Student Experience

The college search process was one of the most stressful experiences of my life (maybe an exaggeration but it was very stressful). I originally committed to another school out of state before embarking on a gap year abroad. But after taking some time away from school I found new parts of myself and wanted different things than I originally did when committing to a college. I also really missed my home state of Colorado as well as the connections I had made there. I ultimately decided to commit to CSU when I returned home because of the vast amounts of opportunities I knew I would be provided here. I am so proud to call myself a Ram!

I have always wanted to be an educator, I am sure there is a picture of me somewhere out there holding up a board in kindergarten with the word ‘teacher’ scrawled in my cute little six-year-old handwriting answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. For the longest time, I didn’t really know what I wanted to teach or what kind of teacher I wanted to be until I fell in love with reading in middle school after finishing the Harry Potter book series. After that, I was completely hooked on books and even got into writing (my mom says I’m talented, I’ll take her word for it). But from then on I knew I wanted to be an English teacher, and I’m excited for the next generation of students I get to share my passion with! So of course, English Education is the place for me.

The first class I ever attended at CSU was my Honors 192 seminar called “Children’s Literature and Culture” and it has so far been my absolute favorite course. Seminar-based classes are my jam and being able to talk about childhood and the books we are so familiar with from our own childhoods (such as The Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harry Potter) from an adult perspective was interesting, incredible, and fun. Everyone had so many things to say and I had never been in a class before where everyone was so engaged and thoughtful. It was a great introduction to the college classroom and though it wasn’t a major specific course, it reaffirmed my decision to go into English Education. From this course and a few of the courses I have taken since I have realized that pedagogy, literature, and language go so much deeper than I will ever have the opportunity to know.

I am a part of the Honors Program as well as the Blake Leadership Scholars. I will also be a Resident Assistant in the coming academic year!

When I decided to major in English I kept thinking of the John Mulaney skit where he jokes about getting a degree in a language he already knew. I wondered, briefly, if this is what I was doing, pursuing a degree in something I already knew all there is to know or all that is important to know. Boy was I wrong. The further I get into my degree the more I realize I will never know everything about this language, and though that may be daunting it is also so incredibly exciting. I love not only learning all of these new things about also sharing the experience of learning them with peers and professors who are just as passionate as me about them.

As an international student, it is very important for me to be able to feel welcomed in a community. A place where I don’t have to be worried and feel different in a negative way. CSU felt like a place where I could represent myself and at the same time, develop as a person and learn new things. I could sense that CSU is a kind of place that is inclusive and loves diversity. I truly got attracted because of this, knowing very well that I will be surrounded with wonderful and talented people. I also love green and mountains and who doesn’t want to be in a campus surrounded with all that? Fort Collins also reminds me of a beautiful town from my life back in India so choosing it just made me feel close to home in some way.

Since my childhood, I felt like I have had a crazy imaginative mind which made me want to write so many stories my entire life. At first, it just felt like a hobby, so I never really saw English as my major. In my freshmen year, I was actually a Biology major. But the more I explored things in CSU, I realized that Biology was just a source of curiosity that I liked to tickle. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do and pursue as a career. I started to realize that writing makes me happy, and I wanted to develop myself as a writer. I finally ended up as an English major right in the second semester of my freshmen year and since then it’s been wonderful. I have been able to learn so much and become a better version of my writer self. I still sometimes take some biology or psychology classes to tickle that curiosity and I love how I am able to balance things that way. I also realized that I am passionate for the legal field and enjoy understanding the law/justice and form/ structure that we require in our system. Analyzing a criminal mind intrigues me and helps me understand the psychology behind different minds. Hence, legal studies as my minor. I love this combination and how it especially helps me to write. I am still in discussion with myself whether I want to do a PhD in English or go to a law school but whatever it will be, I know I will enjoy it to the fullest.

I feel like English is a kind of major where you get to explore such different sides of literature and creativity in writing. Since I have gotten into this major, I have been lucky to explore all those sides and just gain so much knowledge on such interesting topics that goes around in this world. I feel like I got to understand humanity, creative minds and history in great depth. I believe that whatever major you choose in liberal arts, you realize that you gain knowledge that helps you for a lifetime. It helps you gain knowledge about life, and it stays with you forever. It is a great feeling to experience. I realize that choosing English as a major helped me to be considerate towards my minor as well.

Writing is everywhere and it’s so important to know your unique way of writing. How you represent yourself through your thoughts and words. When I chose the concentration as creative writing, I knew that I chose it because I want to publish my stories in the best polished way possible in my vision. I do want to be a writer. Doesn’t matter if I actually go to law school or not but in any case, I want to be a writer. Choosing English as my major is the way to do that. I am having the best time learning what I am supposed to learn to be a better version in every field I enjoy.

I think Beginning to Creative Writing was one of the best classes I have had until now. Having the concentration as creative writing, this class stood out to me so much and I had the best time exploring the different aspects of creative writing. I got to develop myself as a fiction writer, CNF writer and a poet. It was an absolute treat to be placing myself in each aspect and find my true self and at the same time, gain confidence in all those aspects. I got even more confident that I can be a good fiction writer. The one I am most passionate about.

Currently, I am involved with Student Leadership Involvement and Community and Engagement office (SLiCE) on the RSO team, Laurel Village Front Desk as a Community Desk Assistant, Indian Student Association, Pre Law club and now the awesome College of Liberal Arts Ambassador team!

My twin brother wanted to go to CSU. We are very close, and his decision greatly affected mine. While taking a tour, I fell in love with CSU’s sustainability. I also loved how many trees and open spaces there were on campus.

I knew I wanted to major in English and Philosophy since high school. I had a great AP Literature teacher who inspired me to choose my majors. AUCC classes did not influence my choice due to having lots of incoming credits.

I study Philosophy and English because they are thought-provoking. Philosophy asks questions about being a good person, and what it means to live a good life. English captures the human experience and makes me think about my own life. I have loved literature since I was a boy and get a lot of enjoyment out of reading so much. I have learned how to communicate well. Philosophy teaches logic and how to properly write arguments, clarifying my thinking. English gives me a window into other cultures and experiences, allowing me to relate to those around me. My writing for classes is much better than it used to be. When trying to prove a point, I use logic to persuade others. When interacting with people of different socio/ethnic backgrounds, I now understand and converse with them about their beliefs and values. I don’t know what I want to do post-college. Good communication and writing skills are needed in most jobs, so my degrees will be useful regardless of my career path.

My favorite class is British Literature 1: Medieval Period to 1800. I love this class because we discuss topics such as romance, heroics, and forbidden knowledge, while reading some awesome works such as Beowulf and Paradise Lost.

I love English because I get to read a lot of the classics and have really interesting discussions. English makes me dream about what I could be and inspires me to be the best I can be.