New Mexico State University

Date: Sep 24 2010
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
I am a second year psychology studnet and here have been my experiences so far:

NEGATIVES:

In the majority of my classes there are four exams. Typically, the fourth exam counts as a "final". The second or third exam counts as the "midterm".

I'm currently taking a class where all the quizzes and exams are taken online. We have unlimited opportunities to take the quizzes and three chances on each of the exams. I haven't spent one moment studying since I've arrived at NMSU. Why am I complaining? I know if I eventually transfer and go onto grad school this is not the trend I want to set for myself!

I had a class where three generations of women attended (grandmother in her 50's, mother age 18, and her newborn baby)

Food on campus: most people dine at Taos which is buffet style. Pizza, burgers, fries, omlettes, and a carving station (chicken or fish typically) and what you can find there at dinner time. The first few weeks it seemed great. But a lot of people complain about sickness and illness they believe are related to eating there. It could just be the 16 jello shots they downed at a frat party… moving on!

I don't feel like I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I feel like I live at NMSU. The town is very small and a lot of the locals are retired. Besides the mall, the movies, and places to eat I can't find anything positive to say.

Most places off campus I feel absolutely unsafe. Riding my bike on the sidewalk I've had cans thrown at me and comments screamed in my direction (on and off campus).

Things just don't feel right here in general. I get a knot in my stomach walking off campus into town.

I'm a white female who has had such a difficult time making friends. In high school I was active in several groups and activities. Most people here seem reserved and prideful.

The fire alarms are pulled in the dorms. Expect this often.

Living in Pinon dorms has been positive overall though. The reviewer who commented on how terrible Garcia is… they hit the nail on the head. I feel so badly for anyone that has to live in Garcia Hall. Pinon is more expensive but worth it. I think to live in Pinon is $2,000. My tuition is $2,500 a semester.

A lot of people go home or away on the weekends. Most people go to El Paso (in my opinion a ghetto Texas town with a few nasty clubs and a lot of chain resturants). Other people go three hours north to Albuquerque, which really is a breath of fresh air as compared to El P and Las Cruces.

Good luck finding a job. I mean it. I have been discriminated against countless times due to the fact that I'm white. If nothing else, those experiences have made me more tolerant of people who aren't the same as me. I appreciate the fact that for most of my life things haven't been treated this way. But in the short time (about six months) I did have a job, myself and a "white boy" were asked to do the majority of the tasks. My manager would show up intoxicated and high on occasion. When I approached HER boss, absolutely nothing was done (for this situation and several others). I eventually quit. As far as on campus jobs, you may have more luck. Keep in mind it seems like a lot of these jobs are given to 1. foreign students 2. Hispanic students 3. Older locals 4. Upperclassmen.

I have had the worst time with the math department. For lower level courses you will take your quizzes and tests in the testing center (on your own time and not during class). On the first day of my class the professor asked two questions- 1. How many of you have taken 'such and such math course' before? About 1/2 raised their hands in a class of 50 students or so. 2. How many of you have taken this math course TWO or more times before? About 1/3 of the class raised their hands. She went on to say the math department expects you to fail and that it may be the death of you trying to struggle to finish this course.

If you are from out of state people will ask you "Um…why the $!%#

* did you choose NMSU??? Sure, you can tell them you wanted a new experience or it was one of the cheapest schools you could find. But just pay attention to how many people comment about and ask why you are here. To me, it seems like if given another option, with more money, or with the ambition a lot of students would love to be somewhere else.

POSITIVES:

Crimson Cab. Show your student ID and get a free cab ride in town after grocery shopping or a night of partying. Your tuition pays for the service. Use it to your advantage!

Most of my professors do seem to care and are available to help during office hours (IF they speak fluent English and IF their department didn't make recent office phone budget cuts. I'm talking about you Sociology department). <—can't blame the professors for that.

Tuition is cheap. You can't ignore that.

International Delights is so tasty and worth a visit. It is the best off campus place to be! It feels so un-Las Cruces…I almost forget I'm here!

This has been my personal experience and I'm looking forward to transferring by next year.