Ferris State University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself, as a high school senior about college life, I would permit numerous amounts of advice. When I was in high school I had my mind set on one college, Lawrence Tech University. When the time came, at the very last minute, I had to switch schools and go to a community college, it was more affordable. I went to Lansing Community College (LCC), and after a year I transferred to Ferris State University. The advice I would give myself is, always keep your options open and have a backup plan for everything. And when choosing a University make sure the environment accommodates what you're looking for. When I was at LCC for two semesters, I was very focused and made the deans list twice. What I would tell myself is, it's okay to have a social life and have fun every once in a while, you don't always have to have your head in the books. I would also tell my self to have a goal in college which is, participate in on campus events, make life long friends, and stay on the deans list.

Dear High School Self, It's me, from the future, from your college days ahead of you. Stop worrying about what your friends are doing after high school, this is your time to focus on you and to figure out what you like and who you are when there are no friends around to influence your taste, style, or judgement. If your high school friends are truly here to stay then they will no matter what you decide to study or where you decide to attend college. The people you'll meet in college will challenge you, bend your mind, and change your perspective, and that my dear self is invaluable. SPOILER ALERT: You make new friends, better friends. One's that are so different and refreshing from your hometown regulars. So try to focus on what is going to make you happy and be ready to accept that some of your best friends might just become old friends. You need to make space for the people and things that really matter. Leave the good for the great.

Looking back on my high school years, I would have told myself to work harder. If I had the chance to take more AP classes, I would have. I also would have researched financial aid more. I never knew that when I was in high school I'd lose my mom. Looking back I took for granted the encouragement she provided me with. I wish that I would have taken her words of wisdom more seriously. I'm glad I'm in Nursing, she always supported my choice to join the medical field. I wish I would have taken more classes geared toward medicine, although I loved my classes in high school. I would have told myself to save more money and spend more time doing things I loved, because college is expensive and busy! Mostly though, I would have told myself how important people are in life, and to never hold back telling somoene how much you love them.

Immediately, I remember moving into my first apartment. It was my 18th birthday, and being the angsty teen I was, I got in an argument with my parents. I wiped the tears from my eyes, wished myself a happy birthday and went to bed in a city full of people, still feeling lonely and literally alone. I was sincerely depressed in my suburban hometown. I was always surrounded by groups of friends but I wrote in my journals constantly about feeling alone. I didn't want to go to college, I just wanted to move away from home and work a minimum wage job until I figured out what I wanted to do in life. But truly, I don't think I would have recognized the extent of potential in myself, without meeting the people I have and actually experiencing college. Acknowledging that advice and experience are vastly different, if I could have given myself any advice, it would have been to breathe. To appreciate the little things that make each day so sacred. To allow myself to be more mindful, and open-minded, and to understand that with a good heart and a strong will, anything can be accomplished.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self as a high school senior i would definitely tell myself not to overload on classes and work. That I get tired quickly, and I become way too exhausted. I would also tell myself that I can't slack, that I need the best possible grades I can get and to thank me later, because those grades would of helped with scholarships if I hadn't messed around. I'd tell myself that we do eventually learn our lesson but after the fact that we have to pay for a good chunk of our schooling that could of been paid for. If only we had cut back our hours at work and added some hours to course work. Also I would have told me to start looking for scholarships then instead of learing about them in my sophmore year.

The biggest piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is to just "jump" right in. I was very shy coming to Kendall because out of a high school class of over 500 nobody I knew was going to the same school as me. I thought I was missing out and I'd tell myself that, "The best experiences you'll have in a college where you live at home still is the ability to meet so many more people who have things in common. At Kendall you don't have to be a drinker or partier to find a bunch of students hanging out together on a friday night, actually you'll find the biggest groups of students at coffee houses laughing and having a good time till the late hours. The students are very welcoming, most coming from all over the U.S who don't know anybody else either. Everyone is in the same situation. Laugh, have fun, and hit the ground running. One thing I can say is that Kendall is a very accepting school and so are the students." Have an amazing time in college everyone is very supportive.

Always go with your gut. Kendall is meant for you. You are meant for Kendall. Your dreams will come true because of everything you'll absorb from the classes, text books, and classmates and teachers you'll meet. Always make time for projects and studying because it will pay off in the long run. Always stay open minded because you are always going to meet people you'll love, and people you'll dislike. You'll learn about different ways to handle certain situations, and even if you're uncomfortable with something, try it anyway. Believe in yourself and experiment. It's okay to go out of your limits and challenge what you think you know. And don't be afraid to learn new things. Also, be true to yourself. Forever remember to follow your heart. Forever do what you love and don't accept anything less. Because when you do what you love, happiness is life. And happiness is your goal. Happiness is your dream.

Take your time and learn everything you can.

I am satisfied with the way I have handled my education. I was in a two year community college for about four years and working two full time jobs. I graduated May of this year with a liberal arts asso. degree. I will be attending Drew University this coming fall and furthering my education with a major in english with the intent to go to law school . I recently moved out of my paretns house and I am living in my own apartment to be closer to my new school. Going to a community college for my first two years definitely saved me a lot of money, I have learned it is very difficult to afford college and it is hard to find help with paying. The only thing I woud have changed was to finish my county college in two years, otherwise this was an excellent way to recieve a degree without struggling with money. However, since I am attending a university this fall I am having a very difficult time figuring out how to pay.

I tried to attend school many years ago, but I was unable to stay focused. I am ADHD, and have kicked myself in the butt many times for not being able to stick it out. I am much more settled now, due to my age, and I am so glad I have finally been able to stick it out now. That being said, as a matter of fact, I think by what I just mentioned you can pretty much guess that I would have to tell myself to JUST STICK IT OUT, it will be worth it in the end.