Archive for August, 2007
The top ten series rolls on, and once again, thanks to Facebook, we’re going to see the top ten most popular movies in college. When college students have downtime they can very often be found watching movies with friends. Some students have big screen TVs, others just watch movies on their computers. Some RAs even plan “movie nights.” So, here are some movies you can expect a lot of students to be watching all year.
The Top Ten Series - Movies
10. Garden State - What college student wouldn’t love Natalie Portman? Zach Braff work makes the college movie list in addition to the TV show list (with Scrubs). This movie is also bolstered by the fact that I think almost everyone has the Garden State soundtrack on their computer. A quick look at the DVD collections of college students will show you that many love this film.
9. Gladiator - “What we do in life…that goes an eternity…” Russell Crowe dominating everyone. Amongst the guys in college, this film is quite popular. Classics majors probably enjoy this film a lot more than the average person, but anyone can enjoy this movie. It’s got action, love, betrayal, and all sorts of other great Hollywood moments.
8. The Departed - A new entry this year. The Academy Award winning film with what seems like half of Hollywood in it enjoys tremendous popularity amongst all college students. Last year my dorm had several showings of The Departed. Tons of people showed up to see it.
7. Office Space - College students are getting ready to enter the work force, so it’s only natural that the film that espouses the mantra “Work sucks” would enjoy college popularity. This movie has its fair share of hilarious quotes, and you can always expect a Milton joke when a student uses his or her Swingline Stapler. So, yeah, if you haven’t seen it, I’m gonna have to ask you to go ahead and do that by Sunday, okay? Great.
6. Fight Club - I remember reading about some issues with college students trying to form Fight Clubs. I think the popularity of this movie explains it. “How much can you know about yourself if you’ve never been in a fight?” Maybe that would explain why intoxicated frat boys frequently try to start fights? In any case, this is a great film that college students love. You may even see students reading the book.
5. Boondock Saints - This film has enjoyed its cult status immensely. I remember going to purchase this DVD before my freshman year in college and having to go to Best Buys all around the city. Everyone was out of it. The reason is that it’s an amazing movie, and probably that tons of college students love it and were getting it for school. So many amazing fight scenes, a great story, and great actors make this film hit the number five spot on our countdown.
4. Old School - This is a great comedy that is enjoyed by many, many college students throughout the country. Will Ferrell is at his best (in my opinion), and it provides a very interesting view on Frat life. Naturally, college students will find the outrageous parties and crude jokes to be quite enjoyable. However, I hope that college students refrain from following Will Ferrell’s advice and charging the stadium naked.
3. Anchorman - Will Ferrell makes another impact on this top ten list. This movie has to be one of the most quoted films in the history of the world. Guys everywhere will take random quotes from the movie and start laughing to themselves. My girlfriend once had a discussion with her friends as to why guys quote movies so much. I don’t really have an answer, but all I know is that Anchorman is hilarious.
2. The Notebook - For being an extreme chick-flick, many guys have also seen this movie. Some of them even admit to seeing it, and actually liking it. If anyone’s in the mood for a cute story, and some Rachel McAdams, then they will most likely put The Notebook in. College movies may consist mostly of comedies, but students still enjoy romance.
1. Wedding Crashers - I probably watched this movie over five times in college last year. Not to mention, it seemed like almost every guy in my dorm had the Wedding Crasher’s poster with the Rules for Wedding Crashing. This film has such universal appeal; it’s not a mystery why it’s on top on the list. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson dominate in the lead roles. Rachel McAdams makes her second appearance on the list. Is it shocking that both the number one and two movies have Rachel McAdams in them? How about the fact that, once again, Will Ferrell is in a popular college movie? In any case, Wedding Crashers is a must see for all college students.
Honorable Mention
Pirates of the Caribbean (Trilogy) - If you go into a dorm room, I expect you’ll find many, many college girls with the Pirates posters of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. This past year, the anticipation for the new Pirates movie was tremendous. Everyone kept asking me if I’d seen it (I felt so out of the loop, I rushed out to see it the first chance I had). The Pirates series, although it’s Disney, for some reason holds an insane amount of appeal for college kids. It could be the presence of really talented and hot Hollywood stars, or it could be the fact that college students do like Pirates more than Ninjas. In any case, this series makes the list.
Lord of the Rings (Trilogy) - Yet another trilogy with Orlando Bloom makes honorable mention. Not only are the books immensely popular amongst college students, but the movie is as well. I remember a Lord of the Rings marathon some people on my floor had last year. They watched over ten straight hours of film. This means two things; one is that college students really enjoy Lord of the Rings; and the other is that college students generally procrastinate a lot on the weekends.
