University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

My college experiance has been very great. I've had time to sit down and talk with students who are in the same program with me. I also had the chance to meet new people, and learn more about their culture. My teachers that I had so far are very amazing and they are well advance. With my first semester in college I have been very focused and managed to keep a 3.2 the whole semester. It has been valuable to attend college, because a lot of students didn't get the opportunity to attend college like they would like too. So I must say I enjoy myself but also I know to keep focused more so I can graduate.

so far i have gottan fellowship, knowledge and understanding at KVCC. The reason it is valuable is job security.

What I have recieved from my college experience is considerable debt and a sense of who I am. I have been exposed to a vast pool of knowledge and love there is so much to be learned out there. I have made a couple of lifelong friends and determined what kind of people do not like me. I have the sense of accomplishment that coming from a lower middle class background I have been able to graduate with a BA and continue on with my Master degree right now. The value to me is being able to goto class for learning but also come home to my apartment and read some more about what is happening in the world. I feel like the more I know the more there is to know and it is exciting to me. People who have never gone to college will see the world in a much more elementary light. College is personally valuable to me in my quest for self growth. I only hope with near 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} unemployment the value translates into a real world job as well.

Surprisingly, I have attended three schools and they have all taught me something different with each experience. My first school was Pennsylvania State University, University Park, which was my first school choice. I learned how to live away from home by working to support myself and organizing my time efficiently in order to maintain good grades. Because out-of-state tuition was so high, I agreed that I would transfer to a different school, hoping I'd later find the money to return. The University of Maryland would not accept me without having taken both English and Math courses, however, University of Marland, Baltimore County, was sympathetic to my situation and accepted me. There, I learned that everything does not go according to plan, but to look on the bright side and work with what I am fortunate to have. Eventually, I accepted that fact that Pennsylvania State University was too expensive, however, I got into The University of Maryland, College Park, which I currently attend. Although my journey as a college student was not the typical one, I have taken advantage of each opportunity at each school by making great friends, establishing connections and learning as much as possible.

Im currently attenting Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wahsington and it has been the best choice i have made. When i graduated from high school i was completely lost , i didnt know what i wanted be ,what college i wanted to attend it was all to much. At Columbia Basin College they welcomed me with open hands they helped me with everything, from choosing my classes and discovering new careers i could choose from it was just like my savior. They made my every step much easier , i have my AA, with a 3.3 gpa and im transferring soon to Washington State University to become and elementary teacher. Trust me if your lost and stressed out about deciding a career and what school to go to STOP !!! Check out Columbia Basin College and they will help you in every way possible. They will help you with financial aid questions, transferring questions, any question you may have they will help you out, and the teachers are all amazing their not the ordinary teacher they take a step further. I loved goingt to Columbia Basin College they were a big help and saved me thousands of dallars.

Out of my college experience, I've gotten to interact with a different class of people. People who are the future, people who want the most out of life and won't stop working until they achieve each and every one of their goals. Being a first generation college student and a minority, I haven't always been exposed to these types of people, except for one person; My mother. Being around this different 'class' of people has helped me better myself in so many ways. I've learned about so many others' opinions and thoughts and it can be overwhelming but it is extremely exciting. Knowledge is key in life, college is helping me achieve this knowledge so that my mother will no longer have to work.

I have gotten many skills in college that made me more motivated and driven to better myself as a individual in the medical field and society. I found a love for science classes and it will benefit me in my field of study in the future. The college experience opened many doors for the taking. I finally have a chance to actually pick where I want to go in life. College has helped me in many ways at work and at home. An example would be in chemistry class the professor taught us conversions and certain formulas to determine how much we need of a certain substance to test on another. Well at that time my dad needed to determine how many bags of cement he needed for the foundation for the shed in our backyard. I had a formula that helped us determine the amount my dad needed for the shed. It was a complete success that made me even more motivated to finish college and make a difference. I have alot more college years to go and am sure its going to be an experience of a life time that will benefit me in the future to come.

