University of Arizona Top Questions

No matter what field you choose to go into, having college experience is important in that it gives you a broader understanding of the world around you. Taking English, and General Education courses made me think more deeply about texts that I read, or images that I might find on the Internet or TV. In these courses we were taught to focus on things like purpose and audience to better comprehend why the author published what they did. Through my first semester of college, I felt like I have learned so much more than in a full year of high school. In my college algebra class, we were learning the same material as in high school but we were taught, not just the definitions and formulas, but also how these were found, which gave me a much better understanding of the material. College has definitely challenged me so far. I feel that I am more efficient in my field and analytical in the way I view the world. The skills taught in college can be applied anywhere even if you are not working in your selected field of study out of college.

College is a privilege that not many kids appreciate. After working many years, and trying hard to get out of a very bad economy in Detroit, I feel reborn in Arizona. I am lucky to be able to attend college and luckier still that I have a husband who is so wonderful. Both of our fathers worked for auto companies, and we were really scared in Detroit. Coming here and going to college means that I will be part of the generation that fixes the problems that created problems like Detroit. I would am studying history and hope to follow through with a thesis about the industrialization and fall of cities and the people who are affected by this. I have worked hard for over 25 years to get to this point (I am 46 years old) and to be able to finally finish my degree means everything to me. What some people take for granted is nothing short of a dream come true for me.

Going to college, I found out how much effort you have to put in to get rewarded in life. I learned that hard work and effort pay off. It's not only helping me get an education, but I'm being prepared for life. I'm learning how to communicate with people and how to manage my time efficiently. I learned how to be punctual and proud of myself for accomplishing the projects I complete. It has even helped me learn how to manage my finances better. Since going to college, I've learned how to have respect in life and truely value everything I do. I can see how wide open my future is and how much I can accomplish in life. I have a sense of pride when I tell people I'm in college. I can't imagine how different a life I would have, without going to school. I can't wait to see how much more I'll get out of school, while I finish my degree

After one semester of college, I have learned alot. I have learned to manage my time between classes and learned valuable study skills when finals came around. I have learned to be accepting of other people's views and tried understanding where they are coming from. I think attending college is very valuable to learning these skills because college is one of the few places where the opportunity is present to learn these skills. People from all around the country and world at the university provide the chance to learn different cultures and understand different parts of our vast world. Attending college is essential to building a successful future. It's the ability to provide for my future family and myself. Education from college helps me gain more independence from my parents and become more self-sufficient in being able to provide for myself. My education at the University of Arizona is my future.

University of Arizona is one of the few Universities in the United States to have a Physiology program. Being that this is specifically what I wanted to study, I was extremely happy with the program. The program is designed for success, as the professors and staff are always welcoming and willing to help. The University has many clubs that gave me opportunities for experiences I would have otherwise missed. Having the University Medical Center closely situated, and involved with campus, also allowed exposure a future in the health professions. Socially, I met people with the same goals as me, while meeting different people in general classes. It’s a very eclectic environment. The campus spirit is strong, and very sports driven, something I grew to appreciate. I had many choices on campus to make the experience what I wanted, and overall my experience was positive.

College has been one of the most rewarding expierences I have been apart of. Since starting here in August, I have gained life lessons as well as enhanced my understanding of the world. I went to a small private school in Los Angeles where I was surrounded by the same people every year, since I was in kindergarten. However, since starting college I have been able to brake away form this "bubble" and really exand my horizons.

What I have gotten out my current college experience is that my general education requirements are very useful for after college experiences. My grandmother had a friend who used to be a doctor and she told my grandmother that she was educated TO BE a doctor but my grandmother was an educated doctor. Having to go through the general education requirements gives you access to different subjects of interests. Jumping straight into classes dealing with your major isn't that great of an idea. I'm not going to have conversations with people that have only had college classes dealing with my major. Also, it's a great idea for those who are undecided. These classes can help guide someone to areas of study that they would greatly prefer. This has been very valuable to me because these classes will give me the social structure that I will need once I graduate and pursue a career after college.