So ends the top ten most popular movies in college. They may not all be Academy Award winners, but they’ll certainly keep you entertained. Be prepared to know quotes from many of the comedies, because you’ll hear them all over campus.
August 17 2007 | College Fun | 2 Comments »
I recently opened up my browser and observed an article about tech items you won’t need on campus. I’m sure the author, Robin Raskin is quite intelligent, but this list is woefully inaccurate, and very out of touch. So, I’ve provided a rebuttal to everything listed. While the article maintains you don’t need the specific item, I either disagree, or think it’s common sense that you don’t need it.
Your Printer - Yes, you need a printer. It is a pain to run around campus trying to find a place to print your paper. It is also annoying if you have to bug your roommates or other people in your dorm all the time. Yes, printers may be bulky, but they are so useful. In fact, I almost considered putting “Printer” on my list of overlooked things you should bring to college. However, I figured that naturally most people would realize the importance of a printer. That being said, unless you love inconvenience and added stress, bring a printer.
AOL or Other Paid ISP - I think the word “duh” would suffice for this one. Anyone who would maintain a dial-up account while living on campus shouldn’t even be in college. Of course Universities all have high-speed Internet access. Maybe Ms. Raskin was listing this for the few college students who were raised under rocks on Mars and didn’t realize that they need not bring a modem with a paid internet service to college.
Netflix - Does anyone truly need Netflix? If you want a Netflix account, go ahead and have it. Although, from my experience, I’ve found very few people who actually have one in college. By very few, I mean no one. So, logically, why would anyone think they need it? Many video stores can be found near campus, and people can always download movies (as the article does suggest). However, if you want Netflix, you don’t need it, but go ahead if that’s your thing.
TV - This one made me laugh. You don’t need a TV? Use a media PC? Sorry, but last time I checked, you can’t plug your PS2, Xbox 360, or Wii into a Dell, or any other PC. I’m sure there’s a way, but who would try to do that? Bring a TV if you think you’re going to watch TV at all or play video games. Don’t waste money on programs and hardware needed to watch TV on your computer. I understand dorms don’t have a lot of space, but I can always find room for my TV.
Landline - I’ll agree with this one, you don’t need a landline. However, if your cell dies, it never hurts to have a back up. I don’t know about schools ripping up landlines in favor of wireless. I know my school just took room phones out of all the rooms and said that if students wanted a landline, they could bring their own telephone, but the lines are still there. Many other schools still provide their students with room phones.
Back Up Device - My first response to this was quite eloquent. I’ll save you the details, but I basically went “WTF.” My school has never given me any megabytes of storage on their servers. If Ms. Raskin is talking about e-mail, then she must be delusional. I couldn’t possibly use the e-mail space allotted me by my school to back up all my important files. Bring CDs to burn backups of important things. Bring a Flash Drive as well. Even if schools do give you some space, that doesn’t mean there’s no need to have extra back up plans.
Digital Camera - Sorry again Ms. Raskin, but I don’t believe students think cell phone camera pictures are just as good as digital camera pictures. She writes, “Many students say that their 2-megapixel camera phone suits them just fine.” I’m not sure where she found her sources, or what students she talked to, but that’s just an outlandish statement. I know many, many students personally who swear by their digital cameras and actually complain about the quality of picture their phone takes. Also, you certainly don’t NEED a digital camera, but if you want to take loads of pictures and put them up on facebook, then I’d strongly suggest bringing one. Unless you have the most fantastic camera phone on the market, it won’t be nearly as effective.
Digital Video Cameras - I’ve never heard of any students rushing to get digital video cameras. Most use the video features of their digital cameras. If you are a film student, then I guess your university may have loaners.
Pens, Pencils, and Books - So, I guess since the NYU College of Dentistry got rid of them, then all the other thousands of colleges in this nation will follow suit? Well shucks, I’m just going to set my books on fire because NYU’s school of dentistry just changed policy. Really, want an intelligent piece of advice Ms. Raskin has provided her readers with.
Keychains - So when did keychains suddenly become tech? Last time I checked, my keychain is just a piece of metal…not exactly cutting-edge technology. Maybe Ms. Raskin’s key chain can make espresso and spell-check her horribly written articles for her. Too bad it can’t check her facts for her. The article points out that students have swipe cards to get into their dorms. This is true, but every college I’ve seen still gives students keys for their actual dorm room. Not to mention, many students actually punch holes in their swipe cards and put them on keychains…imagine that! According to Ms. Raskin, there is no need to have a place to put keys to your home, bike lock, dorm room door, or car (many college students still have those). Oh, how foolish I have been lugging my cumbersome key chain around when I actually don’t need it!
