University of Nebraska-Lincoln Top Questions

By attending college I have learned not only material from my classes, but I have learned life long lessons. I have been able to experience living on my own, and all the responsibilities that go along with that. I have gained more confidence in myself and the different choices I will have to make in life. The classes I have taken this year have helped me know that teaching is truly the profession I want to pursue. College has also taught me to value the gift of friendship. The friends you make will be of great importance during your college career.

Returning to school has opened up a whole new world to me. Due to a work injury I have recently lost both of my jobs. Being a single parent and my youngest son is 19 this is the perfect time for me to make a career change. Because of how the economy has changed, there is not anyway that I could replace my full-time job without an education. I plan to enter the peace corps and when returning to the workforce in the states I'm planning on being a retention specielist. Being back in school has helped me to get in tuned with the younger generation and being able to understand their needs and concerns.

The greatest thing I have received from my college experience is definately independence. This school offers countless ways for you to become an independent adult, and to train on how to do that before you enter the "real world". It's a skill I think every person should have, and something that has greatly impacted my college career. Some examples are: on campus jobs, clubs, sports, financial aid advisors, and academic advisors. Using these tools, students are able to receive help when make very important decisions but ultimately reach that decision on their own accord, using their own method to achieve great things in their academic career at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Through out the past 4 years after graduating high school in 2006, I haven't really had the chance to have the real college experience. I have taen a couple of classes at a community college but due to financial issues I ended up having to drop those classes. I have taken an online course but I have found out that I am more of a hands on student and would rather learn within a classroom as oppose to being taught online. One of my major goals in life is to get my degree in teaching. I love kids and believe that every single child is intitled to have an education. College is so important to me and I will continue to strive towards my goal of becoming a teacher.

I always had a dream to attend college and pursue a career in health care. Attending college has taught me grate lessons never give up, how to be successful and hard working. I never quit anything half way; I always finish the task at hand. For example, one day in the ultrasound lab we learned new protocol about lower extremity veins. Beginning the finding the site of the vein was very hard and frustrating, seeing the red and blue colors blinking in the screen, and not knowing what structures is there and if it?s right or wrong. But I never gave up; I learned the protocol and mastered it. I believe attending a higher educational institution has taken me one step closer towards my career in health care and successful life. I am majoring in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound. Everyday I learn new things about the human body and its functions and different things that one would have never thought about. For example, fetal blood circulation, one would say mother?s blood provides oxygen to the fetus, but mother?s blood never gets mixed with fetal blood. Ultrasound shows fetus inside the mother's womb. It?s very fascinating.

I have gained a large sense of who I am individually. After moving out of my parents' house and living on my own has shown me how to provide for myself and be self-motivated to accomplish things instead of having them remind me to do everything. I have set my own schedules and to-do lists in thye order of my priorities while still managing to make time for academic success. Prior to coming to college I was considering an economic or chiropractic career, but now am interested in law. This is due to the great faculty that teach these subjects here and have really been influential in sparking my interest in the subject matter. One of the biggest benefits of coming here has been living in my fraternity. Sure there are the times where we're having to budget costs due to low income and house repairs, but altogether this has given me a much better outlook on the real world than simply staying at home could have ever done. I'm living with 40 people who used to be strangers and I know trust them in many aspects of my life.

How quickly time flies by but the most important thing to remember is that one must not be afraid to branch out and try new things. There are so many opportunities available in life and it's important that one discovers who they really are as an individual such as their strengths and weaknesses because that is the starting point to be able to mentor and lead a group of people. Born in a rural state, I think it's great to have the desire to travel abroad while in school. Costs should not be a barrier as there are many scholarships that support the desire to engage in an international experience. While joining in organizations, find one or two that you can focus and make a real difference as opposed to joining too many solely to put on the resume is important because the relationships that one builds in college will make the difference for a reference or a lifelong friend. The most important advice is to choose something that you enjoy because there are many opportunities that will be available when you graduate. Finding your passion for a future career will allow you to be successful.

