Central Michigan University Top Questions

College is so expensive! Growing up with a mother who was diagnosed with a mentally ill parent made preparing for college really tough! I would have wished that I found a way to get better access to a computer because the one my mom had was very out of date. I would have gottten a ride to the library or a friends house to use their computer. I would have gotten a job in high school and tried to save as much money as a I could so I would not have had to make out so many loans. I would have tried to attend a college closer to home so that I could have saved money and probably finished my degree. I am now choosing to go back to school and have been in school for awhile after I graduated from Sonoma State University. I think I would have done a little bit more research on Northern California colleges before trying to come up here. Being now 27 and trying to become a medical assistant has not been easy and I wish that I would have considered going to a community college soon after graduating from high school.

Study Hard. High school is easy compared to college. You really have to work for your grades don't take that for garanted. Also, it is super easy to get involved in college but don't get too involved join one or two things and focus on what you came here to do learn!

The greatest advice I could give myself is study, study, study. I did very poorly my first semester as a freshman because I assumed studying was unecessary because I hardly studied in high school but I learned the hard way how wrong I was.

In less than a year's time, the amount of knowledge and experience potentially gained is unfathomable. With the last thought I would have as a high school senior being whether or not there will be a party the first weekend, or maybe it was wondering if people in my hall would like me enough to hangout; perhaps it was an unresolved nerve that class would be brutal and force me to quit school all together and join the laborers of the world in a dark, hot, humid factory at 3 in the morning alongside a man named Vlad and a guy who turns out to be a girl and doesn't speak because of some assembly line accident that I wouldn't care to know the details of. Quite honestly there had been an untold amount of college fears running through my senior head; I couldn't pinpoint the last of them. It is this fact that I would advice myself to remember. Every qualm, no matter how detrimental the potential outcome, had been forgotten like the cursive I still haven't used in college. Surprisingly, we humans tend to worry much more than we should. Don't Worry.

I would tell myself to actually apply for scholarships. I didn't apply for many scholarships in high school because I didn't feel the effort was worth the money. I wasn't looking too far ahead in my future at the time. I now realise how important that money would have been to me. Instead of taking loans out and being in debt I would be able to save money in the long run and not have to worry as much about it.

I would tell myself to make friends in the first few weeks because they're the ones you clique with. You also need to get a job and work really hard at it to support yourself, and don't blow all your money on food. Take advantage of office hours and try your very hardest. It's a long road ahead of you, but you can do it if you really push yourself. Don't stress about it, it's just school.

Samantha, apply for more scholarships and grants. We both know that you have a lot on your plate, but scholarships are the most important thing at this point in time. You know you're smart enough to get some money to give your parents a break on paying for your college. You're the first person to go to college in your family and you can make that step up to getting a full ride if you really tried and put in an effort.

If I were able to go back to my high school self and give advice regarding college life and transitioning from living at home to being in college I would have to say that easing into it would be best. There will be a lot of new areas to have to get used to as well as some that will get easier from high school. One of these areas would be the class times; they are much more varied and are not as rigid as high school. However, there will still be some early classes but studying will be easier to manage because the class days are not as long as high school. In regards to personal matters of transitioning from high school to college I would have to say that having personal items is very important. Talking to family and friends that would not be able to be seen (and doing so frequently) can also help with any anxiety or home sickness that may happen. Even having a routine can help with the transition. Making new friends and going out and having fun is a very good way to keep a social life and help transition!

Yo entiendo que estaba bien informada de lo que era la vida universitaria, ya que en la escuela en la que estudié nos traían orientadores para saber más sobre la vida universitaria. Siempre tuve presente que la vida universitaria era diferente. Había que dedicarle más tiempo, toda la responsabilidad iba a ser mía, ya que iba a ser una jóven adulta preparandome para ser una profesional. Lo único que tal vez me hubiese gustado saber es que debía dedicarle más tiempo a mis estudios, no como antes que no tenía que estudiar tanto. Creo que más bien hubiera avisado a mis compañeros de clase y amigos que la vida universitaria era distinta y no como ellos creían, ya que pensaban que iba a ser tan fácil como la escuela. Entiendo que lo más importante es la responsabilidad.

