Ferris State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to have more fun, and not worry as much about the transition. While it is a big step, it's nothing as stressful as I feared it was going to be. My college did well in integrating people into its system, and it's a place that feels both good and safe. I would suggest volunteering a bit more, as well, and to focus a bit more intently on what would need to go into my career following completion of my major.

I think the most important advice that I could give to anyone in that situation is to get the earliest start possible and take care of loans, housing, scholarships, finding a job, and get that all out of the way as early as possible so you are not cramming all that stress into one or two months becuase it is not fair to you or the others around you trying to help like your parents or guardians. It creates nothing but stress and unhappiness. As school begins deadlines start to pop up and if your loans dont go through, you will not be able to lock down housing, if you have to move away from home. Other than that just go to school with an open mind and a smile and you will make friends almost instantly! Everything else falls in your lap pretty easily, atleast so far...

Naturally, I am a low-risk person that likes familiarity and planning. Although it sounds unlikely, I found myself looking forward to the college experience. In retrospect I think I was excited about the idea of college, but truly terrified of living it. I really felt like I was the only one that was scared to leave everything behind; everyone else seemed to have the attitude of "let's get out of here!" This ended up causing a few preconcieved notions that I wasn't going to make any friends, "nobody will like me," and I'm going to hate it. With that said I wish I could go back in time and tell my senior high school self that she had absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I'm not embarassed about how I previously felt about college and what it entails, but from what I know and have lived through now, my fears were completely irrational. I have met so many amazing people, and have learned so much academically and about myself. I would tell her that college is going to be one of the best times of her life and she best live it to the fullest.

That college isn't scary. What it is ment to be is an adventure, something that you remember for the rest of your life. Don't rush into it, look around and pick the one that is right for you. Don't go to the one that everyone else wants to go to, pick the one that really speaks to your heart and pick that one. You will make friends in college, having them in high school is great, but it is the ones in college that will stick with you the longest. You will find friends that love you for who you are and what you want in life, don't let the ones that think you're weird hold you down. People are not ment to be cookie cutter shapes, we are ment to be unique and different and that is what makes us special. You will find that in college, you will find yourself when you go away to college.

During senior year I was incredibly stressed out. I could not seem to decide on such a life changing decision. I was deciding between about 5 different colleges at the time. If I was able to go back in time and give advice to myself I would have stressed the importance of touring and evaluating my options earlier in the year to avoid the last minute stresses. I would also tell myself that this decision is not worth stressing over as much as I had. I would have told myself that you are a strong individual and can make it through even if you do choose the wrong college for you. I would say that if you are unhappy at wherever you choose to go you can always transfer. I would also give myself more compliments rather than being hard on myself. I was really harsh on myself and my struggle with making decisions, this also brought stress upon myself. I have learned now that we all go through trials in our lives and it is important to embrace these trials and accept both our strengths and weaknesses in order to make the best decision for ourselves.

MAKE A BUDGET, AND STICK TO IT! College can be fun but it's also very expensive, not inculding the tutition bills. Going out to eat every night and going on weekly shopping trips can wait. Now is the time to crack down and focus on your school work, not getting a new outfit. Also you need to believe in yourself. Times can get tough when you don't get the best grade or a presentation doesn't go so well. Just beleive in yourself and your work and everything will work out the way it's supposed to. And always remember that I LOVE YOU!

As a high school senior you need to prepare yourself by applying for scholarships, and save money as much as possible. Work hard to do well so you can get acedemic scholarships. Do research to find a job that you really feel would make you happy and will be a realistic opportunity in the area you wish to live. Know what you want to do so that you can have a focused college career that will not waste your time and money. Learn how to take care of your own responsibilities so that when you get to school you know how to take care of yourself, this will prevent culture shock as much as possible. Learn things such as how to balance a bank account, how to do laundry, how to get bills put in your name and pay them on time by keeping a schedule and how to manage your time. If you plan on going to a school in a city, try to visit the school ahead of time to learn your way around and how to use the bus system. Apply to realistic schools and believe in yourself!

Incorporate more structure into your independent studies, so having set creative assignments in a timeline isn't such a shock.

I would tell myself that everyone is right about grades being important because it was my good grades that allowed me to go to school and somewhat afford it.

Hi Ginny! It's me, I mean you, I mean me...oh heck, listen up, you've got two ways to go once you graduate high school; into college or into the rat race we call a minimum wage workforce. If I were you (and I am) I would strongly recommend a college education. The future, as I have so painfully seen it for you, is one of dead end jobs (sometimes 2 or 3 at a time) and sleepless nights when you can't feed your children or pay your bills. If you choose wisely and choose college now, you will not the people who chuckle at you when they learn your 40+ years old and back in school. Trust me on this one. Do it now while you're young and full of life...you won't regret it, I promise.