Student Profile
Amanda
- Class: Senior
- Major: Psychology
- Gender:
- High School: Monadnock Regional
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
The best thing about UNH... is probably the weekend. I have had more fun during one random weekend being a UNH undergrad, then I had during all four years of my highschool days. The friends I have made here are amazing. They are incredibly wild, fun, and carefree. Every person here seems to know and value that these are our "last" four years- to be young, and careless. If I could change one thing- I would probably have a "how to guide" for freshmen as far as the academic advising goes. I've had waaay too many friends get ***ed over by hidden prereq's and poor advice from professors that are not in proper communication with their departments. I would recommend that every new student goes into this school knowing its kind of large- and are motivated and determined to knock on their advisors door every chance they get- and stay on track academically. That being said, I personally feel that my school size is PERFECT. I come from a small town (high school was about 1,500 kids) so this school is small enough where you will see familiar faces (especially if you're put in one of the freshmen dorms), but large enough that if you make a couple mistakes, the gossip train isn't going to get right back to you. When I tell people I go to UNH, they obviously ask me if I go to the hockey games first (I've been to one)... but for the most part, people seem to have this glamorous idea in their heads. It feels pretty kickass to be able to have so much pride for going to such an awesome university. I spend most of my time at my residence, the gym, and then house parties/bars. Durham is straight up a college town- and NOTHING more. We have no food chains- Dunkins is off campus on your way out of town- and our equivalent to Walmart is a Rite Aid; however, if you have a car- or take advantage of the bus transportation- Dover and Portsmouth are awesome- and the beach is 20/30 minutes away. The Fox Run Mall blows- but Salem mall is 45 minutes away- and the Mall of New Hampshire is about 40 minutes away as well... oh- and the parking sucks. Plan on paying about $500 in bull*** parking tickets throughout your time here. $15.00 tickets if your meter runs out- $50.00 if you park in a lot without a permit- and $75.00 if you leave your car in any lot during the winter... if "Smittys" garage doesn't tow your***first, for at least a $100 minimum. Despite the ***ty parking, under-cover bull*** cops, overcrowded gym, etc... UNH is one in a million. HELL YES I have school pride. Drive by Cowell Stadium in the fall and witness the students decked out in UNH gear, slugging beers, and screaming in anticipation of the upcoming football game- and you wont be able to argue. Academically, I am walking away from this university with a full resume. I have had the opportunity to be a reasearch assistant, to be a teacher's assistant for a stats class, to do the honors program, i've taken extra courses every semester, and i've fostered incredibly close relationships with professors I plan on keeping a life long connection with. You get back, what you put in. If you want to come here and spend every school day skipping class, every night blacked out or drugged out, and every weekend a sloppy mess- you probably will- and you might walk away with a degree. But if you come to this school to "work hard- and play harder" I think you will find you belong to the majority of us here. We are America's future- but we don't take our lives so seriously that we forget how to have fun. We're still young- and just because we're growing old- does not mean we are forfeiting our right to grow up. When I throw my cap in the air this spring, I will not regret a single thing- because this experience has made me the person I am- and I walk away with confidence that UNH has prepared me for the real world at large.
Academic Life
I belong to the largest major on this campus, and I am a quote-unquote "psychology superstar". I have been a teacher's assistant. I have been a reasearch assistant. I am now doing my own honors thesis. I am doing the honors within major program. I have received a $3500 grant to conduct my research from UROP. I have taken extra courses every semester and know the majority of my professors well (minus general education courses- which have 200-500 lecture class sizes). My favorite two courses have been my "healthy psychology" course- and "counseling" course. I highly believe in using the "ratemyprofessor.com" resource to research strong professors from unfair/difficult ones. I am in the Golden Key International Honor Society because my GPA is usually around a 3.5- but last semester I scored a 3.9. Students are not really competitive with each other- I think thats more high school- but we are competitive, because at this stage in the game- you're competing for a job when your GPA gets slapped on your transcript. If you dont take your schoolwork seriously, why are you in college? This school is huge. If you want to succeed academically- you need to get to know the receptionist of your department (the psych receptionist, Robyn, has helped me more times than I could count)- you need to get to know your advisor- you need to go to your professors office hours and ask questions- basically, you need to SHOW you care- and not just be a name on the roster. If you are in the Whittemore School of Business, you are definitely going to walk away with a job here very easily... otherwise, be prepared to do a little more independent networking. But the Career Services in Hood House are AMAZING. I have been there several times to sit down and talk about my future options. They have given me many resources to work with- and have even offerred to help locate potential employers.
Student Body
If you're white- welcome to UNH. You'll fit right in. If you are of another race, be prepared to feel a little "outnumbered" if you're not used to it. Most students wear Abercrombie, UGGS, Hollister, Coach/Vera Bradley purses/bags, Northface, Polo, etc... Students do interact- on the weekends- but I can honestly say that this college is as cliquey as my high school was. There's the football players- the rest of the athletes- there's the Meathead Greeks- there's the sorority girls- there are the hippies/outdoor club- and then the rest of us. If there were four dining tables- one would be strictly football players- one would be strictly greeks- and the remaining two would be a mix of regular students. Most UNH kids are from MASS/NH/CT/NY. Most are well off. I am considered the "17% poorest" demographically- but it doesnt bother me too much- but that's me personally. I like being financially independent and I like knowing I've worked for what I own. A lot of kids have part time jobs- and most people are pretty chill. Financial background is only relevant when it comes to clothing/the car you do or dont drive/and how often and much you drink at the bar. I would say there's a lot of political activity on campus- theres always stuff going on in front of T-Hall. I would say we may lean towards the liberal side- but its really tight. No- no one really talks about how much they'll earn. If they do- they usually sound ***y, arrogant- and disgusting- so I'm usually quick to walk off at that point in the convo.
The Best Things
The education you earn, the friendships you make, and the lessons you learn.
The Worst Things
The fact its only 4 years long and the most expensive out of state public university.
