University of Oregon Top Questions

The University of Oregon has given me many things, both big and small, that have changed my life and helped me to arrive at the place I am at today. I believe there are many aspects of our lives that we take for granted and therefore, we begin to loose sight of how important a strong support system in our education can truly be. Throughout my studies, I was surrounded by an extremely positive and forward thinking community that pushed me to be the best I could be. My professors were very engaged with my work and constantly encouraged me to push myself to my full potential. I will value their efforts forever. I have been so fortunate to study at a university where I am constantly surrounded by a diverse array of people, studies, and ideals all of which have broadened not only my awareness towards a variety of unfamiliar subjects, but also of the world. I think it is crucial to look beyond our own borders with the intent to continue learning, growing, and striving for greatness.

I have met many professors, advisors, graduate teaching fellows, and students that make college all worth it. I believe college is about the connections and even though the price tag keeps getting bigger, the people I meet in college make every penny worth it. It's the people you meet who get you internships, jobs, and other opportunities that you can't find on your own. In the tough state of the economy, those connections become crucial and critical to succeding in education and life.

I learned probably one of the most valuable lessons of my life while I attended college. That lesson being to question anything and everything. I learned not to believe what I read or am told by anyone without solid evidence and critical thinking. It is so easy to just take what your professors and textbooks say and regurgitate it in everyday conversation, but it is so much more valuable to listen to what they say, research it, form your own opinion, and then discuss it with others that have opposing opinions. I have learned the most from people that think completely differently than I do. I believe that this process will not only enhance youe education at your university, but will lead you on a path to being a more enlightened individual that can carry themselves in a converstion with anyone. If an education to its fullest extent is what you're after, this would be my best advice.

College is an amazing experince to learn about yourself and grow as a person. I wouldn't trade my time in college for anything. You have the opportunity to take any classes you choose, find out what you are interested in and what kind of career you might want. The friendships and comradery I had in college is like any other time in my life.

College is nothing like high school, in high school some of my teachers aren't as firm and I could still rely on my parents for a lot of things, but when I got to college I really learned the what being responsible was. I had to make sure that I found a way to be to school on time, get my books, and speak up for myself if i needed to because there was no more running to my mom. The experience taught me that I am capable of handling things on my own, and that I can do alot more then what I give myself credit for. Just as high school was a preparation for college, college is the preparation for life; hence, its very important to attend.

I have come to grasp a larger world view gained through insight by my college experiences. I realized that it is important to be critical of everything and that deep thinking is required of every subject matter. I aquired some skills that allow me to be a better person and have learned to engage in various activities for enjoyment purposes. I have made new friends and been touched by the people I have interacted with. I will continue to share friendship with many college friends throughout my entire life - strong bonds have been foraged between us. Attending college allowed me to figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life and led me toward a career I think I will be happy with.

Throughout my college experience i've learned how to use my time wisely and study more often, I realized that I had to rely on myself to achieve the grades I want. It taught me a lot of responsibility, and made me realize that college was something I had to take seriously. It was valueable to attend beacuase I started full time college for my entire junior & senior year of high school, and in return I earned an Associate degree free of charge. Also I was able to graduate high school half a semester earlier, and in this coming january I will attend Florida State University as a junior transfer. With all my hard work and dedication I have went ahead 2 years of my educational timeline, and I am able to call myself a junior in college at such a young age.

A college degree opens doors for a person. Most importantly, it is an accomplishment that no one can ever take away. To complete a 4 year degree shows a determination and committment not every person has in their "make-up". It is as important to be proud of yourself as others are proud of you. My education is one of the most important attributes of myself. It has widened my perspective of life and has allowed me opportunities that I would not have had if not for my education. Also it has made me appreciate the movie "The Graduate" so much more. When I graduated from school, I could identify with the main character and his struggles. It is a universal dilemma. Now that I am attending graduate school I feel the circle is becoming complete in my life.

My college experience has really opened me up to academics. I am a music education student in the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. The classes are much smaller than most of the other majors, and all of the students in the program are very close. We are all very adamant about going the extra mile to become great teachers. We do our work together and provide each other with resources that help us both in school and our future careers. My musical ability has advanced dramatically, and my course work has really pushed me to become curious about my education and the vast amount I have the ability to learn.

I have gained the strength to finally come out of the closet and stay out in front of my parents, friends, teachers, and colleagues. I have come to terms with the hardships I've faced in my life including coming from a military family, being gay, and having been sexually assualted. It has been so valuable because without knowing who I am and being proud of it, I probably wouldn't be here today.

The University has excellent resources for students and the curriculum is exceptional. There are smaller schools within the University, such as the School of Journalism and Communication and the Lundquist College of Business. This allows students to have a "home base" and interact with students in their same major. Each school offers experience within the curriculum, allowing students to gain real experience inside the classroom, such as working on a campaign for a local business.

