University of Arizona Top Questions

During my college experience I have gained independence. With this sense of independence I have also gained a defining sense of self. I am discovering who I am and the person I want to be. I believe being in college has taught me to appreciate what I find important in life, which includes loving the people that mean the most and being happy. Studying nutrition has become a passion, and because I have found a subject I love so much I know that loving what you do is much more important than the pay check you will receive for your service. Living without my parents and learning to venture life on my own has helped me to discover my path of life. Without college I would not be able to explore the many opportunities I have in my future. I will continue to love the people around me and explore new subjects of interests throughout my life. Learning is the key to many discoveries. This scholarship will help greatly to pay for my tuition. Thank you for your consideration.

I have changed who I am. College has developed me socially and intellectually. I feel like my major and minor define who I am, and I have been able to grow in the areas that I wish to pursue. The teachers I have had, especially in my philosophy major, have changed my ways of thinking and analyzing the world around me. The most important experience that the University of Arizona has given me is the job I am currently in. My father lost his job in 2009, and I applied to hundreds of jobs on the UofA job website. I now have a job working for a world recognized linguist Roseann Gonzalez. Working with her has changed my life, and given me a new perspective into politics, social science, philosophy, linguistics, and justice. I have never felt more fervently that academics may be the sole empower to the socially and historically unempowered. I hope one day to go into educational policy making, and encourage a change. Education has been withered by politics and it has, to me, harmed the socio-economically deprived, and created the political cleavages that our country is currently experiencing. All strife can be solved by education.

College, that fond memory recalled years down the line, the cliched "best time of my life", has failed to disappoint. Fostering creativity, passion, energy, hope, and desire, I'm discovering my own path in life. This process, however, has only been made possible by the opportunities I now engage in. This summer, a coordinated Central European Seminar between my University, ASU, and the Flinn Foundation sends me to Hungary and Romania to further expand my horizons in the world-wide endeavor to foster communication. In many ways, this specifically exemplifies the excellence Arizona strives for, and on my part, I am just now starting to realize the implications for the entire world. Maybe my optimist borders on unrealistic ideology at times, but in interacting with other people, I place myself in a situation where I can better understand and connect to the world and its diverse populace as a whole. And, in light of my interests in Psychology and Philosophy (which I am double majoring in), I can strive to change the world from my own perspective. Sometimes, the simple discovery that we all share a collective piece in being human allows us to move past petty politics, towards truth.

While attending the University of Arizona, I have encountered many life changing experiences, that have made an impact on my life thus far. As a freshman, I learned to be accepting of others while living in a dormitory, communicate better, and listen intently. Through friendships gained, has been an important aspect to feel connected during my college experience and life changing. I immediately learned new strategies of time management an important factor to gain a better education and be successful. Meeting diverse individuals and learning of their life experiences; made me realize that the University truly has more to offer as an undergraduate student, that I need to take advatage or for personal gain. My college experience thus far, has opened new doors of education and exposed me to life enhancing opportunities and encourages me to reach my goals. I am more confident in accepting challenges and endure the obstacles to benefit my life. My outlook on education is brighter and achievable. I have received positive feedback and support of the student community ,by being involved on campus, has opened my eyes to profound, life-changing experiences that I will continue to develop and grow from.

I have learned a lot about dealing with professionals and bureaucracy during my time in college. I have also learned to be more independent and assertive. I used to let people in positions of power take advantage of my shy and noncombatant nature. I now do not let professionals ignore me or place my needs on low-priority. Naturally, I have also learned a lot from my classes. I know how to work with people, even when they are being difficult. I also learned a lot from the actual content of my classes, Linguistics and otherwise.

The obvious answer would be a great education, but I have recieved so much more than that. Attending the University of Arizona has help me grow as a person. I have experience so many things that have helped me grow and be that much more prepared for what lies in the "real world." Many people believe college is about attending classes and going to parties, but there is so much more to the college expereince. I have been able to meet wonderful people from across the world with different backgrounds, beliefs, and life stories. These people have helped come to appreciate life and the blessings God has has given me. Not only have I grown spiritually but mentallly as well. Being a student-athlete at the Univeristy is not an easy task. I have had to endure aches both in school and in soccer but they have all been worth it because they have made me that much stronger. With such a strict and demanding schedule I have learned to balance my life and it has also given me the confidence that I will be able to undergo any hardship that comes my way.

