University of California-Davis Top Questions

I have learned this first year that many of the general courses use and build upon knowledge from high school. The greatest advice I would tell myself is to not take things in high school so lightly. The courses in high school seemed to require little effort to me so I learned material just to pass tests and not to actually acquire knowledge. I would have had a much easier time learning the material in college if I understood it better in high school. Being able to master the academic part of college early would have made the transition far easier. I just wish I could show my high school self my first quarter transcript and tell them what I had done wrong. I have no doubt that I would have changed my study habits and actually paid more attention rather than discard teachings solely because I disliked the one teaching it. That is an important fact of life that I have come to learn my freshman year: even if you dislike your teacher or don't understand them, it is still your responsibility to learn the material whether on your own or with the help of others.

I'm finding myself at college. I attend my classes, takes notes and receive good grades, but the real reason I am here is to discover what I will be like and how I will take on the world once I am actually out in it. I do not go partying every weekend with my friends. I thought I would once I got to college, but I'm glad that I do not. I like to think it shows more about my character when I say that I differ from the average college student. Apart from that, I'm also learning how to take care of myself without the help of my parents. My mother cannot afford to help me, so I have been on my own financially. Having this on my shoulders along with the stress of college exams, creates quite the load. I have learned, however, that I am a strong woman. Stronger than I ever thought I was. My dreams and aspirations for the future seem like a possibility now. I know as long as I continue to work hard, raise money and still remain balanced between my school, work and social life, then I will succeed.

My college experience has been amazing and has really opened my eyes to the 'real world.' I grew up in an upper middle class neighborhood that was not very diverse ethnically, religiously, nor politically. Coming to Northern California has exposed me to much more variant political views, and the school itself houses a multitude of cultural backgrounds and beliefs. I have had the opportunity to meet new people and expand my knowledge of vitality and living presently, all while sticking to strong academic standards that have prevailed throughout my life and delving upon a whole new world of research, labs, and science. Davis has been exciting and the small college town atmosphere definitely facilitated a smooth transition from home living to becoming a more independent, open-minded adult.

My college experience has been a mixture of things. I now know that I am no longer a child and that I have to grow up and depend on myself. In my, so far, short experience, I've had to learn how to deal with family problems being away from home. I've had to learn how to live with three other girls in close quarters and how to make friends where I knew no one. I've also had to learn how to take care of myself with just relying on myself. I've also learned how to manage time better and how hard it actually is trying to do all the activities I want to do. I've also learned that I have a long road ahead of me to do what I want to do in life. And I am so ready for more of my collge experience.

I have recieved a great education and the skills I need to exceed in the career I have chosen for my self. It has been very valuble to attend because once I graduate I will be able to get a secure job with good pay so I am able to support myself and my daughter and give her a good life.

I have learned from my college experience that I have much more to learn! And I am excited to use what I've learned from, so far from to Davis to continue learning and truely discover what drives me and how I can make a positive impact on this world. By attending UC Davis classes I have come to find new interests in subjects that I never thought I would like, for example, geology! It was a prerequisite for my major, but after I took the general geology class I have been taking geology classes every quarter since and now I'm thinking of completely a geology minor. It's remarkable how many opportunities Davis can offer to an aspiring young student. One of my close friends here started out as a Tecnocultural Studies Major, but has decided to double major in Art Studio as well in order to pursue her dream. She sought the help of the talented people hired by Davis to assist students in discovering the majors and subjects that truely express what they wish to develop into a career. I am proud that I chose UC Davis as my university!

I was always that girl in school who was too timid to express her own thoughts. I redefined the word "reserved". By the time I hit high school, I knew it was time for a change. I couldn't let this problem hold me back anymore. In my tenth grade year I joined a program in high school that allowed me to graduate with my high school diploma as well as my A.A. degree. That summer I began my courses at Brevard Community College (BCC). Now, as a senior, I am a full time student at BCC. Since attending this school my confidence has increased in a way I never thought possible. Now I am never to shy to talk, especially to my teachers. As a result of my increased confidence, I have also become more involved in my school. I am engaged in several clubs, and hold leadership roles in many as well. My college experience has allowed me to become a more efficient student and harder worker. I now have skills I didn't have before that will allow me to continue a successful college experience, as well as the ability to graduate into a successful career.