I have worked hard to get back into college. I wanted to go to college badly to get a higher education and finally went back to college. What I've learned the value t of college is that when you get enough credits you can do internships and I want to put that in my resume. You can also get scholarships. A college education will better prepare you for the job market and you'll learn more about life and who you are as you go along.

When I first came to college, I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life. However, when I started taking courses, I began to realize I was not as excited about my plans. Through the following year, I explored other possible fields through my General Education courses and in doing so I discovered more about myself. Before moving to Tucson, I had not ever thought of myself as independent, but living on campus and taking charge of what I do with myself everyday has shown me just how strong I am. I never really experienced any time during high school when I really felt I "grew up", but since coming to the university, I notice that I have more discipline, maturity and faith in myself. I have found out who I really am and I have found friends who support me in my "me"-ness.

My four years at the University of Arizona was the greatest and i also experienced some of the most trying times of my life. Being a California Native, I was thrilled to escape to a different state for college and from being in the middle of my parents nasty divorce, to escape the constant teasing I got as a result of my mom being gay, to get a new start, gain a social life, and excel academically. It became so much more. I made friends that will be in my life forever. I found myself, my part in this world, and what I want to do with the rest of my life. I stepped out of my comfort zone to experience life, sometimes really tough and difficult, with friends, school work, and relationships, and the death of loved ones, but mostly the most amazing four years of my life. It has changed me, given me an appreciation for college sports, an appreciation for life itself and the beauty and tragedgy that comes along with it. I learned how to live my life, the good and the bad in a healthy and successful way. I learned how to be me!

It is almost like I was able to start completely over after high school. This is my chance to make something of myself and be successful. I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA because of varies resources, such as study rooms and computer labs on campus. I make use of the endless opportunities at my college. I am ecstatic about becoming a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society last Fall. Also, I am the first person in my family to be able to go to college. I've watched my family struggle because of their past decisions. Therefore, I understand the importance of a college education. After my second semester, I decided to get my Master's degree in social work and my Doctorate in clinical psychology. My dream is to help people in a hopeless situation overcome their obstacles. I am very proud of my achievements thus far, and continuing my educational goals will be extremely valuable to me in both the present and future.

I have gotten so many things from attending the University of Arizona, even though it has only been one semester I have noticed a change in every aspect of my life. I have become a more responsible citizen, by voting and going to see President Obama speak in Tucson. I have become a more successful person because of the things that I have learned as an undergraduate student. I can barely wait until I become a graduate student so that I can become an even stronger person and obviously a better businessperson. As a result of the time I have spent at the University I have developed my time management skills, my ability to use resources, communication skills, leadership skills, and life skills. Each of these areas has greatly changed who I am and is the reason that it has been valuable to attend this University. I know that at any University one is apt to improve all of these skills but I sincerely think that because I have attended the University of Arizona my life has changed, and has changed for the better. This is a great school and it really will help you prepare for life.

The greatest thing I have gotten out of my university is learning about various cultures and meeting lots of different types of people, each with their own personalities, quirks, etc. I grew up in a fairly hispanic town, so all my life I was exposed to Mexican culture. Coming to the U of A was a great experience and a bit of a culture shock, as it expanded my horizons and taught me there is a lot more this world has to offer. This experience has led me to studying abroad and doing many things to experience various cultures. I wish to get an M.D. degree, and I feel learning about various cultures and people will be helpful towards becoming a great doctor.

Deciding to go onto college after high school, I know, will benefit me greatly in the future, as it is already having an effect on me now. My college experience hasnt been anything that I didnt expect, but it did teach me things that I didnt expect it would. Through my journey of college, I have become a critical thinker. I can now determine what I think is right and what is wrong, based on my own beleifs. Also, in a sense I feel as though i have found myself and feel more confident and independent. I have learned many new things during my first year of college and I am excited to keep learning and keep growing as a person with their own individual character.

I have always loved learning, and I think that the University of Arizona has done a great job in helping me to further advance my learning potential. I learned right off the bat that the major I was currently registered for was not something I was going to enjoy making a career out of when I left school. When I realized this, there were many advisors on campus to help me decide that, ultimatley, what I wanted to do was something I hadn't even concidered/thought of in the first place. I think that because of this, attending college has been very valuable to me. I have gained much insight into a field of study I hadn't previously had much knowledge in, and have put myself on the right track to a career in the future. I am excieted to continue learning here because I believe that going to school and later on to graduate school here will help prepair me the best for a career I am now extremely excited to be a part of.

