What was college like for you?

[Deleted]

For those who went to college, what was your college experience like?

I went to UGA and it was truly the best years of my life. I had an easy major so it was basically four years of fun and not a whole lot of studying. Athens is an amazing college town with so many excellent restaurants, fun bars, and cute shops. I lived in a big victorian home with a bunch of girls and made so many amazing friends.

I wish I could go back and do it again. I get all nostalgic on the rare occasion that I'm back in Athens. I do feel really old when I'm walking around, though, because the college kids all look like babies.

We had our wedding in Athens, which was awesom because it's one of our favorite places on earth.

My law school experience was totally sucky and an experience that I would like to block from my memory

[futurepivko]

Haha. Oh boy.

I followed my hs sweetheart and went to this private college in the middle of nowhere. My horse came with me, I kept him at barn nearby. When we broke up our sophomore year I was devastated. I met H 3 months later, he was a senior. I transfered to a college back home my JR year, H went to his internship in Ohio, we were long distance. Senior year I got engaged.

I guess it was a time where I learned that there was more out there then my hs boyfriend of 4 years, and looking back I would never have followed a guy.

I started at a small private Baptist college and ended at East Carolina University

[bimbi284]

Undergrad was awesome for me. Once I got over my initial shyness and initial disdain for the small town I was in (La Crosse, WI....although lots of people there considered it the "big city", lol), I really learned to love it and developed some great friendships. Academics were also really great, and it was there that I decided to focus on drug and alcohol issues in adolescents.

My MA program was somewhat dull. The coursework was pretty easy, but the driving 1.5 hours there sucked. I worked at a great job at the time where I was making really great money, and a lot of my friends had stuck around town, so it was still really fun.

Now that I'm working on a doctorate, and in light of recent events (haha), I am not in the best place to evaluate it. I LOVE my school a lot, but my particular program is questionable at the moment. I've made great friends here and freaking LOVE Chicago. I've also found my passion for drug policy and harm reduction here, so if it wasn't for my currently shitty program, I probably would not have gotten that.

Overall, higher education has been pretty good to me, just not right at this moment...

[315bride]

My college experience was great. I went to a private college in New England. I was a math major. I worked my ass off, but I also partied my ass off. My house was on probation for 3 of the 4 years I was there. Hahaha. I absolutely think it shaped who I am today.

I am very excited because two of my former students are starting there this weekend and I am just so proud of them. I am still involved with the community there and have many college friends with whom I still keep in touch.

[bethaboo]

I went to three different colleges in my undergrad. I went to a major university here for my first year and lived in the dorms. I had a wonderful roommate and I really great time, but decided it wasn't for me because I didn't feel like I could get as involved in school life as I would have liked.

Then I went to jr. college and a Cal State system college and those were kind of "meh". I had a lot of friends that weren't related to my college experience and so, I made superficial friends in my classes but I don't relate my fun social life to college so much as to my location.

My year in grad school is what I wished my entire school career had been. We had a small cohort - 22 people - and we all got really close. We spent out hour long breaks at the bar or cantina across the street. We partied together. We went through some pretty major life changes in that year together. I still keep in contact with a few of them, but I miss those days.

[anaps28]

Dawgs my dad went to UGA, my parents actually met at an Auburn v Georgia football game waaaay back in the day.

I went to school in DC and had the best time. I partied a lot, met amazing friends and also my H. I can't believe how fast college seemed to go. I miss those lazy days of college. I started working literally one month after graduation. I wish I had taken more time to travel etc

[cransplash]

I attended Miami U (Oxford OH) and loved it there. I made amazing friendships and we are all still very close despite now living across the country. We have annual girls trips and we make our girl time/trips a priority. Just recently went back to Miami for our 10-year and it was very nostalgic- I think each of us cried/shed a tear at some point, knowing this is where our friendship began and the many wonderful memories we made. We completed out night at our local hangout (it's called Bagel & Deli) and sat on the red steps outside at 2am- just like how we used to finish our nights partying back when we went there.

I know it sounds cheesy but college years were the best years of my young adult life.

[fashionx]

I technically started my college experience while in high school. I was taking 2 classes at my local junior college during my senior year, and missed a day a week of high school. Although the classes were non-credit, they were in my field of study for college, so they ultimately helped me.

For undergrad college I attended a small private college, but it was located in Chicago, so I got the big city experience with a small school and class size. The school didn't have dorms, but offered apartments through buildings who also rented to the public. Although I missed that whole experience because my BF (now DH) moved with me from Wisconsin where I grew up, and we lived together in our own place. I also worked while in school about 25-30 hours per week, so I wouldn't say my college experience was the "norm", but I had a lot of fun and gained a lot of connections both from classmates and co-workers.

