Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

Most importantly, go with your instincts. Some colleges might seem "fun" or "exciting" or maybe even far away from your family but that's not what is important. What's important is finding the right school for you. Don't lose yourself in trying to fit in because in the long-run people will appreciate you more for not trying and just being yourself. When you feel socially awkward binge drinking is only going to make you feel more awkward when you wake up in the morning embarassed of yourself. Don't go into your freshman year assuming everyone will be like your friends in high school, because they won't be. You will have culture shock, but you will adapt and others will adapt to you. Live on campus at least one semester, its a rite of passage and one day you'll look back and feel like you missed out. You WILL fight with at least one roommate, that is also a rite of passage. Don't live alone you won't learn nearly as much about yourself. Most importantly find your passion, anyone who tells you that your dreams are impossible is a liar and a coward.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to worry so much. At the time it seemed like so much had to get done but in reality my whole high school exprience prepared me for the transition to college. I would remind myself to simply stay organized and get my paperwork in ontime. I would let myself know that Columbia would work to make the process as easy as possible and that they would be there to help me through it. College wants you to be successful and all you have to do is be willing to ask.

My senior year should have been more of a double-duty function. Yes, is a time when you should celebrate your accomplishments, but it's also a time when you have to work hard to prepare for your future. When I mean prepare for your future I'm mostly referring to money. I wish I would of recognized how college studies would differ from high school studies. I should of been more prepared to tie up loose ends when it came to financial aid and scholarship applications. I wish I would of put more thought in to thinking about these things through and coming up with a game plan for the best way possible to manage my future. I almost wish I would of taken a year after high school to work and save up money. With todays economy it has been very challenging for me to find paid internships, on campus work, and even off campus jobs.

I would probably tell myself to do a lot more interdisciplinary reading and research. I would also tell myself to explore as many art forms as possible and really try to picture myself doing something as a career. I would generally encourage a considerable amount of "trying things out" so that I could really get a feel for what I love. I have interests in may different fields of study and both the academics and the arts and this has led to a lot of confusion and caused some minor complications in my path. Being well read is very important, but experiece is everything.

If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to look at more options of schools and spend more time really deciding what I thought was best for myself. I would have had more options to chose from rather than really only having one. I also would tell myself that having an actual campus is important. Although living in downtown Chicago can be fun, there is something enrichening about going to a college with a campus.

Dear Brennan, Moving to a big city can seam scarry, but you're going to love it! You need the diversity and you need the new stage in your life. It's exciting meeting new people and exploring new places. Your classwork is fun, because it teaches you about what you love to do. There is no reason to stress yourself out when your school load piles up, relax life is too short to worry. Just do your best and do it for God. My challenge to you is to get involved and surround yourself with people who will build you up, especially in your faith. You will save yourself a lot of pain if you stay faithful to yourself and to the Lord. I challenge you to go and live with radical faith, be a light in a school full of people who hate God. Show them Christs' love through your actions, give all your troubles to the Lord. You brennan marie are fearfully and wonderfully made! Go create change! love God and love Others! peace, grace & love xoxoxo

I had no idea what I really wanted to study in college. My first two years of school I was undecided. I always had a passion for making music videos and commercials but I never really thought I could do it professionally until I ran my own TV station at SIUC. I was the director of televison for the school station and had created my own tv series that involved interviewing and shooting bands all over the country. My series SPC All Access was very successful and allowed me to build my porfolio and get my name out. All of this extrodanry work I have done in college has been all becuase of my strong perserferance. When I transfered to Columbia Chicago I set big goals for myself. I wanted to start a successful company of my own and get my name out in the chicago film industry prior to graduating. My company has been extremely successful but living in the city and paying for school along with cameras and other equipment to keep me on my feet has been quite challenging. My advice would be; making the transition is easy. Networking is the key to all success.

All I would say is, "Prepare yourself for a whole new experience unlike none you have had sofar. As the world opens its arms to you you'll be recieving the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of life that you have been ignorant to thusfar. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and you'll make it through any day."

Keep doing what you're doing. You're on the right track, making the right decisions, and everything will be alright. By the way, don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't apply to pratt!

I would have told myself to chose a school that is perfect for me. When I first started applying to colleges I was looking at colleges that were closer to home, financiaIly acceptable for my family. I didn't find this school until the end of my applying process and I wish it was the first. Everything about this school is perfect for me, and if I opened my options to schools i was looking for, I would have found this sooner and not have had to spend a year an community college. I would tell myself to worry about myself first and make myself happy before anyone else.