DeAndrea
My college experience has given me the opportunity to further my education in hopes of accomplishing my long-term dreams. The people that I have met have been a great asset to my learning and developing of social skills. I am now confident about my goals and I'm sure that I will be successful as a student, and in my future career. The University of Alabama is a vast and diverse campus which allows my creativity to thrive and I am able to reach out to many of the students who attend and share my dreams and personal thoughts about life. Each and every day is a learning experience that I take full advantage of. Every new person I meet has the ability to touch my life in various ways, and my goal is that I touch their lives as well. My professors have been more than helpful and they too see my determination and seem to really want to see me become successful. This campus has changed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined, and because of this campus I am a better person and will continue to strive for success.
Flor
What I have seen in this school have been amazing the staff is great they are always welcoming you with smiles on their faces, you can really tell they love their job and seeing the students enjoy themselves on what they love to do. Everybody shows intrests in every catagory in the school, we all help out each other as much as we can. The joy of being there has made me want to keep coming and attending the institute just go I can keep on learning more and more so I can discover new things each day. The values you learn from this institute is so unique everybody has their own way to express themselves without being judge. No matter who you are or what your studying somebody is always there to help you in anyway they can your never alone in that school.
Michael
I am returning to college after 17 years. I am learning so much and with the experience of returning to college I am increasing my knowledge as well as my GPA. I decided to return to college after loosing my father. I wanted more than anything to make him proud of me and I wanted to show myself that I could accomplish what I started. I will complete my bachelors as well as my Master's program.
Taylor
I am planning on attending a college to furthur my knowledge about Veterinary Technicians. I have alwasy been pationate about animals and their well being. It is impossible to save everyone and everything but if there is an oppurtunity for me to make a difference in the world, small or big, i want to take the steps to do so. Being pationate about animals can and will support me in a big way to acheive my goal to be a Veterinary Assistant/ Technician. I appreciate your time and any support that I am able to recieve from this organization.
NeKisha
My first year in college taught me alot about life. Most people think you just go to college to learn, get a degree, and then graduate. It is however, one the craziest and best thing most people go threw in their entire lives. I came to my school hoping to start the rest of my life. My classes exposed me to many different types of people that I have never been exposed to. My classes where taught with passion from teachers also, which made me want to get that one day. In all my experiance has made realize how important college is to me, and how I need to put every ounce of my engery to complete it. I want to be able to one day graduate and be passionate in my carrer and feel secure I have learned all the of the things I need to know to be succesful.
Martinique
I have learned more than educational skills at The University of Alabama. I have gained social skills, better habits, and better work ethics. I feel that The University is a good school to attend for that.
Felicia
The University of Alabama has opened so many doors for me in my life. They have given me the chance to grow as a person both academically and personally. I have met so many people here that have made a profound impact on my life, and the way I choose to live it. I have had the wonderful opportunity of taking classes with professors who truly care about each of their students, and have an immense passion for their career. My professors have truly been inspiring, and have made me genuinely believe that I am capable of doing anything in life, and that they are there to help me along the way. I am proud to say that I go to the University of Alabama and I always have been. Roll Tide!!
Norrel
I began attending college, because I was tired of complaining that I was not happy with where I was at that stage of my life and so, I decided to do something about it. Before I began, I knew a few colleagues who were attending college, and I thought that it should be pretty easy. But I was in for a wake up call, as it was not as easy as it seemed, actually ? far from it. Being a single mother, working full-time as well as being a full-time student was not the ?bed of roses? I imagined. However, attending college has made me stronger, more determined, and a lot more appreciative than I was. As a college student, I have learned to prioritize like never before, and that has become invaluable in my everyday life. Attending college has also made me appreciate every opportunity that comes my way, whether it is a free day to spend with my son, or half an hour just for myself. I am thankful for the opportunity, and regardless of the many hours spent completing assignments with little to no sleep, I am still determined to succeed.
Abby
My college experience has been great! I have learned so many things in my classes. Also, I have made the best friends anyone could ever ask for! I am in a sorority and absolutely love it! My college experience at the University of Alabama will help me to succeed in my career as a health administrator in the future. With the knowledge I have obtained from college I plan on eventually openeing up my own hospital. I don't believe I would be able to be as successful as I plan on being if I didn't attend the University of Alabama. This university has literally made my dreams, my reality.
Katherine
I have gotten so much out of my college experience so far, and it is only my first year!! I love the University of Alabama. I am a member of the Cross Country and Track teams here at UA. Being a part of these athletic teams has really helped me meet a lot of really awesome people. Even though it can be challenging being a student-athlete, all of the great athletic staff are really there to help. All of my professors have been really helpful, helping find the right path for me and helping me succeed in all aspects of my college life. I have met so many different people. It has really helped me come out of my shell and find out who I really am. Being surrounded by so many different cultures has really opened my mind up to all the different things out there in the world. Seeing so many successful people at UA has inspired me to do something really special and creative with the rest of my time at the capstone. I am so excited about my next 3 years...and then the rest of my life!!!
Jessica
If I could go back in time to see myself in high school, I would definitely tell myself to calm down. I was so anxious about the transition into college, that it interfered with my enjoyment of high school at times. College has been such a mix of emotions and such a learning experience, that worrying about it would have never helped. There was no way for me to prepare for this experience of college, or prepare to grow up in the ways that I have.
I would definitely tell myself not to worry about the future of college. I would tell myself that I would be put into positions that would make me uncomfortable, that I would have to work harder than I ever have, that I would feel alone at times, but that I have a wonderful family and strength that will help me survive, and even enjoy, the college experience.
