8-1/2 points or whatever to bring the class average up to 70.

Disappointing and unfulfilling.

I'm currently 1,000 words into a 10,000 word dissertation that's due for Monday, I've written the 1,000 in the last hour and a half, so I should have it finished in time. The major problem is that, apparently, I've got an exam on Monday as well.

that's what i had too. without the exam. but then i didn't manage to revise for my exams. dissertions are evil. one of the main reasons i wish i'd never come to uni. i'm not an academic.

that's what i had too. without the exam. but then i didn't manage to revise for my exams. dissertions are evil. one of the main reasons i wish i'd never come to uni. i'm not an academic.

Oh, I'm not going to actually do any revision for the exam, dissertation or no dissertation. I don't usually.

Oh, I'm not going to actually do any revision for the exam, dissertation or no dissertation. I don't usually.

no, me neither, usually just an hour before i scrabble though my notes and the required readings looking for good quotes and authors names and general concepts. revision doesn't work for me. once in a while i try revising in advance and it's just a none-starter.

I loved life at the university. Hated the exams and assignments, but the rest was golden :)

how good is university?

For education, pretty shitty. You pay all that money, and then they mostly just give you some boring lectures that are like reading from a textbook, only its at the lecturer's pace instead of yours. And then they have the cheek to make you do loads of "independent study" too! You could probably learn a computer-related subject faster using google search, etc. than from uni.

Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I just don't think lectures are a very effective method of teaching.

One year left, but I love it. It is a great mix of responsibility and being an "adult", while still having tons of time to be a kid and fuck around.

Only in college can you sit around playing guitar hero and drinking while simultaneously discussing vegitarianism/veganism/carnivore lifestyles and their impact on the environment, or how education isn't as fucked as we're always told, or what religion a friend should consider converting to, only to end the debate with a round of beer pong.


We're still idealists. We still know we will change the world. We work hard, yet we party harder. We know the challenges of the world that we will face upon graduation, but also know that we have four or five years before they become our problems directly. As a result, we seek solutions while enjoying the limited time we have here.

Honestly, I think many "adults" could learn a bit from us.



And yes, after graduation, our lifestyle is called "alcoholism"

And yes, after graduation, our lifestyle is called "alcoholism"

Wait...that's meant to happen after gaduation? :confused:

Loved it. I had a fantastic time at university. I learned a lot, made some good friends, had a great time studying abroad for two quarters, and really just had a lot of fun all around. Beats being in the working world, for sure (at least for me).

One year left, but I love it. It is a great mix of responsibility and being an "adult", while still having tons of time to be a kid and fuck around.

Only in college can you sit around playing guitar hero and drinking while simultaneously discussing vegitarianism/veganism/carnivore lifestyles and their impact on the environment, or how education isn't as fucked as we're always told, or what religion a friend should consider converting to, only to end the debate with a round of beer pong.


We're still idealists. We still know we will change the world. We work hard, yet we party harder. We know the challenges of the world that we will face upon graduation, but also know that we have four or five years before they become our problems directly. As a result, we seek solutions while enjoying the limited time we have here.

Honestly, I think many "adults" could learn a bit from us.



And yes, after graduation, our lifestyle is called "alcoholism"

i think my cynicism sunk in long before yours did/will do. and my alcoholism started last year.

Wait...that's meant to happen after gaduation? :confused:
Well, the life style starts around freshman year. It's really just a lable change
i think my cynicism sunk in long before yours did/will do. and my alcoholism started last year.

Oh, I'm plenty cynical. Yet still optomistic. Go figure.

Well, the life style starts around freshman year. It's really just a lable change

Mine started when I was still at school. :p

Go (relatively) normal drinking ages!

Mine started when I was still at school. :p

Go (relatively) normal drinking ages!

haha...mine started freshman year, definatly. I mean, I drank in high school, but it was rare. And it was usually about 5 guys splitting a 30 or something.

Pathetic. I hang my head in shame. But I think my wall of beer (currently, 112 different bottles) makes up for it.

