University of Florida Top Questions

From college, I have learned independency. Whether you are ready to take it on or not, college will force you to have some responsiblity AND will give you a ton of freedom. I can stay up all night studying and sleep in as late as I want to next day, and no one will yell at me! I also love meeting new people. Every night is an adventure and I meet new people all the time. At UF, everyone is very friendly, because we are all here working for the same thing. The University gives so many opportunites for me to do things, like Gator Nights (free movies!) and over 900 clubs to join. The best part is cheering on the Gator boys at football and basketball games with other students! You really have to be in the Swamp at a game to understand the energy that the 90,000 fans surrounding you can have!

My first semester in college, I decided it was time to crack down and really take this college experience seriously. I finished off with a 3.5 GPA and was invited to join the honor society at school. On top of just joining, I took an active role and was elected as an officer, managing my chapter's budget. Joining this society has opened numerous doors for me including access to scholarships I would not have otherwise known about and volunteering in my community which really showed me what individuals can achieve. I would not say that it was easy, but once I started, it just motivated me to do more. I found a healthy balance between the things that I wanted to do and the things that I needed to do. I’m thankful that I grew into this lifestyle and that I have been able to maintain it.

From college I have learned independence. I know that everyone says that they gain independence in college and in a way that’s true, everyone at college learns independence, it’s just whether or not they embrace it that makes them successful in life. My newfound independence has taught me many things including responsibility and dedication. I no longer have my mother or some other person standing over my shoulder or reminding me to finish homework or study for a test. I have to remind myself, I have to show up to class on time, I have to study and be diligent to be successful. College has taught me one of the most important lessons of my life, how to be successful.

I have learned to relax and take things as they come. I can't control or dwell on the negative, but concentrate on all of the good things in my life. The opportunities presented to me and the people who care for my growth and success are invaluable and should be given any attention that would be wasted on a negative thought. Even more, I have learned to trust that their faith in me is not misplaced, and that though I cannot know my future achievements, I can be sure my loved ones are right in believing I will never stop striving, and always be prepared to work my hardest. I consider this to be priceless personal growth: to know what is truly valuable and the unyielding strength of my own willpower.

In respect to strengths and weaknesses, the most important thing that I have gotten out of my college experience has been a greater understanding of my humanity and a more genuine appreciation for the humanity of others. During my initial years in college, it was particularly easy to let others reduce me to what was visually obvious. Just as easy was reducing them to, and penalizing them for, the same. The process of becoming familiar with my aforementioned strengths and limitations (in terms of academics, socio-cultural identification, leadership style, religious outlook) has made my experience a valuable one because at every stage, I have acquired a new skill, friend, and richer vantage point from which to view myself and those laboriously pursuing societal relevance alongside me.

When I started college, I was very depressed and anxious around people. I was highly qualified academically, having completed multiple AP, IB, dual enrollment courses, ISEF, etc, and starting college almost as a Junior. But I have always had interpersonal problems. Being on campus has opened me to a plethora of cultures and ideas, and I now revel in meeting and interacting with people. I have met people from all different backgrounds with whom I hope I can work with in the future. I have met friends scuba diving and rapelling down a cliff, something I never thought I would be doing. And I have learned to be an adult. To respect people and property, living in an apartment with three other friends. To pay bills on time and plan ahead. College is more than just academics. It is a series of life lessons distilled into at least four years, and for them I am thankful.

High school was hard, but I always came out on top. My assumption throughout was that the high volume of AP classes that I was taking would make college indefinitely easier. After all, how could it get much harder? Then came the slap in the face. College classes proved to be more challenging that any other singular task that I have ever taken up in my life to this point. Though I was once able to conquer any academic challenge set before me, I felt that I had reached the limits of my abilities. I had never encountered something quite so difficult; however, as time progressed, I adjusted. I worked harder and studied longer. Battle after battle, it became apparent that I was beginning to make progress. I was regaining the dominance that was seemed long gone. At the end of my first semester of college, which once seemed bleak, I had earned a respectable 3.82 GPA. Thus it appears that what I've gotten out of college is a realization and acceptance that no challenge is insurmountable. The value of this is that it is a universally applicable concept, one that I can carry with me throughout life.

