Going to College in 07?

[nick.keane]

I just started at Full Sail Real World Education this July in their Game Development program, and I'm hella pumped! Anyone else in college now who's just started like me, or is an experienced GPA guru who's been around the college block? Anyone who's planning on going soon? Tell ya experiences, trials and tribulations here, whether in college, preparing for it, or feeling like mentioning your past college experiences? Share them here!
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For me, my two months so far have been pretty good. Full Sail operates on an accelerated program, so a lot of preparation in preparing for each term (where term = one month, totalling about 21 terms if I pass every class) that I, as a student, must handle myself. In fact, first few days of class I forgot to pick up my books and laptop (very, very important to do!) and the schedule can get pretty 'hecktyc.' Parking is usually really bad, too. On a couple of days, I couldn't even find a space! I would scan up and down the rows of cars and find no solace. Eventualy, like 15 minutes later, I'd just give up and park in this little safe-zone located in the parking lot near an Albertsons grocery store (I say safe-zone because there are certain areas in the lot that if you parked elsewhere, you would be towed for around $130! Don't want that, for sure.) Other than that, I've mostly been satisfied with what I've learned so far. It's all part of getting down the 'ed-u-ma-k-tyun', right?

[LGM]

Is Full Sail an accredited school? It strikes me as a place that's like "Hey! Give us you're money and we'll show you how to make cool shit.."

That's the impression I got. But you go there. What's the skinny?

Me, I go to a public school in Iowa. University of Iowa, to be exact. Go Hawkeyes! :eyeroll:

[MrColossal]

A programmer here graduated from Full Sail in Florida. He goes back to talk to the classes every now and then...

I haven't really heard him say terrible things about the place but maybe I'm just not asking the correct questions.

Are you focusing on programming or art or what, Nick?

[nick.keane]

Is Full Sail an accredited school? It strikes me as a place that's like "Hey! Give us you're money and we'll show you how to make cool shit.."

I'm fairly sure that it is. Wikipedia says that "Full Sail is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, which is a national accreditor of primarily vocational schools and career schools within the United States." Of course, I'd check with the Full Sail offices (I think you can find contact information at www.fullsail.com).

Are you focusing on programming or art or what, Nick?

Mostly Programming. The game development course covers some aspects of game design, like documentation and speechcraft (presenting the game idea), but for the most part it's hardcore drill-n-grill programming, engine development, networking, calculus and trig, the graphics libraries (DirectX and OpenGL), physics, optimising your code, etc. The program doesn't cover art or digital animation (that's what their digital animation and digital arts & design programs are for), so it's kind of a pain trying to relate to team members responsible for drawing and rendering art for your game, as well as for making the art for the game yourself.

I'm in Programmng 1 now, learning the basics of C++, and I credited out of Calculus and Trig (all of those days spent learning under my morbidly-obese freak of a Calc teacher really did pay off, man!  )

Honestly, I love Full Sail! There are only two complaints from me, one of which is avoidable: 1) During peak class hours, parking is very, very hard to find, but that problem is solved by getting there early. Very early! and 2) The laptop's they give you? Piece of s**t! Honestly, the HP's we get are universally considered pure crap by the entire student body. All of the recording arts students get Macbook Pro's with freakin lights in the keyboard! I can see why the GD program uses PCs - we need DirectX, but come on - boot camp beta, people!!! Ah, well... they still get the job done, but it's not like I can run home and run BF 2142, the Sims 2, and BioShock (can't wait!) all at once when I get back to my apartment.

Hey Eric, as for the mysterious programmer of yore, who is he? I would really appreciate it if he came to FS and gave a speech to our class (started July '07, so I'm guessing class of April '09? 21 months.) sometime.

[MrColossal]

His name is Kerry Allen, I think he might have gone back twice. Though one of those times might have just been to see friends.

[Redwall]

Me, I go to a public school in Iowa. University of Iowa, to be exact. Go Hawkeyes! :eyeroll:

I'm going to have to track you down now.

[LGM]

You go there?

[Redwall]

Will be.

[LGM]

haha nice. Let me guess, you'll be staying in Daum.

[Redwall]

This is getting spooky now.

[nick.keane]

This is getting spooky now.

It's all piles-among-piles of coincidence, melded into one.

But yes, the ghostly apparitions are involved! FLEEE!!!

[LGM]

well I saw your facebook via the AGS group and just be reading your interests I deduced you were an honors kid.

You got major points for Fifth Element as one of your favorite movies, though. That too is one of mine.

[MillsJROSS]

A log of my college experience.

Everythings new! Football! Drinking! Graduation! Job! Sober Up! Hey I actually learned stuff.

I used college more as a life experience than as an educational one. That's not to say I didn't hit the books, but I've found that college just prepares you for the work force. It's behind a desk that I've learned the most.

I suggest getting a job while in college. It definitely didn't hurt my resume when I had held a job for five years.

Keep all your books. If you have a job, they should be no money concerns (hopefully). By all, I mean books in your are of study, because not all the classes you take will be of importance to your major. For instance, multiculturism in film doesn't help me program any better. I did keep all my books, just because you never know where your interests may lie later in life.

Have fun. It's a great experience. There are ups and downs, highs and lows, and it's all part of the ride.

-MillsJROSS