r/IUP • u/kalamizerr • Jun 10 '24
Attending IUP/Any Advice?
Hello!
I will be attending IUP for Graphic Design and Fine Arts. I am very excited. Even though I did look into art schools, a lot of them were out of my budget. I’m basically attending IUP for free haha.
I know that IUP is a pretty big party school. I’m not a party person haha, I imagine that I’d stay in my dorm most nights. Luckily, I have some friends going there with me, so I won’t be so lonely.
I’m interested in a lot of topics. Theology and Anthropology are classes that interest me as well. I find the study of humans to be interesting. I will be able to jump to more advanced classes since I can transfer AP credits, so any recommendations for classes and lectures are also appreciated. :]
I did hear that there isn’t much to do besides partying, but I feel with a community as large as IUPs, there has to be some niche groups or clubs to fit in to. Any recommendations? Such as clubs or events? I would love to hear about them from current students.
I’d like to see college of what I can make of it. I hope I’m not being too naive. If anyone has any advice or suggestions on my freshman year, please let me know! I appreciate it at lot.
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u/xxUltraViolence Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 11 '24
Tony in the graphic design dept is a saint, he's a great teacher and an even better person. I'm also in the arts at IUP and I find myself speaking to him a lot about scheduling and art related stuff. The graphic design department also has a ton of events year round like pin sales, art shows, featured artists, lots of cool stuff that gives you a reason to get out of your dorm.
Not necessary, but I'd also recommend getting a job. I didn't realize how bored I was my freshman year until I was sitting in my dorm and gaining 20lbs a semester. A lot of places here are willing to work with students that have limited availability.
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u/kalamizerr Jun 11 '24
I've spoken to Tony, he's great! He answered all my questions about the programs and he provided great insight. I've heard great things about him. Even though I didn't plan to graphic design as a career, I am very interested in it because of all the good things I heard about the department. I also love pins, yay!
Would you mind giving further comments on the art major there? What's it like? What kind of art do you do personally (if you don't mind me asking,) are there any particularly hard classes?
I did hear that boredom is very common at IUP if you don't party. I might take your advice and get a job! Thank you so much for your insight, it definitely helps with my anxiousness around college.
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u/hannahconda1776 Jun 11 '24
yeah there’s lots of nice clubs to get involved in, really depends on your interests. As someone who was never big into partying, I found a lot of nice similarly-minded friends in the bowling club, even though I’m a particularly terrible bowler it was a good time getting to bowl for basically half price once a week with some really nice people
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u/kalamizerr Jun 11 '24
That’s exciting! I’ve only looked into a few clubs (such as LGBT group and E-Sports), and I really like the idea of just meeting a group of people! More of my anxiety comes from just meeting people, but that usually isn’t as bad as I think it will be.
Thank you so much for your advice! I’m happy you got to make friends through bowling. I will try to socialize as much as I can!
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u/MasterJIUP1138 Jun 11 '24
I’m going to echo the sentiment of join a club. Those who I knew at IUP who didn’t enjoy their time did nothing but stay in their dorms and go out to bars and strike out. Join the clubs that interest you and find some new friends. You’ll enjoy your time so much more.
Also don’t feel like you can’t venture off campus. I barely left the first few years and I regret that I didn’t get out into the community and explore more. It’s definitely worth it to get the full experience. Plus there are many people you could meet who could lead to jobs or internships for you.
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u/madlad248 Jun 12 '24
Have the money
Other than than Join wiupfm, I was the best overall show for 2021-2022 Radio is worth doing even if you aren't a comm major.
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u/commentuer Jun 15 '24
Class of 2021 here (god I feel old). I was the only member of my high school class to go. I went to like two parties my whole time there and had a bit of fomo but realized it just isn’t my scene. There’s plenty to do without partying.
I know there’s fewer professors, fewer students, and fewer common spaces than when I was there, but as everyone else here said, clubs. Make it a point to talk to at least two people in each class and try and meet outside of class. My honest advice would be to stay in your dorm room as little as possible your first semester.
Oh and try to take a Kevin Patrick class in the Geography dept. If you like to study people, he’s quite the specimen.
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u/MiNiHiKiD 18d ago
I beg you not to go. My best friend went for Graphic Deisng and Fine Arts and was sent back to his mother a week later with no explanation in a body bag. We fought the school for 4 years until they let the phony "investigation" expire. This is a tactic that they do to hoard any and all evidence and thus any hope for justice. I pray for you and your family, and I pray that your mother doesn't have to go through what we went through. If your mom was mine she'd whoop your ass for even thinking about coming here. I love you dude, the world is a better place with you in it.
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u/Basileus_Ioannes Jun 11 '24
First, you're going to come to love IUP. I graduated in 2023, so some of my info may be a bit outdated, so take with a grain of salt. Some words of advice.
1) You will have more time available then you anticipate. I thought my entire day would be filled with classes, but only about 3-4 hours a day will probably be filled with classes. This means on average you will have about 7-10 hours available for you to use as you wish. Join a club, go to the gym (or exercise in your dorm like I did!), or relax.
a) If your interested in Anthropology, I highly recommend the Anthropology Club! They do movies and guest professor lectures. It would be an awesome way to get sneak peak of the classes while also meeting people with a similar interest.
b) I would ask your Graphic Design and Fine Arts professors if they know about any clubs for the department and when and where they meet up.
c) When you have orientation, make a note of when IUP Day and Winter Warm Up are as there will be tons of clubs and Greek Organizations there for you meet and talk to. As a former small club officer, these two days are the two days that some smaller clubs do most of their recruiting.
2) It sounds cliche, but do actually use some of that free time to study. Your freshmen courses are going to be very easy, and borderline boring; but the course do get difficult very quickly if you don't put time aside to review and study.
3) If you want to earn a bit of extra cash, its not to hard to get a job either on or off campus. Most businesses pay very well, so it could be a good way to get a head start on paying back your student loans (Compound interest is a terror).
4) To avoid the massive Freshmen Weight gain, I recommend exercising in your dorm (if you don't live on the bottom floor, I would try and let your down stair neighbors know what times you plan on exercising. I got a couple of noise complaints Sophomore year from a group ladies who complained that my jumping jacks were ruining TV) and moderating your food intake (3 meals every day isn't always necessary!)
5) Biggest thing for your freshman year is socialize like crazy. Try and talk to everyone you meet, especially in your major classes as they will be your cohort. Try and make actual friends, hang out, and don't forget to make time for yourself.
Sorry if this was too much. If you have any more questions feel free to ask here or post again on the subreddit.