Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

What should every freshman at Colorado State University-Fort Collins know before they start?

Dayne

My advice would be to stick to who you are and what you know. Throughout high school I was an avid athlete playing many sports and was extremely passionate about volleyball. My team mates were my best friends and I could relate easily to athletes like myself. However, in my transition to college I did not bother to join an athletic team and was consumed with other aspects of college leaving out what I knew best. In this, I lost what was one of the most important things to me, the simplicity of playing a sport and the underlying family a team can provide. I now miss the joy of being part of a team and doing something I love. So if I were to go back in time I would advise myself to choose a school where I could play volleyball, or get involved in athletics right off the get-go. I would tell my self to not give up what I love.

Marissa

I would tell myself to stay focused and not to get off track by partying and drinking too much. Most people get sidetracked easily in college because of a new freedom from their parents, but I need to not give into that population. Its better to get all the school work done and study hard for 4 years, and then the partying can come after I have received that diploma!

Christopher

I was very sucessful in high school . I took school very serious and tried to be the best in everything I did. I can always here my parents saying do good in high school because you might get some Scholarships to pay for your College. I would tell myself to cherish every moment in life, be the best you can be and to remember what ever you put into life you will get out. One other thing that my parents for all they did beacause i'm on my own now.

Marie

The advice that would give my self is that there is no wrong choice. I have transferred twice, this is my third school. While some may see this as a mistake and that I would regret the decisions I have made, I dont. The experiences that I have gained through transferring and experiencing different school envrionments have given me the chance to grow. There is a lot of pressure to choose the right school in high school. Even though I didn't know that I was going to transfer two times, I think that I made the best decision for me with the information that I had at that time. I have no regrets, but instead am thankful for what I have gone through. I hope that every person, every high school student, has the courage and confidence in themself to know that no matter what they know they have made the best decision for them with the information they have. So I would tell myself that no choice is the wrong choice, because it's about the experiences and growth that matter the most.

Heather

Put yourself out there right away. You have to go meet people, not wait for them to come to you. The longer you wait, the more cliques start to form, and the harder it is to find a close group of friends. Also, learn how to study in high school. You'll need it in college. And last, DO NOT DRINK DURING FINALS WEEK. It will break your grade.

Haley

College is all about what you make it. Of course there are certain limitations due to weather, environment, and occasionally prestige, but which college you choose really doesn't matter in the long run. The friends and memories you make in college will last a lifetime and it is absolutely one hundred percent up to you what those memories are. As for transitions, don't worry about them. Take everything as it comes and seize every opportunity that you can. Meet as many new people and try as many new things as possible, and eventually you'll start to settle into where you want to be. They say that high school is the best four years of your life. That's a lie.

Rachel

If I could go back to speak to myself as a high school senior there a few things that I would tell myself. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to really devote extra time to scholarship applications. Without enough financial aid, school is just that much harder. It is difficult to concentrate on doing well in classes when time must also be dedicated to applying for scholarships as well as a part or full time job. The other piece of advice I would give myself is to study! It is always a temptation, for many students I believe, to use the first exam in each class as a practice exam. It is easy to use the first exam to test the waters and then study harder for the next exams. However, in many college courses, if students do poorly on the first exam, it can greatly affect the final grade.

Amy

Look at all your opportunities for scholarships, grants, and financial aid. Try for everything no matter how remote a chance youe think you have and work hard for what you want. Life will take you many places but go with the flow and enjoy where it takes you. Your first year will be the hardest but after that it goes a lot smoother and classes become much more enjoyable. Do not feel out of place with the other freshmen because they are in the same boat as you.

Shayna

I would advise myself to get used to reading the textbooks actively. Reading is the most prominent part of most courses that college students take. I would also have allowed myself more free time, because college is stressful. Adolescents should have fun before they have to grow up!

Brandon

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give a few simple pieces of advice. First, start applying for as many scholarships as I could during my senior year because the college isn't free and financial aid won't cover all of its costs. Second, look forward to meeting, literally, tons of new people and that college is more than just an academic learning experience, it also an extremely valuable life experience. Third, get involved while in college, which means volunteer and join clubs that do things you love because all those experiences will be beneficial when an employer looks your resume. Fourth, find a job because for one, you need some extra spending money, and two, it is another way to meet people. Fifth, go home every once in awhile either on weekends or breaks and express gratitude to mom for helping you to get to where you are right now. Sixth, stay healthy and don't be afraid to go to campus health office. Finally, keep in mind our goal of becoming a personal trainer, it will help you through the rough times.

