Tonisha
There has been one very important facet I have learned that has made the college experience all worth while, I learned how to live. Before my duration at Jackson State University, my avenue to a more gainful future and a diverse social path seemed to be on a road to no where. Upon enrolling, I met some of the most diligent people that the South has to offer. I also encountered professors that have a compassion for their careers and students beyond belief, and campus leaders that are more than encouraging. Beautifully bound and gracefully giving, Jackson State University is more than a college, it is a home. There is a reason why Jackson State University is the "bridge to a brighter tommorrow". The very fiber of compassion resides in all Jacksonians, and for that this experience has been more than valuable, it has been simply irreplaceable.
Shemeka
I have learned to work hard and keep a positive attitude while doing it.
Lesa
In 2005 I was at a turning point in my life. My husband had just passed away, and I had a 11 year old special needs son to raise.
It was then that I decided to go back to college. I was really apprehensive about deciding to continue my education after being out of school for over 25 years. However, I became much more comfortable after taking my first semester at a local community college. Before I went back to school I was not very comfortable writing a simple letter. Now I can write term papers and letters with great confidence, speak in front of an audience, and I also know a little more about the world in which I live. Although those were excellent goals to achieve while attending college, they were not life changing events that I have remembered most. It was all the people that I have met, and who have helped my college experience to become a successfull one. I have been nominated for several awards. and have a 3.4 G.P.A. My memories of serving on the student government association, meeting new students and instructors, will be ones that I will never forget.
Vertecia
What I have gotten out of my college experience is making good friends and understanding to stay focus on what I am here for.
This was a "joint decision-making" that I made with my parents. I always kept in my head that my college education was something that I had to want for myself. Working hard and investing so many hours in college gave me greater satisfaction in now saying I am a senior in college which I would not change it for the world. Going to college made me take off the training wheels to help me balance my career goals and long term challenges. Receiving a Academic Sholarship and a Music Scholarship was very valuable because it made it affordable to attend Jackson State University.
Jasmine
In my college experience I have gained much wisdom. I learned that going to class is basicaly the most important thing you can do to ensure passing your classes. One on one professor meetings are also very helpful. Getting to know your teachers and going to see them for help during their conference hours has made it extremely easier for me to do better in class. In college you also learn to build strong relationships with people; whether its teammates, coaches, peers, or professors. THese relationships are vital for you to have a successful future. These people can be used as references, future hobs or careers, or even life-long friends. Time- management and staying focused in college have to be learned as quickly as possible so that you do not fall behind in class or your graduation. Five or six year college students are not encouraged. Continue to keep your head up and keep yourself encouraged so that you can graduate on time and with a great GPA.
anglica
The thing that i've gotten out of this college experience is learning how to be on my own, to be independent!!!!!!! College is getting me ready for the future, the real world. This is a learn experience that i'm taking full avantage of. I learned so many things, like how to get up without my mom waking me up. Ive gotten so good at other things too, like my communication skills and my community service. I really get to explore a lot and that also a good college experience as well.
Obie
One lesson I recieved from my many experinces is that everyone is not your friend and everyone doesn't have your best interest. I had a roommate who was always looking for me to provide for him. Then something happened and I realized I wasn't in a friendship but I was being taken advantaged of. This is one of the many aspects that seperates college and highschool mindsets. In highschool if I knew your name and talked to you on certain occasions then I considered you a friend. Then in college my preception on friendship changed fast when I started to realize that people who I considered my friends were only using me. Using me to get food, soap, school supplies, and anything else they needed. When it was time for them to return the favor, all of a sudden we weren't as cool. What makes this lesson so powerful is that a lot of highschool graduates have the same mentality and in the real world will be easy targets for people who will take advantage of them.
Amber
The most vauble thing that I have gotten out of my college experiecnce is time. Time is valuable because once its gone its doesnt come back. How you spent your time that day,hour, and minute expired just that fast. Whether you used it wisly or not it went away. I dont want to be the person that said that I wish,I wonder,or even I could have did that differntly.
Eric
I admire intelligence, and have enjoyed my college experience thus far. If I could, I would continue my education to the farthest reach. My greatest fascination has been the study of the human conscious and so will be pursuing my degree in psychology. I have also been passionate about film and movies my whole life and would consider a career in that industry as well. I possible, I'd like to do both. My current past time is practicing martial arts. I have been studying Beikoku Shorin-Ryu karate for over 13 years as well as other styles, and plan to continue for as long as I can. I feel that karate has helped my development both physically but also mentally, providing me with discipline, self-reliance, and the ability to keep calm under pressure. I would like to someday learn to sail as a pastime. I wish to never stop learning, and always strive to use my knowledge to better the world.
