How I've Grown and What I've Learned

Over the past 3 months, I have gained a lot of knowledge by being involved in the Hixson program. I have been given resources I am able to use over the next 3 and half years. I have also been shown people that are here to help as well. Most importantly though, I have seen a huge growth in myself in just these short past months. 

First and foremost, the information given to me about Iowa State University has been more than beneficial. We've been shown things like the National Student Exchange Program, which I found most intriguing, that most people on campus probably do not know about. A big thing that we learned during classes was about the hundreds, if not thousa33333nds, of opportunities on campus. Whether it's a Spring Break "short trips" or having students that are involved in various clubs come talk to us. I particularly enjoyed hearing from these older Hixsons and students because it enabled me to see how involved I can become in the next few years. I've also got to learn many of the Iowa State traditions and the history of my university that I did not know about before.

Secondly, I've found people that are willingly to help guide me through this year at Iowa State as well as my next few years. In my last blog, I also mentioned these people, but I feel like it ties in here too. I believe that the relationships you form can make or break you. Obviously, all the people associated with the Hixson program are going to help! I've heard a ton from people this year that it's all about who you know and I think I know some of the best people on campus. 

Finally, I've seen myself grow a ton. At first, college was very scary as well as exciting. I have never had this much freedom and control of what I really need to do for myself. I've fully grasped the concept that everything I do now is for myself and if I want something done, I'm going to have to take the initiative to do it myself. For example, the Hixson program is willing to give me funding for tutoring if I ever need it. Although I have never used tutoring in the past, I might need it at some point and will have to be the one to seek out the help. No one is here reminding me to studying and turn in assignments it's all on me now.

I am very thankful for the Hixson program and all that it has done for me in just the last 3 months. My future is brighter because of this generous help and I look forward to staying involved with the program as well as in contact with my fellow Hixson recipients. 

The Hixson Award

Receiving the Hixson Opportunity Award was a huge surprise to me, but one that I gratefully accepted. I live in Scott County which means I was up against all the students from bigger schools in Davenport and Bettendorf, so I can't say I thought my odds were really with me. I applied for the scholarship anyways because I met all of the qualifications and just saw it as a way to get a little extra help with paying for my education. Little did I know that it would be helpful in many more ways, other than just financially.

First of all, it provided me with a place to go when I need to study in peace and quiet or get away from things for a while. The Hixson building is perfect for me because it's right across the street from my dorm and it's quiet! I can even go there 24/7 if I need to! I study there more than any place on campus. The lab is incredibly helpful in that I don't have to take my laptop with me and create unneeded distractions for myself with social media. I can just grab a desktop for a minute or two if I need it and then get back to reading and studying. I always get stuff done when I'm over in the Hixson building.

Academically, being a Hixson is great. There are people that I can talk to if I'm struggling in a class and they truly want to help. Although I am a part of Iowa State's biggest freshman class, I don't feel like just a number, like many in the past said I would. Between the one-on-one meeting at the beginning of the year with Debra and the two-on-ones with my peer mentors, I've figured out that these people are there for me, especially my peer mentors. They were in my shoes just a few years ago and probably know what I'm going through for the most part. Additional help with academics is available because I can get a tutor if I need one for cheaper than most students. I have yet to use this service, but am looking into because I have a pretty tough schedule next semester and every bit of help with be beneficial.

Finally, by being a Hixson I have met great people that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. Over the past couple of months, I have really gotten to know the people in my group and become friends with them. The other night I actually went and played volleyball with one of the girls. I can't say I have done that with anyone else from my actual classes. Seminar each week is great in that I usually sit by someone different that is from a different section so I get to learn a little about them, too!

Obviously, however, the biggest help did come financially. Because of the Hixson award, I will not have to take out a loan for this first year of school and hopefully, if everything goes well, the next three years. Talk about a relief! Graduating college without debt, or at least minimal debt, is a huge goal of mine. I will forever be grateful for the contribution Christina made toward my education and for the opportunity she has given me to provide myself with a future full of potential. If there is one lesson I learned from receiving the Hixson Award, it is to go after something you want. I may have thought that getting this award was a long shot, but sometimes all you need is that one chance. It may not work out every time, but when it does, it will be worth it.  

The Real Dirt on Farmer John

For my Go! Diversity event, I attended the viewing of the documentary of The Real Dirt on Farmer John. The main focus of the documentary was the struggles of John Petersen and how he overcame them to create a successful organic farm in northern Illinois. I learned a lot about the different farming crises that have hit our country over the years as well as how changing his location for periods of time helped him. His story was full of adversity, but thankfully, ended happily. Although, I am not from or particularly interested in the agriculture field, I found many areas where I could relate to John.

First, I saw him learning the ins and outs of farming from his father, who learned his skills from his father. Their farm was a huge family operation that dated back for many years. This reminded me of the background that my mom came from. Her whole family was self-sufficient farmers. From stories, I've heard about their animals, old machinery, garden, and chores. My grandpa is 86 years old, but he still will go out to his farm every day to do something, although my two uncles have taken over now. In the documentary, John's family was proud to have gotten through the Great Depression. I have also heard my mom talk about this. My grandparents made it through as well and now they spend very little money, even though they are actually very wealthy. My mom says it's because of their old habits and their fear of the Great Depression happening again. Basically, for the whole first part of the movie, I was thinking of my grandparents!

Next, I saw him go through college. Obviously, a time in his life that I can relate to very well right now. Because of the difference in time periods, however, our experiences differ greatly. He went to a college close to home because he was still tied down to his farm. I had the freedom to go wherever I felt like because I was tied to nothing. So I choose to be over one hundred and fifty miles away. Secondly, he went to college during the "Hippie" era, so he was very much into art. He would bring his friends back to his farm and they would help him out. They also redid many of the structures on the farm so they were more artistic. My college experience doesn't involve much agriculture or art, just a lot of studying and science! I think it's safe to say we are two diverse college students.

Finally, going back to me leaving my hometown for college, John did something similar. When things got really bad on the farm, he would up and leave. He would go down to Mexico or South America and do farming there. He liked it because there, hands were still touching the soil, seeds, and crops, unlike back in America where machinery was doing all of the work. This lead him to his most recent venture of agriculture. When he returned home, to a much smaller farm (he had to sell most of the land to pay off debts), he decided to turn his farm into an organic farm for many reasons. He loved the crops and the work it took to do it manually without fertilizer or chemicals. This operation also reconnected him with his mother, who had grown very elderly by this point, by allowing her to run a stand that sold his chemical-free crops. As a dietetics major, I love the idea of organic foods. I understand how fertilizers and chemicals make for a more efficient production and will keep the cost of produce down, but I still like the idea of staying away from harmful chemicals that could potentially have fatal health risks.

Overall, by attending The Real Dirt on Farmer John, I saw something different, something that otherwise would not have crossed my path. There are many, many differences between the life of Farmer John and my life, but I was still able to find similarities in between. This just goes to show that even if we think that we are so much different from each other, even polar opposites, there just might be one or two things that we have in common. This makes for a successful world because of the different ideas we all come up with. Diversity will forever be beneficial, as long as we all respect one another and our ideas.