University of Colorado Colorado Springs Top Questions

I would tell myself three main points that i have had to learn the difficult way in college. First, I would have told myslef to be more outgoing in highschool and keep that outgoing attitude all through college. Meeting people in college is great it leads to wonderful oppertunities, and being shy my first year will get me no where. I secondly would have stressed to myself how important applying for scholarship and grants really is. Although in highschool it may seem like my parents had unlimited funds and could pay for my entire college career, that thought is sadly unrealistic. Working full time to pay for school is no easy task, and any scholarship money would be that much more I could have saved. Lastly I would tell myself to not procrastinate so much. I know my goals and need to not put of writing that paper, or taking to a couselor, or filling our degree requirements. Wating only causes stress and money. Both of which I would love to avoid. All in all, if i could tell myself to be more outgoing, and utilize scholarships and time, college life will be much easier.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself that college is a lot different than I had previously thought. I would advise myself to not procrastinate on major projects in order to avoid unneccessary stress around the assignment due date. I would also tell myself that keeping up on week by week reading is essential in staying ontop of the class work and following along with lectures. I would also go back and tell myself to listen to my mom about financial aid and filling scholarship applications out while still in high school rather than waiting until the beginnig of college. I have come to find that it would have been a lot more beneficial to myself to search for scholarships before I started college and had to pay my tuition out of my pocket which then led me to start taking out student loans. If I could go back and tell myself something concerning the courseload and workload of college in comparison to high school, I would say that they are both more demanding and more extensive than the work and courseloads of high shool. If only I could.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not stress as much about making friends and fitting in. Taking classes for my major was an easy way to make friends through group projects and other assignments. Professors are easy to contact if you have any questions or concerns about the class through either email or talking to them after class. Also, don't be afraid to ask anyone a question because they most likely had the same problem when they were a freshman!

I would go back and tell myself to try and make a few friends with people at my high school that will be going to the same school so its not as lonely to start off at school. Although I was a big book worm in highschool I would mention to myself as well that there needs to be some balance between school work and socializing. So I would want to continue my book worm habits for the most parts but I would like to find a decent balance between work and fun so I didn't have to struggle with that as much now. But one of the biggest things I would tell myself about transitioning from highschool to college life is to not worry about what everyone else thinks about you they are all either transitioning as well or have had to do it at one time or another. The biggest thing I would mention is to fill out scholarship applications as much as possible, any and all help can help in the long run because it is pretty expensive to go to college.

I am twenty-two years old but feel time start to rewind. No longer am I the young woman working part time as a receptionist with a current acceptance to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs but the seventeen year old girl excited about being a senior, living in humid North Carolina, and worrying about some silly boy. As I approach my younger self I smile thinking how easy life seemed then. I sit. I begin telling younger me how wonderful college life is and how great the feeling of being independent is. "You're going to love it," I say," but please start working and saving up money now. Apply for aid and scholarships. You'll be suprised the scholarships you win. DO NOT procrastinate!! Don't be afraid to walk into the university and sit down with an advisor. And remember no question is a stupid one. Have fun your last year of high school but be smart, be wise. Study and make good grades because remember you are made to shine! Oh don't worry too much about a car you'll be given one in a year... FOR FREE!" Words to inspire a young me.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a High School Senior, face to face, I would tell myself this: "You have a tremendous opportunity to obtain knowledge far beyond what most would strive for. It has been said that transitioning from high school to a university is extremely challenging for some, but not for you. Inside your mind, body, and spirit is unlimited potential and this potential will never shrink as you age, but only grow more powerful. With this potential, you have the ability to tap into indomitable willpower, which you will use to mold your transitioning phase from high school to college-From boy to young man. What you do at this point is what your future will be doing and everything you build from this point will be your children's heritage tomorrow. I ask that you be conscious of this because this is where your first challenge to become a better person begins. You must succeed not only for yourself, but for the sake of the earth and all the people who inhabit it. It is within your power to become the future of the our culture, our history, and of our people.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would tell myself to work harder in school and study more. Junior year was my hardest year in school and in my personal life and I did not care as much about school as I should have, which is still affecting me in my school life now. I did not have the discipline to succeed and am still working out the kinks with school that could have been different if I had actually paid attention and worked harder with my school work.

