Cleveland State University Top Questions

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that the best thing to have is balance. There needs to be a balance between studying, working hard to make the grades and having free time to relax. In college it is important to work hard to be successful and to achieve your goals. As long as you work hard there is nothing wrong with wanting to have some free time to yourself because evryone needs a chance to take a breather. If there is all work and no play that is the surest way to burn yourself out on school and the entire college experience. Trust me I have witnessed it before. Get involved in the different activities, clubs, and organizations offered on campus. I would also let my high school self know to utilize the knowledge of your professors. They really are helpful and eager to teach you all that they know! Your professors are probably the richest resources available on campus so take advantage of a good thing. Finally, the are a lot of other resourses and services offered on campus, don't be afraid to ask for help.

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, I would tell my self to work harder at getting straight A's. I would make sure I attended college tours the summer before. And lastly, I would make sure I got all my friends numbers so that we could go through this process together.

I would tell myself it is okay not to declare a major until I have two-three sememsters completed. At 18 it is okay not to know yourself because college will change you anyway. It's better to wait and not waste time and money. It will also help relieve stress and confusion internally if you just relax and understand that you will eventually figure out the direction from taking required courses in different subjects. Lastly, don't let your family, teachers, friends, etc. choose your future follow your instincts, they will lead you in the right direction.

I would just tell myself not to allow outside pressures influence how I achieve in college.

Definitely live on campus for at least the first year (I did and it made it so much easier to meet people). Just keep up with your schoolwork, do the practice problems your professors assign (even if they're not due), and you'll be fine.

I would give myself advice on to be stronger academically and mentally.

To already have your mind made up about what you want to do with your life. Switching majors, depending on what you switch to, can really suck. Not all my credits switched, so I wasted a full years worth of tuition.

I would tell myself to not engage in the engineering field for that last year. Instead, take the early childhood education introduction classes at my high school. That way I would save thousands of dollars, decrease the time it would take for me to obtain my degree, as well obtain early experience with children in the classroom. This all would not only help in my educational field but also in my profession. In addition, I would note to myself about which classes I should take, which proffessors I would feel very comfortable with in the classrooms, and any new challenges to be ready for that I did not expect when I was a senior. After explaining everything to my past self, I would note that if I follow these steps, the transition to college life, the classes I take, and the financial situation will not be too difficult to overcome, and my overall time in college will be shorter.

Be open minded and let yourself make mistakes. Let loose a little bit and do not stress over being in college. Take it easy, breathe, and just enjoy your time there and have fun. College is a chance to find yourself and find the things that you enjoy and make new friends with all different sorts of backgrounds and experiences. Do not judge and be uptight about anything. College is the best time of your life and enjoy it while you can. It will be rough, admittingly, but it's all worth it in the end.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all opportunites that were presented to me. I was so focused on one path that I completely missed the fork in the road that could have led me to where I am now a lot sooner.