I came to college to pursue more knowledge in a field, and, of course, a degree. In my pursuit, I learned that college has become an obstacle that exposes who really works hard; who truly wishes to achieve their goals. Before students even register for classes, they face their first, and perhaps most difficult battle: financial affordability. Those who have preempted financial advantages will sail through this struggle, to book stores where they'll swipe their credit cards without worry. Those grasping at financial aid will catch up eventually, applying to part-time jobs and balancing employment with academics. They'll jump hurdle after hurdle to keep up with those cruising through the fast lane. If they want their dreams badly enough, they'll refuse to back down from any difficulty presented by the 4-year process of papers, exams, and bills. When they succeed, they'll be able to say they earned their success because their desire for it was greater than obstacles in the way. I have every desire to achieve more knowledge in a field, and, of course, a degree. College has exposed me as someone who really works hard; who truly wishes to achieve her goals.

Going back to school helped me to realize that I wanted something more than just a job, I wanted a career that I love. I started taking college courses at the insistence of family to do more with my life, but my heart wasn't really in it. After taking a biology course and loving it, and taking my dog to physical therapy after a hip surgery, I decided that I want to go for my Doctorate in Physical Therapy so that I can become a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Now I am more motivated than ever before, because I have a dream, instead of just a goal.

College for me has been a place of growth. I guess it can be akined to a flower pot, and I a seed. By being watered and well tended through support and knowledge along with the promise of sucess I have florished. Though it hasn't always been easy, I've had to worker harder then I ever expected too to maintain my internal sense of self worth and pride. The other downsides of a college education have also played a critical role in the perception of my college experience. I have never felt comfortable with debt, now , with a mountain of it looming over me, I have gained an emmense stress in the direction of my future. I have never felt more determined and obligated to achieve and be sucessful along with grasping a full understanding of all my many interests. So I guess you could say that my college experience has been a harrowing one, but vital to the success of my future. I feel that without this experience I would never achieve all that I am capable of and in this way my college experience has been incredibly valuble to me.

Thus far, college has helped me find myself as an individual. Most high school seniors join each other in the hectic whirlwind of applying to numbers of colleges. Yet after sending out their thick pile of applications, many are left unsure of why they spent their summer nights writing essays and answering ubiquitous questions instead of going bowling or hanging out with their friends. And I was one of the mere confused. However, since entering and sitting in various classes, I was able to understand what I had not before. For one, my classes have helped me visualize the potential in me that I was once unable to see. And secondly, studying a wide range of subjects helped me narrow down my eclectic range of interests to one that most appealed to me as a lifelong worthy ambition. Overall, college has changed my perception and this experience so far has made me into a more driven and assured individual.

Attending college has been valauble because it really opens up a person's mind. Before I attended Maryland, I assume the people here were just a bunch of stuck up smarty pants and that I was going to have a difficult time adjusting. Later, I learned that they are just ordinary people who wants the best for their future. We all are working hard for something.

College has been much more than an academic experience for me. I have definitly gained a variety of business knowledge through my courses in the Smith Business School. Yet, the most valuable part of my college experience has perhaps been discovering the career field I wish to pursue: event planning. I have been lucky enough to network throughout my university, and more importantly the surrounding area of Washington DC, within this field. This has led me to internships and friendships I will be able to use for my professional future. My time at UMD has also been a personal growing experience. I have become a more confident, organized, and independant person. Through meeting new friends, being on my own for the first time, and learning to take responsibility for myself in all aspects of life I have seen growth and change in myself that I would not otherwise have experienced had I not gone to college. Overall my college experience has been priceless. It has prepared me for the real world in every way possible: academic, professional, and social. I am a better person and more prepared in for "adult" life because of college.

Attending college takes you out of your comfort zone. Being exposed to different people each day from various backgrounds, made me realize I still have a lot to learn about the world. The academics in college also made me realize how competitive the real world is and how you have to continually strive for the best. Through all aspects of school, I learn something new about myself each day. Attending college is making me a better person because by knowing more about the world, the more I want to strive to be more civically engaged in my community or even anywhere I find myself in the world. In college, I am learning the truth about the world and the role I play as an individual in making a difference.

