Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

I have only attended college for one semester but I already know how much I am going to receive out of it. Nothing can be as life-changing as going to college.

I have gained a sense of maturity, responsibility, and individuality from college experience so far. Living on my own for the first time, I had to learn to act like a mature adult while taking on new responsibilities. Whether it was learning how to do laundry, or making my own doctors appointments, I had to push myself to carry out these responsibilities because now I didn't have mom there nagging at me to do whatever it may be. I gained more self drive to do things to be successful in college, and in turn I became a more responsible person. A college student has much leisure time in between studies, and it is up to the student to use that time in a productive way or not. I have used this time to try new things such as activities and clubs. I've become a greater individual in turn, because I've found things I personally enjoy doing. It's been valuable to attend college because it creates opportunities I wouldn't have been open to otherwise, and It gives me the chance of a brighter better future with a major/carreer that will be both rewarding and enjoyable.

I received self worth from my college experience. Even though I do not feel as if I received the greatest education possible, CSU allowed me the opportunity to learn and discover the value of who I am. The diverse campus made it easy to find friends and support with shared interests. The devoted faculty kept me on track, but gave me enough responsiblity that I was able to grow into a mature and reponsible adult upon graduation. Had I not attended college, I would not be the same person as I am today. College is an ineffable experience that only those who attend can even begin to describe. It is not just about intellectual and physical growth (oh those freshmen 15), but spiritual, sexual, and emotional changes as well. It forces you into unfamiliar territory with no way out except through self discovery.

I originally wanted to come to Colorado State University because of the equine science program. Having grown up riding and loving horses, all I desired from a career was involvement with horses. However, as I continued through high school I discovered my love for the medical field. By looking deeper into what CSU had to offer I discovered occupational therapy and my college journey took off from there. Ranked 8th in the nation for their master's program in occupational therapy, CSU provides advisors who know exactly what it takes to reach my goal of acceptance into a graduate program and they have made me beyond excited to get there. By working with professors in my psychology major I have become passionate about how the human mind affects behavior and through the guidance of my occupational therapy advisor I have gained an excitement for helping others I never had before. Hearing their excitement in discussing new technologies and emerging techniques to improve occupational health, I cannot wait until I have the experience to work in the field myself. Colorado State University has brought a passion out of me that pushes me to do well academically every day.

I have gotten the experience of being out on my own and becoming very independent while attending college. It is nothing like high school at all, in fact you learn some very valuable life lessons while in college. To this day college has helped me understand that life isnt always easy and that I need to work very hard to get where I want in life if I wish to achieve my life goals and to be able to get a good career once I graduate. I've learned to ask for help whenever I truly need it and that I'm not alone, not matter how far away from home I actually am.

So far at school I have been able to experience an diverse community and a college with good education and opportunity. I am luckily in the key academic program and so I get the experience of being surrounded by people who want to have good grades like me and the key program basically holds the diversity dorms. Through this program I have also learned to prioritize my time in order to get my school work done in time and still have time for extra activities.

Throughout my college education, I have learned many things, however the most beneficial to me may be the reality of life. I have noticed that the more effort you are willing to put into life, the more you wll get out of it. Also, I have seen that things will not be merely handed to me on a silver platter and require work and dedication. For example, throughout highschool I found myself just going through the motions but when I got into college, I slacked off like I did in highschool and failed my first exam. Luckily for me, I found a method of studying that suits me and with some hard and dedication, I now hold a higher GPA than I did in highschool, am part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and currently made it on my colleges deans list.

My college experience has allowed me to pursue my own personal love of learning and desire for knowledge. I have always enjoyed absorbing new information, but my college experience has made these interests readily apparent. When I initially was selecting my classes, I had difficulty choosing only five to enroll in because I wanted to take them all. The classes I have taken and the material I have learned from them has been extremely valuable to me, as it has made me more aware and observant of the world around me. I really try to absorb all of the information presented in these classes, so that I can apply these newfound ideas and concepts to everyday life. I enjoy the pursuit of knowledge, and I figure that I have about 80 years to amass as much as I can before I die and it all also leaves with me. I really appreciate the college experience, as its proposed purpose is to heighten and maximize the knowledge of academic-oriented minds by presenting them with a setting where they can achieve this. I am a person that truly belongs on a college campus and I appreciate its opportunities to the fullest.

By attending college at Colorado State University, I have acquired valuable life experiences as well as a plethora of knowledge in the class subjects I have taken. As a non-traditional student with a full-time job, I have become more efficient in completing my day-to-day office duties. Attending college has also had a valuable impact on my writing skills and ability to articulate everything from basic emails, thank you letters, and letters of condolence. Critical thinking has become part of my daily life, not just something I do for an assignment. Having the ability to handle situations with an increased level of maturity is something that I continue to enjoy as my knowledge base grows. Many of these experiences are invaluable and would not be accessible anywhere other than a college campus. Attending classes alongside students of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds has opened my eyes to a more diverse world that makes me excited for my future as a college graduate. The ultimate goal of attending college is to be able to list a Bachelor of Arts degree on my resume; however, I have come to realize there is much more to it than that.

It gave me my career, and allowed me to support my family. I could not do the work I do without a four-year degree.