North Greenville University

Date: Sep 16 2011
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
At first I felt a strong connection with the school. I come from 11 hours away, and was surprised by how many people are from South Carolina. Not many people come from out of state, mostly because it is not a known school. There are many positives of the school, if you're the kind of person who loves the "Baptist" faith, not exactly Christian, but "Baptist". Southern Baptist to be exact, not to be confused with any other "type" of Christians- as they'll be sure to make clear. Their other denomination jokes are not as funny as they think they are.

I'm only a first-semester freshman but I'm definitely being challenged. I'm having a wake-up call that this is not high school anymore, so don't come here if you expect to just slide-through college. The teachers expect actual work and studying of you. The teachers (for the most part) are very kind and show their availability to you for help. I only have had trouble with one teacher so far, my English teacher, who is the hardest, most disrespectful, un-Christlike teacher I have ever had. Her names Dr. Drummond. Don't take her. She has made many a student cry, and doesn't seem to actually teach, unless you want to learn how to write a paper perfectly and become a grammar nazi. She's good if you're an English Major. But if you are not 100% fluent on all things English, you're doomed. I'm withdrawing before I fail her class due to her strictness.

As a student from Philadelphia, I can only go home on long breaks. I can't even begin to describe how boring campus is, if not on the weekdays, especially on the weekends. Apparently 70% of students go home on the weekends, but it seems to me the number is actually about 85%. The sports teams are apparently good, but I wouldn't know because I don't go to the games. I don't think many people do. I went to a soccer game once and the stands were basically bare.

All of the friends I've made are planning on transferring or wishing they were transferring. If you like to have any fun, besides going to "BSU" (Baptist Student Union) or chapel, you probably won't love it here. Don't get me wrong, the people are wonderful and friendly, but unless you are fully absorbed in the Baptist faith, try going somewhere else. I was aware that it was a Christian University when I came here, but had no idea I would be so bombarded with rules and restriction. Here are just some examples of the rules

1. No members of the opposite sex in dorms EVER. Except for 3 hrs, with doors open on Halloween, and Valentines Day…?

2. No drug/alcohol policy at all. If you are caught doing any of these things, whether you are off-campus, over the legal age, on summer break, or if they see you with a drink in your hand in a picture, you are suspended and sent home.

3. The dress code is ridiculous. Girls, your shorts must be at least mid-thigh, and no shirts that allow cleavage or any amount of SHOULDER are accepted without a fine. The RA's are nazi's when it comes to this. Your tank-tops must be at least 3 inches wide…

I also didn't expect to feel so oppressed by the Baptist view point of the Christian Faith. I grew up in a non-denominational church, and although I try to live my life as Christ-like as I can, I started feeling awful about myself because of the pressure they put on you to be "perfect-christians". If you are used to this baptist mind-set, you're OK to come here and feel fine. But if you are not, this school might push you away from God. At least in my opinion. I'm saving myself before I get too sucked in, so I plan on transferring to a school closer to home and non-Christian, hoping most of my credits transfer. I feel I can thrive more as a person, and a Christian at another University, outside of the "NGU Bubble".