Looking back now, there are several things I would do differently as a senior in high school. Given the chance, there are a couple pieces of advice I would give myself. Focusing on my grades is one of them. At the beginning of the year, I started off strong with a 4.0, but as the year went by my GPA dropped with each quarter. By fourth quarter I had a 2.5 GPA, the lowest I had ever gotten in my entire high school career, which affected the colleges I could get into. I love my school, but it's not my first choice. Another thing is applying for more scholarships. College is expensive and even the smallest amount could go a long way. I would be sure to be more involved in school. Now that I look back, there are many opportunities I didn’t take then that I regret not taking now. I would tell myself to strengthen my connections with the girls on my dance team. Being captain, I had a connection with everyone, but an actual friendship is what I wish I had. These are helpful pieces of advice I wish I had then.

With only one semester of college under my educational belt, I feel that I am still a blue dish sponge trying to absorb all of the knowledge I can. Even though I consider myself a novice in the ways of college I (given the opportunity of time travel) would go back to my senior year of high school and advise my senior self in two specific ways. First off, I would advise myself to be more involved in the academic process of registering for college. I feel that I was not prepared for this aspect of college. I would advise myself to do more research on how classes work and talk to academic advisers before registering. The second piece of guidance that I would convey is to enjoy my small accomplishments. As a high school senior I never looked at school as if the glass was half full but half empty. This outlook caused stress and disappointment, and I never took joy in the small goals I accomplished. Dear high school senior self: be more involved in registering for college, and fill the glass half full with all your accomplishments.

Many times throughout life we face challenges that do not always come with a complete set of “how to” instructions. One challenge whose instructions are not set in stone is the journey of high school. Only bits and pieces of instruction are shared to help steer students in the right direction. Students forever hear the famous sayings, “Do your homework”, and “Don’t be late for class” from their parents and teachers as well. These tips are important, truthful, and give guidance in order to help students prosper; however, I now realize after experiencing the transition into college life, there is a piece of advice that I can only wish I could render to my high school self. This advice would be to increase your desire to want to succeed. Talking back to my past self, I would advise this because the desire to succeed should be so strong that success is the only thing you yearn for with a burning passion. You must be determined enough to continue on until you succeed. Dedicated enough to your studies, and devoted to transforming your dream into a reality. It is only then that you will begin to find your true potential.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in highschool, I would have many things to say. I would first tell myself to listen to mom more often and respect her opinion because she is often right. I would then explain how my hard work will really be worth it and how i should not be discouraged by my lack of being part of the "popular" crowd because many of them end up going nowhere. I would tell myself to get involved as much as possible. I would say not to get overwhelmed by so many opportunities that are availible and to persue every one that interests me. I would encourage myself to have fun on occassion and not to take life too seriously. Entering college is so beautiful because it is the time where opportunities are endless and the future is open. It is the time to explore, believe, and open your eyes. I would encourage myself to start seeing the world through open eyes where I judge less and love more. Lastely, I would tell myself not to worry. With hard work and dedication, college opens endless opportunities, and the sky is the limit.

As a senior at Wasson High School, I chose to take classes that would get me to graduation and not much further than that. This was a huge mistake on my part. These classes did not give me the knowledge and skills I needed to be ready for college. College is a completely different beast from high school and I did not see it coming. The amount of work and the higher level of curriculum caught me by surprise. I thought that since I was the valedictorian of my class, that college would be a piece of cake. Boy was I wrong. Now that I have begun my undergraduate career at UCCS, I know what I should have done my senior year. If i could tell myself what I should have done, I would tell myself this. Take real classes, don't settle in and be lazy waiting for graduation. Get out there and do it! Learn something new, challenge yourself! Without a challenge you'll get lazy and that is not what will help you in college. You must take on new challenges and face them with determination. This will help you transition to college.

