University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

I was a nerd in high school - plain and simple. Going to college got me out of my shell and showed me I could be a nerd, and still be cool. I could have my own passions and interests without being made fun of. People were interested in everything, and that made it really easy to make friends. I know I should focus on the academic portion of it regarding why it's been valuable to me, but honestly, I could have spent 4 years in a library and learned as much as I did by going to college. What I truly learned - self-confidence, what friendship and love is, and the beauty of the world around me - that is invaluable to me, and something I will always be grateful for.

I gained the experience of making it on my own. Of being able to make my own decisions and be responsible. Living in my college also made me learn to adapt to the surroundings and the prople. I've also met alot of great people in college who make my stay here ten times better. I also get a great deal of help with my studies and i take every opportunty that comes to me.

Living in the safest city in the nation my whole life, a city that offers its residence everything they need, it was more than necessary for me to leave and see what else was out there. My world had been limited to the perfect utopia I grew up in. Going to Santa Cruz was the best decision I ever made, it was perfect for what I had been looking for: self growth. I've not only learned about Maslow's hiearchy of needs and Freud, I've learned genuine friendships based on similarities rather than coincidence, I've learned how to take responsibility for every acheivement and mistake made, I've learned to be independent and take on opportunities without the comfort of friends, I've learned to approach everything with unbiased hope and not blind faith nor assumptions, and I'm starting to learn more about myself each day. Slowly but surely, UCSC provides me with an environment that helps me acheive self-actualization. Best decision I ever made.

It is valuable to attend because it prepares me for my future, my career, and for the rest of my life. College is valuable because it helps you guide your way through life towards your future and your career. Going to college may determine your future career and your life. Not only is college very expensive to not be looked as, as valuable, but it is also important to guide and prepare you for your future.

As of the school year 2009-2010, I have learned the value of meeting new classmates that has turned into acquaintances, if not long-term friends. Meeting new people in my college, especially in my classes, is very important because it is very helpful to know people so we can form study groups and have people we can turn to if we need help with any schoolwork. I learned that networking with as many people throughout my college experience may help in the future.

My experience here at UCSC could not have a price tag put upon it. There is no way to buy the things I have learned here. A new passion for learning has been installed within me by the teachers and students I'm surrounded by daily. The more I learn, the less I know and the more I strive to gain new ideas and come to new conclusions. I have made many unexpected friends who have shared their experiences with me and let me see things in their perspective and have gained a much more global outlook. Being in Santa Cruz has given me a great opportunity to settle into a close community and each day I'm here I feel a greater responsibility to be the change I wish to see in our world.

So far during my two years of college I have learned many things. I learned about the functions of a eukaryotic cell, the absurd sexual theories of Sigmund Freud, different religions and their various gods, I learned to play beer pong and I learned to pull all-nighters. However the most valuable thing I have gotten out of college thus far has been the value of an education. Not just the monetary value of an education but the social, economic and personal growth that a good education allows. In college you meet many different people from many different backgrounds, and from those experiences I learned that education is a privilage that not everyone gets to experience. I realized that if I was given only one more year to live I would want to spend that year in college, because education is a precious thing. I am excited for my next two years of college and anticipate learning and experiencing many new things which will hopefully help me grow as an individual.

Out of my college experience at UCSC thus far I have learned a lot about how college is way harder than high school. It's a lot more independent study. "how much you put into it, is how much you get out". Make sure you go to class because the quarter system is fast and you can't afford to get behind. Go to office hours and make your professors know your name. If they do in the end they'll give you some more lee-way. If you fall behind, talk to your professor!!! Find someone to be your mentor who's older than you and in your major they always have great advice. I've learned that family and good friends and so important! Cherish them. I've learned you have to be proactive if you want anything, a job, to be in a sorority, an internship, research, help, advice. You have to make it happen.

I have learned the importance of research and theoretical frameworks. But i have also learned research with applicable work will result the best result. I felt very accepted here. Goin to UCSC have make me more confident of myself and now i can be myself, dress my way, act my way, and speak my thoughts without being afraid of other people's opinions. I learned to oappreciate the environment and the life of our earth and our own healthy. I had a chance to study abroad which was an eye opening experience for me, and it has taught me alot . My ambitions and aspirations are motivated from this experience.

In my college experience at Coffeyville Community College I was a tutor in the campus library. I had to learn not to judge people by their physical appearance and I had to be patient with everyone I tutored. I met some of the most diligent learners and some of the most detached learners. I found typical stereotypes were not as accurate as I expected. I helped football players who came in everyday for my assistance and worked hard. I also found out that not all nerdy people are into books and homework, but would rather watch cartoons online. The people I met in college came from all walks of life. Therefore, it is not just a matter of broadening one's knowledge of facts and terms, in the end, there is a sense of broadening one's beliefs and aspects of everyday life. At a community college the campus is small, but the opportunities to broaden views on life are truly endless due to the close relationships with the faculty and student body. As a tutor I have learned that everyone has a chance at a better future. Attending college is the first step.