University of California-Davis Top Questions

College has been a wonderful experience. It has allowed me to grow and flourish into the person I've always dreamt of being. I am attending a prestigious university and working towards getting a degree in a field that I've wanted since kindergarten. College has not only brought about new experiences, but has taught me how to better respond to older ones. Choosing to attend college is one of the best decisions a person can make. Unfortunately, not everyone is talented enough to make a professional sports team or sell a multi-platinum record. For those who are, good for them, but those who aren't must make their own luck. The only way to make this luck is to further one's education and enroll in college. Whether it be a junior college or a 4-year university, college is an opportunity that shouldn't be taken for granted. You are given an amazing amount of life experience, as well as an education that will propel one into success. Nothing is more valuable than an education/knowledge and that is college's gift to its students.

I would never trade anything to go back in time and not attend college. Not only does college open up new horizons by increasing my knowledge of the world and life, but the friends I have gained through this experience are by far the best friends I have ever had. We have made bonds like brothers and sisters, and the thirst for knowledge and research has only expanded from their help. Meeting people who have the same interests as me and who are motivated to learn new concepts and use them to imporve the world, is invigorating. The college experience has taught me how to become, not only a brighter student, but a stronger, more independent woman who can become an Animal Scientist as long as I continue to work hard and have the love and support of my friends and family by my side. Honestly, college is the best experience I have ever had, and anyone who is committed and wants to attend, can and should.

I've learned a lot about myself in college and I've had the opportunity to expand my horizon. I look forward to my future now, and I can't wait to see what the next steps have in store for me.

My college degree will transform me, as an immigrant, into a unique “mix” that is not just mixed-blood between different civilizations. I would not be able to obtain my college degree in America without being more or less proficient in English. As a new immigrant, I will be bilingual in Chinese and English – mix of languages. By the time I obtain my college degree, I will be mixed both in education and culture. For example, many Americans consider “thirteen” as an unlucky number because of historical events; however, I see it as a fabulous, lively number in a Chinese viewpoint. Therefore, this success proves that I will fulfill American Dream because I have a common Chinese dream which is to reach beyond the endless sea of knowledge with hard-work. My college degree will display me as a hard-worker, and a top performer in particular areas. Moreover, my college degree will demonstrate my mixed tastes of coldness and warmness of human nature because I would have been through many affairs with a variety emotions when I get my college degree. In conclusion, my college degree demonstrates my ability to adapt abript changes and accept different cultures and values.

I have not yet begun college, however, I am looking forward to making a better life for my 2 year old son. I had a wonderful life growing up, and he AT LEAST deserves the same life that I had, and even better if and when I am able to provide it to him. Since his Father is not in the picture, it is up to me. My job as a waitress will not allow me to offer him the lifestyle that he deserves to have. I want to get into the nursing field because I want nothing more out of a career than to support my son and to help others in the process. I think that nurses touch the patient's lives in so many ways, and I want the opportunity to do so. Thank you for considering me for this wonderful opportunity!

What I have gotten from my college experience is an array of things like stress and anxiety but the real thing that I have gotten from college is a love and passion of learning. To me there is nothing better than sitting with colleagues or friends and discussing something. I love the experience of attending class and reading the books recommended. I have gotten an experience that will last a lifetime and something that I can tell my kids about. It has been valuable to attend my university because I have found something that I like doing. I enjoy waking up and going to school to ignite my curiosity in subjects that will remain in my mind for years. I would have never thought when I got older that school would be my favorite activity. I value the education I’m getting and cannot wait to become a teacher and show my passion to others. This experience has been valuable because I have made friends, experiences, and knowledge that will last a lifetime and for all of this to happen at one place is why college is so memorable.

