Juniata College Top Questions

Not all colleges are the same! Look into as many colleges as you can and really learn what they are all about. All colleges have different community lifes, different philosophies and traditions, as well as different life-focus for their students. By selecting the right college, the transition will be easier. Also, follow your interests! Don't think with a strictly vocational mindset. By following your interests, vocational opportunities will arise with time, and you will also enjoy your classes more thoroughly. Bogging yourself down with too many classes in one field becomes redundant and overwhelming. College is all about balance! It may be hard at first, but you will see your family during fall break. I strongly suggest staying at school every weekend during your first semester--it will be the most important time to make friends. Further, make it a point to start off on the right foot. You have to study hard in college to do well, but don't get too nervous about your classes either. Make time to hang out with your new friends because the friends you make in college will be like a second family! Again, it's all about balance.

Graduating from high school a couple years ago, I will be completely honest and say that I was not ready for college and the pressures of deciding my future. I could not tell you what I wanted to do or who I was going to be, figuring that by automatically going to college that would all change, this was not the case. College opened up so many avenues and opportunities, but I wasn’t mentally prepared for everything that came my way, but I tried my absolute best. For example the professors wanted you to succeed, but unlike high school they weren't going to hold your hand and because of this I learned how to learn. I got heavily interested and involved in art, product advertising, and photography, mainly I was beginning to start to think like a designer and my classmates were my customers and consumers. To keep them happy I would have to learn their likes and dislikes, communicate with them and respond positively, learning all of this within my first semester. Community college was a wise investment because now I have my foot in the door to my future.

Through my short year and a half at Juniata College, I have accrued a wealth of information so far. The liberal arts education that I am currently receiving is, "by any measure," among the best in the country. I have been advised by many counselors, students, alumni, etc. that the school I attend will prepare me for post-graduate education more than any other school available. Beyond the stellar education that is synonymous with Juniata College, is a broadening of horizons in culture and social life. I have been a part of countless cultural events on campus where I have met so many wonderful people. These events were not only educational, they were also a blast to be a part of. From coffee houses, plays, and comedians to distinguished speakers, diversity panels, and holidays, I have certainly been introduced to worldly experiences. I have also had the pleasure of being a player on Juniata's Football Team, and this year I became a captain. I am certain that I will never forget these four years because the experiences I've had already in a year and a half are ones that are unforgettable.

I grew up as an Asian American where both parents are immigrants and neither attended college. As a result, graduating was not an option; it is a necessity. For me, college was no different than high school. I expected a heavier workload and classes ought to be more challenging, yet my attitude towards education remained the same. I anticipated classes I was required to take with work that meant no more to me than a grade. What I did not expect was for college to be the opposite. I have heard stories of successful men and women who used college as a tool to shape their life’s goal. When I applied, I did not know my life’s goal; college cannot shape what was not there. After only one semester, my vision of the future has completely changed. The classes that are offered direct my interest easily towards chemistry. I am surrounded by professors who are inspiring and dedicated. The energy in the college atmosphere challenges but intrigues me to contribute. It is not easy, but I am not complaining. College presents me with the challenges of life that I want to solve; college led me to my goal.

Juniata is a very nurturing school that takes pride in its students. Despite the rural setting, I could not have picked a better school. I am learning concepts that build off my high school learning experiences but simultaneously incorporate new ones. The opportunities for students to listen to other's opinions and hear their stories of success are endless. Although I am only in my freshman year, there are various opportunities already being thrown at me for both short term and long term goals. While smoe college students face distractions of partying and drinking, I can choose between partying and my school work. Peer pressure rarely exists on campus, tus creating a more relaxed environment for people who would rather focus on schoolwork. At Juniata, people can do work and party when they have time, but schoolwork takes priority and people are always around to help.

My college experiendce has really taught me responsibility more than anything. Naturally, the courses that one takes helps to prepare them for the line of work they are interested in, but more importantly college teaches people what it is like to live in the real world. College teaches accountability to courses, projects, any jobs one might have, to your roommate, and to your self. If you do not feel like attending class, no one will get on your case about it, but when finals week comes and you score poor, you suffer the conquences for your actions. The college experience has been valuable so far because it makes you become proactive in order to use all of the resources avaliable to you. Professors possess nearly unlimited knowledge, but it is up to the student to seek out what is needed. College is a period of growth and maturity that is very necessary in order to successfuly handle the transition from home life into real life.

I graduated highschool one semester early due to having extra credits so I took the spring semester of 2006 off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I decided that going to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for fashion design would be a good idea. I soon found out that it was not right for me. I decided that I would have a very limited career path and most likely would not be very successful if I was planning on staying in Milwaukee. Then I decided I would go to UW-Oshkosh for business. Business is such a broad area of study I just picked something to pick it. I then decided Oshkosh was not the school for me, nor was the program. If I did not attend either of those schools I would not have discovered what I wanted to do. Some look at it as failing because I dropped out, however I look at it as trial and error. And I can proudly say "Hey, I tried that!" Now I finally know what I want to do with my life.

Out of my college experience I've gotten to meet now people and learn new things i thought i wouldn't think of knowing. College for me is a really cool place to be because it makes me feel like I will accomplish a lot. I think college to me is very valuable as, well as important, because without it I wouldn't have a good job or I would have a nice house to live on and watch my family grow.

I believe attending college is vital in today's society, without a college education you cannot develop your skills fully. Although I go to a community college I believe there has been so much I encontered and learned already. Continuing my college education I feel there is so much more that I am going to attain. The material I know will stay with me forever. Knowledge that one may establish , no one may take that away from them. My parents always valued education and taught me that life without is very difficult. I consider myself very lucky to get the education I am getting. I value every moment I get to learn because I do realize many people do not have that oppurtunity to do so. I also want to do what makes me happy in the future and love what I do. Having a good career and being stable in today's society is very important. Thank you for giving me this oppurtunity to talk about what college means to me and my experience so far, and also for letting me further my education some more.

Juniata College has taught me who I am and has helped me realize who I want to be. My mind has been opened further than ever before and my goals become closer and closer everyday. College has introduced me to many new and amazing people who have helped me to see my true potential. Juniata has changed my life in so many amazing ways and it has changes my life forever.