I think the advice I would give myself would have to be that school is important, much more important than hanging out with friends and getting drunk. Who cares what everyone else is doing or what your firends think. And that if you are going to pay for college yourself you had better take your classes seriously because a 2.0 for your first semester will never dissapear and will haunt you the rest of your life. It may not seem like the fun thing to do but finishing college right out of highschool would have made my life much easier.

If I could go back in time to the fall of 2008, I would tell myself many things. One would be to invest my time in the free education I was getting, because I definitely took that for granted. Another would be to volunteer more during my free time, because I have not had that kind of free time since. I would also love to tell myself to learn better study habits, because college is not easy if you don’t know how to study. While those pieces of advice are very worthy, the most valuable one I would tell myself is to be more open-minded. I grew up in a very sheltered community where diversity of any kind just wasn’t accepted. I never faced any kind of challenge because someone was different in my younger years. Because of this close minded attitude, I missed out on some great opportunities my freshman year in meeting some really cool people. Knowing what I know now, I just wished that I had known that diversity in every form is not only ok; it’s an amazing part of life that should be embraced by everyone.

"College isn't just more school that you have to go through after high school is finished. College is the path that will lead to life you've always wanted. A life full of discovery, learning, and fullfilment. I know your passions and what it is you want to do with your life, and if you wish to succeed at your full potential you must walk the path of college and learning even while still in high school. High school may seem like something you don't need to take seriously, but that is an entirely wrong accusation. Your education now will give you the foundation you need to rise above the others and achieve all of your goals and dreams. Being you, I know you dream big and set high goals, and I also know you can and will see them become reality. All you must do is apply yourself in high school now, and never quit. Even when high school and college are behind you, give everything you've got. And one more thing; believe in yourself. You are the only inspiration you will have to pull through the hardships and challenges. Now go forth and prove yourself."

Dear Kate, There are a few things you need to know. First, explore! Challenge yourself to take the class with the weird name; those are usually the most fun. Don't waste the money for college, but don't restrict your choices. This is a place where thinkers think, and doers do; so please do both. Explore the cookbook too, if you burn dinner it's okay, PB&J are still a favorite. Second, stand out and stand up. Chances are if you have a question, someone else has the same one; be the one to ask, it pays off in the long run. If you see a problem, be the change you want to see! This also means reaching out to connect, whether for yourself or for someone else. Be brave because the initial "Hey!" is always the hardest. Lastly, enjoy. Enjoy friends, laughter, sleep, learning and adventures. Do the random fun (like a sunrise hike, or movie premiere). But you are smart, so don't be stupid. Sincerely, Kate ps - You have the chance to be at university, be grateful for it, work hard, and seize the day!

First of all, I would go back and tell myself in highschool to do my best. At the time, it is hard to see your life past the present, and you don't realize how much the decisions that you make will affect your life later. I did not work up to my potential in highschool even though I was intelligent. If I had worked up to my full potential I would have had a better foundation for starting college and would not have had to start in lower college courses. It would have made the overall transition to college much easier for me. I would have had better study habits to help me be more successful in college. Even though when starting college I did well, being more successful in highschool would have made my college experience much smoother and stress free. If I could go back to highschool again I would work harder, make the best possible grades that I could, and go straight to college. I am currently 26 years old and just starting towards my career. If I had been on a better path, I could be currently working in my chosen career field.

I would take my life a lot seriouser and I would have went straight to college and waited to have kids until I was done with school

In this, your senior year of high school, you will be faced with a few decisions regarding your future. Many of your peers will go off to college, and many others will jump right into the work force and find their own way down their chosen road. Others may take time off completely. There is no pressure on you to decide immediately. You have the world at your fingertips at this time in your life and it is indeed suggested that you take the bull by the horns and follow your heart wherever it may lead you. I know that it is in you to continue your education. But, I also know that you aren't exactly sure what you want to pursue on a grander level. Regardless of how you decide, establish a few certain things right now that will help you later on. Establish a tuition savings account. Establish a practice of journaling and discovering who you are and what inspires you. Most importantly, establish your goals. A furthered education is in your future, but there is no reason to rush it. You will know when the time is right.

