Framingham State University Top Questions

It has taken me quite some time but, I feel like college has helped me learn how to juggle fun and work. Throughout life I have learned that one either works hard and enjoys the fruits of their labor, or stays lazy and suffers from their passive attitude. Granted this may not be the case for 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people, but with many experiences under my belt I have come to realize that I do not qualify to be called a "lucky" individual. In other words; I must work hard to achieve any goals that I may want to reach. Growing up around many people who did not consider school as one of the top priorities of life has made me gear my life towards having fun while instead I could have been concentrating on doing some work. I never felt comfortable with the outcome of my lack of efforts, but fortunately this school has helped me straighten out my priorities. I am not perfect, but with practice I can get close to perfect. Fortunately for me, this school is giving me all the practice that I need.

I have learned many things about myself through attending Framingham State University. I entered with a major in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Medicine and am coming out with a major in Chemistry. I spent my entire life dreaming about medical school until I came to Framingham where I met some of the most enthusiastic professors in the world. I have/will encounter(ed) great opportunities to meet with leading companies in my field of study, and I have learned where my true passions lie. This shows someone can go through their whole life thinking one thing until they are exposed to diverse situations where they are forced to think outside of the box.

I have always been a shy person, and getting involved with organizations and clubs on a community college level helped me break out of my shell. I am certian that I will be more open, confident, and less cautious when I attend the University of South Alabama. I know will be able to make new friends, be more involved, and make better grades while attending. Going to a community college really hepled me prepare for my studies. In high school I never needed to study, however, once in college I found out that I needed to study more. Having a lite coruse load in my community college showed me that I need to study more than I did if I want to keep my GPA up. Also, becoming involved in clubs and organizations helped me make connections with new friends for study groups and keep my grades up. The most important thing I have gained from going to Snead State Community College is I now have more confidence in myself. Being at a smaller school close to home has definitely giving me the belief I needed to know that I can and will succeed at the University of South Alabama.

My college experience has been one of self discovery. The school I attend presents students with a far less than challenging educational experience . Originally, I was extremely unsatisfied, and terribly fustrated, with the lack of substance my classes seemed to offer. Though, I have since taken this apparent setback as an oppurtunity to self educate. The internet and public libraries offer infinite resources in whichever direction your mind wishes to wonder. Whether it be history or physics, with a little self motivation the information is out there, free for the taking. The ease of my college courses have alowed me the free time to explore subjects not offered through my school and to read books I would have otherwise been forced to ignore. I believe that a college education is valuable only in the sense that people of the professional world look to a degree to somehow validate one's abilities however, let it be known, that my degree is not me.

So far, out of my one year of college I have gotten so many things. First off, I learned to be independent. I coulddnt rely on my parents all the time anymore. I also learned to be studious, if I wanted to do well in my classes I had to make sure I stayed loyal to my work and not take advantage of the fact that going to class was completely up to me, which I'm not going to lie, that was very hard, but I could not let myself get lazy because I have a future to build. And finally, I learned the importance of the dollar. Since I have to work and save my own money to pay for college, I realized just how important it is to save up my money. And that was really hard to learn being a college girl. I had to make sure i didnt spend all my money on the latest fashions and what not. I just keep telling my self that one day I will be able to do that when I have a career as an Elementary school teacher.

I was home schooled all throughout my high school years, so I imagine that the transition that would take place for students attending public high school would be slightly different. From my personal experience, I would tell my past self to form some semblance of people skills. I learned the hard way, through the first year or so of college, that interacting with your peers is imperative. Sure, some people can get by being anti social and not asking questions of either teacher or class mate; however, for the most part, communication is key to bettering your performance in the classroom. Not being able to ask questions in class and not being able to approach the teacher with a question outside of class proved an obstacle that took me a little time to over come.

Never doubt your heart. Be strong. Be wise. These were the simple truths that you had known and lived by all your life, yet deserted when you decided to spread your wings and try to fly. You left serenity too quickly, intent on seeing the world and showing it what you had to offer. Soon; flying high on the wings of your success, you blindly entered into a devil's maze where the dark roots of doubt rose up, obstructing the light. And you started to fall. Your wings could not support the anger and pain that filled the hole where your heart used to be, a heart you had foolishly thrown away along with the person you had entrusted it to. Tightly bound texts, once a haven for your curiousity, turned to hellish demons, hindering your flight, dragging you down into the darkness. And yet you tried to fly on, too stubborn to admit your mistakes and turn home. Inevitably, you fell victim to your demons, and was left in darkness to wallow in the shame of your failure. But from the smoldering ashes arises a pheonix, a new life to be had; and new wings to fly on.

If I could go back to high school I would tell myself that college is going to be harder that high school. That you need to put in more effort into studying in order to recieve the grades that you are used to getting. Also that if you are having trouble go get help and continue to go get help until you understand; don't give up. Another thing that I would tell myself is to be more open to others. When college starts everyone is in the same situation and everyone is looking to make friends. Don't be scared to open up to others.

Dear Jenn (in 2008), When you are looking at colleges really do your research and ask around, see what you can hear about the schools. With the grades you have you could have choosen a better school for yourself one that fit you better. Look into scholarships I know that mom was bugging you about them but really look into them they are what will help you pay instead of taking out all these loans scholarships can really come in handy. Don't think the transition to college is going to be a piece of cake because even though you do want to leave your house with all the rule mom and dad have set, getting into college is a new experience whether a good one or a bad one you need to take some time to really think that this is the right choice for you. Bring tons of pictures because friends and family from back home are the ones you will be missing the most. Also look into jobs around campus before school starts the extra cash will definitely pay off. Also don't think college is just one big party, cause its not. Sincerely, Jenn (Freshman 2010)

In high school, I wanted to be an English teacher. I did not bother touring colleges; I simply applied to the two most nearby schools that had reputations for degrees in education. Now In my junior year, I have decided against being an educator and have declared a communications minor in addition to an English major. If I were able to talk to the high school senior version of myself, I would tell him to explore more career options, tour more campuses, and to visit more of my friends at college during the gap year that I took after high school. College is about making informed decisions, and if I could speak to myself in the past, I would make sure to stress that point.