University of Denver Top Questions

College has not only changed my life but my personality as well. I am far more open minded and experienced than I was in high school. Being exposed to peers with varying backgrounds different than my own made me realize that the world is a lot more diverse than it seemed before. At the same time, it also helped me see that I have things in common with any type of person. Higher education has helped me expand my knowledge about not only my studies but also life in general and has thus been the most valuable experience of my life. I gained much from my university in terms of intellectual capacity and skills for my future career. Most importantly, attending college allowed me to foster relationships that are long lasting and meaningful. Beyond that, I developed abilities in areas I never expected to such as the Mandarin language. As a result of enrolling in a four year school I have had a multitude of opportunities to change my life including stuying abroad, participating in memorable no-profit internships, and holding jobs for important companies. I would not be nearly as well-rounded of an individual without my worthwhile education.

While attedning college I have learned several things about myself that I dont believe I would have learned otherwise. Over this past semester I have noticed that I am able to focus more on the future and what I want to become and the many options and career paths I may choose to follow. This makes college feel more like an personal investment rather then a chore or necessisty. I can be whatever I want to be and I can learn to be that through education. It is very reassuring and helps me understand the importance of college. It is a journey, a voyage to better ourselves and forge our destinies how we choose. Dreams can become reality. I have enjoyed my experience thus far and cant wait to discover myself more. Thank you.

As a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke I am extremely excited and appreciative of the work that has gone into making students feel welcome and appreciated. As a small campus university it has got to be the best. I have gained an exuberant amount of confidence at the same time that I have learned the lessons of my classes. My history professor showed appreciation and respect to his students in requesting that they answer questions in class and thank them when they go out of their way to achieve success in his class. Furthermore, my English professor not only pointed out when corrections should be done to my essays but also gave remarks to good and great workmanship and improvements. I have also found that UNCP goes to great lengths to inform students of the requirements for not only the campus but also each individual course. Overall, the way they show students how to grow as individuals is outstanding. I am extremely proud to be a part of my UNCP campus.

In the year and a half that I have attended my university, I have really found myself and learned what I truly feel strongly about. I now have solid principles and ideas that I firmly support and intend to pursue in my future profession. I have made very close friends from my school, and have been exposed to a whole new culture that has affected the way I see my life and the lifestyle I want to uphold when I get older.

College is an amazing experiance. I have been able to learn great things, and have met so many new people. I feel like it is something that cannot be experienced elsewhere.

To me education is very important. I am on taking my 5th and 6th course, and I have found it very awarding. Of course every student knows it can be very stressful, education has always been a priority for me. Ever since I was little I wanted to make something of myself, and become someone important, and now I can finally say I am doing it. I can finally say I am achieving what I wanted to achieve, and can look at myself better than I have before. I can tell myself that this will help me in the future, and once I am finished I'll be so glad I went to college. For anyone if college was free, I would tell them to take up the experience, because without education I believe there is very little success. To educate oneself, makes you more intelligent. And when your more intelligient you become more successful in the long-run. If i were to ever win a scholarship, I would make sure everyone would see what was really valuable about college, and I would make something out of it.

I have really began to develop a sense of self at my school. DU allows me to be who I want to be. They let me study what I want. They let me do the activities that I want. The begining of that development of my sense of self has helped me realize that I am studying what I love and that I will be happy once I graduate and find a job. This is valueable because if I don't like what I do, then I will only do a mediocre job. Only doing a mediocre job is not beneficial to myself or the community in which I work. By studying what I love, I know that I will put my whole heart in it, which allow me to do the best job possible and in turn help society.

College is an amazing experience I will never forget. I have gotten stimulating classes, new friends and awesome experiences from my time in college. The classes I’ve taken, while challenging, are specific to what I’m interested in and therefore, exhilarating to attend. The people that I have met are diverse and expand the way in which I look at the world. Coming from a very homogenous community, the diversity of people that I’ve encountered has changed the way I look at the world and has allowed me to become friends with people I never would have met otherwise. Finally, college has allowed me to get involved with my personal hobbies or interests. With over a hundred clubs, everyone can find a place to meet with people that love the same things and further their interest. College to me has been like high school, except better in every way. Classes are better because you can choose exactly what to study, new friends are better because there are so many new types of people to meet, and finally, clubs are better because there are so many options and you can create your own. College rocks!