My college experience has allowed me to interact with people who are actually interested in the same things I am. It has also allowed me to meet new people and discover new ways of looking at old ideas. I hope that I can continue to grow as I pursue my degree and I know that Davis is the perfect place to do so.

Beyond the academics, college (undergraduate study)exposed me to viewpoints of which I was unaware. I learned about so many cultures and beliefs. I was able to study abroad, which completely transformed me. College afforded me the opportunity to find work easily and with the skill set necessary to work in diverse, 21st century settings. Most importantly, attending college propelled me into adulthood and independence. I learned how to be self-sufficient, resourceful, persistent, and focused. Earning a Masters helped me to become proficient in my profession and to network with colleagues. Graduate course work enabled me to feel like an expert in my field. Now as a graduate student, for the second time, college is re-inspiring me. I am challenged by my classmates and course work. I am intellectually stimulated and excited by all that I am learning. Again, I am discovering alternative viewpoints and it is expanding my thinking. I believe that earning my doctoral degree will allow me to continue be in college as a researcher and instructor, thus I will continue to be exposed to new thinking and ideas.

Despite the fact that I am currently attending a two year institution, paying for school is still a lot of money. Tuition for the courses I am taking, such as physics or calculus and analytical geometry, is expensive. And the cost for the books and supplies I need for my courses is absurd. I have learned to put my best in the courses I am taking not only to receive excellent grades, but also for the fact that I am paying, out of my own pocket, for the courses that I am taking. It would not be wise to be paying close to one thousand dollars for a course, and receiving a C+ in it. College has also taught me to be able to do more things on my own. I have to make sure I pay my tuition on time so I can take the courses I need to graduate. I also have to make sure I balance my school time and work time so the two do not collide. I have also learned that attending college is such a big benefactor for people who want to receive great pay.

During my first quarter at college, I expanded as a person and discovered more of who I am as a person. At college, you met a variety of people, coming from a small sheltered town this was a change for me at first. I have learned so much in one quarter at college, and then I did in one year in high school. College provides students an opportunity to discover what the world is like and allow us to learn what we want and how to study effectively. It has widened my view about the world. I believe it is valuable to attend college for people to learn about themselves and the world, thus allowing them to become better citizens and create a better world for the future.

I have grown in so many ways because of some of the hardships associated with being a college student. My work ethic is stellar due to having to hold a job to support myself while I attended community college and this has translated into good grades. I have also paid for my school for the most part and this also has translated into knowing the value of education and money. This is something some students dont necessarily learn in college. College has forced me to reprioritize. Fresh out of highschool, I definately needed to work on what I thought was important. Because of college, I hold my career (school and relavent work) and my family very important. I strive to do well in these aspects of my life. Another thing I have learned from attending college is that it is okay to be ambitious, motivated and curious because these traits will translate into opportunities that will in turn, allow for more personal growth. College has been an overall uplifting experience but it has also been a humbling one. In the words of my biology profressor, take the shotgun approach. Apply to everything because only a few things will pan out!

Although the learning experience in college is very important, the most valuable thing I have learned from college experience is to be independant. In highschool, the teachers will keep track of a student's progress and help the student along if he or she is not doing too well. In college, the student is on his or her own. Also, he or she will learn to take care of themself, if living on campus. These skills are very important in living in the real world because no one will be willing to help all the time.

I have learned a lot about the larger world. I have developed a much stronger sense of competition and hard work than I ever did in high school. I've learned a lot about different views, opinions, and beliefs. I've met a lot of really fun people.