Wi-Fi Sniffer - Who would bring one anyway? Ms. Raskin writes, “Not that you were going to rush out and get one,” so why would she even mention it?
CDs - Wrong again. I have made countless burn mixes for my friends. I download programs and put them on CDs, can transfer data via CDs when all else fails. Is it really that hard to shell out like 20 bucks to get a bunch of blank CDs? I know MP3 players are all the rage, but I still see my occasional Walkman on campus. Oh yes, and people who have nice stereos, they still use CDs too. Also, college students often have cars with CD players. The article also ignores the fact that some students may not be able to afford new iPods. Don’t throw out your CDs just yet.
To say that Ms. Raskin has very little understanding of what college students actually need is like saying Britney Spears may be slightly insane. Ms. Raskin has ventured into realms of stupidity I never thought existed in making such preposterous suggestions to college students. If I could think of one word in the English language I wish Ms. Raskin would become more familiar with, it would be “Research.” One must understand and know something about one’s demographic before one gives that demographic advice. Others may value her opinion highly. I, however, will not be throwing my “tech” keychain out, or setting my pencils on fire anytime soon. Now I must go burn a CD for my girlfriend before the technology becomes obsolete, according to Robin Raskin.
August 11 2007 | College Advice | 6 Comments »
There’s an interesting debate when it comes to large universities versus small colleges. Many people have the decision to either go to a huge school with a huge athletic program and a lot of potential majors, or to attend a small liberal arts college, or a small, rural college that has only a few majors. I figured I’d give some advice to help the decision be slightly easier.
Large Universities
When going to a big college, there are many advantages. One is that there are many, many more majors available. There are also many more and different classes that students are able to take. If you are someone who has no clue what you want to major in, or what you want to do after graduation, then you should think about larger colleges. I know a variety of people who have changed majors, and who have started in something completely different than they finished in. At smaller colleges, while there are still a variety of majors, you may find yourself somewhat limited. For example, it’s hard to transfer to business school if your college has no business school.
Another advantage that big colleges have is the increased resources that are available to students. My school alone has over 13 libraries on campus. That’s a lot of resources! Some may also like the bigger atmosphere, the big-time sports program, or the various popular musicians who will do concerts at bigger schools.
Do be warned that in big colleges, class sizes can sometimes turn you into just a number. If you’re in a 300-person lecture, you’re not exactly going to get individual attention. Although, don’t think that you’ll just diminish into obscurity in a big university, because you’ll still have your core classes with a lot of the same people.
Small Universities
Small universities may be much better for others. One advantage of small colleges is that class sizes are subsequently much smaller. This can lead to a better relationship between professors and their students, and struggling students may be able to get more individualized help. Not to mention, that if you know what you want to study, and your small college excels in that field, then you should naturally consider going there. For writers, and many humanities majors, the small liberal arts colleges can be a haven for intellectual development and success.
While small universities won’t have big time athletic programs (why would anyone even go to Division III football games?), they often have some of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Many of the smallest colleges are somewhat remote and present well outside of big cities. Many students enjoy this type of atmosphere. Students may also enjoy the experience of a small, tight-knit community that develops in small universities. You may not know everyone, but you’ll see the same faces over and over again.
However, keep in mind that small universities may be considered “boring” by many. If the university isn’t in a huge city, but is rather way out in the countryside, then it may be much more difficult to go see a movie in theatres, or go to bars, or other “city” activities. If you can’t see yourself surviving without city entertainment, then you should definitely shy away from the small colleges. Small colleges also offer a more limited selection in terms of majors. So someone who wants to change majors many times and try a little of everything would do well to think about going to a larger school with more majors available. Resources may not be as good at small colleges, leading to more concerts with unknown acts instead of Justin Timberlake or something. Most people can do without the pop acts, but if you think you might be bored, you may want to again consider a larger university.
Conclusion
Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s an informed decision. I’ve talked about making sure to ask the right questions when you are thinking about colleges, but make sure you are planning ahead. Think about what interests you, where you want to go after college, and what you want out of your college experience. There’s no right or wrong decision when it comes to big colleges versus small colleges, it just comes down to what you think is right for you.
August 09 2007 | Pre-College Decisions | 1 Comment »
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