University of Evansville Top Questions

My college experience has given me confidence in my academic ability and in my ability to excel at any task that I put my mind to. As I progress through my classes, I become more determined to reach and even exceed all of my educational, career, and life goals. My college experience has also instilled in me an appreciation for learning not only for academic success but for the sake of personal knowledge. It has been valuable for me to attend college because it has given me the tools and skills, including both study skills and communication skills, to reach the goals that I have set for myself. Attending college has also allowed me to be exposed to new experiences, rare opportunities, and different types of people that I may not have encountered if I had not made furthering my education a priority. This exposure has taught me new things about my own personality, such as my ability to deal with difficult situations, and has helped me to appreciate the unique characteristics of other individuals.

As a freshman in college, I am just beginning to see all the possibilities the future holds! I am realizing that not only do I need to attend college to earn a degree that will allow me to have a job that I love and that will support my family, but college is a needed transition between high school and the "real world." It is a self discovery, through living on your own, making your own schedule, and making your own decisions as well as delving inside yourself to find out who you truly are. I am receiving a great education at my college that will prepare me for my future career, but most importantly, I am learning life skills that will help me in every aspect of my future. College is a valuable experience that I will savor for four years as I learn from my experiences, professors, and classmates. College is a beneficial choice at any age to advance in an ever changing world, but I feel it is especially valuable to attend out of high school, so the transition into the "real world" may be smoothed by college itself, and making discoveries every day is an adventure.

College has been one of the most valuable experiences of my entire life. I have been pushed to do things far out of my comfort zone, forced to work harder than I ever have before, and challenged for what I believe in. Through this I have grown so much as a person. My professors have shaped the way I think about the world and have given me a desire to learn more. For once in my life, I am confident in myself and in who I am growing up to be. I have found my place in this world, and I now see my purpose. Before coming to college, I was blind to this. I was blinded by doubt and worry, and was unable to truly be myself. Without a college education, I would not be the person I am today.

So far, being a college freshman with only half of one semester under my belt, I can't deny the growing maturation of not only my attitudes toward life, but also the way I think. I feel as though I have always had a good outlook on things, but going to the University of Evansville has, in a sense, nurtured my thoughts and pushed them farther down the maturity road. My thoughts are now describable by my actions and vice versa, and my actions have responsibilities. My ability to handle tough situations and critical thinking has been provoked to new levels. My ability to think with diversity in mind and to act on those thoughts has also broadened my spectrum to entertain thoughts relative to others, not just my own. To say my college experience is valuable is an understatement, it is invaluable.

I have learned to become responsible for myself. Here I have to take care of myself, make sure I take care of what needs to be done, and manage myself better. My parents aren't with me to do everything for me anymore. I have to do my own work, do my own laundry, shop for myself, take care of things when things go wrong, and learn what is okay and what is not. So far, its been a great experience. I feel like I am truly learning about how to become an adult. College isn't just for a degree.

When entering a university class many students become intimidated when they learn that their college professor has an actual PhD in their field of study because the students know that their professor is passionate and educated enough to not only teach the course but also back up their claims and assumptions with scholarly documents and facts. Even though some professors believe that they are "all-knowing" because of their advance degree the truth is that college professors are human being like the students they teach. They can also be misinformed or even uninformed on certain topics in their field of study. In many of my classes, including my liberal arts and science courses, the professors would often open a discussion on whatever subject we were studying. Of course in the beginning of each semester only a handful of students would be "bold" enough to speak up, but over time as we grew comfortable with the professors more and more students began to speak until eventually every student in every class would join the discussions. PhD professors do deserve much respect for all their hard work, but they are not gods; learn this and you can be successful.

