Dakota State University Top Questions

I would tell myself that it is not easy but to just keep on going and you will get through it. Also I would tell myself to start to save money because college keeps getting more and more expensive and I was not ready for that and the amount of money I had to take out. I would also tell myself to take college credits in high school so then I would not have to pay to take them in college because that would have saved me a great amount of money.

The single best advice I can give anyone is that they should go to class. In class you will make more friends than you think and actually learn the things that will help you be successful.

Don't worry about dating, leave that alone for the first year or two. Focus on getting friends, and just get your work done early so you can spend that time with the friends you make. Don't sign up for too many activities, and make sure you don't take on too much. Also, keep an eye on how much money you have. Don't be too cheap, but be wise.

Don't slack off. You don't have Mom around to keep you on track. No matter how easy classes might seem, or how inevitable failure might be, spend as much time as you need in order to be the best student you can be. You're there to learn, and there's no reason not to try your hardest. Even between classes and studying, you'll still have plenty of time to hang around and make friends. College might seem like the time people are supposed to goof off and have fun, and it IS supposed to be a fun experience, but it's also supposed to be the time that sets you up for the real world. High School didn't really matter. It's four years of your life that are supposed to set you up for the four that actually make the difference.

I would advise my younger self to try her hardest in high school and actually study. I don't have problems studying now, but my habits could be better. I would also tell myself to study hard on core subjects. Math and science classes are a part of nearly every college student's career, and going in with more than I had (nothing) would have helped immensely. I have a hard time with math, and studying it more in high school would have prepared me better. I was good in Biology and could have easily gotten college credit while in high school and I didn't. I'm now going into my final semester, taking four 400-level classes and one 100-level science class, something that could have been avoided. A last thing I would tell my younger self is to read while she still can. I have a mountain of books I want to read but on top of work and school, I just can't motivate myself to do so. I really wish I would have read more while I was in high school.

If I were to replay my life I would go to college after highschool on my own and be done before I was 40. I would have listened to others and not have moved out of my home so early as a teen. I say I would love to do it all over again but the reality is if I did I would never have had my two incredible children. If I could have still had them and go to college I would have worked harder and went to my dream school and I would have done it all on my own to prove to my father and myself that it can be done. If anyone wants to go to college they need to do it while they are young. Don't wait, do it now before life happens and there is no way out but online college and student loan debt at 40. I work two jobs and go to college online and have no free time, why would you want to live like this. Go to school now before it is too late! Cross that stage with a degree in hand and be proud of yourself!

Josh, forget the Art Institute of Schaumberg. Columbia is much MUCH better for what you're looking to do! They have a BETTER curriculum! Also? Fill the FAFSA out with the help of SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING! Don't do that yourself! You'll screw it up! I know! I was there! You'll spend a semester at what you'll later call your definition of "heaven" and spend the next 4 years going to Purdue for what they call, "practically the same thing," when really? It's not. Not even close! Please, look into all of this in your JUNIOR YEAR, not after you graduated! Seriously, get someone for that FAFSA. It doesn't get simpler until 2010. Also, relax. It's just high school. Forget the girls, forget the bullies, work on extracurricular. Also, Academic Decathalon is awesome. Do that ASAP. Take it easy, I'll see you around. PS: Don't be afraid of the train or Chicago. The world is big and scary, but can be a really cool place to live if you just take time to get to know it.

In just the first semester of my college career I have learned some important lessons that I wish I had known from the start. I was determined to live in the residence halls, even though my parents tried to talk me out of it. After the first three weeks of school I had already moved back into my parent's house because it wasn't worth the drama or the money. I wish I would have listened to my parents and saved my $2000 but what newly graduated senior is going to listen to their parents. At the beginning of the semester I was ambitious and ready for anything; but about a month or so in, that ambition started to fade. If I had known the effect my lack of ambition would have on my grades I could have made more of an effort throughout the entire semester. I ended up passing everything just fine, but I definitely had some catching up to do toward the end of the semester. I would just make sure that my high school self new to take advice to heart and always keep your ambition! It will pay off!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would inform myself that I should try harder than I did in my classes instead of waiting for the teachers to push me who never saw the point in making me want to learn. I would tell myself not to use my learning disability as an excuse . I would also tell myself to go to college right out of high school instead of waiting until I turned 32 years old. I would tell myself to stop skipping school because I was depressed over things that seem trivial now. I would inform myself that I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and to talk to my parents and counselor about getting into behavioral therapy.But most of all I would tell myself that I should stay in school and work hard on my grades no matter what every one else thought of my capabilities and intelligence because now that I have the instructors I have , I know I can make it and succeed in college.

You need to study more. Yeah, it's fun to slack off and see if you can finish that 8 page paper the night before it's due and see if you can still make the grade. But you really should learn to be more time efficient. Plan things out better. Don't wait until the last minute. It only stresses you out. That tv show will be online tomorrow; you can watch it then. Yeah, it's fun to stay out late, but the grades you make in college, effect you a lot more than you think. So close facebook, twitter and pinterest, open up Microsoft Word, and start that paper while you have the time.

