My university education Finding a metaphor that accurately describes my university education was a stimulating experience for me because it required me to thoroughly re-examine my attitude towards all my educational experiences, both before and during college. Ultimately, what I discovered is that the metaphor I believe describes my education at Bemidji State University is universal throughout my education. My education was a journey that began the moment I was born and will continue throughout my life. Initially, my journey began on a road that stretched in front of me: along this road there were intersections, traffic signs, accidents, speed bumps, and mile markers. What I learned as a college student has added many more “miles” to my learning odometer. Mile OneO.K., so let's go back to the beginning. As I said before, my education began the moment I was born and curiously scanned the world around me. Each of the elements of the environment I lived in contributed to my growth and my interest in new things. The most important part of this environment were my parents who encouraged me, through example, to value my experiences and constantly learn from them. Thanks to their support, I learned to become an independent and critical thinker. First, I learned that I could be responsible for my own learning. In essence, it was my choice to learn as much as I wanted from my experiences. Second Mile How has this impacted my education? In the realm of elementary and secondary education, where learning often meant regurgitating the ideas our teachers "imparted" to us, it meant that I wasn't there to simply "absorb" what was happening around me. I was an active member of the class w...... middle of paper...... Likewise, I learned the importance of proceeding with caution and obeying the speed limit along the route. I now realize that sometimes I need to slow down to think things through before I react or overreact. The people I met and learned from on my journey became the bumps and road signs on my educational highway. Sometimes bumps hindered my progress, while road signs pushed me forward and in the right direction.Mile FourWhat does all this mean to me? It means I'm adaptable. I am capable of going ten miles an hour or eighty miles an hour if the situation arises. I can negotiate bumps, adjust the steering and continue the journey with little loss of time. I can choose the uncharted route and find a new path to where I want to go. It means I'm ready for the adventure that awaits me. The odometer scrolls...