Computer Science Math Business and Pre-Engineering

¶ … Life at Friends University

As I come nearer to the completion of my work at Friends University, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the past, savor the present, and look forward to the future. I believe that remembering what has already taken place and the things I have learned is a key in planning a successful and worthwhile future.

I come to Friends University prepared to do my work, get my degree, and get on with my life. I never expected that a "school" could mean so much to me or could change my way of looking at myself and the world around me.

A good university should provide an education which helps prepare its students for life. A great university has not only provided an excellent educational experience for me, but has also allowed to become a part of something greater than I - a group of educators and students who are striving for the same goal; education which enables students to become productive, contributing members of our American society. Friends University has certainly done all of this for me.

I am presently a junior at Friends and am pursuing a double major: computer science with an emphasis on math and business administration with an emphasis on engineering. The confidence I have gained at Friends is one of the reasons I believed in myself enough to think that I could accomplish this very difficult task. I know that I am being taught by well-trained professionals who want me to succeed as much as I do. I try to show appreciation for their efforts by giving my all in my studies and in other parts of my life. This concept of being rewarded for good, hard, and honest work is certainly one of the things I'll always remember about Friends.

One way that I feel that I can give back a small part of what Friends University has fostered in me is to tutor students who need extra help in any parts of their classes which are difficult for them. My tutoring is accomplished within the structure of a work-study program in which I also grade papers for the professors and try to be of help wherever I am needed. I feel that this situation is another avenue of learning. Friends provides me with the opportunity of helping others which is a concept I'll take with me when I leave.

I am completely self-supporting and also have to work part-time at a Best Buy store 15 to 20 hours a week in order to have the money I need for school and all the expenses which come along with it. I know the value of honest work and know that by doing this I am giving myself a strong foundation for the future when I hopefully will be supervising not only myself but others in my employ.

I am a starting guard on the men's varsity basketball team at Friends. Through my participation in athletics, I have learned by watching my coaches and the way they respond to adversity as well as good times. They model the kinds of behavior they want my fellow students and me to have. Being part of a "team" in the academic and athletic arenas at Friends University has taught me principles of leadership and followership which should serve me well in the future. I will remember the way my professors and coaches behaved during the good times, but more importantly, how they acted during the difficult times. It is easy to "be" good when everything is going well, however, the way one acts during adversity, is a true picture of character. I will take numerous examples of men and women who possess character traits which I value and will try to emulate.

I have an excellent academic record at Friends. My overall grade point average is 3.89 and I've been on the President's Honor Roll every semester. I am a diligent student, but I believe that there are also other reasons for my academic success. A number of my classes are taught by practicing professional engineers. This is very helpful because these people are dealing with challenges and problems every day which I will face when I leave Friends. I appreciate the fact that Friends has provided this opportunity for me to extend my learning in this manner.

I am convinced that the teacher - student ratio at Friends is also a reason for my success. In these small classes I am know as a person and not as a number. I feel comfortable asking questions and participating in class discussions. I know that my professors don't mind my coming by their offices to clarify a point or get advice on a project or problem. Friends University has helped me set my goals for life by showing me the kinds of successes and rewards which people who are well-educated, knowledgeable in their fields, and considerate of others may expect. I've been taught to set goals and work toward them and to plan for the future both academically and financially.

My personal goals are many. When I graduate from Friends in May of 2004, I know that I want to go to Wichita State University to earn a master's degree in engineering. After that, I plan to open an engineering firm and will put the things I've learned at Friends into practice as I interact with various people and also as I become successful enough to hire and supervise other people.