Texas A & M University-College Station Top Questions

One major change that's entered my life since I've been in college is the ability for me to become open-minded to many aspects of personal and academic life. Entering an new environment, living with new people, and going through a wide range of experience has made me questioned my old ways of thinkin, making me revise my ideas, and opening up my mind to a new, (and in my thought), better view of life. Because of this life-changing experience, I have found my experience here irreplacable, and will continue it until I graduate.

I refined my identity in college. It's more than my world-class education, the piece of paper hanging on my wall, and the Aggie ring that's more precious than my wedding band. The college years have been the best years of my life, and only those that have also attended college will ever understand that. College is a safe place and time to transition into adult life; it's OK to fail, make not-so-great choices, stay out a little too late one too many nights in a week, and change your mind. It's more than the cliched spreading of your wings; I made friends for life, learned what I did NOT want in a mate, discovered what it meant to come home, and finally set my own personal bar of success. College is valuable for what is learned in- and out-of the classroom.

Texas A&M has provided me with more opportunity than I knew was available. It showed me how to dance, constantly reminds me to stay healthy, and often showcases competence in both students and professors. Every teacher has been open to discussion during lectures, all the tests are sufficiently challenging, and most of the people on campus know to return a "Howdy." The "Howdy" is perhaps the strongest impact. This tradition unique to A&M reminds us that every single one of us Aggies are in it together, that we are here to support each other and be supported. Whether this guy was a peer teacher, that lady was a professor, that man is in the Corps, or you've never seen that girl before, a "Howdy" warrants a smile and a reply, giving an instant and consistent ice breaker for interacting with anyone around you. This has translated to a greater ability to interact with the world at large, something no amount of lecture can build up. Anyone and everyone has become approachable, and even off campus Aggies know to stick together, and can share stories of the good old days as they work to improve the world together.

College has been an amazing experience that I am glad that I have had so far. From just two and a half years, I have seen so many different aspects of the world that I would not have captured from my confined home. My first experience started with marching band and Central Michigan University. I instantly made several friends and felt how much college could be welcoming. From there on, living on campus became a breeze. Any problem I had, I had friends that I could go to with my problems. I then joined KK Psi and became more involved in band. After my band experience, I went down to Florida for eight months to do the Disney Internship. There I met people from all over the world and I got to experience all their different cultures. College has opened my eyes to many different aspects of life. Now I see from different point of views, have better time management, and understand what a real full time job means. With just this short time, I feel I am ready for anything to be thrown at me.

My college experience has been a journey, and with every step, there has been support. After a ten year break from my first disheartening college experience, straight from high school, I decided that my career path had reached a standstill. I had finally found a niche in the job market that I greatly enjoyed, working with and on computers. I was terrified, and felt that it was too little, too late for me to try to get a degree. Feeling sure that I would meet scorn and derision, I enrolled at ITT Technical Institute. I had never before felt that my secondary education was being taken seriously, and that my goals and ideas were being taken seriously. I started my first day of classes with excitement, and absolute joy at the chance for a learning experience. My first hesitant steps on this path have evolved; as I have begun a lifelong run of learning. I have increased my confidence in my own capabilities, and have learned more about myself than I believed possible. This journey began with one step forward, and will forever be a lifetime adventure.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is the ability to experience different setting that were previously unknown to myself. I grew up in a small East Texas town. I have experienced different music, different foods, and seeing different people everyday. This has been beneficial to me because I now know how to interact with people whose ideas and values are completely different from mine. Starting college was such a complete culture shock to me. I had always thought of myself as open-minded, but going to a university completely confirmed this. My beliefs have expanded and so has my network of individuals and opinions. I LOVE GOING TO COLLEGE!

My college experience has introduced me to a variety of responsibilities and opportunities that have helped me to become a stronger person. My eyes have been opened to problems that I had not known before. And, along with those problems, i have developed a stronger more adaptable way of coming up with my solutions, all alongside my generation.

Attending college has allowed me to break out of my shell. I went to a small charter school for high school and I was the Valedictorian of my graduating class. I have always been shy and comfortable just sticking to the same group of friends. For college, all of my friends split up and none of them ended up going to college with me. I was worried about getting a random roommate and having class in a gigantic lecture hall, but this year has turned out to be one of the best of my life. I became best friends with my roommate and met so many interesting people. Although classes weren't the highlight, I maintained my GPA and the lecture halls weren't all too terrible. I enjoyed late nights studying and finals breakfasts, things that made me feel like a genuine college student. I have come to be able to make decisions on my own and feel independent, like a wonderful world is waiting for me and I am almost prepared to handle it!

My college experience has taught me to have faith in myself. I always wanted to have a calling in life, a profession I could be passionate about, but I was not completely confident I would find one. At the end of high school, there seemed to be a dizzying array of schools and majors to consider. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the vast selection, but going to college has allowed me to narrow down my choices. Once I began exploring my interests, I felt myself getting closer and closer to finding my calling. It was not long before all my classes were ones I really enjoyed. My confidence grew in knowing that I could figure out what was best for me. I did not need a counselor or career aptitude test to tell me what might be a good fit. I realized that if I followed my interests and intuition, I would find my passion. Along the way, I have met great friends, learned new things, and become much more self-disciplined. However, the most valuable thing I have gained from attending college is the certainty that I will truly love what I do after college.

My college experience has allowed me to fully discover what I want out of life. It has enabled me to find and take opportunities that have served to enrich and grow my knowledge of the world and myself. College is a time where you can truly pursue your dreams and make them become realities. Texas A&M has been a great place for me to do that because it has so many things to offer. While it is sometimes easy to get lost in the hugeness, if you are willing, you can truly experience what being in college is all about. I have been able to reach for the stars and being here has taught me to keep reaching.