American University Top Questions

I would tell myself not to worry too much about the the college expereince itself. Although it may seem long and perilous, embrace the journey for what it is and enjoy every moment of it. Take advantage of the opportunities and connections forged during this time. Friends come and go, but the real ones will stay loyal, regardless of the presiege of your internship or the Greek organization you are affiliated with. Don't be afraid of attending professors' office hours, regardless of how many you have, you will eventually find one or two that will mentor and guide you. Above all, learn everything you possibly can, for it will come in handy later in life.

One of the best things I ever did as a Freshman in college was to get involved with a learning community and a study group of students and upperclassmen from the outset. My university provided learning communities to enhance the classroom and living experience on campus. Doing this helped me to meet almost all of my closest friends at school and it allowed us to really delve deep into our common academic interests and teach each other through our different prospectives. It is easy to retreat back to your side of the room in the dorms, or to keep to yourself in class, but if you get involved with a learning community you quickly provide yourself with a supportive academic network and a fun social group for you to spend time with, learn about yourself, and become comfortable around people who are different from you. This also is a great way to practice building your network because if you become closely acquainted with students and staff interested in your choice of academic studies, they can act as the building blocks for your professional future outside of college.

Hey, you there. Take the red pass and come into the hallway, I need to talk to you. Okay, first of all: Stop stressing about your reputation; don't assume that this building will contain every aspect of your life. You haven't even gotten started in life. The university you will attend is one of the most accepting schools in the country (with some exceptions, but you'll find that out later). Also, the friends you have in high school will, for the most part, forget about you once you've been out of their presence for a while. You will make new friends. Secondly: It's time to put more effort into practicing and playing your viola, because the symphony orchestra at college is HARDCORE. You won't pull off Sibelius Symphony No.2 by practicing "Eleanor Rigby" over and over. Finally: You've made so many life-altering mistakes, but they will be erased and your conscience will be cleared. Get ready for battle, because you're entering a morally-corrupt world as a young Christian student, and you'll need to be in good spiritual shape. Now that you know this: don't stress, just anticipate.

My first semester in college at American University was spectacular academically and socially within the context of my new home. However, if I could go back and give myself a pep-talk before I got out here, I would most emphasize the importance of keeping all of my relationships back home as strong as ever. Unfortunately, the only downside of my first semester was dealing with disintegrating friendships and ties to all of my friends left back home. For a few months, I had a tough time dealing with lost friendships and lost love, but I have now managed to rebuild the bridges that had been burned down. So, high school senior me, I would tell you not to let the freedom get to your head and remember just who loves you and who will always be there for you, no matter what. That and, you're going to have a great time out there. Good luck.

I graduated one year early from high school, so I would say my experience was a little different from most. In retro-spect, high school was simply not a good fit for me. I have always been a self motivated student, and I did not like the rigid structure, rules, and regulations that high school emphasized. Without a doubt, college is a lot of work. But the schedule of college offers much more flexibility, and in my personal opinion, a much healthier lifestyle. No longer do I have to be in homeroom promptly at 7:25 like in high school. I am very self-disciplined academically, but for people that tend to be procrastinators, be careful in college. Waiting until 2:00 am to begin an 8 page paper due the next day is not a good idea. College is the most pivotal time in a young person's life, and it is a time when you as an individual truly discover who you are, and where you want to go in life.

I’ve gotten a lot out of my college experience. First, I’ve learned a lot from the classes: the professors are very knowledgeable in their fields (some are national experts) and good at conveying this knowledge to their students. I’ve also learned, perhaps more importantly, how to relate to and get along with people from other countries, cultures, and religions. Christians, Muslims and Jews go to class, live, and work together here. Coming from a small, rural town in Tennessee, I never experienced this kind of mixture and tolerance before coming to American University. I’ve also had to learn about how to manage my time without my teachers or parents looking over my shoulder and giving me specific directions. That has been a challenge, but as the year progresses I’ve learned to get up at the same time even when I don’t have classes to get things done and spend more time in the library. Besides making me a more educated person, college is also shaping me into the more responsible, open-minded person that I want to be.

The most valuable thing I've gotten out of my college experience so far is the actual value I've developed for my education and my future. I have a new-found interest in learning as much as I can. Even if it's regarding a class that has nothing to do with my future career, I sincerely put all my effort in taking in as much information as I can. Not only does it come in handy when I'm competing with friends while watching jeopardy, but I know that the more information I take in, the more open-minded I become. And I truly believe that open-mindedness is a quality neccessary in achieving one's highest potential in life. Even from taking just one cross-cultural communication class, I feel as if I've developed an entirely new understanding of what it is to be accepting, respectful, and indisciminate towards other people, no matter their race, religion, character, or even appearance. I most likely would've never been so open-minded, and therefore successful in the future, if it weren't for my incredible college experience thus far. And I could not be more thankful for that.

College is more than just studying and going to class. It is a life changing experience. I have learned some of the most valuable lessons that anyone can learn. First of all, college is a good way to transition from High School into adulthood. Although the professors are very helpful, you are completely responsible for your own success and your own failure, while still being in a setting where there is some chaperoning. Because American University is very culturally diverse I am exposed to a lot of different type of people from various backgrounds, which has made me more cultured and opened my eyes how the rest of the world operates. In High School a lot of times many people are exposed to only one demographic. Going to college has been a real eyeopener. In order to make a impact on more peoples live it is essential to be aware of where they come from and how they operate. The diversity of American Univeresity has allowed me this experience.

Experience and knowledge is an invaluable tool. Attending college gives a person both those things. The knowledge and the experience that I have gained at college has helped me to grow as a person and a student. I often am presented with challenges in both my school life and work life, which I have learned how to managed thanks to living on my own and being responsible for my own work. Knowledge is power. The more one knows can only improve how they interact in society as well as in the work world. Working is essential for the survival of the American people. Given that we operate as a democracy it is important for US citizens to be well educated for the success of our country, and for personal success. Education is invaluable and attending college helps people (like me) become more worldy and grow in new ways.

My college experience has been a constant adventure in discovering who I am as a developing adult. The fast pace college lifestyle has challenged me to balance large amounts of schoolwork, all-nighters, the thrills of dorm life, past friends and new friendships, part-time jobs, family, and large amounts of free food. My college experience has and is continuing to prepare me for working in the feared "real world", whether learning how to manage my finances or how to manage my increasing pile of dirty laundry. My college experiences have allowed me to travel to Switzerland and Italy to study with students from around the world, and these multicultural relationships are truly valuable as I pursue an education in International Relations. My college experiences have opened new opportunities for me to understand with increasing clarity the world Ilive in and how I can contribute to the bettering of it in my future. College has been so valuable to me because I am being pushed to seek the tools necessary for my future success. I am constantly motivated to understand, appreciate, experience, and learn about the world that interests me to no end. I am thankful for my college experience.