University of Nevada-Las Vegas Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Nevada-Las Vegas know before they start?

Avelyn

My college experience has taught me the values of working hard and the rewards of doing so. It was incredibly valuable to attend to learn these important life lessons. Without attending college I wouldn't have learned to work hard and put my complete effort into everything I do. Through this, even though it may be for a class that isn't very important to you, you can still learn other interesting information. This information, such as history, or science, or math can be applied in everyday life. Although they may be classes you wouldn't choose to take on your own, you could learn that from it, you have actually learned quite a lot. For instance, in my Women's Studies class, I begrudgingly took it, just to satisfy one of my degree requirements. However, after taking that class, I learned a lot about myself and our society, which I still use today on a daily basis.

Tara

From my college experience, I have gained a sense of pride and understanding as well. Being a student fresh from Hawaii, never having lived on the "mainland" before, I was hesitant as to the differences of cultures. When I arrived however, I was amazed to see such a variety of students, and I instantly knew that I would be in a place where learning was the higher goal and people worked together regardless of any physical attributes or monetary statuses. Since my enrollment at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, I have matured as a person and have learned so much, not only in the classroom but outside as well. I have created relationships with peers as well as teachers, and always feel comfortable in this learning environment. UNLV has made me a more cultivated and developed student and young adult, and as I embark on my educational journey to one day become a teacher, I am so very glad and proud to be at this beautiful campus where I know my education will prove to make a difference in others lives one day.

rachel

I have met a lot of nice people and learned a lot, of course. It has been very valuable to attend because one gains certain experiences and lessons from attending college. I gained new study habits, and probably lost weight walking clear across campus several times a week.

Alexa

I have got to see so many different cultures, beliefs, and values. On my campus there are liberals, conservatives, muslims, gays, lesbians, blacks, indians. There is everything you could possibly think of. I would say that I grew up a pretty sheltered life, but now after attending UNLV I see that there is much more to the world and many different people. None of my beliefs have been changed, but I am able to see and accept others people's culture. I do not look at the outward appearance of people anymore, but try to get to know their heart and see where they are coming from. Although, I do plan on transferring in the Fall of 2011 to a school with a better education system. But, I can say that I am glad I did attend UNLV for the time that I did.

Zackery

I have learned that no matter what your background, if you are provided an education, don't lose sight of the prize. It has been valuable for me to attend because I plan on becoming a nurse anesthetist, and I need to attend school and get good grades.

Tasha

I felt as if I took a very big step into college from highschool. The feelings of going into a 'University' made my stomach churn. Thoughts of, "Will I be okay?" and, "WIll I make new friends?" always repeated in my head. I had a difficult time thinking about my transition to college. But on the first day of school, I felt reassured, I was helped to find my classes, and found others in my classes that were in the same boat as I was, and that this was all new to us. I felt a comfort with these people, and thats when I really started to enjoy my new transition. The classes made me feel like I was there because I was aiming for a goal, after all I am a degree seeking student. What I've gotten from my college experience was that I was now in a enviroment where there are people who want to be here, at school, to learn. And that this would lead to my future. I truly value being able to attend this school, because it not only enhanced my vision to succeed, but to know myself and aim high.

Cody

I am a first generation college student. So far, my college experience has been absolutely amazing. Despite working full time in order to put myself through school and only being able to attend class in the evening, the experience has been something that I will never forget. I have learned the importance of time management and organization. I have developed a solid study habit which has allowed me to sometimes even surprise myself with my test scores. As I am a business major, I have learned many extremely valuable skills that I will carry with me, both in my personal and professional life, no matter where my path takes me. I have made friends and developed friendships that I feel will last a lifetime. My confidence levels in myself and my abilities have soared and I really feel that I can accomplish whatever I set out to do. My college experience, thus far has been everything I could have hoped for and then some. Given my experience, I have become a huge advocate and have encouraged many associates to get back in school and further their education.

Alyssa

I love going to UNLV. I think it has been an amazing experience. Not only are the students fun but the professors really put in the time to make sure you are learning and excelling in the class room. UNLV has great school spirit and outside of the classroom I think that is what I enjoy the most. I love being able to cheer on the Runnin' Rebels in any sport. Campus life is amazing and students make that all happen. If ever needed, one can ask anyone on campus a question and it will be answered to the best ability. Everything one needs in right on campus, from the amazing five story Lied Library, the Rec center where any student is welcome,to take any of the gym classes they offer, also the bookstore and even cafeteria when someone needs a quick bite. I love being a Rebel at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Keanu

I learned that life comes far too quickly to be captured and subdued but is slow enough for one to safely drift along its course. I can still remember the first day on campus with feelings of trepidation, uncertainty, fear, and sadness overwhelming me. Through these obstacles i realized that it is all about the effort you devote towards your college career. The fear I experienced was clearly a culmination of my conceit. Pride and vanity lead me to a belief that I was just a little more special than the person beside me. In reality it is the same for everyone. I may not be special, but I am still capable of actions and choices. I have chosen this path and although I am uncertain of where it will lead, at least I know that I have not simply surrendered. I am carrying on this ideal and applying it to my daily life. It is the daily actions and choices that define what your life will become.

xazrianna

My classes have not started yet, but i am so excited about them! I am going to a school of my dreams and I can already see them beginning to come true. Life makes so much more sense when you do what feels right to you. This feels right; I can get back to my creative roots and expand my artistic passion into a career. Imagine... loving your job! I'm hoping everything works out. Here's to changing for the better!

