Clarion University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

What should every freshman at Clarion University of Pennsylvania know before they start?

Katherine

If I could go back in time and talk to myself regarding my future college plans I would have one major piece of advice. Work to obtain a high SAT score. I would tell myself to put as much thought into these tests as possible and perhaps to even take some special outside prep classes to prepare. The reason for this is I was apparently given some bad advice by my guidance counselors that SAT scores did not really make all that much difference when applying to a college. I was an average student in high school, but always had trouble taking these types of standardized tests. Therefore, I did not do well. In fact, I ended up taking my SAT?s several times in order to be accepted into college. I would tell myself to go on line as much as possible and take the sample and practice tests. Instead of being so busy each night in dance (ballet and tap) I would advise myself to take less dance classes and put more time into preparing for the SAT?s. Especially in my junior year when I was taking the SAT's.

Samantha

I would plan out my courses in a more organized manner so that I would be able to take the classes that interest me the most and be ale to graduate on time without worrying about fitting in the last few classes or requirements. Clarion has weird schedules for some classes that are only offered every two years, or only during a certain semester and if I would have known this information before then I would have been much more pleased with my class schedules. If I went back in time, I may even decide to attend a different school. I may have been more successful at another school and received the training and experience that I would have liked to have obtained here. I honestly can't say because I don't know how the other schools measure up to the current school that I am attending.

Hannah

Be careful when picking your school to make sure that it's not too far but not too close at the same time.

Jessica

The first week of college was one of the worst weeks of my life. I was in a new place, away from home, with a bunch of unfamiliar faces. I was lonely, uncomfortable, and just needed a friend. If I would have gotten to know people in my area going to Clarion University or my roommates beforehand, things would have went a lot more smoothly. I would have had someone to talk to and be around to distract me from my sorrow of being away from home. I would have enjoyed the week here much more than I did. Therefore, if I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to meet people attending Clarion University and my roommates before the college experience began.

Alyssa

Looking back on myself as a high school senior, I would have done things completely different. Now knowing what it takes to be a college student, I would tell my ?senior-self? that I will need to be more prepared. College is a good sum of work. The fact that you would only be taking about 5 classes 2 to 3 times a week does sound easy, but in all reality it is a little more difficult. I would tell myself that I should have started saving my money and work harder. Plus looking for scholarship and grants is a great idea. When I was a senior, all I could think about was graduating from my high school and leaving my hometown. In actuality, I should have been thinking more of the responsibilities I had ahead of me as an adult. College is a great experience and I would not change the choices I had made throughout my senior year of high school, because I learned from them. I have learned from my experiences and it has made me a better person for it. I have learned that I am responsibly for myself and I have taken that responsibility seriously.

Melanie

Some advice that i would like to give is look at the lay out of the campus, how close buildings are to one another, how hilly the campus is, and how safe the campus feels. I would also say that it is good to see how ucmh off campus housing is avaliable near the building you would most likey be in the most. Also look at how much parking avaliablitity that there is.

William

I would go back and tell myself to learn how to take notes and study, Its been a real adjustment going from not taking notes and doing well in class. to having to take notes and doing semi-well. I also think I would tell myself to aim high in my academics so I would be more eligble for scholorships, this is hard trying to find money now adays for school.

Caitlyn

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior I would dwell on three main topics. First, I would remind myself of the purpose to which I am going to college. Even though college allows you more freedom, procrastinating is the worst thing to do. The best way to study is by creating a routine, such as notecards or reading your notes for ten minutes every day. Second, I would encourage myself to explore new options and meet new people. Everyone starts fresh in college and has no reason to judge you. Do not depend on your roommate, you need your own friends and seperate space. Lastly, always remember where you came from. When you go away for school, time seems to fly by and you're always busy. You should set aside some time everyday to call a family member or a friend from home. It will help keep the homesickness away if you keep in contact with those you care about. Also, when you do come home, you still have a great connection with friends and family members. College is a lot of fun if you have your priorties straight.

Abby

I would tell myself to be more serious about school. I crammed for most of my tests and blew off the information on the pretense that I would never need to know any of that, but I was really wrong. A few of my classes in particular I wish I would've payed more attention and absorbed everything I could from specific teachers. I wish I would've read more books and read about the subjects I studied more than just once and only when I had to. I would tell my high school self to not procrastinate everything and take more pride in my work, and never settle for anything less than perfect. I wish I would've worried about grades more. Not just strive for the 92{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} A but the 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} A. I was so bright and capable of better, but I settled for the minimum work I had to do to get an A. I would absorb all that information I was taught like a sponge and use it to my advantage today as a college student. I would go beyond what I learned in class and try to learn as much as I possibly could learn.

Rachel

I would tell myself not to worry about making friends. I would say to be myself and the friends will come naturally. I would tell myself not to wait too long to meet with my advisor, so I could get the classes I needed. Metting with my advisor was an important part of the year. I would tell myself not to switch classes from economics to something I would find more interesting. Being away from home and on my own, felt like a good thing. I was free to do whatever I wanted without having to ask. Iwould also tell myself not to get more than one roommate. Being at college has taught me a lot about who i am.

Joy

The first piece of advice I would give myself as a high school senior is that your high school friends will always be your friends, but it is important to make friends at college. As hard as it is to believe the friends you make in college will be lifetime friends and will be with you through times in life that you can't even imagine right now. IThe next thing I would advise myself is to remember that everything happens for a reason. As cliche as it sounds in college there are many times that you may feel the world is ending. It may be fights with friends or boyfriends, a bad grade, an embarassing moment in class, whatever it is looking back later you will see that it helped shape you into the person you are meant to become. The last piece of advice would be to have fun, but not too much fun! College is about getting a good education, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying the experience as long as you are responsible about it. You will look back at this time your whole life, make it memorable. College is what you make it!

