The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Top Questions

While my critique of my university may have seemed critical at times, I believe that this has been the best stepping stone, education wise, for my future. It is only when faced with conflict and resistance can a person truly grow, and I have faced that often here at UTPB. My academics have been nearly impeccable because the classes are not extremely challenging. However, it was because of my idle time that I became an active student leader. I founded and am president of the first student led secular group in this area and am president of the Gay Straight Alliance. I have faced constant resistance due to the conservative leanings in the area, but at all times I managed to resolve all issues for the better of the group and community. In short, while UTPB may not have the challenging courses I desire, it has presented the perfect environment for a student activist such as myself to gain experience and make a positive difference for both the secular community and the gay community.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is a great education, a well versed vocabulary, and great friends. I have also finally been able to decide what exactly it is I want to do with my life, when before I really had to idea what I was going to do after High School, it was not until I actually went to college and spoke to people with similar interests as mine that I decided what it is I wanted to do, I have decided to become a Mechanical Engineer. When before my life had no real direction now it does and I can think of no higher value than beign able to help me decide what I want to do with my life.

Attending college has sparked my academic curiocity and maturned me as a person. When I first started college, I approached education as an obligation. I didn't loathe attending class or doing the homework, but I was far from enjoying it. Now that I have been in college for two years, I have come to see learning as fun. It was simply a matter of getting myself interested. I now love to search through my textbooks for an answer to any questions that occur to me while studying. More than that, I activly seek out information and answers to questions that never occurred to me by attending the lectures held on campus and in the surrounding community. As a person, I have learned that friends are not just people you shop, eat, or play games with. Friends are the people who encourage you when your down, help you help yourself, and inspire you to achieve more. I have also learned that people truly appreciate others who value morals. In addition, I have come to see being positive and believeing in yourself will take you farther (and often times, closer to your dreams) than you ever believed possible.

Everyone has a worldview. Not everyone knows what their worldview is. The main value of my college experience the past two years has been the opportunity for me to solidify my worldview. In public speaking, I researched the topic of prostitution for a persuasive speech and gained knowledgable opinions on the subject through the research process. During Economics, I reviewed my notes with an economics-savvy friend and, after exchanging ideas and expanding on topics with her, I developed a firm stance for a capitalist economy. In Creative Writing my final quarter, I then searched out inventive ways to communicate my convictions through poetry and prose. I so enjoyed the opportunity to seek out a true education the last two years, and I anticipate the opportunity to continue solidifying my worldview during my final two years of college.

I had the opportunity to attend a technical high school to study education. In college, I have furthered my education knowledge and taken more specific classes in order to be a secondary math teacher. My college experience has allowed me to be able to learn the specific aspects of my major & mathematics.In high school, I learned the general information of how to become a teacher, in college I'm learning the specifics which has helped me improve & increase my understanding of teacher expectations. In my first four weeks of college, I have developed more advanced study habits along with improving my time management. It is valuable for me to attend college because I want to make a difference in younger generations when I am older. College has not only taught me my major, study habits or time management,it has allowed me to develop more responsibility in my life. I am now currently working & attending school full time even taking winter classes to get ahead on my requirements. Also, it has allowed me the chance to develop a greater sense of individuality, I am able to pursue my dream at the same time as finding out more about myself.

I have gotten the experience to truly learn. In college, you really have no choice but to take in and understand the lecture and text. You are able to retain and keep the information, rather than just use it when you need it, then forget. It is also valuable because without it, I can't get a nice, high-paying job doing what I love.

College has been an eye opening experience for me. I grew up around UTPB always wondering what it would be like to go to college. Financial reasons kept me close to home,but I will never regret it. The faculty at UTPB pushes us to do our very best and present many opportunities for us to succeed. I feel that I can be the person I want to be on campus without being judged or criticized. Educational resources at UTPB have allowed me to learn new and exciting things that I never could have imagined in high school. I am positive that my experience at UTPB will be an invaluable part of my life and will affect many more in the future.

College opened my eyes to the fact that there are so many useful things that I could do with my life, that I didn't have to settle for mediocrity. My undergraduate experience prepared me scientifically with a strong background in undergraduate research so that I could pursue a PhD. degree in Chemistry. On an emotional level, my undergraduate experience prepared me to deal with both good and hard times. College helped me to develop into a well rounded and well educated person capable of high achievement in both academic and personal settings.

For better academic success, prepare myself more before each class, instead of hearing of the materials in the class for the first time.

There are many things I would have liked to know before I arrived to college and these are just a few that I find important. You need to learn to do things by yourself!! Your mom and dad are not there to do it for you. Before you leave, learn to do your laundry, clean, cook etc. It makes life easier when you know how to do these things beforehand. Another piece of advice is, if you know people that go to the school already, ask them which classes to take and which teachers are good to have. You must realize you are on your own and there isn?t going to be anybody to hold your hand constantly. Learn to do things independently. Some people may be ready for this but others are so I am warning take responsibility. You aren?t a baby anymore. Time management is another key lesson I would advise myself to learn because you have so much free time you will tend to procrastinate. I would say get a planner and make reminders of when things are due, what you need to do to be prepared for the next time your classes meet.