Eastern Washington University Top Questions

Going back to college as a nontraditional graduate student has reaffirmed for me the potential that people have to change their situations, and to make a difference in the world, regardless fo their situations.

I have gain knowledge, independence, courage, and strength. Attending College has taught me to view life in a whole different aspect. I learned about third world countries , people who suffer from hunger, wars, violence, and diseases. I obatin information that before I contained but was made more clear and realistic to my eyes,when I began attending College. My time here at Eastern Washington University I quickly comprehended that if desired to achieve my goals that I will have to work hard and not get distacted by other people. I have gain courage and strength to keep my mind in school and not contribute to drugs or binge-drinking like several of my friends. I retained courage and respect for myself to denie such unhealthy habits. I gain strength to stand up for myself and my right to an education, when others did not believe I would make it this far. I have grown immensily and have gain independence, ripping away from depending on what others thoughts were in what should I do with my life. Attending College, motivated me more to continue my education and become a successful person in life, and taught me that anything is possible.

I have gotten alot out of my college experience. In my field of study I feel that the teachers are fully preparing me for my future career. I have meet so many people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. The professors in my major really care about you and want you to succeed. The professors bend over backwards to help you out. Also the advising staff is unbelievable, they will do anything to help you get into the classes you need. I have received many opportunities at Eastern that I otherwise would not have gotten anywhere else. I absolutely love Eastern Washington University, and feel I am getting a better education than most students do at more expensive colleges. I wouldn't want to go to any other college.

If I had to give myself advice, I would tell myself to live on campus. I really enjoy my apartment, but it seems to really become a part of the Eastern Washington University family you must be involved in the "dorm" life. Be outgoing and friendly to everyone, because although education is what we are there for, it is so much more helpful and beneficial to have friends and other people around to support you through all of life's other obstacles.

If I could back in time and had the chance to change something about my high school years, there would be only one thing to change. That is to apply for the Running Start Program that was offered to me as a junior in high school. When I was in high school, I did not think that such program was worth it. However if I had the chance to go back today, I would most certainly would apply for the program. With Running Start, I could have earned up to two full years of tuition-free college credit while I would be still in high school. Not only that I could have been finished with school and most likely already working for an accounting firm. By attending these college courses, I would get a faster glimpse at the real world, and could have served me as an additional benefit after the high school graduation. Running Start is a great program for students that are in high school and I recommend every student to consider this option when they are still in high school. It could have saved me two years of time and also lots of money.

If I were to assume that I would go back and talk to myself I would give myself some advice. For starters, do not be so timid there are so many other people who are experiencing this for the first time just like you so do not be afraid to let go and be more out going. Speak your mind especially when it comes to you new roommate, you are living with this person for 9 months and you need to be comfortable too. Find that perfect balance, between friends, family, and school work. Determine what is the most important to you and keep that in mind. Go to the school events, you might think that they are kind of lame but you would be surprised about who you may meet.

I would tell myself that it's really not that important to have a significant other in my life even though it seems that way at the time. Guys come and go while my education really should be the main focus. The guy I find should be one that values my education and pushes me to do better than even I think I can do. I would also tell myself that friends are extremely important. Keep in touch with the group even after graduation. They will be my support group and keep me from going insane when life seems to be crushing down on me and the stress gets to be too much to bear. Take time to enjoy life, but also remember that there are assignments due at some point and if something is going to go wrong, it's not usually at a convenient time. Last but not least, mom and dad really do love me and are just trying to get me going on the right path. All I'm achieving is giving them gray hair.

Knowing what I know now about college life would completely change how I went through my 4 years of high school. If I could talk to myself as a high school senoir I would tell myself to study harder and take more time to enjoy the freedoms of a high school student. I would tell myself to reconsider the military as a first choice right out of high school instead of waiting until I was three years into college to join and gain the experience and knowledge that I have now. I would also tell myself to experience more hands on training during high school doing more internships to gain knowledge about what I really wanted to be when I grew up, because I definately did not know when I went to college when I was 18 yrs old. One final word of advice I would have for myself as a high school senior would have to be work hard and study hard because it will all be worth it in the end.

I would suggest to try and find out what major you want to pursue early on. If Running Start is an option, then take it. Too often I hear college studentstell me that I was very smart to do Running Start. They often see the benfits, but in hindsight, it is already too late. Community colleges are ways to take beginner level classes at a lower cost, avoiding a large pile-on of student loans can be very detrimental. This makes it more efficient to take intorductory classes in different fields to gain a better understanding of what field of study you want to pursue, with a lower pricetag, so as not to take unnessecary classes. Be bold, don't let others tell you what you can and cannot do. But listen/learn from others' experiences to learn what's best. Don't limit yourself. Try and get a part-time job early, to help pay for tuition and limit student loans. Have fun, enjoy college. This is where adulthood for most people begins! This is what can easily shape who/what you will be as an adult.

I was the freshman college student who didn't take his/her first year of college with the seriousness necessary. I would go back to convince myself that every assignment, quiz, paper, attendance, etc is just as important as the next. I would say that college is the time to come into your own, and it's like a huge white canvas to splash the colors of your own personal goals and life aspirations on. I, just like hundreds of other high school seniors, wasn't quite ready for the giant void that college was. Many lose focus on what's important when choosing a school or actually preparing for it. The most important thing I would say is to not be afraid to be different than the people around you. This is the beginning of your adult life, and it needs to be started drenched in your own true colors, soaked with success, and draped by all the new wonderful people surrounding you.