Is it just me, or is college overrated?

lollybo · 07-01-2008, 08:39 PM

This is not the thread about the benefits of a college degree, sorry if the title is misleading.

I keep hearing people say that college is the best time of their life, and that college is amazing. But to me, college isn't that incredible. I never felt any extremely high points during college, but I have felt some depressing lows.

From juggling my job, academics, and social life, I am more busy than ever. The classes are tougher, and now I have to worry about money more than when I was in high school. People keep talking about college as if it were some kind of heaven, a place where their woes magically go away. But to me, life is pretty much the same, if not a little worse. Granted, you still get to hang out with your friends and all, but couldn't you also have done that in high school?

I also feel that in college, people are very concerned about conforming and appearing popular. Maybe hormones are kicking in, and people want to get laid more than ever. Maybe it's just the school I go to. But I haven't found many weird quirky kids like me.

Maybe I'm just too prude, and need to loosen up and live a little. Maybe I need to go out more. What do you think?

Russell7 · 07-01-2008, 08:48 PM

College is your first go at independence and a chance to be around thousands of people your own age (my school has over 35000 people). It is highly glorified and probably overrated. But it's still a pretty big deal.

lethargytm · 07-01-2008, 08:51 PM

When else do you get to party whenever you want to? having a job will blow, working 8 hours a day. people probably say its the best time of your life because going to work sucks.

Russell7 · 07-01-2008, 08:56 PM

When else do you get to party whenever you want to? having a job will blow, working 8 hours a day. people probably say its the best time of your life because going to work sucks.

I know someone that took 5 years off after University (since he had some things that he wanted to do when he was young instead of retired) and just worked around the world, traveled, partied, etc. Supposedly the best time of his life. Then he told himself that he needs to get his career going.

I'm thinking about doing something similar for a year or 2.

lethargytm · 07-01-2008, 09:04 PM

that's different.

ASC · 07-01-2008, 09:27 PM

"I know someone that took 5 years off after University (since he had some things that he wanted to do when he was young instead of retired) and just worked around the world, traveled, partied, etc. Supposedly the best time of his life. Then he told himself that he needs to get his career going."

That would be awesome, if only we all could afford that!!! Really, I'd love to do that! Spend some time in Germany and Lebanon especially, and go a few other places too!
...if only...........

Anyway, as far as college being overrated, I think it all depends upon what you expect out of life, what your career plans are, where you're from (really) and where you're going to school, and how independent you are and how you expect independence to feel.

I think it's a person by person thing, as far as the experience is concerned.

nontraditional · 07-01-2008, 11:53 PM

For some people, college is the best time of their lives. For other people, it's high school. For others, it's when they have kids. And for still others ....

It is great for some people, but for a lot of others it's not.

Cards4Life · 07-02-2008, 12:15 AM

So far, college life is the best thing I've ever experienced and I'll be sad when my 5 years end.

But I also hope that I'll do some things later in life that are much more exciting than this.

leah377 · 07-02-2008, 12:41 AM

i absolutely love college. mostly i love the freedom--not just living on your own and making your own choices, but the freedom not to involve yourself with people who are a negative influence. in high school you're kind of stuck with whoever's around, but at school if you don't want to deal with someone's bull----, you can easily hang out with someone else.

i also love that i've made so many different friends--i can go to frat parties & on a crazy spring break with some of my girlfriends, and with other friends i'll go to chilled-out concerts or hang out in hippie carrboro. i like that you really can be friends with tons of unique people at once.

i think that people who feel like high school was their prime are the people who still act like they're in high school now that they're in college.

California-Bolt · 07-02-2008, 03:00 AM

College for me is damn awesome. I mean for pretty much all of my grade school years, I really looked forward to summer for many reasons, but I kinded of dreaded it because it meant going back home. I guess its what you put into it though.

BronxBombers7 · 07-02-2008, 10:11 AM

Actually, the first couple years after college I've heard are really the best times. Odds are you'll wind up in a big city depending on your major/line of work, and instead of being broke and living in a dorm, you'll be making money and living in a decent apartment.

Bigredmed · 07-02-2008, 11:11 AM

As someone who's three years out of college...

What really makes college awesome is the lack of consequences. You get out and the freedom and stuff is still there, you're of legal age so the alcohol situation isn't a problem, and you're doing what you want to do BUT you have so many more responsibilities and if you **** up...it can be really bad.

You have a job which you can't skip. And you have to work 40+ hours, not the 15 hours of class you had each week.
You have a job so you can't go out on a Tuesday night
You have rent (or a mortgage) and car payments and insurance and utilities and student loan debt and everything else, so you can't quit your job.
You may even have kids - then you're responsibility goes up even further.

In college: don't want to go to class? Don't. Screw up a big project? You'll do better next semester. Got hammered at 3pm on a wednesday? Who cares - you rock! Want to play Grand Theft Auto IV for 34 hours straight? Do it!

That's the difference, that's why college is awesome.

mshaddal · 07-10-2008, 12:40 AM

America's Most Overrated Product: Undergraduate Education

it's long but worth reading all the way through.

proton · 07-10-2008, 12:56 AM

i love college. so many good memories, met so many interesting people.

hookem168 · 07-10-2008, 12:58 AM

"Is college overrated, or is it just me?'

It's just you.

Loosen up! I hereby order you to deliberately not study for an upcoming test, go to a frat party, and have fun.