Baylor University Top Questions

During my senior year of high school, I was completely neurotic. It seemed like I constantly had something to do. Apply for colleges, make straight A's, pass AP exams, etc--my existence revolved around academics. It was so intense that, more often than not, I had bad dreams about failing high school or not getting scholarships. In the end, though, I stressed over nothing. If I could go back to that year and give myself some advice about the huge transition that I was about to make, I would tell myself to relax a little and enjoy the excitement of starting the newest chapter in my life. I would tell myself to enjoy that last summer with my friends, and then enjoy the wonderful new people that I would meet at Baylor, instead of worrying about money and grades all of the time. Yes, those things are important; ultimately, however, college is about so much more than making A's. It's about enjoying your youth. It's about making lifelong friends. It's about growing as a person --both spiritually and academically-- and finding out who you want to be for the rest of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would encourage myself to apply for colleges sooner. After graduating from high school, I took a year off from school to work multiple full-time jobs and help out with family bills. While I like to help out my family, I put my own life on hold. I pushed school and art aside and I regret not putting myself first for once. Art has always been a passion of mine and something I have a natural talent for. I have never had a lot of confidence in myself and am afraid of failure, because of this I hold myself back sometimes. One of my favorite quotes is, "You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take". Since graduating high school I have come to realize what this means. I don't want to look back on my life and wonder what could of been and remember all the opportunities I let pass me bye because I was afraid to try. So if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to pursue my ambitions right away.

College life is difficult. I think almost everyone knows that. But you know what? Don't be afraid to move forward. College is going to be great. You're going to learn new things: i.e., how to live on your own, how to survive on cheap meals, how to deal with new professors and really intense classes, etc. But most importantly, you're going to meet new people, some of which you'll be able to call "friends" for a long time. You're going to have people who'll help you, who'll care for you so much you'll wonder why they do. They won't just be your classmates. They'd also be your professors. Think about this: a few years from now, you're going to have a professor who'll serve as your mentor, counselor, and friend and you'll be grateful for him. Also, think about this: the beauty of college is discovering yourself. During high school, you always wondered about what you want to do in life. Guess what? You'll be able to answer that soon. All you have to do is discover it for yourself. Stay amazing. Go for it.

I have a younger sister who is a senior in high school and I imagine the advice I've been giving to her is the same I would give myself. First is to buy rainboots and shower shoes. It's ridiculous how in handy they come. The second is that college is what you make of it. If you stay in your room the whole day, you know exactly what will come of your experience. I have learned that being involved on campus and introducing yourself to new experiences and people is exactly what college is all about. Making yourself vulnerable and willing to challenge set beliefs- this is where you learn what truly matters in life. People say that college is an unforgettable experience. I think it's unforgettable because you learn to forget your inhibitions and become the person you were always meant to be. As a junior, I am getting to that point when my time here is almost at its end and that would have scared me three years ago because college was always the end goal. My third piece of advice is to remember that college is not the end. It's only the beginning.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself, I would better prepare myself for the hard transition of moving two thousand miles away right after graduating high school. The transition from living with my family to living on my own in a complete different state has been a difficult one and it takes a lot of time to get adjusted. Sometimes I even consider transferring back home just to be with my family and friends. I would also tell myself to better prepare for college financially; saving up and understanding all the costs of living on your own. Had I been better prepared, it would have made the transition to college a lot easier and I wish I would have taken saving for college more seriously. Baylor is a great school but had I known how hard it would be, I would have considered staying home for a couple years to better prepare myself for the transition of moving away as well as balancing working and going to school. It would have made affording Baylor easier and would have reduce home sickness both of which can affect my productivity in school.

The college that I'm currently attending wasn't my first choice, but rather a last result. I never really gave Baylor a chances. In high school, I was deadset on attending a school in a differnt state than Texas, but that didn't happen. Needless to say, I was less than happy to only be 3 1/2 hours away from home. I never really gave the school much of a chance. When I arrived, my sadness grew as I looked around and notice how 'boring' everything looked, but I was proven wrong. As classes started and the days went by, Baylor offered so many opportunities for students to get know one another and learn about different clubs and organizations. Slowly and surely, I started to warm up to the school and unleashed the Baylor Bear within me. I attened football games, joined clubs and met some amazing people. Knowing all this, the advice I would give myself is to not judge something until you're experienced what it has to offer. I judged Baylor before I even gave it a chance, but now that I'm here, I love it. All I can say is Sic'Em Bears!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that time management is key to a successful college career. I would also tell myself not to stress over classes and to take it one day at a time. College is a wonderful oppurtunity to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone. It's an oppurtunity that shouldn't be passed up on or missed.

