Chicago State University Top Questions

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

grace

I would advise myself to look for every scholarship I could starting senoir year of high school so I wouldn't have to depend on financial aid and be forced to go to Chicago State University!

Jocelyn

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the first thing I would tell myself would be to take school serious and always perform well. I attended a college enrichment program (Upward Bound TRIO) and senior year they offered senior students the opportunity to receive college credits by attending college level courses during the summer break. I declined because I didn’t have mentor guidance and I didn’t know the importance of higher education at the time. I would also tell myself that just getting by was not good enough, in the previous years I never pushed myself too hard because I didn’t know that I could handle it. Only if I knew then the things that I know now I would be in a better situation than I am in now. The most important thing now is that I have learned and I am taking the steps of improvement.

Amina

Everyone in college is very nice and very understanding even though the teacers in high school tell you that professors in college don't care about you. They understand that their students have lives and things happen. In high school you should take a couple advance placement classes because they really do help for college classes and help you know how college classes will be. Take advantage of how easy high school is because college is much more of a challenge. But in a good way!

Shelisa

If I could go back in time and mentor myself I would definitely start by saying stay focused. Assume that every moment of your life is just as important as any. Don't tke any courses for granted. Make sure you give one hundred percent in everything you do. Listening is very critical because no matter how much you think you know its always someone else that can teach you more. Remember that high school are the years to prepare you for your future years in college. The destiny of your adult years starts right here in high school. The grades you receive in high school determines what college you attend. Making wise choices makes prosperous futures. Don't be a follower become a leader. You have your adult years to party and have fun. Use your energy for positive activities and not those that can hender you from making responsible choices that can effect your future. Make your transition into college as easy as possible. Believing in yourself and kinowing you can do and be anything you want with will power and determination. This is the advice I will give to myself.

Emily

If I were given the chance to go back in time and talk to my former, high school self, I would have a lot of things to tell myself. I would insist that I stick to my gut when it comes to what I want to study in college. Listen to your heart and don't look for a degree where you think you will make the most money. You will only find yourself back where you started! Also, balance your time between school, friends, family and work. The only way to be happy and successful is to make sure you are not over doing one thing or the other, a balance can be found. The one last and most important thing I would relay to myself is to never give up. Even though you may switch degrees and feel like you will never be done with school, you will! Staying focused and continuing my education has been the best thing I have done for myself and maybe if I hadn't strayed at first I would have finished a little sooner. I am still thankful that I have never given up and am always working towards my goal.

Ashley

Whoah, if I could talk to myself now as a high school senior, my life would be completely different. I would first tell myself to apply to all prospective colleges, not just one. I would also tell myself to apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible. Look into in state schools, as tuition is way cheaper in state. I would make sure i went to college right after high school and stayed focus and completed school without dropping out. I learened a lot of things too late which is why I am a 22 year old college freshman. Although thats ok too, it would have been nice to have graduated in May of 2012 instead of in the future May of 2016. With that being said if I could talk to myself as a high school senior today, it would be a totally completely different ball field.

Ayanna

If I could go back and talk to myself about the college transition I would tell myself to work harder and take advantage of all the programs that are available. I would tell myself to take classes that will prepare me for college instead of taking easy classes to just get through high school. I would tell myself to push past my high school drama. I would tell myself that high school is a big deal and what you do now will follow you for years to come. I would tell myself that you are going to go to college because you need to and that college is not an option. I would tell myself that friends and parties will be there forever its important to get what you need while you can. I would tell myself you are smarter than you think you are, you are stronger than you think you are and you can become anything you want.

Mitchell

Mitch in the 5 years its been since you have graduated high school, you have been to 4 separate schools, taken on 5 different majors, and made an immeasurable amount of mistakes. While I think most people would look at that record and tell you to take college more seriously, I on the other hand am going to tell you differently. I don’t want you to avoid those mistakes, because the iron will that I have now was forged in the fire of experience. But if there is one thing I will tell you, above all, do what you want to do. I have spent these last 5 years taking the longest route possible to graduate, only to realize I have been doing things for other people, rather than myself. I have known what I wanted to do this entire time, but avoiding it because of an image that I have been given by family, friends, and society at large. I am not telling you to blindly follow your heart; romanticism only looks good in the movies. I am telling you to follow your head. You are smarter than you realize. Now is the time to prove it.

