Central Washington University Top Questions

I will set specific study goals for each study session and prioritize my assignments. I can fully dedicate myself to my studies and should not repeat the mistakes that I made in the past. For example, I ask my teachers for help instead of struggling by myself. I plan to find someone in class and agree to help each other out; working together with a friend for a few hours a week can be very valuable in helping me to understand my materials well. I will focus entirely on my studies in order to get a higher grade point average. I will manage my time because I know managing my time is crucial for academic success, good knowledge will prepare me for the further challenging. From time to time I can see faculty member (advisor and ask for information about the future of my education). I can choose to go to a school that I judge to be excellent in teaching, the school that may offer me different financial deals and has the strongest curriculum and fits with the career of my expectations.

As a high school student I wasn't thinking about the future and college, I thought more day to day. Thought about the homework assignments that were due and the fun I wanted to have that weekend. I was a good kid; never did anything wrong, graduated with a 3.6 GPA, got accepted to a good handful of colleges. What I didn't realize at the time was how expensive college was. Though I was accepted to many universities I was stuck going to my community college for the first two years due to the fact that universities are more expensive and I didn't have the money. If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would tell her to get a job and start saving a lot earlier than she did. I'd tell her that she truly doesn't realize how expensive school is with tuition, books, and the cost of living. I would also tell her to keep pushing and don't give up on herself. School is hard enough, especially when you're living away from your parents for the first time and needing a job to get by.

If I could go back to my high school senior self, I would tell me to work harder on scholarship applications. I would tell me to apply for as many as I can, not just the easy ones. I would advise myself to save all of my spare money, not just 10 or 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. I would try to tell myself to not worry so much about my social status, and to just be confident in who I was, because worrying about what other people thought was a waste of time. I might tell myself what I'm interested in now, so I wouldn't be wasting the years stressing out about trying to find a major. That way my past self could decide if that's the direction she wants to go in at that time, and be able to focus on it more. I would also encourage myself to as much volunteer work as I was able to, without adding stress to an already full schedule, because I've always feel fulfilled from helping others, and volunteer work teaches me things that ar more valuable than almost anything else I've done.

Going back in time to when I was a senior in high school, I would tell myself to be better prepared. I would tell myself to be prepared with the changes of moving away from home. I would recommend to spend the free time I have with my family. The day that I would have to move out is one of the hardest days a teen will face, including me. I would also tell myself that I need to learn how to "go outside the box". The first weeks will be hard having to meet new friends. It will feel like starting all over; however, slowly the results will be amazing. To conclude my adivce to the me in the past, I would say, " Do not be afraid because everything will be okay!" There may be some bumpy days but as long as I study hard but also find time to be with friends I will like college. At the end Central Washington University will feel like my second home.

The best advice I would give myself is stay focused and be determined. After studying my junior year abroad in high school classes were very tough for me. I ended up getting a bit behind in math and struggled with understanding the teacher. I went into the class hoping I would pass so that I would graduate and not understand the content. Having that said, college math was very tough for me. If I could go back I would tell myself to stay focused and really learn all of the material. I would also remind myself to seek more help if I was struggling and to not be afraid of asking questions.

I would make sure to tell myself to continue to work hard and persevere. For an education standpoint, it remains vital to focus on both your classes directed towards your major and your general education classes. Those Advanced Placement classes need to be taken seriously, especially government so that you can get another general education requirement out of the way so you can focus on your major. And don't stop practicing. Practicing is what your major is all about. Start practicing more so that you will be even more prepared with working on a Bachelor's in Music Performance. Also don't forget the importance of being social and outgoing to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Don't be afraid to meet new people and talk to people since that's what your start in college will be like. Get involved in a few more activities and both cherish those high school days and get excited for those college days. And lastly, stop being depressed, alone, and stuck in the past. Everything that happened is all in the past, you need to move on and become a stronger person. Anyways, best of luck in the rest of the year.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be more focused in school and to not forget about my goal because that is the mistake I made in high school and that has made college a lot harder. If i hadn't lost my focus in high school, doing the school work in college wouldn't have been as hard as it is now and I wouldn't be struggling as much. I would also tell myself to start learning how to get out of my bubble and start talking to other people because if I had learned how to do that better in high school, it would have been a lot easier for me to make friends at a place where i pretty much didn't know anybody and was alone. But my most important out of the two would be to stay more focused in school because succeeding in school it the ticket to success in life.

