Forum
A place to discuss topics/games with other webDiplomacy players.
Page 1175 of 1419
FirstPreviousNextLast
SandgooseXXI (113 D)
03 Jul 14 UTC
May it stay forever strong
Interpret the above statement below:
8 replies
Open
mapleleaf (0 DX)
01 Jul 14 UTC
zultar, the american, is missing the point.
I actually SUPPORT my american neighbors and envy their freedom.
105 replies
Open
denis (864 D)
03 Jul 14 UTC
Two units bounce
SO two units Bounce each other in a territory, say Munich and Burgundy bounce in Rurh during Autumn of 1904, can another unit, say Belgium or Kiel then retreat into that Territory during the Retreats Phase of Autumn 1904.
5 replies
Open
mapleleaf (0 DX)
03 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
For forum users, please read this here thread.
It's way better than the other one. lol.
34 replies
Open
Maniac (189 D(B))
03 Jul 14 UTC
Well I for one am glad they're dead.
Peter Allen and Gwynne Owen - hope you don't rest in peace.

In my opinion hanging was too good for them, maybe the electric chair would have been more fitting.
7 replies
Open
zultar (4180 DMod(P))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+12)
WebDiplomacy Community & Freedom of Speech
Please read.
231 replies
Open
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
College
So I am a high school graduate, and a college student come august. While I am aware of the benefits to college; I am curious as to how college or lack there of has affected anyone else. Looking for more perspective.
Page 1 of 3
FirstPreviousNextLast
 
semck83 (229 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
College was an extremely impactful experience for me, in both good ways and bad.

The good ways: in making me study things outside my central fields of interest, I discovered new intellectual loves that I probably would never have discovered otherwise. I'm working on a doctorate now in a subject I would never have dreamed I would love so much.

It provided resources -- primarily in the form of professors and libraries -- to learn super interesting things in depth and with rigor. I'm probably saying this badly, but in some weird way this came as a surprise even though it shouldn't have. I went into college thinking of it as this thing to do to learn, yes, certainly, but mostly to get a degree and get a job. But there were all these things I had been kind of interested in and wondered about when I was in high school -- relativity theory, for example -- and I realized kind of abruptly with some embarrassing surprise that, woah, I was in a community that included free (well, expensive, but already-paid-for) access to experts in this and in almost any other subject I might be interested in. It's a tremendous resource.

And, of course, the friends. I met a ton of interesting people who will be friends for the rest of my life, and had (and have) innumerable interesting conversations with them about every subject I love.

The bad ways: it narrowed me. This, in some ways, is by design. If you're going to become really good and educated in something, you have to focus on it, and college makes you do so during your last 2 years, at least to a degree (a much smaller degree than grad school). But there's no question that I was able to educate myself in a much broader array of interests when in high school, and some of these atrophed in college (some have returned since; others have not, at least yet). Worse, this wasn't always for good reasons. Some of college work seems to be more to keep you busy than anything else, and when that busy work is robbing you of time that you could use to pursue other genuine passions, I think it can be very unfortunate. In extreme cases, where somebody has a great passion / talent that does not mesh well with an academic discipline, I think it can call into question the value of attending college at all.

Related to the above, I actually became a worse writer in college. This is probably unusual, but is related to the fact that I was a science major, and the kinds of writing I had done before were kind of pushed out of my life. This was ameliorated a little during my professional degree.

I think that, if you're in a creative field, college can be somewhat stifling. Academics encourage discipline and rigor, which are excellent attributes in many contexts, but I think can dampen a creative spark. This is outside my own area, and I'm speaking based on having observed others. Some on the site may disagree with me on this.

Overall, I've been tremendously happy with higher education -- hey there has to be some reason I'm still doing it all these years later, right? The intellectual doors that college opened have been tremendously rewarding, and have largely shaped my life ever since.