After two years studying Journalism with a running scholarship at the University of New Hampshire, I returned to my small hometown in Michigan to step back and assess my future goals. I decided to take a few classes at the local community college, one of them being a Physics introduction to the solar system. I found myself to be inspired by science like I never had been in high school, and thus began my transition and focus towards learning as much about science as I could. Two years and an internship later, I’m enrolled as a full-time Biology major at a four-year University. I find that the time I spent exploring classes seemingly unrelated to my major have actually complemented my experience as a science student. My Thoreauian reverence for nature is matched by my enthusiasm to understand it; art and science are inextricably bound. I consider collegiate education an extraordinary gift. From Shakespeare to Microbiology, the more I learn, the more passionate I become about learning; every class seems an isolated experience. With a college degree, I hope to promote public awareness of current scientific research initiatives through my writing to the benefit of all.

College has taught me that life isn't easy. In order to get the things you want in life, you have to work hard. I have also learned what I want in life. First starting college I just wanted to go for the fun; I had an opportunity to go to many Art Institutes but, I turn those opportunities down because I didn't think those schools would be fun. I then attending the Community College of Baltimore County and quickly learned that wasn't where I wanted to be. In that short amount of time my mind matured and I realized I do want to go to Art school and college isn't about fun, but about furthering my education so that I can have a good future. This lesson was valuable because it grew me up, and made me more responsible as a student and a person.

What I have gained from my college experience so far is the understanding of life and how to interact with people that come from different backgrounds. Before entering college I was in a bubble with little or no clue on what was going on around me and one of the only things that would be on my mind about was what I would be wearing to school the next day. But now I have learned about many different cultures, the world as a whole, and that the answers I was given while I was growing up can have more than one justification to them. And now I feel like this experience I have gained so far, in attending college, has such a great value in preparing me for whatever trials and situations that life may hand towards me. And as I continue the next few years in college, I believe I would become much more of a wiser and open-minded person that is driven to give purpose and fulfilment to this life she was given.

Thus far in my college education, I have realized the importance of continued education. I had been out of school for 19 years when I decided to go to college to become an elementary teacher. After all those years of not using much of the information and skills I learned during my school career, I have learned that it is necessary to challenge myself with new information to keep my learning abilities fresh. Being aware of this is extremely valuable to me and to my future students. I can express my renewed enthusiasm for learning and plant the seed in my students. With my rekindled education, I now use a more extended vocabulary and am a interesting conversationalist. Now I am interested in learning about science and history which were subjects that I did not find interesting before. With life experience, I have a different perspective on education and can relate to the information in many different ways. College has also allowed me to be helpful to my children. They have seen the benefit of college education because I am able to explain concepts to them. My college education also has financial value for me--double my present income.

Gaining exposure to how education relates to the real world. In lower education there is always the lingering question of how math, science, or history is really impacting my life and how can I use that knowledge to impact the world. How about learning all the sides of economics aside from what my parents believe. How people of different cultures have strived to survive in the United States and there methods in doing so. And that articles in the newspaper actually impact and relate to my life! While recently visiting an exhibit at the Grand Canyon, I read about how during the Great Depression workers were hired to construct the trails in the canyon. It just so happened that in my Classics course we discussed America during the 1930’s and the very program! So really when I took the chance to learn and not take my education for granted, my eyes were be opened to how each moment somewhere in the world there is something that needs to be done. And guess what, it made me want to be the one to get involved! So, overall there is really a method to the madness behind pursuing a college degree!

