Valparaiso University Top Questions

If I went back in time and knew what I know now, I would advise myself not to room with my current roomate. I would advise myself to hold off on taking spanish first semester because it's clear I needed time to brush up. The most important thing I would advise is to enjoy the time I have before I start college, and sign loans, and pack away my childhood to start my young adulthood. College has been a great experience so far, and I have high hopes that it will only get better. I will cling to these next 3 1/2 years because my time will be up soon, and I will start a whole new journey in life.

I actually never made it to my senior year in High School. If I could go back to my sophmore year, I would tell myself that even though I was a young mother, I could finish High School with honors and get into a very nice college.

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and get a job. I am constantly worried about my expenses and whether or not I will be able to pay everything off.

This time of the year (early October) I have found myself thinking a lot about where I was just a year ago. I was frantically trying to fit myself into a hundred different scenarios at all of the top tier schools in the country. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that everything really does work out. In the end, it does not matter the "brand name" of your school, it matters if your school gets you. Yes, a lot of college is what you make it, but in the end you want a school that understands you as a student and offers opportunities for bettering yourself intellectually and as a global citizen. Well, it turns out that that's what colleges are all about! They have to "get" you AND your polar opposite that lives accross the hall. I like to tell my friends in the throws of the application process that although it may seem impersonal now, colleges devote massive amounts of time and energy into understanding you as a person, not just as a student. Remember that when you are accepted you really are more than a common app ID number.

After living the college life for just three semesters, there is endless advice I would give myself as a high school senior if I could go back in time. However, my advice could be categorized into two key aspects; organization and setting goals. Adjusting to college life would not have been possible for me if not for careful planning. The key to managing any busy schedule is organization. The same concept applies to college and everything that comes along with it. I would tell myself that I would be faced with countless assignments, events, social gatherings, and numerous other obligations that all require time and effort. Organization is a powerful tool to ensure that every requirement is appropriately dealt with. However, organization is redundant if there is a lack of direction and purpose. Goal setting illustrates exactly what should be accomplished by a set time. Goals need organization in order to be executed properly, and organization depends on goals to produce a map to success. Setting goals and committing to organization are co-dependent upon each other.The transition to college life can be challenging, but with the right step forward, it can be an extremely successful experience.

If I went back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to allow worrying and stress to hinder my actions. Even when a choice seems impossible, such as choosing a college, I've realized that everything always seems to work out alright. No matter where you go to school you will have likes and dislikes. The challenge is to not let such petty things and worries inhibit you from making your college experience your own. Stressing and worrying only impede your ability to perform, and often times make you less productive. However, if you are not overcome by stress and worry, you can actively pursue a solution to your problems, and ultimately become a better person from it.

My college experience has helped me gain independence and the interpersonal communication skills necessary to be successful in my career. College not only teaches you the academic knowledge necessary to flourish, but helps you become a well rounded individual who is able to make connections between multiple disciplines and analyze varying situations. In today’s ever changing world it is even more crucial to be able to take meaning for everything you learn and apply that knowledge to situations as they arise. College has helped me be flexible in my career, and see many areas where my expertise can be useful for the betterment of a project. I feel strongly that education will help me further my career by giving me options for advancement. With knowledge comes opportunity, which is why I am pursuing my masters degree to progress my career. An advanced degree will enable me to have an even broader depth of knowledge with which to draw upon. College is vital to survival in a competitive market and will prove one of the most valuable assets I possess

The first thing I have gotten out of my college experience was learning that it is sometimes quite difficult to discover what you want for your life. When I first came to Valparaiso University as a freshman, I thought I desired to become a civil engineer one day; however, that turned out not to be the case at all several semesters down the road when I happily decided to change to my current majors of Mathematics and Chinese Japanese Studies. I learned that sometimes you have to dig deeper within yourself in order to answer the big questions of who you are and what you want from your life. The one, other big thing I learned from my college experience thus far is that I have to work extremely hard when pursuing the things I desire for the future. For example, I had to file and work through a ton of paperwork in order to obtain the chance to study abroad in Japan this Spring semester. However, that patience and determination to get all of that completed allowed me the rare opportunity to do just that. These lessons and others that I have learned make my college experience worthwhile.

By attending my 2 year community college I have experience some of the best professors, who are loving and caring and also who wants to see their students succeed in the future. I always thought it would be different from a university because we don't have as many sports as a university but yet we still have different organizations for students to understand others and also become as one. Eventhough, I couldn't afford to go to the university of my dreams I knew I had to continue my education for my family and I. So I just have to thank Guilford Community College for working with me and letting me know no matter what I go through I can and will better my future. No matter how hard I may still struggle to pay my tutition I'm going to still press hard to finish my education. This college experience have been the best decision for me so far, letting me be able to explore life but not letting me forget what I want in life and what I will do to make sure my future and goals are met. So never judge a book by its cover.

