Yes, I needed my degree to do what I do today. I would go back in a heartbeat. I think that I fully experienced everything that college had to offer in most ways. I love learning, I don't mind the deadlines or exams. I found love, partied hard and had some of the best friends that a pitcher could buy...just kidding, they were great. I attended some basketball, but did not miss a football game in 5 years, and never missed a wrestling match in Hilton. Absolutely great years. I will age myself, but some of the great hangouts were State Fieldhouse, Cave Inn (Now Paddys?), Cy's Roost (of course) Lost and Found Lounge, Thumbs Up (for Thursday Afternoon Study Club - aka TASC Force), and downtown was Granddaddy's, That Place, Cruisers and Top of the Town. Pizza Pit was the rage for Sunday night coupons. Anyone remember Cosmos, the naked volleyball dude that stood on the corner near Welch? Ash Bash, Welch Belch parties were the best during Veisha. yeah, I would go back just to experience all the new.
If you could go back...
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I'd do pretty much the same thing. I have to have my degree to do what I do now and I don't think there's anything else I would rather do considering jobs and income potential. I met my very best friends at Iowa State and had a good mix of fun and taking things seriously.
And 24 years later, my randomly assigned freshman roommate is still one of my best friends and she and I have traveled together to Europe 10 times and still like each other
And 24 years later, my randomly assigned freshman roommate is still one of my best friends and she and I have traveled together to Europe 10 times and still like each other
Mine is similar except I never went to class and never turned assignments in, and I would fail unless I got everything done in a day. I always wake up before the outcome happens. Their were a couple of classes like Soc and what not I only showed up for the tests, still aced them so who knows.
Wow, I had a friend with a very similar experience in Ochem. She showed up for the final at the scheduled location, but there was no one in the lecture hall. So, she went to the other lecture hall where they had done tests before. Still no one. So she went to the Chem office and asked the secretary where the final was at. To her shock, the secretary said “it was last night.” She went to her profs office and told him the situation. He said “I have another student making up the final right now so you can join him, but there’s only an hour left.”
Turns out she read the schedule wrong. As you might recall, the final times were typically scheduled based upon what time you had class during the semester. However, big classes like calc and ochem had their own, specially assigned time slot. She didn’t see the special time slot snd showed up at the wrong time.
She failed the final and the class. She’s a PhD in epidemiology now, so it worked out.
Iowa State was awesome but I don’t miss the stresses associated with classes. The out of class experiences were second to none. I attended all the football games and basketball games except for maybe 2 or 3. I had so many fun times at ISU. My engineering degree has allowed me to have a successful career and also be involved with coaching my kids.
Would I go back, absolutely. Would I go into the same major, probably not. I would do a few things differently.
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Yes. My job requires a degree. Plus, I freaking had a blast in college. Would love to go back in time, and be a 21 year old college student again. For one weekend at least.
Yes. My job requires a degree. Plus, I freaking had a blast in college. Would love to go back in time, and be a 21 year old college student again. For one weekend at least.
I enjoyed myself immensely at ISU but I definitely did not take enough risks when I was at that age, in terms of life experience. I never studied abroad even though I wanted to. I thought my clubs were more important. I always took internships in Iowa because I wanted to stay close to friends and family. I always played it safe and life has worked out fine for me, but I missed my window to do the kinds of things that my current responsibilities don’t allow. Like you, I didn’t recognize this until the window was closed.
If I could do it again, I’d take more of those “risks” at that age to gain more perspective and life experience. I have this desire to start my own business now, but I’m way too comfortable in life to take that kind of risk.
I don't think I would go in todays time. I don't think the cost vs payback is worth it in most areas. I would probable go to a trade school, or on the job training. I would miss friends and experience, the 4 years at ISU were some of the best times I had.
The experience, unfortunately, is impossible to duplicate in another environment. Living with 30+ guys and experiencing life together at that age was great. Football tailgating, canoe trips, parties, intermurals, meeting new people, and other activities. (I did enjoy classes also) BTW, I attended ISU during '85-'89.
The experience, unfortunately, is impossible to duplicate in another environment. Living with 30+ guys and experiencing life together at that age was great. Football tailgating, canoe trips, parties, intermurals, meeting new people, and other activities. (I did enjoy classes also) BTW, I attended ISU during '85-'89.
Raise your hand if you still have a Intramural Champ shirt and refuse to throw it away.
Your second paragraph is similar to what I was going to comment on. College provides that permission/opportunity in our culture. If an 18 year old lived that lifestyle described without being in college, society wouldn't approve, lol. If an 18 year old took out a loan of like $25k to pay for rent, food, fun, etc to "find themselves" it's be frowned on, but that's essentially what A LOT of freshmen do.
Agree. It was a time that you could explore options and discover new things. I think this is more the reason college needs to be affordable. You can learn the classroom stuff nearly anywhere now, but the life experiences are not the same as college. You build some friendships that last the rest of your life.
This is actually really good stuff. Having a freshman in high school I tell him frequently to have some kind of direction atleast when yo get to college. I went to school for business management and auto Collision. I have spent last 10 years slaving away in a bean plant. He is an athlete and I point out the salaries of some of these coaches, sports analyst and other sport related careers. He is full of random sports facts. Lol. I would take college a little more seriously and hope he dont want to end up like me
Along the lines of what I posted earlier, my number one piece of advice to my kids at that age will be to try new things, live new places, get out and see the world. Because there may come a time where your priorities will change and you may not be able to do those things without impacting others.
Happy with an engineering career choice so, yes, I would do it over again. Had an absolute blast during my time in Ames but in hindsight could have taken advantage of some opportunities that you only get as a college student. I did study abroad for one summer but should have been a little less stingy while there. Also should have taken advantage of some of the Outdoor Rec Program trips that were on semester/ spring breaks.
I will say, my first 1-2 advisors were absolute crap. As a first generation college student I was t really sure what was going on or what to expect. He gave me such crappy advice right away (first was to have classes gapped every hour so you go to the library and study between) that I struggled to know what was available and had to figure everything out myself. My last advisor (had for 3 semesters) actually helped me and made me realize what I’d missed but it was too late. Thankfully I was resourceful and had received good advice from older students and things turned out ok.
Advisors really make a difference.
Advisors really make a difference.
I would go back. It was some of the best days of my life, in spite of always being broke, studying late, etc. I made some of my best friends there, and there are 8 of us who go on a golfing and camping weekend every year. Five of us are in town and pre-COVID, met multiple times a year along with our wives,
I graduated in engineering and switched careers to IT within 3 years. A lot of my successes can be attributed to the problem-solving and team-based skills acquired in college.
My biggest regret was I partied too hard freshman year. When the drinking age was 18, kegs were allowed in the dorms, and the bars were numerous, it was hard not to.
I graduated in engineering and switched careers to IT within 3 years. A lot of my successes can be attributed to the problem-solving and team-based skills acquired in college.
My biggest regret was I partied too hard freshman year. When the drinking age was 18, kegs were allowed in the dorms, and the bars were numerous, it was hard not to.
