I don't think we have a thread for this topic yet, so here we go. First, some guidelines:

a. You should have at least one semester of actual college (not high school credit) under your belt before talking about being in college.
b. That is all.

Anyway, where are you? Why did you originally pick it? Do you like your college? Why or why not? Would you consider transferring? What's the best thing about college (or yours specifically)? How are you doing? What are your goals? How 'bout some advice for the younger YNers?

They wanted to give me $3 for a $50+ Spanish book. They went back to the Spanish book the next year.

It's to the point where I've had profs email our class what editions to use and inform us that they are cheaper on Amazon than in the book store.

I know what you mean. I went to sell back a math book I paid like $115.00 for & they gave me $20.00

If Amazon was more reliable, I'd buy and sell my textbooks there. Unfortunately, when I can't buy new, I'm stuck with sellers who don't ship on time or send the wrong version... On the other hand, I did sell a textbook on Amazon last semester for a good bit of money. Probably more than the college store would have given me.

Worst story ever: I paid $100+ for a brand new German textbook fall quarter. At the end of the quarter, I went back to the store to sell it and they gave me $5 because they were switching to a new edition and had no use for my book.

Of course, any money at all is more than one should expect. The bookstore doesn't have to buy back your book. But still, $5? I'm sure the binding alone was worth more than that.

quote:

Originally posted by Ikki14Reed:
I am so lucky my parents are willing to pay for books (on top of tuition, room and board) from time to time because otherwise, I'd so get my ass kicked this semester. So far I have bought 6 books, and paid just over $100, and I have 11 more books to buy.

Basically, don't take English classes.

It is insane. I paid over $600 usually per semester for books. What a racket.

I go to a community college too. It seems as though it's more kick back than main stream colleges. I'm an English major and the readings are starting to get tough. Plus it's almost time for me to transfer.

And definately, I agree with letzBloud, study sporatically and never in one sitting before a test. That's a big no no.

Spring semester classes:
Psych 1 (I think this class is intro...)
Anthro 2 (Cultural Anthro.)
Engl. 12 (intercultural communication)
Engl 49A (horror film class)

All that plus a job, I need some support right now. =/

I go to community college. I've already taken around 4 semesters. I am going for a psychology degree. My advice to younger YNers is simply this: study without cramming. Study just a little bit each day & you will do better overal. Don't study at all for one day before a test & you'll do better on it. Also, pick classes that interest you. Other than that I guess just don't drink too much.

I am so lucky my parents are willing to pay for books (on top of tuition, room and board) from time to time because otherwise, I'd so get my ass kicked this semester. So far I have bought 6 books, and paid just over $100, and I have 11 more books to buy.

Basically, don't take English classes.

Holy crap this semester is going to be tough for me. I'm now an RA, still on SADD, working in the Admissions office and going to Psych Research meetings every week. And well, for those of you who are RAs already know this, being an RA is not just sitting in your #$@ing room. I have at least 3 hours of meetings I need to attend every week in addition to being on duty and the random-pop-in questions from residents.

On top of all this, I still have four classes. I don't even want to know what the fourth class (first class today) is going to be like being two that I've already had are extremely intense. One requires 2-4 hours of observation outside the class, about 4 written assignments (each at least a page) a week and the regular readings. Oh and did I mention there's a quiz every class? The other really intense one has about two chapters of reading for every class, with at least 2 pages of synopsis of the reading due at classtime, and a quiz every class too. (Can you see me smiling?) Another class *simply* requires reading a chapter for each class and a quiz every now and again. But like I said, I don't even want to know about the fourth... Stats. GREEEAAAT.

PS - You all know I hate reading, right?

quote:

even the small things that you can dismiss are completely unbearable.

I'll second that. My roommate liked to eat a lot while studying in our room, and he chewed so loudly that it almost drove me insane. I'm better now, but my therapist says I still have a little ways to go. (kidding)

Seriously, though. I never thought that people eating would bother me, but I now know differently.

*bump*

my first year of college is over and I have advice for those embarking on their first year:

Discuss with your roommate things about:

• Sex. Whether or not both or either of you are comfortable with sex happening in the room. I had a friend who came back from her job one night to find her roommate right next to the door with her boyfriend, really close to having sex. My friend was pissed since she had repeatedly told her roommate that she did not want them to have sex in their room in case that happened. That being said, if you're uncomfortable/comfortable about it, and haven't filled out your roommate survey thing yet, make sure to have that as a comment on your survey. It's something they don't ask, but really sure.
  
• Environmentalism. I didn't really think I was much of an environmentalist, but it drove me NUTS that my roommate DID NOT recycle, and that she'd leave the light on and leave the room. (I once left my room at 10, came back at 2, and the lights I had turned off were on and no one was in the room.) Also, if you prefer natural sunlight, make a note of that. My roommate didn't seem to understand that.
  

Those are the main things I can think of off the top of my head, but the main point is basically: Make a note of your habits even if their small because in close quarters, even the small things that you can dismiss are completely unbearable.

Oh. And make a roommate contract and make sure ALL who sign it uphold it.

My second semester course load:

Comm 100
Cpsc 100 (has a lab and tutorial)
Poli 100
Hist 191 (has a tutorial)
Hist 205

And possibly Psyc 101

And I know 6 courses is a lot. specially with labs and tutorials.

quote:

being a little older and a freshman in college, i have notice my clasemates are really scared of their proffessors, is this the case with anyone else here?

With one professor. But that was because it was Juniour level Spanish, and I was a First Semester Freshman, and everything about that class was overwhelming and intimidating.

My problem is the getting into arguments with teachers/professors... Need to learn to deal with that.

quote:

being a little older and a freshman in college, i have notice my clasemates are really scared of their proffessors, is this the case with anyone else here?

Nope.

I go to a really small school though. I think there are roughly 2,000 full-time undergraduate students. Because of this, the classes are smaller (I've never had one over 40...most are around 20, although I've had them as small as 12), and you are able to build better relationships with your professors. I can't say I would feel as comfortable with my professors if I was in classes of 50+ and my professors didn't even know my name.

quote:

being a little older and a freshman in college, i have notice my clasemates are really scared of their proffessors, is this the case with anyone else here?

No Torin. I happen to very much like my professors. I don't know why, but I'm always able to get along with them well and get to know something about their personal lives. Maybe I'm just lucky to not have any scary professors...yet.

being a little older and a freshman in college, i have notice my clasemates are really scared of their proffessors, is this the case with anyone else here?

I go back to school on Monday. My schedule is pretty great...I'm on campus M-F class 10-1 (with an extra class until 2 one day...although we haven't decided yet).

Accounting II
Ethics
Model United Nations (directed studies)
Criminal Law
Legal Issues
Spanish (private instruction...was supposed to be semi-private, but I don't think that ever actually happened)

My semester was indeed hell. but now I moved out and its all good. :P Still in res though.

I'm sure most people on YN are on holiday...

(...On holiday! Doo d'd'doo d'd'doo doo doo!)

I just had to say that YV describes my last two semesters exactly. Creepy-type exactly! Down to last semester having the highest GPA in my entire collegiate career and this semester having my lowest with two classes from it to retake and both being my fault, kind of creepy-exact!

Woo...

This semester went pretty well.

I will hopefully be able to access weblink to get my grades tomorrow and then I should be able to tell you much better how the semester went.