Emporia State University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Emporia State University know before they start?

Alina

I would tell my senior self to not stress out about moving to a town where I dont know anybody. Be confident with yourself and your skills. Take criticism as a learning experience and give your all with each assignment.

Elizabeth

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would make sure I understood how important grades really are. Having a good GPA going into college is important because it helps you get into the best classes and have great opportunities. Also, applying for scholarships is very important. You do not realize how important money is until you are in college. Another piece of advice I would give myself would be to try to make friends right away. Otherwise, it is hard and awkward to make friends when everyone is already split off into their groups of friends. Also, I would tell myself to be ready for anything because everything is going to be different than you are used to. Making friends is different, finding jobs is different, even the way teachers prepare tests and teach is different.

savannah

I would tell my self to not take everything to seriously. I would tell my self to not procrastinate and study hard. i would tell myself to join the campus clubs. i would tell myself to play softball like i used to. i would socialize and make friends. i would join study groups. i would study more like i should. i would definetly move to my apartment instead of the dorms. it is alittle cheaper to live in an apartment off campus.

Shuresa

I would tell myself to pay more attention to my studies, and less on worrying about other people. In the end, getting on with your life is going to be based on getting your education and deciding who you want to become, not what other people think.

Melinda

Get involved and learn to be independent. Once you get to college you need to know how to manage your time well and doing this while still in high school is much easier to learn. In high school you have the support of your family who buy your groceries, cook meals, help with laundry and pay your bills. In college you have to do all this on your own and add school and work to your list. This can be a huge shock for many freshman who have not had the experience of managing life on their own.

Kady

I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy every moment you have left as a senior. I remember people telling me this when I was still a senior in high school but I never really understood until I left town and became a college student. I would also tell myself to take more college credit classes in high school because it really gave me a head start on what I wanted to accomplish in college. Making the transition from high school to college life is difficult, but very rewarding and exciting at the same time. I would like to tell seniors now to relax and soak up the experience of high school because you will never get it back again. However, I would also tell them to get ready for college because it is one exciting journey!

Brittanie

You will grow and develop more in college than you ever have. Your friends will change and it will be difficult to maintain a good balance between high school friends and college friends. College is all about experiencing new things with new people. Don't be afraid to approach new people and try new things, these experiences often lead to meeting some of your best friends and having an awesome time. School should always remain a priority but don't lose yourself in it.

Megan

What is your thoughts about how it's going to be in college? You are probably wrong. You need to make sure you have took classes during high school to better distinguish your vocabulary and mathematics skills. You should take courses that would count as college credit courses. But also have fun in high school as well. Don't put too much on your load.

Kelsi

I would tell myself that you should balance each semester by taking some classes that you need to take for your major and classes that you would just enjoy taking like aerobics and bowling. I would also tell myself that no matter what time of the morning your first class is, make yourself get out of bed and go to class! Spend time almost everyday studying for your harder classes, and make sure that you are always prepared for class. Get out and meet new people and try to get yourself involved a lot of different activities.

Hannah

I would tell myself that I need to be open to organizations. I need to make time (outside of work and school) to be involved on campus. I would also tell myself that I need to try and loosen up and make friends. Start study groups early and become friends with the students in the study groups so that you have someone to hang out with outside of class. I would also tell myself to stop procrastinating so much. If things are started early then there is more time available for involvement in organizations, opportunities to make friends, and opportunities to go to plays, concerts, and sporting events. I would tell myself to be excited and ready for all of the new technological advances that are in the classrooms. I would also keep encouraging myself to fill out scholarships and grants even if I do not receive many toward the end of my school year. I would also prepare myself to get involved with the professors in the education and math departments because they have been the most helpful these three years that I have been a student at Emporia State University.

Katelyn

I feel like by attending Emporia State University I have gotten to know myself better as a person, I have been able to figure out what I want in life, and have made great friends and memories that will last a lifetime. All of these aspects have made me very content with my decision to attend college. Emporia State has been a great school for me. It is not too overwhelming and the people are very down to earth. The teachers seem to have the students' interests at heart and are willing to do whatever it takes to help students become successful. I have been able to meet many good people, both students and professionals. The community is very supportive of the school because the school is one of the main attractions in the town. Being away from home and attending college has helped me grow as a person and made me more aware of who I am, what I stand for, and what I want out of life. All and all attending Emporia State University has benefited my life in more ways than one and I am very happy to be apart of the great experience here.

Rachel

Throughout my college experience I have had many challenges, but I believe through each of these challenges I have been able to grow as a person and as a student in tremendous ways. I came into college not really knowing what to expect or how to handle all the new responsibility and now as a junior I have found my niche. Emporia State gave me the opportunity to continue school even in the most life changing of moments. I was able to find helpful professors and peers to assist in this whole experience. I am very thankful for my experience here. I can't wait to finish and further my education with a masters program through ESU.

