Capital University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Capital University know before they start?

Deja

I understand this is confusing and you may not believe it but I am your future self so you need to stop day dreaming and pay attentionand. Do not fear I am real and no I am not changing the futute for the worse by coming back and talking to you. But back to the main reason I'm here, you need to know these three facts, and if you listen and change these facts it will be for the better. First, you need to put more time into looking for scholarships and grants, I know you believe you are, but it is not enough you need to put your back into it. Second, college textbooks are really expensive, all those teachers really were not just saying that to scare us (Not funny face really get on that). Third, do not be afaird to leave home and step forward, life is moving forward and you do not want to be left behind. You will meet some very fun and uniqe people along the way so do not worry O.K. Oh, P.S. some crazy friends will show up but its to be expected, we're fun to be around.

Katie

Be open to new experiences. Enjoy every minute that you have been given. Learn to budget and save money to cover the costs of tuition and textbooks as well as living costs.

Hunter

As a freshman in college, I certainly don't know all there is to know about the functions of college, but I have learned a great deal in my time here. The first thing I would tell my high school self would be to invest more time in understanding how campus life works. As the oldest of three brothers I went into my first semester of college not knowing much of how my everyday life would soon be. Knowing this would've not only relieved stress, but allowed me to have more control over rooming, meal plans, arrival times, and perhaps even scheduling as well. Secondly, I would tell myself to try harder to earn scholarships and to apply for monetary opportunities with greater haste. The cost of college didn't set in for me until last semester and coming from a middle class family, we are stuck in a strange monetary situation. We don't have the funds to pay for every dollar of the hefty tuition, but we do have enough money to unfortunately evade some degree of financial aid. Being more aggressive with my scholarship search would have been a great help to me and my family.

Abbey

If I were to go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would say to keep your head up and enjoy your experience. High school sucked and you will look back on it and say that you are glad to be out of there and away from all the people that caused emotional harm to you. College is great. You will meet a ton of people and almost all of them will end up being in your life until you or they die. There are a lot of things I wish I would have done in high school or would love to change, but I know I can't. I don't regret anything that happened in high school. All of those experiences have made me who I am and will help me in my future career. It will get tough, especially sophomore year when you get diagnosised with depression, but you can make it through. You have a huge support group behind you that will help forever and always. So my advice is to simply enjoy college and keep your head up.

Theresa

If there was ever a way I could go back to my senior self the first thing I would say would be to not fight my parents so hard. No matter how hard of a fight you put up they will force you to go to the school they want for a year. But it will be ok. The next words of advice I would give would be to keep calm. The anxiety over AP calculus and AP physics is not worth it, but if you do the work, it will be a lot easier to understand and keep up. The final advice I would give myself would be to live up life as a senior. Senior year was my year to prove everyone wrong. To become someone I might never be again. To feel strong and in control of my own life, even for a couple months, even when everyone’s making my decisions for me behind my back. That year was the year I gained everything I needed. I would not revile anything about college life – good or bad. It is the unknown that may be scary. But it can also be the biggest thrill to live by.

Nik

Hey, Nik. So, Capital University, huh? I think it was one of the best choices you have made in your lifetime. I know you're nervous and probably intimidated by this new chapter in your life, but it will be okay. New people and new experiences causes anxiety, but be open to it all; let yourself float along the river of life on the fork you chose and take it all in. Go out and enjoy yourself; try new things and talk to new people. They will change your life and your outlook on life. Be wary of your studies. Be determined and go for 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, even when its easier to do the bare minimum. The harder you work now, in college, will pay off in the long run. The habits you create now will be there after graduation, so get into the habit of giving it your all, whether that be in writing, putting your nose to the grindstone, or even socializing. The connections you make now can come in handy later on when looking for a job; at the very least you can aquire the proper social skills needed when applying. With this, good luck; follow your heart.

Elizabeth

Advice I would give to myself if I were talking to my old self in high school is to spend less time worrying about dating and making old relationships from high school work. I would tell myself that as you get older and hit college it really is a different state of life. People will come and people will go, but those that are meant to stay will and it's not worth the time or emotional drain of trying to keep those in your life that won't. When you hit college you have to focus on building your future, and if things from the past can't fit in, even after trying, you have to learn to let things go and move on.

Maryann

Dear Past Self, I know you are nervous about starting college, and understandably so. To make the transition a little easier, I have a few tips for you. 1) Talk to people you don't know. You're going to have to make friends somehow, and people aren't always going to approach you, so if someone looks cool, approach them. Making friends is hard, but super rewarding. 2) You picked the wrong major. Follow your true passion instead of sticking to something that you think is "right" but doesn't at all feel right. 3) School work comes before social media. 4) Get used to cleaning so that your dorm room doesn't become such a mess. 5) Me-time is important, but so is friend-time. Make it a point to socialize more than just once or twice a week. 6) Professors can be your friends. No really, it's allowed. 7) Don't abandon your faith. Sometimes God is all you have. 8) You should call home more often. Well, that's about it. The rest I'll let you figure out on your own. You'll be just fine, I promise. Love, me.

