If you went to college now…

[CDLionFL]

Honestly, don't think I'd change much in regard to Penn State.

I was always gonna go to Penn State, but there is a part of me that I wished I went to a city school those years. I grew up outside Linglestown, which is outside of Harrisburg. I've never really lived in a city.

Hmmmm...you and I may have walked similar hallways albeit 10-15 years apart. I grew up there and always felt like it was the perfect suburban atmosphere, so much so that I never considered PSU because outside of football season, it was gonna be a bit of a drag. Having older friends that were already there and them telling me about some experiences helped cement my opinion. So I went just far enough away in a more metropolitan area that was also close enough that I could take advantage of my parents having PSU season tickets.

As for the original question of the post, I'd say that I wish I had taken more chances socially instead of always playing the cautious introvert card. I look at my big picture now and I couldn't ask for much better on the professional side but the personal side has always been lacking and I feel like the foundation of both of those were built by my college experience. C'est la vie, I guess.

 

[PSU Mike]

My wife, also a Penn State grad, and I were just discussing our time at PSU in the mid-to-late 80s. We had completely different experiences: she was very studious, joined a service sorority, had a steady boyfriend, and didn’t party much. I, on the other hand, rarely if ever went to class, had tons of friends (guys and gals), and partied A LOT.

She said that if she could go back and do it again, she would have more of a social life. I, on the other hand, said if I could do it over now, I would go to class. We’ve been happily married for 30 years, so apparently opposites do attract.

Anyway, with the benefit of hindsight, what would you do differently? And don’t say everything!!

Are we related? I’m up there in the all time wasted talent list at PSU, and I’m not talking the 80’s punk band from SC.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Are we related? I’m up there in the all time wasted talent list at PSU, and I’m not talking the 80’s punk band from SC.

Bro, is that you? I don’t feel like my talent was wasted. To the contrary, I think of it as being focused on other worthy causes like the Phi Psi 500, dollar pitchers, tailgating, and case studies at the Skeller.

 

[CF Lion]

I would have changed my major from engineering to finance like a buddy of mine did. He was struggling in engineering, changed his major to finance, ended up getting an 8 figure golden parachute.

 

[Erial_Lion]

I’d change little if anything…had the time of my life meeting many great friends, working some cool jobs (Athletics and BJC), and having a ton of fun. Sure I could have worked harder or gone to more classes, but I did enough to get by and land in a good place.

 

[gianluca1]

couple years after finishing masters degree thought about teaching and even started taking classes. Lasted about three weeks had no desire to go to class anymore. If had done that from beginning may not have met my future wife at PSU so there's that.

 

[AvgUser]

PSU Engineering degree in mid-80s.
If I had it to do over again? I wouldn’t change much. I’d probably study a little less but I won’t complain. I enjoy the mental stimulation and challenges of education. As I near retirement in a few years, the head start/jump start has paid of nicely.
Minor do-overs:
1. I would have taken Math 260 (). My degree didn’t require it but it would have benefitted me in grad school.
2. I was offered graduate research position in MechE but turned it down. I should have done it. At the time I wanted to start making ‘better’ money.
3. Had a serious girlfriend in school. Should have had more fun with buddies.

 

[Psumatt85]

Van Buren boys. But I get the joke.

Buchanan boys, how do you show 15 fingers?

 

[Bison13]

An engineer and an athlete? Is this a joke? What are you, Superman?

I hate myself just a little more.

Like I said, the athlete part was quickly tossed to the side. Living with the GF while there wasn’t my best decision either…

 

[Piketownman]

Like Ryan, I grew up outside Linglestown when it was surrounded by farms and woods. PSU was the only school I applied to. Started in forest science but changed my major early. Loved the fact that it was rural. Am still not comfortable in city environment. Maybe should have worked harder on my studies, but skipped lots of classes to hunt and fish. Still hit some of my favorite spots there. Catch an occasional football game and every wrestling match I can get tickets to. Can’t imagine going anywhere else. Retired as a chemist from DEP several years ago. No regrets.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

The first thing I would do would be to drink a case of green grenades at the Skeller. Never did that…. So sad that place is gone. Oh… and I would have eaten more stickies from OMD!!

