University of Minnesota-Crookston Top Questions

I just completed my first semester of college at the University of Minnesota Crookston, and I have gotten so much out of it already. I have learned to be more self-sufficient and have better time management because college is so much more demanding than high school. I have made so many friends and have tried so many new things. I am becoming more confident in myself and am more involved in my community; I regularly participate in community service projects through three separate clubs (UMC Rodeo Association, the Natural Resource Club, and the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society). My college experience has been so valuable. I’m living on campus five hours away from home, so I can’t rely on my family all the time. I’ve learned to rely more on myself, and I know that the friends I’ve made as well as my professors are there to help me when I need it. I’ve redefined myself through my college experience and I’m learning what I really want to do with my life. Without my college experience so far, I would not be the person that I am now.

I have the security of knowing I have a degree from an accredited college in the field of study I love. I also have life-long friends as a result of my attendance at the school. I was able to secure a job in my field within 2 years of my graduation. I have now decided to pursue graduate level education, and because it is not offered at my alma mater, I am enrolled at another institution, but I do have fond memories and mostly positive things to say about my experience. The food was good, the people were fun, and I loved living near but off campus. No matter where I live or work, I will always have this solid educational foundation to depend on. I enjoyed a good mix of field-based and classroom courses, and was able to apply much of my education to my career. Looking back, I wish I could do it all over. I would soak up every opportunity and experience even more than last time, and I would do more studying abroad. Attendance at the U of MN Crookston was great and I'd do it all again.

I have always gotten through school without much effort. As soon as I entered college, however, I had my eyes opened to a world of stress and hard work. There were many consequences to my lack of effort in the beginning. The whole experience has taught me the real world is tough. I have grown beyond what words can express. Not only academically but in life skills, as well. I now try much harder in almost every area of my life, beyond just academics.

Experience Nourishes Wisdom My initial, post high school goals included getting through a two-year college program, earning my degree as quickly as possible that would land me in a career in the Natural Resources field. However, after the completion of my degree, came the realization that the certificate I had gained left me with unstable and inconsistent employment in that field. I wish I knew earlier of the abundant scholastic and social opportunities via undergraduate research, clubs and organizations, community involvement, and volunteering opportunities. All these things, I was blind to or took for granted in the early years of my college experience. It?s been a learning experience. As the great mind once put it, ?Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.? -- Albert Einstein It?s not always just about the traditional sense of education one might think they will be getting out of higher learning, but the wisdom of knowing that what you can walk away with depends entirely on how much you put into it, not to mention, the more effort one puts into pursuance, I believe, the more satisfied you are in the long run.

I would have to tell myself not to be afraid , to take more chances, and to not be scard of failing. Because I have now learned that that is what it takes to succeed and thrive for your education. I would tell myself to join that club with all those people I didn't know; to join that sport in which I didn't know how to play; and to join that study group and ask for the teacher's help and to not be embarrassed to do so. I'd tell myself to raise my hand when I didn't understand or when I had a question, and know that if I never ask, I'll never know. I'd tell myself to be more open to meeting new people, because these people may become the friends you'll have for the rest of life.

Quite honestly, I would tell myself to keep an open mind. In high school I was very quick to decide practically everything about my future. The past year has been quite the battle because of those quick decisions, but I feel that I am extremely lucky to have made it to the University of Minnesota. The biggest piece of advice I would have given myself, as well as any other high school senior, would be to take every advantage possible to learn about different colleges and careers in order to make the most educated, well thought out decision for yourself.

I think it is important for the perspective student to understand what they would like out of their college experience. It is also important for the student to be comfortable with their surroundings. When deciding on a college first decide your preffered major. Once you have decided on a major look into schools that carry your major. You must then decide what type of atmosphere you prefer(I.E. City, Rural, Etc.). It is also important to choose a school with your preferred campus size. If you are comfortable with your surroundings I believe that you will be afforded less stress which, in turn, will allow you to focus on your academic load.

Do not worry about the money so much because there is money out there to help with school. Just find a school that has the size and degree that you want and go for it.

Finding the right college is not always as easy as one would think. When you go to look for a college it is important to look for more than whether or not they have your major. Some important aspects of college life to look for outside of academics is resident halls, the student union, the faculty/staff, clubs and organizations, and the overall feeling of being on the campus. I found that the moment I stepped onto my college campus that I was welcomed. The people were so friendly and genuinely interested in me. I loved that I had so many opportunities outside of classroom. I took advantage of the small campus and got as involved as I could. I worked at the information desk, became a resident advisor, led freshmen, international, and transfer students through orientation, held numerous offices in different clubs and organizations, and traveled abroad. I have no regrets from my four years of college. My advice is to find the college that feels right and then get involved, take risks, be inspired, be open minded, have no regrets, and most of all have the time of your life!

Don't be afraid to try new things. Change builds character.