Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

Don't take for granted what your parents and teachers have told you. College is going to be a lot harder than high school was. Study all the material presented to you in class and then do your own extra studying. Sometimes items on the tests will only be covered in class in five minutes. If you have problems in a class, take advantage of the office hours for the teacher. They know the material and the test, if you ask for their help you'll have a better chance of getting a good grade in the class. Do not slack off. If you fall behind, it's harder to get caught up. It will help you save time and requires less effort if you just keep up with the material. While studying is important, don't let it consume your life. Go ahead and relax from time to time and hang out with your friends, otherwise you will burn yourself out and your college experience won't be so fun.

I initially came into Colorado State University as an undeclared freshmen with an interest in Civil Engineering. I had advisors and family members give me advice and warn me that it would be a smart plan to research and discover alternate major choices. I did none of the advice and later learned the day before move-in day that I wanted to switch my major to Watershed Science. Therefore after re-declaring a major so late I was behind on classes for my required major for the first semester and had to take a large load for the second.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior, is to not be afraid of opportunity. Many leadership opportunties have come my way while attending CSU. One of which was the chance to be a orrientation counselor (a person that welcomes new freshmen to campus). At the time I thought this opportunity would be too time consuming. My GPA was already struggling to stay above a 3.0 because a divorce was ensuing between my parents. I would tell myself that I should enjoy the family time before depression, and other handicaps keep you away from the things you truely want. I would tell senior self to hold my head up high and take a chance on those opportunities that come along because they will help your self esteem as well as make your college experience something worth while. I would tell my senior self that studying more than 2hrs per class will be manitory to get the A's and B's you've always had. Most of all have fun and be open to the chances and opportunities you will have. Through God's grace you will get through!!!

Your freshman year try to go out and meet people. Enjoy the little things. Each semester is going to get tougher and your free time is going to decrease. Start early with trying to find an internship and remember there are internships for freshman too. Remember that you will have the rest of your life to live in your own house and pay your own bills. Most important stay true to yourself. You will change a great deal over the next few years and remember what has made you who you are.

I would tell myself that sometimes things just don't work out like you would think. Now that I have grown up a little more I realise that some plans you just can't keep. Things happen, like in my case a mental disability popped up. But I would also tell myself not to give up on your dreams. I have a lot that I want to accomplish and think that even with my disability I can still make it. I would also warn myself against getting into drugs and that they would only hinder me.

Looking back on my year as a high school senior with the knowledge I have now about college, I would advise myself of a few things. First, I would encourage the enthusiasm I had about college. I was so excited for the transition, and this proved vital to my introduction into the campus setting, therefore, I would encourage anything to increase this excitement. Taking initiative and finding my voice would be a crucial piece of advice, telling myself to talk to professors and classmates, as well as to begin making relationships with key campus individuals and staff. This advice connects to another suggestion of filling out scholarships whenever I can. Making a calendar specifically for deadlines and a file for all information and contacts, would be a primary idea I would lend. Lastly, I would encourage myself to have fun but also devote this time to academics and building vital tools for my future. This could be organization, promptness, and involvement for example. College is a special time, and should be cherished and valued for its academic, social, and personal benefits. These are all suggestions I would give my high school self.

If I could go back and talk to myself two years ago as a highschool senior, I would tell myself to calm down and enjoy every minute of college life. I would tell myself to calm down because it is so easy to get overwhelmed with studying and grades. I think it's easy to develop a tunnel vision of seeing a problem as gigantic and as having a direct coorelation to the amount of sucess you experience in life. Obviously, a paper or test that goes poorly will not cause you to never experience sucess in life. Secondly, I would tell myself to enjoy every minute of college life because it goes so fast and you have so many oppertuities and so little time to experience them all. I am shocked at how fast two years have gone past and I'm sure the next two will go just as fast and I don't want to miss a minute. College is literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a multitude of oppertunities with new people and things. When I leave there will still be unexperienced experiences, but I am trying my very best to seize the moment.

Knowing what I know about college now, I would tell myself simply to relax more. As a high school senior, I was extremely stressed about picking a college, about what college life would be like, about how I would pay for college, and so many other things that I could probably fill a book with all of the things that I worried about. Now that I have been in college however, I think that I would tell myself that I simply needed to relax more. For me, the transition to CSU wasn?t without its challenges. It was stressful for me to be away from home and from my family, and switching to dorm life was difficult as well. Although, stressing about it all certainly didn?t help me any, it just made me worry about everything that I think that I knew that in the end would turn out just fine. That is what I would tell my high school senior self if I could go back.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior, after experiencing college life would be very important and helpful in my situation. Something as simple as having an open mind with classes and absolutely NO procrastinating. Two very important things that I have learned so far. By avoiding a closed mind and procrastinating, college life has been less stressful and more enjoyable!

