Brigham Young University-Provo Top Questions

Attending college classes has forced me to manage my time and become more responsible. I have made a wider variety of friends with high standards that have been a positive influence. I enjoy the different classes available to me and the different techniques that are used. I'm learning more about myself and learning more information about the world.

My college experience is invaluable. I have learned that obtaining a degree is not what college is about. Obtaining an education is what it is about. College has helped me define what exactly an "education" entails. Yes, it is math, and science, and writing, etc., but it is much more than just that. When I graduate college I expect to have an education in hard work, time management, perseverance, organization skills, social skills, leadership skills, and much more. College is much more than just academics., it is a forever life changing experience. I believe that as college is the transition into adulthood, it is the perfect foundation for adulthood as long as you take it seriously. Most college students get so wrapped up in the social experience of it all, which is fun, but lose focus of the well rounded education that they need to obtain. This is why my college experience is so valuable to me. I am taking it seriously and working hard, while still having fun and earning the education that will be the base of my life, and will impact the lives of my future family, friends, coworkers, and customers.

I have received an excellent education in my field of study as well as in being my best self. I have learned how to be self sufficient and to be dedicated to something. It has been valuable to attend because it has helped prepare me to be a good citizen and efficient worker.

My college experience was valuable to me because it taught me how to push myself so I could reach my individual goals. My college did this by stressing the importance of getting involved in various activities outside of the classroom such as research, internships, and volunteer work. Participating in each of these activities helped me develop a true passion about the subjects that I was studying and made my overall collegiate experience a lot more enjoyable. These experiences have helped me push myself to learn more so I could make a greater contribution to society after graduation. My college experience taught me to strive to become the best student that I could possibly be. I also consider my college experience to be valuable because it set me up to succeed in the ?real world? after graduation. My college not only focused on academic excellence but stressed the importance of having morals and sticking to them. While in college, I learned the importance of not only being successful in my future field but the importance of becoming successful in an honest way. This moral foundation and work ethic taught by my college will help me be extremely successful in my life.

Being an older student, (29) I have been able to get enough life experience to make my college career so much better. If I would have attended right out of high school, I would not have taken the classes seriously or really understood them and enjoy them as I do now. I look forward to continue learning new things at school.

Education has always been very important in my family. My father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984 and was paralyzed from the neck down for all of my life. My mother had to take care of him and had to go back to school to get a higher degree to support our family. My mother didn?t plan on her husband getting sick and having to take care of him and be the breadwinner of the family, but because she was able to go back to school and work hard she has been able to manage. Watching my mom struggle with having to take care of 5 children and her husband while going to school made me realize the importance of furthering my education, for I never want to be put in the situation my mother was in. By furthering my education I am preparing for the future. With this scholarship it will help me further my education in Special Education and if one day I have to be the main supporter in my family, I will be prepared.

My college experience has been a roller coaster of sorts. I began at a community school, Snow College, in central Utah where I was extremely successful in academics and goals. Brigham Young University was a big step up for me and I have struggled as I've tried to balance difficult classes to qualify for the Business School as well as hold a part time job to pay for school. My GPA has fallen significantly as a result, but I've learned to readjust my focus and make sure the path I'm charting leads to my goals. Though BYU has been incredibly frustrating, I believe an individual learns more about himself as he bleeds climbing the mountain than he does surveying the valley from the peak. In that aspect, BYU has been worthwhile to me.

William Lowe Bryan once defined education as "one of the few things a person is willing to pay for and not get." With an overwhelming emphasis on grades and test scores in our education system, the most common classroom question is, "Will this be on the test?" Rather than seeking to understand class material, students have begun a process of informational bulimia. Stuffing themselves with facts before a test, students regurgitate them as quickly as possible. What college taught me is that there's more to learning than memorization. During my first semester of college I took a science class to fulfill a general ed credit. With little interest in science, I attempted to learn as little as possible without failing. It wasn't until the last week as I reviewed for the final that I discovered what I had missed out on. As my TA described the life of a star and the workings of the galaxy I finally caught on to his passion for science. I had a sudden epiphany to the beauty of science. I then realized that I could find value in any subject if class stopped being about transcipts and began to be about understanding.

I attend Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa Fl and I am enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program. This is by far the best decision I have made in years! This school is amazing! The teachers are fantastic, all of the staff members are so nice and helpful, the support you recieve here is incredible. Aside from the wonderful staff, the curriculum is perfect because not only do we get lectures that are actually interesting but we get to do lab everyday so everything we learn in the text book that day we get to practice hands on so you really understand the material you are learning. They also have an MLS program that all the students take and basically what that is, it's a course about being sucessful and managing your emotions. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this amazing organization Ultimate Medical Academy has created. I absolutely love my school and would highly reccomend it to any one! Sincerely, Taryn J Elliott

As this was my first year in college, the main thing I got out of the experience is a better understanding of what it takes to be out on my own and mostly independent from my parents. Before going to college I didn't truly realize how much money it takes to obtain an education. I am more aware of how much I depended on my parents to get me what I needed and how dependent I still am. I have also learned greater responsibility as there was no one looking over my shoulder to make certain that I was doing my homework and honoring commitments. This year at college has also helped my confidence, because I did not have my parents to do things for me and I had to make my own decisions. I have also been able to gain friends that come backgrounds different than my own and I have been able to see world and local issues from other people's points of view. This has helped me better understand how to approach other people and know where they are coming from. I have been able to enjoy more activities and get to know more people.

