...College: a Nightmare A true education is an unnerving experience. Or at least it was for me. I still remember how enthusiastic I felt the day I started college to become a teacher of English. I was convinced I was going to succeed at college because I had the determination and willingness to do so. Everybody kept saying college years are "the best years of your life." But nobody said that college can turn out to be a nightmare and that failure becomes your worst enemy. The first year at the teaching training college I was like the sun in its full splendour. But as time went by grey clouds began to shut out the sun. Initially, I had a positive attitude towards college and I was full of excitement and anxiety. I had just finished High School in the United States and I was highly confident in myself. For years I have worked hard to be an outstanding student and have not experienced failure many times. To my horror, the years that followed were a constant struggle, full of ups and downs. More downs than ups, I must confess. At college I met my worst enemy: failure. I got easily discouraged by it. I even questioned if this profession was really what I wanted for the rest of my life. I also discovered that my confidence had dicreased tremendously to the point that I avoided participating in class discussions because I believed my words had no value at all. It seemed as if everything I did was wrong. Even if I had spent hours and hours working on a paper or a project the...
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... Confessions of a COLLEGE STUDENT... ‘‘ ’’ MINDY DEUEL, 40 Kalamazoo Valley Community College fewer than 2 percent of Americans of traditional college age attended college. Today, new technologies and the information explosion are changing the workplace so drastically that in order to support themselves and their families adequately, most people will need some education beyond high school. College is so important that more than 67 percent of high school graduates (approximately 18 million students) attend. Because higher education can be essential to your future earning power and your overall well-being, we are committed to providing a set of strategies you can use to do your best. That’s what this book is all about. As you’re settling into your new college routine, we want to welcome you to the world of higher education. The fact that you are reading this textbook probably means you are enrolled in a first-year seminar or “college success” course designed to introduce you to college and help you make the most of it. In this chapter, we’ll discuss how you fit into the whole idea of college. We’ll consider why the United States has more colleges and universities than any other country in the world. We’ll also help you explore the purposes of college—many that your college might define for you. But even more important, we’ll help you define your purposes for being here and offer many strategies to help you succeed. So what is the college experience? Depending on who...
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...My most enjoyable college experience thus far would have to be making new friends. I came into ASUN-Jonesboro only knowing about 10 people. Coming from a small town with a graduating class of 99 students, everyone knew everyone. I am not a shy person by any means but I was way outside of my comfort zone starting out. Being the girl who sat by herself was not something I was used to! There was always someone who I knew to sit with in high school but that was not the case now. After the first week I decided that I was not going to be inside that shell anymore. I was way too outgoing in high school to be quiet in college! So the next week I sat beside someone new in each class. I just politely sat down at a table of people in the lobby one day and said, “Look I feel weird sitting by myself, can I sit with you guys?” and they were all cool with it. Ever since then, I have made many new friends! Making new friends is something that I will cherish as a college student. In high school you had to sort of put up with the bull from everyone to keep out of the drama and the small town gossip. College friendships are so much more different. They are actual friendships, you just have to put yourself out there and talk to people. You can tell by the first conversation you have with someone if you like his or her personality or if you don’t! My two most valuable college experiences thus far would be responsibility and the appreciation of knowledge. College has taught me to take advantage...
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...My junior year I applied, and got in to four separate colleges: University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, Clemson, and Tri-County Technical College. I had got into my dream school and all I had worked for had finally come together. That was until the harsh reality of paying for college set in. If there was one bad habit I had in college in was laziness. I never studied, never prepared for speeches I gave through the various organizations I was in, and I never applied for scholarships. I was always able to coast through life and everything would eventually work out up until this point. The only scholarship I received was the LIFE scholarship which is given to you automatically as long a you meet certain criteria. With this scholarship alone, I had to decide, go to my dream school and take out loans to pay for it, or go to Tri-County Technical College and have school payed for. I ended up siding with my brain over my...