STOP stressing!! You will make the right decision as to which college you will attend. On the other hand your major area of study will be your biggest mystery. Going into the application process wanting to be a nurse will change after you realize that you're not the one who wants to be a nurse. You will struggle with not wanting to let anyone down. Don't worry whether you believe it or not mom will be happy and support you with the career path you end up loving. Don't set yourself up to have to be a doctor, a Pharmacist, or a nurse. You know that although you excelled in those classes they are just not a passion you have. Look deeper into what you excel in during your freshman year. I suggest to stay in the LAS degree model for at least the first year and don't take classes that will only fit one major because then you will feel stuck with having to complete that major but the good news is your never stuck. Please one last thing save up as much money as possible because the expenses of college will stress you out!

If I could go back in time and give advice to the high school senior version of myself, I would provide three pieces of advice. The first thing I would tell myself is to not procrastinate. Unlike high school where it was easy to write a paper at the last minute and get a good grade on it, it is not easy to do that in college and your grade will suffer if you do procrastinate with papers, and I would make sure the senior version of me knew that. The second piece of advice I would give myself is how to interact with roommates. Living with three strangers in a small area is difficult and I would warn myself to be more easy going with the different situations and be more open to trying new things and going new places with my roommates instead of staying in my room on the computer. The last piece of advice I would give is to stay true to myself. College is the place to get to know and discover who you, and I would incourage the senior version of myself to go out and take chances without being afraid to fail.

If I were to be able to go back in time to high school and give myself advice, I would start by telling myself to study more, get more involved in the community, and participate in more athletics. I have never studied as much as I have since entering college, and it's a totally new experience absorbing all this new information. I wish I had studied more in high school because I believe it would have helped my grades greatly. It would also have made me stand out more as a student. Furthermore, I would also have volunteered in the community more often to better assist people in need. Learning sociology this year has made me realize the importance of strenghthening our communities. Athletics would also be another area in which I would improve. Getting involved in more sports would have given me a greater skill set in terms of leadership and teamwork. My goal in college is to accomplish all these things and also succeed academically.

If only I could go back in time and sit down with my naive, confused self (basically any teenager I suppose)! Since graduating from college I have changed my major many many times so I would first tell myself there is no rush in picking a major nor starting school right away; take time off to really explore and find your passions and go with them. I would hint take what has been your main interest and conflict since high school and focus on that as a career. Enjoy your time instead of fretting about how there is not enought time in the day! "Worrying does not solve tomorrow's problems, but instead takes away today's peace"

Just relax and make studying your priority.

Ask for help! Knowing that there are always people out there that know more than you, and that all you have to do is ask for help would have been very helpful. I also think that the more time-management skills you have, the better.

Believe in your heart and be consistant in what you want to be in life. Don't give up, and become what you wanr to become until you've accomplish your dream.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would tell her that high school isn't everything and that there is far more to life than your high school friends, so when you lose contact after graduation, don't be heartbroken, you'll make new amazing friends in college! I would tell myself to enjoy how simple and easy life is, to take every opportunity because you only live once and this is time that you can never get back! Make sure that when you look back on high school it makes you smile! College IS as hard as everyone says, but it's do-able so don't be discouraged or nervous! Don't let anyone influence where you go to college because YOU are going, not them! And embrace college once you get there, don't be stuck in high school; enjoy the memories, but learn to create new ones and not be stuck in the past! YOU CAN DO IT!

It is unreasonable to ask a high school senior to know what they want to do with their lives. High school teaches us absolutely nothing about the world! It is completely okay to spend some time meeting intellectual people, having adult experiences and situations, and learning about the "grown-up" world in order to make a good decision about where you want to end up eventually. So if you don't know what you want to do on your first day of college, that's okay. You'll be surrounded by motivated people who want to better themselves by gaining a valuable education, so there's no doubt that something will spark your interest from the people you meet in college. Don't rush. You have all the time in the world to figure out what to do with your life, Holly.

