Dickinson State University Top Questions

I didn't decide to get my Bachelor's degree until I had been in the workforce awhile. I decided that I didn't want to make $9.00 an hour the rest of my life. So I made the decision to go to college and get my degree. It has opened so many doors for me I was able to advance in my career while I work full time, part time and have a family. I have learned that a college education is very important if you want to get anywhere in life. The better education you have the more opportunities you will encounter. I am really excited about getting my degree and I have learned a lot while going to school. I am a much wiser person, I think more analytically. I have also decided to continue my education and get my Masters. I feel this will only in enhance what I have done so far with my schooling.

My college experience has been invaluable in teaching me what it is like to interact and work with various types of people and situations. Coming from a small community, I had a narrow view of the world and the people in it. College has helped me to diversify my views and to be more empathic towards others. I have chosen to attend colleges with smaller class sizes for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. These smaller class sizes have allowed me to recieve the attention that I needed from professors and to get to know my classmates. Attending college on campus has been the right choice for me becuase it has helped to keep me motivated and has allowed me to interact with students who are sharing the same goals and struggles as me. Also, the connections that I have made with students and professors throughout my college experience have been great assets in attaining employment and graduate school acceptance. My college experience has helped to shape the person I am today and has helped me to find my passion. I am now on my way to receiving my Master's in Community Counseling through the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND.

I would tell myself to become more outgoing. In college, you meet new people almost every day and being shy holds you back from what you can really do and accomplish. If you're looking at getting lots of scholarships, make sure you take part in lots of extra curricular activities especially community service activities. If you're not used to sharing, get used to it really soon. You may only have one roommate but it's completely different than having your own room. In my situation, if you don't like public bathrooms you also need to start loving those because in the dorm that's all there is. Be prepared to have a lot of down time between classes. It's a great opportunity to do homework, laundry, or anything else that you need to do but won't have time for once everyone else gets done with classes and you want to hang out with your friends.

I would tell myself to work hard at school and to not worry about trying to fit in.

To decide on a career & start taking credits 1st year

Do not be afraid to get involved with activities on campus, but do not get so involved that your studies will not be the main focus. Go to college and do the things you would like to do with organizations. Do not join an organization or engage in an activity just because someone back home thinks you should be in it. This is a huge step and it is going to be a little rough at first for you, but if you keep your goals in sight and find the activities that please you and make you feel good about yourself, then you will make the transititon just fine.

If I could return to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely advise myself to go to Dickinson State Unviersity. I would also recommend that while in high school to take things a little bit more seriously and study a little more, becauses that is all college students do. I would tell myself to keep every paper or worksheet ever done in a college class because they will be needed for the final exams. I would just tell myself to work as hard as I could, try to not get destracted too much, make alot of friends, and have fun.

I would say to look for an environment that you can enjoy. If you can't live there, and feel comfortable there, you can't learn there. Look for a good, supportive environment. That is the most important thing to find because without that, it is extremely hard to succeed.

Vist the colleges that you are interested in. Sommetimes the environment is completely different than what you might expect. It is important to like the surroundings around the college.