My experience has taught me to be more social and to be more assertive in getting a career I will love. The people, staff, and resources here have guided me through my college experience. I can't thank the UofA enough for helping me set goals for the future. I know that any other student who has the determination to succeed will say the same thing. I've gotten the best out of my experience so far while at the UofA. I know that in the end I'll be a proud alumni ready to help a new generation of students get the best out of this university. That's probably another thing I've experienced, that I'm part of the a tradition being a proud University of Arizona Wildcat like so many before me. So with that being said I only have two words I'd like to say on behalf of the students of the UofA. "Bear Down!" ~ The Official Motto of the University of Arizona

Ever since i started attending school after high school i got a sense of accomplishment with every class i take. I always challenge myself to do better than last time or even challenge myself with other classmates to try and achieve a good grade. School is a use learning experience other than the fact that you are learning stuff in class you also learn how to treat people and become more mature. This University is really nice and meets my needs. Classes are getting tougher than other semesters however i do enjoy a challenge and i seem to be pretty good at overcoming these obstacles that are sometimes thrown at me. College helped me mature a lot and have a lot of respect for people.

My college experience has provided me with invaluable education in music theory, composition, and instrument performance. I use these skills every day in composing and arranging music for my bands, as well as for juries, concerts, and practices both solo and with ensembles. These skills have proved invaluable toward progress in my planned majors of Music Performance and Jazz Studies. These skills will also allow me to transfer into my planned music schools as a junior, allowing me to save a lot of money while still getting a 4-year college experience.

I have gained a lot of general knowledge in various different subject areas such as astronomy, physics, and, most of all, business. I have also grasped how the real world operates and how to network with people.

My college experience began on August 16, 2010. While the thought of living on my own made me nervous at first, the uncertainty I had quickly vanished after meeting my Room Advisor who gave me the official welcome to the University of Arizona. WIth inner hall activities such as basketball, frisbee, and the occasional dinner, I have met some of the best friends I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. In addition to my fellow hall residents, I have also had the pleasure of meeting other people from different dormitories. The University of Arizona is also far enough away from my home where I feel independent, but if I wanted to visit my family for the weekend I have the option to do so. The professors at the University of Arizona have also broken the relentless stereotypes I have heard from my high school teachers. While the classes are challenging, the professors have office hours where they are available to help clarify any information a student may be struggling with. Overall, the University of Arizona has introduced me to some of the nicest people I have ever met as well as some of the most supporting teachers I know.

Attending college has allowed me to not only train in a field that I find interesting and lucrative, but meet with people from all walks of life who share the same interests as I do. Not only have I been getting a degree, but I've been making friends that will last a lifetime. That's probably the most valuable part of attending college, making friends that can stretch across borders and backgrounds all with the same loves of their fields as you do. You don't feel that attending college online, its something that you see and experience on campus, and in clubs. It's like finding a second family, a second group of people who understand you and who accept you for who you are - no matter your other faults - because you can all share the same memories and the same culture that is apparent in each field of study that's offered on campus.

My college experience has allowed me to grow as a person while working towards creating a bright future for myself. As a freshman in college, living in the dorms was my first big experience. I was away from home for the first time and living with other people my age and not having someone there to tell you what to do was new to me. It taught me how to be a responsible individual because I had to learn time management and make decisions on how late to stay up or when I was going to do laundry or my homework. While growing as a person is a big part of the whole college experience, academics is also a major role in creating a future that I want for myself. It has been of great value to attend college because by further enhancing my education, it is creating a more promising outlook on living a secure and happy life in the future. The decision to attend college has allowed me to expand myself as a person while also securing a pleasurable future.

Going to college has given me many untangeble experiences. As the sole member of my family that has graduated from college, I have been able to manifest an achievement that had once seemed far fetched. Although I have only completed my Associate of Arts degree thus far, graduating has given me and my family a sense of triumph and the desire to continue furthur. I am currently a honors student and am motivated to continue excelling in school with the goal of obtaining a PhD in cultural anthroplogy. This sense of internal motivation is by far the most valuable experience that I have received from attending college.

Out of my college experience, I have not only been educated, but I have gained many relationships with different people and have discovered more about myself. I have learned and grown as a student, a friend, a daughter, and all in all, as a person. College definitely is a test of character and I have become more responsible, devoted and focused. I never used to study and I practiced procrastination at it's finest. Now, I enjoy spending time in the library and have built better study and time management habits. Stress is a given in college but I have found myself to actually thrive on it and actually challenge myself to be better, to perform any task to the best of my abilities. Education is crucial and extremely valuable. It is the stepping stone to our futures and with this economy, it is important to have the skills and knowledge that employers want. Not only is it valuable for the job sector, but also for everything that you do and will do in life. College has been an eye-opening experience, a part of life that teaches you lessons, not just with books but with reality as well.