Sara
I am a 29 year old single mom of 2 who received my GED. I work full-time and go to school part-time. When I decided to go back to school I was scared because I dropped out, but it is a completley different experience. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people, friends and instructors. The environment is friendly and comfortable and the instructors are so helpful and really care. I love it! I am truely going to be sad when I graduate. It is valuable to me because it means so much for me to get a better career to provide for my kids, they are my inspiration and mean the world to me. The instructors really make you feel confident and proud.
Rayford
During my college experience, I've learned that life is not all fun and game. Plus, you can't depend on your mother to wake you up for school everyday. The only person who can do that is you! In addition, Jackson State will also give you adult punishment, since I'm not a kid anymore.
alexis
I have learned that hanging out with your friends is pretty much not always the way to go. making sure you take care of your work and business you can never go wrong. Your future is just that YOURS noone can get you where you want to be except you!!
Amanda
I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. Although the knowledge I learned in college was very important, it wasn't the only thing I gained from college. I gained leadership skills, the ability to multi-task, the ability to work as a team, and a strong since of responsibility. I learned the importance of not procrastinating and why it is important to get a full night of sleep. Another thing that I have gotten out of my college experience is friendships that will last a lifetime. Attending college has been valuable because it has given me the skills I will need to successfully enter the workforce.
Lauren
I have learned that every single class matters and should be attended. My school's motto is "those who go to class, tend to pass," and I am a firm believer in that statement. College success is all about time management and taking advantage of any and every opportunity presented to you.
Livia
Although there has been many things I have gained from this wonderful university, there are a few things that sticks out. First, my field of study is child care. Although I have just finished my freshman year, I have already had wonderful professors that taught me valuable leassons dealing with child care. I also had other professors that was not related to child care that taught me valuable life lessons. Second, other staffs at Jackson State University has been so kind to me. The academic advisors are very patient and helpful in assisting with choosing the right classes. The councelors also has helped me in time of need in a very calm and respectful way.
Andrew
The main concept I would hope to enlighten a younger version of myself with, would be how limitless my future could be if I do not limit it myself. By my senior year in high school, my GPA was less than 2.1 and didn?t believe that I would ever attend college. Now that I am a junior in college with a 3.2 GPA, my eyes have been opened and I see the importance of an education. The many windows of opportunity a Bachelor?s degree can open for me is well worth all of the hard work and effort exerted.
According to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau, an individual with a Bachelor?s degree will earn $900,000 more in a lifetime than the high school diploma counterpart. I would share with the younger version of myself that a life without education would probably limit me to considerably lower pay and most likely intense blue collar labor. Knowing myself back then, I would see that this wouldn?t be the right path for me to pursue. I would enforce the need for a college education to the high school senior I used to be.
Sarah
If I could go back to high school as a senior. I would be better prepared for college mentally, physically, and financially. During high school years, everything was basically an easy way out. You spend 7-8 hours at school Monday through Friday playing and enjoying your friends' company. However, college is the complete opposite. You attend a school over a 1,000 students and the size of your classmates increase. Another breath taker is that 9 times out of 10, your professor doesn't know your name. Physically maintaning to stay in shape and eat healthy because majority of the students eat junk food or instant meals because of the time spent studying. Financially, college is expensive. High school is an free education. I wish I woud have taken advantage of that education because every extra money I receive goes toward my collge tuition. In closing, the most important advice I would give to myself is when the ball is given to you, run with it all the way to the goal, because having the ball in your hand that leads you to greatness but holding on to it after the time buzz, is worthless.
Natasha
The advice t hat I would give myself would be that, " You do not need to put school off. There is no need to put school off and let the knowldge in which you have already obtained go to waste. The quicker you get into school, the better. You are too intellent to allow it to go to waste. College is not as scary as you may think that it is. Be sure to pay attention in all the classes that you take because when you do begin college, it will come in handy. That same knowldge in which your teachers are trying to give you, is the same knowldge that will help you to get the degree in which you are trying to persue. Make sure to do your best even after you finish school because you never know when you might need it later on."
Adrian
If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior and give advice to myself, i would tell myself fill out as many scholarships as possible. I would tell myself to practice reading and studying to prepare for the life as a college student. I would tell myself to quit procrastinating and putting things aside to finish what is important. I would alo tell myself to relax, stressing isn't the way to go. This is the advicei would tell myself if I had the chance to go back in time.
Arreyona
If i could go back in time and give myself advice from what I know now about college life, I would advise myself to apply for numerous scholarships, handle my time wisely, take the ACT early as possible, and also i would advise myself to give my all and stay active. I would advise this to myself because now that i havent applied for numerous scholarships I am struggling to find funding for my schooling. If i would have handled my time wisely and taken the ACT sooner I would not be having a problem with my schooling. If I would have giving it my all in my high school days I would not have to stuggle with the problems I am trying to minimize now as a college student.