Ball State University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Ball State University know before they start?

Allison

The first thing that comes to mind would be to stay at college for as long as possible without going home. Make sure you are comfortable staying at the campus of your choice for longer than one week at a time. Doing so will save your family gas money and will somewhat force you to get out and make friends. Another very important piece of advice would be to get to know as many people as you possibly can. While this might not seem like a big deal, it will later when your roommate leaves on weekends and you have no one to hangout with. Maybe the friends you meet are in your classes and that will allow you to have a study group which will come in handy when the work load gets hard. One last thing is to stay focused and try not to procrastinate. It is something very many people do but if you stay on top of your class work your life will be much less stressful and this will allow you to have free time to join groups or a sorority. Remember those tips and your freshman year will be a blast!

Jenna

Hello Jenna! As you embark on this new living and learning adventure, here are some words of wisdom that may make the transition a bit easier. To be really ready for dorm life: Bring bug spray! Invest in plenty of power cords! Have an extra set of bedsheets and be prepared for not always getting easy access to the washer/dryer! Be committed to healthy snacks! Realize that dorm living can be noisy and you may have to get sleep at odd hours. To prepare for academic challenges: Get to know your professors and don't hesitate to ask for help as soon as you realize you need it. Have confidence in your ability to be successful. You will be amazed at all of the fascinating learning experiences about to come your way. Hold on to every ounce of enthusiasm and build on that inner desire to succeed. Finally, consider seeking a part time job on campus...it will help financially and also help you to meet new people; you will have more "down time" than you might expect. Enjoy this special time of your life - it will go by very quickly.

Brooke

Procrastination is something that you, on occasion, may get a way with in highschool, but in college it's out of the question. You can't rush to get things done, you need to do your best on your assignments, and projects because most of the classes are based solely on tests. In high school, if you did poorly on tests, you most likely had the chance to make up points through assignments, and extra credit. There aren't a lot of assignments to help make up your points in most classes, so it's important to buckle down, and study hard. Also, it's important that your academics always come before your social life.

Michelle

I would tell myself to be prepared for everything - studying much harder, not give into the peer pressure and keep your head up through any situation. As a freshman in college, I've already had to change roommates twice because the first one decided to go to a different school without warning me and the second one moved in with her sorority sister. I've also had some very tough classes and tough decisions to make. Though I've been pressured and have had to deal with sticky situations, I still keep my head up through everything. Basically, I would tell myself to just keep herself focused and be prepared for the worst of situations.

Michelle

The first thing I would tell myself would be to take high school seriously. Get as much education and knowledge in high school as you can because when you go to college if you dont remember what you learned in highschool you will fall behind really quick. Also I would tell myself to take better notes and prepare now for what is to come in college because if you dont prepare yourself ahead of time you will be so stressed out and lost. Also I would make as many friends as possible and continue to keep in touch with them through college becasue there is going to be those days when you need to talk to someone back home about something that has happened with your roommate or some other situation on campus. Just prepare for college and get good grades!

Falicia

If I could go back and talk to myself, the first thing I would say would be, "Chill out!" I was an uptight senior. I would tell myself to start having more fun and spending more time with my friends and my family because I will surely miss them. I would also say to not concentrate so hard on school work, that I am smart and I don't need to stress out so much; I've made it this far and I'm almost done so enjoy it! Another big thing I would emphasize to myself is not to worry about the drama and the tears I experienced at the end of the year and through the summer. All of it made me stronger and everything does work out. And I would also tell myself to work more hours and to spend less money; otherwise I will be a poor college student like I am now. Last but not least I would tell myself good job! That I am about to graduate and be on my own and that I have made it. I have become a stong, smart, pretty individual that needs to have more confidence in herself!

