Suffolk University

My first year experience has been amazing. I love living in Boston, and the school and the professors have been so helpful. I was nervous to leave home, but this experience has made me stronger and what I am learning at Suffolk is keeping me engaged in my education.

The food has been up and down and I am in a suite with 10 other girls and its been a bit overwhelming.

The location is convenient.

The food is terrible.

I like the life skills that I learned while at Suffolk University.

Personally, I don't find it academically challenging enough. There are minimal food options with many cases of food poisoning. As for social life, there isn't much that goes on on-campus. There's very minimal school spirit. Professors go either way. Some are absolutely wonderful and others are not at all helpful.

Honestly, I just like it for the people, with me being from the south, around people with very closed mindsets, it was a nice change. No one was afraid to be themselves. From the teachers to the students to the crackheads on the street. Everyone was true to themselves, and that's what really made the experience memorable.

I didn't like the aggressiveness of the staff and the lack of resources they give students. Especially freshman. Other than the 3-hour introduction at the beginning of the semester, the was little help. They had a very "lais·sez-faire" way of helping their students. Personally, all the important information I found out was from the upper classes and my peers. Teachers didn't really teach, they just lectured and expected you to interpret what they said and regurgitate it perfectly. Even if you didn't understand the material, and if you didn't regurgitate it EXACTLY how they wanted it, it was wrong. Or they would talk about it and pick it apart until it was the exact opposite of what you were trying to say, just so it can fit for them. Personality-wise, they were great, but they could do better in the “professor” profession. Food was mid-tier, and some of the dining halls were great but, those places tended to close early. so depending on when your classes were, you had to eat at the bad dining hall which coincidentally stayed open longer than the good ones.

I really appreciate the small, intimate classroom environment that Suffolk University provides. I've been able to form close relationships with my professors, and they get to know the students as people. There's no closed campus, so we're able to explore and get to know Boston. I've been able to learn so much about the city I'm in and experience some amazing things that I would never get to if I were living in a remote area on a closed campus. The student population is widely liberal, which can be very positive if your views align. I personally have found that I'm much more comfortable speaking my mind on more controversial topics because I know that the majority of the room will at least see my side and not attack me for it. Downtown Boston is a beautiful location to spend your college years in, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the experiences that I've had here so far.

The lack of a closed campus does mean that there's a lot less student involvement. I find it difficult to feel involved and part of a student body, instead I end up feeling more like an adult taking college classes. Some people prefer this type of environment, but if you're looking for a campus full of activities and school pride, it's best to look elsewhere. Suffolk has very few sports teams, which means that there isn't any real unifying activity for the student body. There are many clubs and teams that people can get involved in, but nothing that represents Suffolk as a whole, makes you say "I'm proud to be a Ram."

Ending the first year of my being at Suffolk University, I have my pleasures and regrets. I feel that Suffolk University is an excellent school for those who want to be in the heart of the city. It is also in a great spot for commuters, such as myself, since we are right in front of the train stations. It is not as challenging as I am used to, but the professors and faculty do a great job of caring about the students and helping them get to where they want to be. It is difficult to make friends here, especially if you are a commuter, even though it is a small school. Most students here keep to themselves and the only groups I see are the ones formed in dorms. Students do not exude determination or competition academically, so it can really affect the way you start to handle your own endeavors.

Students should definitely be aware of the small campus and what major/interests they want to pursue. Some majors are not as cared for in this school and employers may only know Suffolk as a Law school. Also, be aware of how you plan to make friends because most students here keep to themselves and do not partake in campus activities. Stemming from this, there are little to no campus traditions or activities, which can greatly affect how you perceive your college experience.