Anyone here walk away from a "good" college and still do something worthwhile?

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I suggest you STFU, grow a pair, get your degree, and act like a man. When you are 25, if all you want to do is smoke pot, you will have a good 40-50 years to do that. A BA from a good school is hard to replace in this day and age.

And I suggest you are so far out of your league in this thread that you lack the intellectual wherewithal to realize it.

Actually, no, you are wrong. I happen to be somewhere around 90th-99th percentile intellectually. I also happen to have fairly similar life circumstances to the OP. I come from a rich family and don't really have to do anything I don't want to do.

Perhaps my first post was too glib, but the basic message is correct. He has the oppertunity to get a degree that will serve him well for the rest of his life. He should do that, and if at age 22-23 he wants to go explore the world or just watch TV, he will have plenty of time to do those things.

I believe the OP is a spoiled punk who needs to realize that you can't always get what you want (aka Harvard or Stanford). I think after a few years of hard work at Northwestern he will realize he can do anything he wants to do after that, and he will feel much better.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: s0ssos
you know, i always wondered about people like you. i mean, how do you exist without other people? you go against the whole "no man is an island" phrase

I find being around other people to be stressful. The numerous social cues, the constant chattering about nothing, it all is just too much to process in realtime to interact "properly". I do best when there is just one other person, whom I can focus my full attention on. If there are others, it gets a bit much trying to just have a conversation without interrupting, which I seem to do a lot. Someone stops talking, and I quickly perceive it as an end-of-thought pause, so I start in, but then they start up with even more. So eventually I just give up and don't say anything at all unless specifically prompted, which rarely happens. In that case, I may simply leave and go do my own thing somewhere else. Generally, people don't even notice that I've left until they are getting ready to leave themselves some time later. Then it's like, "hey, where'd Jeff go?" as if I'd simply vanished.

Or maybe I'm just boring as hell, I don't know. I can be talking with someone, and then one of their friends comes along, and suddenly, our conversation is over. Again, it's like I just disappeared from the room. Given all this, I simply don't care to be bothered with the apparent disrespect I tend to receive, so I just try not to get involved with that which causes me stress - socializing. Continuing to do so would be somewhat masochistic.

No man is an island? I am the sort that can be alone or even invisible in a crowd. Assuming you can get me into a crowd in the first place.

So you have no ability to be assertive or cope with changing social situations.

 

[gopunk]

suck it up... frankly, i think you probably need college more than anyone else, because you need to learn how to see the forest through the trees.

 

[Zaitsevs]

I basically hate the way society is structured. We're all taught to ' work for the man', that's what school reminds me of anyway. The people who do what they are told, and sacrifice their time instead of doing things that they enjoy, are the ones who ' succeed'. Just be happy man and do what makes you happy, nobody says you have to do a certian something. I, myself, actually would like to be a vagrant of society and walk around the country . I am passionate about learning and knowledge, but in society what you know means nothing without a shiny piece of paper that can hang on your wall.

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: gopunk
suck it up... frankly, i think you probably need college more than anyone else, because you need to learn how to see the forest through the trees.

Could you elaborate on that cliche to identify the proverbial forest and trees of my situation?

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I suggest you STFU, grow a pair, get your degree, and act like a man. When you are 25, if all you want to do is smoke pot, you will have a good 40-50 years to do that. A BA from a good school is hard to replace in this day and age.

And I suggest you are so far out of your league in this thread that you lack the intellectual wherewithal to realize it.

Actually, no, you are wrong. I happen to be somewhere around 90th-99th percentile intellectually. I also happen to have fairly similar life circumstances to the OP. I come from a rich family and don't really have to do anything I don't want to do.

Perhaps my first post was too glib, but the basic message is correct. He has the oppertunity to get a degree that will serve him well for the rest of his life. He should do that, and if at age 22-23 he wants to go explore the world or just watch TV, he will have plenty of time to do those things.

I believe the OP is a spoiled punk who needs to realize that you can't always get what you want (aka Harvard or Stanford). I think after a few years of hard work at Northwestern he will realize he can do anything he wants to do after that, and he will feel much better.

