The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

There is an increased amount of freedom when entering college, but with freedom comes responsibility. It is the responsibility of the student, not the teachers or parents to study hard and maintain the succesfful grades. Sometimes, spending hours in the library studying will only get you a B+ on the exam. There will be people who barely study and still make a better grade; don't get discouraged. Time management is the key compenent to academic and social success. Studying long hours will cause your mind to explode if you don't find some time for yourself. But that goes the same for "social time." Too much social time can lead to a negative academic outcome. A large university like Texas only feels large if you don't put in the effort to make it small. Join organizations that benefit your resume and balance it with a social organization to meet new friends. Get to know all your professors because you will need them to write you a recommendation sooner or later. College is nothing like high school, so don't expect it to be easy. Lastly, I would tell myself to breathe and enjoy every minute of the experience.

As a college freshman, the most drastic change I had to make coming from high school was a change in my study habits. In high school, I felt I was leading a very rigorous academic lifestyle. Here in college though, there are many distractions that have contributed to my existing study habits. It has taken me almost a full semester to realize and fully graps that I really do have to change my study habits to accomodate my new surroundings here in college. I would like to go back in time and tell myself that I have to be open to new things and accept change. I am a person who likes to maintain order and keep the same routine. Coming here to Austin though, I have come to accept very readily the fact that this change isn't only applicable to college. I would like to have mentally prepared myself to accept change from here on out. At this moment, this includes talking to new people, making new friends, keeping myself accountable for my own responsibilities, and in essence everything that encompasses growing up.

I would tell myself that everything I will go through is painful and seems unnecessary, but the growth I will experience makes it all very necessary. I would also tell myself that my independence is the most important thing I can ever attain and have, and it is better to attain it sooner rather than later. Lastly, I would tell myself to learn to sleep better, because class is a lot more fun when you're not 3/4 of the way to unconsciousness.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to only go to school when I know what I what to do in life. I would tell myself to wait and save my money till I know what career I want. To chose a realistic career not just a job and to go to school and get a degree in that field. When I first started college I thought I would major in something fun. Little did I know that it wouldn’t be as fun as I thought. I wanted to do something that I thought all my friends would like not something I could see myself doing for a long time. Therefore, I stopped going to class and started going to parties and working and trying to make money to pay for schooling that I didn’t even want to attend, when I should have been going to school or studying. I now know that without school, I will never get out of these dead end jobs that I am in now. I would tell myself to contemplate what I like that would be realistic for me to do for the rest of my working life.

I'd tell my high school self to apply for scholarships while still in high school. It has been difficult in these past ten years to look for scholarships that can help me pursue costume design. I attended community college first to save money, but it has turned out to be a bigger challenge than I thought to pursue my dream after working full time and being a part time student. I wouldn't change the hands-on experience that I have attained, however, financing the rest of my career/dream has been harder than I expected. When I have children, scholarships will be a priority! Higher education is very important me! High school self, there is no reason to be discouraged; the reward will be that much sweeter when that time comes, even if you have to wait until you're 50 years old. The real life experience in the work world has been wonderful. I can now say that I have ten years of experience in retail and management. There aren't many college grads who can say that! These hard financial times have been proof that it's not easy getting a job, even college grads!

I look back on my high school self and both sympathize with my concerns and, as horrible as it may be, laugh. I was troubled with my nonexistent social life, not to mention the thousands of dollars I was required to pay for school. Once at school, I successfully focused on my schoolwork and maintained a 4.0 GPA. One night, my roommate was distraught because of the workload her classes required of her. After she calmed down, she praised me for my discipline and asked how I managed to get everything done and not stress out. I explained that I did worry. However, instead of spending hours panicking, I simply used that energy to conplete my assignments. Only now do I realize I could have applied this concept last year. Rather than spend summer upset at my situation, I should have taken action. Instead of wallowing in misery about being lonely, I should have gone out and met new people. Instead of wondering how I would ever pay for college, I should have used those hours to find scholarships. I would let myself know to never sacrifice a moment of potential fun or productivity for a moment of panic.

If I were allowed to go back to high school, I would tell myself that studying is the most important thing there is. When you are doing the work sometimes it can seem mundane, or seem like you will never use it again. That is not true, a lot of the material that you use in high school will come back onto at least a few of the classes that you will take in college. Mastering the material early will give you a head start in your college career. Delegation of time is another important factor that you will use in college. There is so much to do and read, especially when you are taking a double workload, that you have to prioritize and sometimes choose schoolwork over things that may be more fun. I would tell my high school self to continue working hard and doing my best and that is what will help me succeed in college.

