<p>Hi. I am currently at the U of M, College Park. I have found this school to be too big for me and I've really had trouble feeling like I "fit in", even though I'm a part of several organizations and I've been here for a year. For those at St. Mary's, I have some questions...</p>
<p>How are the academic standards? Do you find the classes challenging? Do you feel like you are really "getting something" out of your major?</p>
<p>Are the profs accessible? How big in general are the classes? Is it easy to participate in classes?</p>
<p>How about student life? What kinds of things do you do, typically? Do a lot of students drink? Do drugs? If so, does it bother you if you choose not to? Is drug use noticeable? Are students generally studious? Friendly? Open-minded? What do they want to do after college?</p>
<p>If you can answer any of the questions, that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey. I'm only a freshman here, but I am taking some upper level courses and I find the professors intelligent. The classes are as challenging as you want them to be- I like social studies and almost everything I learn encourages extra individual research, but I don't think you HAVE to do that in order to do well. They're mostly small classes; I think the only large classes might be Principles of Biology (for bio majors) and Astronomy.
My professors are very accessible, and all of them encourage participation. My philosophy class is ALL discussion, but even the lecturers ask questions and opinions.
So far since being here, I've gone to the Renaissance Festival, watched new movies, kayaked, gone to coffeehouses, generally sat by the river, been in an on campus protest for workers' wages, attended a Democrat rally, and volunteered at a nursing home. I'm sure some people get bored, but it seems like there's always stuff to do. A lot of students drink or use marijuana, but there's no pressure to do it if you don't want to. Students are generally very friendly. Most are Democrats, so might want to beware if you're socially conservative. Some go straight into the work force after college; others go to grad school.
There are a lot of transfer students from UMCP who listed the same reasons for leaving that you did. They seem happy.</p>