George Mason University Top Questions

I would advise my high-school self to forget that I had ever gone back in time to give myself advice. Honestly, I wouldn't be where I am had I not made mistakes in the past. After high-school, I took some time off and moved around. I got into two emotionally abusive relationships, one of which sent me to a mental institution. However, each relationship taught me something new. When I got back into school at a community college, I changed my major a few times. This was good because I didn't lose too much money pursuing something I didn't like. However, I still didn't take school seriously. Finally, I started attending George Mason University. Living on-campus after going to community college was refreshing. The courses were interesting, the professors knowledgeable, and I got my first career-related job that I love. So if I ever got to visit my high-school self, I would say, make mistakes, make bad decisions, make yourself hate your life and where you're going. Only when you do that will you learn to be able to make effective decisions and be exactly what you want to be.

I have learned a lot about how I learn best, and how I don't. I have learned how painfully shy I am regarding meeting people and engaging in any sort of conversation, regardless of my knowledge in that subject area. I have tested out a few different classes and possible majors, and learned more about what I would like to do, what does suit me best, and those areas I should stay very far away from. As I have yet to get a job due to my college learning, I cannot say it has been valuable in any monetary sense, but I have learned things I don't think I normally would have without attendance.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience from meeting good friends I can rely on at all times, to class based knowledge and research methodologies and practices. It has been extremely valuable for me to attend because I know that I'm getting one of the top educations in the nation in my field--Elementary Education, and it will give me a leg up over the competition when I apply for a job after graduation. Additionally the field experience offered by the school has provided an outlet for me to evaluate my job expectations and reinforce my passions so I know I'm on the right career path. College for me has been a time of a lot of changes, but it has fostered my growth in ways I hadn't previously though of.

The friends that I have made is the one experience that I have gotten out of this. It's very valuable to me because we became so close that we became brothers. Everything in this world can be replaced with enough time and/or money, but others are harder to replace, like life-long friends.

College is allowing me to reach further than I ever thought possible. I will be able to complete my dream of becoming a teacher, and hopefully make a powerful impact on the lives of other students, the way my professors have on me. It is so important to go to college when you are young, because life has a way of getting in the way of any dreams you have. That's what happened to me. I kept thinking that I would go to college when I had the time, but it seemed like that time just got further and further away. That is, until I finally said "enough". No more procrastinating...just do it. I think everyone should go to college, because it can help you see clearly about how you want to spend the rest of your life.

College has encouraged many talents that will help me in the adult world, and given me a great deal of respect for education and the world around me. In college I have developed patience and perseverance in my studies. I have also become better organized from mapping out time to study, read course works, or write essays. Perhaps of most importance, school has fostered respect for the people around me, and encouraged me (a normally shy, introverted person) to participate in class activities and assist in group projects. All of these traits will be vital for me to function at my future job and community. Finally, school has taught me much about the world beyond my house. The classes provided me vital understanding to my country's culture, politics, and history. It has made me appreciate my country and want to use my talents to serve it.

In a sense, my studies and experiences at George Mason have allowed me to obtain a new pair of “eyes.” What I mean by this phrase is that I see things through a variety of different perspectives; many more than the ones I was accustomed to coming out of high school. Literature, movies, pictures and more took on new meanings to me. I had always viewed the world through the “lens” of a Caucasian male. My college experience has enabled me to change perspectives on the world, which I feel is an invaluable trait both in and out of college. Not only that, but I am able to use this trait in about everything I do and everything I see. The ability to perceive many things in various and often completely dissimilar ways has been absolutely enlightening to myself and those who have gained the same gift George Mason provides.

I have gotten adult experience and how to beome responsible fro my future. It valuable for me to have access for a better life. I meet new friends who become helpful for me in my complicated days.

Because I am currently working and going to school, I learned how to manage my time more wisely. Working at Starbucks, there were times when I had to wake up at 3am and then go straight to school for the 1pm class on Tuesday’s and Thursdays class. As a supervisor at Starbucks going to college has taught me some techniques on how to motivate and manage people. For example, on the job, people were complaining of becoming fatigued do to working the same task throughout the day. Because of what I learned in my psychology class, when I was the supervisor of the shift I rotated people every ninety minutes. As a result people making the drinks were happier, which in turn made customers happier. A very simple concept which no one implemented, not even the manager. This was all due to what I’ve learned in college, a small picture of how education can better society.

I have met so many people that I would have never met if I hadn't attended George Mason.