I attended grad school online (school has a real campus, it was not a "University of Phoenix" situation lol), while I was working full time. I did a certificate program in Entrepreneurship. I got a lot from the program, but looking back (and still paying now for the student loans), I wish I would've done a junior college type business program for cheaper. I don't really need a higher degree in my field of fashion/apparel, so paying more money to learn what I learned probably wasn't necessary. Again, not that the program was bad, but I just realize I could've gone about it differently.

[adlove]

I loved college. I grew up in a college town so most of my friends from highschool ended up going to the same school. I regret my choice of degree (fashion merchandising) and will probably never use it, but the beauty of my school was the in-state scholarship program which allowed us all to attend basically for free as long as we met certain requirements.

Even though my parents lived in the same city, I didn't live at home so it was nice to get out on my own in a sense. Ha. I had about half of my friends go into sororities and fraternities but I didn't pledge, which I'm thankful for in the end.

My H and I have been together since highschool so we were together throughout college as well. It was just a fun time and I miss it. Football is huge where I went (LSU) so tailgating and all of that was a blast. Lots of partying. Typical college fun.

[Deleted]

Sept 1, 2012 11:15:32 GMT -5 cransplash said:

I attended Miami U (Oxford OH) and loved it there. I made amazing friendships and we are all still very close despite now living across the country. We have annual girls trips and we make our girl time/trips a priority. Just recently went back to Miami for our 10-year and it was very nostalgic- I think each of us cried/shed a tear at some point, knowing this is where our friendship began and the many wonderful memories we made. We completed out night at our local hangout (it's called Bagel & Deli) and sat on the red steps outside at 2am- just like how we used to finish our nights partying back when we went there.

I know it sounds cheesy but college years were the best years of my young adult life.

I am so, so jealous of this. My female college friends have been really bad about "losing themselves" once they got married and especially after having kids. I've lost touch with most except for being facebook friends and sending a couple of emails each year It really is very sad, and I wish everyone had made it a priority to stay in touch. It would be really amazing to get together with everyone in Athens even if just once a year.

Sadly, my old college hang out has changed so much it's no longer cool. It was a coffee place called Jittery Joes right down the street from where I lived, and it was in a cool old garage. When the weather was nice they would open the garage doors. It was decorated with velvet (like red velvet covered chairs and benches) and books and was such a cool atmosphere. The owner sold out and became a chain (not that I wouldn't have done the same thing, lol), and that location moved out of the cool space and into a boring space next door that is basically like any other boring place like Starbucks. I feel sad every time I go back to Athens and pass by their boring new space.

[hbomdiggity]

Loved my time at VT. My dorm situation kinda sucked my first year, but I joined a sorority and met some great people. As an engineering major I may not have partied quite as much as some, but it still had my fair share of fun. And i love me some college football! Academically, I had great professors and ended up staying a fifth year for a masters.

Law school was completely different experience. I worked full time and ended up going to two different schools. I feel a little more affinity to the first school (1st year is just a bonding experience) but have zero school pride for either.

[karebear304]

College was fun (LSU), but it wasn't amazing or anything.

I really, really loved highschool. Had an amazing group of close knit friends, my parents were really easy going, then I moved out right after high school to live in Hilton Head for the summer with a friend and that was awesome. College was almost a let down after that.

I already drank, already went to parties, already had lived without my parents, etc. College was mostly just a continuation of that, but it got old after awhile. My first two years were definitely more fun than the end.

The only thing I really didn't love about college was all the hook up stress. I kind of hoed it around at the beginning (the whole drunk girl mentality of hooking up with someone thinking they'll TOTALLY call you the next day, when they definitely won't). Had a round of kind of low self esteem during that time (I'll never have a boyfriend, woe is me kind of stuff).

Then had my first serious relationship in college and that was fun for awhile, but it just fizzled out. Had a 2nd serious relationship after that and SO should have stayed single, but couldn't bring myself to break up with someone again so it drug on forever. I would have had way more fun being single that time around.

Oh, and my main college regret is not going to football games. I would tailgate, walk to work (at a bar) and then watch on tv while all the drunkards tipped us really well. I only went to like 1 LSU game and I think it was a spring game. I've been to more since I graduated, but the student section is an experience that I probably should have participated in - at least a few times.

Academic wise, college was easy and low stress. I majored in Education, which was really easy, but time consuming. I'm glad I have a degree, but since I'm not teaching anymore I'm sure I could have just gotten a basic business degree or something.

