Northern Illinois University Top Questions

I was planning to attend college in the Fall of 2010, unfortunately I couldn't due to financial issues. I am wanting to go to college so I can become a NeoNatal Nurse. I adore babies, and getting to have the opportunity to help them is magical. Hoping to get this scholarship, I will fulfill my dreams.

I have learned that diversity plays a huge role when it comes to communities and social life. I have learned to manage my time much better and to keep my priorites in order. I believe that it has valuable to attend college in order to test my own independence and make sure I can do the things necessary to move forward in life as well as prepare for life when I am completely on my own after graduating.

I have learned a lot of things about myself from my college experience. I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I have gotten leadership skills. I became more outgoing and social. I was a shy person before but now I am the one who asks more questions in class and I am involved in a few activites on campus. I also learned to rely on myself and not on my parents since I live on campus. I am confident in myself and my abilities.

What I have gotten out of my college experience so far is the understanding of how important it is to stay focused. College has taught me that I cannot act the same way as I did in high school. The teachers do not follow behind you if you do not attend, or do not do homework that was given. College is my way of learning to stand on my own two feet without the usual help that I once got in high school. This newly developed task is not only helping me in college, but also in my day to day life. If I still had the same mentality as I did in high school, I surely would not be as successful in college as I am right now. College has been valuable to attend because if I had not, I would still walk around with ignorant thoughts in my head about the real world. Going to college has taught me how to operate in the "grown up" world. I know that in due time, my life skills will get even better because I decided to take the next step to a higher education.

If someone would have told me five years ago that I would be getting ready to transfer to a four year college, I would have thought that they were crazy. One day , back in 2007, I got an advertisement for an open house at CCP. I decided to go. I sat through the presentation and was surprised that I wanted to know more. It didn't take very long. They scheduled a placement test and I spoke with financial aid. Suddenly, I was in English class! I felt out of place and was on the verge of dropping the whole thing. Then, something happened. I started to connect with the school, the professor and my classmates. With every course I completed, I felt a true sense of pride and success. I felt a strength and confidence that was never there before. I now have dreams of a future, of a life that is exciting and new. I intend to continue my education for as long as I can. It has given me a firm foundation on which to build my life, and I will not take that for granted. Education is an amazing confidence builder and has changed my life.

College taught me to be independent. Through my experience with the study abroad program, I gained great confidence and it has given me more than I could have imagined.

My decision to return to school was reached through a great deal of soul searching. The course my life had taken was no longer acceptable and I needed to make major changes. I longed for a career with purpose that would allow me to help others. I realized after much self-reflection, that I would not be truly satisfied with any career that was not involved in the care and nurturing of others. I believe that nursing will provide me the platform to excel in a profession and the opportunity to assist others in need. I understand that I am not choosing the easiest career path; however, I am certain that it will be incredibly rewarding. So today, I am a mother, a wife, and a student. My grades are better than ever and I finally have clarity regarding to my career goals. I hope to add Registered Nurse to my list of accomplishments soon. Not only for its merit, but also because it will allow me to use my innate care-giver personality to help others. Although this journey was slow to begin, it has proven to be one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life.

At Northern Illinois University, I have learned how to protect myself against any sort of harm. With the campus being relatively unsafe, I have learned various defense mechanisms. Needless to say, I will be transfering to finish off my degree, however.

College is the ultimate way to learn about yourself. All through junior high and high school students are worried about their image and might have grown from that by their graduation but college is where students learn 'I can do this' and 'this is who I am and want to be'. I have always heard that college years are the best years of your life. This has to be true because we get to know other people from different races, different backgrounds, and it is so inspiring to hear of an African student that earned a scholarship (full ride) all by their hard work and determination. It makes one feel humble and happy to know someone like that. I have learned so much about myself and learned not just the subjects of my major but also the awesomeness of the people I met.

I've now been away at college for a little over a month. In such a short time, I have gained alot of responsiblity and freedom. I am learning how to do everything on my own which gives me a sense of power and pride. I am proud to be in college because I know that it is an oppurtunity that not everyone gets so I plan to take advantage of this while I can. I enjoy that I am furthering my education because later on in life, I will not regret the decision of going to college.