If there's one thing that life teaches you it is that experience is the best teacher. Even though my college going friends told me a lot of things of what to expect from college it was experiencing it first hand that taught me most. In many ways I was prepared to handle the challenges I met - and in many ways I was not. If I were to go back in time I would instruct my younger self to not hesitate going out of his comfort-zone to get things done. And the advice isn't just for studies. Coming out of your proverbial "shell" and meeting new people, approaching teachers to talk about a personal problem you might be having, reaching out to everyone you're aquainted with and working together to solve new problems - that's what college is all about. While High-school offers a more competitive environment - an environment that prefers individual skills to that of working in a team college is almost completely the opposite. Teamwork is no longer an optional perk that's good to have. It is a necessity. And above all I would tell my younger self to give everoyne a chance.

My high school year was packed. I felt the need to do absolutely everything, including sports, music, and academic clubs and community life. One thing I tell senior's now from my high school is to breathe and to focus on what you feel is most important. I wish that I could go back and really focus on my major in college now and maybe realize that doing everything is not necessary. Swamping oneself with continuous activities is only a distraction from the most important goal. My goal is psychology and possibly a minor in respiratory care and while sports and music was a enormous part of my life for high school I realize now that my focus has to be on my major. High schoolers are packed with activities and my biggest regret was taking on activities I did not need to do which distracted me from my biggest goal.

SUMMER! Don't hesitate to continue your education! I say this from experience: having a child DOES NOT have to hinder your education. Do you want him to grow up seeing you struggle? Do you want him to think of college as unobtainable? Help him see why this is the best avenue for him. Change your life now so you don't have to work so hard when you're my age. Life is a journey; do you want to enjoy it or fight it every step of the way? You are such a smart person, take your brightness and run with it! You can be anything you want to be, you just have to grab on, hold tight and enjoy the journey. The consequences if you don't take this chance? Well, first of all, it will only be longer until you are reaping the benefits of a stable job. Secondly, at thirty-one with three kids, it's much harder to stay focused and on track when it comes to furthering your education. I know you can do this! Be the best you can be; all you have to gain is SUCCESS!

Don't be afraid to jump right in and try new things. You might get overwhelmed at times, but that's ok. Go out and meet new people, they will help you to discover yourself. Work hard, learn as much as you can as fast as you can. Make your dreams come true.

I would tell myself to relax and be ready to focus on what’s important. The transition from high school to college is as easy as just about any other transition in life. It’s a little uncomfortable and kind of awkward at first, but after a while you get a routine you find a few friends and you start to enjoy yourself, but that doesn’t happen until you stop worrying about every little thing, that the smallest thing going wrong means the end of your college career or just life in general. Take each day as it comes and meet your problems with calm and reserve and sort your problems out accordingly. When a new problem comes along take a deep breath and gather yourself together. Secondly be ready to work hard and focus don’t think that it’s the easy life now you need to work just as hard as before it’s just that now nobody is going to be breathing down your neck. That can be nice but at times but it can be a bit of a hindrance at others. Don’t waste your time and don’t take the easy way out.

I would have tried to build the courage to take some college courses my senior year of high school instead of sitting back and taking the easy way out. I would have tried to get the grades I now know that I am able to get to raise my GPA higher. I also would have told myself to start looking for scholarships because I ran out of time and probably could have applied for alot more then what I did. All in all do not be lazy your senior year, take you education seriously.

Knowing what i know about life, If i could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school,I would tell myself not to drop out. I would tell myself that just because you are having a baby does not mean you can't finsih school. I would tell myself how hard it was to complete school later and the only help I will have is my amazing mother, who will be there for me no matter what.

Keep striving to do your best, never lose focus on what is important to you. The transition will be difficult at times and the homework will catch you off guard. However, being yourself in college will give you a whole new experience. No one cares what clothes you wear, when you wear make-up or don't wear make-up. They also don't care that you are overly silly or hyper. You don't need to impress anyone anymore, college is where you can let go of self-doubt and focus on relationships and what you want to do for the rest of your life. The best part is, there is no rush, slow down and enjoy the ride you just signed up for.

Never give up! Goals are achievable! Work hard!

Dear highschool me, Your bestfriends are no longer your backbone, you need to become more independent and responsible. Growing up is fun, soak up the little things. You will meet people that are from all different backgrounds and their stories will make your old issues look tiny. Your dad will miss you even though you think he won't, and you'll miss him too. You're about to realize how great you've actually had it and you will become more comfortable in your skin, I promise. The people that have surrounded you in school for so many years now will no longer matter, and what they said about your hair or your clothes will all be forgotten. You get a chance to get to know who you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. Be excited. Ask questions. Stop dying your hair and wearing so much makeup. Explore. Dream. Be humble, and be kind and always keep an open mind.