Tabitha

The two main things I have gotten out of my college experience so far are gaining an interest in astronomy and getting better at music composition. I am glad I got interested in astronomy, because it actually inspired me to write better music. Every time I took out the telescope to look at something, I always had a new idea. I never imagined all of this could happen just by taking a science class! This is also why it has been valuable to attend; not only have I "expanded my horizons" with new interests, I have also met a lot of new friends. Although the new interests and hobbies are just for fun, the most valuable thing about my college experience is the people I have met. After all, college is one of the best places for networking; I never know where my friends or I are going to be in 10 or 15 years, so it may turn out that one of us can help the other in their career!

Kimberly

During the first few months of being in college, I've seen what it takes to actually get an education. You have to stay attent in class, while also enjoying the company of your fellow classmates. In many of my classes, we've been pushed to express our opinions, whether it be over the power of voting, or sterotypes seen in child movies, or finding a way to make learning a foreign language easier. So far, college has offered me a whole range of activities to do while I'm not in class. If you need to work our ssome stress, the gym is available to all students, free of charge. We need to strive to better ourselves and put to good use the sacrifies our parents made in order for us to go to college. We need to push ourselves to go to school, so we can expect to have a better future for ourselves and our families. If we don't better ourselves, how can we better our communities and create a strong and stable economy with a surplus of employment for everyone.

Stephanie

I have gotten leadership skills from my college experience so far. By having leadership skills it has helped me have more confidence in myself. Also, it has helped me a lot with meeting new people and conversating with them. It has helped me challenge myself to do better and it has taught me some great things. For example, it has helped me be able to get up in front of a class and give a speech. It has influenced my life and it has made my life better by having those skills. It has been a value to attend college because of the new enviroment I am in. Students at my school are there to have an eduacation and to have a bright future. When I was in high school, many students could careless about their eduaction. They were not there to learn, instead they were there to socialize. Attending college has been very valuable, because there everyone wants the samething, which is a great education.

Ariana

At De Anza Community College, I took two classes that made me want to change my direction from just Film to Socially Conscious Film: Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing; and Political Science- Race and Ethnicity. The critical thinking class made me realize that as much as I want to believe that I act without the influence of racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia, etc., that in fact it is inevitable. These beliefs are so deeply embedded in American society that it's extremely rare for anyone to be completely devoid of these negative beliefs. The class on race examined the root of racism in the U.S. and why it's perpetuated. This made me very aware of my ethnicity’s story- something I never learned before in school. We also read a book called The Human Side of Human Beings, by Harvey Jackins. This book proposes a theory of why people perpetuate the hurt they've experienced onto others. It claims that people need to fully release their hurt through telling their story and having it be understood. These realizations culminated into a deep passion for social consciousness.

Anthoney

When I graduate with my degree, I will have a knowledge of criminal justice that will allow me to go into the FBI, NCIS or any government agency that a forensic science department. It has been valuable for me to attend so that I may continue my schooling and can get into the career that I have found that suits my interests.

Luis

The college experience is an awakening from the spoon fed life that most students live, to a realistic version of how life really works. Before college, life was convenient. Books and materials were always provided for the students. Teachers and faculty members cared about the well being of their students and tried to provide an admirable environment for them. If there was ever any problems or difficulties help was practically presented at the fingertips of the students. College on the other hand breaks that bond allowing students to become independent. College students must learn to be prepared at all times because if they are not, nobody is going to stop and wait for them. College shows people that if people care about something than they should be the ones that make sure that everything works out for them. Most people have enough things to worry about than to worry about what other people want. College gives people the accessibility and tools to succeed, just as life does, but they have to be the ones that are willing to look for and use them. The college experience is just a preparation of how life truly works, through hard work and perseverance.

Alix

My college experience had only been brief but so far it has shown me how much I need to prepare for the outside world. Its showed me that people are human even in an older environment, they make mistakes and sometimes makes choices that aren't the noblest. Its also taught me to be cautious of those around you, and not everyone should be trusted so easily, however opening up to others is a crucial part of ones life to succeed. The experience also taught me that partying wasn't the highlight of college, although it may be fun at times, the most important is the wealth of knowledge there is to be used and how much it really helps to have a great education. The valuable lessons that it has taught me so far are the building blocks toward an effective and inspiring member of society!

Elizabeth

My college experience has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life. It brought to me a greater knowledge of who I am; as an artist and as a human being. It taught me what I will stand up for and what I can accomplish. I know that it is solely my own determination, work and luck that will advance me forward in my life and career in the years to come. If I want something, it is I alone who must go after it, for there is no one else who wants me to succeed as much as I want to succeed. My college may not be the best in the country, but education isn't always what is provided for you, but what you make of the education you choose to get. I believe that an undergraduate education is more about finding yourself than obtaining the most prestigious learning and now that I have found myself, I can continue on to graduate school this year to get the education I desire to pursue a more advanced career. Without my current current college experience, I would not have known that a graduate degree is my ultimate desire.

William

I started going full time with the help of the VA chapter 31 program. Finding this program at the time I did was a god send. I can no longer work in the line of work I have in the past, without college my wife and I would not have a future to look forward to. Because of college in 2 more years I will have a future in a line of work I can still do. On top of all of this because of the degree I will have I can make more than I could in the past. Going back to school has filled my days with hope. Going back as a 56 year old is more work than I would have ever thought. Doing so I find that there's alot more to me than what I thought there was in the past. College is the best place to start if you want to change your life for the better no what your age.

Kenneth

This is my second time being a college student, the first time was over 20 years ago. I think I have a unique perspective and I am surprised at the students today compared to 20 years ago. I have found this time that information is so readily available and students have such an advantage due to the internet. I think my former college experience is an advantage for me because I know what it takes to succeed with limited resources. I have helped several students succeed because I have formed study groups and encouraged them to help one another. This experience has been valuable to me because it has allowed me to apply my former college experience and use it to teach others. I have learned a lot about myself through this process and realized that I have a great deal of potential that I had doubted before. I have been empowered to succeed in a new career so that I can take care of my family and have a bright future.