Colorado Christian University Top Questions

College is great, but it’s not going to be what you think. First, eliminate dating from the picture altogether because the guy/girl ratio is practically 4:1 –girls ruling, so either save your high hopes for later or go up the road to hang out with the school that has the opposite problem. Besides, freshman guys are not anymore mature than high school ones. Warning! The school up the road contain super smart students which equals super nerdy, but give ‘em a break they’re nice (and will make bank after graduation). Second, be prepared for a lot of reading and outrageous costs of college textbooks. I learned NOT to buy or sell from the bookstore after I spent over $500 the first semester, so either rent them or go amazon.com, you won’t regret it. Third, this piece of advice will sound extremely cliché, but don’t feel nervous or self-conscious your first year because everyone is feeling the same way, and if you can’t get over the jitters just FAKE IT. You will make a lot more friends in college than high school anyway. Don’t even worry, you’ve got this beautiful.

In 2009, my world crumbled when my dad told my brother and I that he had had an affair and my mother had asked him to leave. So I left for college, emerging from a newly shattered family. Tragedy crushes some, but hardens others. I was of the latter: impenetrable to hurt. Those who met me that year found me inaccessible. Life acquired a new pattern: study, survive, smile, repeat. The soul is alive and either flourishes or withers. I withered, with tragedy trapped inside of me like a poison, choking on pride that kept tears locked inside. Sophomore year, the desire to appear strong broke within me. I began to share my heart, forming strong friendships at school, and renewing superficial relationships. I learned that tragedy produces miracles of the heart and tears down barriers. We can choose to let hardship whither us, or we can use it to grow deeper roots, yet stay tender enough to bloom. If I were to advise myself, I would say: “Embrace tragedy.” Tears bring healing. Acknowledging tragedy hurts worse initially, but allowing it to do its work rather than hardening ourselves fertilizes rather than poisons and we grow, bloom, live, and thrive.

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself when I was a high school senior, there's a lot that I would say. Most importantly, I would say that college is a lot different than high school. Grades are important, but learning is more important. I would tell myself not to try to do too much by having multiple majors and minors. Instead, it's important to focus the classes and choose the major that best fits what you want to do in the future and put your whole self into that instead of spreading yourself too thin trying to do a million things. I would also say that the people you associate with and the activities you are involved in are just as important as the classes you take because they teach you just as much. It's important to stay busy because it makes it easier to prioritize and avoid procrastination. Yet, more than all of that, I would say that the absolute most important thing to know going in to college is that you will change, so let everything you do and learn form you into the person you were meant to be.

Don't trust yourself and don't stress out over it. Trust this decision to God because His plan is perfect. Lean not on your own understanding. Know that even if you go far away you will still be in the will of God and that is the safest place that you can ever be. The education and atmosphere is worth the money, just try to apply for more and more scholarships so you are not in debt your whole life. Don't worry about making friends, because that will come easily, because they are all in the same position as you. Don't worry about your major at this point, it will probably change. Just focus on getting as many scholarships and getting accepted into the school, you can figure out all of the details later, just go where God sends you. Don't hesitate to follow Him, the Creator of the universe. He has overcome more than your college decision, but He is there and He always will be. Seek churches in the area so that you can stay connected to a church family. Your life will change dramatically in college, and you will find your purpose.

Be prepared for a big change. Here are five things to know before going to college. First, develop good study skills in high school, even if the work is easy. You need those skills or you will flop. Second: save, save, save. College is not a cheap endeavor. Have a good backing to support yourself when you don't have a job. This will also allow you some spending money to have fun with. Third, be motivated to work. Get a job early in your college career. It will help you learn time management and contribute to your savings. Fourth, get involved. This goes for both in classroom and out of classroom settings. Be a part of the class and participate, this will help grow relationships with professors. Being involved out of class will create lasting friendships and give you a little break from your studies. Lastly, be appreciative of everyone that helped you make it to college. Everything that you do before college is building your foundation to succeed. Thank people every once in a while. Most importantly, stand firmly upon your foundation you built along your journey to college.