So far, I feel that my college experience has very much differed from the majority of my peers. I commute to school and it has been somewhat difficult adjusting to the school atmosphere, but feels a bit the same because of the commute. I wish to be more involved within the school community, but I am restricted to do so because of the many inconveniences in scheduling. The college experience has given me a realistic perspective of the world. I have become more independent in financial and realistic matters. Because my financial circumstances has restricted me from living on-campus and forced me to continue a part-time job while being a full-time college student, I am more self-reliant. I hope that in the following years of college, I will be able to stand in better and stable financial circumstances to support myself and live on-campus.

What I feel I have really gotten out of college is an increased awareness and ability to be independent. Most people who come into college have not had a lot of experience in making their own decisions and taking control of their whole life, and once you get to college you really get the chance to do that. I love being able to have full control over my schedules and weekends. There's absolutely nothing that can stop you from doing what you want in college, and that's a great experience to have. I would not trade this first semester experience for anything, not even for better dorms!

My college experience has undoubtedly been the best time of my life so far, not so much for the classes as for the relationships I've built. Sure, I had good friends in high school, but after I moved into my college dorm, where I was living full-time with my peers, I couldn't help but be closer with the people around me, both literally and figuratively. Now that I wasn't with my family anymore, I would share the everyday rituals like meals and chores with my new friends, who slowly but surely formed my new family away from home. Friends from class projects were the same people I went out to dinner with. What resulted was a group of friends that truly cared for eachother and shared the same interests. This kind of opportunity for companionship is rare elsewhere. After college, I will have several lifelong friends that I never thought I would have before, and will be matured beyond my years because of the life lessons I learned outside the classroom.

Having even the option to go to college is a honor in itself. Not everyone gets to attend college, so I feel that I have something to prove not only to myself, but to my family and others around me. Through my college experience, I've not only gained how to grow as a student and as a person, but also who I am as a person. Through social and extracurricular activities, I've gained friends and connections that will absolutely be useful later in life. As a student I learned "how to learn" at an upper level, which will make it easier to transition to learning job training in the field. It of course has been valuable to attend college because I am gaining an education that some people are not exposed to for whatever reason, and I do not take this opportunity for granted.

I can't say what has been most exciting for me in attending college, the scholarship or the freedom. I'm finally taking only the classes I want, at only the times I want (no mornings!). I'm learning subjects that I am actually passionate about. And I have the whole world open to me, both in the wide array of activities available on campus and in being only a short bus ride away from an amazingly international city and a major hub for transportation. But above all, throughout all of this I am learning about myself: about my strengths and how to apply those to help out with what is important to me, and how to be realistic and acknowledge my weaknesses, or fix them. I've tested myself and learned from being thrown into this miniature world so that when I am thrown into the real world of today's economy and society I will be able to stand on my own and stride confidently forward.

As i went through high school, college was not on my mind. It was not an option for me due to financial reasons. I am grateful for finding the funds I need for this year of school. My college experience has allowed me to grow. I have learned to handle my finances in order to make it through the year. I am able to handle a large workload more efficiently than years before. My experiences so far have been excellent to my personal growth. The school I am attending was an excelent choice for the major I had chosen to pursue. I am very grateful for even being able to attend college.

In high school, I was not aware that I enjoyed science; however, throughout my college career my most enjoyable classes have been my challenging and interesting science courses. I came into university as an education major, and am now proud to say that I am all about kinesiology, and cannot wait to become a physician assistant. My cheerleading coach, professors, and sorority sisters have all been very encouraging as I changed majors (more than once!), and become defiant and enthusiastic about my new career. My current goal is to be the official PA of a professional sports team, after I spend my time in graduate school cheerleading for the Eagles of course! And while I cannot imagine a better life at the moment, I am excited about the possibility of taking more classes, and having a professor who changes my mind and career goals once again.

