I figure that since there are books called Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which are about a middle-schooler named Greg and his shenanigans, there should be a blog about college kids. So, I have decided for this segment I'm going to write a Journal of a Frustrated College Kid.
Entry One: Why I'm frustrated right now.
1.) I don't know how well colleges thought about this. There never seems to be enough of it in populated areas, and too much of it in remote places that are no where near civilization. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed trees, you're wrong. Why would you think trees anyway? The correct answer is parking. Obviously I know we can't all get front row parking. That's an unrealistic view to have at all. However, I feel like there should be more available spots somewhere, anywhere, everywhere! At my school, there never seems to be enough parking...ANYWHERE! Tonight, I literally drove around for ten minutes waiting for someone to leave so I could have a parking spot. Then, I had a five minute hike to just get to the right building, not even into my classroom. (Yes, I timed it.) I go to a smaller community college, where this shouldn't be that big of a problem. If this is such an awful issue for my school, I can't imagine what it's like in a huge university. Actually, I'm glad I don't have to figure it out just yet.
2.) One thing we have at my campus is a fancy, new Student Center. This is the first semester it's open, and it's state-of-the-art everything. (At least in my head, it seems that way.) We have a game room, a movie room, millions of study rooms, a fitness center with its own spin class, a bookstore, and a cafeteria. What could be frustrating about this you ask? Well, if you had leftover financial aide, you could buy a meal plan. Of course I did this because I'll be there four nights a week, and I like food. Scratch that, I love food. Again, what is so frustrating about that? Notice I'll be there four NIGHTS a week. The cafeteria closes at three pm. A little known fact to the whole student body. But wait! There's more! In the cafeteria, there is a "Campus Cup" (I think it's called) that also serves breakfast items in the morning and lunch sandwiches until seven pm daily. There's just one problem: it is constantly running out of food by four pm or earlier. How the flip am I supposed to use my meal plan if everything is gone before I get there?! I just don't understand. What about all the students taking night classes (like me!) who get hungry and have a meal plan? Just for the record, everything else in the student center closes at eight pm. I don't understand. How did the cafeteria not get the memo?
3.) Lastly but not least, I'm really frustrated about the price of college books. For most of my classes, not only do we need the book, but also an online code for homework and such. Examples: webassign, mymathlab, quia, etc. Books by themselves are so expensive. Adding the online code, makes them near impossible to afford. One of my professors said that textbook prices have increased by 100% or something crazy like that. At some colleges, the books cost more than a credit hour. I did the math for my school. For instate tuition, one credit hour including fees is $157.85. (One of my books cost $150) A normal three credit class costs $473.55. Not bad as far as college classes cost at a university. However, the books I had to have for this semester cost about $400. I could have paid for almost a whole other class with the money I spent on my books. Underneath the tuition information, there was this disclaimer:
"Books and Materials:Students are expected to buy any books, supplies, and consumable materials needed for courses of study. The estimated cost of such items averages $300 - 500 per semester for a full-time student."
How crazy is that?! We already pay an arm and a leg to go to school, so why do the books have to be so expensive too? Can't they give us a break?
At this point, I am done with my rant. Combine that with the fact that I have work at six am, it is time to bid you all adieu.
Until next time,
Coryn
No comments:
Post a Comment