I know you're eager to start college. There are a few things you should know. While you are in high school take as many advanced placement classes as possible. This will allow you to graduate early from college. When you take your SAT, try to at least get a score of 1400. Many colleges required a high SAT score. This score also helps financially when applying to colleges. As soon as your senior year begins start applying for scholarships. My mom has struggled to help me pay for college. She would tell me, "the more money you can get for college, the more money I can help you with." I didn't apply for many scholarship just because I didn't believe I would get them. Always believe in yourself. Regardless to what happens, always believe that tomorrow will be better than to today. Make it happen.

In retrospect, I would've told my senior high school self to do more research on the cost of schools at which I had applied. I chose Baylor on a whim decision after a campus tour, and while I am extremely pleased with the selection, I'm not so sure that it was the thriftiest choice. I think one of the hardest parts of the transition has been the financial struggle. I wanted to get involved on campus, but as such, I sacrificed an income from a job. I didn't prepare for the expenses that Baylor would burden my family with, and it would have done me a lot of good to have realized the cost at an earlier time. I should've applied for scholarships earlier (starting as early as freshmen year), taken the SAT again to try to increase my university endowed scholarship, and should've changed my spending habits and saved more before coming to Baylor. I now realize the strain that this decision to not prepare financially has put on me and my family. I am working hard to reverse this adversity and hope that I will be considered as a recipient of this scholarship.

I would tell my high school self to start out your first semester strong. I would also tell him to study in the library and also to buy some dry erase markers. I would also tell him to start using the dry erase boards in the basement of the library.

I would tell myself to become a National Merit Finalist and focus more on my SAT scores, since students are basically summed up on a application by their tests. Baylor puts alot of weight into these scores and I would have loved to receive more financial aid. On the subject of financial aid I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. However, I am glad for these life lessons and have helped my younger friends to apply to college.

Believe in yourself, your talents, your strengths, no matter what your parents say. You are here to live your life, not anyone else's and do not ever give up on yourself, even when things become tough. College can be difficult, and there are challenges you are going to have to face, but never be afraid to ask anyone for help. You need to climb out of your shell and not be afraid of success, and likewise, you should not be afraid of failure. With every failure, you will learn success. You are incredibly smart and creative, you just never had an outlet to express that and never had a mentor to guide you through the process of becoming who you were meant to be. Close the door on a painful past and open the door to a future that holds so many wonderful possibilities. Even if no one else believes in you, you need to believe in yourself. It's going to be a long and tough journey, but you will make it there. I have faith in you.

High school is everybody's playground. Some people sit in the dirt and sweat in the hot sun while others make the best of their time sliding on the slide and playing tag with other kids. College is like a whole separate world; it is an extremely different experience. College is about taking the initiative and making it exactly what you want it to be. Don't worry about moving out and moving away from home- leaving your family will be difficult, nobody will argue against that. But soon, if you open your eyes and let things play out as they are supposed to, you will find yourself surrounded by an entirely new family who all bleed the same colors as you do. Green and gold baby, green and gold. Sic 'em!

I'd tell myself to stop slacking off and learn more about my dream colleges, learn more about scholarship opportunities before it's too late, figure out how to cook before entering college, enter as many competitions as you can because the experience is phenomonal, don't buy that frozen burrito dinner, and stop arguing with the little sister because she's all you have and she's going to miss you dreadfully when you go off into college next year.

I would tell myself that college is the most important thing no matter what obstacles come your way. I would also explain to myself that although it may be VERY hard at times, do not give up because it won't always be that way and the reward in the end is definitely worth it in the long run.

Just as stagnant water becomes stale, a dormant person becomes lifeless. If I could go back in time and give advice to high school me, I would tell myself to continue. I would say, “Continue to be yourself, to move forward, and to learn.” First, I would say how important it is to continue being my own person throughout life. If you change who you are to please people, they will never know who you truly are, and eventually, you will forget who you really are. Second, I would advise to persistently move forward. Even if I am unsure of where to go, standing still is unacceptable. It is best to continue moving, growing, and improving in my life. Lastly, I would instruct to continue learning. To continue learning requires staying open-minded to ideas that might be contrary to what one already believes. But to continue learning means to continue seeking truth. I have learned many lessons in the three years I have spent in college. I have grown more mature than I was in high school. If I could have given myself advice about what to do when beginning college, I would have told myself to continue.