The advice I would give myself would be study. In the words of my mother, "when you think you're done, you're not". Studying is definitely a key aspect in keeping up with classes, homework, quizzes and tests. I would also tell myself to no be afraid to try new things. Go work out with your roommate at 10 pm. Go celebrate completing a semester with the friends on your floor. The ability to not be afraid to step up and get your foot in the door.

When I was five and would have rather spent my life in space rather than here on Earth I had no conception of the limits that could be placed on me by technology, society, or any of the opposing forces the world holds. As I progressed through my teenage years I became as jaded as any sixteen year old could be and was fit into a mold that I thought would be as permanent and boring as gravity. Then I came to college and realization struck- freedom can be found in choice, and what institution offers more choices than a University? I would advise myself to not forget that I still hold the power to guide and rearrange my future as I see fit. Combined with this assurance I would advise myself to take advantage of any opportunity that I have the pleasure of experiencing while here and that even when I get frightened of such freedom I relish its presence. I would tell myself, the kid of my heart, the disgruntled teenager, and quickly modifying adult, who says you cannot have the sun, stars, and moon? While at this institution they are all in the palm of your hand.

If only I truly had the chance to do something like this, there would be so much to explain to myself, so much to help me improve my acadenic standing and to stay in school. I would tell myself about, staying on top of work, don't procrastinate or like in high school you'll fall behind. I would explain to myself the intricate systems that professors and colleges use to display work and assignments. I would prepare myself for understanding the idea of time management and knowing, when is the right time to have fun and when its the right time to be serious about my work and class. Most of all I would tell myself to stay competent about my financial standing, be wise with the money I have. I would make sure all of my debts were payed and anyone I owed was satisfied, I'd also tell myself to get a job on the side, just to keep a little extra money in my pocket, just in case something came up. These are the things I would tell myself, if I could.

I would tell myself not to panick. The classes are different that what you will be used to but panicking over something that you can't change puts un-needed stress upon yourself. I would also tell myself to pay more attention and not coast. It actually isn't like highschool, our highschool gave us second chances for tests and College doesn't. The first time is the only shot you have and you need to try your hardest to succeed. Get plenty of sleep, don't take a judgement of your stories as a judgment of you and definitely keep focused and try to get as many scholarships you can. At least try, you never know if you'd get the scholarships or not. Trying is all you can do, if you don't get what you want try again. And definitely try, or you may have to go to a school closer to home next year.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to apply for scholarships and to study. I tried to pay my way through college on my own, and I ended up in serious debt trouble and very stressed. Studying is something I have never needed to do before, but in college it is really an important part of college itself. College life is hard and it is not the time to go party everyday, so I would tell myself to take everything seriously. This is my chance to make something of myself, and I do not want to mess that up. Also, I would tell myself to start listening to my parents because it is definitely helpful. They really do know what they are talking about, and are usually right about everything. They want me to succeed just as badly as I do.

I would like to tell myself to focus on my schoolwork more. Also, to make a list of my long term and short term goals and stick to those when I feel like I am going of track. Try not to worry about boys and dating because there is plenty of time in life to find a husband and start a family, don't rush it. I would also tell myself to get more involved on campus and in my sorority. Lastly, I would like to tell myself to not sweat the small stuff, enjoy my time while I am here, and don't let yourself get caught up in all that silly girl drama.

First of all, take all the last year of high school math, so you are not stuck taking it when you forget everything. Choose the University first instead of transfering in from another school, because that will just really frusterate you. Make sure you go to the campus recration facilities as much as you can because they are free! Take the time to slow down and enjoy yourself, because it will go by extreamly fast. You also need to take advantage of the inclass discussions and resource centers, dont be shy and not engage, interact! Balance your time better between fun, work, and school. Other then that you will have a great time!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the advice I would give myself is to avoid the media perpetuated image of college life. On television shows and within movies college is portrayed as a party; a life of drinking, general merriment, and a lack of any true learning. The amount of time spent drinking and recovering from the ultimate hangover detract from study time, resulting in more cramming and ultimately none of the material quote on quote studied is truly learned. The media also portrays college life as one of general merriment in which every set of roommates are best friends. They spend their days doing everything together without any arguments which is definitely a fairy tale reality. Within the media the drinking and merriment don't detract from learning and everyone receives staight A's. Yet in real life smart decisions and applying oneself daily to truly learning the material by learning good study habits and getting help immediately when confused.

