University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

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

Kristi

I have really grown up since attending college. I know I have a lot more growing to do, but skills that I feel are necessary for my future have been fostered in a university setting. I've learned a lot about who I am, what characteristics I am proud of, and I am learning to change the things I don't like about me. College is a time of self discovery and a time to build the character you want to be. The greatest value I have gleaned from my college experience thus far is that I am working on becoming who I want to be. This encompasses so many things: the major that will lead to a career I can love, the traits I value in others, the type of work ethic that I have. I can only hope that the years I have ahead of me on my educational journey will be as instructive in and out of the classroom as they have been thus far.

Virginia

College is a very important step in growing up if you want to be able to provide for your self in the future. No one likes having to rely on someone else for money, shelter or food, so it is important that you aspire to go to college so that you aren't living with your parents until you are 40. Graduating from college with any kind of degree ups your own "stalk" in the employment pool, so that you will be almost guaranteed to get a job paying more than minimum wage.

Chelsey

What I have gotten out of my college experience is more than most students care to get out. When I chose the University of Nevada Reno, I knew that I wanted a better experience from high school. Wanting to take after my brother’s footsteps and desire the same enjoyment that he received from his college experience by being involved. My experience in college has been a fulfilling one so far, but I know it could be even better. I have been involved in the White Pine Dorm Student Council and a Senator for the College of Education. What I am still currently involved in is the Pi Beta Phi sorority and I am a Founding Father of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity. It is valuable that I am still able to attend my fifth year in school (2011-2012) to continue my experiences by getting even more involved, helping other organizations, and not worrying about money so I am able to stay in my clubs/organizations. Which I am planning on running for president in my business fraternity, and being able to have the money to help out my parent’s money issues means the world to me.

Cassandra

My life prior to attending college feels as though it occurred a lifetime ago. I can recall how in the grand scheme of things how little experience I had. I knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn't really know why until I had begun my scholastic career. Within a few semesters, I noticed a change in myself. I was more confident and it was as though I saw the world differently. Everything I felt and experienced added to my new overwhelming confidence. This new found confidence trickled into my professional life as well. There has been no task too great, and no obstacle too difficult to overcome. As an undergraduate, I am only half way to the end point, but with each passing day I can feel myself closer and closer to my ultimate goal, a Master's degree in Counseling. I will be the first in my family to graduate, but definitely not the last. The pursuit for higher education is more than just education. It is an experience that forever alters how a person views the world, and most importantly, how they view themselves.

Traci

I have gotten so much out of college. To me my education is priceless, every class, even the frustrating classes are necessary to help me grow and become a stronger person and more valuable to my community and my country. My education is something that no one can ever take from me. The feelings of commitment and accomplishment are so strong that I am grateful everyday that I am in class. I am doing it and I am succeeding.

Samantha

Today, the college experience has evolved into so much more than the rigorous curriculum of the past. Today, students are not only expected to excel at their studies but to immerse themselves into the many clubs, organizations, and jobs available on campus. Upon entering college I found value in jumping into new, and even uncomfortable, situations like going through sorority recruitment. In the beginning, I never saw myself as a sorority girl, and what I have learned since my initial hesitation, is that I had no idea what it really means to be in a sorority. In the short two years I have discovered leadership qualities I never knew I possessed, participated in the most amazing community and philanthropic events, and met the most amazing and inspiring women I believe I will ever meet. Not only have they inspired me to get involved on campus with diversity clubs, helping the environment, and being proactive with political happenings, but they have also pushed me further out of my comfort zone by attending salsa dancing classes, Pilates workshops, plays and art shows. Without these indispensible social interactions facilitating my education, college would hardly be a valuable stepping stone into the real world.

