Kalee
So far i have gotten a good education that will help me stay on the right track for my college major. I have made new friends that I value greatly and have given me memorable moments. A college degree will help you earn a higher paying job to make it through economically. It will also socially mature you for the adult world.
Taylor
I have come to realize that I have much to learn about living on my own, but I feel confident that I have made the right decisions and that I am headed in the right direction. I have also learned what true Southern Pride is. I had never seen so many "stars and bars" in one area, other than in the movies. Along with the "stars and bars," I have come to realize that it is most definitely not a sign or symbol of racism, yet a strong sense of "this is where we have came from, this is who we are and we are not changing any time soon." I feel a great deal of joy on game day during football season, when people from miles away come to celebrate and cheer on our Rebels each and every Saturday. I have certainly learned what true school pride is.
Anna
Coming from a low income-migrant family, I realized the importance of receiving a college education at a very young age. I have worked to help my parents since I was twelve. Picking fruit in the fields allowed me to experience the struggle of working hard, and earning less than minimum wage. I quickly learned that succeeding in school and furthering my education was my only ticket to a better future.
I am currently a junior at Central Washington University, pursuing a degree as a secondary Mathematics instructor. To this date, I have performed outstandingly in all my classes. I have maintained a 3.84 GPA while taking a full load of college level courses and working as a math tutor. I am a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society and an active volunteer in my community’s education system.
While attending college, I have gained insight on valuable topics both through the classes I have taken and through the people surrounding me. I’ve made lifelong friends of different diversities and different backgrounds. Overall, my college experience has been great in allowing me to find out who I really am and who I want to become.
Jennifer
When I moved to Mississippi, I did not know a soul. Within the first week I was able to make friends that would last a life time. I was also able to become part of the Lott Leadership Institute, where I got to major in Public Policy Leadership. This unique major has been valuable in aiding me to get internships such as working on a United States Senate campaign and for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this major I have been able to debate within our small classes to fully develop my ideas. I was also able to study abroad in Sydney, Australia and learn about Australian politics. My college experience has consisted of many different extracurricular activities and educational opportunities that I would not have had at other universities. I love the school pride my university has, as well as the tight knit community, where I cannot walk across campus without seeing at least five people I know. If I could go back and do college all over again, I would not change one experience I have had because they have all developed me into an intellegiant young women.
Anna
In my first semester of college, I have gained many attributes, which have bettered me as a person. One of these attributes is responsibility. Being away from home, I have had to learn how to manage my time between school and leisure. Of course, my grades have come first, allowing me to succeed in my first semester. College has also been quite valuable to attend in several ways. Becoming involved in the university, I have met students from other states, or even countries, and had to opportunity to see the difference of our life styles, may it be a small or large difference.
Hailey
I have gained so much out of my college experience so far. I have made plenty of friends and am continuing to make friends that will be in my life forever. In the beginning it felt like high school taking the general education classes but now that I am concentrating more on my major, I am loving college even more. I have recieved many values in college and learned how other people have gotten here. I have worked with people in classes from other countries and I love the diversity college offers. It has been valuable to attend college because I am gaining an education toward what I would like to be once I finish my major. Although there have been rough patches in school, I have blasted past them because I know what I want and college is guiding me right to it.
Chad
The college experience has given me invaluable knowledge that I could not have gotten if I had not gone to college. I learned how to write more effectively, as one example. College gave me more insight into certain subjects. This further insight would not have been possible in a regular high school. In college I have learned about subjects that I had no previous knowledge about. Things like geology, astronomy,
Darian
The most valuable thing I have gotten out of my college experience is a direction. I am an Exercise Science major persuing another degree in Nursing to hopefully become a Registered Nurse in Pediatric Cardiology. The opportunity and freedom that I have had in college to make my own decisions about social interactions as well as my academic study plans have forced me to find out who I am, what my goals are and ultimately, what mark I am going to leave as an individual.
College has also been valuable in that it has opened my eyes to other ways of thinking and living. I have changed my diet on a few occasions, I have challenged the spiritual and political beliefs of myself and my peers and I think we have all come out with stronger, more educated views. The entire college experience at any school is an invaluable one.
Alyssa
One main thing I have gotten out of my college experience is the importance of a degree and having an education is essential especially now and days. Taking steps to further your education is so important, and even though our country is going through a rough recession having an education is something no one can take away. I have never been the "smart" one or the one that good grades just come easy to, but going to college I can say my studying skills are now excellent. Also, I have gotten more knowledge, and I know when i finish college i will be a well rounded articulate woman. College has shown me you don't have to be "smart" to succeed just dedicated and that is exactly what I' am. Lastly, college has shown me not to give up and always try mu hardest, it has made me very dedicated in my education. Being in college has been vaulable to attend because it is showing me what the real world is like, even though it is not always easy it is always well rewarding. Having an education is so important, and once you have it you have it for life.