 

[NittanyBuff]

Go to class more, get better fing grades , enjoy the social aspect even more than I did, not quit the Baseball and Basketball team, enjoy every damn moment.

 

[Metal Mike]

What I would do different: I would use the time during the day to start on assignments instead of going back to my room and sleeping or otherwise goofing off. I would have a 8 :00 class and then an open period and I did not use this time to advantage. I finally learned to do this in my senior year and my grades picked up and I had a better social life. One other thing I would have asked more questions in class. Too often when I did not understand a topic I kept quiet because I did not want to make a fool of myself. I should have stood up and risked being a fool but understand the issue before going on.

 

[LionJim]

One other thing I would have asked more questions in class. Too often when I did not understand a topic I kept quiet because I did not want to make a fool of myself. I should have stood up and risked being a fool but understand the issue before going on.

William Least-Heat Moon in Blue Highways: “The biggest hindrance to learning is fear of showing one’s self a fool.”

When I was in grad school, literally every time prior to my knocking on my advisor’s door I would say to myself, “Now, Jim, don’t be afraid of sounding like an idiot.”

 

[Bison13]

What I would do different: I would use the time during the day to start on assignments instead of going back to my room and sleeping or otherwise goofing off. I would have a 8 :00 class and then an open period and I did not use this time to advantage. I finally learned to do this in my senior year and my grades picked up and I had a better social life. One other thing I would have asked more questions in class. Too often when I did not understand a topic I kept quiet because I did not want to make a fool of myself. I should have stood up and risked being a fool but understand the issue before going on.

In my earlier post I said some thing about having some professors who are jerks. Your post reminded me of one of them. It was in strength of materials class in Willard building. There was a question that I had about one of the homework problems so I raise my hand along with six or seven other people. The professor called on the young lady who sat in the front row who had the exact same question that I did. He looked at her and said “are you stupid, you should have learned that in high school “

The guy who sat next to me looked at me and said good thing he didn’t call on him because he had the same question. I told him I did as well. That got the guy next to me a little upset so he asked the professor to please explain because he had the same question and he called him an idiot too.

 

[OuiRPSU]

William Least-Heat Moon in Blue Highways: “The biggest hindrance to learning is fear of showing one’s self a fool.”

When I was in grad school, literally every time prior to my knocking on my advisor’s door I would say to myself, “Now, Jim, don’t be afraid of sounding like an idiot.”

I felt similarly but the irony here is that now that I teach and advise grad students, they almost never sound like idiots.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

I squeezed 4 years into 5 as it was graduating in May 1988.

If I could go back and do one thing I'd do differently, I WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE DAMN FIESTA BOWL

 

[kgilbert78]

I'm glad I did study abroad (Cologne). I would have tried to date more, casually. I was rather shy when it came to women and thought more seriously than I should have at that age (my first date was just before my senior year at State and my first girlfriend was when I was a second year grad student).

 

[LionJim]

I'm glad I did study abroad (Cologne). I would have tried to date more, casually. I was rather shy when it came to women and thought more seriously than I should have at that age (my first date was just before my senior year at State and my first girlfriend was when I was a second year grad student).

Geez, don’t remind me. I was a total klutz with the ladies. Pathetic.

 

[BobPSU92]

Geez, don’t remind me. I was a total klutz with the ladies. Pathetic.

Sing it, sister.

 

[Grant Green]

My last year at Penn State I attended the Summer term. It was 10 week terms back then. If I were to redo anything I would go to every Summer term. Everything was better. No lines anywhere. Profs and classes were easier. And best of all was the Summer time eye candy.

I did every summer but one. Yeah, it's great.

 

[s1uggo72]

In my earlier post I said some thing about having some professors who are jerks. Your post reminded me of one of them. It was in strength of materials class in Willard building. There was a question that I had about one of the homework problems so I raise my hand along with six or seven other people. The professor called on the young lady who sat in the front row who had the exact same question that I did. He looked at her and said “are you stupid, you should have learned that in high school “

The guy who sat next to me looked at me and said good thing he didn’t call on him because he had the same question. I told him I did as well. That got the guy next to me a little upset so he asked the professor to please explain because he had the same question and he called him an idiot too.

I think he would have his chauffeur answer that , its so easy.

