Do you think this video paints a positive or negative view of Colby??
Tbh i was condidering going to colby, but i changed my mind after this. The students don’t seem happy or satisfied there at all. Students are described as superficial ans fake, heavy drinkers, etc
Actually, I was thinking that college life is tough for many students, regardless of which college it is. As the film progresses, you see that the students who have struggled and been unhappy (and been refreshingly authentic, articulate and candid about it) later grow and thrive at Colby. As the filmmaker writes, “this documentary gives students attending Colby College and other schools like it, a wide perspective so they realize everything’s going to be okay.”
Well, this makes me want to keep my kid home. It’s very negative. And I agree with syrnix, it probably isn’t just Colby but a lot of schools like it… small, isolated, cold, competitive, expensive, etc. Everyone looked depressed, even the counselors. I didn’t see where anyone was thriving. More like got through it and learned something, but thriving? “Oh hey, the best thing that happened to me at Colby was I got my fake ID.” That’s not thriving.
I think the viewer’s perception of the documentary will depend a lot on their own experiences. The most challenging position will be for that of a high school student who is considering where to attend college. So bear in mind that many of the documentary’s subjects defined themselves much too frequently only in relationship to the predominant – as they perceived it – culture on campus. For example, in the early moments of the film a student says “I had this image of myself reading philosophy books in a field.” The unstated implication is that something about Colby’s culture discourages this type of activity. But, somewhat obviously, it’s clear that this student could have read a book in a field at any time, even if there was no preexisting culture of doing so. In this case, holding an illusion of what a prevailing culture proscribed may have been more influential than reality.
@syrnix: I agree that many of the students/counselors/professors were authentic and articulate. So this is positive for Colby.
@AsapSnow: You can still go to Colby, not drink/not drink excessively (as you choose and as the law allows), and get a great education.
@redpoodles: Jugglers and clowns would have had a difficult time overcoming the opening images of cold puddles.
I watched this video a few weeks ago- but sadly only after being accepted under ED. I don’t know how accurate the video is, but it sure did make me less enthusiastic about joining Colby.(Still excited though!)
I think I also came to this video with a little prejudice–I know someone who dropped out of Colby (years ago) due to depression. I always thought it was just her make up, but the video makes it seem like she didn’t have a fighting chance.
However, @ASDDSA you should put this video out of your mind! Your college experience will be what you make of it! I went to a giant state school and had many of the same feelings, so it certainly isn’t just Colby. These kids expressed it better than I ever did. You are going in knowing some pitfalls and can adjust your trajectory accordingly to maximize your happiness. Instead of sitting in your room wondering why you have no real friends you will get out there and make some. Most importantly, if you get depressed, or get seasonal affective disorder, you know what to do–make use of the counseling services and get one of those lights. We pretty much all agree that this could be any school. College is weirdly separated from the rest of life and society like that.
I had mixed feelings while watching this film. As a student who is going to be going to Colby in the Fall, it was a bit discouraging, however it just goes to show you how different people are within the college. Just because someone is not enjoying themselves, it does not mean that the college is to blame. Some people no matter where they go, are going to have bad time . However, if you look at the positives, get involved, and stay true to yourself, I don’t that it’ll be a problem.
Now, as far a race relations and “fitting in” on campus goes, it was very shocking. I’m from Houston, Texas, which is known for being the most diverse city in the country, so I’ve been around different races and cultures my entire life, however I know that there are people who didn’t grow up in the same environment that I did. If someone EVER said “Hey, Black Girl” to me I would NOT STAND IDLE. I was recently dubbed “The Megaphone” by my friend, so you bet that I have a mouth and I know how to use it. When we don’t speak up, it allows these things to continue. Racism in Never okay under any circumstance.
Also, when they were talking about people who study Mon-Thursday and then binge drink Thursday night -Sunday, I’d just say know your limit and go into college, and know what you expect out of college. I’ve read that parties at Colby are simply people who get drunk in small dorm rooms, but I feel like this happens in many colleges, especially small schools in rural areas. However, if you’re not into that sort of thing, I’m sure that there are other things to do. I don’t want to become a statistic and I don’t expect anyone else to either. and Its all about finding your crowd, but also not limiting yourself. While many of the students pointed out negatives of the school, I feel like i was unfairly weighed. They could have easily said some positive things. In all of their four years, there’s nothing that they like?
Also, I understand that Waterville may be small, but the capital is 15 minutes away! The East Coast is full of opportunity! There are tons of fun place within reach, Boston, New York, Montreal, even Nova Scotia for crying out loud. In Texas it takes and hour to get anywhere, so I won’t be trippin’ when I get up to Maine. If you don’t have a car, use the Concord Coach bus, find a ride, Get a bike!
