Stetson University Top Questions

Coming to college was a very difficult transformation. I grew up in the Virgin Is;lands and moving to Florida, where my immediate family did not live was extremly difficult for me. The first couple of month my freshman year was not to exciting. I really missed my home and family. Although I had those difficulties I knew that I was getting a great education and that I needed to stay here to be successful later in life. I have learned so much for all my classes and from relationships with teachers and other students. I have also become a more responsible and mature adult.

I'm a freshman in her second semester and already I've learned so much about myself. I'd never taken a physics class before and now it's my major. I learned exactly how to get along with people, but possibly the most valuable thing I've gotten out of my college experience is the ability to know myself. I'm learning my limits and boundaries step by step and it is because I feel safe enough at my school to break out of my comfort zone. Stetson has allowed me to really begin finding myself and I look forward to the rest of the journey.

I am now a sophmore for the 2010/2011 school year, and I have to say I love Stetson very much. The campus is beautiful, the students are wonderful, and I couldn't ask for a better or more understanding staff. The small class sizes have allowed me to gain a personal relationship with a few of my professors and I learn far more than I could on my own. The small campus is easily navigated and promotes a sense of community.

I am in my second year at Stetson University. I have learned independance and how to stand on my own to feet. I was very dependant on my mom. I have learned to make decisions, life skills and time management. I really needed assistance in writting and educational planning which I have made enormus progress at Stetson. I would love to stay at Stetson and continue to grow but without the help of additional financial aid I may not have that opportunity.

So far, I would say that the most important benefit I have gained from my college experience thus far is maturity. An 18 year old who has just graduated high school cannot be expected to have the maturity and knowledge to know what he/she will be doing for the rest of his/her life. Personally, when I graduated from high school, I was just glad to be out of my house and did not really care where I attended college. After being in college, I have grown up a tremendous amount and realize how important these years of my life are. Knowlege, like formulas, procedures, writing techniques, etc, can be gained from a book. Learning how to take care of yourself and make important decisions without the guidance of parents or counselors is something that must be learned through experience, which is something that I have done. Being a single father of a child with a severe illness, the decisions I have to make in life are very important. Staying in college so that I can get a good job and support my family is something that I KNOW I must, and will, accomplish.

College experience is different and unique for everyone who attends. For me, it was a time where I was enabled to gain my own experience and independence from my family. Being independent isn't as easy due to the big responsibilities . I was put in a position where I was given a choice rather than forced to carry out duties of a student back when I was attending highschool and lived under the strict house rules of my parents. I was in the position to make my own decisions concerning whether to attend classes or skip without a penalty, spend my study time either socializing or to burry my face in textbooks at the library, and go to a social events on campus. College was my opportunity to mature and learn my limits, learn how to manage my time, become more involved in activites as well as the community , and learn whats ethically and morally right based on my own experiences. With such opportunities, I was able to excell academically and individualy. I am still in the process of doing it as well ; With the experience and knowledge I'm obtaining in college, I'm ready for the real world.

Even though it is very costly I learned independence there and learned how to really study as well.

I have been at Stetson for only a semester, but already my college experience is loaded from meeting new people and learning so much in that semester. Stetson's community is small, but diversity is the mantra; there have been two seminars looking into Islamophobia, as well as an entire day devoted to understanding others' points of view. The campus was founded in 1883, but keeps up-to-date with several computer labs, as well as progressive undergraduate degrees such as Digital Arts and Law. It's been so valuable to attend Stetson, even for one semester because the program doesn't force students into general education requirements right off the bat. Students can go into major classes in their first semester and catch up with general classes as they are permitted. The major classes are also extremely in-depth and the professors want their students to learn, are excited for their students to learn. Stetson is situated in the small town of DeLand in Florida. The intimate nature of the small campus and community allows for close-knit friendships that I'm sure will last a lifetime.

In high school, everyone always looked down upon community colleges, and I was one of them. I figured that right after high school I'd be off to a big four-year university having the typical college experience. However, after my first semester as a student at a community college, I couldn't be any happier with my decision. Stepping onto a college campus as a student was like a big culture shock; it's completely different than high school. Academically it's a lot more challenging, so studying takes up so much more of my time. It's becuase of all that studying that I've learned to be more productive with my time, procrastinate a lot less, and learn better study habits. Not only have I been learning how to become a better student, but college has allowed me to grow as an individual. College truely is a time when a student discovers who they are and begins to turn into their own person, and I can be a witness to that. I'm so thankful for everything I've experienced in college, and I know my journey has only just begun.

I've only been in college for one semester and I must say I love it. Education to me is extremely important and I feel like my school as well as the students feel the same way. I really enjoy being surrounded by people who have a great thirst for knowledge like I do. Not only do I enjoy the academic atmosphere, I love the connections I have made. The school makes it easy for you to get to know admissions counselors, the President, professors, and alumnis on a more personal note which is great when it comes to asking for advice or help. Finally, I am really happy that it is so easy to get involved. I'm currently a member of two organizations and will be performing in a play next semester, it's so exciting! This is an experience that I am truly grateful for and can't wait to see what comes next!