Indiana University-South Bend Top Questions

I've loved my college education. When I was still in high school I was more interested in socializing. College has really brought it home for me. I'm taking classes I want to take and learning things that I want to learn. I get out of it what I put into it.

During my time at Indiana University of South Bend, I have applied what I have learned from the classroom over to everyday life and have realized how useful it can be. For example, public speaking courses have helped me gain confidence and have helped to manage my mannerisms, when communicating with others. The course, First Aid, was also very valuable to me, now and in the future...it has given me more practical knowledge of what I should do in certain situations and how I can help others. While these courses are just examples of how knowledge can be applied outside of the classroom, all of the courses I have taken have made me a well rounded student and I strive to further my education in years to come.

I did not go straight to college after high school. Living on my own and struggling to provide for myself made me realize why I needed to go to college. My college has proven to me that if I put the hard work into my projects my grades or outcomes will reflect that. It has given me the feeling that I will be able to provide for myself and, in the future, provide for my own family. My classes have given me confidence. Not only the confidence that I will be able to have a job out of school, but the confidence to know that I can do that job right and to the best of my abilities. I no longer feel as though I am just another person on this planet that blends in with the rest, but that I can stand out. It is up to me, but I can do it.

Although this is my first year in college I can already tell that my university stresses the importance of critical thinking. Almost every class I have taken so far has required me to think critically while doing my assignments. This has already helped me so much outside of school as well by having a new outlook on situations. I am appreciative toward my school for feeling the need to teach us to think critically as much as they do. This skill won't only help me in school but also oustide the classroom as well. I know I will take this part of my college experience and keep using it for the rest of my life.

I started my college experience early while dual enrolling with my high school and the local community college. While in high school I received 31 college credits. It was challenging but it was well worth it. I feel the experience that I gained through this opportunity is going to prevail in helping me when I start attending college full time this fall. I have several friends who have been procrastinating with getting started with enrolling in classes and I'm glad that I already have the experience and know how challenging school can be and taking the initiative it takes to get where you need to be. College is valuable in so many ways; I don't think I can possibly express them all. Schooling not only gives you the confidence to hold a conversation about intellectual topics, but gives you the head start for the rest of your life. College graduates make more money than those who never attended and also you can't expect a great career without some type schooling. I want to have a good quality of life and make myself proud. I'm willing to work hard in my schooling and then after as well.

The most important concept that has been stressed to me during my college career is the absolute correlation between success and diligence. Although it seems like an obvious fact that hard work equates to accomplishment, the idea of a self-sufficient and victimless work ethic had never been illustrated to be so immersively until I began attending college-level courses. Since realizing this, I have applied this invaluable lesson to just about every aspect of my daily life. Most significatly, at the workplace. I was astounded at how quickly my pay rate increased along with my rank, all by simply applying myself to the standards that I would expect of someone who deserved the opportunities I was allowed. However, I have realized that the privelages are not what make my efforts worthwhile, but the knowledge that I am worthy of them. I suppose that if I had to express the concept more eloquently, it would have to bethrough the words of Elbert Hubbard; "We work to become, not to acquire."

What I have gotten out of my recent college experience, beside the obvious knowledge, I see everyone is not so radically different than myself. Normally, there is someone better, but I now see there are people a lot worse off than myself. If I am not the worse, then maybe I can learn here. I have acquired a little self-confidence, and perhaps a new set of glasses, to look at the world. To me this is very valuable.

I feel like I've grown as a person. Not only have I been well educated, but this university puts a lot of the responsibility with you. The teachers care, but they're not going to hold your hand and make you learn like some high school teachers.

As of right now I am still starting out, but what i have gotten from it so far is the ability to communicate with others. I have not been able to do that before but at this school it seems very easy to just start a conversation with anyone in my class. Also what I have learned from my experience so far is how to study productively in order to score well on my tests. IUSB actually has a workshop to help students study better, and that has helped alot as well.

Attending college has really opened my eyes to the fact that there are so many things you can choose to be in your life. I also leaned that you should not get intimmidated if you are not sure exactly what you want to major in, it should be no reason to postpone your eduction. You have the option of going in as undecided or you can try something out and if it's not what you really want you can change your major. Never consider the classes you took a waste of time even if they end up not obtaining to your carreer. Just look at it as more knowledge on your behalf. the possibilities are endless.