University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

College has been a wonderful and valuable experience by giving me a broader look on life plus it has introduced me to people from all over the world and their cultures. It has opened my mind to think outside the box and that there is something more out there other than the tunnel you look through without a college education. I don't feel I would have learned about Darwin, Milton, Dante and the like if I had not went. It is a whole new world that can be hard or it could be easy, but it is so worth it.

I have learned true team spirit at the beautiful campus of the University of South Carolina, which brings the students very close creating many friendships. I have learned to adjust to a small town with a lot of community support , and being a city girl all of my life, I have learned to love farm animals, horseback riding,and all the wonderful things this small community has to offer. The whole college atmosphere is very kind friendly and respectful which I think is very University of South Carolina specific. It will benefit the International Business major student because it is number one, and in this jobless time, it will increase chances of getting a job. I have gotten International Business, study abroad, caring community, team spirit, and a brand new honors college dorm, what more could you want?

Whether as a student or in my position as a Resident Mentor, my experiences at college have been memorable and invaluable. As a student, being forced to use untapped reaches of my mental power to overcome challenges I never would have thought possible, I have gained confidence in myself and my ablilities. I have learned my limits. And I have learned that they are not near as restrictive as I once thought. As a Resident Mentor, doing my best to enrich the college experience of my fellow students by offering assistance, advice, and my presence as a leader, I have learned to look beyond myself and towards others, especially those in need of a helping hand. It is especially as a peer leader, but even so as a student, that I grow exponentially each day in ways that I could not anywhere else. The ideas, skills, and relationships I have gained and built while I have been here are priceless and I cannot imagine getting them anywhere else.

The most important thing I've gained from my college experience is the drive to push myself to succeed. Although I had always been a straight A student, I nearly didn't go to college after high school. I realize now that had I continued without furthering my education, the impact on my life would be completely crippling. I nearly settled for a sub-par experience, and one in which I had little to no intellectual or personal growth. Since returning to school, I had rediscovered my love of learning, and the thrill I get from expanding my mind. I've also been reminded of my long term life goals, which would have been near impossible without the education I'm now receiving. I'm currently working on a degree in both English and Secondary Education. I hope to one day inspire students to grow, learn, and set high goals for themselves in the way my teachers and college professors have inspired me.

Though my experiences in college are just beginning, I can already tell I am going to get a lot out of my education. The University of South Carolina has so much to offer, I would be a fool not to take advantage of these great opportunities. USC has over 300+ student organizations and countless internship and abroad opportunities. As long as I use the resources at hand, I will be successful in whatever I choose to do. After being in school for only five weeks, I have a good idea of what I want to do with my education. I am looking forward to spending the next four years of my life here and discovering even more of what the University of South Carolina can offer me.

I can't really speak about USC, but I used to go to MICA in Baltimore. Its the top painting school in the nation and I am a painter so it was absolutely perfect. I guess just the opportunity to learn from some amazing artists is what I enjoyed most. It was such a learning experience. It changed my life forever.

My fall semester has not started yet, but I did take summer classes at Minnesota State University. It really helped me prepare for the upcoming school year. Because of this experience, I was able to manage my time better and found out a way of studying that was beneficial for me. I learned that whenever I don't understand some of my schoolwork, the professors will be available to help me out during their office hours. That helped me connect with my professors and showed them that I am eager to learn. These classes also brought me closer to my classmates because we would end up forming little study groups. The classmates then became my friends. Overall, not only did I learn a lot from my professors, but I also learned a lot about life in general.

The college experience has allowed me to expand my worldview and explore my own opinions on the world with others who are both like-minded and completely different. I feel I've also been able to help others with my experience, which is something that I find rare in life; the individuals on campus are open to new ideas -- seeking out experience and knowledge. This is not to preclude the fact that I have also learned a lot from other students and faculty. Simply taking courses outside of my scope of knowledge or comfort zone has challenged me to "rewire my brain" in ways that allow me to successfully complete the course. I have yet to have one of these courses attempt to teach me anything I'd deem unworthy of retaining. The value of attendance transcends future monetary gains due to a degree; indeed, I have accumulated some debt via my attendance. I quit my job to attend full-time and have not once regretted it. The rewards of attendance are deeply personal in that I seek to better myself, and through that, better the quality of life for others. It's been paramount to increasing my self-worth.

I've learned a great deal about the field I want to go into. I also gained a loyalty the University of South Carolina and identify as a gamecock.

I went to a school six hours from home, and it forced me to be independent and to grow up and face my fears. During my time at USC I have made the best friends I've ever had, I've participated in more community service projects than you can shake a stick at, and I've actually joined (gasp!) a music sorority that has already opened doors for career opportunities. I was recruited by Off Off Broadway, a musical theater group, and was able to sing onstage for a musical! I was drafted to play in two operas and more orchestra concerts than I care to remember. Every Saturday I performed a marching band show in front of 83,000 screaming fans! Really, it's been the time of my life. My perspective on everything has changed dramatically, and that never would have happened if I hadn't gone to an out-of-state school. I am not the same person I used to be, and I never want to go back. I want to keep changing and growing and using the things I learned here to make a difference in the world.