College has made me more confident in myself. I now feel more comfortable expressing my true personality. In high school I was a "nerd" and other students didn't find that cool; at UC Davis it's cool to be super smart. I'm more outgoing because I feel more comfortable with myself. The independence at college is also fantastic. I'm learning how to manage my time and I'm loving it. College has only made me more excited to get my degree and work in a profession doing what I want to do!

My college experience was in it’s own way very unique. Being a transfer student, I had the priveledge of experiencing two completely different “college lives.” At Ohlone College in Fremont, CA. I attended classes where occasionally time was apparent; due to the semester system, where classes were stretched out over a longer period of time. At UC Davis, time became scarse; due to the quarter system, where all classes seemed much more confined. Throughout the four years of college, I have faced and overcome challenges that have provided me with the readiness necessary for the real world. Attending college was always valuable to me and my family. As a child, it was embeded in my mind that college was mandatory and not an option. Therefore, it was only natural and necessary for me to attend college. I always knew college was important, however, I had underestimated the value of a Bachelor of Arts degree until I stepped foot in the real world. It is now apparent that a B.A. is worth a lot more than I once thought. Thus, realizing the power of knowledge, I would like to continue my quest for knowledge by pursuing higher education.

When I was an incoming freshman, I didn't expect much because I didn't have an older mentor to tell me how college was like. I judged it by my own experiences of visiting the campuses and through what the media portrayed. However, college is totally what I didn't expect. I am attending a university eight hours away by car from home so I have a great amount of independence. Although, this independence comes great responsibility. I've basically thrown myself in a situation to experience life without the guidance of my parents. Also, college is a valuable place to attend. You are surrounded by knowledgable minds where you experience different ways of thinking, and also different cultures and backgrounds. Furthermore, I've discovered the value of an education by attending. If I had decided to not go to college, then I would have probably be stuck in a situation where I couldn't get out. College allows you to be introduced to a variety of subjects and ideas where you can pick out what you like best and what you want to pursue further.

I learned valuable lessons about what wasn't right for me in my life at my college. As a transfer student, I decided to get involved with my campus by joining a professional engineering fraternity. It took me a couple quarters to realize the group wasn't right for me. Joining organizations can be valuable in many ways, usually in the way of making lasting friendships, but for me, I realized I did not want to buy my friends. I do not believe in joining a group and blindly following its rules just to be accepted as one of them. I pride myself in that. I pride myself in being my own unique person. In the end, I made my own friends. I made friends with people who loved the same things I did, outside of school and our future careers. I made friends with people who are passionate about the outdoors, like I am, through the Outdoor Adventures program on campus. I am grateful for my misstep, because it has led me to where I am now: a strong woman with a new outlook on life, friendshipe and even career goals. I changed from Engineering to Psychology!

As a current second year at the University of California, Davis, I have recently transitioned from living on campus in the dormitory to living in an off-campus apartment for this school year. Both situations have benefited me both academically and socially. Moving three hours from home to Davis has also greatly matured me and has created a stronger bondage between my family and me as well. I have enjoyed all the options I have to do here, whether that be studying at the library, working out at the gym, or joining multiple clubs and making friends there. The professors are very intellectual and willing to help all their students succeed. I have learned that the academic advising centers are helpful to those who take initiative to learn how to use those resources; although I have personally been indecisive on what career path to take, talking to peer advisors has greatly helped me choose which courses to take so far. What I love about UC Davis the most, is that it is in a very college-oriented town and is environmentally friendly with bikes everywhere. When I am older, I know that I will always appreciate my undergraduate university choice.

College gave me freedom to do what ever I wanted without my parents holding me back. However, with freedom comes responsibilty. From the start, college gave me the experience of newfound freedom but it has taught me to not abuse this freedom. Every thing that I choose to happen in college will have a consequence towards my studies. If I do not balance my schedule out then I will fall through in one area. My college experience thus far proves to be valuable as I find that I can be independent of my parents as long as I make the right choices in what I do. It has introduced me to adulthood and independence.