Dear Eduardo, High School is almost over; you got to start planning how you are going to make that second step to reach a higher education. This education is going to be what you perform for the rest of your life. Think about it; you are only going to study for 4years max. Your senior year is almost complete; you cannot afford to stop when you are past the half and third point. Leaving home, family, and friends to start a new life were you are put to face the world all by yourself might seem overwhelming. Keep in mind that we are people that adapt to new circumstances like college if not there would be no point in attending. If you’re concerned about class difficulty, you’re not alone, there’s a lot of student, like you, attending school to learn what they don’t know. College is right for you. Let me be the first to tell you to go for it, don’t hesitate any longer to in enroll. In college you’ll make new friends from around the glove who are interested in the same career as you as well as activities. Eduardo E. Martinez

College was a big shock, at first. If I found a time machine, and could go back in time I would warn my innocent high school senior self that college relies so much on independence. In college the average teacher will not push you to do your best; it is not their job to do so. I would warn myself that I have to be the one to motivate myself. Every college student needs to give themselves the motivation to push to get work done, and spend those extra hours studying. Without that, it is inevitable that any college student would pass their classes. I would also make my high school self know that she needs to keep her focus. With the focus I’ve gained throughout my college experience I have made the Vice President’s list, and I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. If I had that focus right when I started college, it would have been much easier to accomplish great things. The last piece of advice I would give myself is to have passion for education, without that I would only be going through the motions of college not thoroughly enjoying it.

In the end what you do and who you are is important as long as you are happy because you will find everyone who will accept you! Get involved and put yourself out there in a world that seems to big to notice you and in the end you will get everything you have ever desired. Fun, Friends, Experiences, and anything that will benefit you and your future all come from just being yourself and allowing yourself to get involved. It is true what Dr. Seuss said, "those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." If you are happy with yourself and try your best and get yourself out there then you will succeed and will have the support to succeed and the support whenever you feel it is too much. Never be ashamed and above all else, no matter what anyone tells you, family, friends, or strangers, do what your heart desires and stay positive and all else will come with ease.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in high school (last year), I would have a lot of comments and advice about college. I would tell myself to be outgoing and energetic starting the first week of college. The first week is when there are literally hundreds of activites and programs to participate in. Attending those activities are vital to meeting potential friends and study buddies. I wasn't very outgoing my first week of school. I was homesick and missed my boyfriend. I felt like an outcast because I didn't know anyone. If I could go back, I would definitely advise myself to get out of my shell, attend programs, and make new friends, rather than stay cooped up in my dorm. While studying is extremely important, having a social life is also crucial to happiness in college.

If I were to go back in time and give myself advice after already making the transition into college, I would tell myself not to stress the small things in life. I would let myself know that teachers are not always gonna like you and care about when your sick or hurt, college work is your responsibility and nobody else's. I would also tell myself to study and really study that first year of college and not to act like it's no big deal since now I'm having to make up for my screw ups. I would tell myself about how much easier it would have been for me to do great in classes from the beginning. I would warn myself about college partying cause it really does affect your class work and is not worth it. However, I would deffinitely let myself know it will be ok. I am graduating with my associates and moving on to get my Bachelor's in Nursing next year. To know for sure I would be successful would have really helped when I was a senior.

