University of Kansas Top Questions

Being a full-time student at the University of Kansas has been a life changing event for me. I came here as an out-of-state freshman and knew absolutely no one. I joined the track and field team and instantly had a close group of friends that I've been inseperatable from. I know they are friends that I will keep forever and that's what is so comforting I had the chance to start with a clean slate coming to Kansas. Being an athlete and competing was amazing, and even though the hours and effort were tough, I'll never regret the hard work I put in. Unfortunately, I quit this semester due to the high volume of credit hours I'm enrolled in. I'm currently taking a certified nurse assistant course in addition to undergrad classes. KU has helped fit together all my academic plans this semester to help achieve my future goals in the fields of medicine.

Out of the college experience, I have gotten to become more responsible because I do not live with my parents anymore, therefore I get to choose whether I go to class or not, whether I wake up or not, etc. In other words I'm completely independent now, and this has made me a lot more responsible than what I was because I've done the correct choices. Also, college has given me the ability to manage time better by having time to study, do homework, have fun. I have to manage time well in order to succeed. It has been valuable because of what I said previously, about becoming more responsible and the ability to manage time, and also because it is just a whole new experience, it is nothing like high school.

Every step of the way I have learned more about myself, and what I can give to the world; all of which have been taught in many ways. More specifically, the good times have been fun, but the hard times have chiseled me into who I am today, and continue to shape me into the adult I will become. The greatest lessons I have learned from my university are how I can believe in others, and how hard I must work to be as great as I dream to be. The world is filled with people who are smart, talented, and driven; and I, too, can be one of the great ones. If I keep working as hard as I am, I know I can do it.

I have gotten more disciplen out of my college experience. This has been valuable to attending KU because studying and homework require a lot of disciplen.

Being in college is so different than high school; as a student, you decided what classes you are going to take based solely on your interests and values. I have mixed feelings about this statement. Although I love the freedom and exploration it allows, it also forces students to take risks and make their own paths. This sense of being able to do anything combined with the pressure of narrowing my study and earning a degree has been the most valuable and rewarding experience of college thus far. It forced me to examine myself and make decisions that would ultimately lead to a degree and job. I learned the difference between being interested in a subject and really loving the subject. The value in attending college comes in my dedication to the degree that I have chosen. I will be able to shine in my chosen field because I chose it based on my beliefs and interests and worked hard to graduate.

The education (thus far, at least), friends, and memories that I have obtained out of my college experience have been countless. I have specific professors, TA's, and students from all of my classes that I can go to if I need someone to talk to or need help with school work. I recently applied to pharmacy school, and instead of having the pharmacist where I work write one of the three required recommendation letters, I chose to have two of my college professors write letters for me. Through email and facebook, I am able to keep in touch with many professors as well as students that I have met along my journey. Attending KU not only has been a place to receive an education, but a place where I feel at home and secure. Because of the strong KU spirit-ed atmosphere, the friends I have met and will keep forever, and the relationships I have made with students and professors, I feel that KU has been extremely valuable to attend. I would never choose another school but KU to attend or another life but my own to live.

From my experiences at college I have gained many things. I am currently learning the Spanish language which I believe will prove very beneficial to me because I am planning on going into the medical field to persue Occupational Therapy for Special Needs Children in conjunction with art or music therapy. Cottey College, the school I am currently attending, is a Liberal Arts Jr. College and allows me to complete all my courses necessary to gain an Associates degree in Science, but I am also given the chance to continue my music hobbies and gain and Associate degree in Art. These two things combined will help me to have a base for my chosen career path. I am also involved in community service, which my school heavily suggests; however, I have been involved in community service since I was in the third grade. Cottey keeps me on my toes to keep striving for my very best thoughout all of my schooling, and life, endeavours. Cottey has been valuable for me to attend because the curriculum not only knowledge of the course, but also life lessons and how to care for myself schooling, business, and self-respect wise.

I had college plans ready to roll since high school. I wanted to be an artist since freshman year. Virginia Wesleyan College was my college of choice, and since they are a liberal arts college with a small campus it was a win situation. The first day I stepped foot in the door of my First Year Experience class I told myself that no professor was going to change my mind about my college plans. I went on thinking this way until a few weeks down the road. My professor strongly encouraged his student mentees to explore our options. I couldn’t believe that after four years in high school with my major already set in mind, that I was seeing things differently. It took me to actually step foot inside of college to change. I would have never seen myself joining the army and majoring in nursing, but now I am and at a community college to completing my classes for this major. What I've gotten and am still getting out of my college experience is knowing where and what I want to do. If I didn’t know I would still be at lost at VWC.

I am a first generation college student and I had to no idea what to expect when attending college. However, I have fallen in love with KU and college in general. I am so sad that my time at KU is coming to an end. I lived in the dorms freshmen year and have lived near campus since then. The atmosphere come football and basketball season is unbelievable. The social life at KU is always alive. In addition to the social aspect, I have been able to receive a wonderful education with a promising outlook on the future. The School of Education sets students up to be prepared to become teachers and I am so excited to get in the classroom. I've had a broad range of classes which makes for a holistic education and yet have valuable training in my core courses. KU prepares students for the real-world while valuing the short time at KU.

KU has been an amazing experience for me. Going out of state was at first a bit daunting, but everyone is incredibly nice and I immediately made friends. So far, all of my classes have been enjoyable and interesting, which has not been the case for my friends at other universities. The amount of resources and assistance KU offers for finding jobs, scholarships, and help in classes is truly incredible. The faculty network at KU is incredibly experienced and helpful, which really sets KU apart from other universities, but, at the same time, the faculty is expertly aware of the students' need for needing to be trained for the next level, and most upper level classes provide "real world experiences" such as doing one's own research projects. KU is a great, fun, energetic, and educational place to be.

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.