Gustavus Adolphus College Top Questions

I would tell myself that the transition to college is not as terrifying as it seems. All you have to do is be prepared for new things, keep an open mind, and be yourself. Your classmates will accept you for who you are and the professors are truly interested and dedicated in your life and helping you succeed. Never be afraid to ask for help!

I would say to my senior high school self, “Girl, you better start applying for scholarships NOW. If you wait until after you entered college to apply for scholarships, you will be sorry. Also, make sure you look at all possible was to get text books cheaper. And make sure you do the homework, even if it is not for a grade. Also, don’t take peoples ‘advice’ when they say not to take a mathematics class during the summer semester. With the amount of math you need you will not be able to get them all done in two years, no way no how. If you hear about a study session held by other students in one of your classes, MAKE SURE you ask if you can join. Do not, I repeat do NOT, allow you to talk yourself into procrastinating. Even if your homework is not due for a week, do it either that night or the next evening. I know for a fact you WILL forget and the evening before class you will be up until 11:00 pm trying to finish it. Also, when you enroll in Physics I, GET THE SOLUTIONS MANUAL! It will help.”

If I could go back in time to my senior year of high school, I would stress the importance of being confident in the person that I have become. College presents countless new experiences to incoming freshman students that they may or may not have ever encountered before. In my own personal experience, I had not faced many of the wide-ranging decisions that I was suddenly presented with in college. While many of the people around me started to succumb to peer pressure, I was faced with a dilemma. At times I started to question everything that I felt to be true about myself and my values. If I had been more confident in the strong person that I have become, the decision making process would have been a lot easier. I would not have even thought twice about the choices that I have always thought to be right prior to college life. College is a time of transitions and of struggles but being fully assured of yourself as a strong individual then a lot of the stress can be pushed to the side and the fun and exciting times can prevail.

I have learned so much from my time at Gustavus. The most important thing I learned is time management. I thought I was prepared when it came to time management, since I practically lived in a car driving from one town to another for athletic practice. I knew what it was like to have to get a lot done in little time and to do it well. Then came college and you say, “Hey! I only have 3-5 hours of class a day! I’ve got all the time in the world to get things done.” I hate to burst your bubble but that is not how it works. For example, they say to be successful in a science class you need to spend two hours outside of class for every one hour of class to be successful, add in lab time and you have about nine hours per week for just one class. Each week you have to say, "I have this, this, and this to get done", and decide when to do it. Time management isn’t limited to class. It allows me to pursue activities that enrich my life as well as the lives of others.

Not only have I received an awesome education so far, I have come to appreciate those around me and little things I used to take for granted. I am very close to my family so leaving for school was a struggle but it made me realize how fortunate I truly am. I'm so lucky to be able to attend such an amazing school, have a family that supports me, and friends that stick with me through it all. Although the interesting concepts and lectures I have listened to this past year will stick with me forever, one thing that has completely changed me is my love and appreciativeness for everyday I?m blessed with. Attending Gustavus College and experiencing that separation from my family and old friends has given me this opportunity for self growth, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

What have I gotten out of my college experience? All the tools I need to be a great nurse. I thought about taking my classes online in fact, I took a few online. When I started the nursing program things changed, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done and still strive to do. The personal contact with my classmates has made the whole nursing experience worth the attendance. Breaking the barrier of touching people is one of the hardest yet most basic things we have to do as a nurse. Getting out of my comfort zone and laying my hands on my friends was extremely difficult. Contact is hard for a lot of people and as a nurse our contact is with strangers which makes it ever harder. Attending at a campus helped me and my classmate break out of our shells and into the healing world. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and gained everything I need to be successful. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner, sure it's hard but it's worth it!

My college experince has strengthened my confidance and taught me to never give up. I remeber my first year in college, I felt so overwhelmed with homework, exams, classes and everything else that comes with being a student. I knew i wasnt doing my best in class or studying as hard as I could. By my second year I was determined to be more organized and self motivated. I went to the student help centers, I got myself a tutor and talked to my professors more often. Thats another thing college taught me, hardwork and scarafice do pay off in the end and also to surround myself with others who have similiar goals and high expectations for themsleves. My last semester was tough, my classes werent the easiest especially my chemistry class. I remeber when I took my my first exam, I was so confidant I would pass with flying colors, to my surprise I got a C. So i changed the way i studied and by the final exam i was making A's. That class taught me to believe in myslef again and made me realize that whatever i put my mind to i can acheieve.

I have attained a wonderful love of learning, an amazing group of friends, and the determination to have an amazing life. I will use my scholarships to attain a higher education, and use that education to see the world, find a job I love, and continue learning throughout my adult life.

I would like to suceed in Life , actually be something and make something of my self.I would like to have a Job a house,& my own truck/car.And Not have to rely on other people,I would like to be self sufficient & make my own income. And above all I would like to have a Education that will help me suceed in my future career.

I have grown up alot through my year at college. I had a daughter and worked part time but always like to go to class. it was the one thing i got to do for myself. its very important to me to go to college because me and my sister are the first to get an educated for five generations. I hope to someday make enough money to pay for my son and daughter to go to college.