I have truly learned so much throughout my college experience. I have attended two different colleges, and they have quite different experiences. Mostly, I have learned about myself: what I really want, that I am not one of those people who can just earn great grades easily. Because of this self-realization, I have learned to set goals. Throughout school from kindergarden to senior year of high school, teachers always made students set goals, so I probably should have learned sooner. It was not until college when I learned what a worthwhile goal was, and if I set a goal that I want to achieve, then I actually have to work towards it. In high school, goals were always short-term, but now that I have been thrown into the real world, I need to set life-long goals. My current goal is to attend medical school. This goal is worthwhile because it is not an easy feat, and now I am learning how to work towards furthering my education. It has been valuable to attend college, because without it, I would not have learned how to prepare for the rest of the life I want.

By living at home and struggling to pay for school I have learned the value of a dollar to acheive something in life. Of course I wanted to attend a school with a big sports program and social life but knowing I would have copious amounts of loans to pay off school if I didn't live at home, I sacrificed those desires in order to be successfull at school. Being at UCCS has been beneficial as several of the professors are not huge names in their field , therefore they dont have an over bearing ego to deal with. Also I get the feeling from several professors that they are truly passionate about their fields and my success as they are simply there to educate the future of their industry and ensure it prospers well past their death. Along with this commitment to students, professors typically have years of experience in their field if they are not currently working in it, giving students a practical reality to what is truly going on in the industry they (the student) are pursing a degree in.

What I have gotten out of my college experience so far is the benefit of learning new information every time I attend a class. I have also been able to explore many different subjects in order to decide on what I would like to do for my future occupation. This has been a valuable experience because with knowledge comes power in many different ways. I am able to be confident in what I know, and being able to contribute something positive to society. An education is very important to me not only for the purpose of getting a good job, but for the purpose of being able to increases my overall knowledge for personal fulfillment. Also, with a college degree I will be able to get a job in a field that I will be happy to work in for many years to come. This will ultimately lead to a better quality of life, and with such I hope to be able to make a greater contribution to society, as well as make a positive impact on the world. I strongly believe that people who are blessed with opportunities and happiness should pass it forward.

Attending and graduating from a college prepatory high school, the significance of attending college was constantly promoted and while I, like many students I graduated with, nodded in agreement in regards to this idea I can honestly declare today that after completing three semesters at a university the value of this experience is undeniable. A sophomore attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the growth and knowledge I have gained as a student and as a human being is far from minute. Not only gaining skills concerning your major of choice, but also building social skills and exploring varying topics offered by a university, the broadening of one's mind and views is inevitable-producing a more learned and well- rounded person. Pursuing a degree in Business, I recommend attending college for anyone interested in excelling in an area they love, whether it be art or law. College will not only aid in the success of one's career, but also the excellence of oneself.

My college experience has been filled with unexpected outcomes. I first started college with beauty school, then a local community a college, studying abroad in England, and finally transfered to an out of state university. I am currently on the "fun track for college", and would not change one thing I have done and accomplished. After five years of college, I'll graduate with a bachelors degree in May 2012. I have gotten so much out of my college experience. I have learned somethings I found useless and also gained valuable knowledge that fascinated me. Attending college has been valuable to me because it showed me how determined I can be to do something and I have gained a sense of independence and who I am and want to be.

When I first went to college, it was right out of high school to the University of Minnesota. I went into it not knowing really much about scholarships and applying for them before school started, so I wouldnt have to pay much for school. But after the year ended and I couldn't return to school because of the money I owed them really hurt me. So I took that time off and worked, but was never satisfied with that. I had my son in 2007 and thought to myself that I can't do better for him without a degree, so I had to get back in school. It took me another semester at a community college and then where I am now, just to really appreciate my education. I come to school more focused, not just because I am paying for it, but really because I have so much self motivation this time to succeed and get a degree in what I love. I want to impact young womens lives. I realized through college, my professors, classmates, and friends that education is very important no matter what. So thats why I am in it to win it.