There are several pieces of advice that I would give my highschool senior self. One thing I would want to tell my senior self would be to take AP classes so that I could receive college credit. Any extra work would also help me prepare for the work load in college. Another piece of advice that I would want to tell myself, would be to get a job. I stopped working during my sophomore year. I think it would have been helpful for me to have a job my senior year for a few reasons. For one I could be saving up some extra money to help pay for my college tuition or cover book costs, etc. Another reason I think it would have been important for my senior self to have a job is that I could learn how to successfully balance my school work with my work hours. This way I could be prepared to attend college full-time and also be able to work and save up tuition money.

I would tell my high school senior self to not worry and you will make the right choice. In high school I, like many students, worried about the future. I decided to attend a community college first rather than a University and this was a great choice. I enjoyed going to a community college and being a Mathematics Education major I had to take many math classes. Unlike a University math classroom all my classes had less than 30 people. This meant I was able to have the one on one time with my teacher that I needed. Without that time I may have still passed my classes but would have never understood calculus as indepth as I do now.

Don't let others stop you from doing what you think you do best. Stick with what you love, and be strong in who you are. College will be different than high school in more ways that you think, the people are different, the teachers won't cut you as much slack, and the food is way better (but more expensive). Work hard, harder than you ever have before. Strive to achieve accidemic greatness, nerdy isn't always a bad thing! Let school be the oppertunity you need to suceed in life, and meet as many people as you can along the way. Maintaining good friendships can be just as important as maintaining good grades. Don't be afraid to rise among your peers and stand out. But most importantly, don't let the fear of leaving hold you back from an even better life. Great things are out in the world, now is your time to find them!

I would tell myself to work harder at applying for scholarships to pay for my college education. Tuition at Colorado Christian University is very high and I am paying for my college education on my own. Every year I have to take out a significant amount of money for student loans and when I graduate I will be paying back student loans for many years. I was so focused on leaving home and being away from my friends that I really did not want to think about college until it actually came. By that time I missed many scholarship opportunities and had to take out a big student loan. If I could give my high school self advice, it would be to be more focused on applying for scholarships and working harder to pay for college.

I would tell myself to realize that college is not a joke and that it is a serious matter. coming from high school, you have teachers that tell you when things are due, then you go to college and you have to know when everything is due on your own. that was kind of hard for me at first because i had to get a routine down that kept me on track with when things were due and when tests were. the key to college is being organized.

Don't stress about going to college, it's fun! Spend the most time with your high school friends as you can, because once you get to college, there isn't much time for them anymore. However, when you get to college, get involved! There's no better way to make new friends that share similar interests with you then to get involved in clubs and activities. Make sure to remember to do your homework and get it out of the way so that you can go out and make memories without worrying.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college, I would tell myself to explore many areas of study, not to stress about not knowing exactly what I want to do in life, and to take part in on-campus clubs and activities. I now realize that many people don't know what they want to do in life. I felt stressed and overwhelmed not knowing what to major in right away, but I enjoyed taking a large variety of classes from environmental biology, to communications, to photography and I learned more about myself and enventually figured out what I wanted to do in life. I would tell myself to enjoy every moment of college instead of stressing over difficult questions we all struggle with. I would also encourage myself to be more social because there is so much to do on campus and so many people to meet. At first I felt shy and nervous to take part in on campus events, but once I went and met great people I realized I had been missing out on something very special.

Money management is your new best friend! In order to make it through college you need to manage your money like never before. First semester you wil think that you have a lot of money so it's no big deal to go spending all of your cash on the weekends. But if you don't save up and you don't get a job, come second semester you will be flat broke. So get a job, even if it's hard to keep up, and don't go crazy buying things that you don't need to. Off-brand works just as well, and buying in bulk, even though it's more expensive at first, works better in the long run.

