Here in Champaign, there are a plethora of students who work their asses off in the library striving for the 4.0. Some are active members of 10+ clubs, some volunteer 20 hours a week. These dedicated young adults definitely fit into my definition of success in college. However, there is a definitely more than one way to skin a cat. Enter the MRS candidate.
The MRS (Master of Residential Science) degree is not easy to attain and, especially in this economy, one that has a more than a bit of risk involved. First off, the buy in is steep; probably around 30,000 a year perhaps more just to go to UIUC. The time commitment is also incredulous as MRS candidates usually are required to go out 5 times a week. The sheer amount of time spent on Green Street may cause their gpa's in unmarketable majors to plummet leaving them totally out of luck if they fail on the in the MRS program.
In addition to the great deal of risk involved, the MRS degree can be physically tolling. Most MRS candidates are required to spend at least 45 minutes on the elliptical a day and another 45 doing glute exercises. On top the the workout regimen, the incessant over consumption of cheap alcohol and screaming is thought to cause a condition known as sorority voice.
Possibly the most challenging aspect of the MRS degree is the sense of impending failure. From day one of their freshman year these young women only have 35,040 hours to complete their degree. In the wise words of Apollo 13 Mission Control Director Gene Kranz, "Failure is not an option". Truly the sword of Damocles hangs low above the heads of MRS candidates.
So next time you are complaining about your ECE 534 exam, remember that you don't have it so bad.
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