I beleive that the most valuable part of my college experience was learning how to interact with people who are different from me. Before I came to college, I never would have thought that I would meet, interact with, and become freinds with so many people from different backgrounds or with different views from my own When you take the opportunity to talk with someone different from you, you learn so much more than when you are only interacting with those who think the same way you do. I have had so many conversations with people who are a different religion than I or who have different political views than I do, and I have come to have a much better understanding and respect for the views of these people, many of whom I have become freinds with. Many of my best freinds now grew up in a completely different socioeconomic or ethnic background than I did. The incredible diversity at my campus has and will continue to prepared me to be able to interact and understand those different than I throughout my career.

Going to school after 27 years of living under the pressures of managing a multi-million dollar company has been quite the adventure. After both losing my job and then my home, I felt that returning to school was my only option for trying to find a way to keep a roof over my family's head. Long Beach City College counselors, teachers, and tutors have gone way beyond in keeping me on task, out of trouble, and helping me attain a 4.0 GPA. That's not to say I haven't had my share of clashes with teachers, but with few exception I have been blessed with an academic support group that rivals that of my immediate family. I don't think I could have carried the load I have had each semester in order to finish ahead of the average schedule without their encouragement. Academics aside I have made some wonderful new friends, in many age categories, and connections that will help me fulfill my life long dream of becoming a published novelist and teacher.

Over the last few years at the University of Arizona I have made friends that will last a lifetime. I've discovered the perfect career for me through job-related and extra cirricular experiences as well as through prerequiste coursework. The U of A is a great place to earn your undergraduate education. It has one of the largest student unions in the US which includes restaruants, office of student life and leadership, study lounges, pool tables and much more. The hundreds of student clubs and organizations on campus provide opportunities for every student to get involved.

Attending the University of Arizona has truley enriched my young adulthood. Not only has it enriched my mind and allowed me to explore educational topics that interest me, but it has taught me so much about leadership, social responsibility, and other important life lessons. After only two years, I feel as though the University has greatly helped me mature and is preparing me not only for a succesful carreer in a field that I am passionate about but for other aspects of adulthood that are sometimes overlooked. I have had so many valuable opportunities at the University of Arizona such as holding various leadership positions in student organizations, participating in multiple aspects of campus life, and being a part of educational programs that are not offered anywhere else. As a campus tour guide, I am reminded every time I give a tour of how lucky I am to be a student at such a unique, diverse, and well rounded campus. I have greatly enjoyed my time at the University of Arizona and look forward to continuing my education at what is, in my opinion, the best university in the world!

I have grown so much as a person because of attending coolege. I've met many different people and heard their different perspectives of the world. I have also gained a healthy self-esteem. I had gone most of my life thinking everyone was better and smaarter than me and even though I may not be the smartest person, I have seen that hard work pays off. I will continue to work hard and expand my mind to new ideas.

College is a great environment to have experiences. you meet a lot of people or different nations. It's also a place you can be more social and learn about others cultures. I have gotten out of college to take responsible for every thing that I do. In the real world that make me a reponsible person. I take critics for my action. College help us prepare for the real world. In our teen age we were shy and sometimes care to ask for help when we in needs. In college we're more open. We know if we left the classes without as good explanation to the teacher, we can do our homework or have a good great in the exams. It's very important to attand college. you can a better future. you can also life in a different way. People that attend college don't have any regrets and they are happy everyday in their lives. They are also involve in different type of cativities. The world see them as great they are, with their hard works.

