The State University of New York College - Cortland

I am leaving the management of leisure services master's program after two semesters due to my lack of academic competence. So it's definitely on me, not the school.

I will present opinions on the school/its culture, the program I was enrolled in, and then some basic graduate school advice from my point of view.

The school is really huge, full of party-type people (which gets really annoying/distracting as a graduate student), and it can be hard to get to certain spots like the library or professional studies building. Not to mention the weather is oftentimes difficult to deal with. We had true winter conditions in the first weekend of April 2016.

The program is heavily geared toward a career in academia, which means most of the courses are all about theories and research. For someone who wishes to pursue a phd and become a professor, this is great. For someone who just wants to learn practical skills they can take right into their job, it's a disaster. The advice presented in these reviews regarding the campus community and culture is true, and I have felt its annoying influence even as a graduate student. If you're seeking a master's in anything, please try to work at least part time for at least a year after completing your Bachelor's degree (and not be in school at all), and then enter a graduate program. The prior work experience will pay huge dividends and allow you to understand how to apply theories and research more concretely. Also it actually helps to live at least 30 mins. away from the school you attend so as to avoid any influence and distraction from that school's campus culture.

In TSD, the majority of the faculty are fabulous. They are genuinely interested in students and their educational outcomes. There was one professor that played Syracuse basketball games during class discussions. She seemed to be distracted by her own breathing. Her behavior class was an excellent example of what not to do. Her sections are always full because her classes are considered a cakewalk. Very disappointing.