My most valuable experience at during college was the many interactions I was able to have with other people. As a freshmen, I lived in the dormatory and was able to befriend with a diverse amount of students. Some students came from Southern California, Bay Area, and out of state. From these students, I learned a great deal about different lifestyles and how different everyone is. Some of these students became great friends, others became great acquaintance that provided me with help later in my college career. My interactions with other people grew when I joined a campus organization and eventually became the president of the organization. No longer was I restricted to interactions with people within my age group, but I began dealing with elders and people with much more life experience than myself. This experience taught me to respect other people's ideas and personal opinions. In addition, I learned so much more about interpersonal communication. As we all become older, we all must learn to interact with other people, younger and older than ourselves. Attending college has provided me with the opportunity to learn and experience the personal interactions that I could not obtain elsewhere.

So far in my college experience I have really learned to appreciate people for who they are, not to judge, and to accpet everyone for what they contribute in life. Both of my parents have taught me to be an accepting person my whole life, but being in a new and different environment thrusts you into a new world where you come across all types of new and interesting people. My dad recently passed away, at the beginning of the year, and life has been turned upside down for me and my family. I know that my dad is watching over me everyday, pround of what I am working toward accomplishing in life. I work hard in school and in life everyday to make him and my mom proud. It is also very hard to pay for tuition, because my mom is unemployed as of right now. But, I know that my hard work will pay off to ensure that I lead a great life that my parents have always worked hard for me to have. It is a priceless gift to be able to attend college and I am truely grateful for the opportunity!

As my journey continues as a college student I have acquired a great deal of knowledge. The saying that knowledge is power is very true and should be taken very seriously. College prepares you to be a great individual in the real world, not only does it feed you knowledge but it helps you be a better prepared person in life. A succesful life with a succesful career should be at the top of any one's to do list. Attending college has only given me a drive in life, a sense of achieving all that seems impossible. Attending college and getting that knowledge and those classes under my belt are only preparing me to be that succesful woman that my mother has always wanted me to be. Knowing that you are educated makes you feel very proud of yourself. So attending college has been very valuable in my life. It has helped mold me in a smart and bright person. It has gave me skills that I don't think that I could of got any where else.

In my short time here at the University of California, Davis, I have utilized many resources that have made a positive impact on my life. From taking part in relevant organizations that affect my potential career to simply utilizing the natural resource we have called the Arboretum to provide relaxation in my studies, UC Davis has given me a place to feel comfortable as I pursue a higher education. Despite my short term here at Davis, I have already learned to appreciate the community I have and the people that encompass this campus thus showing me that the university and its community is an overall success. The new friends found through organizational involvement and dormitory residence that have become family here, as well as the many resources the campus has to offer me are an excellent addition to the worthwhile education I am receiving. The occurrences I have encountered upon starting here have taught me lessons I know I can apply to my life as I continue to grow as a student, and simply as a person.

From my experiences at UC Davis I have developed new friendships, learned things about myself, learned how to ride on a bus for the very first time, and learned how to prioritize my time wisely. Attending college has been a valuable experience as it really gives me a sense of how living in the outside world is almost like. I no longer have the aid of my parents to make choices and careful decisions for me and I currently have to think things through. Overrall the best experience out of college no matter how cliche it may sound would be the learning experience. The learning experience allows me to make my own mistakes and learn from them like how everyday people make mistakes. I really don't know how I would have survived in the real world if it weren't for the experiences I have at UC Davis, and I hope over my next 3 years here I will continue to gain more experiences.

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College has taught me to look beyond what I see with my eyes. It?s taught me to be a critical thinker in all aspects of my life. College has immersed me in many cultures I would have never been apart of if I had not gone. I?ve gained an appreciation for the resources I use because I?ve been taught how humans impact the world. With that I?ve been able to discover how I want to live my life, what morals I hold valuable, and ultimately who I want to become. It has been extremely helpful for me because it gave me the chance to separate myself from my family and think for myself for a change. Most importantly I have been given the opportunity to grow in an environment that supports equality, tolerance, and peace. Knowlege is valuable. Knowlege is power. I've been given the power to make a difference in my life and the lives of others. For that I will always be grateful.

During my undergrad years, the most important thing I learned was how to be comfortable with who I am. All throughout high school I neverfelt comfortable with my sense of humor, looks, or friends--I never found someone with whom I connected. After four years at Davis, though, I can honestly say that I have made lifelong friends who accept me for exactly who I am and who I will become after another two years in graduate school. To me, finding out who you are is really trhe best thing you can get out of your college experience.

