Grand Canyon University Top Questions

My major is Sign Language Interpreting, it has been a passion of mine since I was five years old, and I am happy to be fulfilling it. My college experience has been mostly good, it is a bit frusterating, though with how much money it costs.

So far I have complete two years of community college and I am transferring to a four year during this coming fall of 2010. My college experience at first was kind of lonely i could not concentrate as well in school as I can now. During the next two years I say that the greatest experience that I have received, other than a good education, is growth. I have become a mature adult; even though I am only 19 I was always mature. This along with many invaluable classes has taught me much about the world.

my college experience has been a difficult one i was diagnosed schizophrenic this year so learning while on medicaiton has been hard but it has been an obstacle i have over come and i am relearning how to learn

I have gotten a great education that is going to help advance my career and the education I need to move forward to grad school. I was so happy I went to the school I did because it helped me in so many ways. They gave me the tools I needed to become physical therapist in the future. They gave me the tools I needed to apply and get accepted into graduate school. I gained many friends for life there and the campus people are very friendly there.

My college experience so far has been at a Community College, but I enjoyed the mix of people. The different backgrounds, beliefs, and even accents has shown me once again what a wonderful country I live in. The process of learning new things through the classes is food and exercise for the brain. A person doesn't only have to go to college for training in a certain job field, one can go for the joy of learning at the same time. When I see that in other students faces it reinforces my joy of learning. I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything and wish I was in the position to enjoy the full experience of a 4-year college on campus. I still will be able to read the joy (and sorrow for some) while continuing my education online and that will be a good thing. Going in a new direction for a career is an exciting, and somewhat scary, thing to do while married with children.

I have learned how to communicate with others and this was very hard for me before starting college classes. I also consider myself smart, but feel that everyone can better themselves, and college is helping me move forward in my life toward a business career, which has always been a dream of mine.

First and for most, my experience at Grand Canyon Univ. has been a great learning time for me. It has helped me understand how to write papers and the wright way to do research on paper, how to get into good work habits. It has also showin me how to reach out and try to help others do there work if they need help in understanding what needs to be done. It has given me the chance to learn more and also show others what i have learned. To help others that may need my help with something that i have learned.

Right now what I have gotten out of my college experience is that GCU has great advisors and I have had nothing but great help in getting started and I can not wait to start my classes on March 1st. Going back to school is really scary for me and they have made it easy so far with getting all set up.

I would first tell myeslf to HAVE FUN. Don't take everything so serious as if it's the end of the world. I would say that no matter how great of a plan you might have life is going to send you on a few detours. You might not graduate in exactly four years, it might take five or more. Just go with the flow. Everyone says that high school is the best four years of your life, but really, college is. You might not stay as close to the friends you have in high school but you will meet your lifelong friends in college. Make sure to study hard, because college is not nearly as easy as high school. Also, figure out different study techniques until you find the one that gives you a great grade on the exam. So, moral of the story; study hard, have fun, take things as they come, and stay close to your new college friends. College is the best time of your life, make the most of it!

I have bi-polar disorder. When I was in high school, I began experiencing my first symptoms. Back then, (I'm 41) nobody knew what Bi-olar disorder was. I was taken to this doctor and that. Often I was just percieved as a surly, disobediently who would rather sleep than be responsible. It was a hard tim in my life. College was even worse. I began to have psycotic breaks and hallucinations. The transition to living on campus with too much freedom was too much. I was never in class. I was asleep. I needed psyciatric treatment badly, but was overlooked. If I could go back and tell myself anything, I would say, "Go to a psychiatrist. Get help. You aren't lazy or stupid. you're sick and it can be fixed And don't worry, someday you'll be stable again. You'll have a more normal life. You'll be a writer and an artist. You'll be a good person and you'll be a success. "

Although my transition from high school to college wasn't that difficult, if I could go back into time and have a conversation with myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to take my high school classes a lot more seriously because college is a review of a lot of things that we should have learned in high school. I would tell myself to buckle down and study more and forget about the crtisisms of others because the value of an education is important. I would also tell myself that the key to my success in college starts with me believing in myself and striving to do my best in high school.

