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Biology Burnout
Topics: Campus Buzz, Bakotopia, Magazine. College Stories, csub, Bakersfield, biology, Fees, Debt
Posted by tashkajones Mon Oct 29, 2007 18:40:09 PDT
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0 responses 4 comments Location: 9001 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA 93311

Biology Burnout
College career an uphill battle. Part of an ongoing Bakotopia series!



By Tashkajones, Bakotopia.com Contributor

The matriculation process is always an interesting adventure.

For me it has not been one of smiles, booze, and STDs as it is for many. My college career has been quite the uphill battle, to say the least.

As many are starting out, I was extremely enthusiastic to go back to school. I started at BC, as most do, in order to save a bunch of money. It took me just over two years to get my associates degree and transfer to CSUB. Now that I am at the end of my college attending stint, I see the mistakes that I made and do not wish them upon anybody in the future.

I went back to college after a four-year break to “find myself.” I was working at a physical therapy clinic full time and had a live-in “boyfriend” at the time.

The January after my 21st birthday I decided to go back. On my mom's side of the family I am the first [and thus far only] to attempt a higher education and stick to it. So there has been no guidance from family for the hurdles I was to face.

I was pretty jazzed when I graduated and was ready for the big kid school. Until I got there, that is. Originally I was going to be a physical therapist so I was in the PEAK program, because they advertise that it's for PT school. However, the entire program was geared toward being a PE teacher. Which is fantastic, but not for me. I mean, come on, you’ve seen me. So, keeping the physical therapy idea in mind I switch to biology. Somehow along the line they convinced me it was a good idea to be pre-med. Now, I just want to be done with it already.

I realized when I transferred that I should have gone straight to CSUB — or any other university, for that matter. My major doesn't have many classes offered. The bulk of the required courses are offered only once every other year. Then somebody seems to think it's a good idea to offer two of these classes at the exact same time of day. So, you can only take one then wait two years to take the next. Had I skipped junior college, I could have started my majors courses my freshman year along with general education. However, since all of my Gen Ed was completed in advance, I have been at CSUB for four years now trying to complete two years worth of classes, all along spending a crazy amount on tuition.

When I started CSUB in the fall of 2003, tuition for over six units was around $800. Now that same unit bracket is $1,200.00, most of which is not even for the classes themselves.

Here is my schedule of fees for this quarter:
Fall 2007
Detail Code Description Charge /Payment
0003 SUF -,State University Fee-919
00AA ASB Athletic Fee-$12
00AC ASB Child Care Fee- 4
00AS Associated Student Body Fee-$13
00AT IRA Athletic Referendum Fee-$16
00AV ASB Antelope Valley-$2
00CO ASB Clubs & Organizations-$3
00D1 ASB Division I Athletics-$63
00FA IRA Fine Arts Referendum Fee-$2
00FF Facility Fee-$2
00HL Health Fee-$72
00ID ID FEE-Photo ID Card Fee-$4
00IR IRA Fee, Instr. Activity Fee-$4
00RC Student Union Rec Center-$92
00SU SU, Studnt Union Fee-$25
4001 Parking - Qtrly decals-$36
CSNT Cashier Payment, Thank You-$1,274
Term Charges-$1,274   
Term Credits and Payments: $1,274
------------------------------
Term Balance: $0

Here are my problems: I don't have children, I do not play athletics (3 charges,) I do not have any fine arts classes (bio majors get charged lab fees for class supplies), I have health insurance that I pay a lot for through work, there is no recreation center, and ID cards are only issued once while you are attending (but if you lose it, it costs money to replace). That is a bit irritating.

Today, I find that the one class I need to graduate isn't being offered next quarter. Now, I am left here wondering what will become of next quarter.
I am beyond tired and burnt out on college. I just want to be done. The closer I get the farther away as well. Some might say, “But Brooke, the struggle is half the battle. It builds character.”

I now see organized education as a monopoly more than an institution of growth. As long as the tuition goes up, they will find a way to keep you there as long as possible. OK, that might be a bit bitter. Nonetheless, my experience has made me so.


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*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine issue 14, 11 - 2 - 07

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Comment From: matt

Man, you've reminded me to be glad - I'm alllll done...hang in there kiddo. One day, you'll be able to sit back and laugh in the face of college debt! Comment From: twinkie

Holy shit, girl. I can't afford even ONE of those classes. Damn! For that price they should offer a free meal every day. I mean hell, you probably can't afford to eat after tuiton, right? Comment From: tashkajones

no kidding.... when i say i'm poor, i'm not jokin.... lol.... not to mention that most "good" jobs won't let you leave for school.... which = less money... oh well right? thanksy matty matt.... Comment From: Kindra79

Oi, I feel dizzy just reading all that ... and am thinking "great, just great! I just had to go to Taft for the AA online thinking transfering to CSUB would be simple." I've taken the past 2 years off to "advance in my career and make a mortgage payment" was tempted to enroll in CSUB this year, but now I'm hesitant! Augh! Not to mention after I graduated from Taft I never returned my DL books so they won't give me my transcripts and I wonder if it's too late to just return them (got cancer, wigged out, never took the books back, survived cancer, bought house, packed books, unpacked books, never returned books). Whoops!