Post: #1

I'm currently in California in a big university town (UC), and I was thinking it'd be a good opportunity to exercise some of the brain cells I wasted overseas. Any of you guys ever sit in on lectures without enrolling before? I'm not too worried about getting credit - just enjoy learning, honestly.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #2

If it's purely to learn something, then you should check online. A number of schools, MIT for one, have put their classes online: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Also, there is Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org/

Post: #3

If the lecture is over 100 people you'll have no problems whatsoever. Just look on the colleges website for course listings/times and go whenever. Smaller classes not so much, it depends on how the course is taught. Some teachers in classes of <60 people usually learn peoples names/faces. Others are just smaller lectures and the prof doesnt give a shit. I was going to take a spanish class at my university but the class was only 25 people, definitely wont be able to sit in.

Post: #4

Any lecture hall you can go into the class. A small classroom maybe not. But this macroeconomics class had less than 40 but the teacher didn't know names. Just go to the class the first 2 weeks and you can see which ones you'll be able to sneak by.
You could honestly just pass as a student and live the college experience(rent an apartment or house in the college area).

Post: #5

Yes crashing the first 2 weeks or so of the semester is key. A lot of students never actually come to class so there is always a good 5-10 kids the prof has no idea at all is.

Post: #6

I've never taken a college course, so this may seem a juvenile question, but - I take it college professors don't "roll call" like high school?

I live in a city with two major universities, and can certainly understand wanting to learn just for the sake of it, so I'm this thread has definitely piqued my interest.

Post: #7

(04-15-2012 11:06 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  I've never taken a college course, so this may seem a juvenile question, but - I take it college professors don't "roll call" like high school?

I live in a city with two major universities, and can certainly understand wanting to learn just for the sake of it, so I'm this thread has definitely piqued my interest.

Nope. Go to classes and you won't have a problem. Every UNI here in NJ doesn't check IDs into buildings.. it'd be a hassle. Even if you get asked for it(which will never happen), say you forgot it or lost it.
Make friends with college kids + go to college parties, there's your college experience. Without having to do well in class.

Post: #8

After some Googling I'm finding reports from a lot of people that most professors don't even mind it if you go up to them and ask beforehand. A lot of people who work these careers are the type who really would rather see someone not pay for a class and actually be interested rather than another one of the sheep not caring about a class they have to take.

Most people who've always been upfront about what they're doing report profs having no problem as long as there are extra seats to take and you're not taking a registered person's spot.

Anyhow, I'm interested in checking out opensource stuff schools like MIT put out too, but as someone who spends all his time working online, it would be nice to actually get out into live lectures and out from behind the computer again, etc, too.

I'm going to head over in a couple days and have a look around - got a current student who's going to give me a quick toour and fill me in on profs that give good lectures as well as what buildings have the biggest lecture rooms, etc. University opens it's fitness facilities to the general public for a monthly fee as well.

Don't know if I'll do this long because still contemplating a move to the oilfields, but it could be fun to try it out for the summer session. Temporary subleases on apartments seem abundant around here during the summer as all the students take off and don't want to completely lose out on their rooms.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #9

Lots of times professors won't care. I used to go to classes that I wasn't registered for all the time, but I was a student at the school. You probably won't get caught,but one thing to worry about is campus police, or more specifically, a nosy student ratting you out to campus police. If you get caught, probably won't get arrested, but they will tell you not to come back.

Post: #10

I think worrying about campus police is a bit much, just don't disrupt the class and you'll be fine. The larger classes you will have no problem whatsoever. Smaller classes that are either team based in their learning approach or the teacher learns peoples names would be harder. If you do find a small lecture based class just go up to the prof after class and explain your situation "hey, I want to take your class, I like learning, but I can't decide on a major/learning path so I want to sit in on a few to help guide me"

Post: #11

(04-16-2012 05:58 AM)joehoya Wrote:  Lots of times professors won't care. I used to go to classes that I wasn't registered for all the time, but I was a student at the school. You probably won't get caught,but one thing to worry about is campus police, or more specifically, a nosy student ratting you out to campus police. If you get caught, probably won't get arrested, but they will tell you not to come back.

-_-
Stop worrying about campus police. No one checks ID! Ever!
Just go to the classes you want, no one will stop you.

Post: #12

(04-16-2012 01:10 PM)Dansmedia Wrote:  

(04-16-2012 05:58 AM)joehoya Wrote:  Lots of times professors won't care. I used to go to classes that I wasn't registered for all the time, but I was a student at the school. You probably won't get caught,but one thing to worry about is campus police, or more specifically, a nosy student ratting you out to campus police. If you get caught, probably won't get arrested, but they will tell you not to come back.

-_-
Stop worrying about campus police. No one checks ID! Ever!
Just go to the classes you want, no one will stop you.

BULLSHIT.

I've had my ID checked at my own undergraduate university. I know others have as well. I used to work at a different university and KNOW of incidents when campus police have escorted people out who were not students. Is the likelihood high? No. But don't tell folks it NEVER happens, because it does. MAYBE you have never seen it happen at YOUR SCHOOL, but it does happen at other schools.

People need to be aware of the possibility of this happening. It annoys the hell out of me when folks speak in absolutes like "You'll NEVER get caught." Overall, the likelihood is low (depending on the school and the classes you are sitting in on) and the penalties for getting caught are pretty low as well (the WORST I ever saw was someone banned from campus, but no criminal charges were pressed). Just take all of this information into account.

Post: #13

I've only ever seen IDs checked during examinations. What class size was that and why were they checking IDs? What happened with kids who forgot their IDs on "random ID check day" not saying I don't believe you I just don't understand why.