Going to college allowed me to really discover who I was. It sounds completely cliche, I know, however, attending Brigham Young University helped me to really set my own standards and without my parents there, dictating many of my actions and responses, I was able to discover my own opinion and my own true state of mind, my own state of being, and my own set of values. I have learned more of what I want out of life and been able to discover those things that will truly make me happy long-term. Not only has the secular learning been incredible, but learning about religion, including the current social and economical problems and issues facing the United States today has really helped me form my own opinions; something I could not have done at home. Attending BYU has been the best decision I've made, and the knowledge and experience I have gained from attending has aided me in my work ethic, family, and work life as well as in my own personal growth.

I came away from college with a friend and with job experience. Yes, I received a good education and I could write at length about the value of a liberal arts education, but I think the value is obvious and inherent even to opponents. I developed critical thinking and research skills that will benefit me in whatever I do. Beyond interesting classes, long papers and engaging professors, though, I value most the discovery of a passion and a career path and the professional experience, training to make that path a truly viable one, and a best friend who taught me to be independent, honest and loyal. I suppose one can find a job and a friend anywhere, but it was only at this university that I found the job of my dreams with supportive mentors to encourage me, and only at this university that I could share the struggles and joys that would bond me to another person for life. I will always respect the university and the learning I gained in the class, but it is where and to whom I went when class was over that I will always truly value.

I have learned a lot about what I am capable of doing. This school has forced me to find what I am good at, and what I need to work harder at. Getting a college education, is not just about geting good grades, it is about growing and becoming better human beings. The relationships that I have gained here are the greatest part of my experiences.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is learning about diversity. I have come to realize better that life is about living in diversity. Learning how to embrace diversity! Diversity makes the world go round. If we were all the same life would be boring, but I also know that diversity sometimes causes contention if not dealt with wisely. As a future teacher I know my classroom is going to be diverse. I want to help create a community where everyone feels comfortable and where everyone can be successful and reach their highest potential. Learning more about diversity has been one of the most valuable tools I have recieved by attending college here at BYUH.

I have learned so much about my limits and my capacity through attending college. I am more readily familiar with my interests and strengths. I can work well under pressure and exceeded the expectations I placed on myself. Furthering my education has deepened my experiences, and broadened my possibilities.

I have gotten a lot out of college, like knowing that it's not as hard as everyone tells you its going to be and it also had made me more responsible. I also know that I have become a better writer and know that everything I do I will have to write papers or something, one way or another. I have made many friend and people that are majoring in the same field. College has also pushed me to wanting to finish school so I can go out and get the dream job that I have always wanted to have. College has been very valuable to attend for me because I'm getting to further my education and become a better person and a role model to someone that looks up to me.

My education has been valuable in more than the facts I have learned. I have also learned the kind of person I want to be. One of my teachers told be something he heard as a student. His teacher said that there are very few great professionals out there and a whole lot of mediocre ones. I want to be one of the great ones. I want to care about what I do and put my heart in it. I want to be trusted and respected for my dedication in whatever I do. As I have moed away from being achild and living with my parents to becoming an adult out on my own I have had to make decisions about who I want to be. My university has given me the basis for making those decisions. I signed an honor code that requires me to uphold some standards in all situations. Sometimes it has been hard but I have had to hold to that commitment that I made. That is who I want to be.

Don't stress about the future, just don't waste the time that you have in highschool. There are great opportunities in highschool like sports teams, clubs, student government, and internships, take advantage of them and enjoy them. Those will be opportunities that you will never have again and they will prepare you for the future. Take time to prepare for the ACT and dont screw it up because it will help you get accepted into universities and also scholarships. Live with no regrets, if you want to do something, do it with all your heart and love it. The more you are able to do now, the less you'll have to worry about later and you will be able to focus more of your time on the things that matter. Don't put off finding financial aid for school because university is expensive and unless you want to pay off loans for the rest of your life, it is worth your time to find scholarships. Most of all, love life and live with no regrets!

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, the most important thing I could say is stop trying to be perfect and look like you have it all together. It?s not worth it to make yourself sick emotionally, physically, and mentally just to be ?good enough? for other people. Perfectionism can ruin your life, so you need to start taking little steps to overcome it. Turn in a less-than-perfect paper. Make a mistake in piano practice. Try out for the volleyball team even if you get cut. Don?t beat yourself up over a B on a test; it?s not the end of the world. No crying in the bathroom. Just have fun and be a kid once in awhile. Nobody?s perfect; don?t be so hard on yourself. People who truly love you and really matter won?t care if you show your true colors, and those who care don?t matter. Don?t keep all of the pain inside, because it hurts. Only be valedictorian if you want to; don?t do it for others. Love, don?t hate, yourself, and look out for your brothers.

As I look back on my life as a senior, I realize there are many things I could have told myself that would have eased my college transition. Naturally, recommendations would include advice such as, "Learn to study more; high school was easy, but college actually takes work," and "Create balance between your social life and school." However, having excelled at school throughout my life, I knew that college studies would not be too large a change. But in my senior year of high school, I spent most of my time looking forward to going to college, and not nearly enough with my family. Now, when I return home on school breaks, I can not believe that I did not spend every available moment with them. When I left for college, my little brother could not yet walk or talk. Now, he is a vivacious three year old. How could I have allowed myself to miss out on his childhood? Not having a family support was the most difficult part of my college transition, and I regret not having spent the time with family earlier that I now so desperately wish I had.