University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Top Questions

My college experience has not been very long, but I have learned a lot so far. I have learned to get along with other people, some of whom have very different views and lifestyles in both a school and living environments. Another thing I have gained is independence. I am now making decisions on my own and having to manage my time well. Luckily, I came into college with good organizational and time management skills and as I have been here they have grown rapidly. I am enjoying college and gaining more knowledge with each new experience it throws my way.

Some people say a college degree is an expensive piece of paper that says you can handle learning. To some extent it is. For me though, what I've gotten out of my college experience that seems most important isn't related to the classroom. I'm a six hour drive from my home, my parents and my old friends. All sense of familiarity disappeared when my parents left me here. I thought I was an independent individual and that I could handle being on my own. I had no idea what I was in for, what indepence truly felt like. I've had struggles, the same as any student. I've had to find my own meals, find a job, find a plan for the day, the week, the month and find the motivation to wake up and go to class - all without the support of my family or the friends I've grown up with. I've learned about independence and how much resposibilty comes with it, but I've also learned about the strength of my own determination. The value in attending college for me? That would be the wakeup call about life and the self-insight.

Being away from school, I have grown up more than I ever thought I would. I have learned how to manage my time, money, and friends. You meet tons of people and all are great. It is a great place to be and something that I will love the rest of my life. The University of Oklahoma is the place for me and wouldn't change a thing I did.

Within the last semester, I have grown tremendously as a person. I have developed a sense of independence, responsibility, and a productive means of studying. Living away from home has given me the opportunity to reflect on myself as a person. In this way, I can rely on myself with more confidence to make important decisions such as what I should major in or what career paths are valid and desirable options for me. Not only have I grown as a person, I have also grown as a student. Never in my life have I worked so hard in a class while achieving gratifying grades, particularly attaining the 4.0 I have longed for. Overall, my college experience has enabled me to develop my current and new personality characteristics as well as proficient study habits.

The most important thing that I have gotten out of my college experience is independence. Living on my own and being in charge of every aspect of my life is truly eye opening. I feel that through this I have become much more responsible and aware of my choices and actions. From budgeting to time management, I have begun to realize how dependent I once was. Since coming to school and getting away from all the people that willingly took care of me and at times coddled, I have been able to spread my wings and have started becoming my own person. I can decide what I eat, when I fall asleep, study schedules, and even whether or not to go to class. Sometimes this new found freedom is a little terrifying, it is a quick eye opener to the real world and what lies ahead only in larger doses. However, despite these fears and concerns I am fully prepared to continue to grow as a person by being able to be in charge of myself. College has done wonders for my confidence, responsibility, and escpeially my willingness to try new things, like joining a new club.

I have gained a great amount of knowledge during my first semester as a college student. Some of this knowledge has been academic in nature, some has been emotional, yet all of it has grown me as a person. I believe the most important thing that I have learned is to dream big. College is a place to forget who you had to be in high school and discover who you want to be for the rest of your life. It is a place where skills are uncovered and dreams are discovered, a place where you can choose to be whatever you want to be when you grow up. I start this semester with inspiration from the last, and a new found understanding of myself. I have dreams of who I want to be and what I want to do, and I am striving to attain the skills I need to do just that. I don't believe I could have become the person I am today without attending college. It has truly been the greatest step of my life.

I have gotten experience out of college. So far, I know exactly what to do and not do in pursuit of my career. I know to always ask questions, always attend class, and always study extra. Never drink before a test, never drink before class, and never drink alone. Don't isolate yourself or your friends. These are all general school or life lessons, but the point is I learned them at my college. I will use these lessons in life well. For example, I won't be afraid to ask questions about a project in my career, I will never use my sick days when I'm not sick, and I will always try my hardest at work. I will never drink on the job or alone. I might have learned these lessons anywhere else, but I didn't. I learned these lessons at my college.

I recently returned to college after an eighteen year hiatus to have my seven beautiful children. I have enjoyed the rewards of achievement, completed two online courses with A, and disappointment, dropped two courses due to medical issues. I have pushed through the stress and conquered my own defeatism, enabling me to continue my educational journey. OU has been extremely flexible and has encouraged me to reach my dreams of a college degree. My advisors and instructors have spurred me on to explore my potential and to broaden my horizons. I have always enjoyed learning, but had forgotten just how invigorating it could be. I had to tame my voracious appetite for information just to concentrate on my course work. It has brought new light and energy to my life. I have also been able to inspire my children to attend college and gained a new perspective as they approach this same journey. I feel I can better assist them in maneuvering through the maze of college and academic choices ahead. I have become better prepared to advocate for them in the coming years. Overall, my recent college experience has widened my personal perspective and cemented my confidence in myself.

I am just getting started. I have chose the path of an online schooling. It is most convenient for me. I am the first in my family and the only girl out of five brothers, so I have alot to push for. I am very competitive and I believe the only way to survive in the world any more is to get your self a degree. I need help in financing my funds to get me through this journey. It won't be easy to get through. However it's a must, like breathing. I want to be able to give my children things that i never had. Maybe when they grow up I will have knowledge on how to get started in finding your career. I want to feel like I have a path to continue on instead of crossing over the mountains. Personal training will get me my path! Thank you!

Thus far in my college experience I have benefited from being in college in so many ways. Being in college has lit a passion for learning in me. I have become even more passionate about my field of study than when I began classes. I have also found new passions and interests such as philosophy that as a science major, I never thought I would enjoy. It has been so incredibly valuable for me to attend college becuase it has given me a direction and a goal to work towards. It has created in me a new sense of responsiblity and an even greater work ethic. Being in college has made me realize how much I love school and learning and has encouraged me to do my best and work hard not only in school but in every aspect of my life. My college experience has given me the priceless gift of the love of learning.