Yep. I enjoy college, where empty beer bottles are not only an "okay" decoration, but are strongly encouraged.

I've just got one essay left to write then all my degree works done. Thank God.

I enjoy learning but I haven't particularly enjoyed university. I love the subject (music), I love the work I do, but I don't like most of the other people on my course (I guess thats what you get with a music course, a bunch of people who think they should be in the limelight 24/7. I can't stand them!), and I don't particularly like my lecturers - I've never had so many vague answers to questions in my life!

I wouldn't say no to further learning, but it would be part-time.

I've just got one essay left to write then all my degree works done. Thank God.

I enjoy learning but I haven't particularly enjoyed university. I love the subject (music), I love the work I do, but I don't like most of the other people on my course (I guess thats what you get with a music course, a bunch of people who think they should be in the limelight 24/7. I can't stand them!), and I don't particularly like my lecturers - I've never had so many vague answers to questions in my life!

I wouldn't say no to further learning, but it would be part-time.

sounds like you had almost the exact same experience i had. except my classmates weren't prima donnas they were just idiots. half the people i liked dropped out and disappeared 2 weeks before their dissertation was due in (1 person) and all of them were mature students. my subject was interesting, thoroughly interesting, but the people i was learning with and from were almost entirely uninteresting. just stupid kids mostly, and bumbling idiots.

I soncerely hope it's going to be the ball the general experiance, and the specific university I will attend, is made out to be.

Incidentally, did anybody else, when leaving for Year 13 study leave, feel an unexpectedly profound sense of depression? I've had my last day today, and I feel thoroughly low.:(

I had my last day too today and I must say it really hasn't sunk in yet. It'll probably properly hit me tomorrow.

i just finished with university for good. i'm so happy. happier than i've been in almost a year. in fact happier than i've been in over a year, bad shit happened this time last year. i feel those sentences ought to have had some exclaimation marks. here they are: !!!!!! (i would have put them with the rest of the text but it's yet to hit me so i'm not actually feeling them at the moment)You did it! Yayyyys! :fluffle:

http://hardhouse2.orcon.net.nz/phpBB2/images/smiles/dancingemote.gif

sounds like you had almost the exact same experience i had. except my classmates weren't prima donnas they were just idiots. half the people i liked dropped out and disappeared 2 weeks before their dissertation was due in (1 person) and all of them were mature students. my subject was interesting, thoroughly interesting, but the people i was learning with and from were almost entirely uninteresting. just stupid kids mostly, and bumbling idiots.
Yeah, "idiots" pretty much sums up the people on my course too. I have to admit some of them are pretty amusing - it doesn't take brains to pass an audition :p Luckily I met a couple of decent people there, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

Lets see...there was the time we convinced one of the girls that we were voting for Harold Bishop from Neighbours in the local election (she got really excited, bless), the guy who wanted to know if a "17 inch widescreen laptop" would help with his composition assignment :confused:, and my favourite:
Lecturer: "Here's what you need to know for your forthcoming test..."
Girl: "what?! When did we have the other three?!"

You did it! Yayyyys! :fluffle:

http://hardhouse2.orcon.net.nz/phpBB2/images/smiles/dancingemote.gif

:fluffle::fluffle:

i'm assuming that because there was an exam paper on my desk with my name on it that my dissertation passed so, yay! indeed i might have made it! (exams are my strong point, at least in terms of making the most of what i've actually got) o finger's crossed for the 30th, when i'll know for sure :)

Yeah, "idiots" pretty much sums up the people on my course too. I have to admit some of them are pretty amusing - it doesn't take brains to pass an audition :p Luckily I met a couple of decent people there, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

Lets see...there was the time we convinced one of the girls that we were voting for Harold Bishop from Neighbours in the local election (she got really excited, bless), the guy who wanted to know if a "17 inch widescreen laptop" would help with his composition assignment :confused:, and my favourite:
Lecturer: "Here's what you need to know for your forthcoming test..."
Girl: "what?! When did we have the other three?!"