In the two years that I have been at the University of Maryland I have gotten a lot out of my college experience and truly believe that it has been valuable to attend. Not only have a received an amazing education thus far but I have also learned a lot about myself personally and the world around me. I've learned lessons that I will keep with me for as long as I shall live. Specifically I've learned that that I can acheive anything I want to if I simply put my all into it and that with this mindset I can never fail. If I had not attended college I do not believe I would be the intelligent, strong, motivated person that I am today because all that endured attending this school help shape those qualities in me. I've learned college is about more than just learning from text books and professors but also about learning to become a productive successful citizen in the real world and I believe that is what each of us will become once we move on to the next phase of life.

My college exerience has given me motivation to proceed with my future career choice because the college I attend has given me the oppurtunity to hear and fell first hand what many other professionals in my career feild gets to experience as the daily career. It is valuable to attend college because a person can gain a higher self esteem and education . By going to college a person can better their life, job, and financial aspect by gaining a college degree, which has given me a higher self esteem because I am accomplishing something for myself and my future. The most valuable reason to attend college is gaining a higher education, which is something that will be with me until I die. No one can take away my education beside that a person can never have enough knowledge. If that is not motivtional to attend college than I do not know what will be inspiring.

I have learned so much since returning to college to complete my nursing degree. I have learned that to be a good student you have be organized, prepared, focused and have a great sense of humor. You also have to have lots and lots of money. For tuition, books, living expenses, food. I tried to give up food for awhile but that didn't go well being a diabetic and all. I've learned that students come in all shapes and sizes from all walks of life. I look forward to using my education to help my fellow man through the healing process. Although I realize that some patients pass away, I think it's very important to help them die with dignity. Either way, compassion will be at the root of my practice. I don't know how a person can learn compassion, I think you are either born with it or your not but it seems to be that most people, thankfully, have it. Thank you for your consideration for this scholarship. Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

College definately changed my life. I came from a house where I admit I was fairly spoiled. My parents did a lot for me. My mom even cleaned my room. College changed me for the better. I learned to live on my own. I had to keep my dorm room clean and do my own laundry for the first time. I realized that it really wasn't that bad. I also made very good friends in college. In fact, I am attending one of their weddings in January. I have kept in touch with a lot of my friends from college even since moving many states away. The most valuable thing I learned from college though was my work ethic. I am a very hard worker because of college and not one of my bosses has ever had anything bad to say about me. It has been very valuable to attend college. I do not take it for granted at all. I know I am very lucky that I was able to attend and would not give any of the time I spent in college back. I am excited to have the chance to go back.

From my collegiate experience I have gotten life, I have gotten friends, I have gotten joy, I have gotten relationships, I have gotten success, I have gotten failure, I have gotten a 3.3 cumulative have GPA as a biology major concentration in pre-medicine who happens to play football for a division 1 school, I have gotten brothers, I have gotten sisters, I gotten mother, I have gotten fathers, I have gotten a family who I know loves me for me, I have gotten a story I can tell others, I have gotten advice, I have gotten into a lot organizations, I have gotten a tremendous network at a great research institute, I have gotten an education. Without this University, I do not believe I would have been able to receive any of this. That is why college is so valuable to my heart. Everything in your life happens for a reason, and in the Fall of 2009, I walked on to this campus, with no college experience, but now I can honestly say I have GOTTEN the knowledge and skill to be a successful black male in a world that I was not GIVEN anything.

I am an international student and have been in the United States almost three years. During this period, I have learned a lot not only from academic subjects, but also a valuable of life skills. Being an international student, there are many issues that I have to deal with. Obviously, culture shock is a primary issue for the international student like me. Secondly, the different language is the huge problem. This barrier made me embarrassed and unconfident to communicate. The cost of living is also quite considerable problem for an international student. Even though there are a few problems I came across, I greatly appreciate what I experienced. I shared and learned various cultures from many different countries, which made me feel like I've traveled around the world in a way. Because of language barrier, I've tried my best to study and overcame many challenges. With the helps of many professors and friends, I'm motivated to go beyond my limits. I've worked and learned many valuable experiences from colleges which I never ever had before. I've achieved a favorable result in my current college and hope to experience new challenges in future university.