It's been difficult for me to get a "typical" college experience. I entered college as a sophomore at the University of Tampa. I then transferred this year to the University of Florida as a junior. I will be graduating in 3 years total, so my education has been extremely fast-paced. However, I do feel that in transferring to University of Florida I have gotten the best education I can get. It is frustrating at times because it is so competitive here, but I know it's all worth it. I know that I will get hands-on experience and skills I need to accomplish my goal of becoming an equine veterinarian.

I feel like everyday, I am learning something new about myself. College has removed me from my comfort zone and has allowed me to see my potential and excercise my brain power. This institution has really instilled in me the concept of critical thinking, common sense, and the desire to suceed for my benefit. In addition, college has taught me how to fend for myself and care about my advancement. Competition is constantly practiced so one has to be constantly on their guard if they want to stay ahead.

I have been attending the Art Institute for two years now. Through the classes and teachers I have reaffirmed my desire to continue my studies in Interior Design. My professors and academic advisors have inspired me to not only gain knowledge about my field, but to also be passionate and innovative, seeking new and creative ways to design a space. I have also learned more about the technical aspect of Interior Design than I had expected. For example, I learned in my Building Codes class that the importance of codes is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. When I first entered the college, I was unaware of the extent and complexity of my major. Today, I am more than half way through with the program and I feel well equipped for a career in Interior Design upon graduation. Attending Art Institute, I believe, has fully prepared me for a job in the real world through classes such as Career Development, AutoCAD and Internship. I am confident that I will be able to apply all of the necessary tools and programs at the career of my choice. This is why I value my college experience.

College is a stepping stone to your lifetime goals. I'm the second person in my entire family to go to college so, I take school very personal. Looking at my family you would probably ask me "Christina, why are you even trying?" But, my response would be that they are my inspiration. I believe that I can conquer anything because there's a hunger in me that desires more out of life and to be a better human being. As of now, I'm attending a Community College and I plan on transferring to FIDM LA for the Fall semester of 2011. FIDM isn't a cheap school so I need all the help i can get! My moto is, "Dreams can become reality IF you put in the work." I have a plan, I'm working towards it. I'm in need for a financial breakthrough! I'm forever grateful for the opprotunity to branch out and become the person God created me to be. Thank you!

My experience at the University of Florida has been short, yet full of growth. As a freshman entering college for the first time, UF seems to be a big, scary place. The first few weeks were full of challenges and hardship; loneliness, self doubt, failure, disbelief. All these thoughts and emotions, they had never described me before. I was always a happy, proactive leader in high school, but this big place had knocked me down. It took a lot of self-discovery and perseverance to figure out who I was and had always been. I got involved and gained a lot of self-efficacy. Without having to overcome these challenges, I would not be who I am today. My experience at UF has challenged me to grow and learn in new ways I have never experienced before; and I'm only a freshman! I know after I have graduated and fulfilled my education, my greatest knowledge I will have gained will not be facts from a book or professor, but the knowledge of the strength and integrity found within me.

I have learned so much from my college experience and I am still learning so much. The University of Florida has shown me what diversity is by allowing me to come in to contact with so many great people with such different backgrounds. I have also learned very good time management skills and how to budget money which will be lifelong skills to remember. Aside from the practical knowledge I have gained, I have learned to love and take a pride in everything I do and everything that I am part of. Forever I will be a University of Florida gator, forever I will bleed orange and blue, and forever I will know that I have a special place in a wonderful nation: The Gator Nation.

Would you ever go to Canada in the winter with just a light jacket? Or would you rather it was an insulated ski jacket? In my development class I learned that your brain is still developing well into your early twenties. Our judgment, our thinking processes, our rationale are all still developing and college helps to strengthen our brain development. I have learned so much in my two and a half years at college; not just factual knowledge but my thinking processes, how I look at the world, how I interact with people have all changed. I have met so many diverse people at college from my friend who went to join a monastery to a steadfast atheist to a friend majoring in art to a roommate majoring in engineering. People see the world in different ways and college has taught me to see this. These years are shaping me into who I am going to be. College is broadening my horizons and making me a well rounded person. College is preparing me to take on the world... like going to Canada with a ski jacket. I will not only survive; I will be more comfortable in my surroundings.