During my time at college, I have gained a new sense of independence. I moved out of my parents house and into a dorm where I am surrounded by my peers. I have learned what it is to be on my own, without someone reminding me to get up for school, or buying my groceries. This is an incredibly valuable experience because it is a preperation for the future. Soon I will have to move out of a dormitory and live on my own, I will have to pay my own bills, buy my own groceries and be completely self sufficient. College is like another universe, the students who live there have idependence and a taste of what is to come. This is a valuable transition that I believe will help all students who attend. Not only are they preparing for their future careers but they are gaining new life skills such as decision making and how consequences will affect them when they do not have a saftey net. Academic knowledge is important, but not the only thing students need to know, life skills are essential to their survival as successful adults after college.

College provided me the opportunity to develop time management, self-motivation, and prioritizing skills needed to succeed in the real-world. It gave me a platform from which to make friends, network, share ideas, and broaden my horizons. It's been said that businesses are concerned with three things: making money, saving money, and saving time. Arguably, saving time is the most valuable of the three, since time is money. Saving time not only saves money, it creates more time to make more money. Without the development of my time management and prioritization skills I would be poorly equipped to aid a business in this venture. College life was more culturally diverse than high school. By making friends with other nationalities, ethnicities, etc, I was able to view the world with new perspectives. The opportunity to network while in school provided me the means to establish connections with various business leaders in the community. My college experience made me more aware of world events, made me more inquisitive, and, most importantly, gave me the tools and skills needed to excel in the business world.

I think what I have gotten most out of my college experience is how to balance schoolwork and a social life. In high school, we all think that we know how to balance the two but your abilities are tested in college. You begin knowing no one so you have to start off making friends, which is harder when placed in an unfamiliar environment. Also, your parents are not there check up on your schoolwork or set rules for you. You suddenly become responsible for your schoolwork and have to practice discipline since your parents are not there and you are completely independent. My study skills were put to the test since college material was much more difficult then what I was used to but I am thankful that I was challenged in such a way. After I became used to the workload I had to find the balance of incorporating time with my friends. Now that I can successfully balance both, I think I can use this skill when I have a job and need to balance work, family, and friends.

When decided that I would attend D.U., I began to debate on whether I should commute or dorm. The disadvantage I saw from staying on campus was the inevitable costliness of a private university. Ultimately, choosing to dorm not only gives me a true college experience, but it showed me the value of a higher education. My stay for the first quarter at D.U. was interesting. I’ve met many people with various backgrounds: rich, middle-class, poor, athletes, international students, etc. For some, it seems as if everything has been spoon-fed to them from their parents, and that college is defined as a time to let loose and “experiment”. Though it truly is a time to break free (from parents), going to a recognizable university I assumed everybody on campus would solely focus on studies. Boy was I wrong. Seeing others take their quality educations for granted has taught me to persevere and dedicate myself to reaching the high goals I’ve set. Though college will teach me many things over these four years, the most paramount lesson I’ve come across thus far is my realization of where knowledge can take me in life.

I have gained a great deal more from my experience at DU than I ever imagined I could. I remember watching older friends and teammates graduate from high school and going off to party hard in the college scene. When I graduated, my boyfriend and I decided to make our own college decisions which eventually meant maintaining a relationship halfway across the country. As a result and unlike many of my friends, I dedicated a majority of my time to my schoolwork. As I watched my classmates join sororities and fraternities and experiment with drugs, alcohol, and members of the opposite sex, I began to appreciate what I was NOT missing out on. Today, I have maintained a 3.95 GPA, I have been involved in multiple activites within and outside of DU, I have gained a small group of very close friends, and my boyfriend and I have been together for 6 years. I love my school because it is mine and by going to DU, I have been able to accomplish things I have always wanted to and never knew I could all while gaining a true understanding of how to balance the things that mean the most.