During the half of the semester that I've been here at UMCP, I've learned so much more academically, socially, and about myself personally than I ever have before. It may seem cliche, but it's true. Not only have I become a better student and more interested in learning, but I've discovered who I am as a person. I'm different from the person I used to be in the sense that I'm not relying on other people or making friends just for the sake of having friends; at college, I'm making friendships based on the person I want to be and the types of people I want to surround myself with. I'm making decisions that teach me how to be independent, without relying on good 'ol Mom and Dad. It's been valuable to attend because not only am I fulfilling my parent's dreams of attending college, but I'm discovering the person I hope to be in the future, and am learning what steps I have to take to pursue my own dreams.

Attending college has been an experience I have worked hard to achieve. Growing up I never planned on going to college; however, in recent years, I received encouragement through my job to get my GED and start college. So, I went and took the tests needed, passed, and got accepted into a community college. I am now a part time student and I work full time. I have only taken two classes so far, but I look forward to advancing and to the day I will get my degree. With this college experience I know that I will be more prepared for anything life throws at me.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. I have made countless friends and have gotten to know many teachers through school. Through college I have found myself and found what path to what I wanna be in life. I have found a nack in biology with an emphasis in the human body. Because of this I have decided to become a physical therapist and the school I attend has provided me the right education to get me there. Right now I am attending a jc and it has gotten me prepared to face the upper division courses that I seek to attend at a 4 year school. When it comes to why it has been valuable to attend there is actually no value to put on education, it is in fact priceless. Knowledge is so important to me because without it we as a race would be one with the animals that surrounds us. It seperates us from the beast and makes what we are today. I feel like my education will make me be able to have a bright future filled with joy and happiness. The two most important things that we can have in life.

As I departed Vermont to attend the University of Maryland, I felt I was a grown woman who knew a lot about the world. It wasn't until my family left my dorm that I realized what it was truly like to be on my own. In my time here at the University of Maryand, I have become more mature and have learned to live on my own. UMD has afforded me many opportunities that I never knew existed. Along with its great academics, its location has afforded me many internship opportunities in and around Washington DC. I believe the true college experience comes learning to adapt to new and difficult situations; and I've been able to do that here at UMD. Being on my own has taught me a lot. I have become independent because I no longer rely on my parents to help me through everything. I have become very organized, detail-orientated, and aware. I am a full time student in the honor society. I waitress, manage the Univeristy of Maryland Women's basketball team, intern and am involved in multiple clubs. I thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy.

College has taught me many valuable lessons. I have learned how hard a student must work to achieve success. Success comes with sacrifice. I have also learned how valuable it is to study and to complete homework. By studying and doing homework, I can be prepared to learn something new in each class session. College was valuable for me to attend because the workload helps me to improve, not only as a student, but builds character. Success comes with a sacrifice. College has taught me to crucify my habit to procrastinate and concentrate on what matters most---life after college. Not only does "great change start at the dinner table", great change is what you do.

Attending a Community College I have had the opportunity to learn to love to read and write. I have learned better study habits and communication skills. It has been very valuable to me because I have almost achieved my goal of completing an associate degree and I plan on going to get my BA and Law Degree and no one around me ever thought I would amount to much.

It is difficult to define what the true concept of college value is but, in the final analysis, it was not what I initially anticipated. Throughout my college years, the goal was pretty much to get the degree and land a job. However, by the time I became an upperclassman, my outlook had changed. Of course the goal was still to graduate, but I began to look at the college experience differently. It probably would not have mattered if I was a business major or, as was the real case, a pre-veterinary major, the outcome would have been the same. What I ended up wanting was not only the degree, but also to become a genuinely educated individual. What I most value from my education is the ability to truly think - to analyze real issues and potential outcomes when making any decision. My college experience has led me down paths that I would never have anticipated when I first enrolled. Yes, I am pursuing the undergraduate degree and will go on to get an advanced degree, but the real college value gained was a new understanding of my world and my part in making that world a better place.

College has opened many doors for me. I was exposed to ideas that I would not have had otherwise. I also was in an exciting enviorment where everyone around me was creating art . As an art student I was at the center of people trying to do something new and different.

