On-campus perks
As you might know, I’m currently in an online Master’s degree program. The program is offered by a real bricks-and-mortar institution, one whose name is recognized all over the country — not necessarily based on academic excellence, but just because it’s a state school (Missouri).
Anyway, I can’t believe some of the perks that the on-campus students receive. For instance, I just got an email today saying that the school is providing free assistance to anyone who wants to quit smoking. In addition to the usual counseling that you would expect, they’re talking about giving out FREE nicotine replacement patches! Do regular health insurance programs like Blue Cross North Carolina even do things like that? I doubt it!
Nicotine patches are expensive. I tried quitting smoking that way about 15 years ago and spent several hundred dollars on patches. They didn’t work for me, so that money was essentially flushed down the toilet. I eventually had success with Wellbutrin, but not with the patches — though I know the patches work for other people.
Anyway, between the free smoking cessation help and dollar movie nights, free mixers, discount lunches, etc. I feel like I’m missing out by not being on campus. Bummer.