Spoiled in the diversity and uniqueness of my life experiences?Yes, I've been speen spoiled rotten in my ability to try and explore many places and take risks othger people couldn't afford; I don't believe you meant it in this way though. Problem is that I don't enjoy school, just like my HS, because it is mostly spoiled white punks who DON'T care about what they learn, but would rather get a bunch of passing grades and go to the local bars with their fake ID's to spend a bunch of cash on $4 beers.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: Zaitsevs
I basically hate the way society is structured. We're all taught to ' work for the man', that's what school reminds me of anyway. The people who do what they are told, and sacrifice their time instead of doing things that they enjoy, are the ones who ' succeed'. Just be happy man and do what makes you happy, nobody says you have to do a certian something. I, myself, actually would like to be a vagrant of society and walk around the country . I am passionate about learning and knowledge, but in society what you know means nothing without a shiny piece of paper that can hang on your wall.

Some of us do what we enjoy as a job. I suggest you do the same.

 

[RollWave]

What dorm do you live in? I just graduated from NU last year.

NU is tough to start in that academics take quite a while to adjust form the high school mode. This is normal. If I were you I'd calm down before making foolish decisions. I think that leaving NU to go to community college would be a mistake. YOu just have to find your groove at northwestern. Something will click with you and how you think.

Initially I was having all sorts of issues pulling down grades I wanted, but once I found the subjects I loved (molecular bio, Genetics, and Religion) my study methods changed and I learned how to work with some actual passion rather than just going through the motions.

EDIT: after reading your response 2 posts above I have to say wow. Seems like you would hate college anywhere. College is a time to socialize without parental intervention. Loosen up and talk to people. Go to random student group meetings that seem interesting and get to know people. As much as you want to just be a hermit, living like that wont be good for you in the long run.

Confront your stupid roommate and tell him how you really feel. He should back off and give you your space.

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: rnp614
What dorm do you live in? I just graduated from NU last year.

NU is tough to start in that academics take quite a while to adjust form the high school mode. This is normal. If I were you I'd calm down before making foolish decisions. I think that leaving NU to go to community college would be a mistake. YOu just have to find your groove at northwestern. Something will click with you and how you think.

Initially I was having all sorts of issues pulling down grades I wanted, but once I found the subjects I loved (molecular bio, Genetics, and Religion) my study methods changed and I learned how to work with some actual passion rather than just going through the motions.

I'm in Bobb.
The class I'm doing the worst in is the one I enjoy and have the most expertise in, which is part of the frustration.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Brackis

Originally posted by: Naustica
Hello fellow Wildcat! I'm a Northwestern alum. Graduated in '97 with BA in Econ.

I see things haven't changed much in Evanston.

My experience was similar to yours the first year. Had a terrible roommate first year and of course had to suffer through all those BS prereq classes. One or two midterm and final is standard. Makes it convenient since you only have to go to class on the first day, midterm, and final. I actually wanted to transfer after my freshman year but my parents wanted me to stick it out. The next three years wasn't as bad.

The El will take you anywhere you want to go in Chicago so I don't see a problem. You don't have to stay in Evanston all the time.

Football team won back to back Big Ten championship while I was there so football was fun. I think I had a class with Pat Fitzerald who's now the head coach.

I had a good friend who transferred to Stanford while I was there. He enjoyed it more academically but I don't think his social or personal life was better.

NU has really active Greek system. I think over 50% of the students belonged to some sort of Frat/Sora while I was there. I assume that hasn't changed. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it but I was believe it was bad.

Weather freaking bites up there in the winter. Makes it depressing. People who studied at the Core depressed me too.

My advice to you is to use the career/placement center starting your freshman year and start applying for internships for the summer early. Stay active and enjoy everything offered to you. NU is a great school and has vast resources. You just have to take advantage of what's offered.

Thanks for the input. I realize it's early in the year and the more I convince myself I'm miserable, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. What you said about going to class for the first day, midterm, and final is what bothers me. Because that is essentially not taking the class at all and learning out of a book. In that case I'd be better off taking correspondence courses and saving a lot of $. I want to go to class and have what the professor says not only benefit my learning, but be rewarded with a better grade reflected.

Book learning is something you have to learn to do wherever you go. Professors will ALWAYS leave something to be desired, no matter where you go. You cant be so idealistic. You have to just grind it out in the texts (before class if at all possible) and then lectures might be a little more rewarding.

Also, if academics are really burning you out, drop to 3 classes and stay the summer to make it up if you can afford it.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
So you have no ability to be assertive or cope with changing social situations.

Cope, yes. Be assertive, not so much.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Brackis

Originally posted by: MrChad
Well, to be honest, even though you complain about your roommate and his anti-social behavior, you sound both arrogant and a bit socially maladjusted from the tone and content of your post.

