Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

I was never sure of myself throughout highschool, up until the end of my senior year, or so I thought. Lately I've realized the benifits outside a small town. "Don't try to be the person that everyone talks to, be the person that associates with everyone based purely on an interest to learn and connect. There is no shame in being yourself, and trying to be someone else will only turn that 3.0 into a 1.6. Life can be a little fogged when you are surrounded by stong physiques and strung up egos. Watch a youtube video about the universe, find someone else who realizes how self centered everyone else is acting. Make a friend that isn't too popular. Don't sleep around, because later you will realize how immature those kinds of things are. Never let anyone tell you they are better than you; show them that you are the better one by replying with kind words and an open mind. When you get home, dont go smoke weed with your 'friends', help your mom around the house, it will put a little more meat on those bones. Fear is but an illusion friend."

Being an older student trying to get my first Bachelors, I tell myself to stick it out the first time I started attending college. I would have made sure I understood that finishing with good grades was going to be hugely important later in life. I would have made sure to understand to take full advantage of the grants and scholarships offered. To make sure I understood the importance of gaining a higher education and how much it would have helped me acquire the jobs I wanted instead of settling all the time with what was offered. Finishing in my twenties would have been more important for what I want to do now later in my life. I wouldn't feel like I am playing catch up with my life.

Ambition is your best friend and fear of failure is only the wall that separates those that make it, from those that didn't want it badly enough. If you plan on making it, especially in an artistic field, you have to be ambitious. Take high risks with your work. Take on big projects that push the limits of your patience and skill every time you start something new because that's the kind of work that will help you self actualize and the kind of work horse employers look for. Take every opportunity you can, because experience is hard to come by and greatly valued. Make connections with as many talented, ambitious people you know and work with them so that you benefit from their knowledge and skills. Don't let fear cause you not to try. Do the things that you are afraid of doing, within reason. The fear lets you know that what you're doing is worth your time and effort and will only fuel your passion to get the job done right. Find as many ways to express yourself as possible and hold on to the people that support you. They are your greatest comfort.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to keep on working hard and although it might be difficult it will make you a better person and prepare you better for college. As a high school senior I was taking an AP class as well as two others at my high school. I was also enrolled in a jump start program at my community college so I was taking two college classes a semester, as well as working at my part-time job. I would give myself encouragment and say that those credits you are getting are going to put you ahead of the normal student and you will be able to reach your goal of getting to UMCP faster. Also that money that you are saving is going to help you in the long run when paying for college classes later on. If I could go back and talk to myself I wouldn't tell myself to change anything because I knew that although it was hard, I was doing the right thing and I knew I would thank myself later for it.

I would tell myself to join the Air National Guard at age 18 instead of immediately going to college, instead of joining the Guard at age 24. Joining the Guard taught me discipline and responsibility that I sorely needed, as well as helping me gain financial independence from my parents. Having that discipline and financial freedom would allow me to pursue my passions and study the major of my choice, rather than allowing my parents to choose a career for me.

Think about the kind of person you want to be and what you are going to stand for before you get there. Go to college knowing what you believe, but with an open mind, willing to think about how you are living and what you are learning. Find a community of people…In high school I had friends who I knew for 13 years, and in college I needed them most and they were no longer around. Now I'm expected to make long lasting friendships in 4 years. It's really tough. it's hard to make deep, real friendships. I know a lot of people, but I don't really know them. In high school everyone was from the same place and basically did the same things. You knew everybody. But in college there are people who think and live differently. I never had to interact with people who are different before. You hear all the time that college is going to be the best four years of your life, and when times get tough, you may think something is wrong with you. But it's not. That's just the reality of college life.

Since I have transferred twice so far in my college career, I would love the opportunity to go back in time and tell myself one thing to prevent the hassle of transferring twice. I would tell my high school self in the moment right before I accepted my offer to Bradley University in Peoria IL, not to fear drowning in student loans after graduating. Bradley University was the institution that allotted me the most scholarship money as well as financial assistance, so naturally, I chose to attend Bradley. However, I ended up hating it there because of the social focus on Greek life, which I had no interest in. If I would have been able to tell myself that critical piece of information, I could have attended Columbia College Chicago from the beginning. I could have been on track with my core classes and not wasted a year of my college career. Although, attending Columbia has forced me to take out several thousand dollars in student loans, I know that it will be worth it because I am now able to focus on meeting my career goals and succeeding.

Words for the Younger Me Use that strong perseverance you possess, and overcome all the individuals that make you believe you are not smart enough, or good enough—this is your chance to prove them wrong: Because one of those undermining individuals is standing in front of you at this very moment, and he will dare to say the words—“You can’t do it.” But instead of getting angry, smile with absolute confidence and respond back with the words—“Yes I can.” And as those individuals are laughing and calling you names, don’t let them bring you down with their expendable words, smile once more, and think to yourself : You are all my true motivators and the reason for why I keep my head high; the reason for why I push myself to work harder than I have ever worked before, so that once I reach that finish line I’ll still win—even if I don’t finish first, because if I allow for you to kick me down again—I will always lose. And don’t you dare give up—keep pushing forward, because I promise there is a much bigger—greater life after high school.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior I would tell myself many things. The first thing I would tell myself is that I do NOT want to become an interior designer. Second would be that nothing will go as I planned and third: don't give up when things get difficult. I 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} hated high school and the only reason I did well, was so that I could escape to college. I wanted to be in an artistic environment, to find myself, and to make like-minded friends but none of that happened. To my high school self I would say that all the things I want, have to come from within me. It's better to shape my environment, than to let it shape me.

Sarah, go ahead, sign up for the A.P English Class. It might be a little bit more tough, but I promise it will be worth it. Also, your ACT scores. come one. You can do better. Sit down a few more times, study with friends if you'd like, we both know standardized tests aren't for you, but you can still do better. Remember to still have fun, don't regret a thing, but remember through it all, your grades will matter more than you like to believe. But don't stress it, we both know how smart you are!