This week I had the pleasure of interviewing my good friend, Michal. She is a rising junior at SUNY Oneonta in upstate New York. She is a psychology major. After interviewing her, I could tell that she really loves Oneonta and misses the atmosphere, the people, and the professors. - Molly
What do you think makes Oneonta so unique?
"There are so many special things about Oneonta as a whole-- the school, the town, the people, the environment, it's really everything about it. Something that i really like about the school is that it's big enough to meet new people but small enough not to be overwhelmed by how many people there are. The class sizes are small, about 30 per class (a little more for lecture classes), and it really feels like every student gets attention. There are so many things there that are great to have- such as our own hiking trail/campsite, a kitchen in the dining hall that provides you with ingredients to cook your own food, and free laundry and buses all over the town. There are also a variety of clubs for many different topics and interests: volunteering, sports, hobbies, hiking, activism, etc. There are so many people there who are truly passionate about what they major in and what they like to do. there is a very vibrant and diverse local art and music place. It is truly a place where you can grow and flourish. it feels like anything and everything is possible in Oneonta."
How Would you describe the workload? Do people end up studying over weekends or do they go out with friends?
"The workload really depends on your major, your professors, and the classes you're in. What's nice is that there are plenty of different classes and your schedule is very customizable. While there are some classes that are required for certain majors, there is a lot of flexibility in what you can take. I'm a psychology major, but i've been able to take many classes on things i'm interested in such as philosophy, art, and music. Another good thing is that every semester, each professor gives a syllabus with all of the homework assignments, exams, and papers for that semester so you're able to plan and not be overwhelmed by the work."
How Would you describe dorm life at oneonta?
"Out of all of the schools i toured, Oneonta had the best dorms. They're pretty clean and spacious and well ventilated. As a freshman, you live in doubles in one of the five FYE (first year experience) buildings. Each wing has boys and girls bathrooms with 2 or 3 showers, 2 sinks, and 2 stalls. There is a fitness center, a lounge with couches and a TV, a study lounge, and a computer lab. There are RAs (one per wing) who have floor meetings and have activities every few days. Upperclassmen dorms are similar except they're either quads which are two doubles (smaller than freshman rooms) with a common room where the bathroom is shared with the hall or suites which are two or three doubles (smaller than freshman rooms) with a common room and a bathroom that you share with the suite."
Are the professors good teachers?
​"I have only had one or two professors that didn't teach well, but for the most part my experience has been resoundingly positive. My professors have been intelligent, passionate, and inspiring people. They are always willing to help their students understand and succeed and they really care about what they teach. Another thing is that if you're struggling in a class, there are many ways to get help- such as office hours, free tutoring, and the writing center in the library."