University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Top Questions

One of the biggest things that I have gotten out of my college experience thus far is how to live on my own. Before I left for school I was really dependent on my parents and I could count on them for anything. They were always there to help me out when I got in a jam. It didn’t hit me until they dropped me off at college that they weren’t going to be there for my every need anymore. I chose to attend a college that is five hours away from my house so it was difficult to come home whenever I wanted. I had to learn how to budget my time and move on without the help of my parents being there. I did my own cleaning and learned how to do my own laundry! They also weren’t there telling me what decisions were wrong and which were right. I learned a lot from my experiences. I also didn’t have them breathing down my neck over every assignment so if I wanted to do well I had to do it on my own. I gained a lot of maturity and responsibility.

Out all that was going on at the "U", I just enjoyed attending a big ten university. There was something to being a part of a large campus with so many people. I met plenty of them in classes and going to different activities. I had a number work-study jobs that gave me a wealth of experience as a janitor and an after school art teacher. I eventually won an International Exchange Scholarship to a university in Nigeria, Africa which also turned out to be a tremendous experience as well as a fortunate opportunity to represent the U.S., the University of Minnesota and myself on a continent where I can trace my ancestory. My major was in the fine arts and as students we had some of the top professors in the country, a great facility, guest speakers, a gallery along with 24 hour access to studios-it was truly quite an encounter for me to matriculate there. Dispite the sub-artic winters Minneapolis was, and probably still is, a clean city that was beautiful once it became warm. Generally speaking people were friendly and there was a moderate economy there in a city easy to get around.

As more of one's life passes, one's sense of adventure and curiosity can gradually and unknowingly evolve into a sense of fear. Choosing to move across the country to attend a public, city based university offered me the ultimate life lesson- the lesson to fight fear with knowledge. Attending college offered me the ability to be immersed in a culturally diverse environment where the opportunities to learn new practices were limitless. For the first time in my life, I had access to multicultural clubs, the opportunity to study foreign languages, the ability to hear iconic public figures speak on subjects they felt passionately about. College granted me the opporunity to stretch my mind in ways that I couldn't have predicted, in ways that no other life experience is realistically equipped to do so. My favorite college pastime is spending the afternoon listening to someone else's life story. I am proud to say that I am a compassionate, community conscious individual who is not intimidated by new places, or meeting people with different backgrounds or interests than myself because of the experiences I had in college at an out-of-state, public, city based campus.

I have been able to openly explore all different major and career branches at the University of Minnesota. Coming into college, I thought I was going to be a clinical psychologist, but when I got to the University of Minnesota I was opened up to the idea of nursing and the passion I have for helping children in need. I am so thankful for attending this school because it has formed the kind of student I am and my drive to want to learn and succeed more. The classes that I am taking are catered to my interests, which fuels my desire to want to learn and achieve more during each semester at school. Another aspect that has made my college experience truly valuable is the recreation center and all the classes available to take. The classes at the recreation center, along with the walking around the large campus, have helped me to lose over 60 pounds this semester. I am so grateful for all the decisions I have made in my college experience so far and believe the University of Minnesota will guide me to a beautiful, enriched future!

There are countless reasons why I believe college is the best possible choice anyone could make however, for me it goes beyond working to get a good job with exceptional pay. I am the first person in my family who will graduate with a 4 year degree, the first woman to go to college and I will tell you it isn't easy when you have no one to help you through. For me, the most valuable part of college is simply the knowledge you gain itself. I love to learn and I think education is a key to a good life. Education doesn't magically open doors for you, it shows you were the doors are and tells you where to find the keys. Its funny because you go into college thinking you need a set plan but when you are learning externally, you are also learning internally. In college I learn more than my major, I learn about who I am. There is nothing more vauluable to me than that.

I have learned how to live on my own, navigate a large metropolitan area and meet a wide range of people.

The biggest contribution that college gave to my life was and a sense of purpose. As an undergraduate education major, I initially had a difficult time adjusting to college life. After over a year of feeling miserable, I decided that it was either time to start swimming, or keep sinking. So, I grabbed my life vest and started to paddle hard. I poured over the course catalog and chose some liberal arts classes “just for fun.” I ended up loving them, so I decided to earn a BA in addition to my BS. I began volunteering at elementary schools in preparation for my teacher program. If these kids could love school, I could too! I now found that I loved learning and teaching. One sunny morning, I stumbled across the study abroad office. I walked in and Australia found me. Eventually, I spent a semester in Melbourne. After completing my undergraduate degrees, I went on to earn my master’s degree. I am currently a teacher, but will be taking a leave in order to go back and earn my doctorate. Attending college showed me that I had the power to guide my life into any way imaginable.

I have been in school for the last two years deciding what I would like to do in the long run. My short-term career goals were just to take some college credits that could have helped me get a better job. When I started school, I started to like it very much and decided that I wanted more than just some credits. This is when I took the initiative to start looking for a real career that I could be pleased with. I decided to get an Associates Degree in Applied Science, moreover to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant. My oldest sister, who is an Occupational Therapist, inspired me to get in this field. Attending college have been very valuable to me because finally I will finish a degree that will help in the future.

My college experience has been fantastic. I have met some really awesome people and have been opened up to a world of culture different than my own. Going to a place I have never been before and challenging myself to go outside my comfort zone was hard. I came from a small town and small high school in Eastern Iowa to a huge universty in a big city. Now more than ever, I am glad I chose to attend a big school with lots of opportunities for me to discover myself and what my passion is. From intriguing research and challenging classes, to unique student groups and salacious sporting events (go Gophers!), the U has given me so much to look forward to in my next three years as a college student.

Although being thrust onto an urban college campus was difficult, it made me discover my strength and my capabilities as a woman. I have learned that I am self sufficient, self motivated and self aware. I know what I want and what it will take to reach my goals. I have realized that, as a woman, I can be a role model to other women looking to study Law, which is sometimes a field where women are severely underrepresented. When I came to college, I was skeptical if I could handle the pressure of the city. I had never lived on my own before and was shaking in my boots at the prospect of making my own meals, doing my own laundry and cleaning my whole apartment (I was spoiled by my doting mother). I now know that I made it, and I will be okay on my own, purusing the lofty goals that I have. I am excited to explore the world and what it has to offer.