Heidelberg University Top Questions

There are three pieces of advice I would give myself to help the transition from high school to college. First, find a happy medium between your social life and school work. Studying is import but spending time with your friends is necessary as well. Having lots of friends and going to parties is fun but too much partying and socializing can land you in the Dean's office due to poor grades. Second, time management is a crucial part of college and handling your newfound independence. This is especially important for student athletes who juggle social life, studying, and the grueling hours of practice and team meetings. Finally, I would advise myself to stay active and fit to avoid excessive weight gain. A healthy lifestyle in college is important to avoid the "Freshman Fifteen." Late night snack of fast food, eating three meals a day and minimal activity contributes heavily to the weight gain of the dreaded "Freshman Fifteen." Following this advice would reduce any anxiety caused by the transition from high school to college.

I would have trained harder in volleyball so that I was more prepared for college ball. Knowing what I know now I learn ways that work for me to study successfully. I came to college not knowing what methods of study were right for me. It took an entire semester for me to figure out how to study and develop my time management skills.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to be confident. I wasn’t the teenager that would speak out or talk to that cute boy. I would tell myself that it’s okay to take risks; not be afraid of what people think of you. I would tell myself that I’m beautiful the way I am so I shouldn't be afraid to talk to that cute boy from home room. What is there to be afraid of? Nothing. You only get one life, so take chances. Confidence is key, and I know that now. I know that life only gets harder and you need to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. This is the key to success. I would explain that in order to be successful, you need to step outside your comfort zone and experience life so you can be prepared for college and life afterwards. Again, confidence is key. It is a choice and something no one can take away from you. So take it, embrace it, and use this confidence to embark on your journey into becoming someone you can be proud of.

High school was a lonely time. I felt like everyone except me had a group they belonged to and friends to sit with at lunch and hang out with after school. High school felt like the whole world, and since I wasn’t popular there, I was doomed to be a loner ever after. But it simply isn’t the whole world. Beginning college surrounded by new people, no one knew I was that girl who didn’t fit in. It was like getting a do-over. College is a place where people care about my ideas rather than dismissing them because they’re different or unpopular, where my individuality is rewarded rather than condemned. It is a time when soul-searching and mind-stretching takes place because we are all confronted with one another’s unique perspectives. I would go back in time and comfort myself with the knowledge that the loneliness would soon be gone and I could look forward with both relief and excitement to the mind-blowing array of cultures, ideas, and perspectives I would soon encounter. “Hold on, me; this will pass before I know it and the world will never be so small again.”

Never let first impressions blind you to what might lie behind them, for good or ill. Some of my best friends in college were people that I was initially turned off by--whether they intimidated me, annoyed me, or simply didn't seem like "my kind of people", I found that people are rarely what they seem. The same goes for people who seem okay, but you can't really tell. Sometimes, they don't turn out all that great. But in life, you're going to get hurt. That's how you know you're not just dreaming your time away. The pain, the stress, it lets you know you're really living each day to its, and your, maximum potential. In college, I overworked myself, made mistakes, dated the wrong people, said things I regret, and I grew so much for it. Because in the end, I accomplished so much, learned to forgive and be forgiven, and made so many friends and so many memories that I will cherish for as long as I am sentient--because as long as I live isn't long enough to deserve all of the blessings I've received.

Hey, kid. I'm here to give you some advice. Hopefully you actually listen to it Start looking for jobs early. I cannot emphasize this enough. Some schools are great at helping you out, and some aren't. Look for job fairs, industry leaders to contact, and anything-I mean ANYTHING you think MIGHT be worth looking at, look at. And when you do make those contacts, keep in touch with them. Try some things you haven't done before, like cooking. Or drawing. Or making a webseries. You'd be surprised what kind of attention you can get from a well-made webseries. Some of them could turn into your favorite thing ever.

After completeling my first year of college, I realize the struggles that come with beginning college and living alone for the first time. Much of these are related to time management. Due to this, if I were given the opportunity to go back in time and give myself advice as a senior in high school, I would tell myself not to get too excited and get overinvolved. In college there are many ways in which a student can involve themselves with the rest of their peers. However, as a freshman, I made the mistake of being involved in too many different things and this caused me to have too much on my plate to handle in my second semester. This caused my grades and social life to suffer because I was involved in too many things and did not handle time management very well. I have learned that doing less things a little more thoroughly and working on my time management are better choices to make in my college career. If I had the opportunity to go back in time and give myself this advice before I had to learn its merits the hard way, I would, in a heartbeat.

One thing I learned in college was that I joined too many organizations my first year. So to prepare myself, I would probably tell my past self the following: "Though there are a lot of organizations that you can join, Brandi, don't try to join all of them your first year. I know how you like to be involved in everything, but since this is just your first year, you need to focus more on adjusting to the different atmosphere and getting to know the campus, both the people in it, and its studies it has to offer. Yes, I know you'll study and you're good at your work, but also know that overloading yourself and making unnecessary sacrifices is unhealthy for you, especially if that included skipping meals to get a last-minute paper in. You have four whole years to ration out how you spend time in organizations. Take it slow at first, so you can best prepare yourself for what your college life has to offer you. Good luck, past me."

