James Madison University Top Questions

There are many things I have gotten out of my experience so far, the most important thing though is that I have learned how to be independent and what it is like to live in the real world. This experience has prepared me for my future and has never made me more excited to actually get out there and make a living for myself. This is valuable to me at least because it gives me the confidence I need in myself to know that I WILL be sucessful no matter what, and wont let anyone stop me from reaching my dreams of living in NYC and working the music industry. JMU has provided me with knowledge I need to do this and the also the experience I need to move forward and complete these goals.

Even though I have only attended college for less than a year, I have learned how I wanted to prioritize my life. At the beginning of the school year, I expected what every college freshman girl imagined of their college career. I imagined going out partying with all my girlfriends, meeting boys, dancing, and staying up until 2 AM. I soon learned that I wasn't paying tuition to go partying. I wanted to gain valuable experience and knowledge to prepare myself for my career. So I left the the partying crowd, not that I don't like to go out once in a while, but I mainly focus myself on schoolwork and more important activities. I was already hired for a paid internship for this summer and also for a job during both exam weeks. As a student with a major in accounting, in a very competitive business program, I need to apply myself diligently. You're only at college for so long in your life, and once I graduate, I want to know that I got the most out of it during my four years here. I value college as much as my future.

Coming into James Madison University, I was an extremely introverted, timid person who didn't speak much. I was never the social butterfly. I always enjoyed having my alone time. Now, I am proud to say I am as social as I have ever been and still have my personal time. Although I am just a freshman, I have joined about five organizations, completed over eight service activities and am in the process of joining a sorority. Because of my determination to be proactive, I have befriended over fifty people involving facutly, staff, and students and gotten to know each and everyone of them whom remember my name. Another issue comming into JMU was the racial diversity; the campus is predominantly Caucasian. Despite this fact, I am not treated differently by them and I see and meet international students as well as other minorities everyday. I've come to know that a statistic does not truly represent the diversity on campus. Diversity entails not only background, religion, ethnicity and gender but also perspectives, and past experiences. Such experiences as these and others shape how I will uphold my persona after graduation and for the rest of my lifetime.

In freshmen year of high school, I recall watching a show called "Fear Factor" in which contestants would be pushed to their limits and be challenged to complete an obsticle. Whether it was facing their own fears or venturing into the unknown, only one person was capable of completing the show. Now, as I sit in my dorm as a freshmen in college, I recall all those episodes of "Fear Factor" and imagine myself in it, except, the obsticle is college itself. So far, college has been challeging me to the point in which I would not have known the capabilities of my own strength; staying past midnight studying for a test, reading the unbelievable amounts of lecture, and working my brain to memorize the outrageous amounts of information. College has forced me to dive into my fears of failing, and has pulled me into the darkness of the unknown of my future. It has truly challenge me, even though it is just the beginning. As of right now, all I know is the discovered abilities of my own strength, and that only one person can win the show, and so far, college has proved to me that its me.

I came to James Madison University in Fall 2009 after attending an all-girls catholic school. It was a complete culture shock for me because I had never been outside my little conservative Towson bubble. While JMU is not the most diverse school, it has given me an outlet and an opportunity to meet, study with, and befriend a wide variety of people who I would have never had the chance to meet at home. It has truly broadened my horizons with a constant stream of on-campus activities where everyone interacts with the goal to make friends. I feel like James Madison has forced me to come out of my shell and open my mind to new experiences and people. While other schools can be academically competitive, I feel that JMU students are more community driven and are always there to help out a friend. This support has made the transition from highschool to college smooth and that is invaluable. I know I made the right choice when I chose to attend James Madison University and I will forever be a Duke Dog!

Thusfar, my college experience has been a test; I mean it wholeheartedly. It has tested my intelligence and my capabilities to employ critical thinking strategies. It is a springboard for my future in Medicine. Here, I train. Like an athlete, I practice, practice, practice and study, study, study until I arrive at what trumps satisfactory. The pursuit of excellence is why I am here. James Madison has fashioned me to think on my feet, all the while coercing me to see that there's always more than one right answer. Life is not black and white, rather it is a centrifuge of all colors meshed together. Grey has become my new favorite color. What separates us seems to dwindle in the face of our commonalities. If it wasn't for my university, hope for a brighter future would not be here on the shoulders of many.

Before going to college, I had an instant desire to be popular and fit in with almost everyone in my school. However, when I moved into my dorm I was stuck in a triple in which both my roommates left me out in almost every social outgoing. I felt like the 3rd wheel since I did not act and look like them. In addition, they would do as they please and not care about my personal safety when they went out partying. I did not know how to be assertive and this experience helped me challenge my inner shy mentality and become a tougher individual. College helped me realize that being popular and fitting in is not the most important part of a collegiate experience. It helped me open my mind, become assertive and live in difficult circumstances. If I had not attended college, I would have stayed superficial and look at the wrong things to fulfill my happiness. I realized it is better to not fit in and stay unique than to go with the crowd and go against your values and beliefs. I stayed sober my freshman year and my difficult roommate experience indicated my strong resiliance.

I have learned allot from from college. The standards of you work is much higher in college. Its not like in high school where you could not study and get an A or a B+. In college to get an A you have too study. When I say study I don't mean cram the night before but, study regularly. In college after doing terrible the first couple of weeks, college has taught me time management skills. I can no longer procrastinate as much as I used to because there is usually several assignments due at the same time. With that said college isn't all about having fun and going to parties. From my experience college is about studying hard for for your classes and doing well then setting aside time for partying and hanging out with friends. I think overall college has made me a better person. I feel more prepared for the future.and Ive made many great friends in college. Everyone should go to college its worth it.

I have had the experience of a lifetime at JMU, and I honestly never want to leave. I have gained friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. I have gotten a quality education, and I absolutely love what I am studying because of the professors and friends I have made. The school spirit on this campus is insane, and everyone is friendly and wants everyone else to succeed. I know that after I graduate, I will have everything I need to succeed, and I know that will be because I attended this wonderful school. Going to school out of state was a scary thought at first, but it helped me become an independent person. Choosing to go to school at James Madison University was the best decision I have ever made, and I can not imagine going to any other school. Go Dukes!

I have gained a sense of self by going back to college. The last time I attended college was 1993. I got into the work force and became accustom to earning money. The Years went by and I always felt as though my intelligence diminished with my youth and that I was too old to return to school. Choosing to go back to college was the best thing I could have done for myself. I have gained knowledge, friendships and strong self esteem. Getting an education is invaluable at any age.