University of Iowa Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise: "Do not take your education for granted!". Because I was in National Honor Society with many academic awards, I presumed I would get scholarships automatically. I did not research the process on how to be more marketable, so I only received one $2,000 scholarship to one school, which I really did not want to attend at the time. I should have asked my counselor why I was not recommended into AP classes and found out how to get into them which would have made me more marketable. Then in college, I should have gotten involved in school, intermural sports, and student clubs, and worked hard in my studies, instead of just barely getting by, lamenting where I was and wishing for more--but not doing anything to make that happen. I would have a very different foothold in life had I optimized my time in college right off the bat and completed in 4 years; aside from much money saved, that approach would have made me more mature and a better producer in life earlier on than it took otherwise.

I would give myself the same advice I would give myself as a freshman in High School if I could go back. It is so important that you take advantage of any opportunities you are give for they will shape the outcome of the rest of your life. Try your hardest, and make sure that everything you do has meaning to it. Appreciate what you have and strive for the best. You are lucky for the opportunities if any that come your way so don't you dare let any of them pass you up along the way. I would let myself know that my dreams are always reachable with continual hard work and not to et others discourage me from doing what I want to do, because it is will that powers your future not someone else telling you that you can do it. You need to believe in yourself and work for everything you want. You are on your own. You may have support, but your life is yours alone.

The advice that i would give myself as a senior would be: go to tutoring and get help right away and do not wait til its too late. Everything is easier when you ask for help. When you ask for help then it encourages others to ask for help as well.

I would tell myself to focus on getting an associates of arts degree and to start doing my homework the day its assigned and not the night before its due. I would also tell myself to spend more time with my high school friends because I would rarely see them after college has started. I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as soon as possible, as early as possible, and to spend 2 hours a week studying for each credit hour of class I took. Most importantly, I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy my time in college while I could, because I have the rest of my life to work.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to worry less, spend a lot of time filling out scholarships, and to take Spanish. As a senior, I was constantly stressed out about college; where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do, etc. I would tell myself to worry less because everything will all work out in the end. I'm having an amazing time at Iowa and really feel like I belong here. It's the perfect school that is far enough from home, yet still close enough if I need/want to go home. I have met so many amazing people and keep learning the campus is not as big as I thought it would be. College is not cheap, I would tell myself to spend more time than I did filling out scholarships. I would also tell myself to take more Spanish. It was so much easier in high school and learning it in college is a lot harder.

I have gotten quite a lot out of my college experience. First, I received a world-class education and was able to do so in an environment that creates excellence. This education has opened doorways for me to countless opportunities. However, I also benefited from my college experience by growing, not only as a scholar, but as a person. The hard truths that come with the first years of adulthood have lasting impressions on us all. Navigating those years at the University of Iowa came with benefits and unique challenges all at the same time. The maturity I gained during that time, often in the form of lessons learned the hard way, instilled an enduring sense of discipline and integrity. These are not things that can be learned only in the classroom. However, it is my experience that the University of Iowa is committed to making its graduates better people, not just better students.

Sometimes, I still can't believe I'm in college. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was counting down the days till graduation, or getting ready for prom. It seems so distant that that's the next step, but after being here for a semester, it feels so natural. I feel like being here at Iowa, I have changed so much. I'm finally able to manage my time, get work done at reasonable hours, and have enough focus and motivation to study for an exam that will make or break my grade. I have learned how to be independent, yet know when I need to go to someone for help. I've learned how to break out of my shell, and be more outgoing, and put myself out there. Iowa has been extremly valuable to me due to everything it has to to offer me. I know that as long as I am here, I will challenge myself to succeed, and fulfill my dream of becoming a first grade teacher. It seems to be the common trend that everyone hates classes, but I find myself excited to attend, and ready to learn.

