On MIT's love/hate relationship

Crash_Blair · 04-21-2007, 04:04 AM

I'm a freshman.
So... how long does it take before I actually start loving MIT? Sophomore year? Junior year? Graduation?
Need reassurance now.

Olo · 04-21-2007, 04:22 AM

I didn't like my first term much. This term is much better.

I think the more classes you get to take in your major (presumably what interests you), the better it gets. That's the case for me, at least.

Sklog_W · 04-21-2007, 10:04 AM

I've loved it since the day I got here.

molliebatmit · 04-21-2007, 11:16 AM

(In all seriousness, because I actually have a journal entry confirming this --) April 25th of my freshman year.

As far as feeling really comfortable in classes and confident in my own abilities, it took until second semester of sophomore year for me.

chillkid6604 · 04-21-2007, 07:50 PM

Maybe when you stop trying to love it. Or when you realize that many other students feel just the way you do. Or when you realize you are not at college to love it but instead to further your education so you can find meaningful or reasonably-paying work some day. There was a general thread on people not liking college, and it sounded more like those people expected to love college and to find really close friends but just had an okay time with acquaintances. I'll look for the thread and post the link if I can.
The important thing is not to feel guilty that you don't love it and not to take too seriously the blogs that seem like everyone has found true companionship in their living groups and their true intellectual calling in their classes. Probably some people have, but certainly lots of people have not.
You are not alone in your feelings.

Spartan Pho3nix · 05-03-2007, 11:00 PM

I guess I really started loving it this term, Freshman Year Spring.

I'm taking a pretty hard load, and I'm busy all the time, but I've found that I really like it. It's so rewarding and fun!

I'm taking classes I actually like!
I've actually found myself wishing summer was shorter so I could get back to new classes sooner, which surely is a sign i've gone crazy, but still.

Freshman Fall, 3.091 basically killed my love for life. Worst class ever.

collegeguy2k7 · 05-03-2007, 11:29 PM

l0lll 3.091 killed your love for life? XD

Once I started taking classes in the area I am really interested (EE), I definitely started feeling the love

.

Sure while you're pulling that all-nighter, you might be leaning toward the H, but once you get out for the summer, you start remembering and feeling the L.

Spartan Pho3nix · 05-04-2007, 12:05 AM

Hehe yah. EE pride.

LauraN · 05-04-2007, 12:59 AM

I have pretty much equal parts love and hate for MIT. (My high school had a lot of similarities, so the whole dichotomy of "IHTFP" was crystal clear to me before I even got here.) Like, I can easily fail two tests in a row and then find out that someone pulled an awesome hack and do a complete 180 from "F--- this, I'm transferring" to "This place ROCKS SO HARD."

But that's just me. =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillkid6604

The important thing is not to feel guilty that you don't love it and not to take too seriously the blogs that seem like everyone has found true companionship in their living groups and their true intellectual calling in their classes. Probably some people have, but certainly lots of people have not.

So, as one of those responsible for such blog entries, I feel like I should chime in here. I have certainly found true companionship in my living group. Not to be too corny or anything, but they are, without a doubt, family to me. As Ruth (a senior on my floor) once said, "Aw, you guys are like my family...only you don't make me hate Christmas." That said, this is a rather recent development. It takes *time* for someone to become "like family" to you. I've lived with these people for two years now, and it's not like I felt nearly as strongly about my living group even a couple of months ago- I very nearly moved elsewhere numerous times.

And on the other hand, finding your intellectual calling? Oh man, don't make me laugh.

Point being, even if you love this place, and hate this place, and hate to love it and love to hate it all at the same time from day one, it can still take awhile to feel comfortable in it. But that's just true of life in general, as is the fact that you have to take the good with the bad.

collegeguy2k7 · 05-04-2007, 01:50 AM

Spartan you into EE?

6-1?? Or another course?

I'm taking 6.013 (electromagnetics and apps) this semester and I'm having a blast.

I'll definitely be taking the follow on grad course (6.632) next spring

Spartan Pho3nix · 05-06-2007, 12:22 PM

Yah, I am.
I'm taking 003,012, and 111 in the Fall, so it should be fun.

6.013 is the one i'm probably looking most forward too. Spring!