Yasmin

Assuming i had a chance to go back in time being a high school senior again. The advice i would give myself will defintely be prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Examples: mentally, I would of told myself get ready for late nights and early mornings. Emotionally, I would have told myself you will become extremely stressed and mostly all the time. Physically, I would have told myself you probally won't have any money so get prepared not to eat as much as you use to.

JENNIFER

Carefully weigh options for at least 2-3 colleges. Keep it in perspective and look around for non-academic activities that you enjoy doing that you can do while at college, such as bowling, cycling, or any other physical activity. Keep a calendar and write everything down. Refer back to it regularly. Be disciplined and stay on task. Do all that you can in advance and don't miss a deadline. Develop and maintain a schedule. College is not an entitlement. It is a prvilege. Be careful about going in to debt. If you have to start out going only part-time to not go into debt, then that is the choice you should make. It is OK to go part-time and enjoy life while you are young. Above any other advice I can give, take your time and make excellent grades. Learn from what you are taking.

Takiesha

I would tell myself to focus on my school work and not all the parties that are going on. Going to all the clubs and parties would not get you the best career.

Michelle

Stay focused. Socializing is fun, but stay more focused on academics and your life's goals. Do your best, by applying yourself even more than ever before. Go into your Freshman year of college with confidence and a great expectancy.

Vivian

The definition of what love is. It has been valuable to attend because Love is a necessary requirement throughout all of the educational programs in college . It is an eternal emotion. It will enable me to push towards perfection in all of the things that are done and said. What is Love? Love is repeetitive, relentless perfection. It never stops, it never fails. Love is blind and unconditional, giving forever, whatever, whomever, whenever, however, wherever. Love does not hate destroy, reject, or deny! Love does not hurt because pleasure is her sister. Love is thesustaining force that moves all through-out the universe. Listen to her she will satisfy.

brian

I have realized that quality can be found in any educational venue. It just depends on what you wish to get out of the situation. I wish for success, desire to succeed and strive for excellence. As long as there is a book to read, I will learn regardless to the facility or the neighboring students. Drive and determination is all that is necessary in order to succeed.

Atina

College has taught me independence, responsibility and focus. Living on my own and having to do everything fo myself has helped me to grow and become an adult. In highschool there were parents and teachers who pushed, motivated, and even forced you to do well in school. However, college is the complete opposite. I have learned responsibility for my actions, education, and future. Finally, I have learned to focus. College has many distractions that could hender one's education. Being put into a situation such as college, I value attending because I have gained independence, responsibility and focus.

Dania

Looking back at when I was a high school senior I realize what a completely different person I've become. I would have told myself to take school seriously and work as hard as possible in high school because that's when you have little to no financial responsibilities, allowing you time to focus and appreciate your education. I often wish I could go back in time and force myself to listen, but I know that today I have learned to have that appreciation for my education and couldn't imagine spending my time any other way right now.

jazmyne

If I could go back in time what advice would I give myself. I would tell myself that I would need to focus on time mangment. Time management in college is a must. I will need to make time schedules for nearly everything I do in school. I will need time to study, time for practice, time for lunch in between classes and time to focus on my success. Being able to manage your time in college will help prevent many problems. This will prevent procrastination, craming and being tardy to any classes. Stress is another issue I would make myself aware of. Stress can be the down fall of someones's success. I would need to just take tasks as they come to me and not overload myself. To make sure nothing gets in the way of my success above it all I will need to have motivation. I will need to know things are not handed to you and the work you put in is what you will recieve.

Tyyana

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself to not slack off even for a minute. I would tell myself that every minute is of the essence and to not procrastinate when it comes to work. There might be more freedom, but with more freedom comes more responsibility. I would tell myself to never second guess myself when it comes to my career aspirations. The most important thing I would have told myself is to keep my mind on my education and not on the gossip or the boys around the school.

Darchelle

If I could go back and tell myself about college I would say study more. Pay attention in math and try to remember as much as you can. I would also say try applying for scholarships early because college cost a lot of money and it is trying to pay for school. I would tell myself that nothing is too impossible to acheive. I always held back in high school I would really tell myself to push through every assignment and make sure I am doing my work to the best of my ability.

Makeba

If I could go back in time and tell my high-school-senior-self one thing, it would be to never let money deter you from choosing the school that best matches your interests and needs. Yes, financial aid is need based, but there are many ways to pay for school aside from the package that a college gives you. So, never settle because you deserve the best. Also, there is nothing wrong with transfering schools. If a school does not stimulate you intellectaully and/or socially then you need to leave. I guess the main theme here is to never settle mediocrity; aim for the best and then do your best.