Iowa has been challenging and rough at times, but also rewarding and bright. It's taken me a long time to realize the fact that I'm in college now and things are different. To be honest, I'm still getting used to it. I've met many people with different personalities and similar tastes and I've learned so much about myself by being around them. Sometimes I think I made the wrong choice in choosing Iowa, but then I think about all the fun times I've had, all the amazing people I've met, the friends I never intend on losing touch with, and the professors who helped me finally decide what I wanted to do in life and I realize that I made no mistake. Iowa wasn't my first choice, but I'm thankful that I made the decision to attend.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience at the University of Iowa. I used to live in a small town that was mainly Caucasian, and when I moved up to Iowa City my world was flipped upside down. There are so many different people from different cultures and backgrounds. It's fascinating to me to see so how people have come to work together in a community, not caring about skin color, sexual orientation, or beliefs. Everyone here seems to be very welcoming, as it receives thousands of students each year. I have also found that living up at college has helped me grow up and away from home. Yes, I still love my family dearly, but I also have created a life up in Iowa City, which I call my home. The people I live with have definitely had a huge impact on me and I am so thankful that I have gotten the chance to meet people from any town you could possibly think of. It is nice to be able to have someone who is always there for you even though you have only spent a semester with them. That's my College Experience.

My college experience thus far has given me the initiative and inspiration to become passionate about my future. This is due to the amount of people I have met that are willing to help me reach my goals and show me how to succeed. Of all that I have learned so far in college, the most important is that students must have initiative to succeed. From my college experience,I have gained the inspiration and goal-oriented mindset to find the initiative to use my resources. For example, when I was considering my major (theatre), it was so easy for me not only to find the right person to contact about my interests in theatre, but also to get involved in theatre productions with people who truly want to see me suceed. It has been valuable for me to attend the University of Iowa because of all the connections that so easily form between students and their teachers, advisors, and other community members, who all have the same goal- to help students reach their goals.

I started my college experience living at home and attending a community college. After attending the University of Iowa, I was forced to re-learn study habits, independence, and how to live on my own. I have gone from virtually never opening a textbook at my community college to studying at least 6 hours a night on weeknights at U of Iowa. I've realized that if I want to do well and attend medical school, I must dedicate the majority of my time to my schoolwork and less towards having the college social life. My grades are incredibly important to me, so I've had no problem setting my priorities in college. I've also learned while attending U of Iowa how to be a truly independent person. I've learned how to budget my time and money and to buy things that are only necessary. I can tell that I have made an extreme change in lifestyle since I started attending the University of Iowa.

I went into college in August nervous and anxious for the unknown adventure on which I was about to embark. I did not know anyone and was afraid I would fail. Soon, though, I began making friends, studying, living on my own, and realizing that I might be able to "make it." I had a hard time making friends in high school, so it was refreshing to come to college and meet so many people with whom I got along. Another aspect of college that made me nervous was the thought of living on my own. I had never lived without my parents for more than the occasional week-long summer camp, so staying in a dorm room for three months without seeing them gave me anxiety. Luckily, I have had a great experience with my roommates and living on my own thus far. Classes themselves have also already taught me an immense amount about myself - my learning style, my interests, ways I can improve, and more. Overall, all of the above have worked out for me and taught me because of my school and the people I have met here. I cannot imagine beginning my studies anywhere else.

I have gained a new found dedication in education and all aspects of life. My freshman year as a unguided student I jumped into a junior college. I immediately joined architecture and general education classes as well. Pushing along certain aspects of the major particulary sustainability, conservation, and alternative energy sparked the beginning of a passion in me and my creed for dedication in all I do for now. Without a plan for education I stumbled through classes routinely for the bare minimum C or B grades. Later I began using planning tools for transfer, general education and Biology degree reqs. I have learned now that one must always take positive knowledge from any event in life which can be used to build success out of seemingly dire situations. After evaluating where I am and want to be in life I realized my potential is present but only through dedication can it be tapped. Now having finished my fall semester with a 4.0 semester gpa I value a lesson in dedication. I plan to graduate Fall 2011 with a A.S. in Biology, transfer to SFSU to start a Enviromental Science Degree and suceed further in life.

