UT LEAD SUMMER INSTITUTE!

Being in UT Lead is a major help in transitioning from high school to college as nine days after my graduation I was officially a college student. I had to mature and prepare myself mentally for the challenge, but so far I've been doing great. We are taking four classes which include Counselor Education, English 101 & 103 Writing Workshop, & Math 101 that will go towards a total of seven hours of college credits. We are also learning many helpful skills such as time management, study habits, and helpful campus organizations that will be very important when school begins this fall. It's also beneficial to have an opportunity to network so that there will be some familiar faces when the overwhelming 26,000 volunteers step on campus in August. Only 80 students were chosen to be a part of UT Lead and it's a honor to have been one of those individuals out of 4,200 other students. I will be a step ahead of most incoming Freshman this fall!

Career Services

I was unable to attend the first career service session because I was attending a funeral of a close friend, but I found the information given Tuesday very helpful. I cant remember the name of our instructor but she was great. She helped us students get a broad understanding of exactly how we would be able to get a job after receiving a college diploma. Only 26% of the U.S population have college diplomas and of that 26% only 40% of students go directly into the work field of their college major. I was unaware of those statistics and with a degree in major such as business students find that job offerings are numerous. The instructor actually graduated with a degree in business but works as a career service advisor.

I also learned the importance of being balanced. It's not good to have good grades and not have good teamwork and leadership skills. Their was five componets to becoming successful which included teamwork, leadership, academic success, time management, and achievement of goals. A well balanced individual is able to adjust to the working enviroment and does not have many of the issues that a one-dimensional person has. Someone with a 4.0 gpa may have terrible teamwork skills which can interfere with a company's success.

Find a job that you like. It's not very compelling for a person to wake up dreading going to work each and everyday. It's better to love what you do rather than work for money. All the money in the world cannot buy happiness. Find your passion rather it be working with children, saving animals, or singing at a local sports bar.

What stands out about my college?

Life at the University of Tennessee has been fantastic so far! I've only been on campus for a week and two days and I already feel as though I love it here. Other than the terrible food that has every student running to the bathroom after every meal and the long marathon walks back and forth to each class, I honestly am proud of my decision to attend this great institution; I am just considering maybe investing in a new skateboard and a cooking class! But these two cons are things I can adjust to.
The professors that I have this summer are simply amazing! The knowledge and wisdom they give to us students is so helpful as we strive for excellence. The website www.ratemyprofessor.com is very helpful and gives a brief description and rating of each professor from fellow students. I'm very proud to say many of the professors here have outstanding ratings and great comments from students, but there are some who have bad reputations for being BUT HOLES!!
The history here at UT is remarkable and unlike that of any other college. From the dreadful Hill, to the great Neyland Stadium, to the catchy ROCKKKKKYYY TOPPPPPPPP fight song (which I am learning as we speak), all add to Big Orange Country. I am also anticipating activities such as painting The Rock and the passing of the Torch which are traditions that have been occurring at this university for decades. I am so excited about my journey I will be taking here at this university and there's no other college I would recommend for students to attend!