Even though my college experience is no where near being over, I already have learned so much. Besides learning extreme haggling skills in battlefield of textbook purchasing and the ability to outline chapters and chapters without wanting to set the book on fire, the Univeristy of Florida has been a great place to learn about new subjects. I've really developed what I am passionate about, confirmed what I want to do in the future and helped me become a more organized indivudual. In addition to the face that I live off campus, handle my own finances, UF makes you understand that your future is in your own hands. You decide how much you put into your education and what you get out of it. My first semester I struggled getting used to the classes being so straight forward and the coursework load, but I have been slowly climbing up the gpa ladder ever since earning every point.. Self=direction and ambition is only enforced in the GatorNation. The value of an institution that helps you develop into the fullfilled adult you want to be is priceless, and I am very grateful for that.

So far, being at the University of Florida has been incredible! I have learned a lot in the classes that I have taken and about myself. I have found that college is not just about making an 'A' on a paper or having a 4.0 GPA. Likewise, it is not about how many parties you can go to in one night, or about how many clubs you can get into either. To me, college is about discovering yourself and your habits. I discovered new attributes about myself that I was unware of before coming to UF. I have learned that I have excellent time-management skills and that I can function normally on little to no sleep. I have had a blast so far in college, and I've learned a lot too. I hope to continue on the path of knowledge and enjoyment in my four years here at UF. Go Gators!

Attending the University of Florida has introduced me to the real world. It has shown me that when I get a job at a large company, my boss's biggest concern will not be my name, but that I can do my job satisfactorily. I learned that in the real world, I do not have an attentive teacher showing me all the right steps and explaining to me where I went wrong. I have to be able to figure things out for myself. I also realized that friendships are not always built on common interests and goals. Sometimes friendships are built on the differences between people and thier ability to embrace and explore those differences.; sometimes lasting friendships are built on a shared passion or curiosity for something. It is very hard to build a friendship based simply experiencing an event together. Both parties must have the same intensity of emotion regarding the event - whether the emotions be similar or conflicting.

Words cannot even express what the University of Florida has done to my life. I have been presented with so many opportunities thus far, with having only recently completed my first semester. I'm actually embarrassed to say that the University of Flordia was not my first choice when deciding where to spend my undergraduate years. I had no intention to be a Florida Gator. I now owe UF an apology. The University of Florida has given me an opportunity to define myself as an individual. In my first semster, I have been educated by renowed professors, been in the midst of history taking place, known as Gator football, been acquainted with diverse students all around the world that allow me to gain an understanding of my surroundings, and presented with events such as Career Showcase that not only allow me to distinguish myself from my peers, but to develop a resume that will impress future employers. Never would I have thought that I would wear a suit so early in my college career. Despite this economic recession, I am very hopeful for the possibilites regarding my career. To this, I owe the University of Florida a big thanks.

In one year of attending college I have learned more than in all four years of high school. I came into college with a mindset that it would be pretty much the same as high school, but college is nothing like that. My experience so far has been full of excitement, opportunites, and education. The classes here taught me how to study, even though I thought I was doing that in high school. I have a federal work study job in the Cancer Genetics Research Lab on campus, and this gives me experience for my major in Pharmacy. This job will look great on my resume, and the doctor I work for has many connections in the medical field. The main lesson I learned at the University of Florida is that you have to be involved because just having good grades is not going to get you into Graduate School. I became involved in the Pre-Pharm Society, and I am now applying for Student Government. The college experience is all about connections and opportunities, but they don't just come to you. Determination and skills are needed to make the most out of college.

My college experience has taught me to be ambitious and independent. Living on campus, six hours away from home I have learned to take care of myself and my responsibilities have grown tremendously. I now have to balance my social life and education by myself without a parental figure looking over me. Being in a school of over Fifty-thousand students it is no surprised that being noticed is a relatively hard task. So if I want to make sure that I stand out or get something done I must be ambitious and work for what I want to achieve. My college experience has also taught me to be more open rather than shy away. I wasn't really much of a social person during high school other than with my close friend. But in attending college I have met various different people ranging in personalities and beliefs and have learned to be more open and expressive of myself. I would say overall college has been a positive experience for me allowing me to grow as a person.

Receiving my bachelors degree helped me figure out the direction I wanted to head in my life. I now plan on continuing my education by achieving a masters which will narrow done the field I want to specialize in and finally I will obtain my doctorate in the field I want to specialize in. My college experience has shown me how to be an independent thinker and to decide what I want to do and not what others have planned for me. It has been the most valuable thing I have done for myself. I feel like my own person on a mission that I am going to succeed at. I feel like I am part of a huge family and will always be a member of the Gator Nation and can take that with me wherever I go and know that I will have a friend wherever I am because Gators stick together, even during a lossing football game and in rough times as grown adults. Attending college has giving me the education I need to reach for the stars and go for my dreams.