I have no idea how to explain everything I have experienced and come to value in so few words! College has caused me to mature and understand the world in ways that I never thought possible. It has given me a passion for my future career and allowed me to meet and learn from people who are very different from myself. It has given me the platform for a future in Education and allowed me to reach goals that I never thought were possible. I have become extremely involved on campus through clubs and programs. These have given me the opportunity to interact with new people and in new enviroments. When I look back at my life before college, I can see how I have grown in my ability to interact with people, act and respond appropriately in every situation and to be exactly who I want to be everyday. I have discovered exactly who I am, what I believe and what I want. I can honestly say that the professors, administration, cleaning staff, food workers and fellow students have all contributed to this learning process by pouring into my life. I am so thankful!

I attend Trident Technical College in North Charleston,SC This is a small 2-year community college. From my college experience thus far I learned that college is not at all in any way shape or form like high school. I learned that you couldn’t just learn something and just spit it out. In college you have to actually know what it means and why it works. It was hard for me to grasp that in the beginning but now I know what to do. I am the first person in my family to attend college so it has been valuable for me to attend so that I can help my younger sisters as well as my mother that wants to attend college. I can give them the in-depth view of how college is that I didn't get so they won't learn the hard way like I did.

While attending my university I have gained several things. One thing in particular is the exposure of different SES. When I was growing up I was raised in a low middle class household, so most of the people I encountered were of that same SES. I have also gained the concept of researching and questioning. Many times as a child I can remember being told to just do what you are told and do not question anything. But in college I have learned that it is ok to question and researh before you except an answer. Lastly I have gained the knowledge necessary to accomplish my goal of helping inner city youth. Although I have always been around inner city youth and worked with them I did not have the necessary knowledge about how the systems work when dealing with children. With what I have learned in college I am better equipped to help inner city youth in a various ways including in their schooling, Social Sevices and Department of Youth Corrections.

College isn't about books and tests. College is about meeting deadlines, team work, leadership, and character. College doesn't tell you how to do a job, it teaches you to grow and learn in your career. College has offered me networking experiences as well the opportunity for relationships. Relationships are the basis for the rest of your life. Without college I could have gotten a job, but with it, I can find a career and climb the ladder. With a college education I can skip the corporate mumbo jumbo and start my own business. College gives you freedom, freedom to choose.

My college experience was a change for my life, I was used to depend on the discipline implied in school and the pressure of teachers for you to do well. College has taught me many things, from how to be self discipline to mature in life. The fact of being independent has made me grow as person, the fact that you have to pay for college to value the education more and make a profit out of it. It has taught me how to be more social with other people no matter the race, the religion, the size nor the sex. I've also learnt that you can finish college at your own pace. And that with no education you won't get far, because for any great and well paid job you need to have at least a four year diploma from University.

My college expereience has led me to many friends and a possible career in journalism and writing

Even though I've only been in college one semester so far, I've gained very valuable experience in the real world. Going into college i didn't know what to expect, I thought college would be extremely difficult, but actually it's turned out to be very manageable with proper time management. I've gained a much more far reaching grasp of the real life, and the hard work and effort it takes to succed in today's world. I've learned to work hard, but also play hard, because hard work deserves reward. College has been valuable to attend, because I've made great friends, both in class and my job on campus. Furthermore, the classes I've taken have given me a great deal of knowledge that I can apply and use in the real world.

Out of the college courses that I have attended and completed I have taken away knowledge which is power, and the will to keep learning more. I feel that in high school you we are all forced to learn certain curriculum and not stray from the path. Once I entered college the possibilities are endless in my eyes. You have the option to take and learn any subjects that triggers you to think and expand your mind. The people in college are all so different we do not all strive to be the same people and to please the popular crowd, you are who you are in college. The teachers are there for you, obviously they are in high school to but this time around they have nothing but the biggest hearts to help you succeed and understand. Taking my first steps onto college ground was such a rush, it was scary but it all seems so surreal and life changing. Your life in now truly in your hands. College is where I learned that i truly do love school, learning and everything about college was interesting to me.