Good luck! What are you studying, if you know?
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
College can be both a great opportunity and a great time, but take it for what it is. It shouldnt be the zenith of your life. Don't bankrupt yourself going to a college you can't afford and don't go if you truly aren't ready. I've seen a nber of friends fail out of college because they went for no reason other than it was expected of them. That is not a recipe for success. On the other hand, I knew many people in their 30s or even 50s who were going to college for the first time.

Find something you love and get really involved, but also take time to seek out as many different subjects and courses as you can.
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
With college, you get out what you put in. If you work hard, study, try to make friends, you'll go far. If you sit around, slack off, and don't go to class, you're wasting your time and money.

I did two years of community college first since I wasn't sure of my choice in major (preliminary choice was computer science, which I stuck with after finding I liked it), and also I wasn't ready for a real commitment. I was kind of lazy, I didn't go to class, but since it wasn't "real college" I didn't care... until my grades slipped, hard, in my third semester. Seeing what was going on, I got my act together. I finished my last semester and transferred to a state school, and so far I've gotten nothing but A's (and one B in Physics 2, sue me).

The point is, if you want to succeed, you need to work for it, and if you're not, fix it.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Thanks guys. All very insightful, I like having the perspective. You know you hear all the time from high schools the importance of college and me being a first generation college student I really have had only my own perspective so I just like seeing other perspectives.
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Byron, are you staying on campus? Dorms, apartments? 2-year school or 4-year?
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
4 year. Mandatory dorm living.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
If you can, I'd recommend the dorms. The opportunity for making relationships, practicing independence, and (hopefully) and ability to easily study at any time with your peers is priceless.

abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
If your college offers it, you should consider living on a floor with people of the same major. There will still be plenty of opportunities to meet other people, but living close to people have similar workloads and goals can be very helpful, especially your freshman year.
Mujus (1495 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
That's all excellent advice. I would also mention a few pointers: 1. Use your first two years to explore subjects that you are interested in. 2. Find highly-rated professors/instructors, not just whoever happens to be teaching at 9:00 MWF. 3. Make yourself known to your teachers and ask them for their advice, if they know of any internships, etc. 4. A community college often has experts in the field and you are in a class of 30 or 45 instead of up to 500 in some classes at a state college. 5. If you move away to college, stick tight to your principles and don't let yourself get into trouble. There are all kinds of influences away from home--some good and some bad.
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Ah, dorms. I didn't stay in the dorms (I lived in a upscale apartment complex on campus, was nice, but my roommates weren't). Dorms are rough. A lot of them have no AC, communal showers, bunk beds... not my cup of tea.

Don't get yourself in trouble, is the big thing. College is a different beast.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
I plan on living in a dorm with other ROTC cadets which is probably close to what Abge is suggesting. And in response to Mujus I have chosen to attend a small private liberal arts college. This is making me feel more confident that what everyone is suggesting is close to what I have selected.
semck83 (229 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
I have a friend who was first-generation college, and one thing he told me is that nobody ever told him just why grades are important, and he really wishes they had.

So, forgive me for mentioning it if you already know, but given that he said that, I'll go ahead and say: grades aren't always super important, depending on what you want to do, etc., but if your career goals include being a lawyer, doctor, or anything else that requires graduate school, your grades in college will be really important. Definitely don't let them take over your life, make you miserable, or keep you from doing other things, but keep in mind that they will have that impact on your options later on, anyway, so if you wonder why you should study hard for the final after you've already clinched a C, that's why.

Ditto to everything Abge and Chaqa said, by the way.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
Mujus makes an excellent point: build relationships with your professors. Fins a professor you like and ask to help with their research or TA. It can open up all kinds of opportunities.
semck83 (229 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Oh, I should mention: if you DON'T want to go to grad school or be a doctor/lawyer, the grades issue is more complicated, and you should ask an advisor or something. In some careers, employers won't care that much, and in some they may. In almost any field, sterling grades or graduating with honors will get people's attention and may get you an interview you wouldn't have had otherwise (I've seen this occur), but the downside of mediocre grades is probably less most of the time. People like abge may have more insight on this in something like engineering.
The Hanged Man (4160 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+2)
"If you sit around, slack off, and don't go to class, you're wasting your time and money."