Through my college experience, I have been exposed to people from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. This has enabled me to learn about our differences and has also taught me that, although we have different backgrounds, we are united by the fact that we are students. Superficially we might seem different; different shapes, different colors, different customs; but fundamentally we are all students. We all push through research papers; we all study for tests ; we all grumble about that one teacher. We all strive to do our best so that we may elevate ourselves , not only economically but also intellectually. We have forged our bonds through algebraic equations and empirical formulas, late night study sessions and pizza. Our degrees are a culmination of shared blood, sweat and tears; it is a testatment of our intellectual accomplishments forever uniting us, reminding us that although we have many differences we all came to the same goal.... together.

Coming from a small rural high school with a graduating class of 14 students, choosing to attend the University of Oregon was what most people would describe as crazy. But I prefer to call it courageous. By jumping headfirst into an experience that was entirely foreign to me, I was able to step out of my comfort zone, something that has always been scary for me. I have met so many wonderful and interesting people, and most importantly, my best friends. I've learned that it's okay to change your mind (and your major!) over and over again, and if you don't have an exact map of your future, it's not the end of the world. I used to be so worried about expectations for my future that I forgot to take time to enjoy the present. Being at UO has taught me that our future is only decided by the choices we make now. If we're dead set on one path and not open to different ideas, we might very well miss the one opportunity that could change our lives forever and give us everything we've ever wanted.

I have learned more about issues in the world around me regarding ideas about the environment, social issues, politics, religion, and a vast array of other subjects. Every person I met at the University of Oregon was highly intelligent, well-rounded, and well-versed in many topics, so every conversation I had with every student here was an educational experience. This has taught me about different issues going on in the world and how to go about improving upon them. Everyone at the University of Oregon is passionate about something, which has given me a newfound passion for everything that I do in life, and it has helped me to become interested in new activities, ideas, and types of people.

So far the school year has been going pretty well. Since we only started about a week ago I still have a lot to look forward to and a lot to learn.

The experience I have gotten from attending a year of college so far has taught me a lot about myself and who I want to be. Within the year of attending to the University of Oregon, I have grown up a lot and have taken on more responsibilities as an adult. I have become more independent and motivated to be the best I can be. Attending college is very important to me because I want to be successful later in life. In order to that, I must earn a degree so I am able to get a good steady job that I will enjoy doing. I have enjoyed almost every professor I have had; they show you a great outlook on the subject. More than 20,000 students attend the University of Oregon, so there is no doubt that everyone will make friends. My friends have helped me get through the struggles of college that may include studying for an exam or extra help on homework. The University of Oregon has been a great experience so far and I am looking forward to three more years of it.

It took me a very long time to decide what college to attend. Because I live in Hawaii the decision whether or not to leave home for school was a big one, I couldn't just drive home on the weekend like a lot of kids can. I am so glad that I decided to go to the University of Oregon because it has taught me a lot about myself. I think the whole experience has not only furthered my education, it has also enhanced my social skills and responsibilty. I have met so many new people from my classes and my dorm. This is not high school anymore. Mom and Dad aren't going to tell you to do your homework or go to bed. I have found that I now make these decisions on my own because I know it will benefit me in the long run, rather then doing it to make my parents happy. I love the whole atmosphere of campus. There is definitely a sense of pride that comes with being a Duck, and you can see it and feel it in the students.

I have learned from my college experience that the best education is always that which an individual strives to attain for themselves. It is valuable to attend an institution of higher learning in order to have access to thoughtful and knowledgeable professors who can guide students in their quest for education, but above all goal of achieving an educated state of mind is entirely based on each students' effort. The future of our world is wholly dependent on a group of dedicated, curious individuals who are just now working to find their way through innumerable bureaucracies to an eventual state of wisdom and clarity.

Throughout my life I have been faced with challenges and obstacles that sometimes end in triumph and other times end in defeat. What is important is that I have learned from my mistakes and do not let my failures define who I am. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there would be a few key pieces of advice I would give myself. One piece of advice I would give myself is to take on more opportunities that allow me to build my leadership abilities. By emerging out of my comfort zone a bit more in high school, I feel that my transition into college would have been a bit easier. I have now realized as a Business major, a lot of my schoolwork entails working in teams. Different times call for different leaders and I feel if I had better prepared myself in high school I would be more effective in my leadership capabilities today. I am learning fast that becoming a leader is an important aspect in being successful in the real world today.

Many things swirl though my concious when I think of this topic but one central theme remains constant; stay true to oneself. In your first week of college you are exposed to many stimuli that you have never been in contact with. You are in a new enviroment with a new group of peers and it is the natural tendency for one to give up his or hers morals they have worked their whole life developing. The key is to remember where you come from. You must think of the people who will always be there for and will always love you; your parents. The everlasting chemical attachment between you and your parents is one of the most powerful connections there is. Letting them down I feel like is throwing away everything they have built you up to be. Do things that will make you and your parents proud of who you are, not what these new "friends" say is cool. Be true to yourself and the morals that have gotten you to college in the first place. In this growing experience you are creating the individual that you will be the rest of you life.