Spring Break
The Daily OrangeEarly graduates save time and money but miss the fun stuff
By Melissa Valliant
Posted: 9/20/07, 12:36 AM EST Section: Opinion
It's practically impossible to watch the movie "Van Wilder" without wondering what it would be like to sit back, relax and party hard for seven crazy years of college. After all, the years spent in college are supposed to be the best of your life. But not everyone is spending a full eight semesters in the classroom. Some pack up their things, hustle through courses and quickly trade in their orange apparel for graduation gowns before they can say "senioritis." Their decision to jump head-first into the real word often leaves other students wondering, "Is it worth it?"
Taking an early cruise out of the 'Cuse, whether this involves sparing a semester or an entire year, means serious savings for both you and Ma and Pops. Syracuse University's tuition rises every year, and the price of an orange education requires more green than many can handle. The current price is hovering somewhere around $43,000 per year. A brand new 2008 Mercedes-Benz is less expensive, (though a surprisingly large part of the student population can, and do, pay for both).
If broadcast journalism major Ryan Whalen had remained at the university for his full four years, he would be graduating with the rest of his class this spring.
"My family paid for some of the tuition but not all of it," Whalen said. "I had most of my credits finished early, and I was doing everything I could to keep the cost (of my education) down." Whalen even became a resident adviser for one year simply because it freed him from housing costs.
A handful of students jump ship early because they believe more job opportunities will be available in the winter. Gaetano Tollice, an SU alum who graduated a semester early last fall, believes this advantage exists, to a certain extent.
"If you're done in the middle of the year, you're not competing with the nine million other graduates," Tollice said.
As a journalism major, I don't believe the job market ever loosens up, no matter what season. As for students aspiring to careers in other industries, it's doubtful that a few months can make a significant difference.
Missing a semester or a year also means missing the graduation ceremony, complete with teary-eyed family members, photo-ops, back-breaking hugs from close friends, free food…need I say more? Financial issues obviously make this event a luxury some can't afford, but, for those with dough to spend, it may be worth waiting out that last semester to take a few kickboxing, ballroom dancing or beer and wine appreciation classes for kicks. Pun intended.
Van Wilder did have a point, even if he was a shallow, air-headed, fictional frat boy. These are our last years before we're tossed into a world of debt, loans, early schedules and work on Fridays. Missing homework is better than missing a deadline. Pissing off a professor may mean a lower grade, but pissing off a boss may mean losing your job. The friends you have spent years making will not necessarily be near you anymore, and, (brace yourself for this one), Chuck's will not be moving with you. Enjoy this time while you have it - you will have plenty of time later in life to be a grown-up.
Melissa Valliant is a weekly columnist for The Daily Orange. She can be reached at melissa.valliant@gmail.com.
Taking an early cruise out of the 'Cuse, whether this involves sparing a semester or an entire year, means serious savings for both you and Ma and Pops. Syracuse University's tuition rises every year, and the price of an orange education requires more green than many can handle. The current price is hovering somewhere around $43,000 per year. A brand new 2008 Mercedes-Benz is less expensive, (though a surprisingly large part of the student population can, and do, pay for both).
If broadcast journalism major Ryan Whalen had remained at the university for his full four years, he would be graduating with the rest of his class this spring.
"My family paid for some of the tuition but not all of it," Whalen said. "I had most of my credits finished early, and I was doing everything I could to keep the cost (of my education) down." Whalen even became a resident adviser for one year simply because it freed him from housing costs.
A handful of students jump ship early because they believe more job opportunities will be available in the winter. Gaetano Tollice, an SU alum who graduated a semester early last fall, believes this advantage exists, to a certain extent.
"If you're done in the middle of the year, you're not competing with the nine million other graduates," Tollice said.
As a journalism major, I don't believe the job market ever loosens up, no matter what season. As for students aspiring to careers in other industries, it's doubtful that a few months can make a significant difference.
Missing a semester or a year also means missing the graduation ceremony, complete with teary-eyed family members, photo-ops, back-breaking hugs from close friends, free food…need I say more? Financial issues obviously make this event a luxury some can't afford, but, for those with dough to spend, it may be worth waiting out that last semester to take a few kickboxing, ballroom dancing or beer and wine appreciation classes for kicks. Pun intended.
Van Wilder did have a point, even if he was a shallow, air-headed, fictional frat boy. These are our last years before we're tossed into a world of debt, loans, early schedules and work on Fridays. Missing homework is better than missing a deadline. Pissing off a professor may mean a lower grade, but pissing off a boss may mean losing your job. The friends you have spent years making will not necessarily be near you anymore, and, (brace yourself for this one), Chuck's will not be moving with you. Enjoy this time while you have it - you will have plenty of time later in life to be a grown-up.
Melissa Valliant is a weekly columnist for The Daily Orange. She can be reached at melissa.valliant@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kyle Marshall
posted 9/25/07 @ 5:15 PM EST
not going to a college but a trade school i really do feel like i missed out on a lot. too much actually. i'm probably going to be signing up for classes in the spring though. (Continued…)
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