Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

My name is Amanda Gorman. I now attened Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jefferson Davis Campus in Biloxi, Ms. I am aspiring to become a nurse, and this school has helped me emmensely on my journey to this carreer. What I have learned in my college experience is being able to talk to people with confidence, learning the skils to become a nurse, and becoming a well rounded person in society. The reason it is valuable to attend college is to become a better person and learn a skill to make a person more succesful in life. It also is an advantage to help others with those skills that a person recieves in college. I would greatly appreciate being awarded this scholarship so I am able to help others in life.

I have only been in college for a short time but I have learned so much about myself. I have gained new friendships, study habits, and skills since my time here at Penn State. My first semester here I learned that I wasn't doing enough to prepare myself for quizes and exams. I have had to struggle to find new ways to help me succeed in my classes. The quality of work is much higher than it was in high school. Because of this I have gained better mental math skills by doing all calculus by hand and my writing has improved by getting the guidence i needed for my papers. Attending college has been a valuable experience for me. I know that all the hard work I am putting in will payoff. I feel like I am moving forward in my life and I have a bright future ahead of me.

I once remarked to a friend that my college experience thus far has generally been focused on un-learning what I had previously thought about education, work and life. My classes, professors, and mentors have encouraged me to become a self-motivated learner and actively take part in campus life. I am trying daily to take them up on the challenge. Examples of my efforts include volunteering weekly at local nursing homes by playing Scrabble and Wii Bowling with residents and at LifeLinkPSU by accompanying students with developmental or learning disabilities to classes. I am also involved in ESL tutoring and serve as a member of the Council of LionHearts, an organization consisting of service leaders on campus. All of this plus my 21 credits this semester are preparing me for the fast-paced, technology driven, and competitive world. Learning how to navigate a bureaucracy like Penn State and applying my professional experiences will give me the upper hand in this competitive job market. Learning to stand up for myself is one of the most valuable parts of my educational experience.

My school has that most loyal alumni network in the country and they are always willing to help students find jobs after graduation. There are so many opportunities to get involved and meet new people that will change your life. My schoolwork is often difficult and time consuming, but I have learned a lot due to my professors and other students. I have been so involved on campus and have learned so much about myself by attending Penn State University. Penn State becomes so much smaller after joining organizations and getting involved. Our school spirit makes this an amazing place to live and study. Although football essentially consumes Penn State, there are other opportunities for students who are not into sports. Penn State is home to the largest student run philanthropy in the country: THON. Each year we raise millions of dollars to help kids fight cancer and give up our weekends to can for the cause. THON has changed my life and I have Penn State to thank for that. Everyone who attends Penn State is extremely loyal to the school and faculty. In conclusion, I honestly cannot imagine attending another university. You are never limited at Penn State.

In the past two and a half years that I have been at college I've grown in every aspect of life. I am more confident, stronger, and more understanding. I'm constantly finding myself in new situations and problems and having to work my way out. These include social situations, roommate disagreements and academic trouble. I have come out of each situation stronger and I would have never been in those situations if it wasn't for college. I look back and I feel that I can also help others more. Helping people is something I really enjoy doing. Even before I got to school I felt that I could really understand people and their problems so that I could help them from my own experience. I feel that I can understand people even more now and I am very grateful for that. Attending college has been very valuable to me in just that I have grown and become a better person.

I have learned how to be a better and more well-rounded person because of my college experience. Education and learning have always been important to me, but I have learned to value other things just as equally such as friendship, fun, and life in general. Not everything you learn at college can be learned through a text-book. Some things need to be learned through experience and hardwork. I feel that attending college has caused my outlook on life and the future to be more optimisitc. I am confident that I can achieve great things and make a difference in this world.

In all honesty, I had not a single idea what to expect when I first arrived at Penn State. I decided on the college because it "felt right" and none of my family members had ever attended a university. What I have gotten out of Penn State fully satisfies me and encourages me to pursue anything I dream. I have joined clubs I never imagined joining, both for fundraising for children with pediatric cancer (THON organizations) and for support of women in science (AWIS). I pledged a sorority (Phi Mu) even though I always told myself I wouldn't, and it turned out that my sorority is consistently the highest annual fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network. College has been valuable to attend because I've discovered parts of myself that I never knew were there. Every organization I've joined has welcomed me with open arms and illuminating encouragement, also helping me to excel in academics. I haven't doubted a single decision I've made at Penn State, and I owe it all to the college which has shaped my personality, tenacity, and pride.

I have learned about many different and diverse cultures that I was not previously familiar with. I moved from Ohio to Washington this year, and I have been attending a community college. I have met people from all over the world, and learned about where they come from and their cultures. It is very different than what I was used to, or what I had expected from college. I have also gotten involved in the student life. I frequently participate in school activities, and this year I am working for the Student Government. I am the Campus Affairs Senator and my job is to inform students about the school and to raise money for scholarships. I am a member on some committees such as the Tenure Committee, the Graduation Committee, and the Safety Committee. I also work as a tutor at the college. Through all of this I have been able to meet and connect to many other students. It truly has been a life changing experience to get to communicate and befriend people from all over the world. I also value the education and responsibility of being a college student. The experience is something I will cherish forever.

Throughout my college experience, I have learned so much about myself, time and others. But, the biggest lesson I have learned so far is time management. In highschool, teachers brag about the college work being difficult, but they never seem to express the need to manage your time. I have realized that every free time you get should not be devoted to watching tv or surfing the internet - but going to the library or reviewing your studies from classes. The amount of effort you put in to your work, will definitely show in your GPA. In terms of time management, I learned about myself for the better. I learned what I do that can help or hurt me and I know what to do, to change. In terms of myself, I learned many of my strengths and weaknesses. Being in school on your own sets the bar for the real world, letting you know that you are out on your own and the decisions you make matter. College is valuable to attend because it can teach you so much that cannot be taught in books or by professors. That hands-on, out in your old world, experience matters the most.

In my college experience I have learned not only life lessons but also excelled academically. I would say the most important expericence would be being exposed to the variety of cultures and beliefs and the overall diversity of the campus. It has helped prepare me to be tolerant and accepting of all persons in not only my career and social surroundings but also has encouraged me to explore and try new cultures and beliefs. Overall, the greatest experience in my college career is exposure to diversity.