As I continued to wrap the bandage covering his left foot, I could not stop thinking about how passionate I am about becoming a Registered Nurse. This was my calling; my future. The feeling that arises deep within my soul when I feel like I am making a difference in ones life is priceless. Entering a college with 40,000 people can be overwhelming. I knew that if I wanted to enjoy the next four years of my life, it would be necessary to get involved. The day after sorority recruitment seemed to cause an epidemic around campus. Everyone, including myself, was being diagnosed with the flu. As I walked through the doors of Campus Health, I could not help thinking that I was going to be one of these nurses one day. While being triaged, I made the bold decision of asking if I could volunteer there in order to gain some experience in the nursing profession. I began my first shift the next day. Earning the friendships and knowledge of these nurses has granted me the confidence and passion needed to become a nurse. I feel very fortunate to have received these opportunities to maximize my college experience.

The University of Arizona is a great learning institution. I returned to school to school knowing the opportunities in research and education. I am thrilled to be attending the University of Arizona.

My experience has been that with my double major I have concluded that no one can ever know everything.

The college experience at University of Phoenix's online Axia campus has been truly amazing. I was so scared to go back to school but the counselors provide support, the teachers have been above and beyond helpful, and the coursework is only as hard as you make it. Being an online student through this school gives me a sense of pride as a student and I know that I can now relax when I dream about my future because the possibilities this education is allowing me make it simple to see how bright my future is going to really be. I value this experience in a tremendous way because since I have started back I have been able to make and create better decisions by using the knowledge I acquire from the classes.

Although my college experience is far from over, I have already learned many life lessons, had amazing experiences, and expanded my knowledge and study abilities past a point I knew was possible. When I entered college I believed that I had a firm grasp on things such as time management and financial planning. After a few small set backs, I realized that I needed to reevaluate my understanding of these ideas. I now feel that I am on my way to learning about these important life skills. Another important thing that has come from my experiences thus far in college is my appreciation for the experiences that I am having at this time in my life. I always thought that college was going to be very serious and only about studying, but I am learning to appreciate all of the times that I am having while I work to find a great balance. Finally, before attending college I valued education, but since the start of my studies at the University of Arizona, I have come to value the wisdom and the insight that I have received from my professors in addition to their knowledge of their subjects.

My college experiance has helped me become the person i am today. My family my three children will be proud of my accomplishments at the University of Arizona. I chose a social field because of my socio-economic background and it has enabled me to understand why and how my family has struggled and will continue to struggle because i am the first generation to attend college and my children will be the second and so forth.

I have recieved many things from my college experience. These things include: friends and more self confidence. Being in a college environment exposes oneself to a wider range of ideas and thoughts than one is accustomed to. Throughout my time at college I have befriended many people of different ideals to which I had not been exposed in the past. It has tought me to look past my differences and not let my own set of ideas get in the way of these friendships. My college experince has also boosted my self -confidence in that I have been getting exemplary grades while having difficult classes. It has taught me that through hard work I will be able to attain anything I set my heart on. My college experience has been a rewarding one thus far and look forward to continuing it in the next few years.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. I have learned more than i ever imagined i would or could learn and i am not even done yet. it has great hands on opportunities for you to figure out what you want to do after school. campus life is great. there are a large variety of places to eat and hang out. school spirit is awesome, especially when it comes to football. finally, all the staff is great and there to help when you have questions and there are plenty of places to go on campus to study.

Attending college was one of the best decisions of my life. I had the opportunity to learn how to think critically, how to communicate more effectively, and how to act purposely. My college experience taught me more about diversity, and the importance of financial planning. It has been immensely valuable to me to attend college, because it helped me establish short and long term educational goals; and gave me the tools to help me succeed in life. Most importantly, I acquired a more precise knowledge of who I am, and who I can become.

I have become a better student, and a better person throughout my college experience. College has introduced me to many people that have given me a new perspective on life. I have also found a confidence in myself that I did not have throughout high school. I have learned so much about my major, and I am now more passionate about it than I ever was. College is a very valuable experience to me and has helped me reach many goals in life. It is giving me a chance to travel and hopefully I will be able to experience college in a different country. Even though I still don’t know exactly what career I want in the future. College has given me the opportunity to explore all of the many fields I am interested, and I am narrowing down exactly what I want to do.

