“I don’t really have any idea what I want to do,” said Dylan Webber, an undeclared sophomore. “It’s easier to come here, knowing what you want to do.”
Going to USM wasn’t his first choice but in high school – Hall-Dale in Farmingdale – all seniors were required to apply to at least one college and USM happened to be the school he picked.
Webber said he had wanted to go to an out-of-state school but couldn’t afford the tuition.
Webber said he’s thought about transferring but it’s easy and convenient to stay here, and he likes living in Portland.
One field that has piqued his interest is wind power. “I’m still looking at schools that offer a wind turbine program [in order] to become a wind turbine technician,” said Webber.
But his adviser told him the closest USM has to a wind turbine program is a degree in environmental science paired with related classes. “It’s not what I’m looking for,” said Webber.
He applied to Northern Maine Community College – which offers a wind power technology associate degree program – but doesn’t want to live in Presque Isle. He said he is also looking at schools in Texas but could end up taking a semester off.
“I might take a break next semester and work and figure out what I want to do,” said Webber.
When Webber first came to USM he only knew a few people, his brother and some people from his high school. Each year he has lived off-campus and this year he lives with one roommate. He says that making friends at USM isn’t easy, especially off-campus. “I just don’t go up to people after class” he said. Knowing few people on campus means Webber doesn’t generally stick around after class. He added that his distaste for USM coffee doesn’t encourage him to hang out on campus.
Webber said life is getting better. He likes school more than he did last year and he also recently heard of a new intramural boxing club, which he plans to join. Webber boxed some in high school. “It’s easy to get involved. I just haven’t yet,” he said.
Webber had a work-study job in the computer lab last year, which he really enjoyed. He helped students in the lab troubleshoot and made money easily.
Webber said he thinks living in the dorms is the easiest way to meet people on campus. “I wish that I had at least lived on campus for a semester,” he said.