Because of my degree, I have a wonderful job and I love what I do. College was never truly a fun experience for me, especially since I worked two jobs and commuted to school while living at home. I didn't actually get to experience the "real" college lifestyle. While disappointing, I don't regret it. Working while going to school helped me develop critical people skills and also allowed me to hone great time management techniques. UC Davis is a fantastic school and while my personal college experience didn't quite live up to my expectations, I am forever glad that I was able to graduate from that very fine institution.

UC Davis is a school that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for an intellectual challenge, while working with people from diverse backgrounds and ideas. I have never been exposed to an environment where there is such a plethora of ethnic backgrounds, religious and political ideologies, and ideas. Not only did UC Davis provide me with an exceptional education that will more than adequetely prepare me for my future career, it provided me with the abilities and skills to look at the world from different and unique perspectives. These abilities and skills will allow me to excel in my professional life, but more importantly, my personal life. I am proud to come from a school that puts such encouragement on students to be themselves and to share their experiences with each other. It is only when we work together that we can achieve such greatness, and that greatness is clearly evident at UC Davis through the accomplishments of professors, researchers and most importantly, the students, who are just beginning their journey to change the world.

I have recieved from my college experience a new hope. I was a single mother struggling to find a job and getting by. Yet now im a single mother with a future. I still don't have a job, but I am working towards a better life. I have been able to realize what I want to achieve career wise. In result, also, this has encouraged me to incorporate this new hope and realization through the rest of my life. I have become more interactive with my daughter and her school. I have even renewed severed connections with my family and old friends. I have learned that I must value what I have, and that what I do have I must make valuable to me.

Before attending college, I must admit I didn't think I would be very affected; I've always been a very self proficient person. However, now that I'm attending a very competative university, I have learned many affective life skills. While competing in a varsity sport, I have learned to juggle athletics with academics. Grades must be kept up to keep competing and thus, I have learned to do so. This is very applicable to the outside world when considering taking care of a family, a house, a job, etc. I have learned how to prioritize classes and have found the right mix of social and academic life. The information I have learned here is irreplaceable and will forever be part of my knowledge base. I feel that I am being adiquately prepared for the work sector and the jobs opportunities that await me. My life has been positively influenced by the classes, experiences, professors and students I have met and interacted with during my college career.

College is hard, but without the challenge, I would not learn anything. The hard work is worth it in the end. College has been very valuable to me because I am now less intimidated when it comes to socializing. I am usually "shy" when it comes to socializing. College has taught me to "open up" and express how I feel and not to feel discouraged when speaking in front of an audience . This would help me a lot when I start working. College has also taught me to spend wisely. I have learned to control food spending habits which usually puts a "dent" in my wallet. It is scary to walk into the doors of an institution without knowing anything or anyone. Out of my college experience I have attained a stronger sense of independence . When you walk through those doors it is like the reality sets in: I am on my own now. The exciting feeling kicks in when you start to feel independent. You feel like you can do anything and go anywhere.

Being able to attend a university has been rewarding on many levels. I was able to push myself academically. More importantly, I learned to work with people - fellow students, professors, teaching assistants, faculty members, and even strangers. The university offers a variety of settings for learning and interacting with people. This has helped me understand how to work within a diverse group. I feel confident now in effectively contributing and influencing the efforts of a team that I am working with. Attending UC Davis has also given me access to so many resources. Through randomly applying for a rafting job at an on campus outdoor organization, I was exposed to all sorts of outdoor activities. I did not know what I had been missing out on! I plan to continue enjoying these sorts of activities for the rest of my life. I have also had access to all sorts of other extracurricular activities where I was able to explore my abilities and interests. Succeeding academically requires a lot of discipline, responsibility, maturity, time management, work, and focus. I find applying the same commitment to hobbies and interests outside of school or work strengthens my performance and enjoyment in all areas.