I firmly believe that college is as much (or perhaps even more) about social development as it is about academic development. Whether it is meeting members of the opposite sex, socializing and drinking at parties or just finding people with common interests, college gives you opportunities socially that you never had in high school and probably never will again in the real world. My situation was a bit different than yours; I was extremely driven in HS and more laid back when I got to college. I ended up having the best 4 years of my life during my time there.

My only advice to you is to look harder for your social niche. If you want to transfer to an "elite" university full of entitlement and privilege, so be it, but I think you can learn a lot from a school where backgrounds are more diverse. Your passion for Habitat is admirable, and I'm sure you can find others with that same motivation.

MrChad,
I really respect your opinion and can see exactly what it is you saying. I'm definitely saying "I'm better than the actions of my peers here", but do not concede that I'm inherently smarter than most people. The only thing I believe you misinterpreted was the "elite university" as a place of entitlement and priviledge. In my opinion, my current university is the place for the entitled and privileged, while the most difficult universities I mentioned have a far more diverse makeup of people who are from places besides major metropolises or Chicago's wealthy suburbs which requires truly exceptional gifts outside the classroom to be a part of. I'm not trying to say that people who go to random schools are dumb and worthless, I just have had a miserable go of things in trying to find people of character at my particular school.

If I'm not articulating this to you well enough, do not hesitate in letting me know.

Get out of your dorm. Bobb is the last place for you. You're surrounded by frats and frat wannabe guys. It seems you take issue with them for a variety of reasons.

That said, I lived in Sargent for 2 years and ended up renting a house and living with 5 of my floormates. All of whom were great people and not the stereotypic college guy ass you seem to loathe so much.

Stop making generalizations about the people and the school and get out there and work to meet people. Its a two way street.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: Brackis

Originally posted by: JEDI
how is this thread like catcher in the rye ?

I'm a lonely white kid from a good background who is performing mediocre in school even though I'm narcissistic in believing I'm a genius, while everyone else is just a phony.

You really do greatly overestimate yourself

Drop out of college if that's what you want to do. Your grades suck, so sticking around really won't do you any good anyway. Northwestern is alright, it's not like you're at the greatest school ever. Go find something that you want to do

Northwestern was rated the #1 academic experience by princeton review when I entered in 2002.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Brackis

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
do you have a core group of friends?

Not particularly. 1 close friend, a handful of decent friends who I don't hang with too much, and then a large number of people I'll say hi to or would be fine just sitting down at their table in the cafeteria.
I can't really invite people to come hang out and shoot the breeze in my room, play videogames, etc... because my roommate is there watching Chronicles of Narnia for the 12th time or sleeping from 8-4am on a Saturday night (Like he did tonight while I went out)

Invite em over anyways. You pay to live there too.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Brackis

Originally posted by: rnp614
What dorm do you live in? I just graduated from NU last year.

NU is tough to start in that academics take quite a while to adjust form the high school mode. This is normal. If I were you I'd calm down before making foolish decisions. I think that leaving NU to go to community college would be a mistake. YOu just have to find your groove at northwestern. Something will click with you and how you think.

Initially I was having all sorts of issues pulling down grades I wanted, but once I found the subjects I loved (molecular bio, Genetics, and Religion) my study methods changed and I learned how to work with some actual passion rather than just going through the motions.

I'm in Bobb.
The class I'm doing the worst in is the one I enjoy and have the most expertise in, which is part of the frustration.

Which class? Have you talked to the professor? If you explain your passion for the subject and compare that with your grade I'm sure they'll find a way to accomodate you. Thats one thing I wish I did more there was make contact with my professors.

I know that when I bombed accelerated chemistry froshy year the prof was extremely encouraging letting me know I could still get an A if I proved myself throughout the rest of the quarter.

You might be able to arrange something like this yourself in this class. Its WAY too early for you to start flipping out.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Why do you care about the "spoiled white punks" ? Surely not everyone there is like that? Join a student organization, or the student newspaper. There must be some people who care there. Also, try to put things into perspective. If you really care about doing good in this world, or having a meaningful life, I promise that you will have a greater number of oppertunities if you stick with school and get your degree. If you still hate it in two years, you could always transfer to another school or drop out then.

I am in law school right now and I HATE it. However, I know that with a JD I will have a lot of oppertunities that would not be possible without a JD and so I am sticking with it.

 

[DougK62]

Transfer. Go to a good state school, pay less, hopefully have a good time. A big name on your diploma rarely means anything when job hunting.