 

[Nits74]

My wife, also a Penn State grad, and I were just discussing our time at PSU in the mid-to-late 80s. We had completely different experiences: she was very studious, joined a service sorority, had a steady boyfriend, and didn’t party much. I, on the other hand, rarely if ever went to class, had tons of friends (guys and gals), and partied A LOT.

She said that if she could go back and do it again, she would have more of a social life. I, on the other hand, said if I could do it over now, I would go to class. We’ve been happily married for 30 years, so apparently opposites do attract.

Anyway, with the benefit of hindsight, what would you do differently? And don’t say everything!!

Like you, I would place less emphasis on the social life (although I did usually attend class). I would have remained an independent as opposed to immersing myself in the Greek scene. Although it was fun at times, it all seems a bit hollow to me now. I think by taking the former path, I would have taken better advantage of all that Penn State, at the time, had to offer. No right or wrong in this, just my personal take.

 

[Lion84]

My last year at Penn State I attended the Summer term. It was 10 week terms back then. If I were to redo anything I would go to every Summer term. Everything was better. No lines anywhere. Profs and classes were easier. And best of all was the Summer time eye candy.

Somewhat similar - if I could do it all over I would also have gone at least one summer session. But as much as I lived PSU I would have gone to a school in the South - my daughter does to school in Savannah and lives it - great weather. Funny for laughs I just had PSU send me a copy of my transcript- man was I a crappy student.

 

[psuro]

My wife, also a Penn State grad, and I were just discussing our time at PSU in the mid-to-late 80s. We had completely different experiences: she was very studious, joined a service sorority, had a steady boyfriend, and didn’t party much. I, on the other hand, rarely if ever went to class, had tons of friends (guys and gals), and partied A LOT.

She said that if she could go back and do it again, she would have more of a social life. I, on the other hand, said if I could do it over now, I would go to class. We’ve been happily married for 30 years, so apparently opposites do attract.

Anyway, with the benefit of hindsight, what would you do differently? And don’t say everything!!

Going back to your original post:

1. I would probably have gone for a major in Chemistry, so I could have made a run at Med School without having to take the engineering courses.
2. I would have steered clear of a green eyed vixen whose brief time in my life changed quite of bit of my life plans (Yeah, I know - life plans)
3. I would have pursued the Brown Eyed Girl from the Hub - just because....
4. I would have gotten my priorities straigtht.
5. I would not have gotten a fake ID at 19 to pass for 21.
6. I would still have gone to Penn State.

 

[PSUSignore]

Summer classes were the best. Professors didn’t want to be there any more than the students so they cut out all the ******** and just gave you what you needed.

It took me way too long to learn this. But I spent most summers working and saving up to avoid massive student loan debt, which would pale in comparison to today's tuition. If I could do it over I'd likely study something different, take more summer courses and lower the fall/spring credits a bit. I'd also like to say I'd open up my social circle a bit but I'm just not that social of a person so that's probably more wishful thinking than reality.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Like you, I would place less emphasis on the social life (although I did usually attend class). I would have remained an independent as opposed to immersing myself in the Greek scene. Although it was fun at times, it all seems a bit hollow to me now. I think by taking the former path, I would have taken better advantage of all that Penn State, at the time, had to offer. No right or wrong in this, just my personal take.

Exactly! I would reduce my partying a bit, but I made such great lifelong friends and had such a good time I wouldn’t change that much of it. I would, however, definitely go to class. I regret not doing that.

 

[s1uggo72]

I didnt go to PSU, so maybe this doesnt count, but it has made me think about a few things. My senior year I got sick with mononucleosis. I went to the school infirmary. They said go get a blood test at the hospital, and come on back, it usually runs its course in 2 weeks. So I stayed in the infirmary for 2 weeks, and basically slept, didnt/couldnt go to class etc. After 2 weeks they let me go back to live at the fraternity house, but take another blood test. I remember watching a PSU game and sleeping in the tube room all weekend. The infirmary called, said come back, my blood counts were worse then what they were when I first came!! I was 2 more weeks in the infirmary, sleeping. When I finally got out it was 1 week from finals, trying to catch up a month worth of work!! I probably should have gone to a dean somewhere, explained the situation, and withdrawn from school, passing and repeated that semester, but I was afraid to explain all of this to my parents. I know they would have freaked about paying for another semester as I assumed the school would charge them again. I passed everything, but my grades did suffer, a lot, so theres that. Has it really effected my life? I dont think so. I always entertained the idea of going to grad school, but because I was in the infirmary, I didnt have a chance to do many of those things one needed to do to go to grad school. I hadnt really thought of all of this to this topic came up.