I would tell myself to enjoy the moment more, because high school does not last forever, and I will never see some people I enjoyed being with again. I wish I would've solidified my friendship with a few people I have fallen out of contact with, just because it is so easy to not make the effort or time. Keeping old ties is important, but in college, branching out and discovering people you like, being surprised by who you did not expect you would like, and learning to live with those you may not like is vital. I would also tell myself to keep an open mind, and although you might be nervous, remember that everyone else is too. Above all, I would tell myself to think of college as something to look forward to. Do the best you can in your last year of high school, love it while it lasts, and remember that college can be something you'll love too.

I have an Associates of Science degree focused on Physical Therapist Assistant that I received from Vincennes University in May 2009. I attended VU for three years before transferring to the University of Evansville. I am now considered a sophomore in the Athletic Training Education Program. I was 1 of 12 selected to participate in the program for the graduating class of 2012. If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would have went straight to UE. By going to UE first and skipping VU, I could have double-majored and had both degrees in 4 years versus the 6 years it will now take me. UE is more expensive but I could have been ready for the real world quicker. Also, I commuted to both VU and UE. If I could change it, I would have lived in the dorms my first two years in order to gather a larger "college" experience; eating in the dining hall, having a roommate, showering in the dorms, etc.

As a high school senior, I lived life inside the walls of my high school and my home. Despite what I thought at the time, I was not truly aware of much beyond those peripheries. Now, as a college freshman, I am conscious of the larger picture and my perspectives have changed greatly. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid of the unknown variables in life. In high school, college is a vaugely defined entity with many stereotypes placed upon it that can be daunting to high-schoolers. I would like to go back and tell myself that, just like all things in life, college is what each individual makes of it. I would tell myself not to pass up any opportunities which would result in expanding my horizons of knowledge and experience, but I would also assure myself that college is a time for discovery, knowledge, forging new relationships, and most importantly, FUN! I think that I would conclude by telling myself that in time, college will feel more like home than home does, and it's the best experience so far!

Dear High School Anna, I've come from the future to prepare you for college life as a single mom. Prepare yourself for a major transition from high schooler to single college mom. Think about the future you desire for your child and the support needed to achieve your goals. Your parents will be your strongest support financially and emotionally. Being a mom is a huge task in itself, but being a teen college mom is a unique adventure. Begin researching many scholarships, and applying to as many schools as possible that provide online courses for credits toward your nursing degree. Once accepted, meet with the nursing college advisor and write out your college plan. Be realistic about the challenges of being a single mom. Become organized so you will have less stress when your baby comes. Prepare a schedule so you'll have more time to study when the baby naps or when you have a babysitter. Take many notes and study them daily. Communicate with your professors regularly about crucial material for the exams. Stay focused on your goal to graduate and to set a responsible path for your little one to follow. Sincerely yours, College Anna

There I was--a senior in high school not really knowing where life was going to take me. I was the first generation of college student in my family so I had no idea what to expect. I wasn't sure if college was right for me or if I was smart enough to succeed. As graduation neared, my fear of failure began to evolve into an perpetual dread of college. Looking back at it now I regard my fears as childish and outlandish. Within the first few days of my college career I was greeted with open arms by the faculty and students and set on a course to succeed in my future. If I could change my lack of motivation in high school I would have taken more difficult classes and taken the SAT and ACT numerous times. College opens new doors and opportunities and committing to the University of Evansville was undoubtedly the best decision of my life.

Botany is an evil class. Be sure to actually focus and take notes by hand (you'll remember better... in the weird way we do)! Study for the exams longer than cramming the night before! Know more than the bare minimum, becuase those short answer questions are detailed orriented! Same goes for chemistry! Study and actually DO the practice problems for the exams. You make a lot of tiny mistakes that kill your test grades! Doing that will keep your stomach from eating itself while waiting for final grades. Other than that, good job on being able to wake up to your alarm clock and get to your 8 o'clock classes on time.

