Ferris State University Top Questions

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

Taylor

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.

Sara

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.

Cassie

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.

Hayley

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.

Kirstin

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.

Chelsea

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.

Whitney

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.

Robert

Take your time and learn everything you can.

Danielle

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.

Timothy

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.

Amanda

If I were to go back and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid and to study what I was interested in. My first year of college I attended Northern Michigan University (NMU) instead of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) because I was scared that I was not good enough to be an artist. After my first year at NMU, I realized that I wanted to take art seriously because that was what I was interested in. I wish I would have attended KCAD my freshmen year of college because I would have saved money and be farther ahead. Now that I am attending KCAD, I am currently studying Medical Illustration. With my major, I am still studying and creating artwork while being academically challenged in anatomy and biology. I enjoy going to class because I am passionate about what I am learning about. Even though my classes are challenging and time consuming, I am grateful to be interested in what I am learning. I believe that I will be able to have a career in Medical Illustration when I graduate and be happy.

Joseph

If I could go back in time to my senior self and give some advice, I would say to always go with your gut. I would tell myself that I need to rememeber for now on that I am paying for my education now, so I should get my money's worth in something that I enjoy doing. I would say not to get stressed because the school you are attending will try their hardest to help you in any way possible. I would also make sure that I had all of the resources for extra scholarships and better opportunites when it came to getting out into the community when I first arrived.

Kaitlyn

Get your life together, get encouraged, and prepare yourself for college and leaving home. You only have so much time to pick out a school and spend this time at home with your family. Enjoy it and be prepared for a big change. Nobody wants to see you fail and your family wants what is best for you. It's okay to miss family and friends but they are happy for you to be doing something that is bettering yourself. When you get that degree it will be the happiest day of your life and you will officially be able to say you did something you never expected from yourself and you are done with school forever. You can do this, don't regret your past only learn from it. Continue to venture on.

Anastasia

I have actually had a wonderful college experiance and wouldn't change a thing. what i would tell my self is save your money. To "run", run with your ideas, your love, your passion. To just run.

Taylor

As a high school senior I would have told myself to remember that not everyone is your friend and that there are not always going to be people who want to be your friend. You will always have people that are better than you and you cannot always be the best until you learn the most that you can. Make sure you are dead set on going to the college you choose and never expect more until you go there for your first year. Always go into the school year with an open mind and keep that open mind throughout the whole four years or more that you will be there. Stay positive and never give up, show yourself and others that you can make it and that you will do your best to make it.

Ashley

College is not an easy thing. To any artist out there who is thinking about going to college know that what work load you do in high school, times that by 100 and you will understand college. Everything is much more cut throat then high school, but its worth every second and the prize at the end is worth a lifetime.

Shawn

Kepp doing what you are doing.

Constance

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I'd first tell her to not be scared and to stop putting things off until it's too late. I'd tell myself that chances pop up anywhere, at anytime, you need to grab on to them while you can and push yourself to succeed. Pay more attention and learn what you can from high school, the things that you learn can help you out one day and save you money. You've got more freedom when you start college, but don't abuse it, that freedom could cost you one day. Don't put off things for another day, because sometimes things are truly to late to fix and you'll regret missing out on it. College is a wonderful experience, and it will be one of many to come in the years following it, but you can't miss out on your chance to do well without focusing on your future now.

Grace

I would tell myself to focus more on scholarships and getting financial aid down. I would also try getting a job sooner to start saving for expenses and have an emergency fund. As far as college life itself goes, I would tell myself to take bigger risks and really try to get involved in as much as I can. College isn't all about studying, although that is a big part, there are so many things to try, events to go to, and people to meet. Living in the dorms is one of the best decisions you will make, and you will regret living at home, even though you will be saving a lot of money. College is awesome, and it's too short to sit around and be afriad to try new things.

Jenna

Ignore the high school pressure to have everything figured out. College is the time to start figuring everything out, but there's no deadline. Just go with your gut and don't worry about achieving the standard college experience. Everything you do happens for a reason.