Brian

The complete answer to this question may not be able to be described in words, much less within the maximum of 200 words. Ofcourse, there's the technical knowledge from classes and programs, such as vocabulary, processes, and professional trends. As expected, I've also improved my written, spoken, and electronic communication skills. But the greatest of lessons have come from the classes that aren't listed on my transcript. For example, there's Balancing Life 214, during which I learned how to balance school, personal hobbies and free time, relationships, and fatherhood. I also enjoyed College Finance 101, which covered a broad understanding of the real price of personal habbits and thinking about one's personal financial future beyond one week. My favorite course, however, was How People Work 433. It's a challenging course that covered an amazing variety of life-long lessons, such as how to successfully deal with people of different backgrounds and ages without ticking them off, how to keep personal drama from professional situations, how to successfully prioritize and/or accept life, how to deal with failure, and how to strengthen one's self understanding. The real value of ESU is immeasurable.

Demetria

I have gotten ALOT out of the college experience, I have learned how to take a negative and make it into a positve. I was taking a math class and I ended up getting a "D" in the class at first I was hurt, but later on I realized I should just try again. I registered and sat in the class for another semester and I walked out of that class with an "A". Instead of sobbing I got up turned that negative energy and made it into a positve. During the class I remained teachable, I didnt walk in with the attitude of " I did this already and I should not be here", I sat in my seat and said " I can learn something" . College has been valuable because of the lesson I learned in that math class. College teaches me life lessons I can apply to my everyday life. For Example, at my job when I remain "teachable" it my makes me humble and manager loves to work with me.

Stephanie

I came to college thinking it would be a more difficult version of high school. While there is some truth in that, I never imagined I would gain the insight that I have. I now know how to take amazing notes, both helpful for class and my future job in business. I have also learned that procrastination will never get you anywhere. Always finish assignments as you get them. Another important piece of knowledge I've gained by going to college is that your alarm clock is your friend. Professors or employers are not pleased with tardiness or absences. Both will lead to removal from their "space". Yet another piece of information that I have attained from my professors is don't be afraid to express your concerns. By doing so both parties can work towards a solution. Lastly, I have learned that I am not always in the right nor should I act like it. Others may have better solutions to problems than the solution I came up with. Working in a team, as a team is beneficial. All of this information that I have realized in college will help me become a productive member of the business community.

Colby

My college experience has been invaluable. The instruction and dedication of my peers along with the leadership provided by my teachers has helped me to achieve some of my goals and dreams. I feel that I am being prepared to be a leader who lives life with character and integrity as well learning skills that are challenging and equipping me for my future employment.

Miranda

I believe that throughout my college experience the most valuable tool I have acquired is the ability to grow. I have had numerous opportunities to travel, participate in student groups, make many friends (inlcuding exchange students), work with professors in several departments beyond my area of study, and evaluate and set my own personal goals. All of these experiences have been very important to me and have helped shaped my future because they have taught me that my education does not end when I cross the stage for my diploma. I am becoming a life-long learner setting educational goals (not always strictly academic) that may only be realized if I keep pushing myself long after I have moved on from the classroom. My life is no longer restricted to the "go to school, graduate, get a job" formula. I have been challenged to question what I know and what is being told to me and apply what I learn; for that reason, I see no dead end in sight. I have grown substantially during my college career, and because of what I learned through this experience I will continue to grow in the future.

Lauren

I have been able to get training specific for the occupation that I want to go into. Although the Massage Therapy school I am attending is a bit more expensive then most; I have been intorduced to many new people, a new way of learning, and knowledge that I would not have received otherwise. I have been greatly blessed to attend a school that helps me personally with whatever I need. I have valued from my school by, not only by gaining education, having family look up to me for acheiving my dreams and going to school on my own finances.

Jessica

I have learned how to be much more responsible and if i want something i have to do it myself because in college no one is there to look after you but yourself. College is where people find out who they really are and what they want to become, bad decisions in college will follow you to your future. Some classes are hard but thats life to be succussful you need to be willing to do the work the best you can and not let anyone tell you that you cant do it and that its not possible because anything is possible if you really want it. College is an awesome experience, not only with classes but with making new friends and getting out of your comfort zone. I love going to college because i can be my own person.

Megan

I have attending 3 other colleges but Emporia was my first choice when I first thought about going to college. My college experience has been amazing. I have had a great support system from family and through the school. I know that my education is important and my experience in the elementary education program has been great. I am excited to attend ESU because they are one of the top schools in elementary education and I am so glad to be a part of a school who offers such as amazing program. I am ready to teach and make a difference in students lives like teachers have made it my own life.