I have gotten countless memories with new friends. I have experienced every aspect of life, I have met people I wouldnt have ever seen in my home town and I have learned so much from all of my professors. I have learned more than the book materials, I have learned to be better person and a better student. Heidelberg has changed my life and changed who I am, it has given me direction for my life and gave me an outlet for my squirrel attitude.

I find that this college experience has been helpful because it has allowed me to create my own success. I have been able to truly be independent and think for myself.

I have gained alot of valuable knowledge from the education deptartment. I really enjoyed the hands on activities and first hand experience when it comes to being out in the field. I think it is extremely helpful we are put in a classroom setting in our first semester of school. I have made friends and learned to work with a different group of people since my school is in a rural area. Comming from the inner city have had the oppertunity to see to cultural differences. Although I dislike certain parts of Heidelberg University, (no long Heidelberg College) I feel like i have have a productive three semesters.

College for some people is an excuse to get out of the house. For me college wasn't just a place to get away from home, it was a way for me to have a career to help take care of my family. College opened for me a new world of many opportunities. At first i was overwhelmed. Being in a new country with different views and laws from my own posed only little difficulty. I learned to adapt and from there enjoyed the new experiences. College thought me how to be disciplined, organised and patient. I had time tables to follow and set times to get to and from classes. Plus i had to learn how to be very attentive in order to get the necessary information that is being passed on to me. Even though i never had the chance of finishing college , i had the opportunity of meeting new people, trying different things, going to various places and learning many things that i hadn't at home. I left college feeling very happy and dedicated to making my life better. If given the chance to go back, i'd take it in a heartbeat.

Atending my school has been dificult. My major is Product Development and even though the Fashion Design major would have been somthing I could have been very good at, I chose Product Development to help get me a better job opportunity. It was hard to see the Fashion Design students working on their sketches and garmnets, wishing I could do the same. After my two years here I have not had as much as the other students. Most students would show up to class with snacks and new clothes, it has been tough to be accepted into their life styles. They also can not understand what it is like not to be so fortunate and take a lot of things for grantet. Then again, being on campus with the range of international students with majors that can work together, I have found networking here a sufficient tool. Aside fitting in, I have benifited with Photoshop and Illustrator proficientcy and improved my GPA tremendously. I feel I have had hands on training in the fashion feild (Design and Production/buisness aspects). Without FIDM I would not have been able to in the $35,000 anual range for a entry-level job.

I have a new found love and joy for life through college and through the people I have met. When I was fourteen my oldest brother was killed in a car accident and for all of high school I struggled to know who I really was. But at Heidelberg I became who I was always meant to be. And I did not do it on my own, with the help of my Sorority Sisters, friends, teachers, and the choices I made for myself. I found me and the person I longed to be. It has been valuable because it has shown me that through hard work, charisma, dedication and leadership I have come to value myself, and value all I have learned at college.

My college experience has been great. I have met a lot of great new friends. l have been fortunate to get a really great room mate. It has been a challenge at times juggling all the new things that are thrown my way in terms of coming to a new place with new people. I have learned to really appreciate the luxuries of home and just enjoying being home when l do get to come home. l have a whole new appreciation of space and how to make the most of a small one. l am learning new things in a new setting with new people. The college experience is a life experience that l am happy to have had the opportunity to have.

If I were able to go back in time and tell myself something, it would be to fill out more scholarships and write more essays for competitions. Having to deal with the stress of financial insecurity is harder now than it was at the end of my senior year of high school because in addition to everyday issues there is also much more homework. To some extent, it feels as though the financial situation is overwhelming, and knowing that I'll have to pay it all off later makes it worse.

Dear me, Congratulations for making it this far and accomplishing everything that you have. As you are approaching your senior year please remember not to slack off. Things are gonna go much easier if you turn things in on time in English or Biology. The extra credits do matter when you get to college, be the best you can be. There are a lot of great things ahead. You will never regret anything that once made you smile. This is your last year in LaGrange and with the friends you have had since kindergarten. Cherish every last moment.

As things stand currently, I am going to finish this semester 6 credits short of being able to graduate, I am still suffering from the remainders of heart break, and I am broke. I would tell the high school senior version of myself to take 19 credit hours every year from the very beginning, which would have saved myself and my parents a semester's worth of tuition. I would warn my high school self to be more careful around males, to think long and hard before getting into a relationship. I would tell myself to be careful with money, budgetting carefully and spending wisely, there are many pretty things in life, but you do not need to own them all. I would tell myself that sometimes you really do just need your mother, and that is okay. And lastly, I would say that you are going to do just fine, don't worry; try not to procrastinate too much, but just have fun.

I would go back and tell myself that college life is nothing like high school. You don't have anyone there to tell you to get up and go to class or to do your laundry for you. So inorder to make the transition into college easier and more enjoyable make sure you don't wait till the last minute to get your paper work filled out and to desperatly try to live on campus because that is much better than living off campus, it really allows you to get the full college experience your freshman year.

Don't worry so much about making friends. If you just let go it will happen naturally, and believe it or not everyone around you is going through the exact same thing. It may seem like you don't fit in with anyone you meet but sometimes the most unexpected people will end up sharing interests with you. Don't stress out about your living situation as it is likely to change many times in your college life. My favorite lesson that I have learned however, is that you don't have to dread the classes rumored to be the hardest, they might end up being the most fun :).