Harrison

College has made me realize how much I really love learning. The pace and difficulty of college courses caters to people who are here to absorb and utilize information, rather than just have it force-fed to them. It is for this reason that I have truly discovered my inherent intellectual nature. It is as if a new requisite has been added to my existence: the need for knowledge. Even the core classes are compelling in a way that makes me want to pursue them as majors. If I had the time to sit through every lecture in every class in every building in every college, I would do so unquestioningly. I can see myself attending philosophy classes in my 40's just to supplement my life. Education can truly redefine the way that one sees the world, and being placed in the fundamental apex of learning means that my perception changes with every hour-long lecture I attend. When this newfound perception is focused inward I see myself in new ways as well. I see myself as an engineer, an intellectual, and a philanthropist. Suffice to say: college has helped me find myself.

Tara

I have learned in my college experience about friendship and how going to college is preparing me for the real world. When I first got to UNR I didn't know if I was going to be able to make many friends because I am a quiet person and most of my close friends in high school went to other schools. After beginning UNR I found many friends and our relationships have grown throughout the recent years. It's nice to make friends with people that are going into my same carrer field and have the same academic drive as I do. College is teaching me how to take what I have learned and apply it to my life. It's teaching me how to balance my time effectively and never give up on a project because it's too hard or I don't have enough time to get it done. Because the end result is worth it. The support I get from my teachers is fantastic and they are always there to help me through my schoolwork. College is the most rewarding thing I have ever done for myself and it will help me get a real job.

Chanelle

Attending the University of Nevada, Reno gives me the edge I need to get ahead in this world, professionally and personally. As a current sophomore, I feel that my first year of college has changed me beyond recognition. I've met many new and fascinating people and have participated in discussions and events that I will always remember. My classes have given me an arena in which to voice my opinion on foreign policy, philosophy, literature, scientific theory, pop culture, and business strategies. I've become acquainted with the works of Ibsen, Sartre, Darwin, Plato, Virgil, and many more significant thinkers of the past. I've been given the chance here at college to shape my life into one that I am proud of, and my educational journey will never be finished, even after I've received my bachelor's degree. I've never for a moment considered any alternatives to college, because I've always known that this is where I belong. Now that I'm here, I intend to make the most of my time by studying, making personal connections, and exploring the world. The value of my experience will serve me for the rest of my life.

Colleen

I haven't been able to go to college, although I've always wanted to further my education. Had to drop out of High School when I was 16 years old to have my son. Got married and had two more children. Got divorced and remarried. I've always had to work and have never had the money to go back to school. Now I'm raising my 9 year old granddaughter and work part-time because I can't find a good paying full-time job because of my lack of education. I would like to be able to go to school to become a Medical Assistance and need help paying for school.

Jodi

The classes that are available on-line has helped so much, so I can continue to work.

Kerby

In my college experience I have learn the value of an education and how it can best help me in the near future. I have been in classes where the proffesor has help me with real life problems and solution. In my first year of college I learn to network with everyone around me and what is important. The most of my days are spent in class and working on my homework and getting the most out of my education. My college experience as thought me to make the most out of life and to discover what i really want. In the most recent days I have made a few mistakes and learn from them. I have work through the classes even with few issues at hand . I have learned how to manage my time wiselly and keep up with the few the work that i have. In the near future i hope to learn more in life and through my college experience i have learn that not everything comes has easy has i would have thought and I will have to learn to change the way I work and learn. I will have to l to change my study.

Tiffany

As I have been attending college and will soon transfer, the college where I have been attending has helped me ensure me that I am going down the right career path. The professors have taught me many lessons about life in general and the specific field I am studying. The advisors also helped me narrow down all the choices of who I want to become. Everyone is extremely friendly and getting to know others and making lifelong friendships is extremely valuable to the person I want to become. Some days tough and stressful but others flew by like a breeze, all the lessons and my own accountability are tested along with my strengh to carry on. I've learned who I am and who I want to be by attending college and soon a university, all to make me a better citizen and employee.

Danielle

If I had been wise coming into college, I wouldn’t have been sentenced to nine months drug rehab, lost 1,000 dollars to drug testing, been on probation with my University, end up with a misdemeanor on my record and lose the respect of my loving parents within the first week. I had never been in trouble nor had I ever participated in something illegal. My first week in college, I went to jail. I have worked for the drug rehab program I was in, known as OnTRAC, as a secretary for two years. I also volunteer for the OnTRAC program where I attend court dates, speak with students, and offer suggestions to my superiors. Although I regret my mistake immensely, I have a great job and volunteer opportunity that has arisen because of it. I guess everything happens for a reason. I am grateful for my mistake, oddly enough, because it gave me an opportunity to genuinely question what I wanted out of life and what I truly want. College gave me that opportunity.

