Illinois State University Top Questions

if i could go back in time, i would definitely have adviced myself to attend a community college first before going right into a four year university, reasons being is If i am planning to transfer, i can take my core classes at a community college and save money on my bachelor's degree, and also it would really prepare me for a four year, so i would be able be more successful at a four year university

I would tell myself to keep all of the notes that I had taken during Chemistry since they would really help me out in college since I am majoring in Chemistry. I would also tell myself to look for as many scholarships I could find so that it would be easier to pay for college. Doing so would relieve a lot of anxiety about having enought money to get through both semesters.

Dear Stacy still in high school, You will be going to college next year, make sure when you visit the college, you feel comfortable with youself and you really can see yourself going to that specific university. It should click with you, follow your heart, make sure it has enough opportunities for your specific interests. Know that you will be working harder in college than in high school, or that you should try to work harder. In college you really discover who you are and realize what is really most important. Focus on having fun and make friends, be outoing and open because you never know who you will meet, they may impact your life for the rest of the life. Learn from your mistakes and grow from them because if you belive everything happens for a reason, you will do just fine. Sincerely, Stacy from college

If I was able to give my high school senior self advice on college, it would be scholarships. As a high school senior, I didn?t do many scholarships and I wish I would have. Now as a college freshman, I am looking for so many scholarships and finding ones that pertain to just high school students. I?m making up now for what I lacked my senior year. I would also tell myself to make a 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} effort because it?ll all be worth it at the end. There are so many scholarships available to me but I just didn?t take the time to search for them and fill them out. I, as my senior self, would definitely take this piece of advice and get as many scholarships as I can for my first year at Illinois State University.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, the advice I would give myself to begin with is education is the key to the rest of your life. Without an education you stress over bills, having insurance, living paycheck to paycheck, having to work two and three jobs at a time to survive and put food on the table for your children. To make the rest of your life not so scary and stressful get an education so you can get a good job even a career that will give you and your family the sense of security that you cannot get from working a minimum wage job, with no benefits, no retirement plan, no vacation or sick days. The transition from high school to college for me is been exciting, considering I'm 34 years old and have 5 children, this is my chance to show my children the difference between having an education and career and then not having one. I finished my GED this last year and I am ready to learn and eager to better myself for me as well as my family.

The advice that I would give myself is not to come to Illinois State. Although this school does have a high reputation for Education, I have been frustrated with not being able to get into my major, roommate conflicts, problems registering for classes, inablilty to transfer out with credits being useful at another school, I do not enojy taking so many gen ed classes that I do not want to take. I would tell myself to apply to more schools, and possibly attend a Blackhawk Community College and transfer to Western Illinois- Quad City Campus.

Do your best and always give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}.

Go to college as soon as possible, because waiting isn't worth it. You slip up into the worst of life that you think is fun and games until you realize that you wasted your time and could of done more. Don't go and regret it later. Take the initiative and go. Once you waste your first year, you won't get it back. I went to jail, fell in love, have a kid, and is backed into the corner of life with no assurance or stability. That means I have no job. Why you ask? You're prone to not care and lose work by doing the stupidest things and associate with the wrong people like you never thought you would. Now, the only person to help you mentally rehabilitate is God. Financially? God may guide you, and you're mom would help, but in the end they say one thing that hits you. "Go to school!" Three words that have a whole lot of meaning. I searched for fast jobs, they don't pay well and hours aren't enough. Where does the search in the end lead? Career training or college and that's enough said!

I would tell myself that rushing the process isn't a good thing. No one can make the decision but yourself. Thinking too much will only make you question the right choice. I would also tell myself that junior college isn't always a bad choice. If you are uncertain about going away to a four year university, dont do it. It may mean you arent ready and ruin your experience. Giving yourself time is key and making sure you are mentally prepared. You have to be very open to new things and new people. College isn't just about doing the school work, one should enjoy the social aspects. Joining in things may help the transition. Also dont be afraid if a conflict arises while at school, dont let it bring you down. Conflicts and problems are normal and will only make you a stronger person. Never tell yourself no, or i cant. Just keep trying. Also try to take some fun classes, learning about your hobbies may give you some releaf. Also, excercise is a good way to relieve stress and will improve your life in every aspect.

