University of Central Florida Top Questions

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This seems to be the common experience or saying that binds all of us together. With that however, comes many changes in personality, character and behaviour. This experience has taught me how to take on a task larger than myself and then to conquer it. Some days were tougher than others due to different circumstances that took place but as I leaned upon God for strength, He has helped me to get me through the different obstacles and trials to get me through to this point. While a finance student at UCF, I have learned about how the world of finance operates, the psychology of how people make financial decisions and their opinions and beliefs on finance. While the journey was at times rough, I have learned to find a passion, work hard at it and to it very well. Lastly, UCF has taught me that anything you put your mind to and accomplish is possible. In conclusion, This journey of "1,000 miles" will soon end and another will begin and the lessons I've learned in this "1,000 miles", I'll use rest of my life.

I never thought I was college material. In fact, it took me years to discover that there was another away to make a living. Having come from a multi children low income single parent home, my opportunities were limited; in part because of my mother's philosophy, she only made it to the fourth grade, and in part because I was a typical teenager more interested in becoming eighteen, to leave the house, than pursuing education. I became a dropout as soon as I became emancipated; my journey to this country had given me a two grade level disadvantage, I was only a freshman when I became eighteen. After loading trucks for many years, I began to look for an alternative. I finally enrolled in an adult continuing education program, where I quickly became an "A" student. I'de like to conclude by saying that I am grateful for all of the people that were instrumental in setting me in the right path; I am also grateful for the opportunities and doors that have been open for me due to my ongoing academic achievements, and I hope someday to be able to contribute and change somebody's life in return.

What I have gotten out of my college experience was better understanding not only of myself but of different cultures and people from different woks of life. It has taught me to be more respectful and mindful of people who are out there and those who are attending the same college as me. Though some people may seem a certain way, it's always a great thing to give them the opportunity that schooling gives them to better themselves and with that you get to see others and understand those people of your college community better. This has been such a valuable thing and I firmly believe that people who do not go to college or do not have the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and different societies like college students have will not be able to more easily understand their neighbors or the other people around them. This is a benificial thing to have and I am grateful that I am allowed to experience it. This is probably the greatest thing that I have gotten out of my college experience.

The few things I have learned about college in my little time i have been attending. One thing is that high school prepares you for nothing your going to incounter in the college atmosphere. Your surroundings are competely different, you can only dependd on you and you alone to have anything completed or reminded to you about deadlines, papers, and so forth. Another thing is that the choices you make in your classroom are the choices that will reflect your own self to your teachers and to upcomming colleges or universities you are looking for. One last thing would have to be the diversity you meet with each new class, something that for me was a shock and a little startling. But the knowledge and insight I have gained so far has been tremendously helpfull in how I see my school work and how Im approaching my University search and also how to approach circumstances that happen at my work and daily life as well. Its certainly valuable in that the lessons its teaching me is bettering me all around and just preparing for new life situations to come, and ones that are already happening.

Rumor has it that college is this amazing time to find yourself. While this is true I believed that that meant that finding myself would have more positives than negatives. Being a college student away from home I have run into issues that I had never even fathomed when I was moving in. Financially I find myself in debt and prioritizing the distribution of my money to the point where I only eat two meals a day. I find myself homesick for home cooked meals and free housing and no need to worry about gas prices. That being said though this college experience has provided me with such enormous insight. For the first time in a long time I am able to take enjoyment in my courses and have enough time to get all my work completed. With this in mind college is not all about academics. Being here I have met people who have helped me decipher what I want out of my major and research wise. I have been able to find school organizations that share my interests and have introduced me to new causes that I would not have been involved in had I not attended college.

A chance to make something out of my self

I am a student in the School of Social Work. After completing my first semester at UCF, I have attained, what seems to me, a well rounded basis, on which to build the understaning important , in order to join the clinical social work profession. My professors have instilled in me the passion for this career. They have taught me that as a social worker I must develop respect for diversity as the world and its economy is going global. As a result, I must keep an opeen ear and eye toward all societal, political and economic changes affecting America today.