Don't waste time and study hard for your SAT's and your ACT. It makes it easier when you finish your high school career with a high GPA as more doors will open. Don't place all your efforts in your sport as it is the GPA that will get you noticed. You need to be chosey on the school you pick, taking into consideration cost, distance and type of educational program offerred.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that it is going to be tough, but it will be worth it. The hours are long, the pay is non-existant, but in the end, you will have a very successful career and be helping people. Try not to waver on your decisions, go with your gut feeling. Try to get some observation hours at the hospital so that you won't have to stress out about them once you finally decide what you want to do. You are a smart person, yet stubborn. Ask for help when you need it, don't wait until you are so far behind that you will never make it back. Put your full effort into everything you do and go to bed before midnight. 8am classes really are as bad as you have been told; avoid them at all costs. Work out every day, you will regret not going to the gym. Go out and make new friends, but you will understand when the time comes, what you need to do. The cute blonde boy in your FYS class isn't as weird as he seems.

Go for it and never second guess yourself. Give your heart credit.

If I could journey back to my high school days, I wouldn't have enough time to cover all areas of advice. The most important thing I would tell myself is not to pick my school based on the financial aid package offered. I picked my current school based on the financial aid, and I often find myself wondering if I am truely happy. Chose where you want to be, then work hard, and apply for scholarships to get yourself there. The next essential advice I would give myself is to manage my time better. Don't waste days sleeping. Most of your extra time should be spent studying. If you don't study you grade point average will fall, and it is a lot easier to let it fall than to bring it back up. If you work hard in the beginning you can rest more in the end. Lastly, don't be intimidated because you are the minority. You have every right to be here. You got into this school with good grades just llike everyone else. Take advantage of every opportunity given to you. These why words are what I needed coming into college as a freshmen.

The most important thing I could tell highschool senior self is to always be on top of what needs to get done to work towards my degree and to not procrastinate. Procrastination is the nemisis of success and it will keep holding you back in college. You might be able to wiggle through high school and get good grades and still procrastinate but not in college. Here you are completely in charge of where you take yourself and how successful you are. Also looking at college as your training for your career as a professional in steat of just another school you have to get through really puts the experience in perspective of what it really is: training. You want to be prepared and ready and hirable when you graduate so you have to really work for it.

If I had the power to advise my high school self, I would give myself very simple advise: believe in yourself and trust your abilities. During my senior year of high school, I had a low self-esteem that had been battered by an eating disorder. Two years later and fully recovered, I turn my negative energy into positive things, like art projects. My former self was afraid of failing, so I chose to not take chances. Consequently, I missed out on a lot of opportunities, like a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Germany. However, in college I have made up for lost time. In the past two years, I have joined an honor?s fraternity, Phi Theta Kappa, where I served as president. I also was the president of student government which provided many wonderful opportunities to proudly represent my school. All two-and-a-half years of my college career I have made Dean?s List. Never did I think that I, the quiet and insecure girl, would ever be able to accomplish such feats. I truly feel that I have developed into the person that I always wanted to be because I now believe in myself.

College is not a joke. When they say you need to take it seriously, you really should. You actually do have to study in college, no matter how many tests you aced without studying in high school. Studying is important, only then will you earn the grades that you want. Do not study 24/7, you need a social life or you could seriously go insane. Craming may work for some people, but looking over your notes daily is much better preperation for tests. Your professors do care about you and you should take the time to get to know them. You will need them one day when you decide you are through with school and ready to find a career job. Get to know your classmates as well, even though you thought it was impossible to study with other people, it is a great idea to gather information and prepare for tests with them. When mom tells you to get over it and write the essay for a scholarship, do it. The reward is great and it lifts a huge weight off your shoulders.

Be outgoing and open to meeting new people. Find friends that have the same interests, good study habits, and are religous. Look for a boyfriend, but do not get obsessed with it because the right guy will find you. Do not join a sorority the first year, but wait a year and then decide if joining one is really for you. Choose a school that will allow you to study abroad and travel every weekend, like Harlaxton. Traveling around Europe will be the best experience of your life and will help you understand the world around you. You will truly learn who you are and what is important to you while you are traveling. Take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.