I went to a small private Catholic highschool, so for me it was the transition of having to live away from home in a place where if i run into a fellow student, I might never see them again. So I would give myself the advice of don't be afraid. Make friends with everyone on your floor and make sur eyou make a few friends in each class. That way you can exchange notes or help eachother with questions about class or where to find a certain building so you don't look like a freshman trying to find your way around.

Do not let your girlfriend get in the way of your college experience. It is important to branch out and try different groups and activities.

I would tell myself to do my best effort to not get hung up on boys and stereotypes and things that will not help you out in the long run. I would tell myself to remember who I am and to not try to change for anything other than myself. Focus on schoolwork should be a main priority but going out and making new friends and having fun should have a significant role in your college experience. The new friends that you will make will be your lifeline and will be there when you are having a hard time with school or relationships or what ever it may be.

I would advise myself to join my fraternity freshman year, I would also advise myself to start focusing on my grades early on freshman year instead of second semester.

Approaching my second semester as a sophomore in college, I have boatload of advice I would give myself as a high school senior. First of all, I would tell myself to do more research on careers & majors. I thought I had done enough, but I have changed my major/minor twice, & I am still uncertain of the path my college career will lead. To give myself more time to think about this I would also tell myself to take gen eds first, when I got to college I was excited to learn about my major so I took major classes that probably should've waited. I did well in those classes, but some of them do not count towards my current major since I decided to change. I would tell myself to consider community college, it would help my parents and myself save money. That reminds me that I would've told myself to save money as soon as I applied for college or earlier. I now live off-campus and the price of rent, food and basic necessities, and books for class make me stress. To cope I have a job, but that interferes with my ability to learn.

I would tell myself that making friends, makes your freshman year of college. it is a hard transition and you cant meet new people by not getting out of your room. you have to try new things and get out of your comfort zone to be able to make friends. Your roomate, bad or good, if you have friends they will get you through all the long weeks with three exams or that eight page paper you need to finsih in three hours. the friends you make become you make shift family at school. you go home on break to go home, but you end up wanting to go back to school to see your family. with school, i would tell myself that going to class can make or break your A. so many times professors do random sign ins for extra credit, those extra points will always help. reading and doing homework, may seem tedious but it really helps when you pull out the study guide and know most of the things on it. it really does help. College is about finding a career but also to find a new family, so make friends and do good in school.

First and foremost, I would say be very open to introducing yourself and talking to new people all over campus freshman year. Everyone is in the same boat with not knowing very many people and wants to make new friends. Chances are that there at least a few people on your dorm floor that have the same interests as you. Even if they do not have the same interests they may be a good person that ultimately you could end up being friends with whether it is in a class or a club. I would look into as many social networks as possible including clubs and greek life, being involved will keep you busy and find you many friends. While it is very important to find new friends that you can build relationships with for the rest of your life you still have to focus on school. If you party hard, you have to study just as hard. As long as you keep a solid head on your shoulders you schould be able to go out whenever you want because you will have more than enough free time during the day to get your homework done. HAVE FUN!

If I could go back, I would probably tell myself to go to class more. I had an 8am class monday through friday and there were many times I chose sleep rather than class. Due to this my performance in the class suffered and my gpa will be the one that takes the hit. Going to class may be an option in college but it is also a necessity if you wish to succeed.

The best decision I made was to choose a school that was strong in my area of career interest and to NOT commit to participate in NCAA athletics.

Take your time and be aware of what makes you smile. Never go by what they say, there are no rules and it's all yours. Your future, your time, and most importantly, it is yours now. They cannot paint you black and white and put a number on you to label your passion and determination. All will be well, no worries.

Get involved in campus activities your first semester of college. Making social connections with people interested in the same things as you can open up so many doors. Also, work hard throughout your entire senior year because although you may want to slack off since it is the end of your senior year, college is tough and you will need a good work ethic. During your first year of college put yourself out there to make friends and remember that everyone else is as nervous about starting college as you are. Never sell yourself short because the syllabus for college courses always looks more intimidating that it actually turns out to be. Most importantly enjoy this time because it goes by way too quickly!