Lord have mercy please study and be ready to complete classes. Learn to ignore the temptations of the night life and get to the classes. Being an A student in high school does not mean that you will be getting A's in college. Financial Responsibility, ignore all the credit card offers, buy used books, and get involved in the classrooms. Utilize all the resources on campus. Advisors, professors, student organizations, voc rehab, all of these want you to succeed in college. Do not be afraid to ask questions in classes, do not be afraid to participate in activities, volunteer with community organizations, and most important .....STUDY!!! Be prepared to get lost, run out of money, do your own laundry, learn how to survive on popcorn and ramon noodles....Find the health center for when you become ill. Most important, you are not at home anymore so learn how to be responsible for yourself. Take care, have fun, and most of all ENJOY every day because it passes by really fast.

Brittany, My advice to you would be to use your first semester to settle in and explore the different opportunities available on campus. Make an effort to meet new people, whether it's making friends with someone who lives in your dorm or attending a meeting of a student organization you're interested in. The sooner you get to know people, the more you will fit in. Also keep in mind that the people you hang out with will rub off on you, so be on the lookout for positive people who will bring encouragement and positivity into your life rather than drama and negativity. Write your life/career goals on a piece of paper and put it on the wall in your dorm, so you can look at it everyday. This will help motivate you and keep you focused, especially on nights that you don't feel like studying or doing homework. And last but not least, just be yourself, and don't be afraid to try new things. You could even consider studying abroad for a semester. College is truly a privilege and a blessing. Don't take it for granted. Brittany

If given the opportunity to speak to myself as a senior in high school, I would have tried to forewarn myself to the differences and new expectations of college. I would talk about the feeling you get when you walk into your dorm for the first time, realizing that this is now your home for the next nine months. I would mention the new freedoms you receive by living away from home, but warn about the distractions that come with them. College gives you knowledge that doesn?t just come from the books you buy or the lectures the professors give. College also prepares you for life on your own. It gives you experience to survive outside of the life you knew as a child. It is the gateway between a life where decisions are made for you and one where you are responsible for yourself.

Throughout high school I was always organized in some way or another with an assignment notebook and folders. When I started college I thought I would do the same. During the transition of a structured day at school all day to a few hours a day I lost that organization. I would tell myself to keep organized even when it doesn?t seem to be needed through an agenda and keeping all assignments and papers in their appropriate place and keeping an eye on those deadlines. If you don?t you can get behind in class and may even fail a class. Luckily I didn?t fail a class but I did get a lower grade in one of my classes than I wanted because in the beginning of the semester I didn?t keep an eye on the deadlines and missed out on some crucial points. Not only that but throughout the entire semester I felt like I was playing ketchup with the class. I would finally have one assignment done and another one would be due. With this organization it will be very difficult to get lost in class and very difficult to procrastinate.

I would tell myself that everything you need in a college experience is right here at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. But I consider going to UNL the safe route. I feel like I would have possibly gotten more out of going to an out of state school. I would tell myself that even though it is out of your comfot zone to venture out of state, I think the lessons you will learn about true independence will serve you well in the future. If you go to the in-state school that is 40 minutes away from home, have you really left home at all? College is about getting away and finding yourself without the guidence or the safety net of your parents being in close proximity. I studied abroad last semester and for the first time that I was really on my own (after 3 years of college). That last semester I learned more about myself than I had during the entire first three years of college. To borrow from Robert Frost: I would invite myself to take the road less traveled by, because it would make all the difference.