Jessica

I would tell myself to study hard and stay focused. When classes get tough, I would remind myself that it's okay to ask for help and it's okay to not understand something right off the bat. One of the biggest things I would emphasize would be an acceleration in math. Math is vital to success and while it gets tedious, it's a necessary evil. I would also tell myself to be more open to new opportunities. If you're given the chance, go out of state. It's more expensive, but the experience is worth every cent that is paid for college. Get out there, work hard, learn alot, and just have fun.

Megan

Get involved, always keep be open to meeting new people, and don't be afraid to use your resources. The great thing about CSU is that there is so many clubs and groups, there has to be something that fits you. And when you get involved you will find friends that have something in common with you, and before you know it, you've found your best friends, many for life. And second, sometimes it is easy to forget that there are so many people available to help you through. Use them! Academic advisors, carrer counselors, teachers, clubs. Anything that you need, someone can help you out. And it is always nice, at CSU, to see a smiling person at the front of the classroom or behind the information desk.

Mark

I would tell myself to accept everyone for who they are. I grew up in massachusetts in a fast paced environment , surrounded by east coasters who are known for their snappy attidtudes and judgemental thoughts. Once I moved to Colorado, my eyes were opened to all different types of people and ways of life. At first I didn't know who I would fit in with and was a little nervous to go and meet anyone. I have learned over the past few years that we are all people and it doesnt matter what you look like or where you are from, rich or poor, we can all get along. If I could go back in time I would have taught myself that before I moved away from home. I was stuck in a rut, and was ignorant as to what the rest of the world was like. I have since been across the world through taking advantage of a study abroad opportunity at CSU and have changed tremendously. I am now very involved with different groups on campus and have many diverse friends from all over.

Brian

I would tell myself to get more involved in college the experience earlier in my freshman year. Keeping on top of your studies is very important and you have to find that perfect balance of keeping up with your studies and getting involved in extra-curricular activities to get that full college experience. I was staying on top of my homework, but not getting involved with the university and meeting new people until my sophomore year. Those experiences outside your studies help you develop skills and relationships you can't get in the classroom. Leadership, teamwork, companionship and motivation are all skills that can't be taught in a classroom, but through the expericences you have working with student organizations and local groups. With the right balance of studying and getting involved in extra-curricular activities you can leave college with that degree you have your eye on, as well as those intangible factors you develop working on outside projects. So my biggest piece of advice to myself would be to get involved early and stay involved throughout my college years to develop those skills alongside a college education.

Jessica

I graduated high school a year early so I never had a senior year. I went to a 2 year college near my home in Texas for a year before transferring to Colorado State University. However, my advice would be that you need to be good at managing your time especially if you are going to have a part time job. Don't take Organic Chemistry and Physiology at the same time. Get involved in community activities not just activities with the college. Get to know people that can help you in your future, college is the best networking place you will ever find. Take advantage of all student discounts anywhere you go because they are everywhere. Last but not least take time to relax and get away from all the studying at least once a week. It could be a hike in the mountain or a horseback ride which I love to do or you can go out with some of your friends and watch movies and go bowling. College is very stressful so you need time to relax in order to do well. Also go to college for yourself not because other people want you to.

Shauna

Follow your heart, and don't choose a specific lifestyle or make decisions based on the people around you. Romantic relationships should not rule your life right now, college is the time to experience life, and discover who you are.

Amber

Advice I would give is to go to class, it does help you on the tests, study hard but also play hard. The transition can be hard but make friends, call your parents often and things will fall into place as long as your at a school that is where you want to be and you feel it is where you belong.

Evan

Okay Evan first thing you need to know take time to study talk with your profs when you get there. Also Do your best to keep track of time and schedule everything out that you can. Most importantly find good group of friends because having a support group when it gets tough makes all the difference. Lastly KISS keep it simple stupid to many words, too much info, and getting off track and you destroy the message, the heart, and the entire point all of which are the same thing will ruin any paper you write. Oh and "live long and prosper" -Spock

Jefferson

Enjoy highschool while you can, things get alot mor complicated when you are in college. From managing your fianances to just the fact that you are not with the same people anymore. College is alot of fun but enjoy high school because sometimes when you are bogged down with work you will miss it.

Briana

I would tell myself to take more AP courses and to get into a better study and work habit and to be a more serious student in general. I make friends eaily and so I would not have to worry about making/keeping friends. I would also tell myself to get and to keep a steady job. Life is expensive and you need to have the money so that you can at least provide the basic necessities of life, not to mention the little things that make life jsut a bit better.