So far, my college experience has been a learning experience. Going from a community college to a four-year college was a huge step for not only myself, but also for my family. Being the first to attend college I take my education very seriously. School has always been important to me and I realize the importance of having a career and college diploma in this country and this slowly rising economy. Every class I take is very critical for me, I take every single class seriously because I know I need to learn from it as much as I can for my future. For my family and I, any help received to achieve my goal of graduating with a Masters degree in Psychology helps. Just as every class is important, every dollar is also. Education is my most valuable treasure, and I hope to continue on my path with the least bumps in the road possible. No one should have to sacrifice their education because of their financial situation, and I don't plan on my finances on stopping me from getting where I deserve and know I belong.

College is hardly a glamorous life--full of microwave noodles, shrunken shirts, and major sleep deprivation. But it's a great one at that. True, the lectures can be boring and the tests difficult, but I learned a ton in my first semester, and not just about photosynthesis and functions. I learned real life equations: red shirt+gray shirt=pink splotched shirt, two hours of sleep+9 am class=not a fun day, and frozen yogurt for lunch X 4 days a week=terrible diet. I thought college was going to be all about freedom and self discovery but I realized that I know very little about the world. Slowly but surely, I'm learning to be self sufficient and accountable for my decisions. There's no mom to rescue me. But I do have friends, and though they know just as little as I do, we help each other, and together, we enjoy this thing that we call the college experience.

Attending college has been a big change in my life, not only has it challenged me to explor a diversity of coultures but learn to socialize wit different age groups. I achieved so much more than i would have expected going into college. My major is criminal justice and although my classes have over one hundred students, my professor pushed me into doing my internship wich i completed. I earned my associated degree in liberal arts and because of the people i surround myself with i have recieved offers to work in a facility where we help physically abused children. I was the type of person who never enjoyed going to school but having my parents push me into college was the best move.

I believe the most valuable things I have gained from attending college in particular is knowledge and growth. I have grown so much into the person that I want to be from attending college. Throughout this journey is I have learned what my strengths are and what I excel at on a daily basis. However, what I deem most valuable is about my growth are the things that I don't do well. I believe college has given me the skills and ability to look in within myself and see what things I fall short at and how to improve them. I think college has also been valuable with all the knowledge I have gained but not only within the four walls of my classroom but far beyond that reaching to the every area that I might dwell in or the people I encounter I have gained the most precious and valuable knowledge anyone could possibly ask to encompass within themself.

My experience at the University of Arizona has provided me with the privilege of forming long-distance friendships with people from different parts of the world, leading me to realize the importance of other cultures and the importance that each culture contributes to a better and successful world. The state-of- the art research currently occuring at the University of Arizona regarding cures for cancer, and transgenic mosquitoes have provided me with insight into the high quality staff at the college who both run the research and teach students. Additionally, the Honors College in accordance with taking a total of 19 credits my first semester, which I successfully completed with the help of well-trained tutors and advisors that accomodate each students' individual needs has left me with the knowlege and satisfaction needed to get the most out of my college academic experience. Additionally joining clubs and the professional trainers at the recreational facilities have allowed me to see the necessity of achieving a balance in my life. This experience at the University of Arizona has left me with the experience i need to be successful and life and the skills to change the world for the better.

My college experience thus far has truly molded me into who I am today. In the classroom, I have been presented with such diverse perspectives and opinions from professors that have challenged me to question what I've known to be true my entire life and to reevaluate my beliefs. This has helped me to broaden my own worldview and to expand my ways of thinking as well as to figure out what I really believe in. I feel as if I can better understand people that are different than I am and I also now know myself better. Another important factor in my growth has been living on my own. My freshman year was spent in the dorms which I can honestly say was the thing that jump-started my college life. Living on campus provided me with involvement on my campus and immersed me in the UA spirit and pride, bonding me to my fellow students. It was a very valuable experience, overall. The culmination of positive experiences and difficult trials throughout my college career have helped me to learn about life and to discover who I am as a person, which you cannot put a pricetag on!

I've discovered a lot about myself since I've come to college. I'm a much more confident person than I ever used to be and looking back on the past few years I still find it hard to believe how much has changed for me. I once heard a quote that has stuck with me through the years: "People don't change as they grow older, they just become more clearly themselves". I feel like my experiences since coming to Arizona are steering me towards the person that I've always meant to be. I've gotten rid of my shy streak, I've become much more goal-oriented and so far I have at least made decent progress towards procrastinating less than I did in high school. I think moving away to go to school and being responsible for myself has just helped me to gain a more adult outlook on life and realize that the decisions that I make now are going to influence the rest of my life. It has made me want to take all of my decisions into deeper consideration before making them.

After one and a half semesters in college I have had many unforgettable experiences and many I would like to forget but will shape who I am for the rest of my life. College has taught me the value of being independent at times. Before entering college I would hate doing anything alone, yet now I am much more eager to go off to run errands on my own, or to go on a relaxing, solitary walk. Without attending college I feel like I would still be the same child that I was just a few years ago. Though only about two years have passed since I graduated from high school I am now a much more mature person, I now take responsibility for my own actions, I no longer depend on my parents for much. Most of this growing up from the time I was 18 to now that I am almost 20 can be attributed to my going out of state for college.

Going into college, I never thought that I would enjoy the "university atmosphere", thinking that the college would just be too big to get much out of. Being at the University of Arizona however, has proved me wrong. The classes associated with the students major are sized well to make sure that every student has plenty of one on one engagement with the professor. Our professors are completely knowledgeable, and most importantly, excited to be teaching. Every class that I have attended here has challenged me to be a better student, artist, team player, and critical thinker, and I have grown immensely as a whole person because of them. Regular self-evaluations in addition to the professors evaluations, have given me the opportunity to see areas that I am weaker in, and work to improve on them. Because of my experience here, I feel confident in real-world problem-solving, confident in my intellect and the fact that I have a well-rounded education, and confident in my social skills. I feel confident as a person going out into the world as a college graduate in 2012.

I was able to create my own degree plan. I guided my path through the courses that I was interested in and did not have to take required courses other than Gen Ed classes that all undergrads must take.

My college experience encompasses sacrifice, struggle, persistence and the dilligent day to day effort to maintain a sane mind. I am currently an engineering major and being an immigrant has made it quite tough. There is little support for a student like me, I spend most of my holidays alone or with other foreign students and such experiences have made me a strong and better individual. I always heard that someone can do whatever they put their mind to but this is the first time I ever believed it, this institution has been valuable to attend because through sacrifice it has not only blessed me with educational knowledge but most importantly life knowledge. The ability to survive when all odds are against me has been a very impressive feat, I landed in Tucson with under twenty dollars in my pocket and did not even have a bed to sleep on for over three weeks. Dilligence has definitely helped my luck in gaining success as well as the multiple miracles God has made throughout the course of the semester for me. Never have I slept with an empty stomach or lacked the resources to maintain a roof over my head.

I grew as an artist and became much more confident.

There are many valuable things I’ve gotten out of my college experience, but I think the most valuable of them all are the friends I’ve made and professors I’ve met. Back in high school, I was rather introverted, not really talking much and I didn’t make friends easily. This changed somewhat during my first year of college. I was living in one of the campus dorms back then, and one day when I was walking back from the showers I saw a group of people setting up for a Dungeons and Dragons game and I asked if I could join in. I’m not sure why I was so straightforward like that; I guess it was just the general college atmosphere getting to me. Anyway, long story short, the group let me join in, and they all became close friends of mine. That’s not all though, in nearly all my classes, particularly the ones where I’m in the Honors section, I get to know new people and the professors in my department. If I had never attended college, I would never have met these people, and my introversion would still be pretty bad.

Although it has taken me more time than I would have hoped to find a satisfactory career path that is available at the University of Arizona, advisement has been extremely helpful helping me find a path that allows me to explore my options, while slowly guiding me to my future success. I feel as if I have made a good amount of progress towards my future educational and career decisions. As a student who has needed to remiain in-state for personal reasons, it was important for me to find an education that is both beneficial and of interest to me. The University of Arizona has provided the means to start my path in a unique manner. It has all been a matter of looking for the resources I need to connect with the rest of the college community.