Alicia

These days it seems that a bachelor’s degree is beginning to mean much less than it did two or three generations ago. I have many friends who have graduated recently whose degrees have not enabled them to find a career. However, despite the fact that I believe a degree will not necessarily improve my chance at finding a career, I still consider my college education to be valuable. I began college as a less than ideal student, one who did the absolute minimum amount of work required. Over the last two years this has changed. College became less about playing a game for grades, and more simply about learning. More and more, I notice in myself a desire to learn solely for the sake of gaining knowledge. I notice myself formulating more questions, instead of trying to answer them. I believe that more than anything else this ability to formulate my own questions has been the most valuable aspect of my college experience. Regardless of what jobs become available to me after I complete my degree, college has instilled in me a love of learning, and I believe this will serve me throughout the rest of my life.

Jeremy

In my short time attending the University of Nevada, Reno the experience that I have obtain has been one of the most valuable ones of my life. The reason I make such a statement is due to a growth in knowledge, growth in personal life and finally the eligibility allotted to take the next step towards a career. I have realized that college is not just another few years of normal education, college is a gift, and is crucial in the developmental stage to full independence. One class in particular that has reinforced these ideas was my philosophy class. While the class never produced any solid answers it instilled the necessity of a knowledgeable public and the necessity of human interaction as well. These ideas may seem very simple but in fact are more vital than many people realize. For this reason, college has allowed me to be able to examine how important education is and how worthwhile friendships and serving the community are. This simplistic fact of college allowing one to gain both a well rounded world view while connecting and serving the community is why college has been so valuable for me to attend.

Kenna

I know that I can do it. I am very capable of earning a degree in music and education at the ripe young age of 54. I am disabled, but that does not mean that I cannot work. I waited for my disability for five years. I believed that once I recieved it recieved it, everything would be alright. But I was wrong in so many ways, because I am blessed with the gift of teaching music. I am thankful for the disability benifts because I could never afford the Doctor's visits, or medication. But I am a teacher at heart, and I am here to introduce all kidsto the wonderful world of the Fomal Performing Arts. That is why I have a Formal Perfoming Arts Studio for low income, high risk, and special needs children. Although I have the skills, experience, and abilities to teach percussion, voice, and piano. I am missing a degree. People do not care about what yoy know unless they can see a degree. I want one not because of them, but because I am will to earn one. This scholarship will help me to make this dream to come true.

Carrie

College has been an incredible learning experience and an opportunity of self-discovery. Being away from home and having the responsibility to hold your own allows you to realize how much you can handle on your plate, to make sure you do not spread yourself too thin, and manage your time wisely. For me personally, my most recent semester was completely rewarding and beneficial to my college experience. I went abroad and studied in Spain for a semester. I had the opportunity to travel around several parts of Europe, I immensely improved my Spanish, and I was able to open my mind to so many new cultures and ways of life. It was a life-changing experience that I will never forget. I look forward to continuing my degree in Nutritional Science as I enter my third year of college this coming fall at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Jordyn

It has been valuable because it helped me figure out who I am and what kinds of things I want in life. Besides giving me a quality education, it has helped me to understand my values and what kind of people I want to be around.

Sean

As a student who took some time off from school before going back, I hadn't realized how quickly a person can forget so much information. Thankfully, I had some amazing professors and great classmates and friends who helped me whenever I felt stuck. The campus really does offer a lot, and it's hard to find an excuse to not partake in the endless supply of events the campus provides. Though a major university, the campus retains a 'small campus' feel which is pleasant and fitting, as it's located in Reno, the biggest little city in the world. I have had an amazing time here so far and it's only been one year so I'm looking forward to the next couple years spent at this campus.