If I could go back in time and talk to the high school senior Kayla, I would have so much advice for her! I would tell her to not stress out over college applications and decisions because Baylor is the best place for her. I would also show her the future courses I would have to take in college and create a better plan for when/what semester to take them because my advisor did not advise me well enough my freshman year for what classes to take. I would let her know that she just needs to work extremely hard her first year to set a good foundation for her gpa and be open and friendly to everyone she meets!

Your senior year of highschool is arguably your best and worst year. It begins with excitement because you are finally one of the leaders of the campus. The first few weeks you feel unstoppable as you and your friends chant "SENIORS" during every passing period. Unfortunately, all too soon, you develop "senioritis." You begin to give up, and you beg to get out. The yearning for the college life beckons you and haunts you daily. Your classmates begin to annoy you, and all you want to do is "get out of this town." Little do you know, you'll soon wish to have that time back. Graduation passes quickly and before you know it you are thrown into the "real" world, or at least as real of a world as you've seen so far. At college you have to balance your school work, your social time, running errands, and even hopefully find a little time to sleep. If you aren't careful, your freshman year will be gone before you even get a handle on it. Time is a delicate thing. I know you want this year to fly by, but please SLOW DOWN. College is worth the wait.

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Hey you. I know you’re scared. I know you’re excited. I know you’re anxious. I know your emotions are cascading down upon you and everyone else around you, and rightfully so! Of course you’ve heard it a thousand times: live your life for you. Here’s something though: the friends you’re going to meet, the experiences you’re going to have, and the chances you’re going to take are going to be of a whole new caliber. The one thing you will learn about life is that it goes on, with or without you. Your catastrophes are meaningless to the rest of the universe. You’re about to enter a world where you can start anew. Don’t worry about those who are judging you. Don’t sweat the small stuff. So dance because no one is watching, sing because no one is listening, and live life because no one else will live it for you.

Dear Elizabeth; Listen carefully, because what I’m about to say is going to make the next few years, and the rest of your life, much more bearable. I want you to know that there is a purpose for you going to college, and that you belong there. It might be hard now, and you might be freaking out about how you don’t know if college is right for you, but I promise you, you are on your way to the dream you don’t even know you have yet. You’re going to stumble upon a website dedicated to advice for those in college studying medicine, and feel the most peaceful calm wash over you. You’ll spend the next several years volunteering, getting the right credits together, and making sure you have what it takes to become a physician. This drive, this dream is going to save you when times get hard. I’m not saying it will be easy, and I know that it’s hard to understand right now, but please don’t give up on your self. I haven’t given up on you. I never will. Sincerely, Elizabeth

The primary thing to remember about college is the need to focus. Yes, I know the internet is a lot more fun than Pre-Cal, but all the funny commercials in the world will be of no use come final exams. Don’t worry about social awkwardness in college, believe me when I say that you will meet many people who will embrace your quirks and random Aslan quotes. Be prepared to have your sleep interrupted by studying, and brace yourself for 45 minute naps instead of eight hours of rest. There won’t be nearly as much drama in college as in high school, but there will be a few individuals clinging to the old ways. Avoid them at all cost; in the end they only cause trouble. Don’t be afraid to talk to Professors one-on-one when grades start to plummet; they only wish to help and have no intention of harming you. Never skip assignments regardless of how useless they may seem, and be sure to thoroughly read every assigned chapter. Force yourself to write essays as soon as possible, or else you’ll be pulling all nighters. Above all, never give up.

• I would advise myself to live on campus, because it is easier to make friends and get involved when you live near both people and where activities are taking place. • I would advise myself to continue to do the things that I enjoy, like exercising, even when my school load became heavy because of the lowering stress benefits. • I would advise myself to make friends in class more and keep up with them during school and after graduation, because a major benefit of college is the friends you make. • I would advise myself to study less and hang out with people more, because in the long-term, people are more important than the grades you make. • I would advise myself to sleep more often, eat healthier more often, and drink coffee less often, because if you take care of your body, your body will take care of you. • I would advise myself not to compare my physical appearance (i.e. physique, clothing, and complexion) with other girls, because that is a dead-end. • I would advise myself to let others lead, instead of taking control and doing things my way, so I could learn from them.

