Columbia College-Columbia, SC Top Questions

College is not just a learning experience in the academic sense only. College is a life experience. It's sort of a phasing period from being a child and having your parents to take care of you to a period where you learn to be responsible for yourself. It's also a period where you learn about yourself and who and what you want to be. You are mixed in with people from all walks of life. Sometimes this strengthens your beliefs and at other times it makes you aware of new beliefs. College is a growing experience; academically, spiritually, and personally.

I have learned that no matter where people come from, it is important to look past the stereotypes and see the person inside. The diversity among the women that attend Columbia College is unmeasurable, but I feel that it has made me a better person, able to bridge the gaps and build relationships with people that are different from me.

My college experience is invaluable. The experience served as the womb in which I developed into a strong, independent woman of integrity. I gained the academic and practical knowledge necessary to become an excellent educator. In 1994, I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. However, the academic component was just one part of the college experience. In addition to pedagogy, I learned to be a well rounded woman. In college I became much more of an extravert. I was involved in student government, the college choir, cultural diversity organizations, and served on numerous panels and committees. I also learned to relate to my peers in new ways. Living in the dorm with women from all walks of life gave me the opportunities to forge friendships that I would have never forged otherwise. Nothing can compare to the college experience; it remains the best time of my life. My undergraduate studies provided me with the knowledge and the opportunity for social growth. I would have never reached my level of success were it not for college.

WELL THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME ATTENDING COLLEGE AND I HOPE TO GRADUATE ON TIME. I AM THE BABY IN THE FAMILY AND I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO GRAUDATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH A DIPLOMA. I HAVE THE HELP OF MY PARENTS BUT THEY AIN'T MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AT LEAST TO HELP PAY FOR MY CLASSES OR MY TEXT BOOKS. TOO ME, IT WOULD BE VALUABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE I CAN JUST FOCUS ON SCHOOL AND HAVING FUN WITH ALL OF MY CLASSES. AND IT WOULD ALSO MEAN ALOT TO MY PARENTS AND THEY WOULD BE PROUD OF ME.

From the moment i started attending college, i saw a new scene. In high school, one is sheltered, but in college, one is able to explore anything. I first met new people. People from different backgrounds, different perspectives, different attitudes. Everyone was different and i have learned to embrace everyone with open arms. As well as the people, i can honestly say i have learned infromation that i can connect to. College has made me excited to see what the future holds for me, both short and long term. Many people go to college because they believe they have to go for a successful life; this is true, but i have decided to go to college to learn more knowledge, and find the answers to questions i have always had. Given this statement, everyday is a new learning experience for me. Everyday i realize something that may or may not be important to my career but my over all goal is to learn as much as i can. College has given me this. The value of college is not only in the degree, but is also in the openmindedness it has given me and the knowledge i have gained.

Although I have only been in college for three months, my college experience has been invaluable. I have learned to make my own decisions. Decisions that may or may not be the right one, then I learn from my mistakes. Going away to college makes you grow up; makes you appreciate what you had and envelops what you want out of your life. I want to be a medical examiner. I can't do that without an education - not only academically but emotionally. Learning to take care of myself, learning what I do or say have consequences good or bad. All of this is life lessons.

It has been a wild ride going through college. I can't put into words how much I appreciated the chance to be able to go to college. It was hard and very tireing doing all the classes; sometimes I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of all that was put before me. College was indeed a very different experience from my High School years, and there were times that I longed for the simple classes from High School. I've gotton a real sense of strength from my classes that I am taking here in college, it has helped me to appreciate properly the amount of studying that is required to pass these classes with excellence. These experiences will help me to continue on in my education.

Going through my short college experience has taught me one important thing; to speak up! In high school, I never was the one to say what was on my mind, I just hunched my shoulders, lower my head and walked through the halls. College has taught me to stand up straight and say what I have to say.

I have not been in college for that long but so far I have learned responsibility and time management. I think these to things will come into play and be helpful when I start my career.

I've gotten social skills from my college experience. As a student coming into college with adequate studying skills, I wasn't all too shocked with the workload and the strategies for passing classes. That came easily to me. What was difficult was making friends. No matter what anyone says around here, cliques do form, and they form within the first few days of college. If I wanted to be able to eat lunch with company every day, I had to make ties with people, which does and doesn't come naturally to me. On one side, I'm good at talking to people. But, on the other, I have difficulty making that into a friendship rather than just a conversation. Being pushed into a new environment forced me to adapt and find my way with creating close friendships, which will carry me the rest of my life. Skills for making money and obtaining information are important aspects of adult life, too, but the ability to form close bonds is something I certainly will not take for granted.