Anyone finding uni disengaging and boring?

[V8GT]

i would never pick a uni degree based on the subjects you got good marks in at school,
for example i failed legal studies and finished with a c- in english at school,
i am now a 3rd year law student.. go figure??? at the end of the day school subjects dont mean ****, because uni is completly differant to school.
also as a tip make friends at uni, because life and assignments become 10x better when you have people to talk to.

[hawker]

Originally Posted by sudszy

3 or 4 years studying? well a uni year is only half a real working year in reality, so make that 1.5 years of your life being bored and disengaged. It could be painful in the short term but consider having no option but to take up employment that is disengaging, boring and underpaid for the next 45+ years.

Whilst I agree to an extent, that sometimes the degree means jack outside in the real world, it is becoming more important, I'm not saying you really need one. However, in the real world, managers are starting to see that they'll hand out a year 12 certificate to anyone who pretty much turns up. And it's burning some of them. So they look to degrees to see if someone is actually interested and committed.

Again that's not saying a degree is the be all and end all, if you're passionate about something, and hard working, you'll always do well, regardless. But I don't think that's 100% what the OP is after.

[Fled74]

I finished high school (overseas) in 1992, then went straight to uni because "that's what everybody does".
The school system where I came from was flawed - rote memorisation from books was the norm, and thinking for ourselves wasn't encouraged. Engaging the teacher in a debate would get you sent to the principal for being disrespectful.

Industrial Design was a brand new degree at the uni I chose and, being an artistic person, that's what I went for (I wanted something other than a Fine Arts degree).

I was utterly disappointed in the curriculum. Being a new and untested degree, they were apparently still ironing out the details and had included several engineering subjects not related to Industrial Design, as well as a lot of other useless ones (Philosophy? Religious Studies? English?? Really???)
I struggled through two years, took a six-month leave of absence to work in the family business, then went back. There were more engaging subjects (and professors), but by that time I'd become disillusioned. I dropped out a year later and found a half-decent job instead.

A mate of mine went back to teach and apparently the uni finally got their act together with the curriculum.

[thedutchman92]

Originally Posted by Fled74

I finished high school (overseas) in 1992, then went straight to uni because "that's what everybody does".
The school system where I came from was flawed - rote memorisation from books was the norm, and thinking for ourselves wasn't encouraged. Engaging the teacher in a debate would get you sent to the principal for being disrespectful.

Industrial Design was a brand new degree at the uni I chose and, being an artistic person, that's what I went for (I wanted something other than a Fine Arts degree).

I was utterly disappointed in the curriculum. Being a new and untested degree, they were apparently still ironing out the details and had included several engineering subjects not related to Industrial Design, as well as a lot of other useless ones (Philosophy? Religious Studies? English?? Really???)
I struggled through two years, took a six-month leave of absence to work in the family business, then went back. There were more engaging subjects (and professors), but by that time I'd become disillusioned. I dropped out a year later and found a half-decent job instead.

A mate of mine went back to teach and apparently the uni finally got their act together with the curriculum.

Funny you should say that, my course is brand new this year too, the first of it's kind in Australia

[Scooter79rs]

Originally Posted by nate_g

i would never pick a uni degree based on the subjects you got good marks in at school,
for example i failed legal studies and finished with a c- in english at school,
i am now a 3rd year law student.. go figure??? at the end of the day school subjects dont mean ****, because uni is completly differant to school.
also as a tip make friends at uni, because life and assignments become 10x better when you have people to talk to.

My year 12 art teacher was a fine artist and did not believe in any form of digital art, I ended up getting an Advanced Diploma in Screen: Game Art which does everything as an art form that my high school teacher hated. But I managed to graduate just as the GFC hit and the Australian gaming industry is now close to non-existant. The course was hard but fun.
I consider high school a waste of time, nothing I learned at high school I use in my day-to-day life. My only regret of high school was dropping German at the start of Year 10, as I'm now teaching myself German.
I'm currently planning to go to uni in 2013 to do Electrical Engineering, hopefully my Adavanced Diploma and Cert III & IV will help me get in.

[ebxr8240]

As long as going to Uni you have a job during or at the end of it..
Soo many seem to have uni as there full time job...

[Scooter79rs]

I plan to go to Uni to help me get a job that isn't something like retail, hopefully something better, more enjoyable with better pay.