Hi, Rachael. You are about to experience your first year of college. Before you go, consider these words of advice. First of all, your roommate will become one of your best friends, so you can stop being nervous about living with a complete stranger. She's not the tidiest person, but you'll love her for her kindness, good sense of humor, and passion for art. Sooner or later, you will discover that the classes are not as difficult as you expect. However, this does not mean you can slack off. If you do, your grades will certainly show it. Don't spend every waking moment of your time on schoolwork either. You only get one first year of college, so you should experience as much as you can. You'll go to the football games, but make sure you don't forget about basketball and baseball. Play intermural sports. Make more friends in your classes. They make all your hard work worthwhile. Plus, you're more likely to find a study group. Explore the Baylor campus. Find your favorite spots. Learn to appreciate it. Most importantly, learn to love and appreciate what you have. I know you'll succeed.

Don't ever hold back. In class, with peers, around campus, and everywhere you are, never hold back. You are going to hear this a million times, but you hear it for a reason: ask questions in class, after class, before class. Professors want you to go to office hours and make sure you learn the material. It may not seem that way in a class of 150, but pulling them aside will not only show them you care, but it will help you learn. With peers, don't hold back. If you see people with a Taylor Swift shirt, comment on how much you love her. People want to make friends and at Baylor they are geniunely nice. Be real and don't stay away from a group or individual just because you are different. Don't hold back. The community will embrace you like you've been there forever. Ask questions. Go out. Make college your adventure. Most importantly, never ever forget why you're there, what you want out of the next four years and go get it. You will feel weak and stupid at times, but don't let that discourage who you are.

College is a lot harder than people think and if you take it for granted you are doomed to fail. Its important to stay on top of your work from day one. Procrastination is a college student's worst enemy and can lead to a lot of stress and bad performance in classes. Time management is vital since you have to prioritize your work and adhere to deadlines, so you need to make use of every spare minute you have, to avoid pulling those dreaded all-nighters. It is also important to balance your academics with your social life. Sometimes you have to put your social life on the backburner if you have school work that needs completing. However it's also important to socialize and network with people so that you can learn make valuable connections that will come in handy. This is important for you as an international student since you do not know anybody yet. So make sure you start working hard now itself and put your studies before all else, learn how to manage your time and work efficiently, and also how to bond with people from diverse backgrounds that you will meet in college.

If I could go back as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to stress out as much. I remembered being so worried and scared before I got to college. Everyone is in the same ‘boat,’ feeling the exact same-nervous and anxious. I also would tell myself not to set high expectations. College is more fun with an open mind because everything will work itself out. I would also tell myself not to ask about someone else’s college experience. Everyone has a different experience and forming ideas from someone else’s experience is not going to do any good. Going into college without any expectations or ideas of how a ‘normal’ experience should be is going to make for a more enjoyable time. I also would tell myself to become conscious about time management. In college, there are things going on all the time and it’s hard to want to do everything on top of trying to keep grades up. So in order to do the fun campus things, time management is the key to making sure everything gets done so the campus events can be enjoyed.

Listen, Davion, you need to stop being lazy and apply for as many scholarships as possible. I know it is hard to pull yourself away from playing video games and really crack down on this. It seem trivial now, but there's only a rough road ahead of you full of debt if you do not diligently search for as many scholarships as you can. College is on an entirely different level than high-school, spend your summer reviewing what you learned senior year, and also try to develop some study skills. College will not be a breeze like it was in high school. Time to be a man and be responsible. Also, you need to stop chasing girls, there's a past acquaintance who is just waiting for you to come to her. Focus on your studies, get a good job, and you will find the woman you are supposed to be with. If you take this advice, you will most certainly succeed, and never give up on your dreams. Best of luck to you.