College isn't like high school where you can blow classes off and still make A's. Start learning now to set limits on your "fun" so that you have time to get your work done. Work comes before fun not after, and if you put it after, you can find yourself with no grades and no money. Apply to all the scholarships you can find now, and don't blow off the essays just because you don't like to write them, you need to try for every cent you can while you have a GPA worth looking at, so that you have savings in your account for school. Just don't let work be your everything either, fun is necessary to stay sane in such a focused environment. Just like in all things, balance is key.

Even though it seems like you are being bombarded with a plethora of college information, don't give up now or let yourself become overwhelmed. Pace yourself. There are plenty of people at the college, called advisors, that will be glad to help you out with all of the technical things you need to know. However, what they fail to mention is that in college, you get back what you put into it. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved. I know it may sound easier said than done, but there are really thousands of clubs and organizations that you can join to help you make the transition to college easier. For one, it helps you connect with a smaller group of people, like a family, and it also opens up other connections. Also, don't be afraid to call home every once in while in tears. Homesickness is something that is experienced by all. By the way, crying is a wonderful stress reliever! Anyway, hang in there. You WILL make it out alive. Just focus on your goals. Stray away from things that can pull you down instead of help you climb.

Relax. You everthing will be ok. There is no need to pull your hair out, you've worked hard all of high school and your working hard now. Don't let other people discourage you, your on the right path. This is your year. You have a passion for knowledge and learning and no one can take that away from you. Use that passion, make it work for you. If your going to change the world you have to start somewhere.

I always dreamt of going back in time. Growing up my favorite movie was Back to the Future, so to have the chance to do it again would be an amazing opportunity. My high school senior year was 1980 in Lima-Peru. I was a good student in school and in college as well. Shortly after that I decided to enter college and become a lawyer. The first conversation I would have with myself would be to never ever let anybody tell you what to study in college. Remember, I wanted to be a lawyer. Peru was going through an economic slowdown at the time I was entering college, and my mother told me that a lawyer would starve to death and since she was paying for my college career I was to study to be an economist. I did, and I lived unhappily ever after. Time is a very precious commodity, the type that never comes back. I’m back in college at forty-eight and it’s a dream come true, but at the same time bitter sweet simply because I cannot afford to pay for my last term to become a chef of Peruvian and Spanish cuisine.

Considering that I went to college a year ahead of the class that I was suppossed to greaduate with, I would tell my high school self to look at all of the available oppourtunities that present themselves before I commit to just any school. I would visit schools before I decided to go to them and I would take the advice of those who came before me and tried to tell me good advice. I would also not transfer schools so many times and I would take my education and my classes more seriously by putting more focus and attention into the things that I did.

To go out and join a group from the beginning. Make sure to get involved in something I'm interested in. To not stress about not getting into a class or being waitlisted, because it always works out. To volunteer and shadow.

This opportunity would be like a dream come true. At this time a year ago, I had just graduated high school and I was experiencing a mixed allotment of feelings about college. I was excited to begin a new journey in life, but scared to leave the past behind. A new city, new people, being on my own, and not being around family were among my greatest concerns. I wish I could have been calm about everything, because The University of Texas at Austin has become my new home. Every time I step onto campus, my eyes directly go to the tower and it assures me that I am okay and that I came here with a goal and that was to succeed in everything I put my heart into. The transition that you experience from high school to college is something that you must face as it is for your own benefit: you learn to be stronger and independent. My best advice to myself would have been to make sure my goals are clear because everything else falls into place slowly as time goes by. After all, college is the best chapter of your life.

Focus on academics first and a social life second. Put in the time and be proud of the grades you earn. Don't settle for "comfortable" and always try your hardest. Enjoy school, there is plenty of time to be grown up and live in the "real" world! Money isn't everything and while it will buy you many things that may make you happy it will not give you a sense of accomplishment or the fuzzy feeling when you do something for someone else. Enjoy life, don't stress over small things, this is the time to find yourself and plan your life! You have time to figure things out!

As a peer mentor to many high school seniors, I often find myself telling them the underemphasized cliche that "in the end, everything will be okay." Needless to say, I wish I could have take my own advice as I found myself in situations in which I would spend hours awake worrying about my future during my senior year. Senior year was an emotional rollercoaster with college applications, standardized tests, teacher recommendations, AP courses, scholarship applications and college visits. As I look back on the so-called "emotional rollercoaster" now, I would tell myself the same cliche that I tell my mentees, "in the end, everything will be okay." Though I had my fair share of college rejections and pulled many all nighters in attempt to finish my college applications, everything is now "okay."

