Hood College Top Questions

I've gotten a great many things out of my college expirience at Hood College. I've gained many life-long friends with whom I am very close. I have learned how to be independant and how to take care of things for myself without calling home for assistance. I have met people from many different walks of life and I have learned not to take my great home life for granted. I have learned the value of proper procedure and research in the lab and many science skills that will aid me later in my academic and professional careers. I have learned the importance of cummunication with both friends and professors. I have gotten a better appreciation for classical music and the fine arts. I have gotten a better sense of who I am as a person and I feel I have grown greatly as a result of my time at Hood College. And I have learned the value of hard work and perseverance in ever aspect of my life, academic and personal.

From college I have received endless amounts of valuable experiences. I have not only learned more about biology, which I think is going to be my major, but I have learned about life. I have learned to appreciate everything my parents have done for me. I have learned to be responsible for myself. I have learned to interact with other people whom I knew nothing about them and quickly create strong friendship bonds with some. From my professors I have learned how to think beyond, farther than what is superficially seen and to apply these concepts to our lives now and in the future. College so far for me has been a place to grow personally and intellectually.

As the end of my college career approaches this is a very appropriate question to answer. Obviously, earning a degree is something I gained from my college experience. Probably the most important thing about this experience is how I accomplished this goal. I worked extremely hard throughout my entire college career. By working hard I was able to receive good grades. In addition I established lasting relationships with my professors who I see as mentors. I have more confidence in myself and believe I can do anything. College is only going to be valuable if you make it valuable. This is something I did and now I want to go on to graduate school for Library Science.

The experience of attending college classes has inspired me to look beyond the material being presented in class and examine it from a different angle. Every student brings their own background and experiences into the mix, which not only makes the discussions stimulating, but encourages me to broaden my own knowledge base; this allows me to share pertinent information with others and to be receptive to what they have to share with me, which is not only valuable in college, but in everyday life as well. There is also a strong sense of support when working on the various writing assignments; since each one presents its own set of challenges, being able to communicate with other students regarding their interpretations of the assignments very often provides me with a fresh approach. Of course, the professors are there to "guide" the students, but only give a limited information because they want students to look within themselves and come up with their own unique approaches to completing the assignments; this can be both frustrating and rewarding, though it is necessary to go through this in order to experience the true essence of the college experience.

My college experience provides me with value, esteem, confidence, appreciation, knowledge, integrity, communication skills, challenges, and goals. I have grown intellectually and within an environment that provides positive results. Having the opportunity to attend college is not given to every person I understand this and appreciate this gift in life. I have not missed one day of class - one opportunity to grow - one chance of becoming a better person with a college degree. I value this experience and every challenge that comes with. To attend college is giving me the chance to help others in a way I could not without a degree. My desire is to be of service for others in the field of psychology and therapy - a requirement is a degree and my objective is to obtain this. I am also setting an example to my family and two daughters the importance of education regardless how difficult it may seem. I work full time and attend evening classes. Also being a single mother allows me to appreciate the challenging times even more - because I will succeed and finish my walk in a higher education journey.

My college experience has taught me to be more independent and how to focus much more intensely on my work as well as plan ahead for the future. Through the experience of the advisors at the school I have been able to plan accordingly for my future as far as graduation and taking advantage of all the opportunities that are available to me while I am attending this school. The environment has very stimulating for learning which I feel has allowed me to be more successful in my classes. Along with this it has allowed me to develop better study habits which I will carry with me when I graduate and apply that kind of focus in the work place. The school I attend has allowed me to become not only a better student but a better person and without attending this school I do not think I would be as successful as I have been.

Like any learning institution, Hood College has provided me with knowledge that I am positive will help me in the future; however, unlike other learning institutions, Hood College has also provided me with knowledge about something more than just, in the words of Hermoine Granger, "books and cleverness." Hood College has helped prepare me for life outside of school. To me, this is invaluable. My college experience at Hood has made me internally analyze myself and made me ask myself: who am I and what do I want from life? It has made me stronger as a person as I complete assignments and interact with people that, had I not attended Hood College, I probably never would have had the fortune to meet and know. For example, I am currently rooming with a girl who is from Georgia! As I look at all the people that I have come to know, both students and faculty, I realize how truly blessed I am and how much Hood has helped make this possible. Therefore, by attending college, I have discovered not only Austen, da Vinci, Marcus Aurelius, and Mendel, but also myself and life-long friends as well.

College has given me the outlet that I needed to truly express and become who I am. Attending Hood College has truly allowed me to sharpen my craft as a musician, on campus there were so many opportunities for me to perform on violin and song. I have grown as person to become truly independent. In high school I did the performing arts but my primary focus was the International Baccalaureate Program, at Hood College I am still able to keep the academic rigor that I am used to as well as focus myself on my music. On campus as a music major there is so much more that goes into music than I ever thought I was able to learn this through the musical ensembles that I participated in and the music theory course I took. I truly learned about why music works and how it functions. This has allowed me to grow a greater understanding of who I am as a musician.

During my time in college I have gained leadership. As a freshman I was eager to become involved in campus organizations, and participate in study groups. Both of which helped me maintain a grade point average over 3.0 and allowed me to have a good time while on campus. Eventually, I found myself leading study groups, and taking executive positions in campus organizations. I did not realize how valuable leadership was until recently. Demonstrating leadership has opened many doors for me. One of which is being Programs Director of Blazer Radio, which is Hood College’s radio station. Another example is being team captain of an intramural flag football team on campus. Being a leader was something I did not demonstrate in high school. I did not participate in as much organizations, but I am glad this changed during my time in college. It’s an amazing feeling to have someone look up to you and because of my experience at Hood; I get that feeling every day.

Hood College changes and matures me as well as keeps me the same because I am able to remain true to myself. I am able to involve myself in campus clubs and activities, as well intern with The Virginia Dog magazine. Blazer Radio is the club I am most involved in, serving as both a DJ to my own radio show, as well as the Director of Promotions on the Executive Board. I promote the club with my Co-Director, touch base with the student body, and connect with others through music and as “The Voice Of Hood College.” The Virginia Dog has laid a phenomenal foundation for my journalistic endeavors. With help from my publisher I have learned so much about my intended career. This type of networking is ideal for future career plans. As a student and individual at Hood, I have remained true to myself. While I have grown by participating at the school, I could not have done so without the support I receive from those at Hood. At Hood it is easy to make true friends, which is what a person needs to stay on track and achieve their dreams.