Having a tough time deciding on a college? Maybe these teacher responses will help you gain more information on a good college. I will be asking teachers some good questions on their college experience.
Mr. Kelly, college math and algebra teacher.
1.Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to college at the State University of New York at Oswego. It was about an hour north of Syracuse and I lived on Lake Ontario. It was cold. I earned a Bachelor degree in Broadcasting and Communications.
2. How was your experience there and did you make new friendships?
I had a wonderful experience at college. I was truly on my own as Oswego was six hours from home. I had to be responsible for getting to class, making meals, and eventually the jobs I had at both the college radio station and the local NPR radio station. I made some great friends which I still see today, maybe not as often as I’d like. I was one of the lucky ones that had the same roommate for all four years. There’s a couple of them that live in Arizona, but most are back in the New York area. Facebook makes it nice to see what people are up to.
3. What was the most fun event you went to and why?
Every so often the college would host a concert, and since I was part of the college radio station, I was very involved. We had Living Colour and Matthew Sweet perform. But I was involved in setting up the stage, connecting equipment, and assisting the lighting manager. I also got to meet the bands and just had an awesome experience.
4. Is college the same like how teachers described it in high school and what aspects are the same if so? If not, what aspects of college are different?
Hard to say. I think that everyone will have their own experience. And it matters if you live on campus or not. I went to school with people that dropped out in the first semester. I had friends that joined fraternities/sororities and some that played sports and those were all different experiences for them. Perhaps the commonality is that there is work that needs to be done. You are there to learn and get into a career that interests you. Some students don’t pick a major their freshman year. Some, like me, knew what they wanted to do right away. I wanted to work in the radio industry, but I also had general education classes like everyone else. So, you have to go to class and do the work. No one is waking you up or reminding you to turn in stuff. I also believe that regardless of the academics, college makes some of the best friendships. People come from all walks of life that even if you don’t become best friends, you still have a connection because you live down the hall from each other or share a common class.
5.What was the toughest situation you had in college?
I didn’t have any specific tough situations in college. For me, there was a balance of having fun and academics which could be tough at times. I also worked at the college almost every summer so I did not go home as much to see my family and friends.
1.Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to Northern Arizona University and Graduated with a Secondary Education degree with an emphasis in Business and Emerging Technologies.
- How was your experience there and did you make new friendships?
My experience there was fabulous, and I still remain very close to the friends I made while going to school there.
- What was the most fun event you went to and why?
I think my favorite event was the Haunted Dorm at my residence hall created every year. It brought all the talents of not just my residence hall but our brother and sister halls as well. It really gave us a true sense of community, especially when we were able to donate cans of food to the local Food Bank for the holidays and give a cash donation to a shelter for women and children.
- Is college the same like how teachers described it in high school and what aspects are the same if so? If not, what aspects of college are different?
A lot of what teachers say about College/University is true, you are on your own figuring out a lot of things. Some professors/instructors are more likely to help you than others, many classes are held in large lecture halls where the professor/instructor may barely know who you are, and deadlines are a real thing! However, at the same time creating a study/peer group to understand and stay on top of the material was essential. It also led to those life-long friends I mentioned previously.
5.What was the toughest situation you had in college?
Toughest situation was when my roommate and I were constantly being harassed by ex-friends who lived in the same residence hall.
Mr. McRae, academic counselor.