I’m glad that I watched this documentary, because not only was it recent but it provided actual insight to student life at Colby. However, I’m still waiting until I get on campus to make conclusions for myself.
@sweetthang13542: You might not have read McLuhan, but I think the phrase he coined applies here: “the medium is the message.” As you wisely stated, you should work to create your own experiences at Colby, with perhaps the added advantage of having gained insight from the film.
A question, though: if you had seen the documentary sooner, would that have influenced your decision to apply to Colby?
@merc81 I don’t believe that it would have changed my decision to apply. I did mountains of research before even considering Colby as one of my top options, and I’m very confident about my decision. As we all know, no matter what is going on, even if you’re having a great time, someone else could be having a bad time. If you want to have a good experience, you will. I try not to read too many negative reviews, because it starts to weight on you for a while. I do take them into consideration,because they’re on campus and have experienced it first-hand. However, I’m going to take everything with a grain of salt. It’s important not to judge until you have time to make opinions for yourself.
@Sweetthang13542 Very smart philosophy. Another little anecdote–classes vary in personality from year to year. Some classes have a lot of down negative passive people in them and it sets the tone. Then just a couple years later a new group arrives that has people in it who really gel together and lift each other up! It’s luck but you can definitely influence it and be a positive force for your class!
@redpoodles I sure hope that I can! I always try to be positive and get the most out of my experiences. There isn’t enough time in life to be down all the time.
If that is the case then there is a happy and fulfilling life ahead of you!
Yep, nice response, @sweetthang13542. Colby is a great school and seems to be getting even better. You’ll love it.
Sweetthang, not to be a wet blanket, but Boston is a good 3 hours by car, NYC is 6 1/2 hours, and Montreal is 5. That’s without traffic or Canadian border time. You won’t be going to any of them on a regular basis. Augusta is not exactly a big city, with a population barely larger than that of Waterville. It may be the state capitol, but there’s not much to do there.
Portland, on the other hand, is a lovely city with good bars, shops, and restaurants. It’s about an hour and a quarter from Colby by car or an hour more than that by Concord Coach, so it’ll still take a little work to get to, but at least it’s a reasonable destination for a Saturday night.
Enjoy Colby. It’s a great school!
I saw this video a couple weeks ago and it distressed me for a while. I applied ED II to Colby and am currently waiting for news on Feb. 15th. The documentary truly played to my recently developed fear that I may have made the wrong decision. I began to worry if I had chosen a college that would simply be an extension of my high school where many people don’t view education like I do. I really like intellectual and self discovery but I began to worry that if I get accepted to this school I may not find “my people”. Would I find friends that I can just relax and goof off with but also have really deep and philisophical conversations with?
But after time and reflection I am really not that worried anymore. The documentary actually calmed me. I loved how one of the counselors said that students have so much pressure on themselves by thinking if they are not happy all the time then they are “college-ing” wrong. Opening yourself up to the pain and awkwardness of transitioning to life in a new environment is not only necessary but extremely advantageous. After this documentary I have a less fairytale-like view of college. But I think that is actually much better. If that makes any sense.
P.S. I really hope I get in to Colby!
This video is representative of every college. You could substitute the name Colby for most colleges. As the mother of two who have graduated I know from their experiences that there are times you are lonely and miss home. There are times when you wonder what am I doing here?! Each of my kids went to very different schools a small engineering school and a larger state school. For the most part this depicts the process of growing up. By the way unless you go to a Christian school or BYU there most likely will be drinking - go find something else to do if you don’t partake. Enjoy the experience!
This video reflects the apparent depression of the person who created it. Had my Colby student been the film’s director, it would show fluffy, white snow, snowboarding and the beauty of Maine - not rainy mud puddles. The interviews would be more upbeat with the many fascinating people who inhabit the Colby campus. The close, sure to be lifelong, friendships would be featured. Most importantly, his sheer happiness at having the opportunity to attend Colby would shine in every single frame. It’s all about the director.
I agree with @SweetPear. As a current student on campus, I am confident that the video does not reflect the student body’s perspective but rather one individual. Yes there’s drinking on campus, but there’ll be drinking on most college campuses. I think Colby does a fantastic job with having activities to do on weekends that don’t involve drinking.
There’s a lot going on with the new president and relationships with Waterville and nearby Thomas College should definitely make more town events for the students to get off the Hill and incorporate with the town. I wouldn’t take the video as a sign of negativity.