East Tennessee State University Top Questions

Don't slack off simply because no one is making you go to class! It takes self discipline and it can be tempting, but attending class is the biggest key to success in college. When you don't attend you miss work, miss lectures, and it is so easy to slip behind. If you can get into good habits your Freshman year it won't be as difficult to make yourself go to class the following years. Have fun! Get involved and make new friends, but remember that an education is the reason you're there.

It is important to slow down and not take the moment for granted. High School is one of the best times in your life. Do not rush time away by wishing to be done so soon. Although you want to make the best out of what short time is left, it is imortant to focus on the future as well. College comes faster than you think. By the end of senior year, you will be faced with many desicions you have to makes on your own. College is the real test of maturity. You will be forced to exit your comfort zone and do tasks you have never done before. It is okay to be nervous, but remeber, if it was really that difficult no one would be doing it. College is actually an easy process. The amount of information that will be launched at you at once is what make the idea of college stressful. Get in the habit of managing your time. Talk to anyone who is in college to hear about their experience to improve yours. You will miss high school, so enjoy what is left, but make sure you have a plan for the future.

I was not experience with socializing, and I was also somewhat closeminded coming from a very strict family. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself as a high school senior to join clubs, go to school events like annual picnics or athletic events, rush sororities just to experience what it is like, and to not be scared of new experiences just because I was warned against them by overly strict parents. I would also tell myself to find a balance between fun and serious; without one or the other, success is inevitable. If you have too much fun, then your future goals will be harder to attain because you got a F in a class or you did not attend classes which may impact your GPA. If you are too serious, then you miss out on the joys of life like making new friends, discovering a new skill, or love. Especially do not turn your back on love; because once you lose that love, you may never get that back. Enjoy life as it is meant to be. Live life to the fullest but do not forget your responsibilities.

Don't rush your high school years, they will be the easiest years of your life. Cherish every late night football game and pep rally because when college arrives the study time is so tedious that you don't get to enjoy those things as much as you used to. Study hard and take ACT practice tests, the better you do the more money you get. Get into the habit of reading material before class and doing the study guides given to you, it may seem boring but it will help you trememdously with midterms and exams. Always be yourself, because in college it doesn't matter what you wear or how you look. People on campus don't pay as much attention to you as you think they do.

LISTEN..... Dont just hear what everyones saying listen to what they are telling you and remember it.

As a high school senior, my second semester was probably the busiest of my whole high school experience. I was always on the computer applying for scholarships that I wasn't even considered to receive due to such a large pool of candidates. It consumed the second semester of my senior year. I was so focused on my freshman year of college that I barely enjoyed the present at the time. I would go back and tell myself to not worry so much about the next year and enjoy the present time. I felt like I had disconnected from everyone so much just from my obsession of being able to get as little debt in school as possible.

If I could go back to myself in high school I would tell myself to save as much as possible for school and apply to as many scholarships as possible. College is very expensive. Doing whatever you can to not have as much to pay back in the end. You will thank yourself. Plus loans are much harder now if you do not have much family help. If you can not get the amount you need the rest comes from out of pocket. This is where saving will come in handy. Having to work full time with a full time course load can be very stressful. During college the main focus schould be on education and learning the most that you can, not wondering how am I going to complete my assignment if I am working 40 hours a week. And most of all have fun, join clubs and meet new people . Enjoy your college life.

I would avise myself to remain focused and complete college while I am still young and unattached, if/when obstacles present themselves. Completing college and balancing a family is hard, but it will be easier to balance one infant in your early twenties than it is three children in your thirties. Stay committed and strong. Remember that you will not always live up to the expectations of failure imposed on you by everyone, but instead you will be an overcommer and attain satisfaction and success. You are strong, beautiful, and smart. Never lose sight of that.

I would definitely tell myself to focus on better grades and develop a more concise plan to complete my undergraduate degree. During my adult career, I have been passed over a multitude of times for not having the formal education that is required for advancement. Higher education, life experience, and job knowledge is an unbeatable combination for a successful life. Start early and you will finish STRONG!

Brodie, be prepared to experience the best time of your life. You have no need to be nervous, everyone in the ETSU family will welcome you. Do not be afraid to make new friends. Study hard because your education is the most important thing when it comes to college. Your future is dependant on the next four years of your life so give it one-hundred percent. You will not be a "nerd" when you get to college, everybody is there for the exact same reason that you are, to get an education. The drama that ingulfed everyone's social life will for the most part evaporate if you surround yourself with the right people. Respect what is other people's when it comes to dorm-life. Having a roommate will not be scary; your roommate will be in the same boat that you are. Enjoy yourself, do not make any dumb decisions, and take some risks that will set you apart from everyone else.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I would give myself would be to strenuously pursue higher education and to allow my parents to keep me in the comfort of their safe, swaddling arms (and checkbook) until such learning had been completed. I would share with young Laura the value of independent wealth and I would encourage my young self to invent something wonderful (like a Snuggie) to achieve such wealth before venturing into the college and financial aid arenas. I would advise my bratty high school self to be kind and thoughtful to my "oppressive parents" and I would reassure her that their intellect is directly proportional to her aging. I would tell her to take the time and do the work and don't try finding the easy way out. I would also pontificate on the subject of accreditation so she would investigate and choose her schools wisely.