Work hard. You think you are working hard now. Work harder. Dream big. Do everything you can to obtain this dream! When a student has a dream in mind (mine was becoming a military officer and leader), they will do everything to make this dream become a reality. With something greater to work towards, everything will become more focused and easier to overcome. Do everything to the best of your ability; it will absolutely pay off in college. Whether difficult classes, sports, or leadership positions, all will prepare you will for what is to come. Do not give up at any point. As Bear Grylls would say "the most important part of survival is a positive attitude." If you want to survive - yes I know you ar enot in the wilderness, but it still applies - you must have a good attitude! Even further, you cannot succeed if you do not hold onto a positive attitude. And, the best way to keep this attitude is to let your dream be the driving force. If life has vision, it has a purpose.

Dear Lisa, I know you're excited to go to Colorado Christian University, and that's good! It truly will be amazing. Just rememeber to tell mom you love her a lot, because she will really miss you. Also, when you get there, don't get preoccupied by cute Columbian boys who buy you lunch, they are bad news. Don't be afraid to truly embrace who you are, and show everyone who that is. They will love you for it, don't worry. Maybe you could try to be a little more organized (but I know that's not easy for you.) A few more pointers: laugh a lot, don't be shy, meet new people, don't eat so many pop-tarts, get plugged in and don't be afraid of opportunities. Life as a college student is different and unfrogettable; the community is something you will never experience again. Embrace it, love it, live it, enjoy it! I know you will have a great time, because let's face it, you're a pretty great kid! Good luck high-school senior Lisa! Sincerely, Older, more mature, 21-year-old, college senior Lisa

If I could tell my high school self something, it would be "Don't worry about it." Don't worry about being shy, or bookish, or nervous around girls. Don't worry about trying to impress people or make them like you. I would tell myself that I'm still growing and maturing, that all the things that bothered me now would eventually disappear. "It's all a part of growing up," I'd say. "One day you will be confident in your abilities, confident in your quiet manner. In fact, one day you won't be so quiet anymore, and you'll suprise yourself by how little you care what people think."

I just have one year left, and I must find myself a good college to continue my education. I should start preparing for my SAT exams. I must choose my high school courses that are prerequisites for my college freshman courses. Choosing proper courses in high school will save me money and time in college. I should approach advisors and teacher who could assist me with tips and helps for college. I must concentrate on my mathematics and science courses as I am choose an Engineering major. I should also search and skim through colleges, and make lists of colleges based on my preferences such as distance from home, opportunities, and colelge rankings. Then, I should look for advising and orientation sessions towards admission process in the colleges. I should find out application, scholarship and aid deadlines, and apply to colleges respectively. If the applications require an essay, I should consult a english teacher on the ideas and the presentaion techniques to write the essay attractively. I must constanty keep track of academic progress, and paralelly prepare for SAT exams. Its good to write the SAT reasoning test and subject test before January as many colleges have March Application Deadlines.

It can be easier than you think to go insane. Quickly. College life is all about balance. Balancing friends, school work, jobs, family, volunteer work, how late to stay up and study for an exam the next morning, etc. I know it might seem like the harsh answer that parents may give, but it's incredibly valuable and true... it's about responsibility. But not just about your schoolwork. There are things that I had never thought of taking into consideration until I got to college. For instance, a trip to Yogurtland at eleven o'clock at night probably isn't the best choice to make when your friends come barging in your dorm room begging for company, and you're right in the middle of making flashcards for your history test the next morning. Of course, it's tempting, and you still might be able to swing a good grade on the test without staying up until three in the morning. But it's more about creating a bit of a routine... knowing what to say no to, and what to say yes to. If you can conquer that skill, college will be the time of your life.

I would tell myself to slow down, and trust God. When I was a senior, I was stressing about what school I would attend, and how I would pay for my tuition. I picked Liberty by January, but God had a very different plan for me. Throughout my school year, Colorado Christian had been sending me letters, phone calls and emails, regaurding my acceptance and scholarships. However, the schools tuition was the first thing I looked at and therefore caused me to completely disregaurd any form of contact from CCU. By the time July rolled by I had my first payment to Liberty paid, and was preparing to leave for Virginia in a few weeks. A lot of people have said that God's timing is perfect, and unpredictable. July eighth I was sent out to visit Colorado Christian for a weekend. While I was there I was forced to listen to what God wanted me to do, and where His plan was taking me. By listening to God and choosing to switch schools in the middle of my summer I have made my faith my own! Colorado Christian University was God's plan for me.

