University of Kansas Top Questions

Attending university made me realize that time was a key component of success. Using time wisely and limiting distractions is what the University of Kansas has taught me, and has made me a better student.

It is difficult to sum up and put into so few words the tremendous value I place on the experiences I've had while attending a short year and a half at the University of Kansas. I am from Colorado and was terrified to move from Denver- a large metropolitan area just a short distance from the mountains I'd grown up around; to Lawrence- a small college town surrounded by farms; where "downtown" consists of one single road called "Mass St.," often occupied by hippies and the homeless. To my surprise, I developed an immediate love for this place through the presence of others. Whether it was during athletics, in my classes, or just walking through campus, everyone I met when I first came here had such an enthusiastic, welcoming spirit. Jayhawk pride was always undeniable. The dorm experience introduced me to friendships I know I'll have forever. I've found a degree I'm excited to pursue and unlike high school, I actually enjoy what I'm learning. It's cliché but I've never been as happy as I am at KU and I'm excited for the future this education is going to provide.

Upon transferring to the University of Kansas from a local community college, I was exposed to a very different world. Suddenly I became aware of the vibrancy and diversity of Kansas life. The staff and faculty are open-minded and progressive. They welcome new students with open arms and do everything possible to help them to adjust to the unique KU atmosphere. I have also learned valuable study habits from my peers. As a premed student I was able to find others with similar goals and given a chance to fit into my own niche within the community. The emphasis placed on outreach and involvement made it simple to find a volunteer organization tailored to my goals and interests. Finally, the culture of the University of Kansas itself sets it apart from other schools. While the student body is diverse, there is an unrivaled level of school spirit. I truly believe that most Jayhawks would agree that there is nothing like singing the alma mater or hearing the chimes of the campanile bells. Becoming a student of KU has instilled within me a desire to give back to my community and find my own place to grow. Rock Chalk!

A lot of my experiences started to culminate my senior year of high school. I am now in the first semester of my sophomore year in college, and my experiences are still culminateing to explain and teach me. I imagine they always will. One thing I have recently learned of myself pertains to my belief system. It was something I picked up and tweaked from a Kevin Smith movie, "Dogma," from which I saw from my search of wisdom and truth through comedy. The basic idea I pulled away from the movie was to not hold beliefs but to hold ideas, as an idea is easy to change and work with as opposed to a belief. I took this idea and with help from quotes I have read and morphed it to fit me and I found that once one believes something it is almost impossible to see past the darkness you have created. This may seem like a silly experience to you but my attendance of the University of Kansas and a few of its professors have helped to shape my views, or lack of; whereas in my hometown ignorance would have taken over.

While I may be a few years away from attaining my degree, my return to school has been accompanied by a passion that I lacked in my youth. I am not here because someone told me I had to be, or thought I should be. I am here for me and only myself. I have long anticipated the opportunity to return to school, and I plan to make the most of it. I cannot change the past, but I can make the future much brighter. My degree will certainly be my torch to light my path into the career I have dreamt of for the better part of my life.

So far I have learned the value of applying ones self to achieving a goal, and to not give up. That is incredibly crucial to every person looking to better their lives and the lives of those around them. This place can offer you the opportunity to test your true potencial.

My college experience has been very beneficial to my life so far. I now know that I want to major in business, open up my own company, and build upon that. The college I am attending, Harrisburg Area Community College, has been very supportive in helping me with financial aid, determining a major, and finding classes that would work with my schedule as well as having the capability to transfer those credits if I decide to go to a university later on. College taught me responsibility, to think for myself, and how to become a better person so I can have the future I desire.

During my college experience so far, I have learned a great deal about the interactions between people. Thanks to a majority of my Psychology classes, I have a much better understanding of the way the human mind works and how people interact. I have also been fortunate enough to take classes from professors that are at the fore front of their fields. We are able to see and interpret Psychological studies in class just days after they have been completed. The knowledge that I have gained from my 3 years here has been invaluable and I would not trade the whole experience for anything else.

The most valuable thing I have received from my college experience thus far is how to study. I went to a very good high school, but even so I never knew how to really study. I would memorize the information for a short term, just so I could do well on the test, and then I would forget it. However, in college I love what I am learning. Because of that, I really want to learn and remember the information. I spend a lot more time reading material, making notecards, and studying with friends.

My education matters a great deal to me. Education is a catalyst for forward progress, and college is the best place to obtain an education. College opens up countless opportunities for one’s future, including better job options and chances for personal growth. A college education is fundamentally different from secondary education. In college, you are in charge of your education. Students are expected to think for themselves, ask questions of experts they now have access to, and explore courses and degrees that didn’t exist in high school. As Albert Einstein said, “Information is not knowledge.” A high school education teaches students how to pass tests and memorize information. A college education teaches students how to learn. University life exposes students to new subjects, people, and ideas. Its influence in my life has been extraordinary. The counselors, professors, and other undergraduates I have met helped me discover what particular disciplines I most enjoy, make the connections that will support me the rest of my life, and construct a plan to follow the dreams that give me hope. Education matters to me, as it should matter to anyone wishing to make a difference in this world.