University of Iowa Top Questions

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.