Christina
Many people think that the only benefit of college is to learn in the classroom. I have found that there is way more to college than that. When I started college I thought that I was a pretty mature adult, after all I was 18, so there must not be any more growing up to do. I was so wrong. In short I have grown up during college.
I have learned to take care of things myself; after all, in college you are the one responsible for yourself, not your parents. If you do not get an assignment done, no one is going to make you do it; that is your job. I have become my own person, not dictated by what other people think. In college you make a name for yourself; you are not just one of Joneses so to speak. I have found joy in helping others because now I am not forced to help, but instead I decide to do it on my own. It makes a big difference when your heart is in it. There is certainly still the benefit of classroom learning too, but remember that there is also so much more to college.
Lucinda
It was kind of a self analysis, and I found out some feelings I didn't know I had toward the University!
Tyler
One thing that i have gotten out of my college experience is the drive to excel. At the University of Mississippi, there are numerous professors, staff members, and students willing to make sure you succeed as a part of the family. They were always there anytime of the week if i need any help. This was a very big deal to me because i truly felt like a part of one large family who were always supporting me in all my efforts. I must say, it has been valuable to attend the University of Mississippi because the people have sincerely had my best intrests in heart and have always been supportive and helpful. In which all were much needed within my first few months of living on campus.
Morgan
I have learned so much about myself and my life. When I first came to college I thought I knew who i was, but college really opened my eyes. I realized I cared a lot about my education and what I learned everyday. I found out that I can be an outgoing person and make my dreams come true on my own. I learned not to judge people on first impressions and to give everyone a chance. I learned to go for what you want and if you believe you can do it, nothing can stop you. I love college because its making me into a strong young woman who I hope is a good member of the community and will make everyone proud. Its teaching me that trying is the best thing you can do, and I wouldnt give any of this up for the world. College is not just aboout the classes, its about the whole journey!
joecelyn
I've learned that it is possible to really acheive your childhood dreams if you really put your mind to it. Just because something seems too hard to get to, doesn't mean it's not worth trying for it. I've always loved writing scripts since I was a kid. Instead of drawing like other kids, I loved to sit in front of a typewriter or computer, just making up stories in my head. Now I'm really trying to pursue that path of screenplay writing. I am hoping and praying that I can find all the options that are available to me that will help me get to my dreams.
Ashley
My college experience so far has been an adventure in its self! My teachers are amazing and so are my advisors. I have gotten so much out of just my freshman year, I don't even know where to begin. I will say it is very valuable for me to attend this year, my mom is single so we do not have much money. All I can say is thank the Lord for Pell Grants!! That is the only way I could of even thought about going to school, I wouldnt have been able to afford it with out that money.
Sarah
While attending college I have made a few friends, learned some valuable lessons, and grown as a person. I have met people from different cultures who have taught me things I never would have learned otherwise and introduced me to movies, music, books, and even religions that I otherwise would not have been exposed to. I have also met many people whom I have come to love as family that I believe will be lifelong friends. I have learned valuable lessons that will affect everything I say or do in the future. I have learned to be responisble and act accordingly. Finally, I have changed as a person. I have realized that there is more to life than just what I want, and that I am just one part of a huge puzzle. My college experience been valuable as far as education, because I strongly believe that in order to compete in today's work force one must have a college degree, but it has also allowed me to learn and experience things that I am glad I had the opportunity to, that otherwise would not have had if I had chosen not to go.
Alison
I have gotten a wonderful experience of living on my own, meeting new people and enjoying life to the fullest. It is valuable to attend because I have gotten a wonderful education from the university so far and I am looking forward to continuing my education.
Felicia
Besides getting a great education, college helped teach me who I am and how to interact socially with others. From tailgating in the grove to attending sorority and fraternity formals, proper etiquette was instilled in me.
LaReeca
As a kid who grew up in a small community and attended a high school with less than 30 people in my graduating class, college was a wonderful experience that helped open my mind. I appreciated the diversity of my professors and the fact that free-thinking was encouraged.
Valerie
Since I have been attending college I have learned so many things ranging from mathematical equations to proper ways to pronounce Spanish phrases. Aside from everything I have been taught, what I have learned that I consider most valuable are all the life skills I have learned on my own. For example, I have learned that I am in charge of what I take away from a class and I have to learn where to apply it in my life. I have learned that to be successful, I need to give my all. I have to manage my time and be disciplined to earn the grades I want, because unlike grade school, "skating through" is not an option. I have learned that I am a driven, disciplined person. Nothing is given to you when you are an adult. You decide what kind of a mark you will leave on people and in history. My college experience has helped me mold myself into a respectable and accountable person by ways of discipline, intense studies and massive amounts of decisions. I am on my way to becoming the person I know I can be and, become the nurse that someone might need.