Chapman University Top Questions

Despite the fact that I am only a freshman in college, I have already gained so much from my experiences here. Yes, I have learned an immeasurable amount in regards to everything academia related; however, I have also learned so much about life itself. Before attending college and living in a dorm room with someone I didn?t know, I had no idea how to deal with conflict resolution. College life has taught me how to not only confront a problem that I have with someone, but also how to talk through it without ending things on bad terms with said person. I find this to be an incredibly important life lesson, as it will help me not only in my social life, but also my professional work life after I graduate. In addition to this important skill, I have also learned how to cope with my emotions. College classes and such may produce a lot of stress, but being subjected to such stress has enabled me to personally learn how to deal with it and any negative emotions it may create. Overall, college has taught me so much about life, and I ameternally grateful for this.

College is really fun. I am learning a lot, i have met new friends and i really enjoy my classes. When i was in high school everyone told me that college sucks,its boring, and its really hard. Well they were right about one out of the three. College is hard, but its school so everyone has to get used to it. I like to be challanged; and i like doing work. If classes weren't hard they would be boring. College doesn't suck! I have met a lot of people there, and the teachers are pretty nice too. If i could go back to high school and talk to myself i would probably tell myself to ignore all those people that say college sucks.

By attending college, my eagerness to learn has been reignited. High school was a chore, but college is something I look forward to. It allows me to take classes that I find interesting and make me want to wake up in the morning.

Every experience from high school to college is different. There seems to be a generality that college is about finding yourself, and that if you don't experience a drastic change within the first few months of college, you aren't branching out enough. If there is one thing I could go back and tell myself, it would be that it's OK to stick to your comfort zone. At a certain point, it'll be your turn to try something new and branch out; don't force the change, because it will only result in unnecessary stress. You WILL find yourself in college; but it's a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and get comfortable with your surroundings before forcing any changes in lifestyle.

Every winter salmon face the difficult task of swimming upstream. High school graduates endure the vast change of college. What do these creatures have in common? Instincts. Their difference is that salmon thrive off their instincts and students neglect all they have learned to fit into their ?new tribe?. In high school I found the sins of college barbaric. Sex, drugs, and alcohol were poison! Living on campus I gradually became desensitized. I had agreed to drink alcohol. Some false fire fueled by my new ?friends? to see me drunk for the first time got me to participate. What happened? Before we began we were caught and I was facing a jury. Luckily, I trusted my intuition and got released with a warning. Animals in the wild survive off their instincts. Because of the unique environment of college, students tend to drop their sensitivity to fit in the norm. If I could revisit myself in high school I would urge myself to trust my heart and disregard activities outside of my comfort zone. There is a reason that slight feeling of anxiety grumbles through my throat. I need to fight the current and stick to my journey upstream!

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I would give myself is this: Once you start your college life, it'll be different from high school - harder, more challenging. Don't let that dissuade you. You have the smarts and strength to get through it. Use the resources offered to stay on track. Most importantly, talk about your feelings. No matter what, your family and friends will support you and your decisions. Take time and really think about what you want - not what you think everyone else wants you to do. Choose the path that interests you - not what you think people want to hear. Choose the school that best suits you and your goals - not where you think people expect you to attend. Be happy with what you're doing and where. If not, you'll quit and tell yourself it's just a break. But that break will turn into years of putting it off. And when you finally decide to do it, you'll find yourself looking back thinking, "Oh if only I knew then what I know now..."

College is not only about learning, it's about discovering yourself, your learning style, etc. With that in mind, I would first submit my fafsa in on time, and follow the giudelines. Try to get the most money you can in advance, but not with a loan. Interest is killer. Second, I would not sweat the small things. So what if your roommates a pig? She's a great person anyway, so look past that. Be the best person you can be, and let stuff go. Third, stay out of debt. Don't borrow more than you have, and try not to borrow at all. Fourth, no one is there to make you go to class. If you fail, it's your own fault. So pay attention, anf get the help you need to in order to do your best. And finally, be integritous. Have enough courage to do the right thing, no matter who's watching, or who isn't. Even yourself. Don't look back on college ashamed to tell your future kids what exploits you did at 3.am. College is what you make it. It can be great, or it can leave scars. You choose.

I have been a student for most of my life. I have two associate degrees and one bachelors degree plus certificates in business and medical office procedures. I am now enrolled in MTI College for paralegal studies and I love it. I have a differnt situation than most people applying for this scholarship in that I had lost my job as an office manager in a doctor's practice and as a result I lost my home. I am in the process of starting over and retooling for a new career and regain what I lost. My advice to myself if I could go back in time would be to keep in mind that I might have several careers in a life time and that to think that I will just have one job for the rest of my life is wrong. The key now is to be a perpetual student always learning new things andto be more marketable for the future. This is a lesson I am teaching my children who are now in high school and college so they make good choices for their futures.

I would tell myself to prioritize better and make a schedule that I am able to keep. Make sure that I keep up with all of my stuff and be more organized. Make time and deadlines an important aspect of my life. I would make sure that I have a study partner established early on in the semester.

Don't focus on the small things. I know that you are used to being number one in the class and having a frisbee team to rely on, but don't be afraid to step outside of that box. It's scary walking away from what you know, and going to try and live your life, being you, but you will always have your family cheering you on. Don't be scared to ask for help. Everyone wants to see you succeed, and you aren't the only one struggling to find your footing. The people at the tutoring center are kind, you will make friends, and the only thing you have to worry about is working on those study habits. I know it will be long and tedious, but you are going to learn a lot. Don't be afraid to chase your dreams and try something new, or difficult. You are going to shine amongst your friends like always. Take a deep breath, have fun, and you will find a place to call home again soon. Best of luck.