The advice I would give to seniors knowing what I now know would be to use your best efforts to find a suitable roommate before attending college. While it might not always be possible, if you are able to find an appropriate roommate, it will greatly ease your transition to college. College presents many new responsibilities and challenges. Having a roommate with whom you can share daily experiences, voice frustrations and concerns and receive an empathetic response, eat meals together and simply attend functions together is very helpful when faced with so many new situations and challenges. Of course over time you will both make new friends and may drift apart, but that initial security of having a person with whom you can find companionship is very helpful. It may be obvious, but finding a person who has similar ideas about studying, attending classes and social functions is crucial. Also important are factors such as when the student will be studying. Differing study habits can lead to friction and result in failure since sleep deprivation may result in exhaustion and inability to function if a roommate is awakened or unable to sleep when faced with a noisy night owl.

STUDY

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell myself not to stress and to take it easy because college life is only as hard as I make it. If I worry too much then I would be too busy to have fun, make new friends, learn new things and overall miss out on a great life experience. College won't define me; rather I will define myself after completing college.

College is tough so it's important to establish good study habits as early as possible. The cost of remedial classes is significant if you are not well prepared. Probably the most difficult thing for me is that I came to the university with over 30 credit hours so I am encountering increasing pressure to declare a major. This is hard - I don't think most 17 and 18 year olds know what they want to do with the rest of their lives and they are under pressure to make decisions because the cost of college is significant. Some testing to determine strengths and weaknesses are important as are tests that give you some idea of what you might want to do as a career. Finally taking a broad base of courses exposes you to things you didn't think you would like. Generally a great teacher is able to inspire you to about anything! A good roommate is important as all of us like to have someone to hang out with. Luck of the draw doesn't always insure that a student has a good roommate and sleep deprivation can ruin grades and scholarships.

My college experience has challenged me to carve out a life of my own. The professors do not expect me to take notes and regurgitate the opinions that have been presented to me; but I am expected to think for myself, to explore and create. I have learned to cherish the knowledge that I have acquired and discover how life unexpectedly links together. Academia weaves and interlocks and fuses into one. My classes overlap and transfer over, similar to life. I can no longer compartmentalize my life, but I embrace how time and history has so cleverly crafted the world. Outside of my academic studies, my college experience has been valuable because my own beliefs and expectations have been tested. For the first time in my life, I have been met with opposition and skepticism. I no longer follow tradition but I create my own tradition. My life, my mind, my hope is my own.

My time spent at Baylor University has not only allowed me to grow in knowledge, but in my spiritual walk as well. It is rare to find an institution where both education and spirituality are intertwined successfully; neither dominating the other. When I leave Baylor, I know that I will be beneficial to any community I serve because I will have the skills needed, due to my educational background, as well as the heart needed to reach people emotionally. I value my Baylor experience, because it was through my university that I developed a holistic character; one that incorporates intelligence, conscious thought, and compassion. It is a great accomplishment to become a doctor, but to become a doctor who understands her patients and truly cares for them is an even greater one. I believe that Baylor has equipped me to meet such goals. By providing students with highly qualified educators and different spiritual opportunities such as chapel services or mission trips, Baylor facilitates an environment that supports growth and development.

My college experience has been a learning experience. One reason college is valuable to attend is because it gives you the tools that are needed to be successful in life by establishing a good work ethic. Here at Baylor, working hard for your grade is stressed greatly. It makes you realize that nothing is handed to you in life. Some people have to find this out the hard way, such as myself. Next time I will know not to attend a basketball game against our rival instead of studying for an organic chemistry test that is the next morning. There is also value in building relationships. It has enabled me to get to know many people from different walks of life. Being away at college forces you to make relationships with the people around you. I feel like this is critical to do if you want to avoid times of feeling alone because in your darkest hour there is someone down the hall, in your dorm, that is going through similar situations. College thus far has been a wonderful experience and I feel everyone should have the opportunity to attend even if they do not get a degree.

It's been several years since I have actually been in college and attended classes. I decided last month to go back to school for my degree in psychology to either be a probation officer or a drug and alcohol counselor. I went into Western Nebraska Community College and received more help from the advisor and enrollment staff there in 3 days then I did orginally when I went to school. They believe and reaffirm that going back to school is a very positive idea and anyone at any time can go back to school and achieve any goal that a person has. They are very helpful and supportive in what the student needs.

