very interesting p.o.v.
i was reading this online a couple minutes ago and got to say, its very unbiased and has a lot of truth to it
As an alumnus, I can honestly say I did NOT miss "the Institute" at all. I did love the sports and liked the SAC facility and internet access, but life is much better on the outside.
Not trying to be negative here, but it just helped me get where I wanted to go. I was at "the Institute" for 6 years on 3 different counts (majors) where one was dropped the 1st year in. I was burned out after my 3rd year, and had senioritis my 4th year through 6th year.
During the middle of it, I had other goals in life. Living with the freshmen didn't help because it felt like I wasn't moving on with my life. Hearing "so what did you think about that Physics test?" got annoying very quickly and definitely very repetitive.
After leaving, I honestly blocked out most of those memories out of my life. Being back in New York made it as if I had never left here...but rather was asleep for a very long time...and of course a lot more broke paying out of state fees to "the Institute."
Dont get me wrong, I did appreciate many of the inmates at "the Institute," but we were just not in the best of circumstances to develop better friendships.
Graduation from "the Institute" allowed us to come home from a very long war. I recall a documentary on The Battle of the Bulge. During WW II some time after D-Day, Hitler ordered what would be the very last Nazi offensive against American and allied forces. One of the veterans of that particular Battle talked about how they lost ground but eventually regained the original line of control before the Nazi attack. He reminisced how they didn't celebrate, they did nothing to recognize the original line of control...they warily just kept on moving forward to finishing their main objective. For me, "the Institute" was that original line of control...and the main objective is of course life.
Take your discharge papers (degree) from "the Institute" for what it is...a receipt of your staying there. Be proud that you were able to survive through hell. Be proud that you knew several inmates who were able to survive through hell. It will be a bond you can always count on. Use it to network and use the tenacity to accomplish things in life that matter. Just know life is definitely hard, but with the attitude needed to survive "the Institute," you should be OK.
-A
As an alumnus, I can honestly say I did NOT miss "the Institute" at all. I did love the sports and liked the SAC facility and internet access, but life is much better on the outside.
Not trying to be negative here, but it just helped me get where I wanted to go. I was at "the Institute" for 6 years on 3 different counts (majors) where one was dropped the 1st year in. I was burned out after my 3rd year, and had senioritis my 4th year through 6th year.
During the middle of it, I had other goals in life. Living with the freshmen didn't help because it felt like I wasn't moving on with my life. Hearing "so what did you think about that Physics test?" got annoying very quickly and definitely very repetitive.
After leaving, I honestly blocked out most of those memories out of my life. Being back in New York made it as if I had never left here...but rather was asleep for a very long time...and of course a lot more broke paying out of state fees to "the Institute."
Dont get me wrong, I did appreciate many of the inmates at "the Institute," but we were just not in the best of circumstances to develop better friendships.
Graduation from "the Institute" allowed us to come home from a very long war. I recall a documentary on The Battle of the Bulge. During WW II some time after D-Day, Hitler ordered what would be the very last Nazi offensive against American and allied forces. One of the veterans of that particular Battle talked about how they lost ground but eventually regained the original line of control before the Nazi attack. He reminisced how they didn't celebrate, they did nothing to recognize the original line of control...they warily just kept on moving forward to finishing their main objective. For me, "the Institute" was that original line of control...and the main objective is of course life.
Take your discharge papers (degree) from "the Institute" for what it is...a receipt of your staying there. Be proud that you were able to survive through hell. Be proud that you knew several inmates who were able to survive through hell. It will be a bond you can always count on. Use it to network and use the tenacity to accomplish things in life that matter. Just know life is definitely hard, but with the attitude needed to survive "the Institute," you should be OK.
-A