Opinions on Higher Education

[Duckyian Empire]

Hey. Just wanted to start this thread because of my experiences of going through the application process for applying to schools.

I am lucky to decide where I wanted to go to school since I was on high school. I am also lucky in that I decided to apply there on Early Decision and that I got accepted.

I am willing to hear to everyone's opinions on all things college. Interesting stories, advice, anything, just post it here.

[The Candy Lane]

I will spend as much on my Bachelor's degree as most Americans spend on a semester of education. I feel very, very, blessed.

This goes for every student regardless of your nationality:

Avoid student loans - you don't need a fancy car, but if you do need a car get something at least 10 years old.
Don't live on campus if you don't have to. Study close to home. The amount people pay to live in a place of post-secondary education shows a desperate need for better secondary education. Universities are businesses, they make a lot more money by you living on campus. A lot of people buy cars with student loans - Don't do this! There is interest on loans and it is probably going to cost you a lot more than you will expect, so don't live like you have an endless stream of money. Instead, take pleasure in some of the simple things you already pay for or are really cheap. If you end up living on campus, do you pay for internet? Skip cable and get netflix. Or if you want to go cheaper, get Netflix and skip wifi.

Where you study isn't going to impact the final outcome. If you have a good work ethic, and study in the right program, you are most likely going to get a decent job. Employers who care about where you got your degree are few and far between. Yes, Harvard versus community college makes a difference. But in most cases, there will be one very prestigious school in your nearest major city and a number of smaller ones. The difference between the prestigious and smaller schools might matter, so sure, apply for the prestigious one. That difference might make your resume stand out and get you an interview, it won't get you a job. The difference between smaller school A and smaller school C will be minimal.

What you study will impact your final outcome. Don't major in art - seriously. Major in something that will provide you with a skill that is in demand, minor in a skill that you love. At the same time, take pride in what you do. If you can major and minor in skills that are in demand and you love, go for it. You have a hobby? Try looking into an industry along those lines and if the future looks bright, consider majoring in it. When you have electives, take something you love.

Keep a social life School can be depressing and stressful. The business of midterms, papers, and finals contributes to that but so does being isolated. Whether it's a club or a group of friends, find someone to have fun with. And if you move abroad, keep in touch with your friends back home.

[Klopstock]

I'm in the "go to the place that's feels right to you" camp. Where you go to college matters. But what you do there and what it does to you in return matters more. Go where you'll be at your best.

For me, growing up in California meant that I wanted to go out of state. So I went east and have never regretted it. Got to explore the rest of the country, then Europe, and finally the final frontier: the world of ideas and people. I met almost every conceivable person and came to grips with almost every idea out there. And it's set me up to handle anything that comes my way.

[Louisistan]

I definitely oppose The Candy Lane's "study close to home" advice. Although "close" would have to be defined first. The town I grew up in is about a 2h drive from where I study. That may be considered "close" in some countries, but in Germany that's far enough to gain some independence (of course I could have moved 800 km to the North, but I like the south a lot better and didn't want to leave the state anyway). University is not just about education, it's also about learning to stand on your own feet. Sure, I am still am financially dependent on my parents in certain areas, but I am generally able to live on my own. I can cook, I can wash my clothes, I can buy groceries, I can do basically all the things that some people who live at home during their university time don't learn.

So I would say: Move far enough away from your home to learn to be on your own. Don't stay too close. I know some people who studied at the closest university from where we grew up. It is a very good uni, no question. But some of those people still have the same village attitude when they left. I get the impression that they may have learned something IN university, but not outside of it.

But ultimately Klopstock's "Go where you feel" is the best advice, because studying somewhere, your really don't want to be just sucks.

I'll totally sign the "keep a social life" part though. Extremely important, or you're likely to crack during exams.




Oh, and if possible, get a job. Any job (though a job in your field of study is of course preferable). It will give you a minimum amount of professional experience early on, which later on the job market might be an advantage over someone who has only seen the inside of schools and you will have some extra money.

[Klopstock]

I'm of two minds when it comes to distance from home. Personally, I was always going away. I traveled a lot growing up, attended summer programs across the U.S. during high school, and knew that I wanted to study abroad. Never seriously considered staying put. That was certainly right for me.

On the other hand, there are good reasons for staying at home. TCL's point about affordability is a very good one, and something most people don't fully realize until after graduation. Also some people just don't do well away from home. Everywhere I've gone, there's been someone who went home after a few days or a few weeks because they couldn't handle it. Other people simply belong in the place where they're from. That's fine too.

My best advice is still "go to the place that feels right to you." Your subconscious knows what it wants before you can articulate it. Trust that.

[The Candy Lane]

I'm in a situation now where I have an hour and a half commute to campus, and about two hours home. It sucks and I would live on campus if the opportunity presented itself and I was able to financially. But I don't know think it's a good idea for an undergrad. While University is about gaining independence and life experience, it's also about making (and learning to make) wise decisions. Graduating with a BA and a large debt isn't a wise decision, unless you know you're going to get a job right after graduation.

Obviously if you can get the scholarships or save up money before hand to make it work financially, I'd say go for it.

[Hahiha / USSR]

I'm only going to highschool next year(definitely going to try and remember this for when I have to go to Uni), but something I hear a lot of people say (on YouTube that is) that you should always major in something that you enjoy, not something that makes a lot of money (if you don't enjoy it). Pretty sure this is the right video (too lazy to check, plus I saw a different video of his I want to watch):

[NeoYundar]

I met a kid once who was majoring in Slam Poetry at an Ivy League School. It was a struggle not to laugh at him to his face. Don't do that.

[pazakistan]

I hear in some countries university is free. I hope the new Canadian government makes education free here.

[banyuwangi]

In the reality companies like profiles with applied technical skills. It's always a good idea to look at the jobmarket and ask to the experts what profiles they need.

What did you study before ?
This makes sense, I have 2 higher Degrees and if you are pretty good in math, then I should go for a study as Ir. in chemistry or electronics.

If you dislike math then a profession as M.D. is a good choice, I shouldn't choose for a specialization as my father went to the university until he was 33 years old. Studying is expensive & you have to earn a lot of money in a short time as you 'lost' 15 years of income.

I think automatisation is a nice field for the future (electronics, mechanical). Also M.D.'s have a nice future.

Sure, there are other fields of study that might be interesting, just look what profiles they need.

Another thing is don't start with a serious relationship during your studies, as they cost you a lot of time (what you don't have), attention (same interests?) and money if they like shopping.

Start with a relationship after your study and look that they don't like your money instead of you, otherwise...

Make some fun with nice friends instead.

How to pay your studies? Work and study is a virtual impossible combination. Parents?

Don't game too often, this cost too much time.

Just do it anyway, as a higher degree is always better then nothing.

Compare the universities/highschools based on their facilities, equipment, books, costs.