I somewhat disagree with this, depending on what you're doing when you're not going to class. If you're sitting around all day playing video games by yourself, then yeah, that's probably not going to help you in the long run. At the same time, I'm a firm believer that academics is just a small part of the college experience. There are many slack-off, class-skipping things you can do that in my opinion are quite valuable, including developing friendships and debating things into the wee hours of the morning when you really should have gone to bed hours ago.

College is a transitional phase to get you from the "high school" you to the "real world" you. Hopefully, the increased independence and exposure to new people and ideas allows you to grow and refine yourself. People do a lot of different things after college, and what they need to get out of college to be ready to do those different things will vary widely. Of course, the trick is to correctly identify what you do need in the next phase, which is a lot to ask of an 18 to 21 year old.
Octavious (2732 D)
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+2)
University is a place of mystery and wonder. You will be amazed by how little people in other subjects actually do, you will be enlightened by witnessing the huge advantage students who have parents who have studied the same thing have over the rest of you, and you will be stunned that foreign students, who struggle to string more than a couple of words together in broken English, manage to get first class marks for their essays.
abernat (161 D)
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+2)
Is life all about money? Absolutely no. However you can easily and quickly find the horror stories of "I have $70k in student loan debt" or "I have $50k in student loan debt". That money isn't "free". You need to pay it back.

I see these types of stories and the story goes on to say the student racked up $50k or $75k or $100k in student loan debt and have a social work degree, or an art degree, or a history degree. I get it, Accounting (my degree), Engineering, Law, etc isn't for everyone. However racking up $50k-$100k of student loans for a social work degree to make $35k a year is a HORRIBLE DECISION.

I recommend you do your damndest to research your preferred field of study, by realistic about what your salary expectations should be after graduation and figure out how much money you will be borrowing (this assumption is that you will need loans as it seems like the vast majority of student do) and see if it makes sense. Do not kill yourself for the next 10-20 years of your life to get a degree in history (for example), if that is what you love, in order to go to college because it's "what you're supposed to do".
semck83 (229 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
We do seem to have traipsed off the OP's original question, though (me too), and I confess I'm a little sad, becasue I was looking forward to hearing people's personal stories of how college or the lack of it had impacted them.
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Well, as someone still in college, the biggest impact has been the increase in my work ethic. Knowing I need to do well, getting my ass in gear and such.

A close second is that I no longer have time for as many live Diplomacy games.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
@semck

In Engineering, grades are important because they represent competency in a specifically tangible skill. A C student will not get the same opportunities as an A student coming out of college, and that could have repercussions for a while in your career.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
I am going to major in international relations with a focus in either the Middle East or east Asia and minor in foreign language. While enrolling in ROTC so I can pursue a military career after college as an officer.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
What I did to decide this was I took a course at a state school fall semester of my senior year in international relations (after a year of research) to make sure I liked the material. I found it very thrilling and it was beyond interesting. The ROTC comes from my childhood dream of joining the military, I also joined JROTC in high school. So I've done a ton of research. I think the question I wonder most about is if I double major (being I know I have the capability) is it worth it?
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
A double major depends a lot on your field and interests. Minors certainly help, but I don't know about double majors.

I was 3 courses shy of getting a double major in math, which sucks, but ultimately I don't think it would have been worth the extra time and stress.
The Hanged Man (4160 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
Depends on what you mean by "worth it." In a limited number of situations, someone (like a prospective employer or a supervisor considering whether to give you a raise/promotion) might look favorably upon a double major. For the most part, it likely will have no concrete effect on your life other than your own satisfaction of achievement.

I say that from the perspective of a triple major. It's occasionally an interesting story at a cocktail party, but otherwise is meaningless except to me.
semck83 (229 D(B))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Cool, CB. That was one of my mother's majors.

