How better is college compared to HS?

Queue on 29/8/2013 at 17:44

Quote Posted by Robert4222

... I don't have time to fuck around while knowing that my folks (who even though I wholeheartedly hate for personal reasons, I got a little respect for them) are old enough to retire, but they still word to allow me and my older siblings to get a higher education.

So all I'm trying to do is help you figure out a way to cut them out of the picture. But, if that's absolutely not an option, then it's not an option and I'm sorry for butting in.

But if you could answer one last question, what do you mean by you don't have time to fuck around? What is going on?

faetal on 29/8/2013 at 17:47

Personally, I don't see any problem with his parents paying for his tuition if they want to.
It's entirely possible to do well without the "shit I'm paying for this" motivation and entirely possible to fuck it up even with that there.

Gryzemuis on 29/8/2013 at 18:27

It all depends on the details of the educational system in the country. My country (NL) and the US can not be compared. At all. I don't know how things are in Spain. But let me explain what I think are the differences between the US and NL. Note, it's been a while since I was in University myself, so things might have changed.

1) Cost of education. In NL University students pay a fix amount of money per year. It's not so high, only 1800 euros per year. This amount is the same for all universities, and all studies. This is not comparable with the US. Amounts are much higher. Like $50k+ for a year at a good university.

If you party, and waste $50k+, that's not good. But if you waste 1800 euros, who cares ? The only downside is, if you study for too many years (like 6 years for a study that is supposed to last 4 years), then you have to pay more for the years you go over the limit.

So how is the situation in Spain ? Fixed low price, or ridiculous high prices ?

2) In NL, all universities are considered equal. It doesn't matter if you got your Masters degree from university A or university B. And in reality, that's probably true. There are no big differences. Usually people go to the university that is closest to their home-town.

In the US that's totally different. A degree from MIT, or Stanford or Harvard, or one of the other Ivy League universities is considered to be worth a lot more than from regular universities. And I believe there are also many universities that are nothing more than extension of High School, and nobody takes their degrees serious. I guess if you can get into one of those good universities, then you don't want to fail and mess up your chance.

So is your "International University set up like the American system" really better than other universities ? Or is it just something that their PR wants you to believe ?

3) In the US, it can be hard to get into a particular university. Getting in is an achievement in itself. People have to fight to get into MIT or Harvard. In NL, you just sign up, and you're in. Only sometimes, a few studies are full, and they'll roll the dice to see who gets in. (Usually it's the medicine studies, that cost a lot of money (subsidies by the goverment) to educate doctors).

So people from the US will respond completely differently to your questions than someone from NL.

Personally I had a fun time at university. I didn't find it real hard. But I did have problems with discipline. I wasted most of my time. And in the end I missed getting my degree. I studied computer science. Because I had no finished degree, my first 2 jobs were pretty lousy (systems and network management). But after that, I got a shot at a small, but ambitious high-tech company. And I did well. If I had worked harder at university, I would have gotten a better start. But I would probably have ended in management in a shitty company. And had less fun, and would have made less money than I did now.

I recommend people do university and get a degree. But just so they can say they have a degree. The real studying, the real understanding, the real experience, starts after you got your degree and you left university. Don't worry too much about that ("oh shit, even more studying, and I've already done that for 20 years"). Work pays good money. It has more fun challenges. More satisfaction. And you got more control over your own destiny. So work ain't that bad. And if it is, find another job. (Even with 26% unemployment, if you got a university degree, there will be many decent jobs available for you).

Robert4222 on 29/8/2013 at 18:46

Quote Posted by Queue

I don't live in Spain, nor do I understand the economic situation over there, which is why I'm asking all these silly question--to understand.

Look, I'm not trying to get on your nerves. I'm honestly grasping at straws to help look for viable options that you may have over-looked. And I did read your last reply to me, in which you said:

So all I'm trying to do is help you figure out a way to cut them out of the picture. But, if that's absolutely not an option, then it's not an option and I'm sorry for butting in.

But if you could answer one last question, what do you mean by you don't have time to fuck around? What is going on?

My sincere apoligies for getting upset, but you looked like you were telling me that I should earn everything by myself from the day I complete my secondary education, college included
On the other hand, what I meant by "not having time to fuck around" (I'm sure I wanted to say "I don't see the point of taking a year off", but nevermind) is that college is the best place for me to maturate, although I'm not completely ready for it.

@LittleFlower: the prices here depends on the degree (to be more precise, on the credits), but in average, each year you have to pay 1500€ ; and the the Uni in which I signed up got a great reputation.

SubJeff on 29/8/2013 at 22:49

You're in Spain? You lucky mofo. Well, I know the economics aren't the best but potentially a great place to live. Where exactly? It's one of my favourite places to visit.

I'm a scientist by background and so your field is beyond me. What sort of jobs does your degree lead to?

I'll write more about uni when I'm not on a phone. Good luck with your studies.

