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A Student's Life

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is alive with students' laughter and full of energy. While walking around on campus, you can see various aspects of student life. What do you think of American students? Do you think that they are totally different from you? Not really.

During a normal week, students typically have two or three classes each day. Most of the classes are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with other classes scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. Some students try to schedule their classes so that they can just have classes only on Tuesdays and Thursdays so they can work part time jobs on the other days. Each student is responsible for creating a class schedule that best fits his or her lifestyle.

In college, students feel they have more opportunities to explore the learning environment that works best for them. Students have freedom to be themselves and express their ideas and opinions openly with friends and professors. In most classes, students actively talk out loud in front of the class on issues they feel strongly about and are open to hearing other students' or professors' thoughts. Students are generally allowed to eat in class and sit wherever they like.

A student who is originally from Hong Kong, but is attending the University, said, "In general, American students speak out in class and are generally more impatient in many activities than in Hong Kong."

Below is a video of a student's life, walking through campus to class.

Where Students Live

The University is known for being a commuter school. This means that most students live with their families or with friends off campus. Students travel to the campus on the days they have school or for other activities in which they take part. Many students who live off campus feel they have more room in an apartment or house than in a dormitory, or "dorm" on campus. There are many college apartments around the university area. Students usually live with friends and ride to school together.

A student who recently moved into an apartment near the campus said, "I like that I have my own kitchen and living area to relax and get away from the campus."

When many students first go to college, they feel that living on campus the first year will allow them to be more active in their college experience. Many new students take advantage of the university campus housing dorms. Dorms are large buildings with many floors and rooms. There are approximately 24 rooms on each floor and two students share a room. Living on campus is convenient because students do not have to drive to and from their classes. It is also very affordable to live on campus. Many parents of first-time college students feel that having to make only one payment that includes the cost of classes, meals and living is much easier. Also, many students feel that living on campus is fun!