You're about to enter a wild, amazing world you can't envision. You can't even start to imagine what you'll find there, but trust me: you've already got a passion for something, and that's worth more than all the gimmicks and the glitz that new world can offer. Stay focused on your desires, don't compromise your dreams for anything. Be willing to sacrifice everything but your integrity and your honor to get what you need. Fairweather friends come and go. Material possessions are empty. Time is fleeting, and life is a harsh mistress. But if you're willing to force the world to give you what you want on no uncertain terms, I am absolutely certain you will succeed. Don't get distracted. Stay hungry. Hang on like a bulldog and live like a rocket-propelled Tyrannosaurus rex, taking down everything that stands in your way at a hundred miles an hour. Oh, and make sure you stay in touch with that one guy. He's turned out to be a pretty awesome spouse.

Knowing what I know now about college life, "Everything in high school is a "lite" version of college". We may nag about having to wake up early in the morning and having to race against time and the school bell to get to class on time in high school, but without those reminders, the staying on task and on schedule just turned up a notch. The term "irresponsible" does not exist in the college world, nor will it be anytime soon, if ever. Once college starts, reality kicks in, everything you hear in the college world, or the world outside of high school is really realistic, either its about productive or money. Classes in high school are free for us from freshmen year to senior year, but starting the freshmen year of college, nothing is free or for granted. We must prepare ourself to be responsible and productive while we can in high school before it will be too far to catch up with once we have to face college. Good luck Seniors!

I would tell myself to follow your heart and do what you love. Don't waste time doing what everyone else wants you to do. It's not their life to life and you deserve to be happy.

As a high school senior, I would tell myself to enjoy high school and cherish every aspect of it: the personal classroom enviornment, the farmiliarity of faces in the hallway, and more than anything, the convenience of living with my family. Once you pick a school, be proud of it. Love where you're going and be proud of yourself for getting there. Once at school, stay strong and stick to your guns. Don't let people talk you out of or into anything you don't agree with and demand respect. As women in college, it is important to respect yourself inorder to gain the respect of others.

Sure, you think you have great study habits, but the truth is, you don't. Learn them now and learn what works for you becuase if you don't, college will not be as fun and exciting as it should be. You are now living on campus, the place you go to school and it is hard to define when you should be studying and when you can make yourself feel "at home." I sueggest you follow through with all the to-do list you make now instead of storing them away. Study all the hard material first, then the easy. Start stuyding in groups instead of by yourself. College will be much easier and enjoyable if you work with others and hear how your classmates explain the material. High school classes are not preparing you for college courses, so I suggest to get in the habit of study skills, so you can dominate all your classes and come out with a 4.0.

There are a few things that I would tell my self. But, probably the most inportant advice I would give myself is to choose a college because you want to go there. Not because all of your friends are going there. Going to a college just because your friends are going there does not make the school a good choice for you. Plus, you probably will my not have much time to spend with them because most likely you all be taking up different majors, so you won't be able to see them and ways. So choice the school that fits you best and go there, not the place that fits your friends.

Liz, Here's what you need to know Just because it's a big fancy big ten universtiy doesn't mean you're not good enough. Go out for the longhorn scholars. They totally want you. And when your community politics proffessor tells you to go to the Campus Crazy center, you should do it. If you don't, you're going to spend the rest of the year skipping class and drinking. Speaking of, learn to like liquor because beer will MAKE YOU FAT! You hate psychology? Guess what: you can switch majors! Amazing, right? History is fun, but I'd prefer you do communication or business, or hell even pre-med. That chemistry class isn't as hard as you think it is. Neither is spanish. Also, ask grandma to help you with that. It's not that hard but it'll still drop your gpa. As a matter of fact, its the one thing that got you booted. Make some friends who arent the "party girls" and save your money! Remember, your a small town girl whos dreaming too loud. Love, Liz

I would look into the university's student organizations and/or faculty-student groups to familarize myself with university life in order to learn how to better navigate through the system. College years, especially at a great place like UT Austin, should be more than just book learning. Establishing a network of experienced people would definitely enhance the education experience (something that isn't necessarily covered on a course syllabus).

