How I've Grown

Looking back on my experience of receiving the Hixson scholarship, attending the seminar, and being a part of the program I couldn't be more greatful for this opportunity. I have really enjoyed the time spent with those who care so much about the Hixson program, and the tremendous contribution Christina Hixson puts toward each recipients education. I feel as though I have grown a great deal since the begining of this semester. I look back at how stressed, nervous, intimidated I was at the thought of college, but I have become so much more confident in my success here at iowa State and I have the Hixson program to thank for that.

Attending lecture at 6:15 on a Tuesday night, I'm going to be honest, didn't sound like a lot of fun to me. But, to my surprise I actually really appreciated the topics covered in class and they are pretty entertaining with Silas being weird and all. Haha. All kidding aside though, the materials covered through this course were mainly topics I probably never would have learned on my own, or if I would have I wouldn't have learned them at the begining of my freshman year here. Through this program my knowledge of the system here like career services, study abroad, and the actual history of this school has grown, and I'm a source for many because of that.

My passion to do well has always been high. That is just my persinality, but being in the Hixson program helped to bump that up even a little higher. I feel like I have a whole group of people who care about how I do here rather than just being a number in a lecture hall like a lot of students may go through their time here at Iowa State being. The staff at Hixson want us to succeed, and I have taken the responsibility to do just that. So, this opportunity has made me grow up a little. It gave me a taste of what it's like for someone to expect something from you that had really no association with you beforehand. There's a standard there to live up to what that person expects.

I have always struggled with time management. It never really effected me in high school though. I got good grades, but never had to scheduale so well to succeed. Here I have really learned the benefits of mapping out a scheduale of your day. Sometimes I felt as though I never had enough time to get things done because i've never had to stay on top of so many subjects like here at Iowa State. I learned how to study for 8-12 hours straight! Never has that happened in my life before, but that's what Chemistry will do for you. I feel so much more in tune with my day to day scheduale. I have learned to prioritize better this way. I know this will benefit me in the future because, honestly, it's all you here upperclassmen talk about. I now know that! I've cut down my amount of procrastination by an amazing amount, which is incredible in a good way.

Overall, my first semester here at college was successful. I had a great time meeting people, learning how to cope with real life, learning you have to work hard for what will pay off in the long run. I feel like now, I don't have to be nervous about making it in this world because, I'm already transitioning so well into my college career. I am most thankful for the opportunity to be submerged into this environment because it only strengthened my relationship with the Lord. He has shown me how undeniably dependent he is always in my walk through this world, and that is the most important personal growth I have seen within myself.