First of all, you are in a new place so you can instantly start talking to people on just about any topic. As long as you attend class, you will do well in class. If you get stuck, go ask for help because professors WANT to help you. Some roommates may not be your "dream" buddy, but you have to get used to it. There's different kinds of people here and there are some people who you'll get along with and who you might not get along with. So probably the best thing would be is to be yourself and enjoy every moment of your college life.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself no to be a procrastinator. I have learned in my few months of college, that procrastination is not accepted if you are wanting to have good grades. I have done better about that because I want to excel and graduate soon. I would tell myself to write down all assignments and deadlines. By doing this, I will prevent myself from being overwhelmed. It will also help me to remember what is needed to be turned in the next class session. Making this new transition into college life has brought reality to my life. The reason is because I did not take it as seriously as I should have in high school. My grades were great but I felt as if I could have earned more scholarships. If I knew all of these things when I was a high school senior then I would have been more on task. As a college student, I look back on my life as a high school senior and I am satisfied with my progress, but I could have done better and not trying to get by.

What I believe to be one of the hardest things about transitioning to college is not the workload or getting lost within the campus but the fact that you a great responsibility to be able to do things on your own. That includes communicating with a teacher, getting study aid, obtaining information about clubs and student resources, and even getting to class on time. In high school, you are guided by reminders from your counselor to meet deadlines and get documents in, but in college it is up to you to check your e-mail yourself and know what is required for class or what is required for your major. There is always someone there to help you on campus; however, you have to take the step to confront them and admit you need aid. One of the other hard things is admitting that you need help when you keep telling yourself you can do it yourself. Taking on these responsibilities in college is very overwhelming, and the people waiting to help students are waiting for you to come to them. It's their job, and it's completely available to you.

If I could go back to 1997 to give myself some advice, it would be simply "Straighten Up!!!" I was on a no good path and wasn't taking school seriously. Had I done that when the opportunity was readily available I wouldn't be a 30 something single mother attempting to work full time to care for my 3 children AND going to school to achive my desire to become a nurse. Had I known that the path I was traveling would lead to many years of factory life I would tell myself to do so many things different. "Listen to your parents, they know quite a bit." "Boys are not more important than your education, they usually won't stay around anyway." If I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd apply myself to my fullest ability, take the chance to volunteer and better your community, and work harder to be a more level headed teenager.

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" -Isaiah 40:31 Never give in, you can't and should not try and please everyone. Pursue your dream, and you will be given wings of an eagles.

Wow this a good question, I ask myself all the time. I say that I should of kept on going, I dropped out of school 3 months before I graduated high school. Now I do regret it, I didn't realize back then, but now I realize that at some point in the future a person has to be able to support themselves, so why not get the education and career, at a young age. But I said it's better late than never. It has been very tough transitioning back into school, I always tell myself that it is well worth it. So here I am moving forward, getting my education, and making the right decissions.

If I could go back to my senior year and give advice to myself I would say that college is not as hard as I thought it was going to be. You have to do more work and be more dedicated to your classes but most of the time they are classes you enjoy and do not mind doing. Friends are very hard to leave behind but you are going to make many more friends that you are going to be in contact every day with in college, your friends back home will always be your friends but be open to new friendships. Have a lot of fun but be safe about it, it is a one in a life time opportuniy so just enjoy it to the fullest. Study hard and your college career will be a very memerable one.

College is a wonderful time in your life to really get to know your true self. My suggestion to any first year college student is to step out of your comfort zone. It's an exerpience unlike high school in that the social hierarchy and certain 'cliques' are thrown out the window. Its your time to shine. Challenge yourself beyond whatever you think you could possibly ever handle. This includes a physical challenge as well as an emotional challenge. Emotional challenges require you to make a conscious decision to do your absolute best and not be concerned about what others may think. Try new hobbies, get involved in your school and community, build your resume up as much as possible and most importantly, never do work that is less than your absolute best!

