Azusa Pacific University Top Questions

As a transfer student my first year at Azusa University has been great. I live on campus and experienced my first time living on my own. The apartments with other students gave the experience of true community and people of different races come together and support eachother as a huge family. The living areas gave me a chance to look at my own community back at home and how I can be a great neighbor and help bring my own community together. I love how the teachers and staff dont just show up and work, but they all have a huge heart in seeing each individual succeed in whatever the students dreams are. They are supportive and want more than to get us a degree, they want us each to exceed beyond college and a great career, but also to build leaders to go out and change the world. This was only my first semester and I feel like a different person, friends and family also say that I look different like I am a whole new person full of confidence with a glow on my face because of this school. Azusa is bulding me up to live my dreams.

I am currently in my first semester of college, so one might say I am less than qualified to comment on my "college experience" so far. However, I have to contest that it is we, the sometimes terrified and mostly overwhelmed, freshmen students, that truely grasp the value of attending college. Already, I see a change occuring in not only myself, but everyone around me. From puzzled looks in laundry rooms and introductory smiles to the shock and awe in fellow classmates as they realize they have made it out of their first exam alive,there is, I think, a bit of excitement in it all. An excitement that is attributed to the fact that, despite all the awkwardness and uncomfortability a student is exposed to freshmen year (or rather perhaps, because of it) , each student will undergo a drastic transformation that reveals a bit of who they truely are and may even give a sneak peak to who they will become. Let's face it, falling from the nest is a scary thing, but attending college is an amazing way to find your wings and learn to fly on your own.

Out of my college experience I have learned that it's important to build relationships and as much as college and going to college is about our education, another aspect that might or might not have been added is the atmosphere of the college life. It's important, but not necessary, to experience the college life with friends. It has been an amazing time while I've been here because it has taught me to stand on my own two feet.

My college experience , 30 years ago , gave to me my entire career. It facilitated my life in every way. I have been successful in my chosen profession; highly regarded by my peers in the profession for many years because of who I became (my nurse persona). I do not believe I would have acquired an equal education at any other college or university of that era. However, my education at APU did something else. It made me expect more from myself & from others in my field; a factor that does not leave me always feeling like the rest of the world is on the same page. At this stage of life now, & at my age, I am compelled to push myself to do more, to learn more, & to make a more meaningful impact on our society, which seems to have reached a turning point in so many ways. What happens in the next few years may have significant impact on the future of not only our humankind, but on this planet. That's why I have set my best intentions now upon completing graduate school & increasing my knowledge & ability to advance the profession in the direction it needs to move.

I've been at college for two months and even though it is a very short amount of time, I have learned a lot! I've learned that there is an amazing amount of young adults that are extremely passionate about Christ and living their lives through Him. From their example, I am wanting to become stronger in my faith. I have also learned that there is no time to waste in college. Every minute of the day you should be thinking of the next minute. Arranging what needs to be done. Procrastination is not an option in college! I've also realized that I am paying for my education so I have to take it to heart and seriously, so that my future is bright.

Over the past two years I have recieved an invaluable understanding of life, people, myself and the very issues that encircle us all. While sometimes I feel the finances are a significant burden, I am continually reminded of the value of my education in my day-to-day. I find I have become more aware of the world around me, I am able to eloquently discuss past and present events in areas such as politics, psychology, design and art. At the same time I have gained friends and a network of aquaintances that will last until the end of my life. These people, the experiences I have had, and the ideas I have learned, will remain with me. I am indebted to the school financially, but I feel I am indebted emotionally and mentally as well for I am a better person because of this fine institution.

APU gave me some of my best friends, my wife, and an excellent theological education that grounded me for my future pastoral career.

Many people go to college simply to further their education, acquire impressive credentials for their resume, or discover what it is they want to accomplish with the rest of their lives. I had a good bit of time between the end of high school and the beginning of college attendence where I was able to think a lot about my future career goals. Because of this, I started college with a much fuller knowledge of what I wanted to get out of college than most people. Instead of spending much of my time sampling different classes to discover where my passions and future career may lay, I've been able to specifically choose which classes I wanted to take to get me closer to fulfilling my dreams. I have found my so-far short college career to be very valuable in preparing me for the things which, I know, lie ahead of me. I have found college to be a great place for experimentation of ideas and formation of values. I have found college to be the fueling stop at which I must linger for a while before I can soar off to change the world.

Kevin you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Football is not going to be a career option for you in the future. Your ACL Ligament is not going to withstand the test of time. Ohhh more thing you should consider is applying for as many grants or scholarships as possible because if you rely on student loans to pay for your college thaere is a chance your out standing loans will end up in default status and you will have to pay them back. They federal student loans do not go away. They follow you where ever you go.

Although I am not currently a college student, yet, If I could go back and improve some things my senior year I would have studied twice as much and twice as hard. I would Have been much more responsible. I would have chosen my "friends" wisely. I would have made my education my priority in life. I would have followed in my own path without the influence of other poeples plans to fit my own. I would have applied to more than 1 school. I would have volunteered and been a part of more community service. I would have taken my actions much more seriously and always had school work ahead on every aspect of my life. I would have been more physically active. I would not have put others before myself. I would have tried to better communicate with my parents. I would have taken graduation much more seriously. Instead of being reserved I would have tried to stand out in a positive way. Lastly if I could go back in time I would, but I can't. And that is why I want to make the best of my college experience.