Baba Dioum stated, “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Through thoughtful instruction by University of Arizona faculty, I have broadened my understanding of the natural world and the importance of conservation. My undergraduate and graduate experience at the University of Arizona has taught me important fundamental skills of natural resource management and conservation; however, I feel this knowledge has paved a road into my future and can be passed on to others during my ventures. Attending college has improved my lifestyle greatly by teaching me skills that not only are useful for conservation and natural resource management, but are also useful in everyday life situations. I will be forever indebted to my college for the experiences that they have given me! For that, I will always be truly grateful and strive to pay it forward by passing on the wealth of knowledge I possess to others.

Throughout my college experience, I really discovered who I am. I tested my work ethic, my morals, and my goals in life. Being an "A" student throughout high school, I was surprised to realize exactly how difficult college was. I tested myself every weekend when I had to choose between going out with friends or staying home and working on a paper due the following week. I quickly learned that college is more than being social...it is a stepping stone to future success. My morals have also been tested multiple times throughout my college experience when I have been faced with many difficult decisions. Peer pressure can be a time bomb of self destruction for some students in college, and it was important to determine my personal values early to avoid these hard situations. My college experience has also allowed me to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life. I came to college with no idea what career I wanted to pursue, but certain opportunities on campus have allowed me to discover my dream job before the end of my freshman year. I feel so blessed to attend the University of Arizona.

In my college career so far, I have traveled many different paths which are helping me grow to be the individual I am at this very moment. I believe that God has blessed me with many gifts to share with the world and to give back what I have learned thus far. My experience so far in college has led me to audition into the School of Music at the University of Georgia and challenge myself to the point where it takes me out of my comfort zone. This gives me the feeling of hard work and achievement. Attending college thus far has been very valuable because I have continued to believe in myself and to further my education. I plan to graduate from UGA with a four year undergraduate degree and to plan on a graduate degree when the time comes. We are born in this world to make a difference and to pursue knowledge that hasn't been discovered. My goal is to further what has been done, and to teach those who can continue to make this world a better place. Isn't that the valuable lesson of life?

My college decision wasn't easy, as I realistically had two choices: the University of Arizona and the United States Air Force Academy. One was all-expenses paid, the other was a leap of financial faith--I took a leap! While my college experience has been rockier than it could have been, I can honestly say that I am thankful for both the good and the bad events that have happened here. I have learned so much in and out of the classroom, one would hardly believe it! I've gained leadership experience within my major, on-campus housing, and the Blue Chip Leadership Program (not to mention, met amazing people every few feet along my journey). The thing I value most, in both myself and others, is passion. This has been the primary reason that my college education has been so important is the simple fact that I get to live my passion everyday, by working with people. Yet, I am also able to watch others as they pursue their own. It is truly a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by and embraced by passion, and I hope to continue to do so for the next year.

College is very different from high school and it was good to realize the transformation of myself into a mature young adult. College is a chance of a life time. You can really learn alot about yourself during this process. College helps you relaize the real world and what being "grown up" is all about.

Meeting new people is the most valuable experience for college. Educationally the value is not as great as everyone would assume but the life experiences and enjoyability of being a college student is the most enjoyable thing possible.

I knew that being an Arizona Wildcat would be rewarding and exciting, but my college experience has exceeded my expectations. Getting a superior education via my academic endeavors was a large part of why I came to the University of Arizona, but I did not realize the many other benefits I would receive here. The faculty has encouraged me to explore my interests and has provided me with the opportunity to do so, allowing me to be the best “me” that I can be. In addition to this, I have had my life enriched through meeting and becoming close friends with a diverse group of people. My college helped me grow as a person particularly in kindness, acceptance of others, and public service, as well as academically. The University of Arizona has inspired me to learn and add a second major. It has encouraged me to get involved with activities, both socially and academically, including being a teacher’s aide. These activities gave me experience with volunteering and focused my desire to teach while expanding my conception of that vocation. Overall, it has been a college experience that has opened me to the endless possibilities that life has to offer.

