Illinois Institute of Technology Top Questions

Don't waste your time with AP classes, just take the classes you want at community college at night or in the summer. You get more bang for your scholastic buck and you will also gain "college" expereice and learn how to step up the studying. Taking humanity and social science classes at community college also gives you a little more room to be flexible with your college class schedule. The nicest looking dorm is not always the funest dorm. Go ROTC if you need to fund your education.

I would suggest that I stay organized and get ahead of the game. It's very hard to find out all the information you need and people don't realize that most of it is found by doing it on your own. I suggest writing down as many questions as possible and taking initiative in finding out the answers.

The main thing I would tell myself would be to get involved and stop stressing. Being involved in school is the number one reason I love being here at IIT. It took me a long tim to get involved in high school, so if I would have actually done it, I know I would have had much more fun. The reason I would say to stop stressing is because my senior year was completely full of it. I didn't know how I would like leaving my hometown, I had some hard courses, I was working two jobs, and was vice president of Key Club. Looking back now, I see how much free time I actually had compared to now though. I also notice now that I didn't have many worries back then as I do now (mainly speaking financially). My high school senior self would definitely have had a better time in high school if I told him these two things, but I also loved my senior year, so really I wouldn't change a thing that year.

Apply for as many scholarships as possible, because school itself comes fairly simply to me, but the money is a different story.

It's never too late to prepare for college. I know, traditionally, most start preparing their junior year, but applying earlier will make you so much more aware of the processes and the subtle nuances that actually make a huge difference. Workload doesn't get lighter by senior year. It may seem that way because of the fallacy that is senioritis and the ideas spread by the student body that your last year doesn't matter. It does and it is just as precious as any other school year. Make the most of it by doing the best work and help achieve that by spreading your workload of present and future throughout all your years in high school, not just the last two.

While the idea of giving yourself advice may seem romantic to some I choose not to live my life in the past. The choices I made then are what brought me to where I am today, and they will take me to my future. If I were to say anything to my past-self it would be merely to say, "Keep up the good work and never question the choices you will make."

Stop panicking about what you're going to do, stop worrying about jobs during the summer, stop worrying about the costs of college, or making new friends, or getting a new place to live, or doing more work. Worrying has never gotten you anywhere, it sits as a hinderence to your potential. the only time to think about worrying is when you're looking for a challenge. write that paper, do that project, stop getting scared about the minor details and error margins. Failure is good for you, so stop worrying! See everything as a challenge, not a limit; you are not faced with things you cannot do, but things you simply haven't done yet. Be everything you can be, and don't be afraid to have to dodge a few falling rocks, even be hit by one or two, as you climb to that peak. Everything is worth it in the end, so just stop worrying and start doing.

Figure out what you want to do and where you want to go while in high school. This may seem like a hard task as there are so many opportunities and so many colleges available, but it is worth the time and effort to invest in your future. Do not be afraid to try new things and enjoy yourself! Put yourself in situations in which you would normally avoid. You can expose yourself to experiences which can benefit your future, make new friends which will help with networking (also helping you in the future), and you might even have fun. Take advantage of everything your school has to offer. You will be paying, a lot, for an education and in addition to classes, schools will host all sorts of events & clubs which most people fail to attend.While it may be tempting to go out and party with your new found freedom, I would encourage you to do it in moderation and instead use what your are already paying for. The most important thing: Go to class! While bigger universities may not have an attendance policy, skipping class will put you at a disadvantage.

The advice I would give is to keep up what has been started. I was an extreme try-hard in high school and was focused on the academic structure and what accompanies it. I would tell myself to focus on what I want to be doing, not to impress others. I lost this in college, and would love the opportunity to gain back my stamina of both academics & athletics. I am now focused on pursuing opportunities specific to furthering myself in the professional world, rather than academics. I would tell myself to not to forget people from high school, but to venture to further places rather than a location relatively close to home. To just do what I want to, be open to suggestions, and to never give up on goals.

I would tell myself that he should continuously put in a better effort and never to let failures bother him and instead to learn from them. I was a slacker back in high school; lost in the system and not knowing where to go. I held myself back constantly and continued to do so even after I left high school and it wasn't until half way through community college did I realize that just by putting in some effort the good grades are right in my reach. I would want to tell him that putting effort into life is not only practical in school but just everywhere he would go. Feeling out of place and constantly discouraged by my past failures always got me down and unmotivated and nothing started going in my best interests until I started motivating myself. The number one thing I would have done is start this process sooner for myself but I cannot instead I wish to try and spread it to my little brother and others because hopefully no one else should have to feel inadequate about themselves to the point they wish they could have done the same sooner.

