For my first semester I took biology (my major), world history, human communications, math, and psychology. I got to choose the classes I wanted at orientation (which is where I met one of my best friends), and scheduled them and everything. So far, I really enjoy psychology and biology. I've learned a lot in psychology and it's been pretty fun. I loved biology, but it ended up being too hard and I had to drop the class, which also means I have to change my major. I haven't learned much in human communications, but I blame the teacher. I was pretty dumb to choose a foreign teacher for a kind of english class. I don't like my math class, but it's because it's developmental (meaning I didn't do well enough on my SATs to get into college algebra), and I learned everything that the teacher is teaching us in high school. World history is pretty tough, I don't really like my teacher, he's extremely serious and mean, hard to keep up with, and a tough grader as well. I'm looking forward to next semester to try out some new subjects and new teachers. I just have to get through finals!
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I honestly love it here. The people are so friendly, teachers and students included. I've made tons of new friends and it's been so easy making them. I live in a dorm so I'm constantly around other students and it's just made life here that much more fun. We have all kinds of activities in our hall and I couldn't imagine commuting, it would have been a completely different experience. I've heard tons of complaints from commuters saying that they're not meeting anyone or making any friends. Duh! It's because they're not living on campus! Coming just for classes isn't going to help you meet people. The activities on campus are so fun, like the Mr. Shippensburg Pageant. It was so much fun and extremely hilarious. Watching the guys up on stage. YUM. I also went on a trip to Kings Dominion with a couple of my friends. The trip was done by the university, so it was safe, and we went for the halloween day and the park had all kinds of scary rides and attractions. Also, it was only $20 for the whole trip, because it was done by the school in a group! Cha-ching!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I think SHIP is really worth the money. You get a true college experience here, and it's a great school. The food is pretty good and the classes are worth the money, if you choose the right teachers. You can also get a job pretty quickly after you graduate, I've heard. It's definitely worth your money and time. Enroll at SHIP!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't mess around because you think it's going to be easy. AP classes in high school most likely didn't do college justice; mine sure didn't. Be sensible, if not, once mid-terms and finals come around, you're gonna be screwed. Take good notes and pay attention. Don't skip your classes because you're tired, you'll regret it later. I currently am in a class where we have a quiz each day, and those points add up! If you do need to miss a class, make sure you have a friend in the class to let you know what happened, and if you have a good excuse (like if you're sick) e-mail your teacher and they will excuse your absence, and won't take points off for participation or presence. Don't go out and party often. Tons of my friends have gotten caught and gotten underages. Be smart, people, cops are watching. Schedule your classes carefully, if you don't like getting up at 8am, don't schedule an 8am class. You'll end up not wanting to go. Your advisors might tell you at orientation that early morning classes are the smallest, total liars. Once they tell you all that, everyone wants an early class, which means it's going to be quite a big class.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
SHIP is great for students who didn't do well on the SATs (in my case because I suck at test-taking) but try really hard and want to get a good education, as well as have fun.
For my first semester I took biology (my major), world history, human communications, math, and psychology. I got to choose the classes I wanted at orientation (which is where I met one of my best friends), and scheduled them and everything. So far, I really enjoy psychology and biology. I've learned a lot in psychology and it's been pretty fun. I loved biology, but it ended up being too hard and I had to drop the class, which also means I have to change my major. I haven't learned much in human communications, but I blame the teacher. I was pretty dumb to choose a foreign teacher for a kind of english class. I don't like my math class, but it's because it's developmental (meaning I didn't do well enough on my SATs to get into college algebra), and I learned everything that the teacher is teaching us in high school. World history is pretty tough, I don't really like my teacher, he's extremely serious and mean, hard to keep up with, and a tough grader as well. I'm looking forward to next semester to try out some new subjects and new teachers. I just have to get through finals!
I honestly love it here. The people are so friendly, teachers and students included. I've made tons of new friends and it's been so easy making them. I live in a dorm so I'm constantly around other students and it's just made life here that much more fun. We have all kinds of activities in our hall and I couldn't imagine commuting, it would have been a completely different experience. I've heard tons of complaints from commuters saying that they're not meeting anyone or making any friends. Duh! It's because they're not living on campus! Coming just for classes isn't going to help you meet people. The activities on campus are so fun, like the Mr. Shippensburg Pageant. It was so much fun and extremely hilarious. Watching the guys up on stage. YUM. I also went on a trip to Kings Dominion with a couple of my friends. The trip was done by the university, so it was safe, and we went for the halloween day and the park had all kinds of scary rides and attractions. Also, it was only $20 for the whole trip, because it was done by the school in a group! Cha-ching!
I think SHIP is really worth the money. You get a true college experience here, and it's a great school. The food is pretty good and the classes are worth the money, if you choose the right teachers. You can also get a job pretty quickly after you graduate, I've heard. It's definitely worth your money and time. Enroll at SHIP!
Don't mess around because you think it's going to be easy. AP classes in high school most likely didn't do college justice; mine sure didn't. Be sensible, if not, once mid-terms and finals come around, you're gonna be screwed. Take good notes and pay attention. Don't skip your classes because you're tired, you'll regret it later. I currently am in a class where we have a quiz each day, and those points add up! If you do need to miss a class, make sure you have a friend in the class to let you know what happened, and if you have a good excuse (like if you're sick) e-mail your teacher and they will excuse your absence, and won't take points off for participation or presence. Don't go out and party often. Tons of my friends have gotten caught and gotten underages. Be smart, people, cops are watching. Schedule your classes carefully, if you don't like getting up at 8am, don't schedule an 8am class. You'll end up not wanting to go. Your advisors might tell you at orientation that early morning classes are the smallest, total liars. Once they tell you all that, everyone wants an early class, which means it's going to be quite a big class.
SHIP is great for students who didn't do well on the SATs (in my case because I suck at test-taking) but try really hard and want to get a good education, as well as have fun.