Attending this university is a great transition from the military. Having recently been honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, I have gained a disciplined set of work habits that have helped me to achieve the highest GPA possible at the University of Denver. By being self-disciplined, I have been able to learn everything I have needed to be successful in each class I have taken. The University of Denver has provided me with a greater confidence in myself and has encouraged me to try things I may not have attempted before attending this school. This university has also rejuvenated my creative thought process, my critical thinking skills, and my imaginative spark. It is helping me to reach and surpass all of my educational goals. The ability to understand and explain the observable world around us is the greatest academic gift a person can receive and I am forever greatful to the educators at this institution.

Going back to school after 10 years has been a new learning expereince for me becuase I've had to learn how to be a student again. This expereince has once again opened up my eyes to all the opportunities that come from the learning expereince. I am going back to school after a successful 8 years of running my own company, Beatport .com. I decided to go back to school as a transition for appliing my skills and expereince in other areas of my life. I have always thought of schooling as a life long expereince both in the classroom and in your professional life, so being at DU for my MBA at 32 years of age is just another stepping stone in my life. I will retire a teacher so that I can pay forward the expereinces my life has shown me.

I have gotten so much. It took me almost 8 years to realize that I wasn't happy in the job I was at. I knew I always wanted a career in the museum industry. I knew it wasn't going to be easy to go back to school because I was working full time and had a family to take care of. I also knew that it was definitelt going to be worth it in the end. I know that by having returned to school I feel so encouraged every day that I will give my family evrything. It has been so valuable attending school, I already see in new person emerging from me. I feel more confidant with myself, and even with everyday stuff as well. My children are my motivators. It's such an awesome feeling I get everytime I hear my little boy say to someone, "my mom is going to school, she is so smart!" I can't wait to finally walk the stage. Hopefully in summer of 2012 I will get my chance . This scholarship this will help me be closer in my goal because it will help with my tuition.

Attending the University of Denver has taught me many things: to be independent yet value networks. Be opinionated while maintaining an open mind. Seek knowledge but realize that most knowledge stems from experience. Embrace ambiguity and change for the better. Work ethic is important but so are correct priorities because in life we must chase the things that really matter. No level of prestige is worth undermining your character. Be kind and tolerant but do not compromise your own values. There is always a golden mean and one should always strive to maintain it. These are the ideas and voices of my professors and mentors pass onto us students at the University of Denver. The immeasurable value of attending a University is due to the wonderful professors, friends, and experiences. The culture of learning and spirit of a new start fuels lasting relationships and enduring life lessons.

I am a hospitality major at the University of Denver and have been truly blessed to have received the guidance I have been given through numerous adminstrators in the department. The major is set up so that we receive both in class and out of class experience with a 1000 hour work experience requirement. This is beneficial because you can't know if you truly want to pursue a career untill you have actually worked in it and this helps you figure out what you really enjoy about the hospitality industry or if you even are interested in it at all. The University of Denver also provides constant job opportunities for part time and full time positions that help build your resume, get experience in the industry, and possibly find your place in the industry. I am now eployed with Cherry Hills Country Club and am really enjoying learning every aspect of country club management. I am an aspiring General Manager and am learning a lot in the industry and look forward to where ever it may take me.

Since I've begun attending courses at the University of Denver, I've realized that college is not just about things learned in the classroom, but about gaining a better understanding of oneself. The college experience overall has allowed me to become stronger as an individual, while allowing me to develop a firmer sense of my priorities and life goals. In comparison to many other students at my school, I am "different" because I prefer study groups over frat parties, and fruit punch over whiskey or tequila. I have learned that I don't mind being "different" or "odd" because I know that, unlike my peers, I am working towards something- I am moving forward towards a promising career. Thus, attending the University of Denver has allowed me the opportunity to truly accept myself as well as understand and appreciate my education. I am more determined than ever to succeed in both my college education and my professional career.

At first, being an out of state student was very difficult. I never thought I would be homesick, but I found myself wanting to transfer after the first month. I decided to stick it out a full year as opposed to transferring at the end of the term and it was the best decision I've ever made. There was a reason why I chose DU and I couldn't let my emotions in the beginning get in the way of that. It took me a full year to realize this, but I couldn't have if I left when I wanted to. It was this decision that showed me what perseverence really means. Had I not waited I would have never made the friends that I did, ones that will someday help me down the aisle and ones that have taught me so much so far. College is the time to make decisions for yourself and to take advantage of the opportunities we are given. It's the time to teach ourselves through trial and error instead of doing something because we are told. Having such a tangible experience with this would not have been possible without DU.