My dear brokenhearted past self, Do not worry about what the future may or may not hold. Trust in the one true God with everything you are. Know that He has your heart and soul. He has a beautiful future planned for you. When times of confusion and chaos come, continue to trust in Him and His promise that He will never leave you. Allow Him to heal your heart and work His miracles in you. His timing truly is perfect, and you will soon be blessed beyond measure by someone He intended you to be with. He will work all things together, even when it seems like nothing will ever be beautiful again. God is good and faithful. Open yourself up to the fullness of His love and He will bring to you an overflow of joy. You are in for a crazy next couple of years, but enjoy the ride! This life is beautiful and God is wonderful. Praise be to Him! Love, Your Future Transformation

If I could go back I would tell myself to focus on school more and on campus life less. I would tell myself to make sure to complete my degree before throwing all the money and time down the drain. I would tell myself that I am in fact smart enough and strong enough to overcome any obstacles I come across. Most of all I would tell myself to trust the path that God has laid out for me.

Make sure to choose a path that you really like for school. And do not do something that everyone else is doing if it does not interest you. Find professors who are genuine and care abou students and take classes with them, because they will be the ones that mentor you and help you to achieve the most with your education. Remember to be social, and take time to do things that helped you be more involved, and try to go to class even if it is a hard class. You want the most out of this while you can.

Do NOT let boys get in the way. Trust your instincts and your inner voice. Work really hard especially if you have to take care of youself. Do what is truly in your heart. Do not deviate from that. In the end you will have the perfect career and be happy. Do not procrastinate. Over all just believe in yourself. That you are always smarter and stronger than you think and you can do anything if you just believe.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to take school more seriously. I would explain how hard it is to go to school as a single parent while having a job. I would encourage myself to have fun while you are young and get an education at the same time, and not wait till you are my age and in my situation. Life is hard and the older you get the more responsibilities you have the harder it is to make time for an education. So many people like myself end up working low paying jobs and believing that college is out of reach for them. Luckily for me I have found CCU and with the help of schollarships and grants and some loans I am able to go back to shool to get an education and a better paying job.

"Listen to the advise from the wise people around you!" would be the first thing I would tell my highschool self. I would tell her to choose a college that fit all the needs that she was looking for and not to settle because, honestly, she would be spending almost equal tuition anyway. I would tell her, don't be afraid to go a little off track and explore different oppurtunites, but choose the options that are most beneficial in the long run. Treat yourself with respect and develop your determination to succeed by striving to be the best in everything you put your mind to. Work hard, love others, and always remember who you are.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I honestly wouldn't say much. More than half the fun of college so far has been discovering it as I go. Not only have I learned many things in the classroom, I have learned about myself extensively, and I believe that every experience I have had that contributed to that, has come at exactly the right time. Once I learned to be myself, I found friends that truly cared for me and loved me more than anyone ever had. I found professors that, when I was in tears, would take time to pull me into their office to give me some M&M's and make sure I was okay. I have found places where there is never an idle minute, and places where it is okay to sit and do nothing. Because I had no idea what to expect, I have found myself at college, and I wouldn't take that away from my past self.

Advice to myself, Alley Rozo 7\ 2\12 High School was a big step towards growing up. At times, I let my list of work and my teachers’ expectations worry me. As a freshman in college, knowing that college comes with stricter expectations and more work, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself not to worry about things in the future while I am stuck in the present. It is wise to take on large tasks one step at a time, because if I look ahead at what I will complete in the future, I will worry about things that in the present; do not require my immediate attention. Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” Matthew 6:34. As a Christian I am commanded not to worry. Jesus said; “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear,” Matthew 6:25. For these reasons I would advise myself not to worry.