First, a would strongly advocate to myself to sign up for as many scholarships and i could. They are ahuge help in paying for college and making college life easier. Then i would tell my self it is not all about how prestigous and well known the college is that the more important aspect is the enviroment of the college and the cost of living of the area it is in. These are huge factors in your success at a given college. Then once at the college it is crucial to make friends and ones that are adament about success in school. They will help you through the rough times and keep you on track when college tries to divert it. Then once you have setteled into college and college life know that it is okay to switch your interest and do not stress if the path you choose in high school does not hash out. You will drastically change as a person in college and so will your interest and path in life. Go with it and grow as a person.

The first thing I would do is say "Apply to as many schools as possible!" because by only applying to a few, you're limiting the possibilities of finding the perfect school for you. Second, I would say "Do not take classes lightly and make sure to work hard right from the start!" because while partying and socializing with friends may be fun at the moment, you won't be remembering those times when you're worrying about if you'll qualify for financial aid and thinking about how you're going to pay those unsubsidized loans off. I would also go back and tell myself that while my father was very ill and would eventually pass, he would want me to succeed and go to a university that best suited me. My father was a professor himself and actually started the Russian program in the Language department here at Central Washington University. The best way to honor his memory would be to lead a successful and happy life and stay true to myself by becoming a hard-working individual and accomplishing my goals. That would be the best way tackle college head on.

I would tell me to take time now to further my education. Otherwise I you will struggle thru life with various jobs, not a career wit stability and benefits. It may not be what you want to do at this time but in the long run you will be much better off if you put the time in now! Life will still be threre when you get out of college, And that will be a much better life than if you just jump "out there". You know what is right, so do the right thing, go to college!

If i could go back and tal to myself as a high school senior I would warn myself that, letting the hardships that I faced at the time have such an affect on my life is the worst thing I could have done. I let myself get so low that I did not care about my school work and thus my gpa has plummited, and now as I try to put my life back together I am finding so many doors have been shut in my face. I am finding it almost impossible to get the assistance I need and to get involved in the things I want due to the way I acted back then.

Dear 18 year old Oh! how I wish I could be you right now. I know leaving Ethiopia a cupple years ago was hard! And I know it feels like you don't belong anywhere and no one understands you, not even your own mother or kids your age, I know you missing being daddy's litte girl and its hard not haveing the same lifestyle like you once had. but I need you to not give up. I know you thought America was going to be fun and easy but you can't learn from anything thats fun and easy. This is the time for you to concenterate on your self. Please Danait listen to your mother!! you don't need a job you need education!. Becareful with those new friends that have nothing to lose, because you have everything to lose. Africa needs you! Your are smart and even though you gain those (easy!) 30+pounds you are beautifull. You are going to change the world, your dreams will come true. You are Danait Desta Tafere you are a soilder you are royalty don't ever forget that, snap out of your little depression and keeping going forward.

I would have told myself that it's going to be a lot harder than anyone can tell you or you can even imagine. It's going to be a lonely process at first. Even if you are social and try to make friends, it's still somewhat difficult "starting over" and trying to meet new people. Do not give up though! You will want to quit many, many times. It's important that when you begin to struggle you look at your long term goals and realize you can do this. You are a very strong and smart person and not to let anyone bring you down.

If I had the ability to go back in time and give myself advice I would tell myself that things get better. Hard times never last; get through the tough stuff because it is worth the reward. In college, you get the chance to make new friends and become the person you want to be without the people around you making decisions for you. Make friends that will propel you further in life, not ones that will hold you back. Lastly, don’t take your freedom for granted because, now, you are the one that is responsible for the choices you make and all choices have consequences.

The biggest thing I would want to tell myself is that it's okay to not always know. I've found that it's okay not to know exactly what I want, because the searching that involves has helped me learn a lot about myself. I've learned that sometimes, you fail tests. But that doesn't mean that I'm a failure, it just means that I didn't study the right way, or the right things, and it teaches me other values. For example, good communication with my teachers and finding a good study group. In the end, I still do well in my classes, and I've learned more than just the academic lessons, but life lessons as well.