My life is made up of blessings. The opportunity to educate myself at Baylor University is yet another that I must use to perpetuate the good in the lives of others. However, I often reflect on the purpose of my gifts and how they are being used to fulfill my calling. My experience at Baylor University has been invaluable because it has allowed me to explore and discover the answers to these very questions. I have learned to use the passion implanted within me by fellow students and faculty, as well as my personal convictions, to encourage individuals to follow their hearts concerning their vocational calling. In additon, I now understand that my knowledge is not to be selfishly hoarded. I now understand that I was not put on this earth to perpetuate selfish deeds, nor am I meant to deny the testimony of my blessings. Rather, I am meant to share the gift of my Baylor education with others, and participating in Teach for America will be one of the first steps I take to accomplish this purpose. Coming to these enlightened conclusions about life, and its purpose, have been the epitome of my college experience thus far.

Many people when picking a school only see the academic rankings or the social life to decide on a good school, but in reality the point of college is to prepare you for the real world. It is there to help you get ready for the jump from a world of grades to a professional career. This is one of the aspects that I find most valuable to the schoool I attend. The professors are there to teach, they are not there to just further their careers. Success at this school is not measured by how well we do in the rankings, but how to best prepare the students for life beyond A's, B's, and C's. I am glad I have had the privelege to get an education from a school of professors that care for you, teach the material, and give you the tools to succeed, if you choose to. Like in the real world, they give you the option to really get out of a class what you want to put into it. In the end, the hardwork, failures and successes, and help that the professors provide is the most valuable thing about Baylor University.

As a student of Bucks County Community College, I not only have gained so much knowledge and insight into my future career as a registered dietitian, but I also learned a lot about myself as a person. I learned that only I myself can be the reason of my successes and/or failures in life. College gave me the determination to show and prove to myself and others what I can make of myself in this world. I've learned to never give up on what seems at the moment to be challenging. I learned with a good future comes hard work, focus, and dedication. I am currently a member of Phi Theta Kappa, which is an honors society that recognized me for all the energy and effort I put into my studies. I will become what I want in life thanks to the positive reinforcement surrounding me in a college environment. What became valuable to me is picturing myself receiving my college diploma, and realizing hard work does pay off. Once graduated, I increase the value of not only myself, but to others who I can then share my knowledge with, and be looked upon as role model.

At Baylor, I am developing my mind as well as my spirit. My faith in God grows every day because of the community that Baylor offers. We are a family that celebrates our successes and failures together and enourage each other every day. We help eachother develop spiritually and intellecutally. The professors care about the students' themselves, not just their grades. They make themselves available for anything a student may need, whether it is school or faith related. There are so many ways to get involved at Baylor that it is very difficult to choose just a few activities. There are clubs ranging from intramural sports to square dancing and medical groups to our local prank fraternity, the Noze Brothers. There is always a service opportunity available so that I never have to look far to be able to help in the Waco community. At Baylor I can challenge myself in my education, grow in my faith, teach a child to read, relax with friends, and let loose playing soccer all in one day, in one place. No where else could I have that experience. No where else could I be a part of the tradition of the Baylor Line.

It is a new world, an eye opener. Coming from a poorer family and environment it is exciting to see so many people with world changing views and ideas; and I'm exposed to them. You can grow as a person, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. It's not just the facts and knowledge you take from college, but the expirience you recieve under your belt and the breath in your lungs that propells you into the unknown horizon. I wouldn't trade this expirience for anything.

I have gained so much from my college experience. Many things, however, are not unique to Baylor nor do they stem from the classroom. Shortly after arriving in Bear Country, I unknowingly let go of my sophomoric ways and aquired many new responsible, adult-like traits. I learned time management, money managememt, good work ethics, and matured my communication skills. At Baylor, I never felt like I had to change who I was or what I believed. I gained life long friends and had professors who extended themselves beyond what was asked of them. I believe Baylor was valuable to attend. I was able to graduate from Baylor in three and a half years which helped financially, but I wish I could have stayed that extra semester and enjoyed BU that much longer. Along with my hard studying and Baylor's tough classes I feel I am well prepared to attend Physical Therapy school this July. Yet, the rigorous course work, caring professors, life lessons learned, and the degree I attained are invaluable.

I am majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering Bachelor's degree, because I have great problem solving and math skills, and engineering is truly my passion. I have aspirations of one day getting a master's degree in the field in Baylor university if I am accepted. I have had a taste of poverty, so I wish that one day I can help developing countries with providing resources to a better living, since millions of people die every year because of their poverty. Baylor University has this great program which enable student to volunteer and spend their summer serving people in need of help and make the world better place to live. Also Baylor University has one of the best resources and curriculum for the field of Engineering in the Texas State, which will help me to prepare to become an Engineer someday.

