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Anyone else just see university as somewhere to get a degree?

I see comments akin to 'part of uni is the experience' ... and sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who just sees it as somewhere to get a degree.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being at uni, I just don't understand the view of it as an experience. Does anyone think the same, or anyone who doesn't feel the same but would like to try and explain it to me?

Reply 1

+ polarity -

21

Erm, well, I'm in university because I want to make robots. :ahee:

I also want to fit into society :poke:

and I think university does help a lot, in that respect.

Reply 2

butchered_wyer

1

I guess the experience is that after uni, you will have to get a job, so its seen as your last years of freedom, we can do what we want and when pretty much (within reason) I doubt many of us have kids (except mature students) so dont have that added responsibility.
You can go out every night if you want, meet loads of new people and generally be care free, whilst having your own place, more money (loans) and a new city to explore.
For many it will be their first time away from home/parents for longer periods of time, and they get to meet literally hundreds of new people and gain memories/friendships that will last a lifetime.

Reply 3

Beneb

10

Nah, I'm more interested in what I'll be doing during my uni years than obsessing about what I'll be gaining at the end of them.

Reply 4

galadriel100

15

Pretty much.
There is supposed to be that 'uni experience' but my uni lacks any sort of culture, that I don't think i have had the full 'uni experience'. Overseas on exchange however, it was different. Also, in Australia many students still live with their parents, do I don't think uni gives us THAT much freedom etc as it does for students who live away from home (oh how lucky you are!)
But make use of all the afternoons you have off, go and sit in the sun while you can. I start full time work next week, so no more lazing about the whole day for me :frown:

BUT, at least I wont be poor anymore :wink:

Reply 5

thepieofpie

7

I think it depends on individuals how important "the uni experience" is. If at home you have to be pretty independent and few limits placed on you you might not get so much out of the uni experience as someone from a fairly controlled and sheltered upbringing.

Reply 6

RightSaidJames

16

Don't forget that what you gain from uni other than the degree can be extremely useful for your career and personal future - people skills, budgeting, time management, business contacts, work experience, job-related skills, critical thinking etc. etc. Obviously the degree itself measures some of these things, but only in a certain way. In other words, a degree is useless on its own unless you have the life skills to go with it, and a lot of these will be developed whilst you're at uni.

Reply 7

RightSaidJames

16

galadriel100

Pretty much.
There is supposed to be that 'uni experience' but my uni lacks any sort of culture, that I don't think i have had the full 'uni experience'. Overseas on exchange however, it was different. Also, in Australia many students still live with their parents, do I don't think uni gives us THAT much freedom etc as it does for students who live away from home (oh how lucky you are!)
But make use of all the afternoons you have off, go and sit in the sun while you can. I start full time work next week, so no more lazing about the whole day for me :frown:

BUT, at least I wont be poor anymore :wink:

Yeah, I think the 'uni experience' is a particularly UK thing that you don't necessarily get in other places. In mainland Europe (especially France) people tend to go to uni primarily to learn, and usually go to their local institution unless they're exceedingly bright. And a lot of unis in the US are clearly quite high school; people don't really have that much independence.

Reply 8

schoolstudent

13

The reason I'm going to uni over somewhere else is to get up to a decent knowledge/ability level in the subject I've applied for. I don't really care about my final grade or exams i.e. "getting a degree"...

Reply 9

AcademiCheese

10

It's what you make of it I suppose.

Reply 10

vitamortis

15

The primary reason I'm going to university - as for most people - is to attain a degree; however, considering that a great social life comes with the package, I shan't hesitate to make full use of it. :smile:

Reply 11

Curwhibble

6

TheSownRose

I see comments akin to 'part of uni is the experience' ... and sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who just sees it as somewhere to get a degree.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being at uni, I just don't understand the view of it as an experience. Does anyone think the same, or anyone who doesn't feel the same but would like to try and explain it to me?

I do.
For me part of the uni experience isn't getting drunk, attending theme nights or blowing my overdraft on completely unnecessary items. It's about getting a degree, I have the rest of my life to party and socialise but only three years to get this qualification. Everything else is merely a nice supplement but not something I view as necessary.

Having said that I did the partying, procrastinating and sneaking out of lectures for a bit of fun in college. It's out of my system :o:

Reply 12

CookieDoughLove

18

I see uni as getting a degree and getting the experience of it. The independence away from home, learning to live without the parents, but without too much responsiblity of bills. :smile:

Reply 13

galadriel100

15

RightSaidJames

Don't forget that what you gain from uni other than the degree can be extremely useful for your career and personal future - people skills, budgeting, time management, business contacts, work experience, job-related skills, critical thinking etc. etc. Obviously the degree itself measures some of these things, but only in a certain way. In other words, a degree is useless on its own unless you have the life skills to go with it, and a lot of these will be developed whilst you're at uni.

That's true. I have developed many skills while at uni through volunteering for uni clubs and the group work that we have to do in our courses.
A lecturer once said 'A university degree is useless if you cannot communicate with people, as you will need to communicate in the workplace'. This was said my class, which largely consisted of international students who do not have a firm grasp of the English language. Five minutes later we started a test...'Do not look at the test until I tell you to' said the lecturer...so, what do all the international students do? Look at the test of course! :|

Reply 14

didgeridoo12uk

16

to me the degree is just a byproduct of university. by no means the reason i'm here.

Reply 15

boromir9111

17

didgeridoo12uk

to me the degree is just a byproduct of university. by no means the reason i'm here.

This. It's a way to have new experiences in my opinion..... a whole different environment....that's info enough for it be a good experience if you want it to be :smile:

Reply 16

roxy potter

13

I think often people don't appreciate/realize what the uni experience is until after they are done. While you're doing it, it just seems like normal life, but once you get outside the bubble and into the real world you notice it.

The uni experience is everything from running clubs and societies, to finding randomers on your couch, to going to nine o'clock lectures after being out till three the night before. It's sitting around in coffee shops when you should be studying, cramming, staying up too late before exams, learning about yourself, making mistakes and making friends for life. You mightn't see it now, but uni has a huge influence in shaping you as a person.

You will be different a completely different person by the time you're finished, but the change is usually gradual so you won't notice it happening. It's also a good intermediary between the real world and being at home with your parents.

Reply 17

halfoflessthan50p

12

When I started I definitely saw it as just about getting a degree. In hindsight I can see it did make me grow up a lot very quickly. I dread to think how I would have coped in the world of work coming straight out of 6th form.

In terms of the social life. Yes, its a very easy place to make new friends. You will make so many new friends in first year you wont be able to keep track of them all. But once the workload starts getting heavy you won't have as much time to socialise as you want. I find I have more time to spend with my friends and consequently a better social/love life now I've graduated actually.

Reply 18

thatwhichiam

14

A degree is the reason I'm here, but I was always going to have fun along the way. You can do both.

Reply 19

py0alb

3

Obviously, your final result is the most important thing, but going to university provides you with so much more:

The chance to broaden your education, widen your views, by speaking to people from completely different backgrounds as your own

The opportunity to weaken your ties with you parents and home town to a more appropriate level - many people who don't go to uni find it virtually impossible to ever move away

The chance to make a completely new group of friends, none of whom will have any preconceived ideas about who you are and what you're like

The opportunity to try new sports and hobbies, by joining clubs and societies specifically aimed at beginners, and for a fraction of what you would pay away from uni

The chance to learn to live independently and look after yourself without your parents' help, including managing a budget and renting a house.

Anyone else just see university as somewhere to get a degree?

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