I double majored and loved it. It did add a year to my college, but it was absolutely worth it because I loved both areas, and they complemented each other very well. It has continually been a benefit to have a major's level depth of knowledge of my second major. If your school doesn't make it horribly onerous (some do), I often recommend considering this. A minor ends just before you get to the really good stuff, usually.

But definitely consider the financial impact, the impact on how long you'd be in college and if it's worth it, etc. In your case, I would *think* (but I'm not an expert) that a language major in Arabic or a similar language -- if it's offered -- would be of exceptional value to you in many different ways. First, people able in those languages are in high demand in a lot of different fields. Second, it has obvious relevance to your main field of study and interests. And third, it would almost certainly give you a much better understanding of the culture of the area, which would shine a lot of light on the international relations stuff you were studying.

Of course, I'm presuming a lot, such as that that's the major you're considering. Maybe you have a secondary passion like music or literature, and you're considering that. Those can also be good ideas, depending how much extra work/time they are, and how well they mesh (some majors are so well aligned that you can count quite a few courses toward both).
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
In terms of how college impacted me.

I was randomly assigned a roommate freshman year, and we just moved into separate places (he bought a house and I got an apartment with my gf) after living together for 8 years. So, there really are opportunities to build relationships that last a long time.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
I have been thinking about double majoring in international relations and foreign language (specifically which language I haven't decided)
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
It's a bit early for all this, but you may consider minoring in 2 foreign languages rather than majoring in 1, as it doubles your language opportunities but also demonstrates an ability to learn many languages.
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
02 Jul 14 UTC
That is true. And then I can have two languages under my belt.
You don't need to figure it out now. Try one language and see how it goes.

One of my majors was political science, focusing on international relations. I went to college with ten years of Spanish and six years of French under my belt, scoring fives on both language AP tests. I thought I was going to be one of those people who spoke like seven languages, maybe end up working for the State Department or CIA. It was the late 1980s, so I was focused on Japanese and Russian. I took two years of Japanese, and never made it to Russian. In hindsight, the Japanese was a huge waste of time and I've pretty much completely forgotten it. I used to have a huge knowledge base of Soviet-era Russian politics, also now non-existent and largely irrelevant.

Page 1 of 3
FirstPreviousNextLast
 

74 replies
krellin (80 DX)
03 Jul 14 UTC
(+3)
You Guys....
I love you guys. All of you. No. Really! I do!! <smooches>

Here's to a brighter, kinder me...
19 replies
Open
krellin (80 DX)
02 Jul 14 UTC
The Quantum Shift
...<chew on this>...
19 replies
Open
krellin (80 DX)
03 Jul 14 UTC
Help for the Overly Sensitive
I a further effort to help those insensitive...er...I mean overly sensitive virgin eyes that enjoy this blessed place, please avail yourself of this wonderful protective gear:
http://www.woot.com/offers/protect-yourself-1?ref=cnt_wp_9_3
5 replies
Open
SantaClausowitz (360 D)
02 Jul 14 UTC
Changing your mind
Is it a sign of weakness or strength.
25 replies
Open
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
02 Jul 14 UTC
Need A Replacement For France
I'm looking for an active, respected player to partner with the remaining French player in our Dummy trial game (gameID=143236). If you aren't familiar with this game, each country has 2 players that equally share control (press, moves, etc). Let me know if you're interested.
6 replies
Open
SYnapse (0 DX)
30 Jun 14 UTC
Ramadan
Anyone else doing this? I was challenged by my Muslim friends at work, damn I'm hungry.
98 replies
Open
krellin (80 DX)
02 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
Whiny-A** B*tches!!
http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-york-court-strikes-down-cyberbullying-law-1404239912?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

That's right, you are all a bunch of whiny ass bitches and there's not a damned thing you can do about it. Suck on that :P
12 replies
Open
Sevyas (973 D)
13 Mar 14 UTC
(+1)
2014 - 7 games wta series
As the initial thread is closed but the tournament is still running, here a new thread for general tournament announcements, pause requests, ranking, ...
Let's keep this one alive

Old thread: http://www.webdiplomacy.net/forum.php?viewthread=1092719#1092719
124 replies
Open
FineRedMist (108 D)
30 Jun 14 UTC
(+1)
Who's the least intelligent puppy-kicking child-fucker on this forum?
A) Draugnar
B) krellin
C) ssorenn
D) FineRedMist
65 replies
Open
ILN (100 D)
02 Jul 14 UTC
Nice game if you're interested
Don't know if this is spam or not, not selling paintings or anything - just a recommendation.

