University of Kansas Top Questions

It has taught me the about how varied people can be. It has also taught me to set priorities and time management.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is a level of gained confidence. Prior to attending the University of Kansas, I looked to my parents and teachers for direction. I was unsure how I would adapt to, what seemed like, an intimidating situation of being on my own and taking on a higher level of education. Since attending the University of Kansas, I realize that I have what it takes to do well in different situations. I was able to adjust to a completely different lifestyle and interact well with new people of diverse backgrounds, while continuing to excel academically.

I'm sure I have gotten more knowledge than what I realize from my classes, but otherwise I know I have learned to be more responsible for my own actions and my future.

Before coming to KU, I was unsure of myself, always questioning and doubting my decisions. KU helped me find myself and grow as a person. Somewhere in the mix of making new friends, learning new and exciting material, and getting acquainted with a new town, I found out exactly who I wanted to be. My classes here provided me with diverse opinions, ultimately helping me see my own. The friends I made here will stay with me through my lifetime; we've been there for each other through the thick and thin, whether it was causing a little mischief or helping each other study for a final. In a school this big, it may seem like you'll be shuffled into the deck, just another face in a crowd, however this is definitely not the case. Your professors care about your education goals and are there to talk whenever you would like. There are plenty of clubs and social groups you can join to help leave your mark on the school's history. The academic and social paths you choose help form your identity. KU helps you discover who you want to be and the way you want to live.

The University of Kansas has provided me with numerous experiences pertinent to the "real world." The most important experience I have gained at the school is real-world job interviewing skills. Not only have I gone through the interview process, I have attained other valuable job skills. I know much about marketing and sales, and my on-campus job has taught me the best in customer service. I am confident I can succeed in the adveritisng or PR world, and I know how to get a job through the interview process. My writing skills are more than proficient, and I have learned to be friendly and outgoing in all types of situations.

There was never a time in my life I considered not attending college. There was no doubt in my mind that I would go to college and learn as much as I possibly can. That is what I enjoy doing; I love to learn. Some might (not nicely, mind you) call me a 'know-it-all' but I don't really mind. I want to know everything. I attended a public high school and while it was adequate for the requirements to apply to colleges, it was never really challenging enough. I was always wanting more. That is what a large university provides me: the opportunity to go further and learn more. Sure, college will get me a job later in life. But I could have gotten a job without college. Really, it is just the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge that caused me to never dream of not attending a college.

As a sophmore I have been involved in student government for two years, been selected to honor role and scholarship hall; worked with student organizations such as: support international, the wrestling club, ball room dance, intermerial sports, Lawrence Fair Trade, volunteering with the homeless, OxFam, KU for Uganda, and the KU Islamic Association. I have also worked at the International Office for incoming international students and I am now a program director at the Center for Global and International Studies. I work with amazing professors who encourage and demand the best from me. Last summer I traveled to Morocco on a summer study abroad. Next fall I am planning to spend a full year in Jordan, a program specially designed for me by my professors. I am also a FLAS recipent at KU. Few sophmores at KU have done what I have achomplished; I have made a positive distinction of myself with my professors, my boss, and the people I meet. I am always seeking out ways to be involved on campus in purusit of academic excellence and general awareness. Through KU I have met foreign diplomats, Presidents, and students with the same drive and enthusiam that I share.

When I first arrived at KU, I was extremley quiet and shy. Within the first month of school I began to see changes in myself. I was becoming more open and confident and interacting with people much more than I ever had. Attending KU is valuable to me because it has allowed me to gain skills that will aid me in all my endeavors for years after I graduate.

I have not only learned about my field of study, I've learned about myself and life as well. Attending school away from my hometown has enabled me to depend on myself and really see what I am capable of when I put my mind to it. I have taken classes that contribute to my field of study, as well as classes that I just found interesting such as Art HIstory and Astronomy. The information I have retained and the people I have met, will stay with me for a life time. When I was in high school, I used to hear that "high school is the best time of your life" and back then I didn't believe it because I was looking forward to college. Now, almost 6 years and two degrees later, I know I was right. The experiences I have had over the past few years has made this time, the best time of my life and I am somewhat sad to graduate but know that with my education I will be just fine. I am now ready to take on the world!

The time I've spent in college has really been a "coming-of-age" journey. Spending the semesters away from home has really helped bring into focus the things in life which matter, like friends and family and the importance of diligence and hard work. Like most students, I loathed the tests that teachers would constantly administer. However, call it wisdom or maturity, but I have come to possess an appreciation for the significance of tests. Rather than something obligatory for which I must try and retain bits and pieces of information, I now realize that it is an opportunity for me to show what I'm made of; to prove to others what I know to be true. Lastly, college was a chance for me to meet one of my best friends. I had often felt as though I had missed out on the "college experience.", but I came to be at peace with myself. Some people were off drinking at parties, but the two of us were talking. We were finding out who we were, how we felt, what we thought. These experiences have helped shape me into the man I am know and have proven invaluable.