University of Arizona Top Questions

Since I began my college experience in Fall of 2010, I have learned much. I now know that being independent is not an issue for me, and relying on my mother is not what I want to do. I have also realized that these four years of undergrad will go by quickly, and I should make the most of it by being involved in clubs, campus sports, volunteering, and doing my best to maintain the highest grades possible. In the short amount of time that I have been here, I have met people that I know will be lifelong friends of mine. It has been valuable for me to attend the University of Arizona because of these very experiences above. It has also been valuable to attend because I am a first generation college student. Each year that I spend in my undergrad brings me closer and closer to my dream of attending medical school here and becoming a pediatrician. Overall, my experience in college thus far has taught me that the hardships that I went through in the past were all preparation for this time in my life, and the memorable times that lie ahead.

The University of Arizona has given me the ability to think for myself. I was fortunate in my freshman year to become interested by a philosophy course. I declared philosophy as my major (and later economics) without knowing that the coursework would change who I am. The philosophy program is ranked in the top 15 of the world, the professors that I've had are some of the most important in the field - my mind has been in good hands. My professors did more than ask me thought-provoking questions, they taught me how to answer them. Now I say with absolute honesty that I am fully prepared to undertake any intellectual task given to me in my career. The philosophy department has taught me what questions are important to ask, what arguments are good, how to be creative in my problem-solving, and that an open-mind isn't one which accepts all theses but one which applies rigorous scrutiny to all. This augmented capacity to think has effected all aspects of my life. Before I had selfish ambitions, and now I hope to genuinely improve the well-being of the world. With reason, I will do just that.

I have been to elementary schools and have helped these schools for my degree program. I value that they send students out to schools to observe and help because it benefits not only the students but the schools themselves. The students form a bond with these schools and they can count on the schools to give them help in the future.

"Carley, your college years are some of the best years of your life." These words still linger in the back of my head ever since my dad first told me them at 10 years old. I never knew whether or not to believe him, but I didn't question it either. Now, half way through my third year of college I don't think twice about these words because I know the truth behind them. I couldn't be more satisfied with my college experience in the sense that it is preparing me for the next phase in my life. I am not only academically challenged, but I am physically and financially pushed as well. I am forced to take on challenges, expose myself to new experiences, solve my own problems, and get through situations relying just on myself. Your parents don't tell you how to prepare for life; you just figure it out on your own. However, I can say that college is my defining moment where I realized that I CAN be an independent and I AM going to succeed.

Although I have only completed one semester of college at the University of Arizona it has already changed my entire life. At this school and on this campus I am able to express myself freely and grow into the person I wish to be. This is achieved through the amazing academics offered, as well as the groups and activities available on campus. Before starting college I always heard that the teachers did not care about you or whether you passed or failed; I have yet found one professor to confirm this statement. They are always eager to help better explain the information, and offer their assistance with exams and papers. The school itself is a place where I feel safe. I have met so many new people, and formed life long friendships through the groups the University has to offer. I am so thankful that I am able to attend this college!

I have received an excellent foundation in order to become a professional in the healthcare industry. My bachelor's of science degree from the University of Arizona along with my high GPA have made me a great candidate for furthering my education and this allows me to pursue my dream career as a physician assistant. My education is incredibly valuable because it increases the amount of opportunity that will be available to me thoughout life and in the professional world. Life has a lot to offer and I can not wait to continue my education in order to be a valuable asset to our community.

The most valuable part of my college experience has been the time I spent outside of class, at home, with my three other housemates. The two seniors offer solid, practical advice on how to survive school and avoid the snarls that frequently occur to ignorant freshmen. They taught me to relax and watch a movie instead of studying all night long and to ace a final. They persuaded me the bookstore is a necessary evil. The third girl, a freshman and my roommate, trained me to live with someone who isn't an adult. I have no siblings, so living with someone my age was a foreign challenge. However, I learned how to live with her despite shoving my foot in my mouth and my over-reaching attempts to be best friends for ever and ever and ever. I also learned how to sleep with the lights on while she stays up late. My lessons are far from over and I'm glad. I'd be very sad to cut off this new, exponential growth spurt. Plus, I have a feeling we have a lot more laughter ahead of us, which I would be very sorry to miss.

I have learned how to balance time. I am still learning, but I am improving. It was hard at first to balance studying and hanging out with friends, but it is something that must be learned. I also love seeing how much I have improved over one semester. It is truely incredible what I have been able to learn from my classes. I love my classes and enjoy learning. It has also been a great to learn how to be friendly. It seems that you make new friends every semester! I love that whereever I am, I can talk to people near me and not feel shy. The lessons I have learned in college will always be with me. I am very grateful and blessed to go to the University of Arizona! I would recommend this school to anyone who is willing to work harder than ever before to come here. It is worth it!

I have learned that I am a stronger person than I thought I was. This past fall semester I went to school in Illinois, to play soccer, and I met some wonderful girls there. However, the experience with the coaches was extremely negative. I had a decision to make. I could stay in that verbally abusive situation or change schools and give up my dream of playing soccer in college. I had looked forward to going to college for as long as I could remember and I just couldn't imagine spending four years somewhere and being so unhappy. I chose to give up my soccer dreams and change schools. Life is about choices and I made a choice to be happy. I learned a lot though. I can handle bad situations and still come out ok. I met girls that I will be friends with forever and I got really good grades, in spite of those coaches. I am learning a lot and already growing as a person. I know in four years, when I graduate, I will be a stronger, smarter woman. I am now at U of A and I am really happy. I love college.

Most importantly what I have gotten out of college is to not only be myself, but have independence and confidence in who I am. I came from a graduating all girls high school of 50 and to be myself was super easy. Now at college it was not as easy being myself especially with 40,000 plus other students. I realized in high school I was a large fish living in a small pond far from the ocean and now at college I am a small fish in a very large ocean. College has been a test to how prepared I really was and in reality I was not as prepared as I thought. I began to question myself and try things I have never done before. I test my limits and define who I want to be. This first year at college is only the beginning of who I want to be in the future. It has been valuable to attend because without the experiences and the people I have meet I would not have developed to the person I believe I want to be. I am discovering what it means to be an independent unique adult.