Carly

If I were able to talk to myself as a senior, I would explain that I should not overanalyze the transition into my freshman year of college. I was so worried at the time that the transition would be difficult, that I began to prepare to soon. I would explain that by detaching myself from my hometown, the people I knew, and even my parents, that I was losing precious time and experiences I would never get back. I watched my brother leave to college three years before, and he had struggled. Although my brother?s situation was very different from mine, and I should not have based my concerns off of one person?s experience. My personality is easygoing enough that I would have always been able to adjust well to the transition no matter how much or how little I had prepared. I would remind myself of who I am. The hardest transition was the one I made before I ever left for Ball State. I had mentally left long before.

Alicia

I would tell her to do what makes her happy and more. Don't let anyone tell you what you need or what you should do. Pray, don't be like everyone else, and focus on creating happiness for yourself. Cry when you have to, smile when you want to. The last thing I would tell her is that college can either make or break you. Make sure it makes you, builds you up, and transforms you into the young woman that you can be. Be happy, be strong, and be yourself. I would also tell her to not let financial reasons dictate whether or not continue with school. It'll pay off in the long run. Trust me.

Anita

As a high school senior, I remember how excited I was to attend Ball State University, and the feeling of relief I felt knowing that I found my match in a college, and that I would be spending the next four years of my life somewhere that I felt very comfortable being. Along with that anticipation of going to college, came the anxiety of the unknown. Currently as a college freshman, I am very settled in and have fallen into a routine here at Ball State that seems to work very well for me. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would tell myself this: Don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of my comfort zone. It's easy to become a number, and if you dont make yourself noticable to others, it can become lonely. Although it may be intimidating, don't be afraid to get involved and make new friends. Make the years you spend here count, but don't forget that you are a student first and to maintain academics. Fall into a routine, where you can easily balance academics and a social life.

Kathryn

College is great! You are your own boss. You decide what you want to do and when you want to do it. But don't let all this new freedom go to your head. You still need to work hard in class and actually go to class in order to pass and be able to graduate. My freshman year, I kind of let the new freedom get to me and I skipped class about once a week. My grades slipped because of it and I have learned my lesson the hard way and I am still trying to get my GPA up to a reasonable number. You will also meet a ton of new people. Your friends now may or may not still be your friends next year, but I can promise you that you will meet new life-long friends in your freshman year. Although I am still friends with a few people from high school, I made new friends who are always there for me. Don't party too much. It's fun and acceptable on the weekends, but don't go out during the week if you won't get up for class!

Taylor

I would advise myself to get more involved with high school clubs. They provide a great outlet to grow new relationships and new opportunities for college. I would also tell myself to really study about three different colleges that have the major I am interested in. You need to visit each college, talk to other students and advisors so you have all the information necessary to make a choice that is right for you-not yur friends and not your family -but for you. High school visit days from colleges are a great way to start that process.

Olivia

You cannot possibly imagine all of the amazing new experiences college will present to you throughout the next four years. The people you meet will challenge your preconceived notions and expose you to brand new lifestlyes, beliefs, and ideas. Your professors and courses will challenge you in a variety of ways, but do not worry about that just yet. High school has prepared you to take all of this on as long as you remember to face everyday head on with an open mind and kind heart. At times you will feel overwhelmed, and occassionally even miss the comforts of home. However, these times will be rare, and greatly overshadowed by the all-night discussions, spontaneous adventures, and awe-inspiring classes with people and resources more engaging than you have ever hoped to encounter!

Emily

After being in college for a sememster, I have realized that the thing I miss the most about being home is home itself. If I had to give my high school self any advice, I would tell myself to take advantage of every moment I have before I leave for college. I love college now, but the things I miss the most are my friends, parents, and home. I rarely see my high school friends or parents now. If I had a second chance, I would take advantage of every last moment I spent with all of them. Also, being in a place where I am the most comfortable is something I love. So if I could give myself any advice, I would tell myself to spend more time with my family and friends and appreciate every moment I had at home.

