Augustana University Top Questions

What I have learned from college is to enjoy life and be more open and outgoing. Yes school is very important and that is very apparent here but also there are things on campus to do from swing and ball room dancing to movies to toga dances. There are so many things to do which is nice because you work so hard at school it's necessary to have balance in your life. I never thought I would take swing dancing lessons and it was a blast. I'm so glad I did it otherwise I would've missed out on something I actually like. Without all the activities promoted by the school I would probably sit in my room and study all day and night but now I'm brave enough to try different things which has helped me figure out who I am.

My freshman year college experience has been challenging. Entering a new environment and struggling to find a place, I have stumbled on a part of me that I did not know existed. Deep within my old high school self, I found a strong, confident young woman who cares deeply about the society we live in. The Augustana Library housed my journey to self discovery. Picking up book after book from the shelf, I began to explore parts of the world I had only seen vaguely in passing. The worlds ails have become my ails. Through exploring the world through books and the broad reaching liberal arts education, I found the woman I hope to become: a social worker. Yet, the question could be begged, why attend a liberal arts college to discover yourself. My answer is the journey to self discovery is like a hero's question. There will be times when you need help and guidance or times you desend into a dark place. In the liberal arts environment you are surrounded with other students experiencing the same things you are. My exerience has been incredible.

What I have gain from my college experience so far has been a renewed thirst for learning and confidence in myself. Going to class every day and learning new things, as well as the details to things that were skimmed over in high school has sparked much curiosity in me throughout the past few months. I want to learn more and more about the things my professors teach, and have started to do outside research on subjects that really catch my attention to gain more knowledge. I have been putting my fullest effort into understanding the new concepts that are being presented to me, and the more I understand, the more I want to learn. I feel more confident than ever now that I have been putting in hard work and it has been paying off. By doing well in school, and becoming a more aware and knowledgeable person, I feel more confident in myself when faced with challenges. College has lead to numerous obstacles and challenges, and by overcoming them I now am more confident in my abilities to overcome obstacles that may still arise.

Attending college has helped me to learn who I am and who I want to become. Being in a college setting is especially helpful in finding oneself because everyone is in the same situation and willing to help each other. Whereas if I had gone straight to the work force and been trying to find a life path I might have rushed my decisions and felt pressured into deciding something that was wrong for me.

Since this past September college has been an amazing experience for me. I attended Berkeley College in Manhattan, NY for my semester but could not continue at Berkeley due to the financial aspect of it. I am now attending a community college in upstate Orange County New York. I finished my first semester with a 3.8 G.P.A. I gave it the best I could and did whatever I had to do to prove to myself and no one else that I can achieve the ups and downs of college. I have to admit it was tough and I did struggle with many things but it is something that I would not trade for anything else. It has taught me to present myself as the person I always have been but never had the guts to be. I have proven to myself so many things and will continue to make myself and my family proud.

Going off to college has not only taught me more book wise but maturirty wise. I have seen a growth in my maturity level and I know what I want out of my life and college experience. I had a rough beginning to college because I went to a Cal state that I did not feel was the right fit for me. While there I learned who I was and what I truly want. I am now attending at Junior college, while in the process of applying for other Universities.

While attending college I have gained a numerous amount of experience in 'life'. I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge in social skills and how this is applied to everyone's working environment and how it develops into success. The other most important thing I have learned while attending college is how every subject one studies can be related to another seemingly unrelated subject or topic.

College is an experience like no other. You literally GROW UP. There's no more bells to tell you when to go to the next class and you set up your schedule; you are basically in charge. However, I didn't work hard my first year of college. To be completely honest, I didn't even try to go to class or get my work done on time. I thought that I was this big shot who didn't need to listen to "boring" lectures from monotoned teachers. But, I was wrong. The moment I realized I needed college and an education was during the summer of 2010 when I was 3 months pregnant. I thought to myself, "Do I want my child to suffer knowing that I didn't work hard for an education? That maybe later on if life, I cost myself the most important thing in the world?" My answer was "No." The reason why attending college has become so valuable is because I not only have to do this for myself, but for my son. I want him to be proud of me when he grows up, and I too, want to be proud of myself.

From my experiences at community college, I've observed the subtle decline of humanity. As eager high schoolers have been subjected to four years of fermentation within one enclosed institution, forced to endure spoonfed information and statewide testing, they are urged to pursue secondary education. Never before have I been allowed to observe my demographic in action outside of the constricting HS environment. The majority of my classmates have decided to pursue self destruction: skipping classes, drinking to excess, and remaining highly unmotivated during the point in their lives that will most affect their futures. One fateful day on campus, while others were mesmerized by free energy drinks, I realized that I cannot allow my college experience to be trivialized by marketing campaigns and caffeine stimulants. I've learned that I value my education above intoxication, and wish only to pursue it to the highest degree. I've learned to remain engaged and aware regardless of my socially inebriated company. I will be transferring out of my CC this January to attend a four year university, where hopefully my peers will value the incredible opportunity that too many are unable to experience. The world needs more thoughtful individuals.

My first semester at Augustana has been a learning experience. The course content not only challeneged me; it fascinated me. During the past months I have been pushed, probed, and captivated. I surprised myself in my abilities to be pushed to my limits and come out on top. Augustana has provided me with a renewed ambition and desire to learn. My desire to learn goes beyond just career preparation, I value the education I am receiving at this school and am eager to continue this journey. Another important aspect about Augustana College is the professor/student relationship. I am more than just a number in the classroom. I am a student that the professor wants to get to know and help succeed. I am not just another student, I am a part of this collegiate community. There is a sense of belonging and community at Augustana College throughout all the students and professors. They are my family. Thanks you for your consideration, Tabitha Sanderson