the University Experience.. opinions please

[Edwina's Secretary]

I was fortunate that my parents never asked me IF I wanted to go to college, but WHERE I was going to go. I anounced I was going half way across the country. Never even saw the university until I started classes.

I don't know that I learned alot academically but I learned much about myself, etc. Among the things I learned that I especially value is the ability to think through thing critically and solve problems.

After a year I decided that I was tired of school so I accelerated and finished my degree in three years. THAT I regret. I was just short of my 21st birthday. I wish I had stayed in college longer and played more and taken classes that weren't absolutely required. I had no margin of error. Until very recently I had a reoccurring dream that I had to go back and finish!

I had lots of friends in college but it is the one phase of my life from which I don't stay in touch with anyone.

Nonetheless, my education has done me well and I am grateful my parents never gave me a choice!

[Logan]

It's been a while since I was in college (1980-1984), but I enjoyed it. I lived on campus and was involved in a lot of things there that I enjoyed. But I do remember that I was so ready to get out when it was time to graduate. I think burn out happens easily after so many years of hard study. I would love to go back now for post graduate work, but time doesn't allow it. Maybe one day.

My work has nothing to do with my degree and hasn't since the first year I got out, but I have to admit that just having that diploma, regardless of what I studied, has opened a lot of doors for me that would not have been opened otherwise. For me, it was definitely worth it.

You'll be done soon and you can relax and perhaps get back to doing some of the things you enjoy. I hope so!

[Cataholic]

I went to college right out of high school, and while I didn't hate it, I didn't 'love' it either. I think I was too impatient, and just wanted to get on with my life- what I thought at the time was the better, more interesting part. Like Ms. Edwina's mom, I wish I would have taken more time to detour. But, I wouldn't say it was a waste of my time. I, too, never was questioned about college..it was just expected of me. I think that, on whole, it was a better thing for me that I went.

My college, which in an incredibly small private college, had a pretty large international consistency. Also, I was a poli sci major, and taught largely by non-American born profs. That was hugely broadening. College taught me more about the functional part of life then it did about the education. Sure, I learned alot, but, it was the 'how to learn'/ critical thinking that I grew from. I don't know if you had asked me in my last semester, or immediately out of college what I felt , if my answer would have been different. I suspect it might have.

I went on to law school 8 years later. That was truly an educational experience, and certainly more challenging than my 4 years of undergrad. I wouldn't trade that experince for all the cats in the world (well, maybe I would ), even if I decided to leave the practice of law.

I think you should look at your years at university as part of the whole process that helps to shape you as a person. AND, be sure to post a picture of you with the square hat on your head!!

[slick]

I never went to university but here's a story about my neice, Stephanie. She went through 2 years of University right after high school and at the end of that time I think she felt the same way. She took a year off and is now in Switzerland as an Au Pier (don't know how to spell it??). She is having a great time and lives with a wonderful family and looking after the children. She meets tons of people, learning new languages and she tells us that the experience has enriched her life tremendously. And she's able to travel on her days off. I'm sure when she returns she will have a new outlook.......

I wish I'd had that opportunity!