Some of the most outstanding, life-changing people I know today I have met in college. Learning to critically engage with the world I live in has been an invaluable privilege, but even more dear to me are the friends and role-models who inspire me on a daily basis to be a better person and give back to my community. The opportunity to learn from these people--professors and peers alike--has been the opportunity to broaden my horizons and see all that is available to me. College material trains you to be critical and college friends teach you to be kind; I think you can only understand this contradiction, and the benefits of it, once you attend.

Surprisingly enough, I have received an incredible education regarding apartheid in South Africa. I had no desire to study South Africa or its tumultuous history until my sophomore year at Arizona when it was briefly mentioned in one of my political science courses. Since then, I have been taking virtually every class that I can on the topic or applicable and related fields. My professor's at Arizona have given me great scores of information, experience, and their professional opinions about apartheid in South Africa and all of its attachments. As a result, I wrote a twenty page research paper this semester that was accepted for publishing in an undergraduate journal on international relations. Before attending Arizona I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. I realize that transferring to a more liberal school allowed for me to study something as fascinating as apartheid, which I intend to study in graduate school. Basically, going from a conservative to liberal model of education has opened metaphorical doors for me that I never knew existed. This nexus between what I thought was out there and what I know now has been invaluable to me and my education.

I come from Orange County, CA. The majority of people I went to high school with cared about two things- money and popularity. As I grew up and got older around there, I realized that many people did not change that mentality. My biggest decision I have ever made was to pack up, get away from Orange County (at least for a little bit), and discover myself and people who could be a positive, motivating influence on me. It was the best decision I have ever made. I believe in the few months I have been here, I have already learned so much. I've learned how to let myself be my own individual. I've learned how to be more independent then I already was. And most importantly, I learned the importance of bettering myself as a human being, not only for myself but for my friends and family as well. When I graduate, my five little brothers and sisters will have one more reason to better themselves- because they saw I could do it too.

I have met a lot of great new friends and I have had some amazing opportunities to explore my field of study. I think that since I have been a college student, I have learned a lot about myself as far as my limitations and a better sense of responsibility.

Let me start by saying thank you, scholarship commitees like yourself have made it possible for me to fullfill my dreams. Growing up without any parents has made it very difficult for me to even think abut pursuing an education. When I came to The University of Arizona I learned many things which helped me to realize that it is possible for a girl like me to become successful. I have gotten so much help from staff and other outside sources to help with my tuition which has made it possible for me. I am very lucky and I will cherish every dollar I get for school and invest my time and curiosity to learn the most material I can, and use it for my future. By receiving this help I have learned that I will give back to my community when I am successful. I have gotten support from my college experience so far, with subjects, tutoring, being involved, and financially. I believe support is the most valuable thing i have received, because without support in any area, you cannot be successful.

It has been valuable to attend to this university for the education they have offered me to success in my life along following my dreams. Education has given me chances to discover what I want for myself. I love and enjoy studying languages such as French, Italian, and English, which I have learned over the past years. Spanish is my parents first language. Today I can communicate with people in these four languages. Languages are my passion because I can speak, read, and listen to music in French, Spanish, English, and Italian. Thanks to my grandmother and my parents who have inspired me, I believe that education must come first before other things in my life such as worrying about having a new car or marrying. This is the reason I am studying in the University of Arizona which is givinge a good experience and make me feel comfortable with what I want to reach my dream of studying Linguistics in Foreign Language, that is, the study of a language in details. Learning more about languages, which are so much part of culture, are my passion. To fulfill my dream I must have a good education.

Not only have I grown intellectually at The University of Arizona (UA), I have also grown as a person. The UA surrounds me with wonderful, intelligible, kind and helping people, which helps me to succeed in the future. All of the courses that I have attended in my college career have been nothing but beneficial. The environment on campus is uplifting and urges you to get involved and become a better person. Before attending the university, I was never apart of non-profit organizations and rarely did volunteer work. There are many opportunities to help out in the community. Through the experiences both academically and socially, my time spent at the UA has been overall amazing.

