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High school habits good preparation for college life [UPDATED]
Published 9:04am Wednesday, February 13, 2013 Updated 11:05am Wednesday, February 13, 2013This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2012 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter.
I am thankful for the Fergus Falls Dollars for Scholars program. College education is very expensive and any scholarship opportunity is a great help and very appreciated.
I was the recipient of the Guy and Pam Olson Scholarship. I am honored to have received it and extremely thankful for the generosity of the Olson family and for the work and commitment that allowed them to provide this scholarship.
I am attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology which is located in Rapid City, S.D. It is an engineering school with an enrollment of about 2,500 students.
Rapid City has a population of about 70,000 people, so it has been a change from growing up in the much smaller city of Fergus Falls.
Because of the college’s beautiful location on the edge of the Black Hills, I have taken many scenic hikes and drives on weekends with my friends.
I have been involved in student organizations such as Circle K International and the Institute of Industrial Engineers and found time to participate in volunteer opportunities.
It is great to be able to get out and help members of the community that are less fortunate.
College dorm life has been a change from living at home, but it has been a good experience.
I am good friends with my roommate, Chuck, who is from Illinois.
I have been able to make many friends with people on my floor or through common interests such as Baseball and Ultimate Frisbee clubs.
I also made friends through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and my classes.
Classes have been a lot of work, but it has been very beneficial.
The effort I gave in high school and the discipline skills taught by my parents and teachers definitely paid off.
It took some time to get used to college class scheduling rather than going to seven (or more) classes five days a week.
I still have another semester left in my first year. I am very thankful for my friends and family.
I would also like to again thank the Dollars for Scholars program and Guy and Pam Olson for their generosity and scholarship.
Mark Undseth is a 2012 graduate of Hillcrest Academy and was the recipient of the Guy and Pam Olson Scholarship. He attends South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, S.D. For more information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Dollars for Scholars, 601 W Randolph Ave, Fergus Falls, Mn 56537.
