Central Washington University Top Questions

Besides my education, the most I have gotten out of college is the social aspect. I have learned how to live with a roommate, live by myself, and get involved in activites that I normally wouldn't be involved with. I have always had to juggle school, work, and sports but I am learning how to do that on a different level here at college. Working is crutial to me since I do not receive financial aid, and it feels good to know I can support myself all on my own. College has and continues to teach me more about myself everyday. I love being able to try new things and meet new people every single day. It makes me appreciate all that school and life has to offer. Besides the social aspect, I have found a major that fits me perfectly, and that major is clinical physiology. I love going to class and learning all that I can. I am a person who likes to be challenges and college has challenged me more than I ever thought it good. It challenges me socially and academically and coninutes to make me a better person.

Central Washington University has been a place for amazing personal growth. As an art major while attending Central, I was able to work closely with personable staff and professors to create a professional portfolio of art work. My professors were knowledgeable, supportive, and available for discussions and questions. I found my classes to be intriguing and engaging, looking forward to the next lessons. In the art department I was assigned several group projects, solo projects, and presentation-based projects, making for a well-rounded experience. As an undergradute student, I grew immensely as an artist, and that is why I am now applying to continue with a post-bach degree at CWU. My experience at CWU has been amazing and I know I learned things here that I would not have learned elsewhere, which leaves me feeling satisfied with a unique learning experience. I hope to continue learning and succeeding at this institution with my Master's Degree in Art.

I feel that my entire life, I have been fighting to prove myself. Prove to my friends that I care more about them than myself. Prove to my parents I am worth investing money in for a good college education, show them I am just as smart as my older sister. To boss at work that I am worth the extra hours; show her how passionate I am about my work. This constant feeling tore me inside. Everyday I felt that I was living my life to make other people happy. Senior year of high school rolled in, and I couldn’t be more afraid to graduate. College? I constantly feared, ‘It’s so difficult to make people happy there!’ However, once I got here, I realized that college taught me that I have to prove nothing to no one, except for myself. Making an education at CWU has been the first REAL thing I did to make myself happy. It has secretly been the most selfish thing I will ever do for myself. Nothing is more valuable to me than to say, ‘here I will mold the platform to my future, and make things happen.’

My college experience thus far has been a tremendous multitude of self discoveries and intriguing social lessons. I have always believed that the most important attribute a person can cultivate is the manner in which one interacts with his/her peers. That is the biggest and most applicable lesson possible to learn and develop through a lifetime, and college is a leap in the direction of discoveries that will help to understand a place in life and where to fit in. I have learned how my actions can affect others in positive and negative situations and because of that lesson can influence my peers to strive for excellence and succeed in their endeavors. Another valuable skill I have obtained through my college experience is a better understanding of when to talk and when not to talk. This skill may not seem very important; however, this skill is necessary in order to collaborate with coworkers and those in a leadership position ahead of myself. My experiences in college has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life, and because of the lessons I have learned socially, I will never regret my decision to attend a four year university.

After a year and a half of college, I have learned as much in the classroom as I have out of it. Coming from a small town with dreams of entering the fashion industry I have had so many great opportunities through Central Washington University’s Student Fashion Association. I have been able to do something I’ve always dreamed of, modeling. From promoting breast cancer awareness to raising money for local abuse agencies I have had the joy of learning a skill I’ve always dreamed of. I’ve also been able to travel to places such as Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada to meet with industry leaders and learn what it takes to make it in the fashion world. I would have never thought that the little town of Ellensburg would have provided me with so many wonderful fashion experiences but it has been such a treat. I am so excited to continue my education here and learn more about myself, the fashion industry, and this wonderful new community I now call home.

My college experiences have taught me to be a passionate life-long learner, to appreciate other people's points of view by placing things in cultural context, and to know I am a unique individual with positive contributions to make to society.

Pursuing an undergraduate degree has always been a goal of mine. Coming from a low-income household that also included being raised by a single parent has pushed me to exceed in every aspect of life. My mother is an extremely hard worker; she has worked in agriculture all her life. As the years go by and she gets older, her job begins to be more of a challenge. By pursuing higher education I will be able to have the opportunity to have a wonderful life for my mother and me. College has been a great learning experience, I have really grown up! It has taught me many things that I believe are not only essential in college but life as well. I have learned time management as well as how to spend my money wisely. These skills are just some of many that college has given me. I do not regret the choice of attending college not one single bit.

Being currently in the middle of my sophomore year, I am not even halfway through my college experience, but nevertheless I have already learned quite a bit. Before you go off to college, you always hear adults tell you "You meet so many different people in college, some of whom will not be as friendly as you might like." Well obviously, I'd think to myself. But it's something entirely different to experience it for yourself. My freshman year, I met many girls in my dorm who were VERY different from me, and not necessarily the most kind. And once you're in college and becoming more independant, you're forced to make more of your own decisions, such as which people to become friends with. It was definately an eye-opening experience to see firsthand that not everyone in the world is going to be nice to you, as evidenced by some of the girls in my dorm. College has taught me to just surround myself with positive people, and not to worry about the rest.

Growing in a low class family and a family of nine was hard to overcome. I was the youngest of nine. While growing up all of my family memebers had to work on the fields during our summer vacations. During school we had to work the weekends as well. I never had that 'AWESOME" school experince until I graduated and moved to college. Being in college helped me grow up and relalize that being able to attend college is a gift. My parents moved from Mexico to the USA at the age of 17. Seeing them struggle day by day has open my eyes and showed me how hard it is to live in the USA without a diploma. Everyday I attend class I cherish those moments for the rest of my life. Being in college has helped me become a strong independent young lady that some day will overcome her childhood experience.

Education is the key to success. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been opened to me as a result of attending college. One key asset for me in my college experience has been the opportunity to work with fellow students from all over the world. I have gained an interest and appreciation for the many cultures I have had the pleasure of learning about. I have had time to personally reflect on my own values and biases as I have been exposed to different points of view, teaching strategies, lifestyles, religious beliefs, and cultures. Without my exposure to this socio-cultural aspect, my world view would have remained ethnocentric and narrow. Through my studies I discovered that I am a capable learner. I am exceeding my academic goals by achieving outstanding grades and gaining knowledge in previously unexplored subjects. I have learned how to study and work with all types of personalities to accomplish group objectives in a variety of courses. The most valuable experience I have gained from college is my personal sense of accomplishment at achieving success in pursuing something challenging. I will inspire my future students to set lofty goals for their own education.