My experience so far in Las Positas community College -- in Livermore, California -- has been a great and enlightening one. Despite being very much like highschool in many aspects, it is also wholly new in what is offered; and, of course, the next big step in my educational path. Although I'm not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} certain of what I want to major in, college thus far has provided many opportunities to learn and experience different fields of study; as well as offering assistance in the form of course/schedule counseling and financial aid. College has bee an introduction to the greater world for me, I have begun a process that I should've started years ago: looking into 4-year schools, available financial aid, and reaching out to the rest of the world. Late to the stand, I'm not one for self-pity. The journey I've embarked upon is a path which holds many new opportunites, as well as friends and memories which will be cherished. Half way through my first semester in college and I'm keenly aware that I've learned quite a bit in a mere nine weeks, and look forward to the coming semesters.

I have gotten a number of things out of my college experience. First of all, I have gotten the knowledge and expertise needed to perform my job. I believe that my college experience shaped my ideals and guided the path that I took to pursue a career in conservation. My undergraduate degree from UMD has now allowed me to further my education by having the experience necessary to apply for graduate school. A number of my professors have now become mentors of mine by offering help, advice and references. I believe that my education has been very valuble to me because I would not have had access to the volunteer and work oppurtunities that I have undertaken. Throughout my time at UMD and after I have been able to hold multiple internship positions in DC, volunteer positions in the Galapagos and the Amazon, and research positions. I am happy to say that all of these experiences have built my resume enough to make me qualified for the position I currently hold at Rare, an international conservation organization.

I just recently started college. I am attending University of Phoenix Online. I have two jobs so that is why i chose to take classes online. It is perfect for my situation. So far it has been a great experience!

Thus far, college has been great. I never thought i could adapt to the work load but actually i am. Initially, i thought college was about having fun, going out during the weekends, and taking part in many other things. Well that was the biased mindset i had about college but this has not been all that true. Most weekends, i spend my times doing various assignements that i barely have time to take part in other school activities or spend some time with my friends. I love the fact that there is always something to do on campus especially those focusing on the community aspects and issues. The college helps provides volunteer activities that one can get involve with and from the community level move on to do greater things even globally. I have learned that one should never under estimate the minor things in life because you never know where they might take you. By the time i will be done with my undergraduate study, i would have learn that a college education is worthful, beacause it exposes you to so many other great things in life that you could use to make a change in the world.

I have gotten a life out of my college experience. My college, and the programs that I'm involved in here, have led me to find not only my best friends but also my interests. The living-learning Honors Humanities program that I am involved in has encouraged me to develop my own unique interests, and run with them, as well as opening my mind to others' interests. I have loved this combination of more theory-based learning and of more my more solid, factual based courses. It makes for a very comprehensive education. On the other side of the coin, my school has provided me with endless opportunites to persue my interests outside of academics. I love that Maryland offers opportunites as wide as a Quidditch Team to Equestrian Club (both of which I have taken advantage of). I always wanted to come to a big school, but I was a little aprehnsive about getting lost, becoming a number. Maryland has never done this to me. I have always felt very included and supported, and that has helped me shape what is my life now, and what I want it to become after college.

I have become an engaged and inspired student since transferring to University of Maryland. The number of opportunities available at Maryland have made me strive to do my best in every aspect of college, whether it be in my classes or in my involvement on campus. I have come to realize how important it is to be involved in campus life and to make a difference for current and future students. Maryland has also taught me the importance of striving knowledge beyond the classroom; some of my most valuable moments at Maryland have been discussing a topic during a professor's office hours or creating a directed studies course that is tailored to my exact interests within a subject. I have grown not only as a student but as a person due to my college experience and the countless opportunities I've had at the University of Maryland.

