The University of Alabama Top Questions

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would have preferred to attend public school. I was homeschooled from 3rd grade through graduation. My mother began homeschooling me when I was seven years old, because I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. After a few years, I went in to remission. Although I was perfectly healthy by middle school, my mother continued to homeschool me. She likes to say she “fell in love with homeschooling.” I believe homeschooling gave me good character and higher morals than if I had been in public school, but I do wish I had been given the choice to go to public high school. I feel that if I had been in public high school, for at least my junior and senior year, I would have had more chances to grow as my own person. I feel as though I never had that chance to rebel like most teens do. Although I am proud of myself for not being a troubled or dumb teenager, I do wish I could go back to my senior year and live life a little more than I had and learn more about myself.

I have branched out to other students whom I would normally not, making lasting friendships that will provide me with valuble connections in the future. It has also given me the oppertuinty to take classes that would normally not be my forte, but provided me with information that I will be able to use not only in the work force but also in daily life. College has also given me more responsability, with such things as school work and also with chores of daily living, that one would not think of if not living on thier own. This will be valuble in the future knowing that your sucess starts and finishes with you, and that you get out of a situation what you put in, and that people will not always be around to "hold your hand" and help you through sticky situations.

My college experience has been the most valuable experience I've ever had. I've learned so many things from the acedemic perspective, the social perspective, to the personal perspective. Acedemically I've learned more than I thought I would have in very interesting ways. Teachers are helpful in ways that keep focus in the class. What I've learned in class, has helped me in all aspects of my life. Socially, experiences such as joining clubs, involvement in professor-student relationships, and attending sports events have taught me how to stay involved on campus, in our state, and in our world. Personally, I've learned so much about myself! I've figured out who I am, what I like to do with my free time, what I'd like to do with my life and much more. I've learned this through many of the classes I've taken and the relationships I've kept. All the experiences I've had at my school has shaped me into someone that I'm very proud of being and someone who is proud to one day say, "I'm an alumni from The University of Alabama. Roll Tide!".

I have gotten a wonderful experience from the University of Alabama. I have learned real world skills especially in my major. The way most majors work at the University of Alabama is a two part process. First, you learn what is necessary in classes and lectures. Second, after the right amount of knowledge has been presented to you the professors then have more hands on classes in the upper levels. Right now I am doing almost exactly what I plan on doing when I graduate school, I just have a good amount of supervison to learn from my mistakes as a student so I do not make them as a professional. I am also part of a greek organization on campus. Greek life is a huge part of the University of Alabama and I am proud to be a part of it as whole. The leadership skills that being a member of a sorority has taught me are invaluable. Sororities and fraternites are much more than most people on the outisde believe. The stereotype is that all we do is party, but it has taught me how to get along with people and how to make connections.

Starting from my first day at the University of Alabama, I knew this was the college for me. I experienced classes that opened my eyes to new things. I participated in research and volunteer oportunities that not only rewarded me by giving to the community but also built my network between proffesors and community leaders. I am now interning with a drug addiction agency where I teach a "say no to drugs" workshop to kids at an afterschool program. I also set in on the adolescent outpatient group and I sometimes get to start and end the group myself. These hands on experiences is what most graduate student hope to experience, but I am able to do this as an undergraduate. This university has gave me many more experiences than I would have ever hoped to have. The best decision of my life was to attend the University of Alabama.

College life has given me a way to network with people who come from all over the world. Part of the collegiate experience is to set yourself into an environment where you are exposed to new people from different backgrounds and cultures and most likely a different way of thinking. Learning more about my fellow college students as well as the the different academic roads available makes me understand that with knowledge comes tolerance. In a nut shell, college has provided me with the need to keep an open mind and learn about the ways these different people think, learn, and operate so that I can bring some of their ideas to my learning.

My college experience has been very enlightening. I thought that college would be similar to high school in terms of the workload and environment. I couldn't have been more wrong. There is a much larger workload per class in college, and with a part-time job, I am often strapped for time. This has helped me practice time management. At first I struggled, but I quickly got the hang of it. I am proud to say that I have never handed in a late assignment. As for the environment, I expected it to be loud. I also expected it to be uncomfortable; I am not a huge fan of crowds. However, I have found out that crowds on campus is a good thing. It means that there is always something to do and always someone to talk to. I have become more sociable with strangers and aquiantances, and I believe I have made very valuable connections for my future. All in all, my college experience has been very rewarding. I am learning valuable skills for my future and I'm only halfway through. I am excited to learn more skills as I move on through my college career.

Being in college and living on my own is truly an eye opening experience. I have learned so many life lessons in just the two short years I have been attending college, from using quarters to pay for laundry, dealing with obnoxious neighbors, learning to budget money, and balancing the workload. There was never a doubt in my mind when I was in high school that I was going to attend college, but when it came time to leave home and move I didn't want to go. I was scared, anxious and didn't know what to expect. Thanks to my support system I made it through my first semester with only a few minor speedbumps along the way. Here I am now in my third semester, taking 17 hours, working part-time, and loving every second of it. Attending college has made me feel like I am a part of something amazing, and I know with all the valuable lessons I have gained I will be able to be succesful and make something out of myself. It has taught me responsibility and helped my figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life.

So far I have developed much better study habits and I appreciate how important every class that I take really is. It's important to go to class and it's definitely important to study, you can't just get by in college. I have also learned to branch out to other people, not only just to make friends but also to have people to study with and to hold me accountable to study and do well on my work. This university has made me a more independent and sociable person, and I have loved every minute of it. The fact that it is such a big school only means that there will always be more people to meet and have connections with.

I have just started my new college experience this month after 28 years of not attending school. The experience of just having enough confidence to sign up was a great challenge. My University caters to the older adult student which is great for me. Back in my day we still had 8 track tapes, no cells phones, and no Microsoft. It is an honor to have a campus with resources, material and advisors to help ease the transformation for students attending college after so many years. Education gives women in my generation hope for an independent brighter future with stability in a career that we choose. I was recently incarcerated, during that time I started taking classes. I realized that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams. The network of staff and students on my campus helps me believe in myself that I am never to old to learn and grow. Everyday is a new learning experience for me. I am grateful for the grants and student loan that was provided for me to pay for my first year at the University of Phoenix. I am applying for scholarships to help me finance laptop and technology software.