Iowa State University Top Questions

I would tell myself: "Make sure you experiment know what peer pressure is like. Be comfortable saying 'No' and knowing your limits because alcohol will be around you at some point. Also, make sure you don't rely on teachers to continuously remind you of assignments and push you to get things done. Late homework - no such thing, late to class- too bad, missed a test- no make up. Sounds like a dog-eat-dog world, but it's not that bad. Just motivate yourself, and get involved with at least one thing. Make sure you can balance work and school, but make room for a social life. And lastly, have fun, it will be something like you've never experienced before."

Joe, Don't be afraid to make friends. From this side of the spectrum, I can honestly say that those friendships that actually mattered from high school will not suffer if they aren't constantly cultivated. When you come home on break and see them, it will be like you haven't spent a minute apart. Branch out. There are cool people at college that will make you a better person. Make sure you realize what is important to you now. Everything will be pulling for your attention and time. You have to choose what you're all about.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things I would say. I would tell myself to study as hard as possible because compared to high school, college courses are very different and much more challenging. I would also tell myself not to worry because if I put my mind to it, I can get through it. I would also say that college is very diverse and people change, but people's opinions matter and you should accept them for who they are. Being in college is a great experience because many different people bring about many different perspectives to one concept and you are able to learn much more than what your professors teach.

Don't take life so seriously, and don't stress about about this transition. It's just the next step in your life that could possibly change your life forever, and the way it's looking now, it will definitely change your life for the better. Be open to people and their personalities. Be open to the places and possibilities. Just remember to be yourself and don't be afraid to let yourself shine. People will want to be around you and you'll automatically weed out the phonies. You'll make some amazing friends who double as study buddies. And while having people by your side throughout the first year will be nice, remember your independence. You have it now, so take it and run! Don't be afraid to try new things, or take a random class that has nothing to do with your major! I know it all seems a bit overwhelming right now, but just take it one day at a time. You'll make it, i promise. :]

I would have recommended to myself to start out at a community college and do all the general education credits that I could and then transfer to ISU. I would have invested much more time in doing my homework and projects the first year, rather than being so distracted by all of the fun stuff. I'd recommend taking out financial aid as I went, rather than trying to pay out of pocket for the first two years by also working a full time job. I'd also have spent more time my senior year in high school applying for scholarships. Our high school didn't emphasize how much college would cost and since I had a good GPA and was fairly involved I believe had I known, I could have gotten quite a bit of my college paid for. I would also invest time in applying for scholarships at the beginning of every semester.

Knowing what I know about college life now I would go back to my high school senior year and give myself a lot of advice and information that I did not have. I would advice myself to take harder classes. Senior year is always known as the year to slack off and relax, most students including myself, take a lighter course load filled with the easier classes. Transitioning into college requires that you have a high work ethic because it is not as structured as it was in high school. You have a lot of freedoms that where not there in high school, no one is forcing you to go to class or do your homework, you have to want it for yourself. By taking harder classes in high school my work ethic would have been higher than what it was and my transition into college classes would have been a lot easier than what it was. I would also advice myself not to worry about picking a major while I was applying to schools. There is plenty of time to take general courses and discover what you want to do with your life.

If I could look back and talk to my senior self, I would tell her lots of things. I would tell her to keep up with her schoolwork, and not let her grades falter. She needs to learn wha her teachers are trying to teach her. She needs to listen to her parents and work harder. And SAVE HER MONEY! I would also tell her to not be afraid of moving, the friends she will make are great people. Don't worry. Everything will work out! Just save yur money! You will need it!

You really do not need to bring many clothes. You will not use all of them and the more you bring the more you have to spend on washing them. It can get to be pricey if you bring alot of clothes. Make sure you dont keep in touch with your family too much but still call and talk to them because you will miss them but if you talk to them too much then you will get even more homesick. Keep up on your studies and do stay up late its really bad for your body. But most of all make the most of your experience and enjoy it!

I would tell myself to get a better grip on the whole financial aid process. Because I was a student at the Upward Bound Math and Science program for four summers, which is a summer enrichment program for high school students accelerated in math and science, I knew what it was like to live in the dorms, interact with others students, and how a typical lecture would run. Through the two years that I have attended college, I have lost about $3000 in scholarship money for not being an expert in the topic. Therefore, I would have told myself to attend more informational meetings, as well as speak with the high school counselors more often.

Finish school and go to college now