I'm currently attending my fourth college in 5 years. If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, I would tell myself to really think about what I want to do as a career and stick to the plan. I entered the UW right out of High School and chose Physics as my major because that is my passion. A little over a year later I left the UW for a community college because I was concerned about working and money. This was the decision I regret the most in my life. Now I am going to school for a more practical degree and at a more practical time, so everything worked out in that sense, but I really miss going to school for something I enjoy doing. If I were talking to High School me I would try to convince myself to just do what I enjoy, stick with one college, and don't give up.

My advice to my senior self would be to stay focus. do all my work and do what i now know what to do. i know that its not easy going though things at home such as your family breaking apart but you dad wants to do what he wants to do. so in the end he will still not be around. so it is only your mom, your 11 year old sister, and you. you will have them to fall on but you cant miss school. so you have to focus on the long run. so go to school and then help out your family. you wont be able to enjoy your last teen years so just go with it and go do your best and good luck.

Stay in highschool, girl. Don't fall for him, girl. Don't marry that guy when you turn 18, girl. Stay in college and have your babies in your thirties!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to kick it into gear. I slacked my senior year in running start, taking minimal credits just because I wanted my senior year to be easy. I would tell myself that I should try to finish as many of the freshman requirements as possible so I could start my major at the begining of the year. I would tell myself that the transition into college can be as easy as I want it to be. If I go out and make a ton of friends, participate in clubs, and study hard, the transition will be a breeze because I'll be have a blast. I would tell myself not to get caught up in the drama or the partying and that I can have just as much fun doing other things. There is so much for myself here at Central Washington University and I would let myself know, it's going to be the best time of my life. So grab it by the horns and don't let go because it's going to fly by!

Take as many AP classes as you can. Be serious about your education. Being popular now will do you no good in the future. Get involved in clubs and don't be afraid to speak up in class. This is your one chance at a a quality free education. Apply for schools and scholarships early and often. Consider living on campus until you are confident in your ability to handle your course load. Don't rely on anybody but yourself for transport, notes, and studying.

If I could go back and talk to myself, the one thing I would tell myself is to be more confident in my abilities. I was so afraid to leave high school and my family and friends and I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it. I was really scared to be out on my own. Now that I am away from everyone familiar to me, I realize that I am a lot stronger than i gave myself credit for. I didn't realize that with the technology nowadays, I would be talking to my family and friends all the time. I wish that I would have enjoyed the last few weeks of high school and had fun, rather than being worried the whole time and already being upset about what I was leaving behind. Because if you look at me now, I am taking on college at 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} and looking to do my absolute best while making the people proud that I left back at home. That's my number one goal for college. That is to be successful in pursuing my college education.

Knowing what I know now, there are a few key things that I would tell myself the high school senior. After graduating and working in the real world I would tell myself to take my time in thinking about what I want to study, realizing now that it would be my career for a very long time. I would also impress upon myself the importance of grades for a few reasons. I am finding that my grades have followed me in my pursuit of another degree. Grades also affect scholarship applications. I would also stress that while every class might not be that great there is no time like the present to get everything out of my education that I possibly can, meaning go to class and pay attention. Finally I would tell myself to get involved in clubs and activities that are being offered by the university. The experiences I have had at school continue to build on the person that I am today.

If I were to look back in time and be able to offer myself some advice; I would tell myself to slow down. I would tell myself to not be in a hurry to grow up, I would encourage myself to engage in the arts and to truly take time to look around and take in the beauty that is life. However, I think most importantly I would have told myself to focus less on the boys, avoid the hurt, and become all that I was meant to be.

