Central Connecticut State University Top Questions

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

Lissette

The advice i would give myself is too do more scholarships, and get a second job because college really breaks your bank. Also i would tell myself when i get too college to try and make friends, and that be pre-paired for more work and studying. I would tell myself not to focus on pointless things like playing pool with friends that only lasted a semester and focus on your school work. The last thing i would tell myself is not to stress but try my best because college is different, and don't stress if you don't get the classes you wanted right away because it happens.

Precious

You have presumably seventeen years to figure out what you want to study for four to eight years in college. But when you're seventeen or eighteen you may not know exactly what. College offers more than just courses. It offers networking opportunities, many chances to explore different career ideas, and a chance to grow as a person in a community. No single day should be wasted because taking advantage of the three concepts offered, could help you discover who you are, want to be and who you will be. Take note of every opportunity and know there are more awaiting in and after college. There will be good times and bad times, but utilize every challenge as a growing opportunity. Ask questions, explore, evaluate, analyze and discover for yourself. Every and any moment in college can affect your future, so stay focused, work hard, enjoy the journey and take the time to develop your current skills and develop new skills. Step out of your usual paradigm and try new things offered by the college because in the "real world" everything connects and there will be a use for nearly everything you learn, so learn well and stay optimistic always.

Morgan

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school, I sure would have a lot to say. First of all, do not limit yourself and your dreams based on finances, distance, or whatever it may be. The sky is literally the limit. Apply for as many scholarships as humanly possible because any assistance at all is great. Keep your GPA in mind, but don't over stress about every little pop quiz because the pressure can make you collapse faster than you think. Being a commuter student obviously sacrifices some a part of the typical college experience, but don't fret, just do what you have to do. Keep your job at a manageable level. The last thing you need is to be working so much that your studies fall behind. After all, you're paying for it. Be a well rounded person; enjoy the campus, branch out and make new friends, get involved in student activities, and keep your focus in mind. Life will throw you quite some curveballs in the coming months, but just keep going and don't give up no matter what anyone says. Believe in yourself, please!

Amanda

I would tell myself that I shouldn't worry on the transitition so much, I coped really well. But I would also suggest not listening to my parents and going to school for athletics, you end up being very unhappy and wanting to transfer to a more major specific school where you're looked at as a student and not a dumb jock (even though you're a very intellegent student). And your "team mates" enjoy taking advantage of you being nice, so you better grow a think shell and learn how to stand up for yourself.

Kelly

When I was a high school senior, I really didn't have a firm grasp on the financial, emotional, and academic responsibilities that go along with college. I was concerned with my image. In order to have a good standing in society, I felt I needed to go to an out of state college with a good reputation. I chose to go to Ithaca College in Ithaca New York so that my twin sister and I would be together. But after three weeks of living in the middle of nowhere upstate New York, I dropped out. The entire college experience had completely overwhelmed me. In all the preparation for college no one warned me what a huge life-altering adjustment it would be. I discovered that I didn't like living in a dorm, that no one was friendly, that I had chosen a major I didn't even like. If I went back in time and told my high school self I would be living at home and commuting to CCSU my old self wouldn't have believed it, but it was the best decision I ever made. It taught me how to depend on myself.

Temeyra

Senior year can easily be the most stressful time of your life - the time where everything you do can affect your future. Going back in time would give me the opportunity to better prepare myself, to save stressful moments and agonizing waits. The first thing that I would tell myself would be to look at how much each college costs. Tuition plays a huge role on what college one can go to. For instance, the college of my dreams may end up being too expensive for me to even have considered. Keep your options realistic rather than wasting time on schools you may never be able to attend. Another advice would be to take care of FASFA and scholarships ahead of time. Do not get lazy when it comes to writing essays because they can be very beneficial in the long run. It is also very helpful for students to take advantage of summer programs offered by your chosen university. Lastly I would say to take advantage of the tours given around different campuses and ask as many questions as possible. Actually viewing the college before even applying can help make your decision a lot easier.

Geoffrey

During my high school career I always talked about college and how I couldn't wait to go. I always pictured it in my head what it would be like, whom I would meet, how the parties would be. Now here I am in college and it is everything I thought it would be, but in a different way. I laugh and think back . . . at how I thought in high school about college, and I ask myself if I could give advice to my high school self, what would it be? I am keenly aware of how the typical person would answer this question; they would say "they wish they would have done better." But I would tell myself otherwise: I would say "learn how to appreciate education more; trust me, 'this future' self knows." Being in college now I find myself immersed in what i didn't take the time to appreciate then, which is: education. I have learned that a good education can give you a successful future. This would be the advice I would give my high school self.

Alyssa

As one of many students pushing through college financially without the help of my parents, it has really opened my eyes to the many trials and tribulations that fellow college students may go through that is never really mentioned when going through the initial processes of selecting the right college and developing a college plan for yourself. The first thing I would tell my high school senior self is go to community college first. I struggled to afford attending a 4-year university by myself in which I was unable to apply for any private loans. I got into CCSU's nursing program but ended up having to transfer to my local community college because that was the best way that I could afford to go school without stressing myself out so much financially that my grades would drop. My suggestion would be to earn my associate's in nursing first at a school that I can afford at the time. Once I settled into my career as a registered nurse, I would continue my schooling for advanced practice nursing. At that point in my life, I would be able to budget and afford my continued education.