After having attended the University of Denver for nearly two years, I feel that I have gained much more than a fantastic education. I quickly found that I would get exactly what I put in to my college experience, so I immediately began taking advantage of every opportunity that came my way. After going through rush very early in my freshman year, I joined the house of my choice and began developing many deep friendships. I also fully immersed myself in my studies and have earned a spot on the Dean's List each quarter since I first began at the university. Furthermore, after dealing with many hardships during my freshman year, including swine flu and a damaging flood in my dorm room, I quickly learned how to be much more self sufficient than I ever had throughout high school. Being so far away from my family and friends in St. Louis greatly deepend my appreciation of time at home, as well as my independence. I have also recently begun a research opportunity with a professor where I am studying neurodegenerative diseases, which has tremedously supplemented my breadth of knowledge from classes. Overall, my experience at DU has been invaluable.

I have matured a lot during my time in college. I have been able to take advantage of all that the school has to offer, from small class sizes, to extracurricular activities and more. I feel like I have learned more in the past few months than I had in four years of high school. As I want to have a great job and career after college, my time spent in college is very important to me. In college, I have strived in academics, but I have also learned many other valuable life skills: time management, social and business environment interactions, as well as living on my own. Everything you do in college shapes who you are, and taking the time to learn all there is to learn is invaluable to your future.

The University of Denver has instilled in me the ability to recognize and better yet, appreciate all aspects of life. Observing situations in through a critical and philosophical perspective taught to me by the astounding professors at DU has allowed me to understand that life is about maintainging a balance and following your passions. Fortunately, the University of Denver has the resources and focus that make it possible for me to pursue these passions, whether it is hearing a speaker discuss the current economic trends, or listen to a night of orchestra, or actively engage in starting a new business venture. All along the way, I've been met by those who share a common appreciation for education as a process towards both a more fulfilling life and as a tool to help change the world for the better. It is my belief that most students at DU share in this experience and come away from the school a more complete and engaging individual. I can tell you this, this is a special place and I am a better person for being here.

I hope to go back tyo school to learn to be an ultrasound tech.

College has prepared me to use all my potential. When I'm attending class I feel as if nothing can hold me back. My goal is to walk across that stage and be proud of what I have accomplished. School has given me the freedom to do whatever I choose to do. School has given me the freedom to be WHO I AM. School has enriched my life in more than one way. I met lifelong friends and I now have a future to better myself and others around me. I am forever greatful for my college experiences. Attending college has allowed me to maximize my potential and use it to better myself. School is valuable to all because it allows you to better yourself. It allows you to take control of your future. That piece of paper you are working towards those 4 to 5 years is your key to a whole new world. A world of success.

I had my daughter when I was 19 and dropped out of college at that point to take care of her. A decade long string of menial jobs, abusive relationships and a seemingly endless stack of bills left me with no hope for the future. My father's dying wish for me was that I finish college and get a degree, or "ANY degree" as he put it. After he passed, I had no choice but to make his dream a reality. I chose St Phillip's because of my major, and now that my first semester is over, I couldn't be happier with my choice of schools. The campus is beautiful, the staff are amazingly supportive, and there are tons of extra-curricular groups not usually found at community colleges. I can proudly say that I have a 3.6 GPA and am on my way to a career in radiology and a life that my daughter and I can be proud of. I no longer dread waking up in the morning, and have even stopped smoking and started working out! Going to St. Phillip's College has changed my entire outlook on life!

The time I spent in college was very important in the sense that it allowed me to be open minded and to think about broad subjects that I might not have been able to consider in a regular 9 to 5 job. College gave me an opportunity to meet exceptional people and learn and discuss wonderful subjects. College gave me an opportunity to grow in knowledge, understand the world and different cultures, and the kind of education that will make me be well-rounded and literate. I greatly value my time at the University of Denver because the more connections I collected during my college career, the more options I found when I began my job search. This School gave me the knowledge and experience I could not receive anywhere else.