Robert4222 on 30/8/2013 at 01:23

In the city of Valencia. And basically the degree is to end up as an HR coordinator in a company

Caradavin on 30/8/2013 at 01:50

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Quote Posted by Thirith

I taught at Uni (and am hoping to get back into it), and my attitude was always that while it's my job to make my teaching interesting and engaging, it's not my job to make students care about the subject. Anyone who wasn't willing to meet me halfway would simply not get much of my professional attention - I'd reserve that for students who were obviously willing to put in some effort. For instance, any students saying that they hadn't done their reading? Well, tough: that's their job. They don't do theirs, they shouldn't expect me to do it for them. I would be understanding if things were happening that made it difficult for them, but only to the extent where I'd give them time to catch up - they'd still have to do the same work.

Some students were fine with that. Some students didn't work the tiniest bit. The latter usually dropped out before long. As far as I'm concerned, that's entirely on them - a student who's not filling to put in any time and energy to begin with shouldn't be at Uni to begin with. I expect some minimum of cooperation, otherwise they're pretty much on their own.

At first, I was devastated every time a student dropped my class or didn't pass. I took it very personally and tried extremely hard to get them to like the subject and become more involved, but I learned that there are just different types of students. Only one of the types I have ever found undesirable were the ones who would go to college just to get a loan and then drop out. I don't know if they felt they were robbing the bank or what, but I'm pretty sure everyone understands you have to pay it back... All the others, even the ones with huge attendance issues, I gave time and energy and believed they all had a chance to succeed. What I eventually learned was that some students won't care, ever, no matter how much the teacher does. And for the teacher to bend over backwards for every student equally doesn't work - why waste time on someone who is wasting mine? They have to meet me halfway - I will do everything in my power to help him/her succeed but only if he/she actually wants it and is going to work for it.

To OP - definitely experience some partying; like someone else said on here, it helps build you into who you are today. I also suggest checking out a couple of the other offerings from college - art galleries, concerts, theatre, lectures, panels, etc... College can be a wholesome, well-rounded experience and you never know at what corner you will find yourself. I ended up falling accidentally into the love of my life, which is acting, and received my Bachelor's in Theatre Arts, then I focused on my writing in Grad school. I loved every major and minor I took, and I agree that you should try to avoid taking classes in subjects you don't enjoy (however, the first two years are typically General Ed and that will result in some terribly boring classes, but they are all useful to your success in college and life) but also remember that nothing in college is truly carved in stone like it is in high school.

Robert2222, I was warning you off from my mistakes, but I by no means was suggesting that you were a party animal. I apologize for lumping you into a category like that.

There were other posts in here that I entirely agree with, but I'm too tired to address them all.

VA - That was the best example of what college is and can be that I've seen yet.

PS - Don't misunderstand - you will still meet assholes and people who act like they are still in high school. You will also meet amazing people (students and faculty). I would say that in the end (similar to the principle VA was demonstrating), it all balances out.

PPs - To whoever was going on about getting a Master's degree and not being able to get work - it is a huge truth that this happens, especially now when unemployment is so high. I was lucky to land a job within a few months of graduating, but I was expecting at first that it would take up to one year and I would most likely have to relocate. Many majors are in areas of expertise, so the job market can be very limited.

Running_Wild on 3/9/2013 at 01:11

Quote Posted by Queue

Now we're gettin' somewhere! Here's the problem, you need to pay for it yourself for it to actually mean something in the end. Promising you'll do well because they are footing the bill doesn't matter, since it doesn't belong to you. So tell mom and dad to keep the tuition, go buy a boat or something, and that you want to work for it for yourself. Earn it! It'll then be your responsibility, and if you want to take a year off there is nothing anyone can say or do about it. Hell, you're an adult now, it's time to make your own decisions about the life you want to lead irrespective of what mom and dad say you should do.

I'd feel even more ripped off if I had paid for my college myself. I taught myself programming and then went to college for it as no one hires without credentials coming from someone else. It's just how it works. It's a great theory that this helps people appreciate the value of things, but it doesn't add intrinsic value to the thing itself. Crap is crap. Paying for a piece of crap yourself doesn't make it not a piece of crap. Tough stuff to understand. And, the idea that it doesn't belong to you I call BS on also. Your parents pay the bills but they don't show up to the classes, do the projects, deal with idiot classmates in group projects, and earn the grades. They just make it so you don't have a loan after, that's really it.

The only factor, and this was the spirit that the post implies, is to take it seriously if you're going to bother. Too many kids get the free ride from their parents and don't take it seriously as a result. Paying your own way makes this a veritable certainty, again, in theory, but it's not the only way.

mxleader on 3/9/2013 at 03:22

I waited a few years to go to college. I actually didn't intend to go but I had the G.I. Bill money to use and I couldn't stand being the only one at the bike shop I used to work at with no college, so I went. I would much rather be in college than in high school and I would rather be back in college than working a real life job. It was so nice to be somewhere where many of the students had similar interests and most wanted to be there. Go and don't be afraid or intimidated by anyone. I was afraid I wouldn't be as smart as the other students and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was in the top ten percent with grades by the time I was finished. Am I working in my field of study? Nope! But I don't care much.