University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.