Before I ever stepped foot on to a College campus, I was repeatedly told that this experience will be the best experience you will ever have. Of course, myself being 19 years of age thought they had no idea what they were talking about. Now I sit here about to embark on another adventure into Graduate school. It makes me look back and say they were right. I thought they meant that it was all about the education but now I see they mean the whole experience. The education, friends, activities, and fun. They mold you into who you are today. I thank Valparaiso University for everything they have given me. Not just for the amazing education but for all the cultural experiences, professors, and friends that I have now. It was the best 4 years of my life and I would do it all over again if I had the chance. It is not all about the education for a school. It is what they offer in activities and faculty that truly make this an amazing adventure for you to learn who you truly are. That is what they gave me and I thank them.

I feel as if though it is a once in a life time experiance, all which benefits you in the end. i love meeting new people and learning a trade that has always interested me. i am much happier know that i've applied myself and i am using my full potential in my life and job, i think of what great things i've achieved through my life and all of which pertain to my college education.

Immediatly into coming to college I had submitted my resume to the school for a technical theatre position. Five minutes after I layed down the precious document the professor rushed out and called me into his office. Richard Harmon had noticed that I had extensive knowledge in DMX, and he just purchased a wireless DMX system and needed someone to figure out how to operate it. DMX is a control for intelligent lighting. Since I taught him how to operate and control this new system, he made me Master Electrician. The experiance of being a leader in a professional enviornment has been astounding. The professors let a freshmen teach the entire department how to utilize and control the new growing technology. Both staff and student alike were receptive of having a new guy come in and teach them in deepth skills on the art.

This college experience has allowed me to interact with people of all ages, fresh from highschool, mothers, fathers, grand parents, and people who are just going back to school to further thier education. By interacting with all of this people, my decision to become a kindergarten teacher has been reinforced. I know, without a doubt, that I want to make a difference in young children's lives, and I also know, that I hate getting up infront of a group of people unless they are 5 or 6. I have also learned the necessary skills to be a great college student. This experience has been very valuable and I would recommend enrolling in a 2 year community college and transfering to a 4 year university, wich I plan to do.

It's helping me take my hand drawn artistic skills and transfering them to computer based skills

My college experience has been a fun one. At Valparaiso University all freshman students are required to take what we call a CORE class. It is in this class that has helped me to adjust the most. The CORE class has been extremely valuable because it is based off of discussion. Here the students lead the class and we are able to talk about anything. I have been able to met other freshman who are experienceing the same things that I am: the stress of being at a new school, making new friends, and working a part-time job. I am extremely grateful that I have been able to continue my education by attending college. I value my education very much. I am currently working towards a double major in Psychology and Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. The value that I place on my education will someday help me help younger students to put the same emphisis on their education.

“De reir a cheile a thogtar na caisleain” is Irish for “It takes time to build castles” which is one important thing I will take away from my education. I value the wisdom I’ve acquired by listening to professors, and having conversations with them, over any of the knowledge I’ve gained. Knowledge is important, but it’s the life lessons I’ve learned that I will take with me and apply to every aspect of my life. The Irish saying is just one lesson. It means to be patient, to work at a steady pace, never give up, and in time you’ll have something magnificent that you’ve created. It’s the same with anything in life – be patient, work at a steady pace, don’t give up and you’ll have something to be proud of. Without the valuable life lessons I’ve learned while in university I wouldn’t have a pointed direction or constant encouragement of what to do with my life. Even as the knowledge I learned in university fades, the life lessons will still be with me, much like the castle that took patience, and time to build.

I have learned a lot about my intended career, even in the small amount of time I have been here, less than a semester. I have also learned how to manage my time better than I have in the past.

A sense of community and of values, the ability to be independent and the knowledge that I'll need to be able to handle myself in society. It's only been a few months, but I believe that I've grown up a lot. The whole college experience has been amazing and has affected my entire life and my outlook on the world. Before coming here, I felt like just a kid, about to be thrown out into the real world with no knowledge of the way things work, but college has already provided me with some insight into the world and how I should handle myself in it. College is a vital step in transitioning from high school kid to full grown adult and functioning, helpful member of society.

After being at Valparaiso University for a semester and a half, I have learned more about not only my area of study, but also about myself. I have learned how to study and how to succeed in college. I have learned to love the subjects that teach me the important things I need to know for the profession that I want to pursue. I joined clubs, participated in intramurals, and even joined a sorority! Besides all of these accomplishments, I also learned how to be out on my own in the world and to have confidence in myself. I look at myself now and I do not even see the girl I was less than seven months ago! The experiences I have had for my first few semesters at VU are unique to only VU; my university taught me so many things that another school would not. I grew up and I have learned so many things about the world around me and myself.

College. Many believe that college is a time to party it up and do what ever one wants because there are no parents around to tell you no. It's not. College is a time of growth and experience. A time of multitasking at its finest. My time so far in college has been a growing experience from immature child to a mature lady. I've learned to balance my time between class, homework, research, partying, and work. College is not as the movie portrays it to be. It is the complete opposite. You have responsibilities and priorities. There are also consequences to ill thought out ideas. The one thing I will take from this experience is if you want something done, do it yourself.