hahahahaha! i was going to say "i would definitely fuck up an audition" (i have awful stagefright, like such serious shakes that i can't hold on to my guitar) but those pranks are classic! i simultaneously feel happy and sad for you having such retarded classmates :p :D

hahahahaha! i was going to say "i would definitely fuck up an audition" (i have awful stagefright, like such serious shakes that i can't hold on to my guitar) but those pranks are classic! i simultaneously feel happy and sad for you having such retarded classmates :p :D
The first one I mentioned won't speak to my best mate anymore. She says she can't figure out when he's being sarcastic and when he's serious :p

http://hardhouse2.orcon.net.nz/phpBB2/images/smiles/dancingemote.gif

btw, that smiley is just about the cutest i've ever see. every time i see it i giggle :D

btw, that smiley is just about the cutest i've ever see. every time i see it i giggle :D

You are so fucking wrong.

You are so fucking wrong.

no you are wrong. i am drunk. there is a qualitative difference :p

no you are wrong. i am drunk. there is a qualitative difference :p

Mate, I hate you. I've left school, and nobody's out because they've all got exams. I'm actually sobre on a friday night, this is obscene:p What happens now?

no you are wrong. i am drunk. there is a qualitative difference :p

I'm drunk too!

btw, that smiley is just about the cutest i've ever see. every time i see it i giggle :D
It is, isn't it? I especially like its face when it jumps, it's all "Gotta stretch, enh, ennhhhhh". :p
I'm drunk too!Yes, but you still have no taste in smilies.

It is, isn't it? I especially like its face when it jumps, it's all "Gotta stretch, enh, ennhhhhh". :p


it certainly goes the extra mile :)

I'm drunk too!

And you're a 10$ bill :)

I'm enjoying it at the moment (first year undergrad, music). It's such a different, but good, environment compared to school/home. My course is interesting almost always, and there are some cool people doing the subject, even if a lot are just weird/attention seekers, it seems the ones at my college (collegiate system inside one university) are of the more 'normal' variety so we get on quite well. I don't go get drunk every other night like some, but that doesn't bother me, I prefer just spending time with friends regardless of whether we go out drinking/clubbing all the time.

Yes, but you still have no taste in smilies.
*looks for spider smilies*
And you're a 10$ bill :)
I'd totally photoshop that, but meh.


.. and I've made atleast 80 jello shots, and finished off the rum.. *pukes*

EDIT: Holy shit! (http://i4.tinypic.com/4lgp1g5.png)

Incidentally, did anybody else, when leaving for Year 13 study leave, feel an unexpectedly profound sense of depression? I've had my last day today, and I feel thoroughly low.:(

Maybe it's a CRGS thing...

I solved the problem with a gratuitous amount of alcohol. :p

I don't know. I start at the University of Michigan in September, i'm a bit intimidated by the workload, but i'm eager to get away from home. High school kinda sucked, but i'm really looking forward to University, the atmosphere, the independence, and yes the parties too:cool:

Maybe it's a CRGS thing...

I solved the problem with a gratuitous amount of alcohol. :p

Nah, I felt quite sad leaving school, its like the end of a major part of your life. But, you get over it quite quickly and will meet lots of new people when you get to uni, and it'll be quite obvious which are your real friends from school that you will keep in touch with.

I pretty much disliked University. I took what I always wanted to take (Computer Engineering) but: a) it took me quite a while to find a group partner that was actually interested in working instead of pissing away his parents' money; b) I worked around 7 hours/day, 80% of the weekends and 90% of the Summer, which took a hit on my social life; c) by the end of it, I finally noticed that it actually payed off to sit around doing nothing all the time and either take credit for your group partners' work or staying up all night to finish a lab project.

I guess many PHDComics strips express my overall feeling about the whole thing, even though the knowledge I gained is priceless and I value it very much (no wonder, I had to work quite a bit to gain it). I'm one course away from graduating, and man, do I feel relieved! I'm gonna get extremely drunk as soon as I have the diploma in my hands :D