Emporia State University Top Questions

Two years ago, I was eighteen years old. I was attending a school of fifteen hundred students, and preparing for graduation. I was so excited to be leaving high school were most of my decisions were being made for me by teachers, councilors, or my parents. Despite this excitement, many questions weighed down on me everyday: "Which college do I want to go to?" "What should I major in?" "Where should I work?" etc. The anxiety I felt towards college and future plans sometimes discouraged me, and I felt like I couldn't answer the age-old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" However, after a year and a half of experiences in college, I have discovered that I want to "grow up" to be a motivation to others. So, if I could go back to my eighteen year old self, I would say, "Always keep your head up. Don't let the msytery of life discourage you. Work Hard. Embrace everyone. Always be ready to learn. Above all else, be an inspiration to others, so that they can also reap the benefits of hard work."

Focus. That is the one thing that is key to success in college. Sure, friends are awesome and Facebook is a great time-waster, but the real reason you are in school is to learn. The most important thing to do is study and work hard in your classes. Stay on topic and do homework first. If at all possible, read ahead and definitely keep notes! Having at least one friend in each class is helpful, especially if you have to miss a class. Try not to miss class! The easiest way to remain on track in every course is to attend each class session. Talk to your professors; their job is to help you learn, but you have to approach them. Keep track of when assignments are due, and try to finish them all as soon as possible. You have plenty of time, if only you plan ahead and understand what you are doing. Trust me, you have to do these things to succeed. If you're successful in school, you'll be a happier person and will be able to spend time with friends and family whenever you need to or want to. Good luck!

I would tell myself to get into a more set schedule and to pick a school that is better equipt for my major

As a high school senior I was nervous about the college transistion, deep-down. This, though, was not to say I was not nieve. College is not simply a means to an end. Succeeding at a university takes a lot of work. Which I "knew" from what everyone was telling me. But, what I did not realize is that even an honor roll student can hit a few roadbumps here and there. Life hits when you transition to college. Managing school is easy; it's managing how life interacts with school that is the trick. The biggest lesson I have learned in the past year and a half is not trusting that I know what the future will bring. Flexibility is my newest, and possibly most valuable, asset nowadays. I set lofty goals for myself (graduating with two degrees in four years). Even with the best of intentions and twenty-three hours of transfer credit from the local community college earned during high school, I have had to push my graduation date back a year. Life is not a controllable entity. Life is managable. Learn to manage life and the rest will be the best ride of your life.

Go with your gut instinct, even when you feel like having doubts. There will always be good and bad decisions made in your life, but think of it as a way to help you grow into a better person and prepare you for life. College is a chance to explore yourself. Try to do things you haven't done before, make friends, meet people, and socialize. People did not lie when they told you college is the most exciting thing that will ever happen in your life. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, remember that college is going to be the foundation for your entire adult life.

If I could magically go back to my Senior year in high school I would tell myself to take dual-credit courses and not to worry about failing them. And that if I waited until college to take classes such as College Algerbra and Composition that they would actually be harder and I would understand the teachers (math) less. This is really my one and only academic high school regret. Other than that one mistake I beleive that I have made the best choices possible in reguards to my future. As for the personal side of my Senior year I would like to convience myself to be more outgoing and willing to ask personal information. And to act on that information so that after high school the friends that I had made did not just float away because of something that had been assumed.

My first big word of advice for prospective college students is: DO NOT SKIP. College for the next for years is your job, and you need to treat it as such. You wouldn't be able to skip work without letting the boss know. For the parents of these students, be as involved as you can without invading in your child's college experience. It is their time so let them live it. Don't call every single day, but maybe every other day. Don't hassle them about coming home every weekend; they need to be on campus to meet people and get involved. Make sure to find the college that fits all your requirements (big, small, hands-on, etc.) so that when you start school it's not what your parents wanted, but what YOU wanted.

There is so much advice i would like to give, but there's a limited amount of space, so I will keep it short. College is an important time in an individual's life. It is a time for learning, making decisions, and making lifelong friends. One important decision is that of which college someone wishes to attend. The only way to find the "right" college is to attend one you are seriously interested in. You wont know if it is the right one for you until you experience it for yourself. As for making the most of the college experience, I am going to have to use the cliche statement of "get involved." It is as simple as that. It does not have to be with sports, or the fraternity/sorority that parties the most. Simply going to social events, whether it be a fall play or a picnic on the lawn, really helps makes the college experince all it can be. Whatever decisions future students make, I hope the path they have chosen leads them to nothing but success and happiness.

First and foremost visit as many colleges as possible. Be sure to visit the colleges that you have a strong desire to attend. Ask questions, especially to any students that may be around. If a student is giving you a tour of campus ask them questsions, they are the ones that know the campus the best and more than likely they will give you a good idea to what to expect. After finding the perfect college, be open to new ideas and activities. The only way to truly experience college is to be willing to do something. Getting involved may be an option or making friends is another. Be willing to put effort into the school work and take advantage of your education. Use the services that colleges offer such as the career services department. There are so many resources available and they are there for the students to use to their full advantage. Last but not least have fun, you are starting a brand new stage of your life and you might as well doing everything possible to enjoy it. A least I know I did!

Have the students check out several colleges so that they find the one that fits them best. Students make sure to set up meetings with a few of the professors or college students from certain on campus groups. Keep an open mind when visiting and list the pros and cons of each college.