University of Hawaii-West Oahu Top Questions

I still need to learn more in order to get a higher degree. There some friend of mine we go to college at the same time and it's like we are competing each other who will get the higher degree. Which some of them they already had one that are higher than mine.

College can be one of those defining experiences that causes a person to mature or it can be just another excercise in futility. It all depends on the mindset that it's approached with. I used to think that going to college was a status symbol or some kind of induction into adulthood. I went because it was the "expected thing to do." You were a bum -in-the making if you didn't go. I'm convinced now that societal pressure is a lousy reason to attend college and a poor motivator to succeed in it. For if there is little to no personal interest in taking classes, there won't be enough personal investment in them to achieve any measurable success. That takes stamina, which needs inspiration in order to grow. It was when I became inspired to become a counselor that I saw the purpose of college for myself. The classes seemed less like aimless drudgery and more like a meaningful use of God's time. This last semester I formed some incredible friendships and began applying what I learned to better my life, and hopefully, help others with theirs.

It has taken me over 10 years to graduate with an AA in Liberals Arts and now I am enrolled full time in the BA of Business Administration program. I am thrilled that I am able to continue my education at this stage of my life. College has allowed me to look at life with an open mind. It has taught me that knowledge is everything and without it I would not be able to take care of my children and help them with their education. Education has been valuable in helping me find a job and maintain my credibility in my professional and personal life. I am taken seriously because of attending college and know that with education you can achieve anything, anytime, and anywhere.

Taking online classes has really opened my eyes to what can be achieved by someone as busy as myself. In the few situations where I have gone to the school for enrollment and assistance, the staff has been friendly and helpful opposed to what I previously belived I would encounter. The knowledge I have obtained in this previous semester has enlightened me, improving my critical thinking skills and giving me the tools I need to advance my career and run my business smoothly. Furthing my education lets me grab hold of the wheel and steer my life in the direction I want to go.

Most importantly, I have gained a lot of responsibility attending college. I was forced to work full-time to save up enough money to actually attend, and have been attending school full-time and working about thirty hours a week since. I believe that having a degree shows responsibility, motivation and most importantly drive. Growing up I watched my single mother struggle with bills and children working overtime every week just to make ends meet. After watching her struggle, I decided that I had to accomplish myself as a college graduate. Having a degree shows responsibility simply because as a young adult you are showing that your future matters to you and you are willing to do whatever it may take to make a good life for yourself (even if it may be working nearly part time and attending school full time.) Also, motivation because at times you just want to give up and just work because you need the money but you continue because you know that without a degree you do not have a bright future. And finally, drive because you sacrifice so much for so many years and you know that it's worth it.

So far my experience has been more then fulfilling it’s been a pure adventure. I have soaked up and filled my mind with a array of new Techniques to my art work and how I conduct myself when I’m creating. I have interacted with my teachers with a more hands on level and they interacted with me its taught me a lot about myself and what I’m capable of as a student as artist. I have gained a better respect for the game industry and the other artists who work so hard to bring the world a vision as well as the stories yet to be told by my fellow classmates and me. It has really been valuable to me because my father wasn’t able to attend college like he wanted to and my mother had other obligation so I’m doing something to make them and myself proud.

Stepping in college had shaped and molded my personality towards adulthood. College provided me with counselors that gave me sound advice--not just what I wanted to hear, but what I should hear. My teachers provided me with standard lectures and facilitated service-learning option so that we can practice what we learned into real-life situations and help the community at the same time. Through helping others, I bonded with classmates and mentors, and learned valuable socialization skills of forging friendships and networks within our fields of study. College experience had also taught me the value of time and financial management; for example, scheduling responsibly the study time and "fun" time. Personally, the most important lesson that college has taught me is the self-realization of strengths and weaknesses. Knowing my strengths gives me confidence and acknowledging my weaknesses gives me the chance on work on improving them. More than just a diploma and a degree, college experience has provided insights to future goals, networks of friends and mentors, and self-actualization tools for sucess both in and out of the workplace.

Study hard and dont play around. Take classes serious. Pay attention in class, so you dont have to repeat classes later on in life.

Learning all that I have learned now, I would definitely inspire myself to take advantage of the opportunities given to me. As a High School Senior, I was afraid. I was afraid of going to school on the Mainland because of the cost and because of the fact that I'd be starting all over again. Especially because of the fact that I'm from Hawaii where everyone's friendly and hearing about the Mainland and how it's tougher. However now that I've experienced college life in Hawaii, I'm realizing that I want more. I want more experiences. I'm realizing that in order to challenge myself to see how well I can do, would be to have the real college experience in the Mainland. In order to do this, I would have to motivate myself. Despite all the worries that I may have, I would encourage myself to take advantage of the opportunities, even though I may not know what challenges lie ahead of me. I would do this because I believe I am a strong enough person to endure all that is thrown in my direction.

To utilize the counselors or advisors in palnning your education needs and path. Picking the right major and following through with your plans. Also ask questions that will help you to acceed in your future and education. Research the right schools, compare schools and what they have to offer you as a student. Understand how to transfer to other universities and what is needed to imnplement these changes. I would have attended college right out of high school (istead of 10 to 20 years later). Do not apply for student loans unless you really need too. Know that there are lots of grants and scholarships to apply for instead of student loans. And also, apply on time and as much time as needed. Have a balanced life; make time and effort to study hard, don't put off family matters, events or activities (family first, very important), and put some money aside to help with the college books, registration (some money is better then no money) and other college needs. Most of all, have fun while you are atteding college and keep your balance of life.