Take it slow, don't be in any rush to do things you don't know how to do. Have confidence in yourself and don't be afraid to fail, it's only natural and you'll learn a great deal from it because it makes you stronger, trust me on this one. Study hard and make friends with your classmates, exchanging knowledge is probably going to be one of your most valuable assets. If you have the means, don't go looking for a job if you don't need onee, it gives you more time to polish and focus on your grades as you should be doing in the first place. Money's important, but not as important as getting a good educaton. Getting into a relationship will happen with time, so don't sweat it. Get to know your teachers because they'll push you to learn more than what you do inside the classroom. And above all else, take care of yourself physically and mentally. If you make mistakes, don't beat yourself up over it, you're only human. If you follow these instructions and don't give up, you'll be just fine.

It's not a bad idea to ask for help, and a second opinion.

I look back at the time that I was a Highschool senior and I remember three key things that I would tell myself. I would make sure that I owned a new car with a lease package in order to get a new one every year. I would also buy a house in the campus town that I chose, and sublet to cover my expenses. Finally, I would make sure that I was not going to far away from my family because they are the people that really matter most. Thank You. Collin Fischer

I have gained a sense of responsibility since beginning college. College has opened my eyes to many things. I have become a stronger person while having to juggle school activities, studying, working, and making time for family and friends. I have learned strong communication skills by conversing with instructors and fellow class mates. I have developed a sense of independence and will continue this process with the transition to a University away from home.

I am only a freshman in college, but the first semester alone has taught me so much. Putting aside the knowledge I obviously gain from class, I also learned how to better relate to others that are entirely different than myself. Coming from a small east Texas town I grew up as one of the few biracial people there. Hardly ever did I encounter people peculiar to the average upper-middle class white people all around town. Now I have many friends of many ethnicities, religions, and interests that are more diverse than I ever thought possible. Another valuable lesson I have learned is that I am actually growing into adulthood. This may sound silly but it really hit me the first week when I had to do laundry and make sure I ate meals all by myself. I truly believe that school is not for everyone, but that people who have the desire to attend college definitely should! Not only that, but move out of the house and be entirely independent for a change. It is an electrifying life change that I will never regret.

I am only in my first year at UT-Austin, but I can already see how much of a difference it has made in my life. My confidence level has always been something that I struggle with. I am shy in public and easily intimidated by those around me that I feel are more intellectual than I am. The professors, advisors, leaders, and even fellow students at this university have given me courage and motiviation to lessen that fear. I walk around campus with thousands of people that are competing for scholarships and awards, but we are all still here for the same reason: to learn. My professors make it a goal to teach more than what is merely on the syllabus. They go above and beyond to help me understand the concepts and to discuss my future's plans with me. Never have I been in a place where so many professionals are concerned with my life as opposed to only their work. The experiences I have and the concepts I am learning prove to me that college, no matter the expense, is the right decision for me and that I can be successful in my future.

To gauge my college experience, one has to evaluate the various variables involved. The variables being academic, social and leadership skills. These skills have not only improved as a result of college, but have made me a better individual and a more productive member of society. With this new knowledge, I am able to make significant contributions to the scientific community as a result of my college experience. In other words, I am able to change the world and make it better than what it was prior to enrolling in college. In terms of social values, I was able to interact better with people of various backgrounds and interests. This diversity has led me to understand equality and social justice a lot more. I am now able to communicate and work with teams from different cultures all in an effort to improve the quality of life of present being. While social and academic factors made college a wise decision, I believe that leadership qualities instilled in me during my time as an undergraduate has been invaluable. The ability to lead a team with a single objective of finding a solution, in my mind, is the goal of college.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. Before I went to college, I was close minded and dependent on other people to help me. I was not understanding of other people and did not have the desire to help people or learn anything. UT Austin has taught me to be empathetic and caring. I have more school spirit than I ever could have imagined and I would willingly go the extra mile for any and all of my classmates. I have learned to be open minded and it has helped me better connect with people. I have learned so many valuable things, not only in my field of interest but in many other fields and things I can use in my daily life. UT has made me not only a more intelligent and hardworking person, but a better person.

Since I started colege I have been able to learn very valuable skills such as leadeship, service, good study habits, and people's skills. I became the President of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, at my community college my somophomore year. As president of this society I was able to lead other college students my age in many varied service activities. We learn togther the value of service to our fellowmen. We learn team work and the value of friendship, by leading them I greatly improved my leadership skills. I learned that a good leader is he who not only leads, but is willing to follow if the situation requires. I have also learned what I want to do in life for a career; that is being a mechanical engineer. I want to work building the equipment urequired/used in hospitals to save people. I am a junior now, and I have learned that hard work brings success in life.