That's a tough question. As a freshmen it's hard to decide what I have gotten out of just one semester. On the other hand, however, I know what I need to get out of it. Fresh out of high school I was very enthusiastic about getting involved, I expected to magically make friends in my classes, and coast right on through my studies. Then reality hit. I realized that I had no idea what I want to do, you don't just "make friends" in college, and I didn't get accepted to a freshmen student coucil club. I stopped trying to get involved. I went to class and came home. I've learned my lesson; in the fall I'm planning on participating in a program that allows me to exchange to another school, and I'm hoping to go to New York. What is so valuable about attending the U is now I know what to expect. I know what I have to do to get the most out of my experience--and that is to try. I've learned that you have to offer yourself to the University in order to recieve its benefits.

I have only been attending the University of Arizona for one semester and i can truely say that i have already grown so much as an individual and on my daily out look of life. Being here has forced me to become so much more independent and it has really taught me self discipline. Every morning i wake up still tierd from the day before but i always seem to find energy to still be excited for my classes. I have learned so much from each and every professor and i now look forward to school and class. This year i joined the University of Arizona pomline team. Through this team i have met so many wonderful individuals. Everyday we practice with the band for several hours at a time. Being on this team has introduced me to so many wonderful people i dont think i would have gotten to know if it wasnt for being on the team. I believe the college experience is something that every individual should have, if not to grow academically to grow as an individual. The world could use more intelligent confident people in it. I would not trade my experience here for anything!

Although I've only been attending the University of Arizona for less than a year, the relationships and knowledge I've gained have been invaluable. Being out of state, I was nervous to go to college so far away from home. However, the evironment and people have been so welcoming that I've completely forgotten that I'm over 1,000 miles from home. I've been able to make new friends, become immersed in Tucson's community, and begin to become the independant person I've always wanted to be. The education I've received has also been outstanding. Despite the fact that I'm one of 30,000 students at the U of A, I've been able to get one on one time with professors and really understand the subject material that I'm learning. There's no doubt in my mind that my education here will help me achieve my future career and life goals. Though it was expensive to study out of state, my experience here has been worth every penny.

I entered the University of Arizona as a pre-physiology major, clinging to this reassuring field of study that was at the time, rescuing me from my fear and uncertainty about my occupational future. I was clinging to this fallacious dream as to simply have an answer to the common high school senior question, "What do you want to do with your life?" One year and five major changes later, I am proud of my fields of study. I believe that my university has changed my life in helping me connect with, in every way possible, my future dream of helping people gain access to clean water and sanitation in underdeveloped countries. My university has the best International Studies program in the state - and the best Hydrology program in the nation, and I am proud to claim both of them as my majors. Without this university and all its inspiration via professors, fellow students and counselors, I am not only strong in my choices in goals regarding my life - but I am proud of them and looking forward to making them reality.

I have gained so much from my college experience. Number one thing I have gained which almost everyone will gain when they attend college is Freedom. I love my new found freedoms now I attend this college but with my freedom I learned a valuable lesson. I have learned time management after struggling my first semester and from that I have learned that I need to balance my time in life. My newfound knowledge is a life lesson that will stick with me the rest of my college career and afterwards as well. Not only am I learning a lot of academic knowledge but also I am learning life lessons. That is why attending my school has been so valuable to me. I have learned so much and I have not even attended for a year yet and I can’t wait to see what else I am going to get out of my school in life and academics.

There has been so much I have received out of my college experience so far including friends, knowledge, and other experiences on their own and finally figuring out what I want for myself in life. With just one semester under my belt and several more to go until I reach my goal, I have learned new things. I learned about nature, the Spanish language, the history of life and even my own writing. I’ve learned about animals I never knew of, I’ve learned to speak another language, learned how life has started and most importantly I learned how my writing can tell so much about myself. Just reading a passage of my writings can tell what kind of person I am. Attending college can only improve our status for what we are after and help us achieve everything we dreamed of. It prepares us for our future and how to deal with everything that comes with life. It not only sets you up for your future, it gives you a career, if that’s what you want, instead of just another job. And in my mind it gives you friends for life. College is very valuable for life.