Jay

Upon this major transistion in your life do not be afraid. There are positive changes ahead. What you fear from a heavy workload and meeting strangers may seem like you will be alone, but do not be afraid. You are about to embark on a journey with many other students that are in the same situation as you. Your uncomfortableness will attract and bind many other students that feel the same as you. In college there is a open forum where your thoughts will be respected. Many doors of knowledge will open in your mind. You will learn ideals outside of the world as you know it. With the freedom comes responsibilities. As a college student you are forced to become a respectable adult in a short time. You will have to manage personal finances and social interactions in a respectable manner. Use the uneasy feeling thats in your stomach from high school graduation as motivation, because in such a short time from your invesment in college you will arise a new educated being. Your Life is waiting so go get it.

Christine

Well Chrissy all I have to say is don't be creeped out by the amount of people who say hello to you. They are the most friendliest and the best peoplep you will ever be friends with. Don't be worried about classes, you'll need help because some of them are going to be hard. So you will need to study very hard and possibly get a tutor. You will work at a great place for work study and Mary Lea is the best employer you will possibly have, she can better you. Most of all stay the same through college there's someone at home who loves you to death and he misses you greatly; so stay away from the boys. There are great lessons to be learned here kid; keep you head up always.

Justina

If I could go back to talk to myself in high school I would tell myself to take in all the information I can and just do my best. As a senior I went into a bit of a panic thinking I didn't have the right "stuff" for college. I was under the impression that I wasn't as well rounded as everyone else. I was not big on sports and that really worried me. I was more into music and I did not think I would get anywhere. I had no idea that schools and scholarships are out there and accepting to everyone! If I this tid bit of information I would have been more relaxed about the process and applied for so much more than what I had. I have often wondered what would have happened if I had just taken things one step at a time as opposed to all at once.

brandon

I would tell myself that i need to take my school work and school related things very seriously and keep a good head on my shoulders. i would tell myself that college is necessary and its something that i should be focused on at all times. your going to make life long friends there and not to worry about fitting in or being just another number in the collge.

Kimberly

Looking back on my life as a high school senior I remember being very concerned with finding the right school. I felt pressured to get decent test scores and spent hours thinking of what college would be like. Now that I am well into my college years I feel that some of my stress was unnecessary. When I came on my visit to Clarion I felt at home and that I could definitely spend four or more years of my life here. Looking back now I would tell myself to stop stressing so much about fitting in because in college it doesn't really matter. There are so many different types of people and organizations you are bound to find a group of good friends. Also college isn't like high school at all. People just care about getting through school that there isn't too much worry about what other people are doing. The best advice I could give to a high school senior would be to just do your best, go with the flow, be yourself, and stay flexible and organized. With those things in mind college will be an amazing experience.

Sean

Going to college is a major step. I have been obsessed with graphic arts, and TV editing forever. I had no interest in sports and spent a lot of time in my room. My parents were concerned I may have difficulty adjusting to college life. I made it my goal to prove them wrong. I have excelled in my chosen field and these past three years seem like yesterday. Looking back to my senior year I wouldn't have laughed when my mother suggested volunteering at our hospital. Most of my scholarships came from community experience. I would spend more time learning to shop, doing laundry and researching scholarships. I would take an advanced writing course and buy the best laptop you can afford. I chose Clarion after visiting campus and talking with an admission counselor who was a graphic artist and former student. This meeting convinced me I was making the right decision. College must be a personal decision based on individual goals, college reputation, curriculum and costs. Taking an active role in these areas is essential. I have proven to myself , and my parents what I am capable of and look forward to a bright future.

Grace

"Loosen up a bit, and have more of a social life. Academics are very important but so is your own well-being. Set your priorities and time manage yourself well so you don't get stressed out and have a melt down over the amount of work you have to finish. Primarily pay attention in your Math and English classes in highschool. Understanding the concepts and goals in those classes will extremely help you time wise and stress wise during your college courses, because instead of trying to learn it, you'll know it and just be able to breeze through any assignment given to you. Don't feel left out because you don't like to party, there are plenty of students in college that are on the right track, as yourself, socially, and that have a greater sense of maturity and understanding of priorities. Studying for college is very different than studying for high school courses, so be aware and learn quick. Learn how your professors teach and what their exams are like and study accordingly, every professor is different. Lastly, start to take more responsibility for yourself and become a more independent member of society.

Grace

College life is about maturing, figuring out who are are, and where you're going to fit into our society. Don't let the bad decisions of others affect your better judgement, by doing this you're showing maturity and leading others to make the right choices. Living with a stranger and not having your parents there to nag you to do your homework, study, and get you out of bed is going to be a complete change to your life. Communicate and work out any problems with your roommmate, even if it feels awkward. Make sure you push yourself to always go to class and not be discouraged. Make sure you set your priorities and balance your life between your studies and social life. Don't stress over bad grades, just learn from them and adjust your studying habits, or seek out tutoring, everyone needs some help every now and then. Talk to your professors and go to them if you don't understand something. Ask questions in class, and don't be afraid, cause chances are someone else doesn't understand it either. Lastly, have fun and enjoy it while you can!

Douglas

Price should be the last of your worries when it comes to picking your college or university of choice. This educational institution should be a place that you truly want to be at. You should make your choice by completing detailed surveys about the universities that you are considering. Be sure that these surveys include the things that are most important to you whether that be partying, a magnificant learning experience, extracurricular activities, etc. All in all, it is best to visit and speak with people with attend the institutions that you are interested in. During these visits, be sure to have several predetermined questions prepared so as not to be left speechless when someone during the visits asks, "Are there any questions?"