[fangq]

Originally Posted by thedutchman92

Lucky you, I would have loved to do mechanical engineering but didn't have the right secondary school mathmatics. I am doing politics with a mix of philosophy and economics. It comprises of all essays and I am hating it, hence why I only just passed my 4 subjects in semester 1. Acedemic readings send my to facebook or ford forums because they are less engaging as watching paint dry...and don't get me started on doublespeak.

AHHH.grasshopper. Try these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589795814
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589795806. Subjective uni or school subjects ( aka English, creative basket weaving etc ) leave you at the mercy of the lecturer. Analyse THEM, then plan your strategy.
Steve

[raised by monkeys]

just thought id add a little something.
Completed a subject over 3 months ago. After a few e-mails to my lecturer chasing a final grade, she tells me that she cannot locate my 2nd major essay. I received an e-mail 3 weeks ago, 4 months after i submitted the assignment with a grade... and i was given an 84.5% mark, high distinction is 85%. Mole, waiting 4 months should earn me a .5% mark to give a HD.

[Joshmcmillan]

Remember that with some degree's particularly with accounting, you might be able to get hired with no degree, and complete your degree part time through the employer (maybe get 1 day off a week etc..) and be getting paid $30-40K a year while your at it... Might be worth looking into anyway (this is what my sister done).

I also changed courses after wasting my first semester of uni, feels bad wasting the hecs fees and the time, but well worth the change, and in the scheme of things, 6 months, a year, isn't really that much so long as you get it right in the end. Also, when transfering, if your uni is anything like mine, a call to them goes a long way, explain that your focusses on transfering and will only be applying for a transfer again next opportunity if they decline it.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by thedutchman92

Lucky you, I would have loved to do mechanical engineering but didn't have the right secondary school mathmatics. I am doing politics with a mix of philosophy and economics. It comprises of all essays and I am hating it, hence why I only just passed my 4 subjects in semester 1. Acedemic readings send my to facebook or ford forums because they are less engaging as watching paint dry...and don't get me started on doublespeak.

Dunno if it's been mentioned already, but, try moving across streams, once you're IN uni, it becomes exponentially easier to move into a degree you're interested in. (Hence why a lot of students will tell you to put something really crap and easy to get into on your application). If you show the right dedication you should be right.
Or you could do what I did, and go back to high school to do the right maths (I already did it, but was missing physics and wanted to do a pre-ap in auto studies as well).

First year is essentially, VCE/HSC all over again (at least semester one), if you're doing similar subject, I was bored outta my nut in first semester, in fact I only just passed, even though I knew EVERYTHING!!! Just couldn't be arsed, this carried into second semester, and I failed two subjects, but once I did these over summer, I realised I was learning new stuff and started to get interested. Now in fourth year, I'm disinterested because I work as a student engineer, and I can see how little of my degree I'm going to use.

In a round about way, I'm trying to say (from personal experience) figure out what you want to do, try a few things, a mate of mine has started three degrees, and is sticking this one out. If you're really interested in something a little less essay driven, go for it. Essays suck!

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

just thought id add a little something.
Completed a subject over 3 months ago. After a few e-mails to my lecturer chasing a final grade, she tells me that she cannot locate my 2nd major essay. I received an e-mail 3 weeks ago, 4 months after i submitted the assignment with a grade... and i was given an 84.5% mark, high distinction is 85%. Mole, waiting 4 months should earn me a .5% mark to give a HD.

That sucks, 80 is the HD mark at my Uni

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

just thought id add a little something.
Completed a subject over 3 months ago. After a few e-mails to my lecturer chasing a final grade, she tells me that she cannot locate my 2nd major essay. I received an e-mail 3 weeks ago, 4 months after i submitted the assignment with a grade... and i was given an 84.5% mark, high distinction is 85%. Mole, waiting 4 months should earn me a .5% mark to give a HD.

Similar stuff happens at my Uni (you're not at a certain uni/tafe in Melb by chance?). My mate is waiting on semester 2 2010 results, so that he can graduate... yep. Uni is a place of learning, not organisation.

[Baby_phantom]

Hey guys i started uni in the mid year intake this year, I enrolled into ICT a IT course.

