Lauren
It's important to have friends that you can count on for sound advice. They should be accountable and trustworthy. They should also be people you enjoy spending time with. During your life, you will face many challenging situations, and it is important to have a good support system that surrounds you in these situations.
A good work ethic is also valuable to have. Being able to get what you need to done, whether for a class, for a club, or for your job is important as you will always have tasks that need to be completed. The work won't get any easier, so it's better to realize that and just push through obstacles you face.One thing to avoid is stress. Ways to manage stress are by knowing what must get done when. Leaving some time for yourself, making sure you eat well, and sleeping enough are also strategies to combat stress. No one wants to be friends with the person who complains, so it’s better to realize we’re all in similar situations and move on.Life is a learning process and it is okay to make mistakes, as you will learn from them.
Courtney
I feel that by coming to this college, I have been able to experience a very diverse population. Also, it was new for me to live in an urban enviornment. Classes are large, and you really have to do the work. Being here, I can tell I have grown up a lot. I have realized what is important in life, recognized goals and matured all together. I work hard and I understand the value of my work. I have to say that so far, the best thing about my college experience has been the extent to which it has helped me mature. I now have goals that I actively pursue, and look at the world differently. That's a very valuable thing.
Lauren
The first thing I got out of my college experience was a solid education. Do I feel like I learned a lot of specific facts? Absolutely not. But I learnedto solve problems and to trust my own intellectual abilities. I tackled some really tough classes, and though I've long forgotten a lot of what I was taught in those classes, I have the knowledge that I am up to the challenge if I'm willing to put the work in.
The second thing I got out of my college experience was a strong sense of who I am now and who I want to become in my life. It sounds corny, but college taught me a lot about myself and my goals. I met the people who shaped the adult that I am becoming. I did the research that helped me to decide what I definitely did NOT want to do in graduate school - and pushed me in the direction of graduate studies that I did have a desire to pursue. I got much more than a degree: I got a solid pathway to the rest of my life.
Sarah
So far, I have gotten alot out of college. These past two years I have not only learned alot about myself and also what I want to do with my life. When I graduated high school I decided to go to my local community college so that I could volunteer at the numerous research facilities in the area. I have now volunteered at places such as Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, The Brevard Zoo, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, The Florida Hospital and Keep Brevard Beautiful. Through volunteering I have gained experiences with research, data collection and entry, animal husbandry, marine mammals, food preparation for marine organisms and an overall awareness of the world around me. I believe that it's possible for anyone to go to college and it's an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. I have really discovered who I am, who my real friends are and how important family is in life. You won't only be studying textbooks in college, you'll be studying yourself.
Braxton
Due to my university, I have grown up. Being thrown into the college life is a hard thing for young adults to do. Day in and day out I have witnessed students taking advantage of the freedom and not doing their work. Seeing these students ruin their college careers, I have learned time management and ways to study because if I didn't, the university would either kick me out or put me on academic probation. Also I have gained a sense of saving what I have. Most college students barely have two dimes to rub together, so every cent counts. Moving into college is not an easy task but if you can understand the ways to be successful and learn from others mistakes, it takes some of the hardships away.
Leah
My college experience has pushed me to grow into a better, independent person. Coming from a small town, I had to quickly adjust to the city environment and go outside my comfort zone in order to succeed. After adjusting, I learned to love the area and the oppertunities that it has to offer. If you are not one to centralize your attention to alcohol or drugs like myself, there are plenty of other options such as theater, museums, and arts. I became very involed with these options to expand my knowledge and cultural awareness. Additionally, having downtown Pittsburgh a short bus ride away, jobs are easily accessible. Overall, Pitt has been the best option for me, and has continually allowed me to become a stronger woman.
Bradley
Going into college, I was under the impression that the true value of attending would come in the form of academics; both expanding upon previous knowledge and exlporing new topics and ideas. And in a sense, this is true. Education is a valuable aspect of attending any college or university. However, hindsight has revealed that college is not about the classes we attend, but rather the people we meet along the way. College has afforded me the opportunity to interact with individuals from all walks of life. Each person came from a completely different background, and in getting to know them, I was able to understand more about the brilliance of diversity--culture, ethnicty, socioeconomic status, religion, gender identity and personal struggles--than a hundred years of sitting in a classroom could have taught me. These people came from completely differing situations and, as a result, had developed his or her own philosophy and world views. My college experience gave me the chance to meet these people whom I would not have otherwise met, and the true value of this journey has been the opportunity learn from these individuals, and to incorporate their views and beliefs with those I hold.
shannon
I believe that out of my two years in college there are many things that i have learned. Though, the most important thing that i have learned is to never sell yourself short.
When I started college the only thing on my mind was playing softball and I wasn't the smartest kid. That is why as the year went on my grades began to suffer. It was hard but I decided that my grades were more important than playing softball. That is when I quite sotball amd began to focus on my grades. Once i did that, things began to fully turn around. I got my gradesm up and I had been accepted into the honor society, what an amazing turn around.
I was given the oprotunity to further my education through softball. If it hadn't have been for that i probally wouldn't have attended college and missed out on actually making something of myself. Though, it was hard at first i doubted myself but didn't sell myself short and definetly made the best of it. I will be the first in my family to graduate college and thats the best feeling in the whole world.
Shanelle
Attending my campus has been an amazing experience for me. This was not my first choice but I am so glad I chose to attend there. I wouldn't change it for the world. Going to this campus has taught me more about living life on your own. I was able to get a job on campus that coincides with my major. So, not only taking classes I get hand on experience daily with the equipment and knowledge it brings. I love the professors because they help you as much as they can and their office doors are always open. The president of our campus really cares about the students. He always has a smile on his face and loves giving hugs. Coming to this university is a joyful and rewarding experience in every class you walk into. Living with fellow students on campus and getting to relax during the down times is nice getting to know others and help them when needed. This experiance is the most valuable yet. I have learned so much to help me in the future and will never forget this campus once I graduate. It is really one of the best colleges around.
Victoria
Education is important, but it isn't everything. What the University of Pittsburgh has given me is an opportunity to leave my comfort zone and experience new things that I would never had known existed previously. I'm from a town so small we don't even have our own mailing address, so coming to Pitt, with the crowds, huge number of undergraduates, and more than one stop-light, was an obsticle. This dramatic change, however, was extremely beneficial for me. By coming to the University of Pittsburgh, I've learned how to meet new people, and to be independent. In my old town, you knew everyone. Here, I had to leave the protective bubble I've lived in all my life and get to know new people, which is a skill I wouldn't have developed by going to a school closer to home where the people never change. City life at Pitt has also made me more independent. I have to rely on myself to find places and get there on time, find food, and everything else an undergraduate needs. The University of Pittsburgh has given me opportunities that I wouldn't have had anywhere else.