[jchokie79]

Another VT grad here, Go Hokies! I loved college, especially my freshmen year. Met so many great friends and a few of us do definitely stay in touch on a regular basis. However we are all out of state and finally met up for a football game last Fall. It was so surreal being back in town, so much had stayed the same yet so much had changed. If that made any sense. I really loved my time there and miss it very much.

[kimsy]

UG was not great for me. I went to a small school, and it had no diversity and was completely judgmental. I went there because I had a full scholarship, but I almost transferred out because I was so miserable. I have friends from there and everything, but I wish I'd gone to a bigger school.
My MA program was okay, and I am now back in school for a B.S. in a different field, but I am doing it online and enjoying it.

[honey987]

Another Hokie chiming in I loved my experience at VT. I had a weirdo first roommate (didn't know how strange she was til we already signed a lease for the next year), but then I moved in with 2 other girls who were amazing roommates. I met some of my best friends there and my husband We had a big hokie wedding even though it wasn't in Blacksburg. We all try to head back to a game every once in a while, but its so hard to commit a year ahead and if you don't you can't get a hotel room. We went back last year with about 5 of us, but it was a noon game, so the tailgate was rushed. I wouldnt change my experience there for anything, I had some amazing professors and some days I wish I could have stayed in college forever haha.

[bellasposa223]

I attended Pace University. I've never had such a great experience in my life until I went to college. It changed me as a whole. I went into it shy as can be like to the point of avoiding people and came out this bubbly, social, outgoing person. I joined a sorority was the highlight of college for me and I came out with 30 sisters, many close friends, and 4 of them were BMs in my wedding. I was never a partier and rarely drank. However I still loved school. I do wish I was still a student.

[jhawks482]

I loved college. I was in a sorority (gamma phi- whoop!) and I did my fair share of partying and college shenanigans (like TPing fraternity houses, lol). I was able to maintain good grades through college, even with a PT job. I slowed my partying habits quite a bit when I met the future DH (through a friend), but I still kept pretty active through my sorority and other events. Fun times!

[cransplash]

Sept 1, 2012 11:52:16 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Sept 1, 2012 11:15:32 GMT -5 cransplash said:

I attended Miami U (Oxford OH) and loved it there. I made amazing friendships and we are all still very close despite now living across the country. We have annual girls trips and we make our girl time/trips a priority. Just recently went back to Miami for our 10-year and it was very nostalgic- I think each of us cried/shed a tear at some point, knowing this is where our friendship began and the many wonderful memories we made. We completed out night at our local hangout (it's called Bagel & Deli) and sat on the red steps outside at 2am- just like how we used to finish our nights partying back when we went there.

I know it sounds cheesy but college years were the best years of my young adult life.

I am so, so jealous of this. My female college friends have been really bad about "losing themselves" once they got married and especially after having kids. I've lost touch with most except for being facebook friends and sending a couple of emails each year It really is very sad, and I wish everyone had made it a priority to stay in touch. It would be really amazing to get together with everyone in Athens even if just once a year.

Sadly, my old college hang out has changed so much it's no longer cool. It was a coffee place called Jittery Joes right down the street from where I lived, and it was in a cool old garage. When the weather was nice they would open the garage doors. It was decorated with velvet (like red velvet covered chairs and benches) and books and was such a cool atmosphere. The owner sold out and became a chain (not that I wouldn't have done the same thing, lol), and that location moved out of the cool space and into a boring space next door that is basically like any other boring place like Starbucks. I feel sad every time I go back to Athens and pass by their boring new space.

GD- I've been back to Miami a few times since grad, and it's unbelievable how much has changed. Yet, when we were there for our 10-year, it felt more "normal"... maybe b/c our group was back together again. Our friends have all since gotten married, half of them have 2+ kids, and it's a different vibe, but everyone left their kids at home and just brought their SO/H and it felt like we were back in college all voer again. Partying, drinking, dancing- though our bodies were hurting the next day.

[pooh8402]

College was awesome. Even though I was on campus all four years, I was paid for it since I was an RA. My major was pretty difficult and didn't help me in the end so if I had to go back and do it over again, I'd have a different major. However, there was plenty of time to goof off and join a bunch of different clubs and organizations and meet so many people. Even though Texas A&M is a very large school, it never felt large due to the sense of community or family that is promoted and encouraged. I liked college so much, I did it again 2 years later for nursing school.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[Deleted]

Boring. I thought all of school was boring and was only interested in extracurriculars and work.

[photon]

i went to big ten schools for undergrad and post-grad, and it was pretty much amazing. i love my life now, but i do definitely get nostalgic for those days...

