Blog #6: How I've Grown, What I've Learned

Korey Drost

Hixson Section 5

Blog #6

How I’ve Grown, What I’ve Learned

            I have not only grown as a Hixson Student, but and Iowa State Student in general.  The ways that I have grown as a student is I have made several new friends through all of my classes and also through all the groups and organizations that I am a part of.  To be honest I didn’t really know much about Iowa State and I wasn’t really sure how college was going to go, and I was a little worried about that before I came here.  In my first few weeks here as a student, I learned tons of things about the history of Iowa State University.  I learned about the history of some of the buildings and landmarks around campus, and also about some of the people that have been a part of Iowa State’s History.  I also learned about all of the opportunities that I can take part in here.  There are several clubs that I can take part in and there are also several people that I have been able to meet.

            I have also learned a lot about college life in general.  College is completely different than high school.  In college you don’t have the same set schedule day after day.  Some days you might have class at eight o’clock in the morning while other days you might not have class until one o’clock in the afternoon.  So I have learned a lot of responsibility while I have been in college this semester.  Responsibility is a really big concept to learn because you don’t have someone telling you to do your homework, when to get up, and when to study.  It is your job to figure out when to do things or even things like when to go to class.  Time management is a big thing that I had to learn and pick up on, and money management was another big thought process that I had to learn also.  I had to learn to buy things that I needed and not just things that I wanted.

            I have grown and learned a lot by being a part of the Hixson program.  I have made a lot of new friends.  I have also learned a lot about many topics that will help me as I go through life.  I learned things about leadership, goal setting, and a lot about being successful.  The biggest thing that I have learned since being in college is that college is not something just to blow off.  College is very important, and it is something that takes a lot of work.  It is a time where you learn a lot, and a time that should be fun.

Blog #5: Means To Me

Korey Drost

Hixson Section 5

Blog #5

Hixson Award Means to Me

            When I think about the Hixson award, I think about how it is only offered to one hundred incoming freshmen from Iowa.  I also think about how many people probably fill out that scholarship application.  It still amazes me that I was chosen to receive this scholarship, and I am so grateful.  The Hixson Award means a lot to me because I have been able to gain a lot out of it.  I have gained friendships, learned a lot about leadership, and have been provided with several other opportunities. 

            I have been able to make several new friends because of this award, and I was able to meet the lady that provided me with the amazing award and opportunity.  Being a part of this program has also taught me a lot about myself.  It has also introduced me to several things in college that I probably would not have tried without the Hixson program such as National Student Exchange.  This award has really opened my eyes and had shown me that I am capable of accomplishing a lot as I go through college.

            Receiving the Hixson scholarship is not only about getting half of your tuition paid, it is about everything that comes with it.  I’m not really sure what college would have been like if I did not get this award, but I’m sure I would not be as easy.  As I said before, I am so grateful that I was able to get this award, because there are probably several other students going off to college that deserve this just as much as I do.  The Hixson Award means a lot to me and I will always look back at it and remember all of the opportunities that it provided for me.

Diversity Event

Korey Drost

Hixson Section 5

Diversity Event

"Inuit Culture of North Canada"

            Peter Irniq, from Nunavut Canada, came to the Memorial Union on September 21, 2011.  While he was here, he talked to us about his childhood and his life growing up in Northern Canada.  He explained his culture to us.  He started off by telling us how he was born and raised in an igloo.  By growing up in such an environment, he and his family had to learn to live off the land by killing animals and using what nature offered him.  Caribou was hunted regularly and they also ate berries.  The Inuit Culture is very interesting.  He spoke Inuit language very fluently and he was very passionate about everything he had to say.  His culture was very important to him and he was determined not to let it fade away.  One way he keeps it alive is by teaching kids in small schools in Canada how to speak the Inuit language.  While he was speaking, he played a PowerPoint that showed a lot of amazing pictures.  He showed us pictures Nunavut and how beautiful the scenery looked with all of the hills, mountains, and huge rocks.  His presentation was very interesting, and you could tell that he really loved his culture.