Gordon College Top Questions

I was a spoiled child. I was brought up in a suburb area in Japan. I decided to come out to the U.S. when I was seventeen, and I have changed dramatically since then. I study at least seventeen hours a week for my classes; thus, I aim straight A’s as much as possible. I never studied when I was in high school just because I did not like it and because education was not what I was interested in then. However, when I thought about going abroad to feel different cultures in the U.S., I became a hard worker. I prepared for my unknown life in the U.S. and focused on my writing since it was very different from Japanese writing. I study for my every single class in order not get left behind. Also, since I study hard, my goals throughout each semester is to get straight A’s. Getting straight A’s is my most wonderful relief and reward I can get. I study for my future, and every time when my grades are good, I feel like I am getting closer to my dream—to be an English conversations teacher.

What I think I have received from my college that I think is the most valuable is my independence. I say this in the sense that the things that I used to take for granted at home are now important for me to take care of, and the responsibility very strictly falls on me. The things that I would leave for my parent, such as chores, and personal care, now we're all on me. I had to try not to get sick so that my studies were not hindered, as well as make sure that I cleaned up after myself so that my living space would not become gross in order to make me and my peers uncomfortable. College has made me learn many lessons, and I continue to keep learning.

I've learned a lot about myself by coming to Gordon, and I the process had made me a more informed, stronger person. By studying hard, being involved with some intellectual and cultural events and conversations, I have been introduced to new ideas and learned more about the world. I think that coming to Gordon has made a strong impact on my life, and the things I learned here will allow me to actively inspect the world around me as I leave, and remember my place in the world to try to do what I can to make it a better place.

Every year when I receive my financial package that is never enough, I question why I continue to go to this school. If I continue to attend Gordon as I am now, I will graduate with over $100,000 in student loans. It would seem that I have chosen a school that is too expensive for me, and it would be much wiser to attend a cheaper school. I look at a college’s value in 3 parts: a degree, an education, and an experience. Though my technical degree from a liberal arts school probably isn’t the smartest decision I cannot begin to explain the experience I’m getting. As a college student I am changing daily, growing, and becoming an adult through difficult times, challenging moments, and rewarding accomplishments. At Gordon, I get all of this and more. For almost $40,000 a year I am growing in a deep spiritual way that no other college can give me. I will graduate with an understanding of my faith, the world, and an environmental responsibility.

I have learned that in every case, you do what the professor tells you even if you don't like the class. I did not do well my first year and now I am in need of scholarships to go back. I learned that at all times, you need to do your best. I tried so hard second semester, and I still did not do well because the work was hard. I learned that I should ask for help, even though I don't like to. I have learned my lesson and I want a second chance. I really know what it means to need to work hard. My dad reminded me of something my grandfather said: "Don't do half a job worth doing." I realized I needed to do that. Gordon has taught me to work hard, love those when they aren't loveable, and to finish the course. These are life lessons that I will take with me. I will never forget what Gordon has done for me. I really need help to get back there and stay there.

My experience at Gordon College has served to enhance my understanding of the importance of being deeply rooted in community, highly valuing personal investment in the lives of those around me. It has become clear to me that to be influential in community one must develop competency in leadership. Because of this understanding, I have assumed various leadership roles, which have taught me a great deal about working with others and have significantly shaped my character. The learning I have received in my field of study has equipped me very well for entering graduate school and has greatly strengthened my enthusiasm for my career path.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about my first semester in college, I would tell myself two things: have patience, and be prepared to work harder than you ever have. When I arrived at school I was expecting to instantly connect with my roommate and floormates and have a blast with my ever-growing group of friends. However, such was not the case. I was totally unprepared for the fact that it took me two months to start making friends. Therefore, I would tell myself to be realistic and understand that everyone is trying to adjust and meet people, and that by being patient, hopeful, and trusting God I will make some amazing friends. I would also tell myself that these next few months are going to require the most dedication and diligence to my schoolwork that I have ever had to put forth. I think the media completely skews the image of college as simply a time to hang out with friends and have fun. While this is still possible sometimes, the overwhelming majority of my time went into working hard on schoolwork, which I was completely unprepared for coming out of high school.

As I look back on myself as a senior in high school, the one phrase that pops into my head is "give yourself time." Before I went to college, I not only thought that the transition would be easy, but I had intricately planned out my college experience from the types of friends I would meet to the exact course of study I would follow. I was shocked when my first week was filled with experiences completely different than what I expected. I felt overwhelmed by the amount of class work, I hadn't made a group of friends by the end of the week, and I did not enjoy the one class I was taking for my intended major. And because of this, I thought something was wrong with me. I did not see the fact that it was alright to give myself time to get used to a new environment, and I beat myself up about my perceived shortcomings. As I look back on my first month of school, I now see that coming to college was one of the biggest changes in my life, and it was perfectly alright for me to take some time to adapt.

I would defintely tell myself to take the AP English Compsosition course, that was offered at my high school. Writing in college was a huge difference from writing in high school even, with all the honors english courses that I took. If I had taken AP English Composition my writing, thinking, and communication skills would have greatly improved. I would have felt more preapared for college if I had taken this course senior year when I had the chance to. The length of papers in college is a lot longer than what I had in my honors courses, so when i cam e to college and had to write term papers I went into shock I was completely unprepared. No taking AP English Composition would have to be thin thing that I would stress the most if I went back to myslef in senior year. With that class the first semester at Gordon College would have been a whole lot easier.

First I would convince myself that staying up past 12, even if to only to 1am, is not worth it. I would advise myself to not worry about making friends with everybody because I really only spend most of my time with small groups and I can get along with just about anybody without building up the expectation that I will manage to hang out with all of them. Also, I would advise myself to take more initiative with understanding my class scheduling and to keep a tight calendar. I believe that I handled my first 3 semesters really well and I don't think there are many things I would have done differently.