Florida State University Top Questions

As a first generation college student, I am an honored and grateful to have the opportunity to attend college. I am currently an elementary education major at the University of Central Florida. I just recently received my AA degree from Valencia Community College and my family and friends are so proud of my achievement. My college experience was a bumby journey from not having enough money to pay for my tution or my books and having family problems, the 2010 Haiti earthquake disaster. I thank the Lord for everything that I have been blessed with whether big or small. I am just thrilled to be a college student and being able to have the opportunity to go to school. College is so valuable to me because as a native of Haiti education is not guaranteed back in my country, but here in the United States I am able to reach my goals and make a difference in the world. Education has and always will be valuable and important to me because without one I will not be able to do the things that I am doing now, which is reaching my goals of becoming an excellent elementary teacher!

Out of my college experience so far I have gained so much with learning good information that is going to benifit my life right now and in the future. College has been a very fun experience for me also with meeting new friends. It is nice to get away from home and experience new changes in life. College has been very important to me, because I want to show my parents and family that I am able to go to college even though they were never able to accomplish what I am doing. Seeing my parents and uncles/aunts struggle trying to make it paying the bills makes me not want to follow after there footsteps. Working at a restaurant or cleaning house is very hard to support a family and I know that from experience. I see it as if I didn't go to college I would be working at a restaurant and I can't see myself doing that forever. College gives me something to do and I enjoy it alot. It is also important to me, because many people can't go through life anymore with a High School Diploma.

Thus far, college has taught me to be self-reliant. I pay for college, for my books, for the gas to get to and from school, etc. In high school, everything was provided for me, but now, I need to rely on myself. I need to work hard to get to where I need to go. That, in my opinion, is one of the most valuable lessons that anybody can learn in their lifetime.

Out of my college experience, I have learned that I can not only make it on my own, but that I can make friends who will help me along the way. I knew no one when coming to this university, and now my close-knit group of friends will keep me on track with my education, are supportive of my goals, and are there for me when I have a bad day and just want to go running back to my mom, swearing to never grow up. I now know that I can take care of myself on my own and make my career dreams come true if I resist the temptations and follow what I think to be right, making the best friends for my own beliefs and doing what I have to to reach my goals. If I had not attended college, I would not have known I could make it on my own, or that I would be fine away from home, as I can make friends anywhere. I am glad I came to college and saw that my future is controlled solely by my own actions and ideas.

Since I arrived at Floria State, I've made a lot of new friends, experienced things I never had before, and learned more about other cultures and perspectives than I did in high school. College is valuable not only because of the level of education it offers, but also because of the opportunities it provides, from meeting people and making life-long connections, to discovering your plan for the future.

I expected college to be like high school – a lot of work with little enjoyment – but I came to realize that the college experience is a lot more enjoyable than high school. The classes I am taking now have to deal with actual information I might need for my profession later in life. This fact alone made everything more interesting. Besides the classes, Florida State University offers lots of guidance for later in life, with help available for anything that has to do with building resumes to developing leadership qualities. Living away from home has enabled me to develop many life skills, such as managing my own time and activities, cooking and doing laundry. I have also matured socially at college. Meeting people is easy at FSU because everyone is so friendly and open to meeting new people. Initially I was taken aback by how welcoming everyone at the school is, but now that I have adjusted, I feel comfortable freely starting conversations with people I do not even know!

Although I have not completed my entire college experience yet, I have learned valuable lessons about the world around me that I was oblivious to before. College made me realize the diversity of people, religion, thought, lifestyles, and personalities. It has facilitated my growth as a person as well as a scholar. I have learned things about myself so that I may improve and embrace it in the time to come. Had I not decided to attend this particular four-year university, I would not have had the excellent professors whom have guided me to my true passions, I would not have had the opportunity to do research, get an internship, or a job offer before graduation, and I would not have made the life-long friendships that I cherish. I look forward to the remaining time of my college experience.

I have made so many friends through my college experience. I also truly enjoy my classes and like to learn more and more about my major. College has been valuable to me because I was able to learn more about what I would like to do once I am out of college. I have also been able to find classes that truly interest me.

Throughout my time here at Florida State I have excelled in nearly every aspect of my life. The first skill I acquired while away at school was time management. When balancing a job, your schoolwork and outside activities such as Greek life and Intramural Sports it is crucial to know what is most important and to keep your priorities in line. I have also applied myself in each class, and with the assistance of my wonderful teachers, have achieved all of my goals. Aside from school events I have also gained a much deeper appreciation for my family. Being away from them is harder than I ever imagined, however with the absence of my family I have found one hundred and fifty amazing Alpha Delta Pi sisters to keep me company. Overall, attending Florida State has been beneficial in more ways than I can name. The traditions I have experienced and community I am now apart of continues to teach me new lessons everyday and I will forever be grateful.

I am learning alot of skills essential for the business world. Also, I am learning how to better interact with people and everyday common knowledge. I feel the better educated you are, the better future you will have. I enjoy being there on a regular basis and also meeting new people.