[Mikesgal]

I had a great time in college. I went to school in RI, and it was a much-needed break from my overprotective parents - I think I really came in to my own in college without having to worry about them looking over my shoulder. My program was 6 years start to finish, and it was pretty much spent with the same group of people, which was awesome. The program was pretty intense, but it was nice that I was also able to do non-major stuff (I actually played in our school's honors string quartet - I was the only non-music major in the group - and was able to participate in the orchestra as well), which was key for maintaining my sanity. Plus, I met DH while there, so I'm grateful for that as well!

[nsl]

College was a great time for me. I got to live on my own, but still stayed close enough to home that I could see my parents whenever I needed them. I studied a ton, met wonderful people (including H), and did both study abroad and an OOT internship that landed me my first post-college job. I'm so glad I went to the school I chose, even though it wasn't the one I planned to attend in high school.

[mariafromnj]

I loved HS and was nervous about going away to College and leaving all my friends behind. I got over that in the 1st week. I made wonderful friends, joined a sorority and had the most amazing time ever. I went to school in RI and it was a 4 hour drive from home. It was close enough to visit when I wanted to but far enough to keep my parents from expecting me around a lot.

[Deleted]

I we t to school down the street from you VT girls and had an amazing time. I am actually on a weekend trip right now visiting the new babies of two of my best friends from college.

[Deleted]

Pretty much like high school. I went to a smaller university in the town I went to high school. Most of my high school classmates went there too so there was not too much difference. By junior year I broke up with my high school sweetheart of 7 years and things were a little more enjoyable. I would not consider it the time of my life though. I graduated when I was 21 and my DH and I moved away. I partied a lot more after college than during.

[kirstinb]

Some of the best years of my life. Soooo much fun. And drinking. And tons and tons of cigarette smoking. Tons. Occasionally, I thought a class was difficult, but for the most part...it was an average amount of effort for pretty decent grades. In Rochester, NY where I live, it was (still is) the "thing" to move directly from college (Suny Brockport, in my case) to Park Ave in the city (Roch) and bartend/wait tables and almost continue that college lifestyle for another 4-5 years. THEN, get a real job. My college friends moved there too, even though they weren't from the area. WE are all still best friends and it's 20 years later!

[preppy]

I went to college at a large private university in Boston, best college city hands down. I loved it, I was a science major which I regret because I have zero intrest in using it and wasted many hours in the library. I was single freshman year, I dumped my HS boyfriend the day before I went away. I met my husband sophomore year and he played for the hockey team so I did a lot of hockey parties after that (huge hockey school). I didn't study abroad because I couldn't because of my program, which I regret. I was only about two hours from home (from southern RI) so it was close enough but also far enough. 90% of my high school went to URI so I am also happy I didn't go there, which I almost did to be with the HS boyfriend. Would have been a horrible mistake. Loved Boston, loved the school, made great friends, met my hubby. All good things:)

[bunnies]

Sept 1, 2012 11:52:16 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Sadly, my old college hang out has changed so much it's no longer cool. It was a coffee place called Jittery Joes right down the street from where I lived, and it was in a cool old garage. When the weather was nice they would open the garage doors. It was decorated with velvet (like red velvet covered chairs and benches) and books and was such a cool atmosphere. The owner sold out and became a chain (not that I wouldn't have done the same thing, lol), and that location moved out of the cool space and into a boring space next door that is basically like any other boring place like Starbucks. I feel sad every time I go back to Athens and pass by their boring new space.

I went to UGA, as well, and had a friend that worked at that Jittery Joes. Which years were you there? I also had a fun and easy major and spent a few years partying, haha. I ended up living in Athens for 6 years before I moved to Boston (then Florida, then back to Atlanta).

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2012 23:14:30 GMT -5 bunnies said:

Sept 1, 2012 11:52:16 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Sadly, my old college hang out has changed so much it's no longer cool. It was a coffee place called Jittery Joes right down the street from where I lived, and it was in a cool old garage. When the weather was nice they would open the garage doors. It was decorated with velvet (like red velvet covered chairs and benches) and books and was such a cool atmosphere. The owner sold out and became a chain (not that I wouldn't have done the same thing, lol), and that location moved out of the cool space and into a boring space next door that is basically like any other boring place like Starbucks. I feel sad every time I go back to Athens and pass by their boring new space.

I went to UGA, as well, and had a friend that worked at that Jittery Joes. Which years were you there? I also had a fun and easy major and spent a few years partying, haha. I ended up living in Athens for 6 years before I moved to Boston (then Florida, then back to Atlanta).

1998-2002. What about you?