DO IT EARLY! The hardest thing that I have found is that I waited a lot longer than I should have to get this done. Right out of high school, your level of responsibility is much lower. You have basic living necessities to account for, maybe rent an apartment with some friends, gas, insurance. Now, I have been out of school for 10 years. I am married, have 3 kids, a house, a full time job, 3 car payments, insurance, and fees for the kids and their schooling. It is pretty much impossible to go to a traditional college and get that degree that I have always wanted. Thankfully there are schools out there now that allow me to get that degree, but it is much much harder. So I would tell myself, don't wait! It is only going to get harder as time goes on. There will be more hurdles to jump over, and if you aren't dedicated enough, you will never get it done. Get the schooling out of your way so you can get on with making the most of your life!!

If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would say the obstacles I faced were minor in comparison to what I I faced later. The benefits of having a college education at the beginning of my work career would have made a big difference in the decisions I have made. I would have been better prepared to make decisions. I wouldn?t be struggling to find a job. I have always had a job until now, but times are harder and jobs are scarce. If I had gotten my degree right out of high school, I would be the one making the decision to keep someone or let the go. My children?s lives have been affected by my lack of a degree. They would probably be more settled and secure if I had my degree because I would have had more confidence in my abilities. I realize after going to college for two years that I can succeed and make top grades. It?s never too late to get your degree, but life is a lot easier if you get it while you are younger. College gives you the confidence to succeed in life.

Stay focused and don't procrastinate on school work. Pace yourself, homework and chores come before plessure. Taking a break is not a good idea, the time goes fast. Its only four years of your life, furthering is your choice. A high school diploma does not guaranty a job, especially a good job. If you desire a six figure income, you must have higher education. Most importantly, your parents cannot support you your entire life. At some point you must realize its not cool to live with your parents when your almost thirty years old. Getting financial aid is not easy when your almost thirty.

I would advise myself to have stayed in college. I started college at age 16. I would tell myself that even though it was hard to learn in a normal teaching environment that it would be worth it. Worth it to not have to be working full time and attending school at the same time.

If I could go back in time and offer advice to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely stress the fact that you have to study in college. I graduated from high school with a dual seal with distinction diploma and as an Honor Roll student. Back then, the course work came easy for me and I never had to study. Once I got to college, and I realized that I actually needed to study, I did not know how. I feel that if a course could be designed for high school students to literally teach them how to study, that it would be a great aid for the students and we wouldn't see such a drop in GPA for college freshmen.

I definitely tell myself to study harder. Make better grades and apply myself more. Be sure you make the right decisions when it comes to who you hang around. Listen to your parents, you are the child and they are the adult. Focus more on your studies and becoming successful. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't achieve your goals.

I would advise myself to find a school that provides smaller classes size-wise. Go to school first, then apply for OTS in the military. Last, study more and more often.

As a high school senior I was very excited about the world possibilities ahead of me. It is common for a young person to feel empowered to conquer the world. At 18 you are full of youth, energy and excitement. At the same time however, one may fail to think carefully how a decision can affect your future. I would tell mysefl (and I know I would not have listened) that a boy is not worth it. Don't hold on to a boy thinking he will run away. Choosing love is not a catastrophe, but you just have to deal with the choices you make. I think that one of the most important steps in making the transition from high school to college is realizing that the transtion is a great time to grow up and mature. Be a little selfish and analytical about thinking about your future. Know that your choices will create a domino effect in your life. Don't look just at the now or short future. Really think about your future. Work on the areas of your life that you know will make you succesful in college and life.

I may have a different perspective on this question than most. I am returning to college after a 25 year absence. If I could return and talk to myself as a high-school senior, there are several things I would say. First and most importantly, I would remind myself what my parents always taught me. A college education is the foundation for the rest of life. I would have to remind myself that the dreams I had for my life and carreer as a young child must be followed. Do not allow anything to cause you to stray from your goals. There is absolutely nothing more important in your life right now than a college education, it will open up the world for you. College is a transition. It is a time to explore ourselves and the world, through knowledge. Apply yourself completely, don't get distracted. There will be freedom you may not have had before in making daily decisions. Always remember that every decision you make, no matter how trivial it may seem, will affect the rest of your life. Enjoy your time at college, learn all that you can. A college education is the foundation for everything.