Determination leads to achievement and achievement leads to success. You need to go after you want with the greatest amount of determination possible. Don’t take the easy way out because you are a senior, because being a senior only means next year you are off to bigger & better things. Working hard is the best thing you could do right now. The transition into college is big, and it can be hard to handle at first, however, it is worth every minute. Just listen to the adults around you they will help you and lead the way for you to become the best student you can be. Nothing stands in your way now. You can do or be anything you want. It is amazing what life have in store for you, and make sure enjoy every minute of it. College is a wonderful atmosphere that you will learn to take in and love to the maximum. Hard work is inevitable but make sure you take some time to step back and enjoy every day, because life is what you make it. Life might put in some speed bumps but don’t ever give up, and you will achieve your dreams.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself the obvious, "Don't procrastinate!" It's easier to get away with procrastination in high school because teachers are more lenient compared to their college counterparts. If you want to take a music class then you must be apart of the music program, don't wait around and let the audition date roll by--they allow people into the program YEARLY, not QUARTERLY. You must attend EVERY class even when the teacher doesn't take attendance, you don't do that in high school, you shouldn't do that in college. I have learned many things in the past two years that I'm not sure how I've gotten this far without failing one class; however, procrastination and skipping are by far the worst...they are silent but deadly.

The first piece of advice I would give, is to accumulate as much information about schools, majors and scholarships as possible. Do your research and figure out which classes to take and how they will transfer to another school. I would definitely encourage going to a community college to complete an Associates Degree. This saves money in tuition and rent while completing two years of college. Do not rely on advisors or others to do the research for you. Get into it! Know your direction and pursue it. I would strongly encourage deciding on a college or group of colleges and find out what classes transfer for certain majors and which ones do not. It is a sad day when you realize you took the "wrong accounting class" and have to take another. By doing your research, you are saving money, time and heartache. The last thing I would make sure to mention is to find and apply for scholarships as early as possible. Apply for as many as you can! The harder you look for a scholarship, the smaller of a chance someone else will find it. Last and not least, get involved in community service and extracurricular activities.

You did well and you made decent choices. All I can suggest is that you should look into Running Start. Don't take a break. You'll end up less stressed about feeling old. Join a few clubs; they're always great for meeting new people. Pursue more math/physical science classes. Avoid having a lot of roommates; too many people causes problems and distracts from schoolwork. Don't get cable. It takes up too much time and you'll enjoy yourself more without it as a distraction. Lastly, financial aid is a godsend. It can liberate you. Good luck.

If I could go back to the high school version of myself, I would tell myself to get involved on the college campus. There are a lot of campus activities and clubs that I didn't take advantage of. I think the biggest thing for me was that I could just say "oh yeah, they meet every week. I'll just go next week instead..." I would tell the high school version of myself to not get stuck in this trap and to get involved in as much as possible. Meeting new people and making friends is half of college life. The funny thing about clubs is that the people that are going want to meet new people like you too. So GET INVOLVED. It is one of the most important things you will ever do.

I would tell myself to work hard that going to college is everything I hoped it would be and that getting a degree in psychology is still my passion years later. I would tell myself to not worry about all the drama and friends because the good ones will still be in your life down the road and the ones who aren't still there won't matter. I would also tell myself to focus on myself and my own goals and not worry about what anyone else is doing.

If you have an opportunity available to you while you are in college, take it! College allows you to do and experience many wonderful things that you may not, and most likely will not, be able to do once you graduate and your adult life begins to solidify. College is the time to grasp these opportunities and run with them as far as you are able to reach! If I hadn't gone to college and studied abroad (twice), I never would have met the amazing, life-long friends from around the globe (African, Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino, South American, Korean, Japanese) as I did whilst abroad. College helped me to appreciate other cultures and gave me the perspective to be able to reflect upon my own and to help it grow. College may cost a pretty penny, others may even tell you that college is a pointless endeavor. . . they're wrong. You may not earn a job because of it, but the opportunities and life-altering experiences that college offers will always be worth the work and effort!

If I could go back in time I would advise myself to not wait to go to college. After highschool I had a dream to be a teacher, but I knew my parents could never afford to send me to college. I thought if I worked hard I could made enough money to pay for college, but I found that it was never enough. Now I know that there are many financial assistants programs and scholarships that can make it possible. I would tell high school self that it is possible to earn my way to college, if not financially, then by focusing on academic and community service activies in order to make a difference in my own life as well as in my community.