and one last thing, knowing what I now know, I should have played football my senior year, even If I was just on the scout team. I could have made a real connection with PSU great, Joe Sabol.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Going back to your original post:

1. I would probably have gone for a major in Chemistry, so I could have made a run at Med School without having to take the engineering courses.
2. I would have steered clear of a green eyed vixen whose brief time in my life changed quite of bit of my life plans (Yeah, I know - life plans)
3. I would have pursued the Brown Eyed Girl from the Hub - just because....
4. I would have gotten my priorities straigtht.
5. I would not have gotten a fake ID at 19 to pass for 21.
6. I would still have gone to Penn State.

I, too, probably would have chosen a different major. Even so, it wouldn’t have made any difference back then, but it would make a huge difference if I had a chance to do it over.

As for points 2 and 3 - I was able to successfully avoid most vixens regardless of eye color, but I did marry a brown eyed girl.

Regarding point 5 - that’s blasphemy! Do you know how many undergrads at Penn State would kill for a fake ID at 19? I got a fake ID at 19, and it was the single best thing I did in my 4 years at PSU. The absolute best part of having a fake ID was when I turned 21 and went out for my obligatory 21st birthday bar tour and all the bouncers and bartenders already knew me.

 

[OuiRPSU]

I didnt go to PSU, so maybe this doesnt count, but it has made me think about a few things. My senior year I got sick with mononucleosis. I went to the school infirmary. They said go get a blood test at the hospital, and come on back, it usually runs its course in 2 weeks. So I stayed in the infirmary for 2 weeks, and basically slept, didnt/couldnt go to class etc. After 2 weeks they let me go back to live at the fraternity house, but take another blood test. I remember watching a PSU game and sleeping in the tube room all weekend. The infirmary called, said come back, my blood counts were worse then what they were when I first came!! I was 2 more weeks in the infirmary, sleeping. When I finally got out it was 1 week from finals, trying to catch up a month worth of work!! I probably should have gone to a dean somewhere, explained the situation, and withdrawn from school, passing and repeated that semester, but I was afraid to explain all of this to my parents. I know they would have freaked about paying for another semester as I assumed the school would charge them again. I passed everything, but my grades did suffer, a lot, so theres that. Has it really effected my life? I dont think so. I always entertained the idea of going to grad school, but because I was in the infirmary, I didnt have a chance to do many of those things one needed to do to go to grad school. I hadnt really thought of all of this to this topic came up.

and one last thing, knowing what I now know, I should have played football my senior year, even If I was just on the scout team. I could have made a real connection with PSU great, Joe Sabol.

Sorry if this thread brought up not so great memories for you. But I bet your experience is not that uncommon if you consider the number of undergrads not just at Penn State but everywhere.

 

[LionJim]

Going back to your original post:

1. I would probably have gone for a major in Chemistry, so I could have made a run at Med School without having to take the engineering courses.
2. I would have steered clear of a green eyed vixen whose brief time in my life changed quite of bit of my life plans (Yeah, I know - life plans)
3. I would have pursued the Brown Eyed Girl from the Hub - just because....
4. I would have gotten my priorities straigtht.
5. I would not have gotten a fake ID at 19 to pass for 21.
6. I would still have gone to Penn State.

LionJim’s #4: I would have pursued the blonde in Pattee Library - just because…

Ro and I play this little game, he brings up the girl from the HUB and I bring up the girl in Pattee Library. Good for the soul.

Ro said that he would still have gone to Penn State. Looking back, it was a stupid decision for me to go to Penn State because in the mid-seventies there was really zero support for deaf students. (It took me three years to realize that it wasn’t going to work for me, what an idiot.) But if I hadn’t gone to PSU, I wouldn’t have gone into mathematics. (Math was the only subject where I could take my own notes.) I got no complaints, other than the girl in Pattee Library.