Bobbi

Entering college I thought I projected a sucessful image of myself and had my life strategically planned. When questioned about my major or career path I would answer, "Political science degree and continue on to law school, I am going to be a lawyer." It sounded impressive and ambitious, which was what I was going for, but looking back I was scared stiff. To my former self I would say "Follow your heart and know that this is something you do not truely want for yourself. Don't limit yourself to what appears to be the major or career choice that others find dignified or befitting." My heart and true calling is to help others in some way, to give back to my community that increases their chances of having a better life, a life that I was blessed with. What better way than to be a teacher, something I know I am gifted at doing and have excelled previously. I would tell myself, "Start with what you are good at, my patience and compassion for others, and use teaching as your vessel to expand your dreams of positively impacting your community."

Abbey

If I went back in time and gave my high school senior self advice, I would tell me to stop procrastinating and be open! I put off getting stuff for college for so long that I ended up having to buy a ton of stuff at once. I was also having scheduling issues that took forever to correct. I am also not a very outgoing person when I first meet someone new, so I would also tell myself to be open and ready to meet some pretty amazing friends. College is an experience you want to take advantage and enjoy every single minute of it. You never know what will happen while your in college. You just have to be open and ready for what is to come and be happy to be able to finally experience college and getting used to being away from home.

Lynnlee

I would tell myself to not rush into it all at once or to cram my classes together and listen to people because I don't know everything like I think I do.

Amy

I wish I would have listened more to those who had my best interest at hand. Although I received decent grades in high school, I could have done a lot better with the right focus and determination. I knew I wanted to go to college and grades were connected to this goal, but I didn't consider all the other skills that could have been gained and developed in high school. I wish I would have been more involved in community service and extracurricular activities. I should have volunteered more and sought information about scholarships as a high school student.

Shannon

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to do as much as possible while still in high school. I would tell myself to go to more school functions and to enjoy hanging out with friends that I knew I wasn't going to get to see for long periods of time. I would also tell myself that I was going to meet a lot of new really cool people, yet I would still keep the relationships with my old friends and that those relationships would become even more important than they were in high school. I would even say that though college is a lot of fun, the work can become a little overwhelming and the best thing to do is to sometimes take a deep breath and tell myself that it will all be worth it in the end.

giddian

If it was possible for me to go back and talk to my high school self I would have to tell myself to not worry so much about what others think about you. That was a major issue for me in high school and now that I have graduated, I realize that you are not defined by other people's opinions of you. I know that many high school students do certain things and act certain ways because they believe that is what will make them "popular" or maintain their reputation. Once I started college, I realized that you uniqueness and differences are what make you special and bring people together. I now feel that I truly have the freedom to be myself now that I am in college and I have made friends that relate to the real me. I would tell my high school self that it is important to maintain your individuality and sense of uniqueness because popularity is not as important in college.

Logan

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there is a lot of things I would want to say. I would talk about how college is a lot more work than high school, and its not just something you can breeze through. I would work on being less of a procrastinator. Keeping up with school work is really important, and when you get behind its really hard to get caught back up. Sign up for as many scholarships as you can, because you're going to need the money! And last but not least, make sure to get involved with things on campus. The people you meet here will be life-long friends and you should be as outgoing as you possibly can be!

Christina

If I went back to high school with the knowledge I have from college I would tell myself to study, study, study so I could improve of all my tests and assignments and get the degree that I want.

Crystal

DON'T GET DISTRACTED! My whole senior year I was surrounded by peers who were thinking with the end in mind. Having that mind set is NOT bad. However, when you have one more year left of a place where you don't get to go back and do it again, I would not slack in the least! Turn in everything, even if you could only get part of it done. And stay positive and know that the senior stress will wear off everntually.

Lauren

Be fearless. As a senior in high school, you are too afraid to lose everything that you have built up--friends, reputation, achievements, boyfriends, etc. You think you are secure. However, stepping foot on campus begins a whole new life journey with a whole set of new circumstances. Learn that it's okay to stretch yourself by taking risks and being uncomfortable. Realize that it's okay to begin anew and write your story; and that nothing from your past has to define your future. This is where you grow. This is where your new security comes from. This is where you find your niche. There are so many possibilities when you just let go and trust God. Life is so much bigger than what you think.

Adrian

If I could go back now and talk to myself as a high school senior my biggest thing I would tell myself is to enjoy it while it lasts and to stay true to myself. I would tell myself to enjoy the people around me because some of them I will probably never see again. I would say leave with no regrets tell your friends, teachers, and family how much they really mean to you. I would say pay attention in class and start good study habits early, because it really pays off when you get to college. I would tell myself to stay true to my morals and values. Don't give in to peer pressure, because I have seen way too many people change within their first week of college just by the friends they make and the decisions they make. I would tell myself the harder you work the more it pays off. Lastly, I would tell myself keep up the good work because it has put me in a great position to have a bright future.

Kurt

Wake up stupid!!! College is a very inportant part of life and one never stops learning. Hard work and integrity is not enough. You also need to manage your time, energy, and resources to gain o foothold in the world. Stop playing around and make time for the important things in life like Family, study, and knowledge. College life is only what you put into it. Classes are only hard if you do not pay attention to what is required of you. No one is going to look over your shoulder and make sure your work is done, you are expected to do it and make the time to follow through.