Augustana University Top Questions

It has been valuable to attend college because it has helped me understand the value of life and realize who I truly am as an individual. It was not until I was pushed to my limits that I saw what I was capable of doing. With the support from professors and the friends I have met here, I have reached goals I never thought was possible. They have also helped me to understand that life is too short to sit and wait for someone else to make the change I wish to see in the world. If I want something to change I must do something about it. The expeiences here at a liberal college has allowed me to experience new activities, strengthen my faith, and strive for my dreams without limits.

I have gotten a lot of valuable things from my college experience, though I believe that I possibly would have gotten more having not gone to Augustana. I was able to learn a lot about people studying religion and now am learning a lot about the "real world" by studying the practical and unbelievably useful elements of business administration. My professors have been very engaging and dedicated to their area of knowledge which has helped pique my interest as a student. I believe that the liberal arts emphasis of Augustana will be very beneficial in a job situation as I will be more prepared for any task assignment as I have more of a broad knowledge base. Though I believe the career advising at Augustana needs to be enhanced, I do believe that I will be able to more easily prove to a future employer my capability and proficiency because of the value of my classes. When I do get my foot in the door for a job, I know that I will have everything it takes to succeed because of my education.

As a sophomore at Augustana, I have gotten a lot out of the one and a half years I have had the opportunity to attend this college. Not only have I been challeged academically, but because it is a private college that differs from my own personal faith, I have been challeged spiritually as well. As I attend a liberal arts college I have learned to keep an open mind through all my classes, and have really been allowed to explore and question things that I am being taught. I have also learned that when things don't always go your way, perseverance is important. As a collegiate athlete it has been difficult to balance my time between academics, soccer, and the social aspect of college. But, majority of my friends are on my soccer team, and these friendships will last long into the future. The Augustana community is looked highly upon throughout the region and will allow me to get a great job in the medical field once I graduate. Attending Augustana has allowed me to become a well rounded individual so that I can positively impact others as I go on to a future career.

I have learned to organize my time and the importance of not procrastinating. I also feel that I have mastered research tools, writing papers, and public speaking, as well. My view of the world has changed since I have been in college. I'm less self-centered, and care for the world. I vote, recycle, volunteer, and do what I'm capable of to help my society become more rich. I was ignorant before I came to Augustana but now I'm educated, and have discovered what the world is and has to offer. I want to share my knowledge with the rest of the world, and I have a thirst to keep learning about the world I live in.

My college experience has given me maturity and logic in way I didnt realize I had. Though I am changing majors and colleges, I dont regret my decision to attend FIDM in the slightest. I have learned to survive on my own in a unknown environment, and how to take care of not only myself, but others around me. I am now strong, independant, and vibrant. My creative abilities have been hightened beyond measure, and that is something I can take with me anywhere. There is nothing I cant achieve or succeed at. This college experience has been wonderful and so much more then I could have ever imagined. The most important thing I learned while at FIDM, is that dreams are reachable. No matter how scary or impossible they feel. The sky is the limit.

I remember growing up hearing the phrase, “College years are the best years of your life!” After finishing my first year of college and now well into my sophomore year, I realize what everyone is talking about! The people I have met, the friends I have made, and the education I am receiving is well beyond anything I could have imaged. I feel going to a liberal arts college has helped strengthen and form who I am as an individual. I am constantly being challenged and pushed to the next level as a student and as a member of the community. It’s in the moments of struggle and stress that a person realizes what they can endure and achieve. College has provided the tools for me to succeed by helping me learn to think critically, form life-long friendships, and cease new opportunities. Already, as a sophomore, I have gained so much from my school experience. I can hardly fathom the opportunities that have yet to come, the knowledge that has yet to be acquired, and the memories that have yet to be made.

My experience attending College has helped open up a whole new world to me. I was floating along in life working as a seasonal worker in National Parks and not really caring about where i was going or heading in life. I kept saying to myself that i was not meant for college. Well, 2 years ago i met my wife and she has changed my whole outlook on education and on what i can accomplish. Starting college for me was scary. I had been out of the education side of life for so long. I entered college at 31 years of age. All of my friends had been done since they were 23 or 24. So i am 8 years behind everyone else in my life. What i have gained in being in College is a sense of self worth, that i can be someone of importance someday. I may not be a head of a company or change millions of lives, but i know that with the education i am getting, that i will be able to change and maybe make some mark on the world in a good way.

Upon attendence to Augustana College, I would consider myself a bit immature. Just as most high school seniors are, I had no idea of what the "real world" was all about. I came to a religious based, private school with the idea that college consisted of what was portrayed in the movies: drinking, partying, and girls. How wrong I was. After the first month, I realized that school and faith was much more important than any good time that could be had between the hours of 3:00 PM Friday afternoon and 9:00 Sunday morning. I developed a relationship with my parents that words alone cannot describe. I learned a lot about myself as a person, my strenghts and weaknesses. I because more family oriented not only with my family, but with Christ's family as well. I quit living only for the weekends, opened my eyes, and began to take in my surroundings. Along with all of that, I found out what a tredmill was, lost 40 pounds, and began eating healthier. All of this can be attributed to Augustana College and its amazing community.

I am attending a liberal arts college, meaning, I take classes in all fields of study, not just in my intended major. This, I believe, has given me great strength and knowledge to accept and realize that the music education major I am striving for is the right decision. Taking courses that span the map give me a sense of personality, understanding, and intelligence, and I feel smarter for having a good grasp on all types of knowledge, not just how to teach music. I can use my writing skills outside of school, my communication and philosphy skills outside of school, my science and history knowledge outside of school, and I can definitely use my knowledge and skill of music, outside of school.

I am finding that my college experience is valuable because of the recession we are currently in. My parents both work. However, my father is our primary "breadwinner". He builds and remodels homes. However, due to the decrease in jobs in our area this area of work is not producing much of an income. Our county consist mainly of lumber and paper mills. Both of which have been decreasing, terminating jobs and even shutting their business' completely. The ripple effect this has had on everyone from producers and suppliers to contractors and people simply trying to survive has become a problem. If no other good has come out of this, my understanding the importance of a good college education has. Most of the people with what seems to be steady jobs here are in education, medical, or court fields. I am beginning to focus in on the different degrees in education. Please consider me for this scholarship. I am trying to help my parents pay for my college to lessen their stress and worry as well as build my future.