 

[psuro]

I, too, probably would have chosen a different major. Even so, it wouldn’t have made any difference back then, but it would make a huge difference if I had a chance to do it over.

As for points 2 and 3 - I was able to successfully avoid most vixens regardless of eye color, but I did marry a brown eyed girl.

Regarding point 5 - that’s blasphemy! Do you know how many undergrads at Penn State would kill for a fake ID at 19? I got a fake ID at 19, and it was the single best thing I did in my 4 years at PSU. The absolute best part of having a fake ID was when I turned 21 and went out for my obligatory 21st birthday bar tour and all the bouncers and bartenders already knew me.

Yeah well, I met my fair share also, but the one in point #2 should not have been one of them. The one in point #3 should have been.

 

[psuro]

LionJim’s #4: I would have pursued the blonde in Pattee Library - just because…

Ro and I play this little game, he brings up the girl from the HUB and I bring up the girl in Pattee Library. Good for the soul.

Ro said that he would still have gone to Penn State. Looking back, it was a stupid decision for me to go to Penn State, because in the mid-seventies there was really zero support for deaf students. (It took me three years to realize that it wasn’t going to work for me, what an idiot.) But if I hadn’t gone to PSU, I wouldn’t have gone into mathematics. (Math was the only subject where I could take my own notes.) I got no complaints, other than the girl in Pattee Library.

I have tracked down my girl's photo on an online LaVie, from 1987. It took me a while, but I am resilient. And perhaps a bit of a stalker.

 

[kgilbert78]

Geez, don’t remind me. I was a total klutz with the ladies. Pathetic.

I did finally ask the gal from my chemistry classes out, a year or so after we finished at Penn State (we ended up in the same city). Nothing much came of it, but I was glad I'd did it.

 

[s1uggo72]

I did finally ask the gal from my chemistry classes out, a year or so after we finished at Penn State (we ended up in the same city). Nothing much came of it, but I was glad I'd did it.

LOL over Junior year I was bound and determined to ask this one girl out I thought I stood a chance with, she came back senior year married to some guy she wasnt even dating before we left for summer!! As far as I know she still is.

 

[Nits74]

LOL over Junior year I was bound and determined to ask this one girl out I thought I stood a chance with, she came back senior married to some guy she wasnt even dating before we left for summer!! As far as I know she still is.

A significantly less than 50% chance.

 

[FHSPSU67]

Between my Junior and Senior years of high school I attended an Americanism camp sponsored by The American Legion at Penn State UP. I fell in love with the campus and all the well-taken-care-of grass. During my senior year I was heavily pursued by Juniata College, and I still kick myself for not investigating further - never even visited the campus. Alas I graduated from PSU in 1967 after my only summer term, with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

 

[Nitt1300]

gone to the Naval Academy

 

[Connorpozlee]

Summer classes were the best. Professors didn’t want to be there any more than the students so they cut out all the ******** and just gave you what you needed.

At the fear of coming off arrogant, I’m going to quote myself and share a quick story from a summer class when I was in commmunity college in the early 90s (probably ‘94). I was taking an evening micro economics class in a big forum classroom with about 300 seats. first day or two I started talking to the guy behind me who it turned out was taking the class to count at Penn State, where he was a student. One night a few weeks in a massive thunderstorm blows in and kills the electricity. Complete darkness without even emergency lights coming on. Professor tell us to hold tight while he tries to figure out what to do. Behind me I hear the kid’s backpack opening up and the unmistakable sound of bottle hitting bottle. I turned around into the darkness and whispered, ”Do you have beer?” “He said, “Yeah, do you want one? I always carry a 6 pack with me.” We had two each before the professor dismissed us for the evening.
An odd memory I hadn’t thought about until this thread came up. Thanks for the thread and jogging that memory!

 

[LionsAndBears]

If I had to do it again, I would have joined the Air Force or Army. It takes a person mature beyond their years to take advantage of college at 18.

Like the OP, I partied hard and underachieved my first time around. I left in my 4th semester, came home and picked up a trade which served me well. Then as an adult, when I was more mature, I went back and got my BS in Criminal Justice, which has served me well for the last 11 years.

For kids like me, who come from lower working class cities, I always recommend the military.