Coming from tafe its a big change,
Week 1 - I was lost, hard to find rooms etc
Week 2- I was still a little lost but had a good grasp of what to do
Week 3 - I actually knew what to do now and was learning in class
Week 4 - I end up in hospital with no access to internet or anything
Week 5 - Continued still in hospital
Week 6 - Just got out of hospital spent this week home
Week 7- I come back to Uni as fast as i can going around to all my teachers and asking them what has happen etc and to reimburse my attendence marks.- As i had a hospital certificate.They told me the following week is exam and assignment week. O_o

Week 8- This week on monday i had a assignment due had no clue what to do as i was away for so long and it was to hard to catch up as week 1-3 i was a little lost being first semester at uni then week 4-6 i was away, so didnt hand anything in.

Tuesday _ yesterday was day off
Wednesday- Today had a test in class, i could never tell my parents im failing the woult click it, cant really blame them the amount off times ive already messed up so im keeping this 1 quite. This morning caught a train to uni didnt get off the train came back home saying i only had a lecture:(
Thursday which is tommorow i have a Networking exam - which im trying to study for at the moment.

Friday have a programming assignment due can submit anything as i have only been to 2 class twice out of 7 weeks IM FREAKING OUT.

Next week holidays :0

Im thinking to my self yeh im really screwed i might aswell just cruise through and next year pick my act up. I mean it was just to hard to catch up and i was bed bound in hospital for 3 weeks. Im just going to tell the parents i failed 1 out of 4 units to make it seem legit.

[Baby_phantom]

Originally Posted by Baby_phantom

Hey guys i started uni in the mid year intake this year, I enrolled into ICT a IT course.

Coming from tafe its a big change,
Week 1 - I was lost, hard to find rooms etc
Week 2- I was still a little lost but had a good grasp of what to do
Week 3 - I actually knew what to do now and was learning in class
Week 4 - I end up in hospital with no access to internet or anything
Week 5 - Continued still in hospital
Week 6 - Just got out of hospital spent this week home
Week 7- I come back to Uni as fast as i can going around to all my teachers and asking them what has happen etc and to reimburse my attendence marks.- As i had a hospital certificate.They told me the following week is exam and assignment week. O_o

Week 8- This week on monday i had a assignment due had no clue what to do as i was away for so long and it was to hard to catch up as week 1-3 i was a little lost being first semester at uni then week 4-6 i was away, so didnt hand anything in.

Tuesday _ yesterday was day off
Wednesday- Today had a test in class, i could never tell my parents im failing the woult click it, cant really blame them the amount off times ive already messed up so im keeping this 1 quite. This morning caught a train to uni didnt get off the train came back home saying i only had a lecture:(
Thursday which is tommorow i have a Networking exam - which im trying to study for at the moment.

Friday have a programming assignment due can submit anything as i have only been to 2 class twice out of 7 weeks IM FREAKING OUT.

Next week holidays :0

Im thinking to my self yeh im really screwed i might aswell just cruise through and next year pick my act up. I mean it was just to hard to catch up and i was bed bound in hospital for 3 weeks. Im just going to tell the parents i failed 1 out of 4 units to make it seem legit.

Sorry for bad spelling im sleep lol

[Joshmcmillan]

I'm not telling you what to do, this is just my advice:

Does your uni let you do the lectures online?

Assuming you have 3 lectures a week, you should be able to complete 7 weeks work in a day by skimming over online lectures, making quick notes, looking up bits you don't know in your textbook, so 4 units, 4 days..... so you've got the holidays, spend a few days learning everything you've missed, studying hard, once you know the content, do the assignments you've missed, hadn them in late, as quickly as you can.. you might still get some sort of mark, and a fail is better then an NC (non-complete). Then start to fucus hard on the units you've got left (Assuming you've still got enough left to pass the unit)... if you work your best, not only will you feel a million times better, but you'll save yourself some time and money in the future...

[Baby_phantom]

Originally Posted by Joshmcmillan

I'm not telling you what to do, this is just my advice:

Does your uni let you do the lectures online?

Assuming you have 3 lectures a week, you should be able to complete 7 weeks work in a day by skimming over online lectures, making quick notes, looking up bits you don't know in your textbook, so 4 units, 4 days..... so you've got the holidays, spend a few days learning everything you've missed, studying hard, once you know the content, do the assignments you've missed, hadn them in late, as quickly as you can.. you might still get some sort of mark, and a fail is better then an NC (non-complete). Then start to fucus hard on the units you've got left (Assuming you've still got enough left to pass the unit)... if you work your best, not only will you feel a million times better, but you'll save yourself some time and money in the future...