I have only completed one semester of college so far, but I have already learned an abundance of information. I learned how to better manage my time, especially because being a music major requires a lot of practice outside of the classroom. I also learned more about the value of money. I am paying for a majority of college by myself, and I have learned that money must be spent more carefully than it was in high school. UCF in particular has been valuable for me to attend because I am making several new friends, and getting experiences that I would never have gotten in other universities. For example, I have had the opportunity to attend music conventions and perform in various locations because of UCF's proximity to activities in downtown Orlando. I have also encountered a new competitive environment in the honors college. It was very easy for me to get through high school, and there was little competition for good grades. Now, in the honors program, I am competing with students that are as strong, if not stronger, than me in class, and I have acquired a new motivation to succeed in school.

A long time ago when the economy was prospering my family was financially set. However, after the economic downturn my family and I have had some bumps in the road. Throughout high school I always worked and paid for all my expenses. However, I had a roof over my head and food always on the table. Once coming to college I got a new reality check. I was now paying for my rent, gas, groceries, tuition, and books because my parents couldn’t help me out, and the government thought my father was making too much money to give me any aide (although he single handedly supports 6 people). At the same time I am a full time student at the University of Central Florida. I am majoring in a competitive field of health science pre-clinical. So things were very stressful and college seemed to be completely over whelming. However, I kept working and remained focused. Having all of this responsibility on my shoulders has made me grow as a student and an individual. After experiencing college completely on my own, I value the strength it has given me to succeed academically and in the future.

From my college experience, I have gained valuable knowledge to help me succeed in the real world. In my classes, I have learned the information required for my future job in the field of engineering. Because of my involvement in extra-curricular activities, I have gained leadership experience and I have learned the value of networking, communicating, and working with others. It has been valuable for me to attend college, because I now know that college is not just about taking the required courses and learning the required material. It is also about finding out who you are as a person. Being successful involves more than knowing the required information; it is also important to be responsible and dependable. These characteristics are developed while taking classes and participating in the extra-curricular activities that my university offers. By meeting deadlines, holding officer positions, and meeting new people, my university has helped me to develop the characteristics that make me who I am. Because of this experience, I believe that my future is bright, with whatever it may hold.

During my first year of college I have learned a great deal. I feel the most important quality I have learned is to work hard and not to procrastinate. I am working towards a degree in the medical field and it is very competitive so you need to be organized. Getting your work done and on time is crucial. I have also met people from many different cultures. This has helped me in learning people skills which I will need when I start interviewing and applying for jobs. My interaction with people from these different cultures will also help me when I am working with patients and co workers. By attending college you gain the knowledge and skills that you need to work in the field of your choice. Even though going to college is expensive, it is important to get a degree. College takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work. It is definitely worth it. The world is constantly changing and you have to be willing to change with it. By going to college and getting your degree shows that.

Attending the University of Central Florida has been an epic time in my life. With excellent grades, volunteering, and involvement in numerous organizations, I have demonstrated to many that I am capable of setting goals and achieving them. I enjoy the many opprotunities to further my education, and it helped me to decide what I want in life. There are many activities to get involved in and volunteer. I have had the pleasure of doing both. This has been valuable to me because I was able to network with many people, and encourage the youth to attend college because of the very experiences offered to me. I love to help others and college has made me realize that through aiding my peers, and volunteering through class projects. College also gives me an advantage in the work force because degrees are vital in todays society. Most of all I am so greateful for the acceptance and the interactions with teachers, faculty, students, and staff at UCF because they have made me who I am today.

If you're looking for a competitive environment with a diverse group of students willing to work hard and help others, look no further. Choosing this University was one of the most important decisions I had to do. University of Central Florida offers a variety of resources for students to excel in their courses, professionalism, and social life. Being the second largest University in the United States, UCF accommodates all of its 53,000 plus students with organizations, campus housing, and computer advances in their classrooms. This University has helped me gain invaluable skills required to succeed in the business world. The courses offered in the College of Business such as Cornerstone, gives students real life experiences in surviving in a business world. The organizations I have been involved in these past two years, Caribbean Students Association, Club Kreyol, and Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, have given me the opportunity to sharpen my leadership, time-management, and organization skills. I am an active member of the UCF community with the essential skills and determination of a leader.