Anthony
High school students often have trouble making decisions with their lives. I am currently in my second year attending the University of Alabama and have come to realize that college is nothing like eighteen year old kids graduating high school think it will be. Much advice can be offered to these kids graduating high school, as I know I myself had no idea what to expect upon arrival at the University of Alabama. The main thing I would attempt to portray to myself if I could go back and offer advice would be time management. The University of Alabama offers so many tools to succeed and so many students do not use these tools because of poor time management skills. These extended resources include free tutoring, libraries open 24 hours a day, dedicated academic advisors, professors devoted to their students' success, multiple peer study groups, etc. I would go back and warn myself about how important it is to balance your studies with your social life and how important it is to place an emphasis on academics before anything else. Kids coming out of high school need some guidance to learn to balance their new freedom with their school obligations.
Joseph
I would definitely teach myself how to study better and make better decisions on time management and the friends which you surround yourself. All three are areas which I knew nothing about in high school and I recommend thinking and discovering these issues I had in high school to better my education.
Briana
If I go could back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have much advice to give. First, I would remind myself that where ever I choose to go to college is where I will be living for at least the next four years so I would be sure to choose wisely. I would also tell myself to find out all the classes I will be required to take prior to graduation and develop organizational skills to plan out all four years. Besides academic advice, I would tell myself to meet as many people as possible in college, join clubs and get involved with anything that interests you. Studying is important, but being actively involved and supported causes is also just as important and looks good on resumes. Lastly, I would advise myself to have fun but be careful as well. Be aware of pictures and postings on websites such as Facebook; think before you act.
Casey
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely have some important advice to give myself. First, I would tell myself to take as many Advanced Placement courses as possible in order to make the transition to college courses easier as well as give me more opportunities to earn college credit before stepping on a college campus. I would also tell myself to maintain true to myself when going through the first few weeks of college. When going to a new college in a new state, it was extremely easy to forget everything that has made me who I am before leaving for school in a dire attempt to "fit in". However, once getting over that initial hump, I realized how crucial it is to stay true to myself and become friends with people who are friends to me because of who I am, not who I am pretending to be.
Candy
I have a couple of regrets that i would like to clear up if i could go back in time.
First off, i would tell myself that despite what everyone says about there being so many scholarships , it is actually hard to get them. Since i had no volunteer experience, it limited me to only a few scholarships that i could apply for. I regret not being able to volunteer, but instead i had a part time job that took most of my time. On a side note, i wish i could have told myself to practice driving so that i would have a car and be able to work near my college to help pay for my education.
Second, i would tell myself to be more active and try to make friends in some way so that i would have known more people at the beginning of college. It was lonely and boring in the beginning; now i'm slowly making some friends. I've noticed that shy people don't move forward in life and have fun as much as out going people. Of course, i still wouldn't drink or smoke because that's who i am.
Jacob
First off, I do not believe I would want to go back in time and change anything because I am content with the way things have turned out so far. However, if I had to go back and change some things, I would probably start with telling myself to not be so stressed about college because there is nothing I could do to change it so I should just embrace what college is going to be like. Next, I would try to become more involved in school clubs and organizations to help better myself in areas like public service and public speaking that could be of use to me in the future. Lastly, I would explain to myself that I need to have fun while I am in high school because it can only be experienced once and after all it is a major step in the walk of life. Those seem like a lot of changes that could have been made but honestly I am glad that I do not have the opportunity to change anything, becasue like I said I believe everything has turned out just like it is supposed to and nothing needs changing.
Christina
No matter how much you prepare for college, no matter how many testimonies you hear, the transition into college from high school will be like nothing you would ever expect. The best advice to give a graduating senior in high school would be to think about the way that your high school was run, the teachers that forced you to do your work, the coaches that punished you if you were late, and just forget about it--because in college, you are truly on your own (only with hundreds or thousands of other freshman in your same position). You must get yourself to class, keep up with work, definately keep the partying to a minimum, and above all else stay focused. Aside from time management, another issue that many freshman face is financial balancing. Most students have an allowance of some sort. My suggestion is to save your money! Do not go out to eat every night or waste your money other ways. Make use of your meal plan or free things around campus that are mostly offered to freshman. Most significantly, college is the first time away from parents, so prove to them that this investment is worth it.
Mykia
There is a huge difference between high school and college. Yes college is a lot more flexible than high school. You do not have to go to all of your classes, there is no dress code, and you can pick what time, day, and professors you prefer for your classes. These are things that we hear about growing up, the obvious, but there are somethings that you do not hear a lot about and thats responsibility and being independent. They sort of both go hand in hand. Once you have graduated from high school and enjoyed your summer break, it was time for the real world. In the real world, you start becoming more independent. You will not have mommy and daddy there to wake you up in the morning, remind you to do your homework, and tell you when and where you can go. That's when responsibility kicks in. You have to make your own decisions and think things through before you make them. Another part of being responsible is prioritizing. College may be more flexible, but not when it comes to homework. The work is a lot harder and time consuming. Take time out to study.
Casey
As a high school senior, I was incredibly stressed out about making friends and still making good grades in college. I was so used to the comfortable social scene that four years of classes with the same people had all but forced us into that I was anxious about suddenly having over 28,000 peers. The huge, impersonal lecture halls haunted my dreams for months. I wish I hadn't let myself get so stressed about something so silly. In my first semester I got involved in marching band and my church on campus, both of which led me to great friends. And that lecture hall? I only had one class in a room that even resembled the dungeon of my nightmares. Three of my four classes that semester had less than forty people in them, and had professors who reminded me of my high school teachers.
If I could go back, I would've just told myself to take a breath. It will all be okay, and you will learn how to go about your new social circle. I would've told myself to just let it happen, because there was no point in stressing about it.