Post: #14

Yea in Canada nobody will give a shit. In America its probably a bit more hectic - I am sure those Campus Police in the states got Glocks too lol. Just be chill about it, like really more crazy things happen. Examples of Profs being singled out for their proactive work and having randoms come into their classes and protest shit is way more of a issue then somebody trying to learn.

Post: #15

(04-16-2012 02:08 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  I've only ever seen IDs checked during examinations. What class size was that and why were they checking IDs? What happened with kids who forgot their IDs on "random ID check day" not saying I don't believe you I just don't understand why.

Didn't get checked in class, I got checked while walking into the building for my class.

Beyond that, the big places I have seen campus police randomly check people has been the library (some university libraries are open to the public, some aren't) and the student lounge (I personally got checked there also). If there is a rash of property crime at the university you can expect campus police to be extra vigilant about folks who are not students/staff being on campus.

Post: #16

(04-16-2012 04:58 PM)joehoya Wrote:  

(04-16-2012 02:08 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  I've only ever seen IDs checked during examinations. What class size was that and why were they checking IDs? What happened with kids who forgot their IDs on "random ID check day" not saying I don't believe you I just don't understand why.

Didn't get checked in class, I got checked while walking into the building for my class.

Beyond that, the big places I have seen campus police randomly check people has been the library (some university libraries are open to the public, some aren't) and the student lounge (I personally got checked there also). If there is a rash of property crime at the university you can expect campus police to be extra vigilant about folks who are not students/staff being on campus.

Sounds like your school is in a bad area. My school isn't in the best area either but no one checks stuff. It's kind of awkward really. They're not going to go around asking people for I.D.'s. Just carry a backpack with you if anything.

Post: #17

If you just enjoy learning, you can probably learn at a pace that's faster than taking in some undergraduate level lectures.

Try http://www.khanacademy.org, for a start.

Post: #18

At my Uni in London, we have fucking electronic turnstiles that you have to scan your card to get through. Once you're in the building though you're home free.
I think I could easily sit in any class I wanted to if it's big enough.
Think I might need to sit in on some art history or fashion lectures, lots of dumb bitches to talk to.

Post: #19

(04-16-2012 06:11 PM)trey Wrote:  If you just enjoy learning, you can probably learn at a pace that's faster than taking in some undergraduate level lectures.

Try http://www.khanacademy.org, for a start.

This. That guy is a great teacher and the content there is so valuable.

Post: #20

(04-16-2012 05:08 PM)Dansmedia Wrote:  

(04-16-2012 04:58 PM)joehoya Wrote:  

(04-16-2012 02:08 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  I've only ever seen IDs checked during examinations. What class size was that and why were they checking IDs? What happened with kids who forgot their IDs on "random ID check day" not saying I don't believe you I just don't understand why.

Didn't get checked in class, I got checked while walking into the building for my class.

Beyond that, the big places I have seen campus police randomly check people has been the library (some university libraries are open to the public, some aren't) and the student lounge (I personally got checked there also). If there is a rash of property crime at the university you can expect campus police to be extra vigilant about folks who are not students/staff being on campus.

Sounds like your school is in a bad area. My school isn't in the best area either but no one checks stuff. It's kind of awkward really. They're not going to go around asking people for I.D.'s. Just carry a backpack with you if anything.

Actually, it was in one of the wealthiest areas of the city. The problem is that there had been some on campus dorm burglaries and some office thefts, so security started tightening up. They didn't check everyone, but if a campus police officer didn't know you he might stop you.

Post: #21

How big was the campus? Mine is 30000+ I think I've run into campus security like twice, both times doing some sketchy/suspicious stuff. They just looked at me funny. Maybe check to see if the campus is an open campus first.

Post: #22

(04-15-2012 06:08 PM)j r Wrote:  If it's purely to learn something, then you should check online. A number of schools, MIT for one, have put their classes online: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Also, there is Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org/

(04-16-2012 06:41 PM)Dansmedia Wrote:  

(04-16-2012 06:11 PM)trey Wrote:  If you just enjoy learning, you can probably learn at a pace that's faster than taking in some undergraduate level lectures.

Try http://www.khanacademy.org, for a start.

This. That guy is a great teacher and the content there is so valuable.

Yeah, I started playing around with Khan Academy last night. I'm definitely liking it.

I think I will start spending some real time and effort on opensource learning like this and just attend lectures here and there when I feel like it - and only with really good philosophy or international studies profs. Might pay for a couple art classes as well as I doubt those would be very easy to "sneak" into.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #23

Beyond Borders,

One thing you may want to consider is getting some cheap college credit from all of the material you learn via Khan Academy and other opensourcelearrning programs. The simplest way to do that is via CLEP tests. They are sort of like the AP tests from High School, but anyone can take them. They are multiple choice exams and you can receive 3-6 credit hours per exam depending on the test and your grade. It is an absolutely EXCELLENT way to rack up college credits QUICKLY and CHEAPLY (in my area the tests are about $100). Most state schools, and several private schools, accept the credits.

Post: #24

I dig The Teaching Company's courses a lot (TTC). Courses in everything, in video and audio form, easy to digest and meditate upon; usually expensive, but sometimes discounted.

Post: #25

(04-16-2012 08:19 PM)joehoya Wrote:  Beyond Borders,

One thing you may want to consider is getting some cheap college credit from all of the material you learn via Khan Academy and other opensourcelearrning programs. The simplest way to do that is via CLEP tests. They are sort of like the AP tests from High School, but anyone can take them. They are multiple choice exams and you can receive 3-6 credit hours per exam depending on the test and your grade. It is an absolutely EXCELLENT way to rack up college credits QUICKLY and CHEAPLY (in my area the tests are about $100). Most state schools, and several private schools, accept the credits.

Wow - I never knew about this. That sounds awesome, and I'm all over it. I'll definitely have a look.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling