University of California-Davis Top Questions

College isn't anything to be worried about. You're gunna do just fine. Remember that first day in AP Spanish class where you wanted to just give up, but you didn't! That's just what college is like. You're gunna meet a TON of new people and experience some pretty random things but never ever give up. If the professor isn't the best, then get a study group together! You know how to be a leader so don't forget to join clubs and sports. You'll love it. Trust me :)

If I were to go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would discuss three main things with myself. These three things I have learned from my own experiences. When beginning college, be prepared to face the fact that not everyone will be kind to you and not everyone thinks the same way. Different opinions, beliefs, and values may make finding friends challenging but also an adventure. You should also be prepared to make your own decisions. Parents are good to have to fall back on; but, sometimes, what you need more is to do it yourself. You'll never learn if you don't try on your own. If you still need someone, ask a friend, supervisor, advisor, or counsellor. I'm sure that, if you just ask, they can find the time to help you. Finally, always remember to never give up. The classes will get harder, and it may become difficult to pay your bills; but that doesn't mean it's all over. Try and try again. You are gaining valuable skills that will aid you throughout the rest of your life.

If I could have the oppurtunity to travel back in time to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself one simple thing. I would stress the importance of continuing my education immediately. It would've be better to stay in school right after high school graduation, rather than "taking a break." If I could have the oppurtunity to stress this to any and every high school senior I would. As I once heard from a very wise person, "An education is the one thing that nobody can ever take away from you."

I have two pieces of valuable advice for my high school senior self. The first one is don't compare yourself to others. When I entered college, I would compare my looks, talents, major and interests to those of my fellow classmates. As a result, I frequently felt inadequate and questioned my abilities. I always felt as though everyone else had their lives together and I obviously did not. I wish I had celebrated my uniqueness, especially being a comparative literature major in the sea of pre-meds. Secondly, I would advice my seventeen year old to take risks and be open to life - to kiss that boy, take that drama class or apply for that internship. College is a time to fully immerse oneself in a newfound sense of freedom. It is a time to take on new responsibilities, but also a time to fully take advantage of each and every life experience. If I had seen that back then, I would have been more adventurous. I would have said yes more. I would have taken chances on life. Now that I am thirty-one, I appreciate these qualities, especially since I love who I've become.

While I have thorougly enjoyed my college experience thus far, life is never lived without a small modicum of regret. One thing that I would advise myself to do as a high school senior is to seek out ways in which to get involved even prior to attending college. One thing I found abundantly difficult in the first year of college was finding venues in which to pursue a network with people my own age with similar goals and interests. As I graduated from high school and began attending UC Davis and most people with whom I was close with moved away to pursue their own academic and collegiate endeavors, my life very quickly went from being extremely socially busy to somewhat uneventful in that arena of my life as I was thrust into the world of college academia. I believe that, had I pursued possible networking opportunities prior to attending college, my first year at UC Davis would have been easier. Learning to balance the time spent between social and academic endeavors is still sometimes difficult, but I am very grateful for the people I have met and the networks that I have been involved in.

Knowing what I know now, I wish that I could give my high school self this advice: “Take a deep breath and calm down. You’re a stressed-out perfectionist, and this has a huge impact on your life and the people you care about. It’s okay to have enough stress to encourage you to do well in school, but in the end, you also need to remember what your academic life is really for. Work hard in school, but do not base your self-worth on the grades you earn. Ten years from now that B- in math will not mean anything to your career. Know what’s important, and focus more on being successful and happy, not successful and overworked.”

If I were to give my High School self one piece of advice, it would be to not be overconfident going into college. I received the full IB diploma from my high school, and took all honors classes. When I got to college, the first few exams were very easy for me because of my background, so I got overconfident and lazy. I started skipping classes and sleeping in more and more, and my GPA suffered because of it (it's recovering now thankfully, but it's still a bit lower than I'd like). In addition, I would tell myself to go out and explore more! I didn't make a large number of friends freshman year because I was still adjusting to life alone for the first time, and I wish I had made more of an effort to get to know a larger number of people earlier.

"Do I look familiar to you? Well I should even if I don't. I see your about to graduate. That 3.65 weighted g.p.a will sure come in handy. But let me tell you, I know you...we both had and have a lot of expectations for college so don't waste it. We only get one shot at this thing, so live it to the fullest. Don't do everything by yourself. It's just unhealthy and not a lot of fun. We need people in life to fill the voids that are not there. If we just come home everyday and do everything we need to do for school, we really aren't living it man. I hope you heed my words so everytime you look back at the past its not just one big regret. The biggest thing she could say is no. What's the worse that could happen? At least try, because knowing is always better than disillusionment. How would you know if you are just guessing? Maybe that wasn't the case at all. Give it your best, success will come eventually. Stick with it. Don't give up."

Dedicate yourself to learning. If you thrive to learn now, college will be a breeze. Learn how to study and take the most from it. It pays off in the end.

If I went back in time, I would advice myself to take college seriously. As a senior, I felt as though college would be nothing more than the "13th grade". However, college is nothing like high school. In college, you are more independent and expected to be self motivated to do well in school. Also, I would advice to take advantage of the resources available on campus, such as tutoring, office hours, and study groups. Although it may seem as though the professors are scary, they are there for nothing more than to help you succeed in school. Another suggestion I would give myself is to become involved in on-campus clubs and activities. Besides getting involved, clubs allow the opportunity to build your resume, network, explore life, and make new friends. In college, there are hundreds of clubs and activities get involved with; try multiple so you can find out your interests and broaden your perspective on life. My final advice would be to enjoy college and try not to stress so much. College is the perfect opportunity to experiment in life and try new things. Take advantage of it!

I have learned this first year that many of the general courses use and build upon knowledge from high school. The greatest advice I would tell myself is to not take things in high school so lightly. The courses in high school seemed to require little effort to me so I learned material just to pass tests and not to actually acquire knowledge. I would have had a much easier time learning the material in college if I understood it better in high school. Being able to master the academic part of college early would have made the transition far easier. I just wish I could show my high school self my first quarter transcript and tell them what I had done wrong. I have no doubt that I would have changed my study habits and actually paid more attention rather than discard teachings solely because I disliked the one teaching it. That is an important fact of life that I have come to learn my freshman year: even if you dislike your teacher or don't understand them, it is still your responsibility to learn the material whether on your own or with the help of others.

I'm finding myself at college. I attend my classes, takes notes and receive good grades, but the real reason I am here is to discover what I will be like and how I will take on the world once I am actually out in it. I do not go partying every weekend with my friends. I thought I would once I got to college, but I'm glad that I do not. I like to think it shows more about my character when I say that I differ from the average college student. Apart from that, I'm also learning how to take care of myself without the help of my parents. My mother cannot afford to help me, so I have been on my own financially. Having this on my shoulders along with the stress of college exams, creates quite the load. I have learned, however, that I am a strong woman. Stronger than I ever thought I was. My dreams and aspirations for the future seem like a possibility now. I know as long as I continue to work hard, raise money and still remain balanced between my school, work and social life, then I will succeed.

My college experience has been amazing and has really opened my eyes to the 'real world.' I grew up in an upper middle class neighborhood that was not very diverse ethnically, religiously, nor politically. Coming to Northern California has exposed me to much more variant political views, and the school itself houses a multitude of cultural backgrounds and beliefs. I have had the opportunity to meet new people and expand my knowledge of vitality and living presently, all while sticking to strong academic standards that have prevailed throughout my life and delving upon a whole new world of research, labs, and science. Davis has been exciting and the small college town atmosphere definitely facilitated a smooth transition from home living to becoming a more independent, open-minded adult.

My college experience has been a mixture of things. I now know that I am no longer a child and that I have to grow up and depend on myself. In my, so far, short experience, I've had to learn how to deal with family problems being away from home. I've had to learn how to live with three other girls in close quarters and how to make friends where I knew no one. I've also had to learn how to take care of myself with just relying on myself. I've also learned how to manage time better and how hard it actually is trying to do all the activities I want to do. I've also learned that I have a long road ahead of me to do what I want to do in life. And I am so ready for more of my collge experience.

I have recieved a great education and the skills I need to exceed in the career I have chosen for my self. It has been very valuble to attend because once I graduate I will be able to get a secure job with good pay so I am able to support myself and my daughter and give her a good life.

I have learned from my college experience that I have much more to learn! And I am excited to use what I've learned from, so far from to Davis to continue learning and truely discover what drives me and how I can make a positive impact on this world. By attending UC Davis classes I have come to find new interests in subjects that I never thought I would like, for example, geology! It was a prerequisite for my major, but after I took the general geology class I have been taking geology classes every quarter since and now I'm thinking of completely a geology minor. It's remarkable how many opportunities Davis can offer to an aspiring young student. One of my close friends here started out as a Tecnocultural Studies Major, but has decided to double major in Art Studio as well in order to pursue her dream. She sought the help of the talented people hired by Davis to assist students in discovering the majors and subjects that truely express what they wish to develop into a career. I am proud that I chose UC Davis as my university!

I was always that girl in school who was too timid to express her own thoughts. I redefined the word "reserved". By the time I hit high school, I knew it was time for a change. I couldn't let this problem hold me back anymore. In my tenth grade year I joined a program in high school that allowed me to graduate with my high school diploma as well as my A.A. degree. That summer I began my courses at Brevard Community College (BCC). Now, as a senior, I am a full time student at BCC. Since attending this school my confidence has increased in a way I never thought possible. Now I am never to shy to talk, especially to my teachers. As a result of my increased confidence, I have also become more involved in my school. I am engaged in several clubs, and hold leadership roles in many as well. My college experience has allowed me to become a more efficient student and harder worker. I now have skills I didn't have before that will allow me to continue a successful college experience, as well as the ability to graduate into a successful career.

My college experience has allowed me to interact with people who are actually interested in the same things I am. It has also allowed me to meet new people and discover new ways of looking at old ideas. I hope that I can continue to grow as I pursue my degree and I know that Davis is the perfect place to do so.

Beyond the academics, college (undergraduate study)exposed me to viewpoints of which I was unaware. I learned about so many cultures and beliefs. I was able to study abroad, which completely transformed me. College afforded me the opportunity to find work easily and with the skill set necessary to work in diverse, 21st century settings. Most importantly, attending college propelled me into adulthood and independence. I learned how to be self-sufficient, resourceful, persistent, and focused. Earning a Masters helped me to become proficient in my profession and to network with colleagues. Graduate course work enabled me to feel like an expert in my field. Now as a graduate student, for the second time, college is re-inspiring me. I am challenged by my classmates and course work. I am intellectually stimulated and excited by all that I am learning. Again, I am discovering alternative viewpoints and it is expanding my thinking. I believe that earning my doctoral degree will allow me to continue be in college as a researcher and instructor, thus I will continue to be exposed to new thinking and ideas.

Despite the fact that I am currently attending a two year institution, paying for school is still a lot of money. Tuition for the courses I am taking, such as physics or calculus and analytical geometry, is expensive. And the cost for the books and supplies I need for my courses is absurd. I have learned to put my best in the courses I am taking not only to receive excellent grades, but also for the fact that I am paying, out of my own pocket, for the courses that I am taking. It would not be wise to be paying close to one thousand dollars for a course, and receiving a C+ in it. College has also taught me to be able to do more things on my own. I have to make sure I pay my tuition on time so I can take the courses I need to graduate. I also have to make sure I balance my school time and work time so the two do not collide. I have also learned that attending college is such a big benefactor for people who want to receive great pay.

During my first quarter at college, I expanded as a person and discovered more of who I am as a person. At college, you met a variety of people, coming from a small sheltered town this was a change for me at first. I have learned so much in one quarter at college, and then I did in one year in high school. College provides students an opportunity to discover what the world is like and allow us to learn what we want and how to study effectively. It has widened my view about the world. I believe it is valuable to attend college for people to learn about themselves and the world, thus allowing them to become better citizens and create a better world for the future.

I have grown in so many ways because of some of the hardships associated with being a college student. My work ethic is stellar due to having to hold a job to support myself while I attended community college and this has translated into good grades. I have also paid for my school for the most part and this also has translated into knowing the value of education and money. This is something some students dont necessarily learn in college. College has forced me to reprioritize. Fresh out of highschool, I definately needed to work on what I thought was important. Because of college, I hold my career (school and relavent work) and my family very important. I strive to do well in these aspects of my life. Another thing I have learned from attending college is that it is okay to be ambitious, motivated and curious because these traits will translate into opportunities that will in turn, allow for more personal growth. College has been an overall uplifting experience but it has also been a humbling one. In the words of my biology profressor, take the shotgun approach. Apply to everything because only a few things will pan out!

Although the learning experience in college is very important, the most valuable thing I have learned from college experience is to be independant. In highschool, the teachers will keep track of a student's progress and help the student along if he or she is not doing too well. In college, the student is on his or her own. Also, he or she will learn to take care of themself, if living on campus. These skills are very important in living in the real world because no one will be willing to help all the time.

I have learned a lot about the larger world. I have developed a much stronger sense of competition and hard work than I ever did in high school. I've learned a lot about different views, opinions, and beliefs. I've met a lot of really fun people.

College has made me more confident in myself. I now feel more comfortable expressing my true personality. In high school I was a "nerd" and other students didn't find that cool; at UC Davis it's cool to be super smart. I'm more outgoing because I feel more comfortable with myself. The independence at college is also fantastic. I'm learning how to manage my time and I'm loving it. College has only made me more excited to get my degree and work in a profession doing what I want to do!

My college experience was in it’s own way very unique. Being a transfer student, I had the priveledge of experiencing two completely different “college lives.” At Ohlone College in Fremont, CA. I attended classes where occasionally time was apparent; due to the semester system, where classes were stretched out over a longer period of time. At UC Davis, time became scarse; due to the quarter system, where all classes seemed much more confined. Throughout the four years of college, I have faced and overcome challenges that have provided me with the readiness necessary for the real world. Attending college was always valuable to me and my family. As a child, it was embeded in my mind that college was mandatory and not an option. Therefore, it was only natural and necessary for me to attend college. I always knew college was important, however, I had underestimated the value of a Bachelor of Arts degree until I stepped foot in the real world. It is now apparent that a B.A. is worth a lot more than I once thought. Thus, realizing the power of knowledge, I would like to continue my quest for knowledge by pursuing higher education.

When I was an incoming freshman, I didn't expect much because I didn't have an older mentor to tell me how college was like. I judged it by my own experiences of visiting the campuses and through what the media portrayed. However, college is totally what I didn't expect. I am attending a university eight hours away by car from home so I have a great amount of independence. Although, this independence comes great responsibility. I've basically thrown myself in a situation to experience life without the guidance of my parents. Also, college is a valuable place to attend. You are surrounded by knowledgable minds where you experience different ways of thinking, and also different cultures and backgrounds. Furthermore, I've discovered the value of an education by attending. If I had decided to not go to college, then I would have probably be stuck in a situation where I couldn't get out. College allows you to be introduced to a variety of subjects and ideas where you can pick out what you like best and what you want to pursue further.

I learned valuable lessons about what wasn't right for me in my life at my college. As a transfer student, I decided to get involved with my campus by joining a professional engineering fraternity. It took me a couple quarters to realize the group wasn't right for me. Joining organizations can be valuable in many ways, usually in the way of making lasting friendships, but for me, I realized I did not want to buy my friends. I do not believe in joining a group and blindly following its rules just to be accepted as one of them. I pride myself in that. I pride myself in being my own unique person. In the end, I made my own friends. I made friends with people who loved the same things I did, outside of school and our future careers. I made friends with people who are passionate about the outdoors, like I am, through the Outdoor Adventures program on campus. I am grateful for my misstep, because it has led me to where I am now: a strong woman with a new outlook on life, friendshipe and even career goals. I changed from Engineering to Psychology!

As a current second year at the University of California, Davis, I have recently transitioned from living on campus in the dormitory to living in an off-campus apartment for this school year. Both situations have benefited me both academically and socially. Moving three hours from home to Davis has also greatly matured me and has created a stronger bondage between my family and me as well. I have enjoyed all the options I have to do here, whether that be studying at the library, working out at the gym, or joining multiple clubs and making friends there. The professors are very intellectual and willing to help all their students succeed. I have learned that the academic advising centers are helpful to those who take initiative to learn how to use those resources; although I have personally been indecisive on what career path to take, talking to peer advisors has greatly helped me choose which courses to take so far. What I love about UC Davis the most, is that it is in a very college-oriented town and is environmentally friendly with bikes everywhere. When I am older, I know that I will always appreciate my undergraduate university choice.

College gave me freedom to do what ever I wanted without my parents holding me back. However, with freedom comes responsibilty. From the start, college gave me the experience of newfound freedom but it has taught me to not abuse this freedom. Every thing that I choose to happen in college will have a consequence towards my studies. If I do not balance my schedule out then I will fall through in one area. My college experience thus far proves to be valuable as I find that I can be independent of my parents as long as I make the right choices in what I do. It has introduced me to adulthood and independence.

College has allowed me to open my mind to all types of possibilities. It has allowed me to see the world in a whole new perspective and meet people who I have never encounter before. My college experience has taught me much about myself. I've learned that I'm not perfect in any sense of the word. I'm flawed with people and with life and I seek to improve myself for the upcoming world. College has also allowed me to experiment with my decisions in a safe environment. I feel that I'm on a journey seeking a future and myself. It has been extremely valuable to attend college because college challenges me and makes me take responsibility for my actions. It helps me adjust to life as an adult slowly. Attending college is like having a safe haven in which we students can slowly transition ourselves into the real world while still being part of that world. Plus, the things I learned in college, I'll never be able to learn anywhere else. College is worth attending because I do most of my growing there.

I have gotten a lot of things out of my college experience. I havent had much experience but from what I have I have learned better time management. I also have learned better communication skills. I have also learned what I really want to do with my life. It is valuable to me to attend school because this way I can somewhat control my future. By going to school and getting a degree I know I am making a better future for myself. I know I wont be having to work at a job just because it pays decent. I want to be able to enjoy working and do what I want, not just whatever I can get. I want to make my parents and family proud and by going to school I am doing so. I also want to be proud of myself and I know by getting my degree I will.

My college experience has not been long yet. However, it has been a great experience because I have been extremely grateful that i have the chance to attend college and gain an education. I have learned so many new things in only one year. I think that college will get me somewhere great in life and I believe that it will lead me to a career that I can be happy with for the rest of my life.

I have not been in the Nursing program for a full semester yet, and I feel like I have experienced so much. I have done clinical and two different hospitals, and been exposed to many different patients. As a California Nursing Student Association member, I have had the opportunity the go to the state convention, where I met students and professors from other colleges, and representatives from many other hospitals. I had the honor of being a delegate, and voted on different resolutions that were presented. I volunteered in our job fair, which had hospitals, 4 year colleges, and representatives from companies that give NCLEX classes.

I have learned how to manage my time more efficiently because although there is less busy work than in high school, when homework is assigned it typically takes more time. Sometimes classes have projects due on the same day so I had to learn how to prioritize and mange my time in order to successfully complete them on time in a thorough manner. It has been valuable to attend because it has shown me more about what it means to be an adult and to have more responsibility for what I do with my time and work load. It has helped me to learn how to balance school and the rest of my life because I also have a part-time job and am a youth leader at my local church. The skills I have learned, time management, diligence, and so on have helped me in other areas of my life beyond school.

Over my short time period in college I have gained invaluable life experiences. I have met the most amazing and educated people, that without college I would have never been able to do. I was able to attend a summer program called STEP at UC Davis, in order to get acquainted with the campus and resources. Through STEP I was able to participate in the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program or BUSP; with BUSP I will gain unmatchable research experiences as an undergraduate student. As a college student my horizons have been broadened beyond measure. I have learned about things that I never knew existed.

Despite my circumstances, I was accepted and able to attend one of the top universities in California. This means a lot to me because I am the first one in my family to graduate from high school and attend a university. I have fought against poverty and finding a sense of worth in myself to achieve my goal of self-improvement through education. From my college experience, I learned the importance and power of perseverance. I worked most of my college career and it was very difficult to be a full-time student with a part time job. The burden of managing time between school and work became strenuous on my body and mind because I had to work to take care of my needs, while maintaining a good GPA to make myself eligible for law school. There were times when I just wanted to give up but I could not. No matter how hard times got, I could not quit because my family depended on me and I have to make it for all of us. Because of my perseverance, I will be the first person in my family to have the ability to apply to law school.

Growing up I was always encouraged to be the best I could be; not to be average, but to strive for the top grades. College has given me a place to do exactly this. Not only have I learned from multiple subjects such as history, english, biology, and chemistry, but there has been hands on experiences as well such as ceramics and animal science labs. College not only helps your learn, but also provides a place to make long lasting friendship, express leadership school, become active in sports and different clubs. College opens the door to so many possiblities and experiences, not as easily experienced in the workforce. Who could play flag football, ride a horse, and have a full work load of classes all in one day? Without the chance of goin to college, figuring out your future career would be challenging and perhaps impossible to discover one's passion. Going through college I've bounced from wanting to be an artist, to a psychiatrist, to a sociologist, and college gives you that chance to try it all out. College is valuable, one may achieve so much and could experience the world.

I haven't been here long, I chose UCD for it's NPB program which is the only one around but soon I discovered a lot more about the school. This school has the vet center, the M.I.N.D. Institue, The Med. Center and all the research labs and classes resulting in University of California - Davis to be the only school at which Everything is Connected. UCD had about 6-7 cliniques at which free medical help is offered to those who cannot afford it, what is unque about that other than the free care? undergrads are allowed to work there. UCD has the vet center that makes research and study of larger animals very easy while other schools would have to go far for such opportunities. the vet school is connected to the school of agriculture and others, so in here no one is only concentrated on one detail, one major, or one goal, we all work together; every school in here is needed for the presence of others. And all this leads to a new face in research. UCD is not a place for narrow mindedness and linear/limited thought process.

College has taught me to swim against the tide of single-minded academic achievement by advocating for greater societal change. From my endless SAT-AP study sessions in high school to a similar barrage of testing at UC Davis, I allowed anxiety to direct my life. Further, having conditioned myself to high-stakes testing performance, I came to internalize the notion that my identity and personal worth hinged upon my GPA and academic awards. Only when I met my future fiancé at UC Davis did I begin to value other aspects of my worth than my ability to regurgitate accepted knowledge. Upon meeting Ernesto Rodriguez, I was struck by his dedication to the concerns of his majority migrant community back in Greenfield, CA and I also latched myself to immigrant labor and education struggles. By incorporating a reading of migrant issues into my studies, both during my undergraduate program in International Relations and now as I study Education- Equity and Social Justice, I combine my dedication to academics with my purposeful desire to uplift the standing of indigenous Mexicans along the Monterey coast. Once we finish our schooling, Ernesto and I intend to return to Greenfield as social change advocates.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is becoming a new person. I am a single mother of an adorable two-year old little boy, who has motivated me to do something positive with my life. Attending college has been extermely valuable to me, because it has shown me that i can do more for myself and my son than working at a minimum wage, dead end job. College has exposed me to other people that are dealing with their own personal situations and I have been able to learn so much from them that has made my life better. Along with learning new and better ways to do things I am also learnig that I have the power to do something great with my life. Before I began attending college i thought that it would be nearly impossible for me to attend let alone graduate from college, now I know that it is possible and that there's so much help out there. Attending college has not only made me academically smarter it has also given me the confidence to pursue my goals and accomplish them.

So far my college experience has been about broadening my horizons and learning about new things I could learn and do. College gives you a lot of control over what classes you take, a privelage not given to students in High School. You can take classes you had never even thought of, explore new and interesting career choices. In the month I have been here, I have already radically changed my views of my own future. To me, college is a sort of right of passage. a place where students experience what life is like without the watchful eye of their parents. It's been a freeing feeling, and another one of the many things about college that makes me feel like this will get me ready for life. Here, I'm learning the skills I'll need to succede, and to me, that's the most I could ever ask for.

I have overcome so many obstacles while being in college. I have made over 15 close friends and over 100 acquiantences. In college I have been taught the most important rule in life, nothing can be done by just sitting around! Getting involved has become very close to my heart. On campus I got involved in getting my fellow peers to register to vote. I successfully registered 49 people to vote! It feels very good to be invovled at school because of the difference I can make. I have crossed many boarders, boarders of fear, race displacement, constant emploeyment to support my family, and housing difficulties. My college has always been there to support me. I know I have some where to turn in a time of need and in a time to vimlunteer to support my community.