Honestly, I can't say I'm too fond of my college whatsoever, but I do love my part-time job at Shands Hospital (which is affiliated with the University). I have gained more skills at my job than in any of my classes. I have worked with the Pediatric Congenital Heart Center for two years now and it has shown me how much I love the medical field. It has also inspired me to earn a Master in Health Administration after graduating with my Bachelor's degree. My job has been the best part of my college experience and has proven to be incredibly valuable. I work thirty hours week and therefore have learned to better manage time between work, classes, and homework. This job has been beyond beneficial and fulfulling. Thank you for your time and I appreciate your consideration! Cheers!

In just the short time that I have attended the University of Florida I have become more of an adult. Not only am I taking the most rigorous courses that a Freshman can take, I am also living on my own and truly understanding how to live without my parents. This was probably the most knowledge that I have obtained since coming up to Gainesville and that is be coming a “grown up.” Time management, organization, and readiness are a few of many skills that I have obtained in such a sort time. While taking a 15 credit hour semester I also am involved on the crew team at the University of Florida, which is a very big time commitment. So as you may be able to tell this is something that I had to get use to fairly quickly. The University of Florida has really changed my life for the better and I feel as if I am becoming more of a man.

My college experience has given me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and interact with many different people. I've been immersed in a setting that provides college students of all backgrounds. I've learned so much from being around so many people. I beleive that the high number of international students at my university is a learning experience in itself. I get to see how students from other parts of the world think and learn. My college experience has given me a new sense of responsibility since I have to do most things on my own and figure things out without help from my parents. It's given me the chance for a fresh start with a whole new setting and new friends that will become my close colleages as I progress through college. This whole college setting has challenged me to approach problems and situations in a way I have never had to and that is a valuable experience to learn from.

Out of my college experience I have learned the importantce of being financialy smart and how to have patience in conflicting situations. This has been valuable becasue I realized that money is only a temporary possesion, and that its up to you to make it last. So with that I've become more mindful of my spending habits so that in the future I wont have to struggle just to make ends meet. Learning to be more patient has also been valuable because I have encountered situations when personalities and tempers would get in the way of doing the right thing, which then lead to insults and problems. So learning how to keep my opinions to myself was something that I appriciated greatly because it will benefit me in the professional world.

My college experience has been about far more than what my diploma will someday read. It has been a discovery of knowledge, cultures and ideals. But mostly, it has mostly been a discovery of myself; of who I am and of who I would like to be. Being in college, away from my family, and out of Miami where the majority of the population shares my Cuban background and my family's same story of loss and immigration, I was was pulled out of my comfort zone and forced to redefine myself. I had to, for the first time, define myself, not based on my family's history or on the ideals that they have raised me to believe in. For the first time I was forced to, or rather given the opportunity to learn who I want to be and how I want to leave my mark on this world. In preparing for my future, I have been exposed to many differnet beliefs and ways of life and I have chosen which ones to take as my own. My college experience has been so much more than my academic accomplishements; it has been a road to self discovery.

I have learned a lot from my college experience so far and still have a lot to experience. It has taught me life lessons that will be valuable to me for the rest of my time at college and beyond. It's important to attend college, I believe, because you're not only learning a profession, but you're learning how to survive in the world. I am an interior design student and it's important to learn how to work with a group and be able to compromise on projects because, that is a skill you will need for your career. I have learned how to budget my time and my money, while also learning to be responsible for myself and my school work. Being in college now, will help me get a better job and allow me to be more successful later on. College has allowed to me to find out who I am and who I want to be in society. Getting an education is the most important thing anyone can do for themself and doing something you love, no matter what it is, will make for a happy and successful life.

I havent been able to start my college experience yet but I'm hoping it will teach me how to be a good worker with responsibilities and values.I'm also hoping to gain a good stable career and I'm very excited for the whole experience!

My current college experience thus far has simply shown me what I've always been told by my mother. You will see results based on the effort you put into something, or otherwise stated, you get back what you put in. College is so much different from high school on the accountability level. Considering your punishment for tardiness, skipping class, and not doing homework simply shows an effect on your grades, minus the high school lectures from parents and/or teachers, many college students get off to a rough start. Sadly, your grades are your GPA, which affects your transfer to other colleges, scholarship opportunities, and potential of hiring following after college. I learned that procrastinating was no longer an option, and there are few second chances for making up errors. I believe this has been so valuable for me, it's helped me in many areas of my life. My work ethics coming into adulthood and life in itself have become stronger and more important to me. I've learned to choose between taking the easy road or the hard one, and I've found that the latter is more rewarding.

