The Book Of Me: Prompt 65 --Colleges and Universities

If you are not familiar with this wonderful project that was created by Julie Goucher of the Angler's Rest blog, please refer to this link: http://www.anglers-rest.net/book-of-me-written-by-you.html


This week's prompt is - Colleges & University

Did you go to college and / or University
if not, did you want to or did you not want to?
did you perhaps change your mind at a later date?
What did you study?
Was your studying vocational or a step on the ladder to another profession?
What was the educational path you took to get to University or college?
Where did you go? & why there?
Regrets of study choice?
Did you belong to clubs there?
Friends?
Pictures?
As always, share what you are comfortable with.

Did you go to college and / or University
if not, did you want to or did you not want to?


I attended Binghamton University from August 1990 until December 1994. Since I didn't finish my degree requirements until December of 1994, I had to wait until May 1995 to get my physical diploma.

What did you study?

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Where did you go? & why there?

When I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to go away to college. I wanted to break out on my own but I knew that there was a budget that my parents had to stay within since they were going to be the ones footing the bill. I was given a choice. I could go to a state school and they would pay for it or I could choose a private school which they would pay for part and I would have to take out loans to pay the difference. I didn't like the idea of coming out of school with big loans that had to be repaid ASAP, so I decided a state school was going to be the better choice. I considered going to Fredonia, Oneonta, or Binghamton. When I received my acceptance letter to SUNY Binghamton, I made my decision. The univerisity had and still has an excellent business school so the choice seemed obvious. 

Regrets of study choice?

Well yes and no. Yes, because if I had it to do all over again, I probably would have looked at a degree in marketing or business administration. I never really truly wanted to be an accountant. I wanted what I thought it meant to be successful back then. I thought I was supposed to go out and earn as much money as possible and have the big house and the fancy car. The fancy car was going to be a silver or black BMW with leather interior. The big house I wasn't really sure where that was going to be just yet, but those were the things I was supposed to attain. Becoming a CPA seemed like the best chance for me to achieve getting those things. Now, I look back at how I used to view things and think to myself, Wow... that was such a crock of horse shit! My belief system was so superficial. At that time, I just didn't get it. I didn't understand what the truly important things in life were. I think one of the most important components of being successful is happiness. I should have asked myself then what sort of work would make me happy and then see if a living could be made doing that. I know now that things happened as they were supposed to. I wouldn't be the person I am now if I had made a different choice and I really like who I am now.

Did you belong to clubs there?

I was a member of the Fencing club. I enjoyed it tremendously and met cool people along the way. It was a great way to get into shape too. You can read a little more about my fencing days on this post, Looking Back While Looking Forward.

On to prompt 66!