How I've Grown, What I've Learned

               I believe I have grown a lot since the start of this class and my college experience. I believe I have grown in many different ways socially and academically. I have also learned a lot about this diverse world and how diverse college can be. I have also learned a lot of very important things from this class.

                I believe I have grown a lot socially and academically. Now that I am at college I feel like I can now talk to people more easily since I have started attending college. I can also relate to many different people due to my background and my experiences.  I have grown academically by being able to know when I must get things done and being able to get them done very early while not waiting until the last minute. A thing I must learn is to add more time on the weekends when I go home to complete homework and studying.

                I have gotten a lot out of this class. I learned that we all have styles of learning that differ in different ways and that we are also from different and diverse backgrounds. I learned about many helpful options on campus that are there to help me succeed during my college career. The entire Hixson staff is also very helpful and will be there for me anytime I need help.

                I have learned many lessons from my advisor and some instructors that will help me in the future of my career and life. They have taught me about the difference between ideals and realities. The peer mentor class was also very helpful to allow us to talk and ask questions to students who have already gone through our similar situation.

                So far I have loved going to ISU and many of the classes I have taken are not impossible to pass but yet they push me to my limits to get the GPA I want in the end. Iowa State has been great so far and I hope I continue to learn many things during my next four years.

What the Hixson Award Means to Me

              The Hixson means a lot to me when talking about my college life. This was the make or break scholarship between me attending ISU or me attending a community or lesser known college; maybe even not attending college and going straight into the workforce.  Christina is one of the most generous people I have ever met. Without her support many of the Hixson scholars would be unable to be in the current position that they are currently in.

If I would not have received the Hixson scholarship I would not be in the great position I am right now. I would be going to NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College), a small community college within driving distance of my home, right now and would not have been able to have had the great experience I have had so far in my few months as an ISU student! I would not be able to meet as many new people as I have and would maybe not even have had gone to college. I have been able to meet some leaders within the agriculture and especially the swine industry which will be extremely helpful in my future career.

The Hixson award is also great because we get free printing and the class that we are required to take has taught me so many different things about the university. Without the class I would never have realized that the university has many helpful facilities that are there to help you to succeed while attending college. Without the free printing I would have to buy a printer or put a larger charge on my U-Bill by having to print on their computers.

The Hixson award has helped me out greatly. I currently do not have to get a job while attending college due to the Hixson award helping me pay the U-Bill and my current assets on my father’s farm. This has been a great help because I have been able to experience great social connections and join a few clubs. This will help me greatly in the future by me building leadership skills as explained during class by older Hixson recipients.