Personal Statement

After a year of being a member of IU indianapolis’ honors college, I have developed essential habits in finding success as a student; Of these include study habits, involvement on campus, as well as maintenance of mental health. I plan to build upon these and continue this growth not only as an active member, but also as an alum. My name is Jakob Paulson, I am currently in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, with a minor in business and an emphasis in Artificial Intelligence. I actively incorporate values of the honors college into my daily habits. I believe their emphasis on mental clarity produces a clear headspace, allowing us as students to use our time at college most effectively, to achieve academic excellence.

As a result of the opportunities provided by the IU Indianapolis honors college, I have been able to experience a wide array of involvement in my own academic growth, my professional career, as well as my social life. An example that comes to mind is the honors college lounge, arguably the best study spot.. Like most young adults of this generation, I am easily distracted. The honors college lounge assists me in staying focused on what it is I’m working on by having such a productive atmosphere. Giant whiteboards for long problems, a fish tank for ambient noise, a nice kitchenette to feel at home, and most importantly, other honors students with similar work ethic. This combination creates an effective work environment, which has contributed to my success at IU Indianapolis.

My professional career has been excellent in conjunction with the opportunities of the honors college. Early in the year during an honors panel, I became inspired to work on campus due to experiences shared by other honors students. They had emphasized the importance of building a strong resume with work related to your major. Since this initial spark I have found two jobs that have helped me further my distinct skills in the world of computers: Esports lab Assistant, and University Information Technology Services Technical Consultant. These two jobs consist of constant engagement with computer software and hardware, both essential pieces in my major. This exposure is extremely valuable in standing out in the technical realm, if it wasn’t for insight from the honors panel, I may not have found the inspiration to pursue these two opportunities.

Mental clarity has become a top priority in my road to academic excellence and never in my life have I had such focus. The honors college, as well as other resources have reminded me the importance of finding peace in the mania that comes with school. New assignments every week, on top of class and a social life, maybe work too, it’s a lot. It’s important to maintain your mental well-being in order to manage all of these parts of life that cause us stress. I believe that their emphasis on mindfulness has helped me advocate for myself, and what comes before school. Places like the honors lounge, as well as access to meetings with advisors allows us a stress-free place to be, as well as stress free people to consult. I believe that I will integrate this emphasis not only through my collegiate career, but my professional career as well.

As a member of the honors college, my morals have been reinforced and I have a newfound love for learning. In previous years I didn’t prioritize myself, but through resources and support I have been reminded that college is setting up your future, and you should take every step you can to get closer to your dream. I believe that the Honors College at IU Indianapolis has provided me with an awfully big step and I look forward to continuing this growth in the years ahead.

reflection