Notre Dame of Maryland University Top Questions

Coming from a family with seven children, I am the first to have the opportunity to attend college. Since there are so many people in my family, my parents have to work extra hard to send me to such a prestigeous school. My father is currently stationed in Afghanistan in order to support my family. The sacrifices my family makes for me for a shot at becoming successful drives me to become everything I have the potentional to be. Knowing how hard my family works for me helps me to take something from every day as a lesson in order to help me become successful. I know my hard work and determination will pay off one day so I am able to not only support myself, but also to give back to the very people who allowed me to get to that point. My college education is such a crucial part of my present life and my future because this education will help me to become the person I strive to be.

My college experience has been a boost to my self esteem. After taking a twenty year break from college, it feels great to be back in the classroom and doing well. Not only that, I have made some terrific friends I know that I will have for life. Even if I never got a job after I graduated, I would feel great about the fact that I finally finished. I have learned a lot about a variety of subjects, and I feel that I have gained a greater understanding of the world in which we live. The College of Notre Dame is allowing me to realize my dream of becoming a teacher and I am very grateful for the opportunity. While its too soon to say whether I have acheived my goal of becoming a teacher, the college experience has been invaluable to my personal growth and I feel confident that my education will carry me far!

I love the people, and the friendships that I have formed. Although, I have only been a student of CND for a year, I have made some amazing friendships and cannot wait for next year.

I have not been in school for 30 years. I was a bookkeeper on the old style journals, everything is now electronic. I have not worked for 20 years and feel I am now ready to re-enter the work force. I I have found that returning to school has been an experience. I am learning electronic written communication, electronic accounting. These are much needed skills to rejoin the work force. If I had not decided to return to school I would never have learned the skills I need to find work. I never would have been able to have found employment. What little time I have spent in college has made me aware of how out of touch with the working world I have been. College will give me an oppertinity to

Think globally and participate locally! I am a Special Education major, so I like to study education and learning trends from all different cultures and apply them to my students. My goal is to utilize my education to customize their learning plan so that they experience the best opportunity for academic and personal success for a lifetime. In return, I will learn just as much from them as they are learning from me!

I am in the process of changing majors. I was attending Iowa Western Community College when I was shot in the legs. I dropped out of school and track because of my injuries. I have heard nothing but good things about South East Community College and since its closer to home I will be attending there this year. College has not been that great of an experience but I am going to go back and try again!

I have gotten so much out of my first year college experience. Just the other day I was telling my best friend I feel like I have been force to grow up. It has thought me to be open minded, to respect other opinions, made me multicultural, and most of all it had thought me time management. I have learned to be open minded in a sense of I had more freedom so I was very open minded when it comes to trying different things that I would normally do. I have had eaten foods with my Asian friends that if I have ever were to be in a place by myself or even when I was in high school I would not dear to try. Working with kids who had different background and different opinions thought me to respect others opinions. I have also worked at the International office which allowed me to meet kids from around the world which built me multicultural background stronger. I was also learning to manage time. I learned to do what is important as my school work first then had time for the rest at the same time.

If I could go back in time, I would definitely tell myself to save all the money that I could save from summer jobs, birthdays and such. Not only is tuition expensive but once you pay for college there are still many other expenses. Books alone can cost $700 a semester. My room and board at the College of Notre Dame is $9000.00 a year. You definitely need a car and gas money because you'll need to go off campus for somethings like museums, materials for a project or to see a movie. I don't think high school students think about all the added expenses associated with college, I know I didn't. I thought I could just take out loans and pay for college. What I failed to realize is eventually loans need to be paid back and loans only pay for certain things.

If I could go back to being a senior in high school I would have done more research about where I want to receive my education. I do not regret any decisions I have made, but I wish I was more focused and dedicated to my education as a freshman in college. I would advice my former self to SAVE MONEY for college. When I was in high school I never knew I would have to pay my way through college, but life has its' own twists and turns. I may not like paying school bills but it makes me more responsible. I did not do alot of research about colleges, but I believe the best lesson one can learn is from experience itself!

First and most importantly, i would tell myself to buckle down and work hard my last year. Eventhough , its your last year of school, doesn't mean colleges won't look at your grades. Second, i would apply for each and every scholarship. The extra money could not only help pay for college, but it can help give you a little extra money to buy books, supplies and other things you will need. Scholarships also can help give you the same amount of money or more that a part time job would. Instead of working long hours to help pay for school, your scholarships can help with that and give you more time on your hands to focus on your school work. Third, i would choose my school wisely. The college you pick will be the college you will have to deal with for the next four years. Eventhough you can transfer, that process is a lot to deal with. Also, try to not go to school with your freinds. You wll make more friends and always can see your old friends on breaks.