Shannon

I would tell myself as a high school senior to have more perseverance, to never stop moving forward. Never let go of your dreams. Life gets hard, you have to continue to push forward, good days and bad days. Nothing will be easy. Nothing will be handed to you. As an adult you have to continue to fight for what you want. You are the only one on the planet who is capable of giving yourself the things you desire. Not a single person on Earth is going to make you happy. Happiness is something you are forced to bring upon yourself. One muse preserve through the horrible rock bottom times. If you are at the bottom the only way left is back up. You have to force yourself to climb upwards, even when you’re scared and all alone. It takes a lot of personal strength and courage to face the ugly world, but you must do it for yourself. If not, you will go nowhere and only receive unhappiness. Chase your dreams. Force yourself to take the long hard road, it will be worth it in the end, even if you can’t see it now.

Kristin

I would have spent more time connentrating on my school work in High School.

Diana

Diana, I am your future self twelve years from now who is here to advise you on your unhealthy environment which is affecting your judgment of character. I understand the circumstances surrounding the people in your life who are supposed to care about you. I know it is tough being part of an abusive family that includes, an under employed father, an envious brother who is a high school dropout and an unemployed and alcoholic mother who is a hoarder. It is even worse to have an abusive boyfriend. I know they are trying to brain-wash you into thinking that “family is the most important thing in life” but ironically they do not have your best in mind. In order to seek self-preservation, you must make some tough decisions. First, you need to put Diamond up for adoption. I know you love her but this is not the ideal time to care for a dog. Second, you need to dump “your so-called boyfriend” Mike. It is obvious he is a gold-digger meaning he does not sincerely love you. Thirdly, you need to consider being Robert’s roommate because it will be your step toward your independence.

Rey

I would tell myself everything is going to be fine. As i senior I was scared of the progression of life and intimidated by the thought of "growing up" or having to tend to adult responsibilities, so college definately had somewhat of a ominous presence at that time. This is a terrorfying thing for someone who didn't know what to expect moving on from a carefree life where the scariest thing would be getting an F on a assignment. I would inform myself on the atmosphere at college and that nothing really changes except for the level of Self Responsibility, Which is somewhat of a liberating thing to experience. Now I can't wait to keep exerpiencing this Change and so all i have to say to my senior self would be......Change Is Good!

Richard

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I would give myself is to make plans on going to Capital Community College to achieve my Associates degree and Central Connecticut State University to achieve my Bachelors degree instead of working for seven years at minimum wage jobs that never lasted very long and then decide to start going for my Associates while holding a minimum wage job.

Nikki

Go and follow your dreams. Don't let anyone deter you from what you love to do. Don't settle for less than what you want and need!

Pawel

The advice I would give myself is to be able to speak more and engage in class discussions. You see I am a very shy individual and I have a speaking phobia that has made my life a living nightmare. I have so much on my mind that I would like to share, but I just can't do it in class. In college professors expect you to engage in conversations and class discussions. However, many students like myself are shy and have a hard time doing this. Ive been attending college already for four years and the most I ever did was probably raise my hand 6 times or so to speak in class. I wish I can go back in time and change this and enter college life being more social and participating more in my classes. I feel like I sort of wasted my time and I never spoke out and i really would love to. Some classes that I wanted to take required class participation and because I have a phobia of public speaking I have avoided those class and i wish I haven't done that. I wish I could go back and speak more.

Victoria

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would to become more prepared for the road ahead of you. In high school I didn't manage my time well, my work load wasn't heavy and I wasn't too much of a team player. I would let myself know what college is like, how much you need to learn and how much more is expected of you. Since I went to a technical high school, I didn't expect to go to college, then senior year I made the rash decision to go to college, but I didn't prepare myself. I would let myself know that I should do more sports, mature a little more and learn to manage my time.

tawny

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now I would have alot to say. I would tell myself that I need to work harder and appriciate the free education while it lasts. I would tell myself to not stress on the small social things in life and be carrer focused. I would advise that i save my money and get my license sooner rather than later. Most importantly i would tell myself to toughen up and try to understand all the hard work will be worth it down the road.

Colleen

The best advice I would give myself would be to get involved in more extra-curricular activities, clubs, and organizations. As a freshman, I did not feel the need to go out of my way to make friends or get involved in anything after classes because I had a group of friends from high school that went to C.C.S.U. with me. I had fun watching movies or playing sports with these friends, but I never broke out of my shell and met new people that I could potentially be good friends with today. Aside from meeting new people, I wish I participated in numerous clubs and organizations run by students at C.C.S.U. just in order to get out more and learn different things that may have sparked my interest. As a senior, I look back at my college years and I can admit I enjoyed my time, but my biggest wish was that I was more social and took more advantage of what my campus has to offer.

Luis

If I can go back in time knowing what I know now I would push myself even more and set personal life goals knowing how precious time is. I now appreciate the importance of being young with no serious responsibilities. In addition, going back in time and knowing what I know now I would not take for granted my youth. I would invest in it to suite my college career responsibly and in return I would finish with a better future for me, my family, and my community and at the same time finish with many dreams coming true.

Anhor

While I was a high school student, I was aware that college would not be an easy experience. The transition from high school to college is difficult due to the responsibilities and the amount of work that college requires. College is a difficult stage during any person’s life, especially for someone who is planning to continue his or her education. If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, I would advise myself to keep fighting for my future no matter how difficult my education is going to get. Also, I would join some organization such as the soccer team and the basketball team in order to become more socialized. The degree that I am going to get after four years of college will be a tool that I will use to create a good future. It is time to start working on my dream of a successful career in computer science. I have been given a tremendous opportunity in the United States to achieve my dreams. It is time to work on the dreams of my future.