In a matter of weeks, I'm going to be moving across the country to attend university in Massachusetts, thus undermining the validity of my forum username. Obviously, this is going to be a pretty big life change, especially considering the sudden increase in personal autonomy and responsibility and the fact that my current place of residence and the city of Durham, England are almost the exact same distance from my college, which should give you an idea of just how dramatic a relocation this is. Given you lot are generally my senior by a few years, I figured I would ask the seasoned readership of WFC Forums for any advice for the fresh-faced first year, any helpful or amusing anecdotes, or perhaps just conversation on the experience of going to uni in general. I probably will have a slightly different education than the rest of you, given it is an American four-year program at a college of less than 2,000 students. Still, I will probably need a graduate degree in my chosen field of study and have been looking to aim for a master's at UCL, LSE, and several other places in the UK. Only a little bit because it would allow me to go to my first match at Vicarage Road.
If you were in the UK i'd say, "don't go, it's a feckin' waste of money. Just for a piece of paper which you can get forged at the local market £10"... Don't know what it's like overseas though
My eldest, Aethelred, is also going to university this September - the first ever Kremlin to go to university! He'll be going to De Montfort in Leicester. Seems alright that town. Cheap prices anyway compared to here and mixed and cosmopolitan. Hopefully I'll be able to tie in our away game there with a visit.
And a film called "Animal House" and while you're at it learn the words for this song, you'll need it
Looks a masterpiece that one. (Un)fortunately we haven't got fraternities at this particular institution.
Animal House is possibly the worst film I've ever seen. I shagged a girl the first night at university then nothing for 4 months. I quite enjoyed it, but generally was overrated in terms of a life developing and must do experience. I was amazed at the number of people who had no life experience before going there, who spent 3 years like excited toddlers in a new playground. The sort of people too ker-a-zee to turn up to lectures and happy to burn their parents money. Could've had equally as good a time at home.
Wow, you should just submit the politics section of this website for your thesis. You'd get a first (or American equivalent) just for the peace and conflict bit.
Listen to the Randy Newman song entitled Political Science. Don't talk to strangers and always win the first point of a tie break! Good luck!
I can't help you much on the US university culture but can help with some of the masters goal stuff (but it may have useless information). Under a liberal arts system I'd suggest you use the opportunity to take electives in Economics/Statistics/Econometrics/etc. (perhaps even a basic course in computing if possible) as this would be viewed highly on a masters application to any social science which is now data driven. Also take any course you think is interesting even if it isnt immediately obvious that it has direct application to your subject - a course in greek mythology can add just as much value to any application as a course on 21st century international relations if you intelligently engage with the material. Secondly first year is the best opportunity to get the list of volunteering/experiences as you have very little of significance going on and this advice is always ignored - then you get a crying third year in your office trying to cram in some CV filler whilst studying for their final exams. In terms of filler for academia/masters then some related societies are obviously good but there is also nothing wrong with taking something completely random - again if you can justify it well your application will be stronger. Additionally your first year results in the UK don't count (I think in the US they almost always do) but this is misleading as it gives a very poor signal of your work ethic when applying to internships the following year if you have been scraping by with 40% and excessive retakes (and I'd add that your neurological pathways are formed by repetition of learning and connecting information so it can be harmful in future years also). Finally re: universities all of the above advice holds and in addition you should target a consistently strong GPA across all years (which I think is seen as 3.4+ at these universities but this is openly declared under entry requirements and is good to check).