What I got out of college so far is a fun and good experience

The knowledge gained at college is useful, of course, and it is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of college. But to me, the more important benefit of college is the networking. Not only am I surrounded by some of the best young minds in Texas on a daily basis, but I’m also learning from instructors who are among the best in their fields. These friendships are valuable now as we all learn from one another and will doubtless be a lifelong connection to the university we all love. Later on, when we need recommendations or support in our respective careers, we each have a network of people who know us and our abilities, and are ready to serve as references or give a helping hand when needed. The value of college comes from areas that may be obvious, such as learning to multitask, working to a deadline, and planning ahead, but less obvious are the immeasurable benefits of being connected to such a diverse and dynamic group of people. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

The communication skills that come along with networking with individuals from all over the world. It has been valuable to attend becase of the exposure to many cultures.

My college attendence has opened my eyes to the value of education. I was working a full time job, and I am a single mother. You forget fast what it's like to be in school. You close your mind to learning and get stuck in the so called box of your daily life. I am being exposed to many different subjects in my basic education even, and find myself excited about my classes. It's very hard to balance life and school though, so my hat is off to all who has conquered . it does feel good to learn., I have been re awakened.

It's never easy to sum up your college experience to explain it's value to you, especially in so few words. The only thing I can say is that my undergraduate degree has helped form a sturdy foundation for my future studies and has helped to give me a sense of confidence in order to face day to day challenges head on. I remember how I felt about myself and my miniscule accomplishments before I got into UT and dedicated myself to finish my BA. I can safely say that compared to how I feel now, what I know, and knowing what I'm capable of- it was almost worth every penny that I have gone into debt with. I am currently finishing up a year and a half long break from poverty and over stimulation to the brain and getting back on track with my overall education goals. I estimate that by this time next year I will have found and been enrolled in a highly ranked forensic science PhD program. Here's to burying myself further into debt!

In addition to the obvious joy of learning things that I didn't know before, college has allowed me to grow up. With my parents and all of my old friends living far away, I have basically gotten the opportunity to start a whole new life. No one here knows what I looked like with acne in 11th grade or knows that my mom teaches an embarassing dance class. I am a new person, and that feels great.

I got my Associate's degree while also working to get my high school diploma. Since this was at a community college, the atmosphere of the University of Texas is very different. It is hard to adjust, but I have learned from this first semester that I will not be able to get through my college experience being as shy as I am right now. This is also valuable for me because as I open up and come out of my shell, I will learn more how to interact with other people. This will help me in the long run because I will be able to connect with my employers or mentors more easily than I do now.

My college experience in the past semeseter has been more than I ever could have asked for. In the first semester alone, I earned a 4.0 GPA, made the College of Liberal Arts Dean's Honors list as ampla cum laude, and was sponsored by one of my professors to publish one of my philosophy papers in the UT philosophy magazine Ex Nihilo - all very significant feats for a freshman in his first semester. The campus is beautiful; it's like a city within a city. I've never felt more at home and more comfortable than when I'm on the UT campus. It's only been one semester, and already I've taken so much out of my college experience. The professors I've had have all been superb educators, remarkably effective at what they do. I've learned and experienced more in my first semester at UT than I did in an entire year in high school. The atmosphere here is delightfully academic, perfect for my tastes. I know attending UT will be the most valuable choice I've ever made because here I feel at home: a feeling that high school could not give me.

Throughout my college experience, I have gained a greater sense of self-worth. It is easy to see that when you actually put in the time and effort towards your classes, you can achieve a higher standard. By achieveing this high standard, your work is validated and you can have more pride in yourself as a college student and a human being. This soon becomes a habit and carries on into the rest of your life as you move out of college and into a career.

I have learned more about myself in a semester than I ever have before. High school was a stepping stone toward college, and learning about myself, rather than history and calculus, was very low on the totem pole. Attending such a large university, it seemed so easy to blend in and simply be another number in the crowd when I first arrived. But I not only had time to devote to myself like never before, I had a new environment to explore, new friends to explore it with, and new classes to enrich the whole experience. I've learned that I am much more independent than I thought I was; I've learned that having a good group of friends is as important as having top-notch grades; I've learned that I'm driven when I set my mind to something, compassionate when it matters, and carefree when it doesn't. Most importantly, the day I woke up and called Austin "home" to my mother, I learned that I chose the right school for me.

