Texas A & M University-Kingsville Top Questions

There is quite a bit of advice that I could give myself actually. First and foremost is coming out of your shell. There are thousands of new people you're going to be seeing so open up, meet new people, do new things, and make friends. Secondly, get involved in school activities. It may seem like a bad idea at first, but you would be suprised how knowing other students pays off in class. You will have other people to talk to and can help each other out with hard homework. Thirdly, you are paying for college so make the most of it. Go to the gym that you're paying to keep open, attend sporting events, band concerts, art shows. Do not make going to college a purely academic journey; have some fun every now and then. Fourthly, get to know your professors more, even the ones you think aren't the coolest person. You would be suprised about how knowing a professor well pays off. They will be more willing to give you extra credit to boost your grade, give letters of recommendation, and be references for future jobs. Good luck out there man and have fun!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself some very critical advice about college life. There are a great deal of "what-ifs" and "should-haves" that I have overcome in college just within my first year. It is now too late to go back and alter those mistakes, but I have learned from them. If I could go back, I would advise myself to beware of certain temptations that could halt my college goals and aspirations. These include academic, social, and sexual temptations that could ultimatly change everything, including life-long goals. There will be many temptations to procrastinate, drink alcohol, cheat, plagiarize, have sexual relations, use drugs, and many others throughout college. I would advise myself to beware of these temptations because giving into them could destroy everything that I had worked for up until that point in time.

If I could do such a thing, I definitely would advise myself to become more aware of managing time wisely. I have never been the type to go out and party or engage in other non-educational activities but I tend to lose track of time during the day when I could be studying or getting ahead on course work. I would express the importance of keeping a planner handy, scheduling my days ahead of time, and sticking with those important deadlines. Not only would this improve my study habits, but it would have greatly increased my organization and management skills which, to me, are some of the most important to college students.

The first week is by far the hardest, but after you get past that first week, the days seem to go by pretty fast. The first semester flew by for me and I handled the transition extremely well. Get to know your professors on the first day of class. I did, and now every teacher knows who I am. Work and study hard because some tests are rigorous, and one never knows which test will be that difficult. So it would be imperative to be well prepared for each test or quiz. Classes that do not interest you will be hard to get a good grade in, so one must force the interesting parts out. Regulary walk into your professor's office during their office hours and strike up a chat. There is nothing like having a genuine conversation with a teacher that is not about class. In doing so, your teachers get to know you as a person and may even begin to like you more. Get involved with the campus! Make a change, no matter how little! Get yourself known! The more things you do, the better off you will be in the long run, I promise.

I was told upon entering college, that the first day of class professors never lecture, and only hand out the syllabus. I came into my first class in college feeling confident. I thought I knew what really went on in the school. To my surprise, my first teacher I had glided into the room, picked up a marker and started writing on the board. My mouth dropped open, and I could not believe that he did not introduce himself, and intimidate everyone with a syllabus. That's when I knew. College was not the "word of mouth" type of experience, but something to be present in. The validity of my collegiate experience could be described by my future accomplishments, and my past decisions. Yet, my favorite option is to live in the present. There have been times I have wanted to give up because I blame the professor, my parents, or my peers. It is easy for me to accept an accomplishment, but I have gradually learned to take my own responsibility for both the negatives and the positives.This idea can easily be carried on to my future professional career, which is a deeply exciting thought for myself.

My most valuable parts of college came from the experiences out of college. Since this university is part of the HACU program is was capable of sending me to three different sites for internships. The cities these internships took place were in Dallas, Buffalo, and Washington D.C. This area is very different from those other parts of the country. This was a great experience because it showed me that I want to live in Washington D.C. and helped me choose physical therapy as a career path. Although this may not be the greatest school for pre-physical therapy, this university is great at getting their students prepared for the real world. Most students must find their own way through scholarships, internships, and other types of opportunities. This seems to be a positive because when students leave this school; there will be no help with finding a job. This is also preparing me for physical therapy school, where semesters will be much more difficult. It will be easier to interact with other students, professors, or co-workers due to the fact I have been through any type of situation at this school or at the other internships.

As many people complete this essay, it will be realized that everyone has different college experiences. Some will have gotten friendship out of it. Others may get nothing of it. College for me, however, has taught me lessons in life, love, hardwork, and how they all go hand-in-hand. In order to come to college, I left behind a very close family. Before I left I was told that I was going to come to college to obtain a meaningful profession to become better and have more than what my parents could give me. I was also told that, in the process, I would learn what it is to work for something I want, how to be dependent, and realize that the love from family and friends would help me make it through life happily- even when I'm alone and miles away from home. Therefore, attending college hasn't just given me more friends or something to brag about later on in life. My college experience has made me realize and appreciate life, love, and hardwork; and, in the end, these are interconnected in order to live a happy, fulfilling life.

Through my college experience thus far, I have, above all other things, learned the importance of time-management and how it needs to become one of my best friends in the course of my life in order for me to be successful. Another thing I have gotten out of my college experience is something I have been craving which is the opportunity to be adround, observe, and interact with new people. It gives me a feeling of wholeness and excitedness. College has been very valuable to me to attend, and through the experience I have learned exactly what being on my own really means and entails. Every day I found myself in the situation similar to the way a new-born perceives the world-- as a foreign but intriguing place. I began to appreciate things that I knew was familiar yet new, that gradually I realized was something that I had once heard from my parents but did not give the time of day to try to understand because it was something I thought was their forte, not mine. I cannot wait to see what I discover next!

I chose a 2 year college to start with because I wanted to be able to get use to college life on a smaller scale. Coming from a small town this first year of college I have had the opportunity to really get to know my teachers/professors and my roommate. I believe that attending college not only prepares you for your occupation but prepares you for life. Living and going to school with people that are so different from myself will certainly help me in the 'real world'. The experience of just being fully responsible for myself and my actions is a big learning experience and will be a valuable life lesson that i don't think you get if you go straight into the workforce from high school. I plan on continuing at a 4 year university to obtain my bacherlor's degree. I don't think anything can replace the value of getting an education, not only to help myself for my future family, but to continue to help others with what I learn.

From learning how to be on my own, facing fears, finding my strengths and weaknesses, and making friends that will last a lifetime, I have gained so very much from my college experience. Granted, you also learn some of the most valuable information you ever will. This information prepares you for your career, your life, and gives you an education which is one thing absolutely no one can take away from you. Above all else an education gives an individual power; the power to think clearly, the power to make your own decisions, the power to create your own life successfully, and the power to truly pursue happiness because you know what you need and how to achieve it.