Dear senior self, I am writing to you as a fellow college student here to make sure your transition from high school to college runs effortlessly. Pursue the following tips and you will be stress free! First of all, enjoy your senior year to the fullest, go out and have a blast responsible of course. Secondly, don’t stress so much about college application and live in the moment, after all you’re only a high school senior once! Later, on as the year winds down, hassle yourself about prioritizing mind over matter, meaning stop stressing your mind about what I could have scores on the SATs, because they are done and over with and just focus on writing the most astounding scholarship essays ever, which is what really matters. Stop the procrastination, you can live in the moment and still get your homework finished in an orderly fashion and get at least eight hours of sleep you really can’t make it up with a nap! Take the handful of advice and follow them like your daily horoscope, for they will make your first year of college a heck of a lot easier and much more enjoyable. Bon Voyage!

As a first year college student there are many more opportunities to grow as an individual. My freshman year has been filled with challenges and I have found myself struggling at times. My first quarter seemed ideal, choosing the perfect schedule. It didn’t take long to realize that college was going to be a lot different than high school but not necessarily in a good way. I have found that there aren’t as many little assignments that at times seemed irrelevant, but instead, simply taking good notes, reading and understanding the material which you are studying. Studying is what can make or break you in college, taking the time to sit down and reflect on what you have learned can lead you to success. College is the start of the rest of your life, the quality and passion of your work is what will help guide and define you. The problems you may encounter and the things you learn will revolutionize the rest of your life. Reflection is key, whether imprisoned in ones routine or looking to escape the ordinary, I want to shake up that person I knew then and tell them what they need know tomorrow.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is a second chance. I was not going to go to college. I thought that I could get a job and that would be it. I ended up working many not so great jobs. I was only able to get jobs that would keep me and my family in poverty. Central University has given me hope. My kids see me going to school and they too want to go to college.

So far, my college experience has been amazing. I used to be a very quiet and shy person, and had a close group of friends that didn't branch out much. When I arrived at college, I was forced outside of my comfort zone and into a whole new world. I was introduced to a great diversity among students such as, homosexuality, minority groups, and racial discrimination. Coming from a small town, I had never experienced an environment quite like this one. It ultimately introduced me to the diverse cultures that inhabit our country. I met new people, made new friends, and have become a completely different person. I believe that college is helping me grow into the person that I want to become; a person full of knowledge, culture, personality, and acceptance. I am here for a purpose and that is to receive a quality education and ultimately live a healthy life. College has proved to me that I have a purpose in life and that I am going to work very hard to fulfill that purpose. To this moment, college is by far the most valuable and exhilarating experience of my life. Hopefully, this is just the beginning.

Returning to school in my fifties is teaching me that you are never too old to learn. While there is some regret I did not return to school earlier in my life I believe in going forward and only looking back in order to learn from mistakes not dwell on them. The wide range of backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and interests of my fellow students and teachers continues to expand my mind and appreciation for learning.

I have wanted to become a pilot for as long as I could remember, but I only knew about one school that offered a BA in Aviation and that school was too expensive. 10 years later I finally heard that Central Washington University offered a Bachelors degree in Aviation and the cost of attendance seemed like a real possibility for me! I am now attending Central Washington University and I am on track to graduate with a BS in Aviation in Summer 2012. I am so proud to say that when I graduate I will have all of the pilot ratings that I had always dreamed of attaining. Upon graduation I will have my Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Flight Instructor and Multi-Engine Rating. I am a bit older that the average student, married with a child but the students have welcomed me to their inner circle and I am extremely grateful. I often spend evenings meeting with fellow Aviation students to discuss our flight courses and they have become like a second family to me. I have bonded with these students and I know that I have connections that will be invaluable after I graduate. Thank you CWU!