I have learned that I can achieve any goal I want. I have not only learned so much form this past 1 1/2 of school, but my kids watch me study and they want to go to college just like mommy. I love the fact that I am setting a good example for my three children. I am also excited by the fact that I am so close to graduating and providing them with the best life I can possibly give them. My children are my inspiration for retuning to school and they are my inspiration to never give up. I found a school that I love attending and I look forward to each new term.

I have already learned through my limited amount of time at my educational facility, the value of claiming my education. I am an older student who has learned through experience and practical application of on the spot learning. I never valued higher education as a tool to expand the mind. I have relied on my extensive travels to provide me with my education and expansion of my mental capacity. What I have found in my brief attendance at the University of Denver is a new dimension in learning that I never thought was possible. I always felt that most people were educated beyond their intelligence, and that Universities were in the business of making money, not really providing the necessary learning for becoming and educated person. How limited my thinking was. I am being challenged on a daily basis to re-think my position on education and apply a mental ability that I did not know existed within me. I have titled my self Entreprenuer and Perpetual Student of Life, and for today, I am continuing my peldge of being a perpetual student by earning through a new avenue that I once thought was reserved for the elite.

Out of college i have gotten the ability to meet new people and expand my peopel person skills. Also I have learned that the classes is all on you. No more waiting for your parents to wake you up in the mornings. If you do not get up on your own then you are out of luck. College lets you really take on responsibilities and helps prepare you for the future. It has been valuable to attend college to expand my learning ability. So that i will be able to go out in this community and make a change. Give back and help those who has helped me make where I plan to go. Even help those who need help because we all need help sooner or later down the line we are going to need help. So overall attending college has opened my eyes to what the world is how the people in it act. It has we wanting to get out and make a change to better humanity as a whole so that we may be stronger as a nation.

My college experience has made me a stronger person. I went to a public highschool in a middle class neighborhood and the kids were very different from the students at University of Denver. The majority of the kids that attend the University of Denver are weathly and preppy, also, to be honest, catty and stuck up. I went through a few situations with the girls at my school that made me a stronger person. For example, I am an attractive, blonde girl and I try to be nice to everyone. This deriving from being close with my family, and our strong family values. I went through a lot of girl drama at the University of Denver, almost to the point of switching schools, honestly the hardest few years of my life. But, in the end I am in my third year at the Univesity of Denver and I realize now how much stronger and confident these experiences have made me. I believe that it is hard for women my age to achieve confidence and be happy with themselves, and even though it was hard, I am lucky to have found this in the last few years.

By choosing to attend the University of Denver I was enabled to expand my horizons, even more than I realized I would be upon entering. It has made me increasingly aware of my world and the world today (world affairs), and has demonstrated the importance of being involved and in doing my own individual part to better my community and to make a difference , in whatever way I can. It has also offered me invaluable experiences, such as the opportunity to study abroad, that have broadened the way I think immensely and that will help me succeed in my future.

As a high school student, I was never the popular one or the dedicated one. I just lived my life in the background, hardly trying, but getting by well enough. Everything changed once I arrived at college. The first thing that I began to do was to make friends that I believe I will stay friends with for the rest of my life. I no longer hide away in my room all day, I get out. The next thing I did was begin to really apply myself to my classes. I do all the homework, I get the help that I need from my teachers during office hours, and I have even begun to tutor one of my classmates in hebrew. College, I believe, has changed me for the better. I am a more dedicated, fun loving, and caring person now, and I believe that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

My school really encourages students to be individuals and take their own path in life. There is a great variety of classes, and plenty of faculty support. I have felt supported to pursue my pre med requirements while also enrolled in the honors program.

The greatest award that I have received from attending the University of Denver (DU) has been the opportunities that I have had to explore my own identities. At DU, there is this group of organizations that collectively make up the "One Community", which promotes a more inclusive campus. Through my involvement with the One Community, I have been challenged to explore my various identities, the most prominent one has been my racial identity. I identify as Asian-American: I have learned a significant amount about what it means to be Asian-American and the role that Asian-Americans play in the larger fabric of American society. This has been an invaluable asset to my college experience because I feel that I am more certain of who I am and the person that I want to become; it has provided me with more direction in my life and with my occupational goals. I feel that this is extremely beneficial because it gives me an advantage over other students who are spending time and effort to figure out what they want to do, whereas, I am able to focus on what I want to do and how I want to get there.