I came from a city where the population wasn't as diverse as most towns. I had always wanted more Asian friends. When I got to UF, I found what I was looking for. After joining a few Asian clubs, I found friends for life. These people are inspirational, and role models. They have achieved so much. One, for example, was invited to S. Korea by a promient entertainment studio for her website she designed a few years ago. The people I've met, I'm sure will remain my friends forever. There is no knowledge that can compare to the bonds people create as they learn and grow up together in a foreign place. Going to college is a life-changing experience, one where a young adult transitions into a full adult. Everyone is in a new environment, trying to balance living on their own, while completing their major. Having a friend to support make this process much more enjoyable and sometimes even...fun.

During my college experience, I have learned many important things about people and the real world. I realize the struggles financially and academically on a day to day basis. Also, college has enhanced my friendships with people from different cultures, more influence on my dreams, and various experience within my major. It is valuable to attend this University because their are so many opportunities now and in the future for myself. It is a privelage to go to one of the best schools in Florida because not a lot of people get accepted and I have so much Gator pride and love for my classmates.

Attending college is a process fraught with making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, and soul-searching. Upon entering the University of Florida, I realized that I can now start planning my own future and figuring out how to enjoy life. I have been consistently encouraged to take many different types of classes in order to figure out what truly piques my interest. It is difficult to claim uniqueness within a school that is so eclectic be it culturally, academically, and socially. I do believe, however, that being truly unique stems from one’s ability to mold two seemingly different ideas to create an entirely new perspective on life. This is why I am now pursuing a double-major in Political Science and Anthropology with a minor in Russian studies, which are subjects not often tackled side-by-side. Aside from my future interests, I have also been stimulated to continue honing my skills as an actor, singer, pianist, and writer in order to build self-confidence and creativity. I have also been able to make life-long friends who will consistently push me to accept any challenge, but who will always be there for me when I need them.

My college experience has completely thrown me into an independent lifestyle. For the first time ever I have to fend for my own. If I don't go grocery shopping I don't have food, if I don't pay my internet bill, I have no internet, same for cable utliities and such. It's not even the education I'm receiving. I'm being put into a position I've never had the opportunity to experience. I'm learning how to adjust slowly but surely. It's not fun coming home to no mother with a smile on her face and a big dinner on my plate, but at the end of the day I'm learning life skills that will serve me for my future.

From attending the University of Florida I have gained so much value and had several truly life changing experiences. I can't imagine attending a different university. I feel personally invested in UF and compelled to encourage others to get involved on campus. I have gained a group of lifetime friends from being an ambassador for the business college. I have developed my interpersonal skills through various leadership positions on campus. These skills are directly transferable to my future job. From joining a professional business fraternity, I have gained a sense of professionalism by polishing my interior and exterior qualities. I have also had the rewarding opportunity to give back the University of Florida through volunteering and being involved. By being a mentor to undergraduate students and helping them reach their goals, I feel that I haved gained the personal gratification of knowing that I have made a positive impact on the lives of others. Being a student at UF has been like any other endeavor I have undertaken in life, you get back what you put into it. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to attend such a dynamic university and to have met contagiously motivated people.

My college experience has been extremely valuable to me because of the study habits obtained, the head start gained toward my future career goals, and the many opportunities afforded to expand my relational skills. Taking college level courses in conjunction with a full high school schedule has taught me organizational skills, time management techniques, and the ability to effectively meet requirements and deadlines. The dual-credit courses I have taken have provided an acceleration of my education by allowing me to complete several college requirements in advance of attending a university, preparing me for upper-level coursework, and ultimately contributing to an early entrance into my career field. Attending a variety of classes has provided the opportunity to develop valuable human relations. I have learned to effectively communicate with fellow students and professors of diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, sufficiently adapt to different environments and situations, and continually work to understand and meet the requirements of various educators. The benefits of my early college experience are numerous. I have gained meticulous study habits, sufficient preparation for further academic pursuits, and outstanding people skills necessary for my future success.