College is almost ahead so here's a couple of tips! Absorb all you can while you are in school. Going to college really makes you appreciate what you have learned and how it can help you get ahead or just stay afloat. Learn to manage your time. In college there are so many things pulling you in all directions that you will want to do it all or just get stuck doing one thing constantly. Learn to time manage and college life won't be so painful or hectic as you think! Learn to focus and learn to have fun. Know when you need to get down and study hard and when you need to give yourself a break or a chance to breath so you do not overwhelm yourself! Enjoy high school because you can do as much preparation as you want, but it is a completely different world. So prepare yourself for the unexpected and the world. Go into college with a positive attitude and a focused mind.

Don't let the world and its situations get you down. There are gonna be good times and bad ahead, but as Dad always says, "It's not a showstopper". You will grow stronger as a person and closer to God through your first few years of college. Friendships will come and, contrary to popular belief, will stick around. You can't be everyone's friend, but the ones who really count will always be there. Your dreams will never fade, nor will your joy at trying to accomplish them. College may try to turn you into someone else, but you know who you are, and you are still you. Remember who you are: Princess, Peanut, Boo, Miracle Baby, and a beloved daughter, sister and friend.

Save up more money

Don't sweat the small stuff! Do your very best in all you do, but remember that life has road bumps and doesn't always go the way you plan. Roll with the punches in life, and be happy with where you are! People will come and go in your life, learn what you can from them and keep moving forward. College is tough, no one said it was going to be easy, but keep your eye on your goal. Finishing that degree, in whatever you choose, will be so worth all the time and effort.

Slow down and make sure you know what you want to do in life and then take it very seriously. Learn how to study properly.

It has been nearly 30 years since I graduated high school. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell the young me this, "You are just like everyone else. You have value, and you have a uniqueness to offer the world. I realize that you are confused about the process of higher education, and that you do not have much support along the way, but you do have the curiosity, intelligence and fortitude to explore the things that interest you. If you could only know now what you will know at 48 years old, you will see that though you think there is no way to get an education, there really is. There are people who will come along side you. There are people who want to see you succeed, and will go out of their way to see that you do. Beyond that, and what you do not realize right now, is that you have a peculiar calling, a calling that is unique to you. You will be teacher. You will be a comfort to many women, and you will even learn as you teach, and you will walk with God."

Go to school now and take it seriously. You have no idea how hard it is to return to school when you need to work full-time to support your three kids. Go now before you have a mortgage, car payments, and utilities to pay for. Can you imagine trying to balance a family, school, and a job? Not to mention maintaining your home, cooking, and cleaning. Take college seriously while you are only responsible for yourself. When you wait to go to college there is a great chance you may never return. You do not want to work a hard labor job for minimum wage for the rest of your life. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Do you think you will be successful? Go to school and get your education, it will pay off in the long run. Take the path of least resistance. It is so difficult to return and suceed when your time has to be spread between work, home, school, and kids.

There are so many things I would tell myself if I could go back in time. I would tell myself to pay more attention to my studies, try harder in my classes, and get to know my professors more. I would have told myself that bending to peer pressure is never helpful in the future, in fact it can severely hinder your opportunities. I was able to turn my situation around, attend a Christian school, get back on track with my faith, and bring my GPA back up. I would have also told myself to pick a school that actually reflected more of my values, rather than choosing a school that was close to home, cheaper, and was the same school many of my friends attended. I now realize that you get out of school exactly what you put into it, and I wish I would have been thinking of that my freshman year. I also would have encouraged myself to get more involved on campus and to participate in more clubs and group activities.

I would advise myself to explore all opportunities available, particularly AP/college-level courses, and remind myself that I should not waste too much time getting nostalgic, because there are many more memories to come, memories of accomplishments being of particular value and wieght. I would remind myself to search out all the different avenues of growth through the tone of the Socratic statement that "the unexamined life is not worth living"; the implication in this sense being that knowledge is not only its own reward, but ignorance would entail its own punishment. In a similar light, I would add that the greater I struggle to persevere, the more enjoyable things become because, through the strength gained in the attempt, I will be better equiped for the next challenge. I would tell myself to search out purpose in all directions, but to choose one that seems right and aim for it. Because, if you don't shoot for your target, then you will never hit what you're aiming for.