I am only halfway through my college career, yet I have gained many experiences and learned many life lessons along the way. Although my primary reason for attending a public university is to gain an education and prepare myself for a further education and entrance into the workforce, there is much more substance to my college experience. In recieving an education at a place that is a reasonable distance from my hometown, I have been forced to mature and live on my own as an adult, which is something that can not really be learned until you are forced into that situation, and along the way have gained valuable practical knowledge that applies to my everyday life. Because there is such a diverse population here, I have learned to value the opinions of others and use their differences to enhance my learning experience. I believe that learning to work with people that are different than you is one of the most valuable concepts that can be learned because while knowledge can be forgotten, the experiences that you share with your classmates and the things that you learn from them will stick with you forever and are what makes college worthwhile.

My college experience so far has only been two weeks long. I have to say, because of the tragedy that happened on January the 8th in Tucson, AZ. My first few weeks at school have been very different. My first day I was suppose to attend school, I actually ended up going the U of A's McHale Center to see our memorial. My first day of classes were spent in the building over from the UMC where our Congressperson Gabriella Giffords was healing. I have met international students, and had the best experience in my lectures. My first month of college has been over shadowed by other events in Tucson, AZ.

One important thing that college teaches anyone who attends is how to get along with people. Everyday you are shoving your way through crowds and you are assigned a random roommate who you may or may not get along with. Plus, you have to deal with people in the dorms who may be doing things that you do not want to do at times that you don't want them to be doing those things: like screaming in the middle of the night because they just beat the hardest level on a video game. Also, college, for me at least, has forced me to develop a strong work ethic. People are constantly doing things around you and you have to learn how to tune everything out and just sit down and get to work even when there are fun things that you would prefer to be doing.

College is not something that is just necessary to jumpstart your life and career. Rather, it is essential for people who truly desire to get the most out of life. Not only has my college experience given me the tools to further understand myself, as well as others, but it has also been an enriching experience enabling me to broaden my academic repertoire. Attending a college forces you to understand the fundamentals of what it really means to be self-disciplined. As typical as it sounds, I have always had my mother and father as a driving force behind me when it came to school. That “push” from my parents is certainly not as present as it was before. So now the responsibility of driving myself to do my work is almost entirely up to me. Being self-disciplined is an acquired skill that takes practice, and I owe it to my encounters in college for teaching me that ability. Applying it to my schoolwork improves my overall academic performance, which in turn, helps me to retain more of what I learn in all of my classes. Overall, college is invaluable to those who aspire to achieve in every aspect.

Receiving a college education means much more then used opportunities and fulfilling expectations to me. Receiving an education is something that I do for not only myself, but for my family and my community. For my family, receiving a college education is the best way I can show my three younger siblings that hard work and determination pays off. For my community, receiving a college education means I have the capability and education to have a positive impact on the community as a whole. Then lastly, for myself, receiving a college education means I will gain the tools need to change the world by simply having an impact on everyone I meet. With the college education I have recieved I have learned that having an impact is the most important thing I could learn in college.

I have enjoyed the every last experience here at the University. There is not one experience that I value of over the other. I have learned an exceptional amount of material from the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department; Gender and Women's Studies; and my thematic subject area in Health and Human Services. The experiece that I have learned from my internships in the Women's Resource Center and WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) has been a great and knowledgeable information that I have learned. I already come from a diverse background but learning the extreme differences of people of all walks of life has helped me immensely. To say the least, The University of Arizona is an experience of a life time, with the scenery and adventure that Tucson has to offer along with the wonderful experience of knowledge, wisdom, and incite the the professors at The University of Arizona have to offer.

What I have gotten most out of my college experience is ironically not directly correlated to college itself. I came from out of state, more than a thousand miles, and basically started what college is intended for, life on your own. Back at home, I came from a single parent that wasn't able to teach me all life would confront me with and couldn't support me very well financially. I had to start from scratch and learn everything. Coming in to this university, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and how I would get there, but everything I never expected happened. I had to leave school for a year for financial reasons, and am facing the same obstacle again next year. My entire thought process on what I am passionate about changed while in college and I have had to question my values and motives. But I wouldn't trade my difficulties for anything. Along the way, I have met some of my closest friends, I have expanded my knowledge of various cultures and lifestyles, and most importantly, I have developed a firm foundation for my faith. College changed my life.