Through my college experience, my world has been blown wide open. It has been valuable to me, because through it I have discovered so many new things. I want to be a high school English teacher. In this past year, I have gone from wanting to be a teacher just because I had always wanted to be a teacher, to wanting to be a teacher because I am truly passionate about it. In addition, I have realized that mediocrity is unacceptable, and that I cannot be mediocre in my learning or my teaching. If I want to truly help my students, then my goal has to be to help them excel. My experience has taken me from my narrow-minded view of the world, to relishing open-mindedness to new ideas and thoughts, to new discoveries. This has helped me realize that I need to take that into the classroom too. I want to help my future students discover the joys and wonders in the world around them, to help them develop a passion for learning and realizing how amazing our world is.

I have only attended college for a little over a semester and just in that short amount of time, I have been tremendously growing to become a responsible adult. There is still more growing to do, but the change from leaving your home and parents that would help with anything, to being by yourself and having to make every decision on your own, is an enormous resposibilty to take on. Making sure you have clean clothes, not skipping class, making good grades in class, checking your bank account and mail are just some of the many responsibilities that come to mind. There is so much value to be able to attend a university and be able to grow and mature into an adult. It is one of the best qualities to learn in life, because being responsible is an everyday thing, not something you use just once.

I have gotten alot out of my college experience so far. living on my own has taught me better time management skills and that procrastination is never your friend. I have also become much more organized in all parts of my life. I love the freedom i have gained from being on my own and I know that it will be helpful to me after college. the friends that i have made here have also been a great addition to my life. They help me to study and are there to cheer me up when I am feeling over whelmed. The teachers here have also made my experience a memorable one. I love seeing how passionate they are about their field of study and their passion makes me more passionate about my studies, even in the classes that are not in my major field of study.

Throught my first year in college I hava learn a lot of valuable lessons. I learned how to manage my time and how to accurately be prepared for classes. Personally, I learned a lot about myself. I learned how to be alone. I learned that I don't need to be constantly surrounded by friends, but I learned how to be content with myself and my own company. I have also matured as a young woman throughout this year in college. College has impacted me for the better and it has been very valuable to attend Baylor University. It has been valuable because I have grown in my faith due to the fact that Baylor is a christian university.

My experiences and personal involvement at Baylor University have definitely taught me how to balance multiple activities, using my time for positive results. Specifically, my pursuit of a degree in Elementary Education has been valuable in moving me toward my goal of inspiring others to achieve their hopes and dreams. I hope to help children grow through their education, teaching them valuable skills for life. I want to be that teacher who makes an impact not just in the classroom, but in life itself. Like a small pebble tossed in a pool of water, creating a wave of movement from the inside out, I want to be the one that starts that first wave of learning that continues for life. By committing myself to advancing my education in college and beyond, and remembering what is truly important by giving my time to a child, I truly believe that I can make that difference in a life.

Baylor University gave me two things that have forced me to pursue excellence: The requirement to succeed. And the freedom to fail. Baylor’s standards for excellence are much higher than other universities or colleges that I had looked at or attended. Several times I had been told by someone who hadn’t gone to Baylor that a certain class was easy. Yet for Baylor that was far from the case. Yet even though there is a high standard for academic excellence there is not a feeling of forced excellence. All stress is self induced. Anyone can choose to slack off in class and not do the homework and there aren’t any large repercussions. This is because to get into Baylor and to succeed in Baylor you have to be a self motivator. Success is required, but not demanded. It is this freedom to fail which makes those who attend Baylor so likely to succeed.

Although I have only been at Baylor University for little over a semester, it has already become the best time of my life. Getting to learn from the outstanding faculty at Baylor is such a great experience because I get to learn from people who are experienced and passionate about what they are teaching. Their passion makes what I am learning more interesting to study and from that I have gained even more determination on reaching my dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Another precious thing I have gotten from attending Baylor University is the friends I have made that will last a lifetime. These friendships would not have occurred if I had not decided to attend this great university. Attending a university is something everyone should get the chance to experience. It has opened my mind even more to people and cultures unlike my own. Also, I have been introduced to activities and situations that are new to me, which has made me grow as a person. It is a time where I will make mistakes, but it is also a time where I will learn from those mistakes, and I would not trade this experience for anything.