Cheers for the reply
I know what you mean and your entirley true, but just like i say to my parents and everyone else who thinks you can catch up there right but in IT there are some things taught by the teacher which is not in the lecture notes or book's, some things you can only learn from the teacher's this is were i get stuck teachers will not help you outside there time atleast most of mine dont lol, miss a exam and means you failed the unit regardless. I know im screwed for this semester i can catch up my subjects 2 of 4 but since i missed the exam i fail anyway the other subjects are hard and i aint no dreamer when i know im going to fail, i dont bother

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by Baby_phantom

Cheers for the reply
I know what you mean and your entirley true, but just like i say to my parents and everyone else who thinks you can catch up there right but in IT there are some things taught by the teacher which is not in the lecture notes or book's, some things you can only learn from the teacher's this is were i get stuck teachers will not help you outside there time atleast most of mine dont lol, miss a exam and means you failed the unit regardless. I know im screwed for this semester i can catch up my subjects 2 of 4 but since i missed the exam i fail anyway the other subjects are hard and i aint no dreamer when i know im going to fail, i dont bother

Ok, you've been in hospital, so you should have plenty of supporting documentation. What you need to do is apply for Special Consideration, and discuss things with your lecturers. You'll find they should be more than happy to help you, given your circumstance.
This is exactly what we were made aware of in first year, the people who have papercuts, will whine that they need more help and time, the people who have serious reasons for needing time, won't ask. I've just been through a similar rigmaroll with my depression and anxiety, and with 4 weeks left, the spec con unit wants me to apply for an equitable assesment arrangement (preventative not reactive), I don't see the point so I'll battle it out.

It is possible to pass in this situation, you can get assignments extended, scribes to go to lectures (depending on the situation), and deferred exams and tests. It's literally how I'm passing this year.

[Fairlane]

Couldnt be bothered reading the whole thread, but I got the vibe.

You get totally burnt out. Ive done 5.5 years uni finished in 6 weeks will never go back. I was all keen on uni for the first 3 years, yes I did do politics. Was completely burnt out after honours. And now im a zombie going through my graduate diploma.

My theory if you are still early on, with decent grades you can transfer into any course so do something that is gonna pay well, because whatever youll study you will end up hating it. If you are over halfway through, just drink more and chat up more uni chicks makes lectures bareable.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by superroo

If your feeling disenchanted with uni, then I would suggest taking some time off.

I crashed and burned badly at the beginning of second year in 2007 (in my final semester now). Didn't want to be there, couldn't be bothered with the work, didn't see myself getting anywhere.
I was severely depressed and almost ruined my relationship with my partner (we're now engaged).

I took 6 months off (second half of 2007). Bummed around for a bit, ended up working full time at coles and at the end of it I wanted to go back. While work and cash were good, it wasn't engaging enough for me.

Some subjects are crap, others are good. But it mostly depend upon the lectures. They can make or break subjects. Relate it back to what you want to do and it will make it work it and you'll enjoy it a bit more.

Also if possible, find an extra curricular thing or program that relates what your learning to real life. It helps you put the theory into reality.
I'm a mechanical engineer and in my 4th year of FSAE. Building a racecar with the uni's money is never a bad thing. It also helps you get great photo's like my avatar

Cheers
Boffin

My story is pretty much the same, but a longer time frame and a couple of kids, house, interstate moves later I am done next year; THANK GOD.

I dislike uni very much, it has very little to do with the real world. I took a year off to work in the industry I want and honestly, I could have stayed there no worries. I was doing my job just as good as any other fully qualified engineer.

Then I went back to uni and felt disenchanted that what I was doing was unimportant, and its simply about getting that bit of paper; what an expensive piece of tree it will be.

Its about options, thats what it will give me. Life is not all about money, there are so many ways to make cash its ridiculous. Its an old saying but you have to be happy with what your doing because your working life is a long time!

I laugh very hard when uni sends me post grad opportunities..GIVE ME THAT PAPER SO I CAN LEAVE ASAP..LOL