My college experiene, so far, has opened my eyes. I've met people from completely different backgrounds as myself, and I've gotten the privelege of learning about so many different cultures. The diversity of the University of Iowa is really great. One of my best friends is African American (and being from a predominantly white city this was something new for me) and he took me to the Afro House (the house where the Black Student Union and other African American groups meet) and I sat and listened to their meeting and it was really great to hear them talking about their ancestry and the way they were brought up, and it opened my eyes to different cultures. I've also met many people in the LGBT community and it has increased my tolerance level even more. Along with a great academic program that is allowing me to pursue my dreams of pharmaceutical research by getting a chemical engineering degree, the University of Iowa is rich with cultural diversity that has made me more aware and more open to learning about people who come from different places than me.

It seems cliche, but I truely believe that my experience thus far has opened my mind. I have learned so much about the world and it has inspired me to become a better human being then I was when I first arrived. I have tried new experiences that I had only dreamed of before my arrival. I have gained an empathy for my fellow man, and I am being inspired to do something to better the world for all. Every experience that I have had, the good, the bad and the just plain awkward, have all changed me for the better. I feel that I will never regret my time here.

In the two years I have spent at University of Iowa thus far, I have learned a great deal about myself as a student and as a person. Living on my own has forced me to become a much more independent person, and conscious of my spending, health, and wellness needs. Also as a student, Iowa has taught me to stay focused on my school work and to ask for help when I need it because there is always someone willing and able to lend a hand. As an Iowa student, the opportunities in both the classroom and community are practically unlimited, and I have learned just how important taking advantage of these opportunities is, especially when it comes to career networking.

I learned that the world is bigger than I could have ever imagined, that life is not as clear cut as one would think. It was a great eye opener to see people coming from all over the world to the University of Iowa. It created the perfect atmosphere to learn to deal with a globalized society and diverse cultures. It created my interest in wanting to help others and assist them in achieving their goals. It gave me unforgettable memories and friends for life, and I will treasure my time at the University of Iowa always.

Before I even came to the University of Iowa, I knew that it was the place for me. There were so many people and so many things to do, but it was still small enough not to be overwhelming, which had been a big worry for someone coming from a town with a population of about 3000 people. Now that I'm in the my first semester, I know I made the right decision. There has a been an insane amount of opportunities for me. The Honors program is wonderful, and there have been so many extracurricular activities and clubs that I sometimes have to choose between one and another. The city itself is pretty fantastic, as well. I can walk from my dorm, which is entirely honors students, by the way, and go about five blocks to get into downtown. There are always events, shows, shopping places, and of course, restaurants to enjoy myself at. The University of Iowa has been so beneficial because it has made getting involved and meeting people an easy and fun task, both of which are things I think every college student needs to do.

I have learned to accept the changes life brings. A person might never know what they really want to do in life, but as long as I am in school I will always have more knowldge than the year before. School is not only needed to learn scholarly things, but it also teaches life lessons of finances and independence. I am not going to school just to get a job. I am going to school to better myself for the future. Eventually I plan to have a family and with an education I will be able to have a stable job that will help me provide for my family. I love learning new things and teaching others in the process. I believe that learning is not only done in school, but in life as well. Learning from other people can help in school as well. Every where in life you can learn, but school gives you garanteed knowldge.

Thus far from my college experience I've gained a better grasp of time management and study skills. In just one year (just over 60 units for me) I have already learned more than during my entire high school career. This is not to say that my high school was a poor learning environment, more that my current school is such a productive and challenging environment. While most school work fails to catch and keep my attention, my current school work has me thinking and going over learned material long after class ends. School has also opened my eyes to the possibilities in this world, I've come to learn that there is so much more than my minimum wage retail job. I can go out and do something I care about. It may not save the world or even make my name known but someday soon my work will captivate, entertain, and challenge me every single day. This hope and new found drive for a better future is the most important thing I've gained from college so far but I'm sure I'll find a whole lot more to appreciate.