Ruben Deleon
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX
Program Type/Area of Study: Nutrition
Years Served: 6
MOS: Aircraft Mechanic (F-15)
Tell us about yourself:
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” -Thomas Edison
What prompted you to return to school?
I had always wanted to earn a degree. I could have went in my off time while I was in the military, but I was too focused on the mission to think about my personal goals. So when my enlistment came up, I saw it as an opportunity to pursue my personal goal of a Bachelor’s degree.
What military education benefits, such as the GI Bill, did you use?
G.I. Bill; Incarnate Word participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, so the GI bill covers 100% of my tuition. I also receive money for books, as well as the BAH for my area.
What has your experience been like as a student?
My experience at UIW has been incredible. Everyone at the university has been so helpful and friendly. University of Incarnate Word has been very helpful in helping me understand my veterans benefits, as well as helping me through registering, guidance, and the whole college experience. They really understand their students’ needs.
What challenges did you have adjusting to campus culture after military life?
Definitely. Working for seven years in the military and then transitioning to college was a drastic life change. I had difficulty adjusting from working 12 hour days to being able to decide my schedule, and I had a lot of extra time that I did not have before. It was an adjustment when realizing school was my job now and it still might be 12 hour days but most of it is at home. Bringing “work” home was a huge change. Distractions are everywhere.
Do you believe your military experience has made you a better student?
My military experience has made me a better student. It has shown me the value of education, as well as taught me discipline and time management.
What advice do you have for veterans returning to school?
The advice I would give to veterans returning to school is that the hardest part is finding courage to go back to school, choosing a major, picking classes, and filling out the paperwork. But once you are in class, it is all downhill from there. The hardest part of college is getting started.
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