Attending college is a wonderful experience because you ge to meet new people who you can relate to and value as a family. While living in the dorms I was able to make friends who I went to for guidance and support whenever I felt lonely and homesick. In the building I lived in everyone knew each other and treated each other with love and respect. The new friends I made made me feel at home and I saw them as family rather than friends. You create bonds that can never be broken and a new family. It's valuable to attend college because not only are you making friends but also because it's important to achieve a higher education. In order to be successful in this world you need a college degree and the only way to achieve this goal is to never give up and always strike for the best.

The University of California, Davis is an amazing school. I am small town girl with a huge dream, and Davis has offered me so much in such a short time. As a freshman, I had so many fears about college. Will I fit in? At Davis it wasn't a problem because they have such a diverse student body and plenty of clubs that fit any and everyone. I have had the opportunity to join a Christian Club that has introduced me amazing people and life changing experiences. Will I like my classes? I am not saying you will like every class you have to take, but I speak from experience when I say that you'll take classes you didn't even know exist, classes that you would never think would be interesting, classes that blow your mind, classes that you've always wanted to take. Davis offers so many classes on so many different subjects. My biggest fears were almost instantly solved. Davis is perfect in so many ways, and I can't imagine myself anywhere else.

At the beginning of being a college student, too many things in college life were making me anxious about. How to live without parents right next to me? what I need to do for my classes? How to make new friends in college? There were questions all over my head at that time. Now, as a senior in University of California Davis, I no longer experiencing the anixety of life. The college life provides me a platform to show myself and improve myself. Every homemork and projects give me opportunity to think and to solve problems by myself. Living without parents also gives me chances to take care of myself. Thus, I learned to be independent. Beacuse that no one will stand next to me and tell me what to do as in high school, I need to make friends with my classmates and keep connection to the professors. That improves my communication skills. Thus, I learned to live in a community and maintain relationship with others. The three years college life is valuable to me beacuse it makes me grow up. Now I am a competitive college student, and I know that I will have a bright future.

As a current college student, there have been many life lessons that I have learned to adapt to and yet many more to come. For starters I have learned to take responsibility for myself and for my actions. I have also learned how to manage my time, making time for class, studying, work, and a social life. While I have attended college, I have learned that things do not always come easy, but if you use the resources available to you and ask for help when necessary, the task at hand can be done. This life lesson alone will help me get through the struggles that the real world will present to me. In today's society it is important to attend college so that it will be easier to qualify for a job opening.

I have received so much out of my college experience. I am going back to school to further my education and to prove to my kids that education is not only important to get somewhere in life but is important for all things. I have experienced with my children day after day the struggles and many more accomplishments and importance of schooling. I know if I can go to school and work full-time and be a parent then anything is possible. I attend online classes at night. I work on my assignments while my children are doing their homework as well. My children see how hard I work on my assignments and how well I am doing and they want to try harder. They know that as long as they try they can do anything they want to put their minds too. I may have kids and be older now, but one is never too old to get an education. You can do anything that you put your mind too. You just have to believe and do what you want to accomplish instead of saying you want to. Just do it. Never give up when times get tough.

When first attending college no one truely knows what to expect or how much their life changes. There are so many new exciting experiences , with many being enjoyable and others not quiet so much. One of the wonderful idea of college is the students there choose and like being there, while in high school it is a different story. When attending a football game there is this feeling that you are truely part of the school. The students on campus are always friendly and helpful. As well as outside of class, inside of class is where the passion for your field of study develops and prospers. I have learned so much about who I am and what I want to do in life. College is where you make things happen , not letting things happen to you.

During the last three semesters in college I've not only gained mental maturity and knowledge, but I also feel better prepared for the "real world" and how to take care of myself and my future family. I was raised as a home schooled student, so college was a wonderful place to break out of my comfort zone, learn to make friends, and take in my surroundings. One big difference I noticed in myself once college started was how much I loved school! At home, I would work on school for about three hours a day, and then I wouldn't really have much to do the rest of the day. Needless to say, it got boring, and I decided early on that I hated school because of how lonely I felt. But within a few short days in college I discovered that it was not school that I hated, but the isolation...which is not a problem in college. All in all, I plan on eventually going to school long enough to get my PhD. College was the best decision I ever made and I can't wait to see how it affects my future!