Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Milestones for Both

“Semester 4”

January 2014

During winter break I had time to brainstorm new ideas for chapters, eat plenty of food, and anxiously await the business school admission.

When I began to brainstorm new ideas for chapters in my book I found that all of the chapters only voiced my opinion. So, in my search for new opinions I decided to interview a senior, dental hygiene major.

The interview gave me some new insight and also reiterated some of the ideas that I have already learned/written.  During the interview I learned that the interviewee would be the first member of her family to graduate college. So to say that this is just another college graduate would be a huge understatement, but a milestone that the interviewee will forever cherish.

Here are some of the questions that I asked during the interview:

1.      If you could go back, what would you have changed?

“I would have been involved in more UNC clubs or activities”

 

2.      What has been the most difficult thing for you to overcome while in college?

“Accepting the fact that I cannot make perfect grades as I did in high school. The course load I took at UNC my freshman year included many sciences and was a lot more challenging than I had expected. I thought the first C I received was going to kill me, but I quickly learned that sometimes a B or a C is the best I can do and that is fine.”

 

3.      What advice would you offer about making the decision about your degree or career?

“Shadow your job of interest, take classes in that subject, visit offices, talk to employees, and get as much information about your career of interest to see if it is something you would enjoy.”

 

4.      How did or do you deal with homesickness?

“Phones calls and visits home are the best cure when feeling homesick; Letters in the mail and surprise packages aren’t too bad either”

 

5.      Why party or why not? Or how did you deal with the social aspect of college?

“Whatever you feel comfortable doing; Partying is what you make it, there are many aspects to it; If it’s something you are interested in, then go to a few parties with your friends and see if you enjoy it; If you can still manage your school work while relaxing on the weekends and going to a couple parties, but staying out of trouble then I see no problem; The problem arises when grades begin to slip and students are getting into trouble.”

 

6.      What has been the best thing about your college experience at UNC or what will you remember the most?

“The friendships I have made in college are some of the best I have ever had; I will miss living with my roommates and hanging out with all of my UNC friends the most; Whether it is tailgating for a football game, going out to eat, studying in the library together, or watching a basketball game, those experiences bring memories and friendships that last a lifetime.”

After rereading the answers from the interviewee, it became apparent that there were very few regrets, and college is all about living in the moment. From freshman year to senior year one must take college as an opportunity like no other. No matter if you are a first generation college student or not make the most of your college experience, each and every day.

During my life I have had the opportunity to reach a few milestones such as: driving a car for the first time alone, being accepted into my dream college, graduating high school, beginning college, and on January 15, 2014 a new milestone was reached.

I can still remember the day after deciding to attend UNC. (March 2012)

After school I went to visit my mom in her classroom and for some reason I got on the computer and began to research the Kenan Flagler Business School. When I applied to UNC I didn’t realize that the undergraduate business program was so prestigious. At the time the website said that the program was the 5^th best business school in the nation. The more I explored the more I fell in love. The programs, the classes, the faculty all caught my eye. Then I saw the admission requirements: Average GPA- 3.56, 50% acceptance rate. The requirements scared me for a moment, but I knew it was going to be reachable, yet challenging.

For almost two years, I stared at “Be accepted into Kenan-Flagler Business School” on my goal list.  

The day of January 15^th, was such a long day. The business school had informed us that the admission decision would be available on the 15^th, but never specified a time. So, I waited, along with the hundreds of the other students.

Finally at 4:18 PM, “We are delighted to offer you admission...” was all I needed to send me into a whirlwind of excitement. As soon as I heard I called my parents, friends, relatives, past teachers, and maybe even people that didn’t care. I had reached a milestone. Through the two years of hard work I relied on my faith in Jesus Christ, and the support from my friends and family.  

No longer will I have stare at an empty check box on my goal list, but a nice, milestone bearing check mark.