Generally, I would emphasize the needs both to take my studies more seriously and to change my attitude; I tended to discourage easily. Because of my father -- who was gifted in Arithmetic, as were my brothers -- these courses were especially poignant. In elementary and junior high schools and to my utter consternation, he tutored me. Memories of his constant berating, screaming, and cursing are still vivid. By the time I was in high school, my attitude suffered. Understandably, I rejected his further evocations of assistance. Moreover, my freshman Algebra teacher reminded me of my father. Before my classmates, he bellowed pejorative names and belittled my efforts. If I had the opportunity to rescue myself from my emotional problems recurring, I would offer encouragement. I would tell myself that although I may not be gifted mathematically as my father and brothers, still I surpassed many others. Simply I needed to apply myself better and to spend adequate time studying. Furthermore, I would illustrate how I was equal -- and in many cases superior -- to my family in English and foreign languages and in social and earth sciences. I would tell myself to consider college my opportunity for redemption.

I would tell myself not to worry so much. You're going to be able to make good grades and have fun at the same time. The teachers will work with you to make sure you succeed. They really want you to do well. They also have free tutoring if you need a little extra help. Study groups are a great way to get ahead and make new friends at the same time. You will never be bored because there are so many things to do on campus. There are clubs, volunteering, sports, group fitness, climbing walls, swimming, dances, concerts, comedians, dinners, movies, cookouts, games, and competitions, and the best part is it's all free! You're going to love the campus. It is beautiful in every season. You'll enjoy the trees, squirrels, and bunnies you will see on your way to class. The campus is the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. Every class and office is within walking distance. It will be the perfect fit for you. You will not regret choosing East Tennessee State University.

Dear High School Self, It's ok if you don't know what you want for your life right now. When you begin college, a whole new world will open up for you. You'll meet new people, be exposed to fresh experiences, and learn more about where you fit and who you are. Breathe it in! Pay attention to your intuition and your heart. Take steps toward your dream knowing that the path may change along the way. This is your time. Enjoy the journey as you create your future and map out your path.

As a senior in high school, I clearly had all the answers. I knew where I wanted to go to college and who I wanted to be (an interior designer). I had it all laid out: Marcie's Future: A Step by Step Guide to All Things College. I was wrong. On my third day of college, I realized that I couldn't draw and thus couldn't major in interior design! I was devistated for about five minutes until I realized that the choices and possibilities are endless when you go to college. My advice to myself would be to keep my heart and mind open to the many possibilities that await you. Be brave and bold in your choices about college and life in general. Don't place yourself into one specific category, branch out and re-discover yourself. College is always a choice, so choose to relax and enjoy it!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to not spend money on fast food all the time, don't get caught up in peer pressure by drinking and partying, and take my grades seriously for the first year. All of these things may seem fun in the present, but in the future you will have to grow up and take responsiblity for the things that you did when you were 18. Your grades won't be as good as they could have been and you might have a little more money saved up in case of an emergency. More importantly I would tell myself to stay true to yourself and friends that you make, because they will get you through the hard times as well as the easy times.

Hello, Self. You might be in a place right now that you don't understand and are going through challenges that seems to keep knocking you down. Well, guess what? I'm here to tell you that it gets better. Everything you doubt about yourself and every moment that keeps adding to the list of "mistakes" turns into something more. Each choice that you make (good or iffy) reaps optimistic circumstances and makes you a better...YOU. Give ETSU your best and absorb the community for all it's worth. You can't screw up because no matter what you do you will grow into the woman you want to be. You are smart. Everyone around you wants to lend a helping hand--swallow that pride and embrace this chance for everything it gives you. I know you have it in you. Never doubt that! Carpe Diem!

You need to put your heart and mind into your college education. Soak up all that you can from professors and other faculty and staff. This is your time to shine. You need to make your college experience more than a piece of paper. Anyone can get a piece of paper. Are you in college to get that piece of paper or to learn? What you learn in college will be useful throughout life.

If i could go back and give myself advice it would be to open up my eyes and enjoy life. I changed schools many times so I was always the "new kid". This brought out my insecurities, and I kept mostly to myself. I missed out on prom and so many other things that I regret now. I wish I could have told myself that I am an amazing person, and can do anything I set my mind to! There are many things I missed out on in high school, and I refuse to do that in college. I am more involved on campus, with charity work, and have opened up more to meeting new people. I can honestly say I have learned and grown into a much wiser and happier young woman.

Over 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of freshmen at ETSU have not declared a major. While this is certainly allowed, I wouldn't recommend it. I worked for two semesters in the undeclared major office and things get hectic when students need advisement. It is best for students to have some idea of what they want to study when they get to their first semester, that way even if you don't know exactly what you want to do, your advisor can help steer you in the right direction, rather that just having you take core classes for the first two years. Your major classes are by far the most interesting, so you want to include those as soon as you can and sprinkle the core classes in every semester.