Iam a single mother of 2 children and my husband left us 4 yrs ago and I knew I could not support my family on minimum wage so through the grace of God I knew College was the only answer. It has truly been a learning experience. Very diffulcult at most times but I know in the end college is the only option for me and my family to get ahead in life. Thank you and God bless Lori

I majored in psychology and have found that is has provided me with an infinite number of ways to improve the quality of life of others. Despite the adversities I had to overcome earlier on in my life, my desire to help others always kept me moving forward. As I continue on to graduate school with the goal of pursuing a degree in clinical psychology, I am confident that the knowledge and passion I have for psychology will allow me to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. With eagerness and anticipation, I am ready to confront the challenges that line the road ahead of me. I look forward to changing the lives of many in the future, as I know my journey has only just begun.

The collegiate experience has provided me, not only with the academic tools I will need when I enter the professional world, but also the ability to face obstacles and opportunities alike, with confidence in myself. When you are facing what seems like an impossible deadline, there is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of successfully overcoming that seemingly mountainous task. All it takes is that one time and you suddenly have confidence in yourself that you never knew you had. The most important thing I have learned through my college experience, as cheesy as it may sound, is that absolutely nothing is impossible. I have been shown that nothing worth having comes easy and how gratifying it is to work hard for the things you earn, academically as well as in life. I have seen that overcoming the obstacles that challenge you make the opportunities that follow exponentially better because you know what it took to reach that goal.

College is a milestone that I am proud that I have reached. It is the stepping stone from adolescence into the real world. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would go to college, and now, 18 years later, here I am. In college, I've truly begun to appreciate and realize the meaning of freedom. Of course, there's the freedom to eat when I want, sleep when I want, study when I want, and any other possible decision at my hands. But, as the famous quote says, with all this freedom comes great responsibility. In college, I have surprised myself in how much self-control and determination that I actually have. Temptation lurks everywhere, yet I have been able to maintain the urge to give into those temptations. The question is always a variation of should I study or should I go to a party with my friends? The ability to keep my self-control in check while still having a good time is the biggest lesson that I have learned from college so far. Learning that I will have the skill with me for the rest of my life has made college invaluable.

I have learned a lot about life. In high school you are surrounded by a lot of people who are just like you, but in college you recieve training for what the professional world is like. I would also love to be able to afford to go to nursing school, and there have been so many people around school who are supportive of why I want to go to nursing school (including teachers). I want to be able to become a nurse who is able to serve in a third world country. It has been valuable to me to be able to work toward what I want to do with my life, and I have continued to learn more about myself and why I want to do this through my entire college experience. In addition I have been held responsible for what I want, and thus I am willing to work hard to make my dreams a reality.

My college experience so far has drastically shaped my character. Before college I was the type of person who would opt to do the minimum amount needed to get the job done in most situations. As a sophomore at the University of Florida, I have been constantly been pushed by my peers to become involved with numerous organizations. This has required me to take leaps out of my comfort zone. I have now developed a drive to paricipate in student organizations and volunteering opportunites. Attending UF has also taught me that education is my top priority and with a career orientated mindset, I can achieve my goals.

Growing up, people always told me that high school will be the best four years of my life. Since attending the University of Florida, I could not disagree more. Since starting my academic tenure at UF in 2008, I have gained more as a student and individual than I had ever imagined possible. Academically speaking, I have had the opportunity to interact and learn from professors deemed experts in their fields. They have taught me new approaches to learning, and I have learned the importance of research. The Gainesville community and the partnership of UF and Shands Hospital has opened my experiences to the field of occupational therapy, my major and chosen career. As an individual, I have met countless numbers of new and interesting people. Living on campus for two years, my appreciation for diversity has sky-rocketed. The university has something for everyone to get involved in, and I have truly found my niche on campus. UF was even able to give me the opportunity to take my experiences abroad in a summer study abroad session. The pride and tradition of the Gator Nation is outstanding. My loyalty to this university is unmatched. GO GATORS!

I have learned a lot about the real world and what kind of effort it takes to succeed in that world. It was a very good learning experience for me overall, and I believe that I am starting to understand more about life than I would have if I had attended a different school. I also got the opportunity to be around very intellectual people who are focused about making their careers and do not try and goof off; their good work ethics and values may have rubbed off on me. I would not want to go anywhere else for college if I were asked to transfer to a different school; Illinois Institute of Technology is my first, last, and only choice for a good, solid education.