So far my college experience has taught me how to become a better person and to perservere no matter what. It took me 10 years to get my AA degree due to heart failure but the feeling of accomplishment when I finally did it was immeasurable. Not only, does an education lift you up because you have acheived a major accomplishment but it gets you ready for the next steps in a career. Without an education you will not make as much money and your employment chances dwindle. In this current economy it is not only good to have an education it is essential because of the lack of high paying jobs. Even if you are currently employed you could be missing out on opportunities that are only afforded to you with an education. Many people say college is to expensive but if you put your heart and mind into it you can get it done and the benefits far outweigh the risks. In my experience in the current job just the AA degree got me a pay raise even when it wasn't in my field of expertise. So, yes my college experience was worth It!

Attending college amazed me with the opportunity to fullfill my dreams. I learned a lot of information about the different types of careers that fit my personality such as becoming an elementary teacher or college professor, a civil engineerer who helps rebuild bridges, buildings and roadways, a microbiologist who finds cures for cancer, and much more. I chose to enter the medical field pursueing to become a Pediatrician because helping infants all the way to adultry is my passion. I love helping those in need who are sick, helpless, and in need of good diagnosis. College in the making for me has helped me open my eyes for a brighter and successful future. The classes that I've recently tooken for my major were very tough, and the professors that i've had in the past pushed me to the top to work hard to my potential to better prepare me to face the real world one day. College is very valuable to me because it is an institution filled with tons of opportunities, different types of majors, to meet a diversifed group of friends and get very involved with a successful carreer.

So far out of my college experience I have gained knowledge and skills that will help me to become a better person. I have also learned how to manage my time and stay organized to help me balance my life and achieve my goals.

When I think about my college experience so far all I can say it WOW!!! College has been one great experience for me and I feel that it will only get better. Coming to college has taught me to be independent and get things that I need done for myself without depending on my parents or others to do so. I have become a more responsible individual and hold myself accountable for my actions. I have also learned to be much more out going and start getting to know more people. College is all about networking and making connections for the future its a valuable tool that can come in handy in life later on. The most important thing that I have gotten out of college is the multitude of advisors that are there to help you figure out what it is you want to do with your future. There are so many resources and they are here to guide you through changing your major, declaring a minor, and figuring out what it is you like to do and how you can accoplish that with the degree you have chosen.

So far in college I have learned to be independent and face obstacles! My fall semester I hurt my ankle and was in a wheelchair for six weeks, and it was extremely hard to motivate myself to wheel across campus to class each day. However, being injured made me more sociable and my communication skills with fellow students has drastically improved. I also have learned about growing up this year, and how hard it can be for some people to transition over from high school. Not only did I try out for our national champions rock climbing team, but I also applied to be an RA and am currently waiting to hear back about it! I go to monthly events and have learned so much from everything UCF has provided!

Recently attaining senior status at the University of Central Florida, I can honestly admit that overall my college experience has been awesome and life-changing. I have gained more from this experience than what any professor can offer via any lecture in any classroom. From becoming more responsible, to learning how to budget money and manage time wisely, in addition to information learned through courses taken, college has taught some valuable life lessons. Though there were many missed events, sleepless nights, & stressful days, especially during final exams week, the benefits have always outweighed the costs of the college experience. To have a successful career with great compensation & benefits, education is required. “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”- African Proverb. Present decisions and actions is the basis upon which the preparation of one’s future is built. Attending college is only one of a number of ways to develop a solid foundation for the future. The exposure to numerous networking opportunities and involvement in organizations can enhance the experience in the interested career path. Attending college can serve as the engine of the automobile that converts dreams into reality.

I attended a private Chrisian school from Kindergarten to 12th grade, so I've been able to see more for myself what the "real" world looks like and sounds like. I knew that there were so many people in the world, and all with different beliefs and ways of living their lives, but experiencing that has been kind of a shock. I'm not used to hearing so much cussing, especially from my teachers. But I enjoy the school that I'm attending currently. I know that this is the world that I live in, and its so much worse than I had originally thought. But when I'm on campus and walking around I'm oddly at peace with where I am and how things are. I see people and pray for them and ask God that they can truly see who He is and what He did for them. Whether that happens to them in their life ultimately up to them, but I can still be a quiet example of God's love on my college campus.