My college experience has been a huge growing experience for me. I started out in a larger school with a different major. As I started going through my college classes, I really learned what I enjoyed doing and what I didn't. It has been extremely valuable for me to attend college because I would have otherwise found myself in an unfulfilling career that I didn't enjoy. Attending college has helped me take something I truly enjoy (helping people and medicine) and turn it into a well paying and fulfilling career. I have grown so much as a person in college. I have learned who I really am. College has allowed me to experiment with my future. It has allowed me to mess up. And it has allowed me to focus on who I really am and what I want to do, and not just who my parents think I am and what they wanted me to do.

I've obtained knowlegde of not only the subjects, I studied, but I found new interests along the way, which has enhanced my college experience. Having that opportunity to be able to learn about anything from Black & White film processing, to Mayan Civilizations, to taking a class on Weather Systems from a local meteorologist, is wonderful! I truly enjoyed my college experience, and wish the same for any prospective/current student. I loved being a student, and am greatful that I get to apply the knowledge to my life!

At this point, I have not attended college yet but I believe that I will obtain the knowledge and tools necessary to complete international business affairs at the professional level, during my college experience. With this knowledge, I hope to build my career to the goals I have already set forth for me. This college offers exceptional degree programs with inexpensive tuition compared to other colleges across the nation. I love the small campus feel and the sense of community it brings. It is conveniently located 25 minutes away from my home, which makes commuting less of a hassle. I very much appreciate my college credits from high school being transferred to the college which has put me at an advantage above my peers. This college provides several resources for its students to create the full college expereince. There are a number of clubs and sports teams to join. Not to mention the many student activities planned throughout the year. The livelihood of the city of Colorado Springs caters to a diverse array of people. Love the outdoors? Colorado springs is a haven to outdoor activities such as hiking, biking etc. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is awesome!

I have been able to experience many opportunities I would have not been exposed to had I not attended college. I have made friendships I can not replace and met people with similar intrests as myself. I has been valuable not only for the education I have received but also the networking I have done. All of these things will benefit me now as they will later on in life.

I entered into my freshman year of college as a child victim of sexual and physical abuse. Covering up my scars from years of self-injury spawned from a pit of self hate and worthlessness, I had steppd onto my college campus with no desire to pursue my dreams, let alone to even begin to dream. I joined an on-campus Bible Study group within the first week of school, whether it was out of a desperate dersire to find some place to fit in, or just another excuse to stay away from home, I don't really know, but those first few weeks became invaluably lifechanging. On my first night, I met a group of girls that reached their arms out to me and brought me to my feet. With a new foundation on which to stand, I began to pursue a major in psychology that will someday allow me to help victimized children like me. Through the encouragement of professors, my studies, and my friends, I found the ability to heal, the strength to convert my battle scars into victories, and the ability to dream and to pursue that dream.

Due to a less than favorable economy, I was laid off from my job. Rather than wallow in self-pity and despair, my wife and I decided that it was time that I try something new. We knew that our finances would be strained with one full-time job and a full-time student, but we decided to see our situation as my opportunity rather than our misfortune. I have a passion for our world?the environment, the outdoors, nature, animals, plants, etc. I want to get an education that enhances this passion. I want to learn as much as possible and apply that knowledge to improve the lives of my family and others. I want to improve the communities in which we live. I want to study science to educate others on how to efficiently, effectively, and beneficially utilize the resources that we have to get the things that we need. On a personal note, I want to get my degree for my wife and my children. I want my children to witness that with hard work, dedication and a little faith it is never too late?to change, to try, or to succeed.

Sincerly speaking I have gained so much knowledge and experiences just within my first year. Living on campus I was able to interact with others and make great friends. I put myself to the test and was able to find myself and do the things I desire in life. Being away from home made me truly appreciate family and the town I grew up in. Attending college is important and valuable for multiple reasons, getting a well paid job, improving socials skills, build confidence, express yourself, and those are just a few examples. For the past year I have lived my life to the fullest, I was able to attend school, furthering my knowledge, meet great people, do things I never imagined myself doing, all in one place. It is a life time opportunity and it is hard to keep doing this when it is our of reach for expense.

I came from a really small town so I loved meeting new people.This school is just the right size not to big and not to small. It's been a great start to my nursing degree.