A friend told me that people start hating each other when they get to upper years because it becomes more competitive. Just out of curiosity, is it true?

I guess it depends on the program (and what kind of person you are) but no I didn't find that at all.

I think it's sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy if anything. If you start thinking everyone hates you, then you'll naturally hate everyone else in return, and when you do that then people actually WILL start hating you.

I've never found that to be the case unless you actively imagine it's happening. There's definitely bitter students around, but that's true at any year, not exclusive to upper ones.

So very true. It's a blood feud up here.

I personally found that people are way more open and friendly in upper years since you end up being in more group projects with people you don't know. I guess it depends on the program

Lol! Not from my experiences.. I guess it depends on the program, but I would say not.

i don't think people change their behaviour towards each other based on year.
not in my experience

You can't generalize that! I only met my closest friends in 3rd year. It's a different kind of dynamic, but people don't heat each other. It does depend on program and how competitive it is, but generally people have been more helpful in my experience, especially if you're in a smaller program. It also depends on whether people are open to making new friends or not, because I've met people who are satisfied with their group of friends and not really looking to make new friends which can be a bit frustrating at times, but it's ultimately up to them. Just continue to be open and friendly and you'll have nothing to worry about.

It does get competitive as you move up a year but that doesn't necessary mean they hate each other. I never experience that but I find that upper year people are better people to get along with in my experience and I do learn a lot from them...

I definitely don't "hate people more." However, because class sizes are much smaller once you get to 4th year, you know your peers better and have also potentially spent 3+ years with them, so you know the ones you're friendly with and others who get on your nerves. It's a more intimate environment.

There are some I couldn't stand in my 4th year, some engineering students think they know it all and are better than everyone else. I can't stand these kind of people.

I think it's more of a hating-certain-courses-together' sort of thing (I'm looking at you, Eng 3N03).

Originally Posted by Zachary

I think it's more of a hating-certain-courses-together' sort of thing (I'm looking at you, Eng 3N03).

If you think 3N03 is bad, try 3EJ4.

The name of the game is to escape with a 1.

Originally Posted by eullwm

If you think 3N03 is bad, try 3EJ4.

The name of the game is to escape with a 1.

Well, 3EJ4 from what I hear is a meaningful course, it's just impossibly difficult. ENG 3N03 is just a redundant waste of time.

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

Well, 3EJ4 from what I hear is a meaningful course, it's just impossibly difficult. ENG 3N03 is just a redundant waste of time.

This.

To elaborate on what he means: I talked to the professor after our fourth lecture or so. Now, I'd had him before for 2MM3 (which is essentially identical to 3N03) and when I said as much, he looked at me quizzically and asked what on Earth I was doing in 3N03. All I could do was shrug helplessly.