My college experience has proved to be very beneficial as I have begun my journey through life and proceed to get my degree in Public Health. I have met many people and had the chance to share insights on life with them, the chance I would not have if I were not attending school. The University of Arizona was one of my top choices for attending school simply because they offer one of the top medical programs in the country and has a fairly high ranking amongst other schools as far as academics goes. I have gained many personal attributes that I will hold on to forever and hope and I can better those around me to make the world a better and friendlier place.

The whole educational experience is of great value to me, because it gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the world and the different cultures around it. I work hard and I’m willing to take the risks necessary to achieve my goals. I’ve learned that education in life offers you better opportunities. I give my education what’s important to be successful such as time and attention both crucial for success. It has been rough restarting my education, nonetheless my goal seems closer every day. I have overcome many obstacles in life, and I possess the will that has driven me this far, not an easy task. However, I strive in my classes and give my best. I’m a proud Hispanic and risk taker. Being well educated makes me an asset to my community. Having high standards in my life and the way I conduct it gives me not only personal satisfaction, but also the appropriate tools to enhance my community. Being involved in activities in my community has helped me grow as a person making me understand people’s needs as well as my own.

It is valuable to attend college in order to pursue a higher paying job in the real world.

Thus far in my college career, I have joined a professional engineering fraternity, Theta Tau, which has allowed me to become a better student by being able to study with other members of my major, and learning new methods of studying, which can be more effective than my own strategies. The most valuable information I have learned while attending college is that I can choose how my life turns out by choosing a major, and that money should never be a factor in whether I want to do something I love or something I hate.

When I first found out I had to go to the University of Arizona I was disappointed. I am from Phoenix, only two hours away from Tucson. I had planned to attend an out of state school, but when the recession happened I had to put my dreams on hold. I was devastated. At U of A I began to make acquaintances that turned into friends. The more people I met, the more I began to realize how many people were in the same position as me. Most people at U of A are from different parts of Arizona and had aspirations to attend out of state schools, but could not attend because of unrealistic tuition costs. I no longer felt like I was settling by going to the U of A. I realized how lucky I was to even be able to attend college. In life we must play with the hand of cards we have been dealt, even if we have a joker and the instruction card. Before I came to the University of Arizona I thought I was settling, now I know that settling can lead to self discovery I would never have found otherwise.

My college experience has shown me many valuable lessons and taught me skills I will carry with me for the rest of my life. My classes and professors have provided challenging projects and pushed us to find ways to overcome a wide range of obstacles. While I have gone to school full time every semester and taken pride in overcoming obstacles I have faced in the college of engineering. Hard work and determination to succeed no matter what were needed during numerous occasions. Time management is another huge skill I have been able to work on day after day. I have supported myself through every year of college working at Starbucks about 30 hours a week. To top it off I also like to stay involved around campus when my vigourous schedule allows playing intramural sports, staying involved in Tau Beta Pi, and performing community service through Starbucks. The last very important skill I have mastered while attending college at U of A is teamwork. Whether it is a huge semester group project or a smaller homework assignment being able to develop team communication skills has been vital for my future.

I have been able to push myself academically and socially. I will be the first one in my family to graduate from a four year university.

From my college experience I have learned to study hard and become discipline. I also learned to improve my communication and leadership skills by joining and am active in several campus organizations. In working my function within these organizations, I have been able to gather students from different background to speak up their ideas and opinion. According to some alumni I have been working with, I am different with others because I am sensitive. I am good at observing the organization’s flaws and finding ways to improve the quality of that organization. Through being a leader, I have learned not to be self-centered, but to gather and unite all members to become one. Through diligent studying and active participation in these organizations, it is my goal to have a firm grasp on my majors (accounting and management information system) as well as the leadership and communication skills necessary to progress, succeed, and make my mark on the accounting and management information system profession. That is why it has been valuable to attend University of Northern Iowa.