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...People spend their lives preparing to live; life is all about being prepared. Young people attend school to prepare them for the next stage in their life. Pre-School prepares toddlers for elementary school, elementary prepares children for High school, and High school prepares young adults for the work force or college. School is designed to prepare people for the next stage of their lives, I think of it as practice. I am in college to prepare for a career and not a job, my education is the difference between being happy with my work and working to live, as of now I am not fulfilling my duties as a student. I often ask myself why am I here, sometimes I ignore the question other times my answer varies from “to make your dad proud” or to “prove your mom wrong”. Neither of those answers is honest or is a product of consideration and deep thought. The actual reason why I’m here is because this is the only way I can get to where I want to be in life. I want to teach preschool and I am here to prepare and educate myself on what it takes to be an educator. I am going to be honest, I am a very lazy person and if I am going to work I want to be doing something that I actually enjoy doing. I want to live to work and not work to live. I don’t want to work hard at something and my only reward is the money at the end of the day, I want to go home and be proud of what I’ve spent my day doing. I feel like money is often mistaken with happiness so people worry less about what makes them...
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...Yes, I had been afforded a chance many others would love to have, yet I could not see past the dependence I had to my family, or the language barrier that stood in my way. For the first week, I walked with a cloud over me as I let my homesickness cloud every part of my judgement. It was not until I realized where I was, and what opportunity I was fortunate enough to be a part of, did I slowly open myself up to the experience. Being so young, and choosing to leave my family for two weeks was difficult, but I learned some invaluable lessons. I learned how to become more independent, and take charge for myself. I was also submerged in a completely different lifestyle and culture, one that was rich in art, poetry, and...
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...2. I step into the stadium hearing the crowd roaring in hopes the Eagles will topple the Deacons for their fourth win of the season. Witnessing the school spirit and love of football encompasses my senses. I no longer feel like an outsider, but rather an everyday Eagle. The Jesuit education provides an interesting viewpoint with its continued use of “Magis” in teaching. Rather than settle for simple and average education, Boston College exceeds and pounces upon opportunities to offer and demand more. Whether in the classroom or on the football field, BC continually surpasses goals, which is a result of the rigorous and mentally/physically demanding atmosphere. With only six weeks of experience in the summer, I understand the effort required...
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...Growing up, I was an introvert. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I started growing out of the sheltered and timid girl that I was. Now, as a senior in high school and looking back at the past seventeen years of my life, I realized that I missed out on countless of things. Whether it not be trying something new at my favorite restaurant or talking to the kid that sat next to me in my math class, I missed out. I was used to being in my comfort zone and I never wanted to get out of it. However, as I sit on my bed writing the essay that is one of the determinants to my admission in the University of Arizona Honors College, I realize that college is right around the corner. In less than a year, I will be in a completely different...
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...From my experience as a first-generation college student, I have deeply rooted respect for hard work, meritocracy, and perseverance. I met first hand the challenges of navigating academic bureaucracies, networking among faculty, integrating socially, and grappling with identity shifts from my home community. As a result, I grew self-sufficient and can better empathize and discern the needs of others who are not unaware of available resources and/or feel guilt towards using government-provided support services. More importantly, I feel obligated and humble towards those who have helped me along my path to higher education and in return, I seek to increase veteran health literacy by elevating health services knowledge, encouraging active communication...
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...“Black Male College Experience” “The grass is greener on the other side” is a popular phrase that I heard often growing up as youth but I was never able to grasp the meaning and purpose. As a young Haitian-American growing up in a high crime area of Miami, Florida I wasn’t privileged to live in a neighborhood where there were manicured lawns and great vistas. I always wanted to cross the highway to visit and fantasize about living a “green grass” lifestyle. This dream came true for me when I was accepted to the number historically black university in the world, the world renowned Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). The grass at FAMU is green with tradition, scholarship and service and these are the key items that I plan to take full advantage of while attending this prestigious university. FAMU is rich with a tradition and cultural that teaches one to be proud of their roots and origin no matter how they came to be. As a student coming from lower socioeconomic standards, I always thought that all college students would model themselves after the European-preparatory image and that professors would down play the intelligence of anyone that didn’t resemble those traits but not at FAMU. I thought that I had to wear slacks and button downs everyday just to be recognized but FAMU proved me wrong in the best way. This institution is filled with intelligent individuals from many walks of life that have their own, independent artistic expression through their...
