Student Profile
Erin
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Other Natural Science And Mathematics
- Gender: F
- High School: The Westminster Schools
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
UGA is a huge school with a small campus feel to it. While there are endless possibilities to meet new people, just walking around campus you begin to notice that you know more people at UGA than you might have realized. It's pretty easy to run into someone you know, yet if you don't want to see those people, they can easily be avoided on the huge campus. If I had to change anything, I would make more buses available on campus. When you wait at a bus stop with time to spare, and you're still late for your class because the buses are running late, that is a major problem. SGA is currently working on improving the bus system. Being from Atlanta, a lot of people are not surprised that I go to UGA. There is a huge percentage of students from the Metro Atlanta area. Most of my time is spent on South Campus, the science major's home. North Campus is arts & social sciences. Athens is absolutely a college town. I would venture a guess that the population of Athens-Clarke county is about 75% UGA students, or at least it feels that way. UGA's administration could stand for some improvement but they do have their strengths. The biggest recent controvery would have to be the sexual harassment issue that has been all over the Red & Black, UGA's newspaper. It's a big deal to hear that a professor who has been here for 20 years is being charged with sexual harassment of students, including girls he was an academic advisor to. In terms of school pride, it's not called the BULLDAWG NATION for nothing. I will never forget the 2007 football game against Auburn, The Blackout, that was by far the best football game I've ever been to.
Academic Life
I am in a small enough major that the professors I have for classes within my actual major definitely know who I am. There are large lecture classes that have 350 students in them and it would be hard to expect a professor to know you. However, the TA's of these large lectures make a point of knowing your name. My favorite elective class was Drama 2010, intro to acting. It was a small class that allowed the freedom to express yourself and really get to know your class. By the end of the semester, our class considered ourselves family. My least favorite class had to have been general chemistry for science majors. It was hard and it was difficult to find the motivation to go to class. Students study in their own variety of ways. A lot of students choose to study at the SLC (Student Learning Center), a huge building in the middle of campus designed for students to be able to study individually or in groups. UGA students definitely have intellectual conversation outside of class. Frequently, students would rather just have relaxed conversation with friends rather than have an in depth discussion of some topic. Students are dfinitely competitive. Students strive to be the best, especially if they have a desire to go to graduate school of some sort. The most unique class I've taken would be Poultry 2020. If you like science, dissections, and want to be a surgeon, this is an amazing class for you. This class was the reason I chose my particular major and Dr. Amy Batal, who teaches it, is definitely my favorite professor. I personally am a poultry science major in the Poultry Science department of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It's a small department so all of the faculty know you and care about how you are doing in your personal and academic life. I do spend time with my professors outside of class. We typically just sit around between classes talking about life and what's going on in the world or on campus. UGA's academic requirements are not terrible. Although, if you lose the HOPE scholarship, it is hard to get back. I hate plus minus grading. We have a C- but no A+ to cancel it out in your ***ulative GPA. That probably the most ridiculous concept I've ever heard of. Fortunately, SGA is trying to get this fixed while plus-minus is still in its trial phase. The education at UGA is geared toward both getting a job and learning for its own sake. UGA aims to help you grow mentally on all levels.
Student Body
Our campus is fairly diverse. I know of some racial issues that have occured but for the most part I feel like our campus is very accepting of all walks of life. I personally can't say who might feel out of place on campus. I have found that most everyone can find a place they fit in within the campus community. Students wear a wide variety of things to class. People show up in everything from heels and dresses to sweats and tennis shoes, or even military uniforms for that matter. It's all about what the individual is comfortable in. As a general rule, I feel like different types of students do interact. UGA students are from all over the world. It's safe to say the majority of students are from Georgia since it is a state school. I feel like the middle and upper middle class are most prevalent, however there are people from all walks of life on campus. Students are politically aware and active. Since we are located in the south and the Bible Belt, I feel like the majority of students favor the right; however, I know plenty of students who are more moderate or left wing. I'm sure students talk about how much they'll earn one day. I know I have before.
The Best Things
Big campus with a small campus feel.
The Worst Things
Teachers not taking enough interest in the success of the students.