My experience at the University of Maryland has been incredible! From the moment my excited but tearful parents moved me into the dorms, I have felt right at home. It has always been my hope to attend this University. How could it not? My parents met and married here. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are cheering on the Terps at Byrd stadium and watching the basketball team win the National Championship! Now that I am a student, I am taking full advantage of campus life and all it has to offer. From the arts to the sciences, this campus has it all. I have joined a sorority and am learning new leadership skills and developing life long friendships with all of the people I have met along the way. The classes and learning opportunites here are amazing. I have always had in interest in the sciences and research and I feel that my ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist will be realized with the strong foundation I am receiving through my course work here. I will be well prepared as I look forward to applying to graduate school.

What i've gotten out of college as of today would be how to be a better student, and be more professional in the work place. College has shown me what i need to be financially secure, by furthering myself with college I will open up a whole new world of security for not only myself but for my son. College has also shown me better ways to study around life, because you can't stop living just because you are going to school. You dont have to fit your already busy life into school, you fit your school into your life make it an everyday thing. You wont regret it, once you finish and start your career you will see the gift school has given you. That gift is a life of finacial security.

Maryland has allowed me to meet new people that I would not normally come into contact with. The professors are excellent and care about the students despite Maryland being such a big university.

So far, I've had professors whom are very knowledgeable and passionate about their field. I've met new people with very different interests from my own and some who could be my blood siblings. But perhaps most importantly, I've gotten more of a sense of what it's like to be independent. Sure I live close enough to home to visit frequently (and I've visited VERY frequently), but still, my parents, who've acted as my alarm colcks for the past 18 years, can't wake me up and stir me along to my 8:00 probability class or English class anymore. That's my responsibility, as is making sure to eat balanced meals, get my work done, and meet with whomever I might need to. I'm learning how to be an adult, but I'm learning slowly and steadily, so it's not hitting me all at once.

My college experience has afforded me with rich life lessons and a wealth of student loan debt. The art of balancing work, study, and play was the first skill I had to master. Okay, I'm lying, the first lesson I had to learn was how to balance caffeine consumption, party attendance, and grades that wouldn't land me on academic probation. Too much is too much, be it alcohol consumption, hours worked, or even amount of time studying. Striking the perfect balance is difficult when trying to succeed in the three most important areas of the college experience: academics, monetary funding, and social life. But I got there. I'm broke and I'm in debt even though I'm constantly working. I'm maintaining a good GPA thanks to constant studying and excessive amounts of coffee. And I am most certainly socially fulfilled thanks to forced group work and voluntary belligerant party going experiences. Now that I've been to college, I'm pretty sure I can juggle all kinds of ridiculous scenarios.

Although the University of Maryland was not my first choice for school, I chose to go here because I knew that I could get a great education for a very affordable cost. I have never regretted my decision to attend Maryland because I have met so many amazing people, learned about so many new cultures and religions, and have taken so many amazing classes. I know that my degree in architecture will help to get into a great graduate school program so that I can be successful in the future. Although Maryland has a reputation for being somewhat of a party school, there is just as strong of a serious academic environment, which I love. I have had many unique cultural and working experiences well, due to the availability of jobs on campus and in the surrounding area of Washington D.C. Maryland is diverse in its majors, religions, cultures, music, and entertainment, making it welcoming and a positive place for everyone who goes here.

Besides the prestige it brings when I tell people I'm a college student, besides the knowledge I learn from attending classes with sholars and intellectuals for professors, besides the experience i get from socializing with so many people from around the worl and being part of such a large family, the fact that I am able attened school and look foroward to a better future is valuble to me. When I know that it's possible for me to one day reach my goals and do what I want to do is preciouse. The main thing I have gotton out of attending school is the hope for a better future.

There is a lot of people who will help me there, and there is a good nursing program and is not expensive. I only have 3 years in this country and i cant write a lot and tell u much about me.

The University of Maryland has provided me with many opportunities. I have the option of gigantic lecture classes where I can just soak up the information, or small discussion-based classes where I get to know my teacher and classmates, as well as the information. The large campus offers a lot of space to the diverse community, with its many activities and groups that give every student a chance to find their niche. I have learned so much just in the first year that I would not trade for the world. Maryland has given me football and basketball teams to cheer for, friends to spend time with, teachers who care, and a community that stands together in solidarity against all odds.