So far out of my college experience I feel the biggest thing I have gotten out of it is starting to find myself and identity. Going to DU I have learned to become independent, responsible, and courageous. The atmosphere you get from the people at this school is incredible and like no where else. It seems that everyone at this school wants to succeed, and it rubs off on everyone. It could be the money we put into our education, but I feel its the people that DU chooses to join us on our wonderful campus. I have truly started to find myself their and have aprreciated the DU campus life for putting me in that mind set. I feel I will continue to find out more about myself the further I go through this journey. I don't think I could ask for anything else, the University of Denver has fullfilled everything that I could have wanted out of a college experience.

Going to college has been the best choice I have ever made. I am the first to go to college in my entire family. That has made me proud and want to succeed even more. College kind of makes up for the things you miss or missed out on in high school. It has made me feel smart and challanged. I can't wait to see what else I can learn.

ONE THING THAT I HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IS THAT I HAVE REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT SCHOOL IS IN LIFE. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE A NOBODY IN LIFE OR SOMEONE THAT WINS AWARDS AND HELPS OUT THOSE IN NEED. IT HAS BEEN REALLY VALUABLE FOR ME TO ATTEND BECAUSE COLLEGE HAS REALLY HELPED ME MATURE. WHEN I FIRST STARTED COLLEGE REALITY HIT ME I WOULD THINK TO MYSELF THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE GROWN UP AND HAVE TO WORK TO MAINTAIN YOURSELF. WHEN I STARTED COLLEGE WAS WHEN I DECIDED I NEEDED TO GET A JOB BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE NOT GOING TO BE THE ONES PAYING FOR MY BOOKS AND TUITION. YES I GOT FINANCIAL AID BUT I DRIVE AN HOUR TO SCHOOL AND AN HOUR BACK I ALSO HAD TO SAVE UP FOR GAS MONEY. COLLEGE HAS BEEN A BIG PART IN MY LIFE AND WILL BE UNTIL I BECOME A SUCCESSFUL PERSON.

They say it's not what you know, it's who you know. The people I've met at DU have made all the difference in my college education. Not only are they amiable, supportive friends but many of them are among the most intelligent people I've ever met, and all of them have something to bring to the table, whether it be diversity, experience, talent, and on down the line. The people I've met have directed my interest to parts of the world I had not yet heard of and parts of my own community which I had not yet experienced. My professors especially have been particularly interesting, as they have opened my eyes to many worldly things of which I was previously unaware.

Just in one semester of college I have gained so much knowledge that I did not have about things that I can relate to everyday life. In my Business class, the concepts that have been taught are easy to relate to any firm in any industry. I feel that I will be much more successful with running my own business after taking this class. In my Micro and Macro Economics classes, I have learned more than I thought I would. Before taking these classes, the word "economics" seemed pretty scary, but once I got an understanding for what it really is, I have been able to use my knowlege in my everyday life. Overall I have enjoyed my college experience so far in my first year and am very excited to continue furthering my education. I am thankful to have such great teachers as well, they have made their classes easier to understand by helping students relate to the topics with our everyday lives.

This is my first semester at college, and I think that being at a community college and living at-home with my parents makes a difference on how I view my college experience. It is often stressful balancing homework for several classes, studying for exams, social events, and having to do chores at home. The balance between school, family, and spending time with my boyfriend does not seem to leave room for much else. During this semester, I have learned better time management skills, and I am continually improving the way that I study for school, such as taking better notes and using flash cards. I have learned a lot about current events and human behavior through psychology and political science, which I have always found very fascinating.