To just work harder and don't worry so much about what other people think of you. The only person you need to make proud is yourself and with that confidence you can get through school and get a good job.

I would tell myslef not to worry about the things that are not going to matter tomorrow. In high school, you tend to get caught up in all this drama that isn't going to affect your life. I would also tell myslef to be more orgnaized. Being organized in college is a huge. It will help you out a lot.

I would tell myself to relax and be myself. Living away from home is not an easy transition for some people, and I was one of those unlucky few. I was so focused on trying to make friends and fit in, that I forgot who I was and who I wanted to be. Having friends is important, but if they don't accept you for who you are they're not worth being around. I would also tell myself to not be afraid to speak my mind more. Because it can be hard for people to get to know you if you never speak your mind.

Going back in time and seeing myself as a high school senior, from what I know from completeing one year. I would tell myself to remain focused on academics and whatever you need help with in class. Go to the tutors because sometimes you can't do everything by yourself. Youalso may be nervous about transitioning from high school to college but the transition is easy and you will make a lot of friends over the time you are there. The main focus you need is on your education because in order to be cable to stay in school. You need to keep on looking for scholarships as well as maintain the ones that you already have and lose them like I have. Remember what dad always says," Work before you play."

I would tell the Mission High School senior Amanda to be more disciplined with her school work. I had to learn the hard way in college, and now that my foucs is in fully disciplining myself to study and get my errands and work done. If not, then I usually end up falling behind. The college life is wonderful, yet with it comes hard work and one needs to be focused in order to complete the rest of the sememster. As far as the transitioning goes it was tough, juggling bills, projects, family, friends, and life. It's a bit overloading, but the end result is very rewarding because you can take a step back and look at yourself and see the accomplishments. You can see how your dreams are coming to life little by little. It starts with that one step, then that one choice, and then the leap of faith. Either you take the chance or not; how will you know unless you try. Knowing what I know now about college, discipline is the key to stay ahead. Do this and for sure you will be able to get great things done for yourself and for your life.

Push yourself to take harder classes. It will only help you to make it through college easier. Take atleast two years of Spanish, not just one, and take it the first year you get to college so it is fresh in your mind. College is very fast paced, and it is very time consuming. It will not be a walk in the park. Apply for freshman scholarships. Paying for school is very hard, and the loans do not cut it. I promise. Take all the writing prep courses possible in highschool also. It is very necessary to have good writing skils.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to prepare better for college. I would tell myself to learn to prioritze and organize better and set realistic goals for myself. Study harder and study material that isn't only covered in class or on study guides and to learn how to study properly for each class. Sometimes one technique doesn't work for all subjects. Take the initiative to study in further detail. I would also tell myself not to take too many difficult classes the first semester in college, but to take the first semester a little easier and learn what college life is all about. College isn't like high school. I would also tell myself that it is okay to ask for help and to get the help needed sooner rather than later. Sometimes later may be too late for that semester. Lastly, I would tell myself that although it is very very important to study and work hard it isn't necessary to stress out too much and it is also important to enjoy college life.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would say that college life is not like everyone says. It is not all parties, but a lot of work and effort. I would tell myself that the first week will be the hardest, but I will get through it and will love everything after that, including you. I would tell myself to get your work done and not put everything off until the last minute. Had I known this before, I would have gotten a lot more sleep. Lastly, and probably the biggest thing I would say is that people are going to come and go in your life. If someone wants out, let them go, and if they come back, it won't last long. I would tell myself that everything happens for a reason and holding onto things to stop them from changing will not be worth it. Let it go and move on, you will be a happier person in the end.

Learn how to manage free time wisely. In colege you get a lot of it and think you have so much time on your hands to do whatever you want, and dont ever end up getting what you nee to done. I wish I would have not become such a procrastinater.

Kaylie,

I would tell myself to go for it!! College will be tough but you are tougher so you will make. Don't wait it will be the best descision you will make. I f you don't you'll regret!! Having a career will allow you to have control of your future. It will be alot better for your children. It will give you the faith that you can do anything and become anyone. No controling husband, no prison, just a job you'll love, because you will be helping people. Exactly what you wanted to do., and always dreamed of doing. Stop the dreaming and make it a reality, the sooner the better.