My college experience has been different than most. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict and have been sober for 3 years. Needless to say, most college students are all about partying so it has been very different for me to be in college. It has been a valuable experience most of all because I never thought I would make it to college. Before I got sober I never planned on graduating high school even and now because I am sober, I have made it to a university. Also, it has been very valuable to me because I have learned that just because I don't drink doesn't mean I can't have a college experience and have normal friends and do normal things. My addiction isn't a crutch, if anything it helps me because I'm very self aware and have a lot of life experience that has helped me with my classes and learning. I absolutely love college and it was the best descision I have ever made.

Out of my college experience, I have received the value of motivation. Students at my college are expected to excel especially because it is known as the top university in the state of Texas. Seeing other students use all their time studying for classes made me want to work as hard as they were. Attending a Public Ivy League university has motivated me to realize I need to do step up to the plate and work like I never have before. Succeeding at this university is a must. If a student is doing poorly in their schoolwork it is looked down upon with disgrace. In that case, The University of Texas has given me the motivation to do my best. Disappointment is the last thought I want anyone to label me with. The label I want placed upon me is a word that describes determination, value, and most of all motivation.

Although I have only studied at the University of Texas for a semester as a freshman, I have gotten so much out of my college experience. I have met so many wonderful people and have learned some excellent ideas from each and every one of my wise professors. I have already established myself in many organizations and have gained so many skills I will continue to use in my future. The University of Texas is a prestigious institution that has introduced me to many new and exciting things. It has been valuable for me to attend this school because of my aspirations to be a successful businessman in the future. McCombs is such a stellar school and it has taught me many things I wouldn't be able to learn anywhere else. Without my education from McCombs and UT, I would not amount to what I know I can achieve. All in all, the University of Texas is an absolutely outstanding university that offers me exactly what I need to succeed.

This is my second year at UT, and I've learned that no matter how bad of a slump you think you may be in, chances are, someone out there is facing worse problems than you are. The only difference is that sometimes college students feel defeated too easily, especially in the initial transition from high school to college. Being in college is a struggle, but that's the point. Not everybody is meant to go to college, and of those that do go not all have the tenacity to finish. Only the stronger ones will stick it out to the end and accomplish what they set out to do. This experience has made me a stronger person, because I've realized that when it comes to petty issues that aren't worth sweating over, you should do just that, not sweat over them. College is about bettering yourself through education and about rising above everyday struggles. I'm glad that by attending college, I've had the opportunity to become a stronger individual.

I have been influenced and pushed to my greatest ability.The Freshman Research Initiative program and emergin scholars program have opened my eyes to the world of research. I have gotten involved in amazing research that will make a difference in this world and plan to take the research to a new level. Also, the honors classes have challenged me to take material outside of the classroom to go more indepth.The atmosphere and organizations I have become involved with have made me feel at home and that i have a purpose at the university. I haven't been at school for very long but i wouldn't change it for the world.

College is a place for students to begin their educational journey. The journey contains many options, which signify choosing a career path such as in education, architecture, medicine, and more. These decisions become challenges in life that many college students face everyday. For example, few students are undecided to what their career choice will be, but there is help for these students. Whatever the situation is for any particular student, a person who wants to experience the college life will find the will in himself or herself to fight for their dreams and dedicate their time to education.I have gotten strength and dedication from my college experience. I have been an undecided student for two years, but a mistake that I made as a freshman cause me to rethink my goals and ask myself what do I really want in life. I went through many obstacles that brought my hopes down and almost made me want to stop my education. The event that turned my bad experience into a valuable college experience was the acceptance into the Honors College at the University of Houston. The knowledge I gained from my teachers gave me hope to continue with my education.

The college experience is life-changing to say the very least. I believe that no one graduates from school as the same person they were when they began their college career. For me personally, the entire experience has been quite eye opening. I'm originally from the Woodlands, Texas, a very white, suburban community. It is a very comfortable place, a place where most people believe, act, and think the same way; no one is ever pushed out of their comfort zone because most of the people who live here are constantly interacting with people who are similar to themselves. The Woodlands is a lot like a bubble in that it remains closed off from and seemingly unaware of the rest of world. When I got to college, I began to realize just how different the real world was from the one that I grew up in. I was forced to learn how to relate and talk to individuals that on the surface, I appeared to have nothing in common with. I leaned to function outside of my comfort zone and think for myself. In a nutshell, the college experience has made me a more aware and well-rounded individual.