Classes have never been just about getting a good score and letting your parents brag about you with other parents. College gives you a shot of reality and problems that want you deal with it. There will be times where you won't know how to solve the problem, but the fact of the matter is, that feeling of nervousness and fear of failure while taking these shots is great to have. It shows that you are ready to take on these problems and solve them. College is where you'll be able to make these mistakes, but actually have the chance to amend them. With prudent and diligent decision making, this is ability to transition into college is possible.

I would tell myself to focus on my grades, take less hours at work, and apply for more scholarships. I tell myself about the importance of eductaion and show myself why it is essential to a positive future to take pridein and ownership of my grades and eductaion.

Dear High School Senior Ariel, You are making a large step in life, and I believe you are making one the best decisions to attend IIT. But before you prepare you mind for this transition, I want to share two things you could benefit from reading. Throughout your college years, get to know the people around you because you can learn from them and they from you. These are the ones living on your floor, the ones sitting next to you in class, even the ones sitting next to you at dinner. Everyone is from some place different and has unique interests; they can show you something you did not know, but you will find valuable in life or your career. Also, never underestimate the power of kindness! Whether you are talking to a friend, professor, or counselor, being kind in your dealings is best. When you show respect to people that are able to assist you, they will do so to the best of their ability. Ariel, you never know who will do their best in your behalf or who you could help! I think you are ready. Remember, this is more than a degree! Regards, College Junior Ariel

If I could travel back in time and advise my high school senior self about college, I would tell him that in order to succeed in college you need to make the effort to reach out to the professors if you have any problems with the class. At universities, the professos will not give you help. Instead, you have to come to the professor and tell them about your issues. The professors want the students to take intiative and ask for assistance. I have actually heard some professors say that they wish more students would come to their office hours more often. I would tell my past self to go meet with professors on the first week of school, and introduce yourself. That way the professor knows you on a personal level and will be more willing to help compared to someone who met with the professor a week before finals.

When I was in high school, I was enrolled in the Magnet Program which meant I had access to AP courses and courses offered at Virginia colleges. Because of this program I thought I was prepared for to attend any university I chose, the reality of my freshman year at Illinois Tech was totally different. The transition from high school senior to college freshman is more of a mental challenge. If I could go back in time and speak with myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to strengthen my time management skills. I would tell myself "The key to doing well is to not be lazy! No matter what, always start assignments and study time early. I know this seems like very simple advice but once you get to college you will be introduced to bigger, better distractions. It is extremely important that you have a strong sense of self-discipline."

I would scream to the past version of myself to stop fraternising with friends and focus on applying and visiting universities and making sure that your finances are in order in the fall, or you'll be scrambling with those same friends in the winter.

First, I would tell myself to stop being so arrogant. The younger me needed to stop thinking they were so much better than everyone else, because I learned that I'm not the smartest kid around. From this I found out that even though others are in fact smarter and more experienced than I am, that it's okay to ask for help and that it wouldn't damage my pride at all. Secondly, I would prepare myself for a huge smack in the face from reality; college is hard. College is hard on your mind, your body, your relationships with friends and family, and especially your wallet. College is about becoming an adult and learning new things, a lot of those new things will be about yourself. I would make sure to tell myself to take my time, plan things out, make sure I'm happy and not stressed. Things will be hard, but you have to know how to take care of yourself before dedicating so much time to studying. Finally, I would tell myself to make more friends during the semester, that people don't bite, and you'll be happier if you do.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself about college, I would say that procrastinating and putting off my future career would be a horrible mistake. Life is constantly throwing curve balls and it is never the right time to be in school. You just have to keep on moving forward and handling what is being dealt. I would tell myself that I have the motivation and positive mind set to make it through as long as I continue to believe in myself. That deep within, I have all the abilities needed to make it successfully through regardless of how hard I am on myself. That in continuing my higher education, I would find out things about myself that I didn't know and that it would reveal the type of hard worker that I am. I would remind myself that every decision counts and that continuing my college education would be the greatest decision I ever made.

Don't over do yourself with college classes and take college seriously.........

Firstly, I would tell myself to be smarter financially. I was selfish and was not thinking about money or my family when I chose the school I did. I could be paying much less for the same education I am receiving. Now, my family is paying for my choices. Secondly, I would advise myself to keep in touch with my high school friends. Although I do not see them often, it is still great to talk to them when I get the chance. Lastly, I would advise myself to try harder to make friends in college. Without making friends at college, the transition is very difficult. With friends, college is fun and exciting.