I have returned to college just over a year ago and have been richly blessed in my college experience. As an educator of Prekindergarten students I have been introduced to many more teaching methods and styles. I believe education is the gateway to our future and the future of our children. I believe furthering my college education when equipt me with the tools and skills I will need to educate my current and future students. Without college I would only have a substandard education to offer my students.

College has truly been a time of my life that has molded and shaped me as an individual. I have developed academically, socially and learned about the value of appreciating the various styles and cultural contributions of so many diverse individuals. Before attending the University of Florida I was sheltered in the sense that I remained in my comfort zone by sticking to people of my same background with similiar interests. Through my enrollment, I have learned that diversity in culture and thought is something that makes you more appealing when you can identify and relate with people and things from a different spectrum. I believe that diversifying myself has made me a beautiful person because the beauty of the henna art from the Indian culture that drapes my hand, alongside the kimono-styled dress from Japan wrapped around my chest, coupled with the kinte cloth that embraces my head are the simple beauties that combined are what now makes me an anomaly. I deviate from the norm in my style as it is a representation of the many people that have culturally imprinted theirselves within me.

My interest in public service began while I was an undergraduate at the University of Florida. I stumbled upon the Counterpoise Collective, a small group of students dedicated to improving vanilla library collections through the production of a magazine that gave librarians access to lesser-known materials. It also sought to present ideas and viewpoints generally ignored by mainstream media. Counterpoise reviewed small press publications and reprinted articles about social responsibility, liberty and dissent. As a volunteer for Counterpoise, I spent at least 15 hours a week helping to select articles, editing book reviews and developing a marketing strategy. I became Managing Editor and brought the Collective to the American Library Association conferences in New Orleans and Washington DC, where we worked to increase recognition of the alternative press. Working at Counterpoise, I began to understand the role that individuals could play in progressing society. I found a community of hard-working, trustworthy people with whom I could relate. Solidarity prevailed as we listened to each other’s stories and provided support for one another.

I have always wanted to attend college. I started out wanting to become an orthopedic surgeon, but life handed me a different plate, for myself. God blessed me with two beautiful children and so I have decided that I hate having to wonder if my child is okay every time he/she runs a tempature or coughs a certain way. I decided to change my direction and become a nurse, then if I still want to be a surgeon, I can do that later after my children are grown. Being in college, right now, has been a journey for my family and me. They have had to make sacrifices just as I have. I believe that going through college with my children has helped them see the value of a good education and proves to them, everyday, that if I can do then they can do it. I am so happy to be able to be a good role model for my children and to be able to make a good life for them as well. I am applying for this scholarship in order to provide this life for them, a life I never had.

My college experience has proved to me that you can, in fact, teach old dogs new tricks. I have made new friends, gained a new respect from my children (and for myself), and given them a terrific example to follow. I have always encouraged my kids to do well in school and go to college, and I think that me going back to school has sent a message to them that, although it is never unattainable, it is much easier to not put it off. Being in college, while working full time (seven days a week), and raising three children has given me more persistence and determination than I ever knew I had. College has broadened my horizons and given me hope for the future. I hope to serve as an example to other "old dogs" as well, that education is never out of reach.

I was accepted into every school I applied for, but it didn’t matter because I didnt have the money. I decided to attend the University of Florida because I would receive financial aid, be able to watch my sisters grow up, and skip two years due to transfer credits. I have found the love of my life and even my best man. I was given a coaching position at a high school for lacrosse. I can’t imagine anywhere else impacting me as my players have. With eachnew day I make memories that will last a lifetime. After this semester I will only have 9 credits till graduation. I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet, but I know whatever it is I want to be helping others. I plan on continuing my education on to a masters. My desk is covered with acceptance letters, internships, and job offers. All of these things I have acquired at the age of nineteen. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever expect UF to grace me with so much. Now I am prepared for whatever awaits me in the future and to expand the gator nation.

I have learned to become a more independent person. When I first came to college I thought that I would be able to handle all of the challenges and face the struggles that I had ahead of me, but what I realized right away is that my parents weren't going to come and save me and protect me. I feel that college has made me become the mature person that I need to be to succeed in life. I have gained friendships with people that I never would have met had I not come to UF. I am honestly able to say that living away from home has made me have a greater appreciation of my parents and the life they have provided for me. Though college is a struggle at times, I love everthing about it. The life lessons and friends that I will continue to value as I grow can not be taken away from me. I value college for giving me the freedom to figure out the person I am and want to become. Without this experience I don't know where life would have taken me or the person I would come to be.