Link and description below:
1 reply
Open
semck83 (229 D(B))
30 Jun 14 UTC
Hobby Lobby
The US Supreme Court has just (ten minutes ago) upheld Hobby Lobby's right, under religious conscience, not to provide contraception coverage to its employees.

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-354_olp1.pdf
152 replies
Open
Jamiet99uk (1307 D)
26 Jun 14 UTC
(+2)
Proportionate response?
Earlier this month, three Israeli teenagers went missing in the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities allege that Hamas abducted them. Hamas has stated that this is untrue and that they are not responsible.
217 replies
Open
semck83 (229 D(B))
29 Jun 14 UTC
Cuba
Has anybody been? Is it this bad?

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/sunday-commentary/20140627-the-last-communist-city.ece
63 replies
Open
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
01 Jul 14 UTC
(+1)
True Friends Stab You In The Front EOG
gameID=142294

Thanks for the game, everyone. Not particularly well played by myself; I made at least 2 serious blunders and probably should have been eliminated, but it was still great fun.
15 replies
Open
tvrocks (388 D)
01 Jul 14 UTC
sitter needed
i'm going on a 4 day camping trip (against my will by the way) next week starting monday. Please post if you can.
12 replies
Open
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
23 Jun 14 UTC
7 player, 7 games series (gunboat)
Just looking for 6 other players. The goal will be to have 7 games with the same 7 players. Been done many times, I know. I'll be scrutinizing the people, so only decent players (no noobs, sorry).
62 replies
Open
President Eden (2750 D)
29 Apr 14 UTC
(+3)
Mafia General Discussion Thread
Single-thread resource for discussion of mafia games on webDiplomacy. Please remember not to comment in here about specific ongoing games!
424 replies
Open
President Eden (2750 D)
01 Jul 14 UTC
(+5)
Can we stop with the hate circlejerk threads?
This is as a member of the community not a mod, but there's been two threads today calling out specific members and inviting flaming. It's really old and just degrades the forum discourse. Please stop? Thanks <3
30 replies
Open
Jamiet99uk (1307 D)
23 Jun 14 UTC
Anti-jokes
Let's have your best anti-jokes. Here are a few:

Q: Why didn't Jesus play hockey?
A: Because baseball and soccer are much more popular sports in Mexico.
54 replies
Open
italiathad88 (0 DX)
01 Jul 14 UTC
live game
Join my live game (5 min) "Derbyshire"Starts in forty minutes.
Or email me when you plan on playing live.
[email protected]
I will play live games to your specification as well.
2 replies
Open
KingCyrus (511 D)
01 Jul 14 UTC
(+2)
Did anyone miss Putin33?
After a couple of days, and seeing him participate in a few heated arguments, I ask the population of webDip. Did you miss Putin33? I know I did. Whether for laughing at him and his ideology, glad of a champion of your ideology, someone to defend Russia, or someone else to call krellin names, who had SOME reason to be glad he is back?
27 replies
Open
krellin (80 DX)
01 Jul 14 UTC
Hate on Soccer
http://townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/2014/06/25/americas-favorite-national-pastime-hating-soccer-n1855817

Who loves Coulter! Gotta love this.
7 replies
Open
denis (864 D)
01 Jul 14 UTC
Replacement for Germany LIVE GAME
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=144052 Germany left
1 reply
Open
Page 1175 of 1419
FirstPreviousNextLast
Back to top