Interview with S
Q: Why do you want me to go to college
A: I want you go to college for a few different reasons. The first is: Nowadays the way that our country is set up, in order for you to get a job that’s gonna pay well, and give you some job security… you need a college degree.
The second reason is that I really want you to be able to have the experience of learning things that you’re interested in. I know that you love engineering, and you love math and you like making things and I want you to be able to focus on that and really grow your skills and grow as a learner and a scholar.
Q: What was your college experience?
A: I went to a small liberal arts school in the middle of Iowa. I went because I got a lot of scholarship money there, but it wasn’t my first choice of school. When I first got there, I wasn’t a really good student in high school and I didn’t really care about learning, but when I got to school I had these professors that were really interesting and I got to study things that I found fascinating and when I was able to do that, I discovered that I was smart. I didn’t think I was smart before then and I remember being like, wow, I know how to do this, I can write papers. I actually have a lot of things to say. It really changed my view about who I was as a person. I think that’s why I am so proud about you guys going to college because I think it really helps you figure out who you are. Often, in high school you are forced to take all these classes and some ways you are in college, but you really get to focus and follow your passion.
Q: What do you think my weakness will be or what barriers I will face in college?
A: I just want you to be able to push through frustration, like when you feel confused in class. I want you be able to calm yourself down and seek help. Depending on where you are in college you may or may not know people. Just push yourself through and persevere. In college it is all up to you! You are responsible for your own work. In high school, teachers work really hard to make sure you understand. In college, it’s just lecture. In high school there is a lot of face to face with teachers, and in college there is less of that, but more independent work time.
Q: Why do you wanna go to college?
A: I want to go to college because my family is the first out of all of our relatives to go to college. It gives me a chance to better support my family financially. Also, the fact that we were given the opportunity to even think about college.
Q: What are you worried about?
A: I am worried about getting distracted or not being able to pay for college.
Q: What are you excited about?
A: I am excited about being able to learn about something I am passionate about and being more independent and not having to rely on people as much as I do.
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