Throughout my college experience, I acquired several entertaining and useful information. Even though I may not be traveling out of the country often in the future, it is convenient to know the name and/or locations of other countries. On the other hand, important information such as how to engage elementary students in learning and how to continuously update lessons plans according to the state standards. Becoming an elementary school teacher as a career choice requires the general knowledge of the world. Therefore, the greater I expand and absorb the materials while in college, I will definitely become more successful in the future. Even though there are negative connotations for the required courses in college that many students believe is unnecessary. I believe that as surprising as it may be, a course such as calculus may not appear often throughout our daily lives, but if one knows when to use that knowledge in a critical situation, it can be of great benefit. An anecdote that I came by said that they were able to over rule a speeding ticket after doing some calculations using calculus. This person did not major in math, but used his wits to save money.

Unlike high school, college has taught me to think passionately and without borders. To think for myself. I've learned to form my own opinions and defend them with intelligence and eloquence. Through the classes I have taken, I have discovered how to present myself gracefully and thoughtfully. I've learned to speak and to present, and to view things critically. Aside from academics, I have met many new people as well. In every new person that I meet, I begin to take bits and pieces that form my character and my personality. I see people who inspire me to be a better person. I use these positive influences to push myself and to grow towards the strong young woman that I am becoming. I also encounter negative influences, from which I learn the qualities to shy away from and learn to further build my personality based on who I don't want to be. College has been a very positive experience for me, and has taught me how to think, communicate, and become an educated, intelligent woman.

What I have got out of the college experience so far, is being able to learn different things. Having one on one help from the teachers. School to me is very valuable because its something you have to do. In order to get to the next step to be successful. The most thing that has been valuable to me is being able to wake up and start my day off. Going to school for me is very important because im a young mother. So I have to do all the things that are right no order to make a better life for my child. He is the one that looks up to me as his role model, so I want to be able to show him anything is possible. I know college can sometimes be overwhelming, but I think you can get pass all that. Once you know why college is a big step in life, and that everything happens for a reason, nothing should stand in the way of that.

When I first stepped foot onto the University of Denver campus my freshman year I remember having the worst stomach ache of all time along with a cramping set of butterflies wanting to fly up through my stomach. I knew that it would be hard on the first day of college and knew that it would be terrifying meeting thousands of new people and stepping onto a two time national championship varsity ski team as the youngest person and as the walk on. But I also knew that despite all of the terrifying things going through my head that this was going to be the best experience of a life time and the things that I have learned throughout my experience so far are beyond what I even imagined. I have learned hard work leads to success and that if I believe in myself I will get where I need to go as long as I keep a good head on my shoulders and learn from each of my mistakes. I have learned that in order to achieve what you want out of life you need to be yourself and only yourself, the ultimate key is trust.

Having the opportunity to take control of my life has been extremely valueable. There is a large support group at school, but other than that you are on your own! Understanding when you have to stay in and study is something you have to learn on your own. Being independent means much more responsibility. Thankfully, I found good friends that can help me through it.

Going to college has changed my life. I grew up in a very small community, and it was nice to be able to branch out and learn to meet new people. Everyone at my school is very friendly, and even though it is much larger than my hometown, it still echoes that small community feeling. I have gotten individualized attention in my classes because they are so small, and there are a lot of people I can trust and become close with. It's also completely invaluable going home to a floor where everyone works on their homework every night before going out. There is a rigorous academic workload, but there is the tight-knit community support group necessary to make it through the hard work. And of course, in the end everything will be worth the hard work once I have a degree!

I have learned a great deal about myself through my college experience. All of the opportunities I've had at DU (including the chance they gave me to study abroad) have widened my horizons and taught me about the world as well as my specific areas of study. Through my various courses I have seen a variety of future paths, and I now feel more capable of making important diecisions regarding my future. At DU I have been able to interact with amazing faculty and other students, and though my experience certainly hasn't always been perfect, I've gotten so much more out of this school than I ever expected to. It has been fulfilling on many levels, not least of which is my academic improvements. The small class sizes and dedicated teachers lead to in-depth discussions that have really helped me develop my critical analysis skills while also increasing my basic pool of knowledge. I have learned so much at DU, and I know I will keep learning all the way up to graduation. And for that I am truly grateful.

I had to learn how to budget my money. Being a college student is expensive and I had to adapt.

i've gain a lot of knowledge i didnt know before i attended college. And i socialize alot more.