I would tell myself to set a time to study and to really stick to it, and to stand up to my mother when she wanted to control whether or not I could have friends. I would tell myself that I need to learn how to communicate with other people, and that my mother's threats are empty and will keep me from doing the things that I need to do to be able to succeed in college and in the job world. I would also tell myself to work, even though my mom doesn't want me to. I would say, "Hey, do you think that it is loving for people to control others to the point where they can't succeed?" I would have told and encouraged myself to break free from my mother, as I had done this as soon as I got into college anyways. I realized that to control people or to allow them to control you is not loving, as it confuses one or more people involved. Do not allow others to tell you what to do and what not to do, it's your life so live it your way.

I would say THREE cruical things. ONE. Keep your eyes on the prize. You have to get an education to reach your dream job. Plan out your classes and stick to them. Don't just get grades. Get competitive grades. TWO. Mange your time. This is not high school any darling. Time will sneak up on you and the next thing you know its "Finals Week"! Ruling out what your priorities are will help you in this department. There will be a time to have fun. But there will also be a time to crack down and get things done. Cherish both of these times. One will keep you sane and the other will lead you to succsess. THREE. Don't back down. College is not a walk in the park. Everything you have done up to now has led you here. You have worked hard but this is not a vacation desination. There is work to be done so get to it. Don't throw in towel when classes get hard. It will only set you back. Lastly. Remember your morals they will keep you grounded.

I would tell myself to work hard in high school because upon graduating high school, you are entering into a new world of having to work even harder. Graduating high school is not the end but the beginning of a whole different and new life of studies and work. Working hard in high school will only give you a head start in college, where the work ethic and requirements are set only higher. In college, nobody else can set a standard of hard work but yourself. It is important to be self motivated and self regulate your homework and studies in order to be determined and accomplished. Working hard in high school can better prepare you for college life and the transition that you will have to take upon graduating high school.

I know you want to jump into the world and find your way, but without a college education it will prove to be a struggle. You'll find that you aimlessly travel down many avenues that lead to the same dead end; "college degree preferred." You can afford college, because there are many programs that provide funding. It's not going to be easy to work full-time, go to school full-time, and raise a family. Now is the time when it's your time, and your only responsibility is you. It's a fun transition into college life, because college isn't at all like high school. The friendships you'll make along with what you'll learn will prove valuable for your future in work, and in your relationships. Think of it as your first adult adventure!

I would advise myself to not be afraid as to whether I could succeed in college or not, that God is always with me and that He's given me the ability to do what He's called me to do. I would remind myself to study and work hard and do my part to bring forth the best possible result, because my future and what I do with it is so important. I would remind myself to bear in mind the goals which I'm pursuing, and let that motivate me to give my best effort, knowing that in the end it will be all worth it.

I have tried to attend many "traditional" colleges over the past ten year, but with a husband in the army and children to care for I couldn't finish my degree. Colorado Christian University overcame these hurdles by offer a campus in my city that catered to adult students. They had the degree I wanted and offered the financial aid I needed. Unlike most "non-traditional" college, the classes were offered both on-line and in-seat. Because of my disabilities, I chose the in-seat classes. My proffesors have worked with my disability guidelines to help me suceed. I know that if my family is relocated before I finish my degree, I can continue my degree with Colorado Christian University through on-line classes. I am very happy I chose Colorado Christian University.

Before attending college, the excitement of being out on my own and seeing the world for myself overcame my grasp on what the full picture of my life would look like for the next four years. Colorado Christian University is a private Christian college, that has given me the opportunity to learn that failure is at times what I need to do it better the next time, or that being a good steward of money is important for survival. Academically I've learned that being a vocal performance major is more time consuming and it takes more to conquer it than on pure talent alone. And through lasting relationships and new ones, I was made more aware of the amazing resources I already had, but took for granted. I was also able to better appreciate the people in my life, my family, and others who have helped me to succeed. So far CCU has given me a wonderful and productive start to facing the world on my own. But I'm still not afraid to ask for help and I think that CCU has also kept me humble in my striving for better independence.

