The Evergreen State College Top Questions

I have attended three colleges to date, and believe I have learned what I want out of my college experience; an education! Through trial and error, I have found that it is not the degree that matters in life; it is the experiences and knowledge gained. I finally feel like I am moving forward, and towards something in my field of study. My eyes have been opened to the opportunities that this world has to offer, and to the methods of obtaining my goals. Next year, I plan on doing an internship learning biological surveying techniques in the Seychelles Islands, and this will hopefully open even more doors into the world I want be a part of.

What have I gotten out of attending The Evergreen State College? A question like this is almost too hard to answer. The question should be more like, "What have you not gotten out of attending The Evergreen State College?" On my first day of college, I instantly made kind and amazing friends. Things like this do not always happen to college freshman straight out of high school. When I first thought of going to college, I was so worried I wouldn't fit in, and that making friends would be one of the hardest ordeals I would have to encounter. The atmosphere and expressive people instantly drew me in and I haven't regretted applying for this college one bit. I am taking a year long course called Field Ecology, and I am instantly hooked. My faculty are amazing and so is the class. I have learned so much in just a few weeks than I have in all the years I have learned about animals and plants. I am excited to see what else I encounter at this school.

All of the experience that I have gained from the past year and a half is not only hard work, but a lot of things to learn what you really want. "Every one makes mistakes" and "No one is PERFECT", we all have very different ways of learning what we are all interested in. At least half way through a year you can always plan ahead for the upcoming year, by saving money or have alternative ways to trans for universities. So many things can be learned before you transfer, that way you got a heads up about what to expect from the university that you would like to go to. If you do not that and just deal with what is thrown at you, you end up not seeing everything. "You can see the tress but not the FOREST", that mainly happens if your noy careful. Applying for financial aid and scholarships are there for a reason, to help get you through college and to get a nice career. My goal is to become a Music Composer and write music themes for Movies, T.V. Shows, new Games. Anything to get me what i was born to do.

From Evergreen, I have gained the ability to make valuable connections and think critically. Studying the Liberal Arts has allowed me to have well rounded knowledge on many different subjects.

The most important things that I have taken away from my undergraduate experience is the ability to think and to write. I did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life; I wanted to learn and I knew that education was the key to a better future. If I knew then what I know now, I would have sought out the wise counsel of a mentor for life and academic guidance. I didn't really have anyone to ask the hard questions of, no one in my family prior to my college experience had graduated from college. For fumbling around and building the plane in flight, I didn't do too badly. It just would have been so beneficial and so much less painful to have sound advice early on and along the way. If I could give myself words of encouragement it would be: don't be afraid to set what you want into motion. Oftentimes, you can't see how a system works until you become part of it. When you open the door, you get a peek at how a system works and from there you can negotiate your way.

As a senior, I lacked holistic perspectives and the ability to view issues from a multitude of situations. The transition for me was one of 2,000 miles, quite a move from my comfortable home life. I shattered barriers and expanded my comfort zone. I should have told myself to continuously incorporate exercising personal responsibility, financial independence, and understanding social interactions in a myriad of crowds. I would tell the past Anna to act intentionally. Take time to understand yourself and your reactions to situations before diving into knee-deep water.

For me, the transition between high school and college was a matter of a mere 76.6 miles and a complete change of attitude. Though the concept of a collegiate education wasn?t very daunting to me, (I wasn?t going far from home, and I was headed to college whose style of education was remarkably similar to the alternative schooling of my younger days), there is something about that switch between having your education dictated for you and finding your own path that can be disconcerting. Looking back, there are a few choice things I would impart to my high school senior self if I were given the chance. There is the ?Don?t slack off second semester!? admonishment that is so common, yet so very important. I would remind myself to get to work on those scholarships and ask for letters of recommendation BEFORE the inevitable panic sets in. And lastly, most importantly, I would tell myself not to worry. Scholarships and applications and college life may seem big and scary, but the real story is that everyone else is just as confused as you are. Keep a smile on that face. You?re in good company.

Dear Grace, So you're preparing for college, huh? Well, first off, don't be scared. You might be anxious that you won't meet people, and that you won't have any friends, but there's no cause for worry. Remember that all the freshmen are just as freaked out as you are, and a smile will go a long way in making both of you feel better. Secondly, get a single room. You might think that a roomate is a built-in friend, but when she's pulling an all-nighter for that Psychology final you're gonna wish you had some personal space. Which brings me to my third point: don't pull all-nighters. It's not good for your health or your stress level, and your quality of work really goes down when you're strung out on your third latte at two a.m. Plan ahead: read in your spare time, keep a calendar, make to-do lists, make a flow chart... do anything as long as it keeps you organized. Most of all, remember that you can be a good student and still have fun. Relax, and enjoy the ride. Best wishes, Grace

If I could go back and tell myself what I know now about college, i would tell myself to go where your heart tells you, not where anyone else wants you to go or be. In school you are with friends for so long, and sometimes it?s hard to let go and be on your own path. You instantly want to cling onto what you know and resist going on to the unknown by yourself. If they are your real friends, they will still be in contact with you no matter how far away. You need to open up to the world and be yourself and discover who you are.

Take the time to think deeply about your passions and interests in life, and then set goals for yourself, based on what you want out of life, not others' expectations. It's great to have a few years of "real life" experience in lieu of college, but make sure you don't get sidetracked from your bigger aspirations. Above all, believe in yourself and your immense potential and abilities to effect change, both for yourself and your communities.