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...How academic experience prepares you for college and reaching career goals The key to a child striving to obtain a degree is for his or her parents to really teach the importance of having one. Getting a degree is probably the only thing that I look at totally different as the years has passed. My parents were real old school and they didn’t come from a family of scholars so I was not really pushed in that direction. They made sure I did well in grade school but all I really was told was to get a job. All children should be explained how better life will be for them and their children if they get that degree. I realize it now but I’m not in the situation I would be in if I started fresh out of high school. More opportunities would’ve been available because I would be more mobile. I have children now but back then I didn’t have any. I could have easily moved to another state if I needed to do that for my career. The long term results and values of completing a degree is a sense of accomplishment. Some people do it to make their family proud. Some may do it so that they can personal see their achievements. Whatever pushes and drives you to reach for the stars is positive motivation. When you get a degree you stand a better chance at getting hired for jobs. Once you get hired it doesn’t stop there. With that degree you will get looked at for promotions versus someone who doesn’t have one. The biggest difference that a degree makes once you start working in your career of choice...
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...say starting college was not easy and my experience was no different. After getting accepted to BCC in mid-August by doing a late direct admission, it was the beginning of a long and tumultuous road. There was an initial hassle with financial aid and me waiting in a 3-hour line, then back to admissions. It was a long day. When I got into Bronx Community College (BCC), I had to do the placement test, just like any other student and...
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...educational institutions doing enough to prepare students for the college experience? Title Thesis: Even though attending college has its benefits, grade school lacks the proper foundation for students entering those institutions. In elementary school the curriculum is simple; children are being taught the basics of education letters, number, shapes, colors etc. Teachers provide more creative learning techniques which gives the students an option to understand the lesson. It is not only the subject taught in the class but the schedule the student adapts to around class time. At a young age children are put on a schedule starting with getting up, going to school and returning home. School is the midpoint and the highlight of the child’s day; therefore each day is based around their hours of learning. Students starting middle school may not be as excited to start because they know what comes next. In this stage of education, students are being introduced to class periods, more teachers and different subjects. These young adults have to deal with more personalities and different teaching techniques. Classroom requirements are no longer flexible; academic standards are not as ease to pass. ....
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...place of experience. There is a language barrier between knowledge and experience. c. Quote: "There is a principal which is a bar against all information, what is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." (Herbert Spencer: A great mind of the Victorian England era) II. Discussion of medical statistics regarding usage of anti-psychotic medication within the U.S a. Harvard Health Publication states that 23% of women in there forty's and fifty's take anti-depressants (that being the highest among any age range) b. That number has increased by almost 400% between 1988-1994 and 2005-2008 c. 1 in 10 Americans take anti-depressants d. Metco reports that 1 in 5 Americans take some kind of behavioral/psychological medication III. Some research highlights (Emphasize benefits) a. Clinical studies have proven time and time again that meditation reduces blood pressure (Sala Horowitz Studies) b. 50 college students were asked to practice mediation over time and results were extremely positive in allowing brain waves to fire at a more rapid pace, able to maintain excess information, reduced stress levels, and tiredness throughout the day disappeared. c. (Colin Allen article in the magazine "Psych Today") 25 people people were asked to learn and practice mediation and experienced much of the same results as the college student experiment...
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...different experiences will help me contribute to the diversity in the Physical Therapy Program. One of my experiences that really stand apart from others is my participation in a mission trip to Honduras. I joined students from the University of Connecticut Health School to provide free healthcare to inhabitants of small villages and cities in the area. The trip taught me the importance of providing healthcare to poverty stricken areas and the effect it can have on the communities. The experience also really cemented the importance of being tolerant of different cultures and areas of the world. You need to be truly passionate about providing a better life for the people that come from less fortunate circumstances, but also understanding of their ways of life. If you are doing something just because you think it looks good and would benefit yourself; your goals become very transparent and those you are helping can tell right away you aren’t really there for them. There was no greater feeling then seeing the smile on the children’s faces while we worked with them to get them better or the clear look of thankfulness on the people who will never take what we provided them for granted. I would love to have the opportunity to provide physical therapy to similar areas of need, which I can successfully contribute to the program at MGH IHP. I have also had different experiences relating directly to the field that have all been quite diverse. My first experience in the...
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