This experience has been fantastic for me. It has been my dream to attend CCU and I wish I would have done it much sooner. I am thrilled with the level of learning and the commassion and knowledge of the professors. I have recommend the Adult program to my husband who is now a student and now one of my best friends is also a student. I am very pelased with my decision to attend Colorado Christian University and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I am very proud to say that I will be graduating from this college within the next year.

As wind down on my community college experience looking excitedly toward the university life I can reflect on the idea that I can do this. I always knew that I needed to attend college, cince that was a rule set forth by my parents. But actually going and so far succeding is a great sense of accomplishment. I have search universities and have narrowed them down to three. Determining which school will offer me the best educational choice has been difficult I want someplace that will not only teach me the book stuff but give me the opportunity to learn hands on via experiments and research projects. I look forward to graduating with a college degree and the experience of how to conduct research and possibly even have a paper or two published. I am using this time to learn and be mentored by my future colleauges with the hopes of one day making a difference in the world. My parents always tell me to enjoy this time in my life you only get it once, live, learn, and plan for the future.

Encouragement. In a world so full of strife, heartbreak, and toil, encouragement restores us, renews our hopes, and reminds us to seek after the joy in life. My goal as a writer is to share truth, exhort good decisions, and bring narratives that will uplift hearts. I am pursuing this calling as an English: Creative Writing Major at Colorado Christian University. CCU meets three main goals in my education: first, to learn more—to discover alternate writing strategies and theories to enhance my work, to understand the rich literary history of our society, to receive constructive advice from experienced teachers, and to develop my unique style by applying this learning. CCU has enriched my worldview, from politics to economics as well as literature. My second goal is to garner experience to grow in maturity and understanding of people, relationships, life, history, and faith. Thirdly, and most importantly, CCU helps me advance in faith through encouragement from the community in my spiritual walk, the discovery and pursuit of my life purpose, and my relationship with the God who gave me this talent and calling. CCU has encouraged and nurtured me as a person as well as a writer.

There have been many things that I have gotten out of attending college; such as discipline, time management strategies, and work ethic. Discipline is one of the keys to success in college and, as I have started working in the business world, it has carried over. Discipline is a way of making a college career a success. Discipline just simply means complete all the homework assigned and attending class. Time management is huge through out life! When you are able to manage your time wisely, you set yourself up for success in life. Managing your time includes making sure your priorities are accomplished but allowing time for fun. This is a skill that comes in handy when finishing a semester! The largest thing that college has provided is a work ethic. The other two components play into creating a work ethic. A work ethic is very important as one leaves college and starts into their career. Being dependable and thorough are part of work ethic. All of these skillls are ones I have learned as I have attended college. I have seen how important they are as one leaves college too.

I have gottend a lot from the college experence. I think that it is important step to go through from highschool to work force. It is important that one learns how to be independant of their parents and this is a great stepping stone. When i head out into the world, I will be able to apply the budgeting methods and many other things to the real world.

Delware County Community College allowed me to find my passion. I began taking prereqs for nursing and I immediately knew I'd found my niche. They have the best learning environment because the professors are there to ensure your succcess and are focused on the students rather than research projects and grants. I had the most wonderful professors who taught me that despite the technical side of the sciences when dealing with patients the human aspect is the most important part and that each person has unique needs and wants. My biology professor Dr. Lin and my chemistry professor Dr. Butler wrote me the most wonderful letters of recommendation that facilitated my acceptance into the Villanova Nursing program for 2011. Finally, my classmates were all eager to learn and served as a study group, support system and friendly ear when the going got tough.

I believe that I have grown as person as a whole, because I am out on my own. I am learning more about my relationships with my family and specially with God, because I need to do both of these things on my own time. I always knew and understood that getting an education was a priveledge and not a right. There are a lot of people that want to get an education, but can not afford it and I count myself blessed to be able to attend this school and to have the opportunity to learn the things that I have learned. With my education I hoped to help others find their own potential within themselves so that they too can reach their maximum potential and later on help others; continuing the cycle.