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to focus on the right things, to put myself before other people more often. My first semester would have been much more successful if I had not been trying to make everyone else happy. I would have gotten better grades and would not have been as stressed out as I was. Relationships, even if they give you the warm and fuzzies at the time, are not worth it if the other person cannot support the goals that you have for yourself. They should never ask you to sacrifice your goals, your future, for them. They should be proud of the hard work you are doing and not try to make you feel guilty and when they do you should be strong enough to realize that that is not right for you.

The most poignant piece of advice that I can think of is that you have to attend your classes. Even if you think you'll just fall asleep and won't retain any of the information--just GO. I wish that I had not started skipping classes because my college career would have gone so much smoother. I am happy to be graduating and applying to Graduate school, but my GPA would be significantly better if I hadn't missed classes and hurt my grades. All I did was shoot myself in the foot, even if I did keep limping along. Also, since I had family to live with, I'd have just stayed there instead of moving out. It would have been far better financially if I had. Student loans will be exciting to pay off once everything is all said and done.

Make connections, get to know your professors and classmates. Life after college is all about who you know and the more people who can speak to your character and work ethic are the people who can help you network (which can lead to potential employment).

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the most important thing I would tell myself is that balance is key to success in college. My Freshman and Sophomore years, I had a hard time balancing my social life with my course load. Because of this, I rarely participated in any fun activities and spent most of my time studying. I received excellent grades, however I regretted not having more fun and learned this year that I can have fun and still get really good grades.

Simply remember to get others to talk about themselves more than you talk about your self; oh and don't let sex, precence or lack, be a big distraction, be comfortable with your desiers (in and out of the "bed room") what ever they may be.

Dear Lisa, In my second year at Colorado State, I have some advice that will make your experience the best it can be as you enter this exciting phase in your life. When you arrive, don't be afraid to introduce yourself to other students! Everyone is in the same boat, and this is a great opportunity to meet new, interesting people! Become familiar with the campus and services that are offered to students. There are people available to help you with writing papers, finding jobs, editing your resume, and help you get involved! It is easy to feel overwhelmed in the beginning; just be sure to stay on track with your classes, and try to get the most out of every course you take. The most valuable advice I can give to you is to get involved in a student organization you are interested in and passionate about. You will meet other students with similar interests, and build strong relationships, as well as gain valuable leadership skills. Most importantly, appreciate the time you have here; college is a unique experience, and it is up to you to make the most of it!

Now is the time to try all the things you never thought you could. You are going away to college; away from your parents, your high school nemesis and the shadow of your big brother. Now is the time to experiment with the things that scare you. Join a recreational soccer team on campus and learn, finally, how to kick a ball. Prove to your mother that girls CAN kick a ball. Love every sweat-filled moment and afterward, when it's over, hug your teammates and revel in the friendships that have grown so easily. From one heart-pounding, fearful decision to join a team, reaching out into the unknown, you will find the sweetest part to be the easiest. You will develop friendships that will last you a lifetime, and you will gain confidence you never knew you possessed. As you embark on your journey, remember to try the things that scare you, and break out of the mold of your childhood. The experiences you will gain and the beautiful relationships you develop are worth the fear and anxiety of the unknown.

I would tell myself to develop better study habits to prepare me more for college. I would also tell myself to start practicing seperating my social and acedemic life so that they dont interfere too much and cause problems.

?Take a deep breath and walk through the door. It?s the beginning of your very first day.? This line from a Taylor Swift song is what I would tell myself if I could talk to my senior self. Senior year was a blur of anticipation, deadlines, pressure, goodbyes, and decisions. I was excited to be done with high school and to be moving on in my life. I couldn?t wait to burst out of the doors of my high school yelling ?good rid-ins? and to celebrate my graduation. Due to this intense and sometimes fidgety excitement and anticipation, I did not do as well as I know I could have when it came to the college process. Procrastination caught up to me in deadlines and added layers of pressure. I did not apply for as many school as I had wanted, and did not get as much financial aid as I had needed. By telling myself these seventeen words I would hope to relay the message to slow down, take it all in, and relax. Do what is needed step by step, and do not panic. College is a big deal but can be tackled with composure.

To be prepared for college life you have think about more than just the academics that the school offers. If you choose a school that is not the right fit for you, then you will not reach your maximum potential and spend lots of time wondering how to fix that. I went to Auburn University for my first year and even though I loved the classes there was something missing. Luckily, I found Colorado and they offer a lifestyle that matches my personality. My best advice is to follow your gut and do what you love.

Be focused, don't get distracted. Professors will not be babysitting you so you will have to be responsible to get every homework done on time. No excuses.