Meghan

If I could go back into time and visit myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to relax about the whole admission process. Also, the friends that I go up with, are most likely not going to be my best friends, but that I'll make better ones. Besides the social aspect, I would tell myself that if I get stressed, just take deep breathes and relax. Also, learn how to study efficiently, get organized, and relax. Things get stressful, but college is not impossible, it can be done. That is what I would tell myself if I could go back in time.

Kara

I wish I knew then what I know now. I would tell myself to take my studies seriously and apply myself because what I learn in highschool really does impact post-secondary education. I would also tell myself to explore all college options regarding geographic location and that all freshman are in the same boat, meaing that they're all just as scared on their first day of college. Not only that but to get involved with the campus activities because it is a great way to meet new people who share the same interests and values.

Emily

The best advice I could give a high school senior is to apply for the FAFSA and as many scholarships and grants as possible. High school seniors are pressured to decide where they want to go and what they want to do right away, but so many college students change their major or transfer to different colleges that those decisions should not be the top priority. If students receive grants, scholarships, or loans, they can attend any college of their choice. The first step is to ensure that they can pay for college; then they will be able to support their dreams and ambitions as they come and go.

Alaina

As a high school student I always thought that I would be extremely prepared for college life. Looking back I realize that I was wrong. There are many things that I wish I would have been told, but some things would have been more helpful than others. One thing that I would have told myself is that no matter how hard I tried, there is absolutely no way to avoid homesickness. There are just some things that are unavoidable, and that is not one of them. Another thing I wish I would have known before coming to college is that you get out of a class what you are willing to put into that class. Working hard and maintaining good study habits is the key to success. After listening to all of my older friends and hearing them complain about all of the reading and writing they had, and then completely disregarding all of their advice, I would definitely tell myself to listen to them. Finally, the most important thing that I would tell myself is that time management can make or break you. Good time management skills can help to cut back on stress and make college more enjoyable.

Kayla

If I could go back in time and give myself one piece of advice about college it would definitely be about study habits. Studying for high school material and studying for college material is vastly different. Many times in high school I could attend class, take notes and then pass a test without studying. This however would not happen in college. I have learned new and effective studying habits. One way that helps me is making note cards and flash cards. I would also suggest reading the book as a study tip. Many times in high school teachers didn't require textbook reading. In college if the professor says read chapters one and two, they usually end up quizing you over those chapters. And the one last piece of advice I would add is enjoy the rest of your senior year and don't be so anxious to get to college!

KyLeigh

While I have immensely enjoyed my experience at Ball State University, if I could impart one piece of wisdom upon ?high school senior KyLeigh?, I would greatly stress the difficulty of being an off campus-commuting freshman to a larger university. The majority of college freshman are residing in the university dormitories, and in doing so, have the ability to socialize with an entirely new group of people, outside of the normal classroom setting. Conversely, as a college freshman, I decided to put my social life on the back burner, in order to focus solely on my academic career. As a college junior, looking back on my university experience, I am extremely proud of my academic achievements, yet I fell somewhat unfulfilled with my social standing with the university. Therefore, if I could discuss my college experience with the high school senior form of myself, I would greatly stress the importance of actively joining in extracurricular activities and organizations, and not hide behind the security of living at home. I have found myself playing extracurricular ?catch-up? in my junior year, which is infinitely harder than becoming involved in social and academic organization as a college freshman.

Kailie

If I could go back and give myself any advice as high school senior there is a lot I would tell myself. The first thing I would tell myself is to enjoy the rest of my senior year. I would then tell myself that no matter what I do in college don't ever give up or think that I can't do something. I would tell myself that I am capable of anything and I have a goal that I will achieve. So, the most important thing that I would tell myself is that no matter how hard things get or how impossible the work seems to strive forward in everyway possible. The last thing that I would tell myself is to remember that I have several people waiting at home who love me and are cheering me on to reach the success that they know I am capable of. I would tell myself to take that encouragement and to use it to meet the highest level of success that I can possiby gain.