Iowa State University Top Questions

I would tell myself three things about college life: study hard, don't worry about making friends, and weekends aren't like everyone says they are. The first part, study hard, would have been really helpful for me to hear in high school. During that time in high school, I didn't have to study a whole lot to get straight A's in most of my classes. But now, in college, I was taught that lesson in a very hard way. The second part, don't worry about making friends, would have been a really nice thing to hear from myself. I knew that when I got to college, after graduating from high school, I would make friends, but I was scared to what the income would be. I had recently lost two of my best friends, and wa still fragile from that hardship. The last part, the weekends, would have put my mind at ease. In high school, everyone says that college is about school during the week, and drinking on the weekends. Being me, I was nervous since I had never drank at all. But now I know that you don't have to worry about it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior and prepare myself for a better transition to college I would have much to say. I would begin by convincing myself to use a planner, because not using one will kill you in college. I would also show myself how to better organize homework and time manage my activities. My second piece of advise would be to open up to people more, it was very hard for me to make friends in high school, and not knowing how to make friends in college is difficult. Without friends in college it will be hard to succeed. I would also warn myself that it will be hard to make friends who don't party, because I was not prepared for that. My last piece of advise would be to keep an open mind. I would have never imagined wanting to go into materials engineering if I stuck to what I thought in high school. Not looking at other opportunites shuts many more down that you will have wished you hadn't turned away.

I know there are many things I'd tell myself if I could go back in time. There's the obvious like study hard and don't party but that applies to every college student. As a senior I knew that I would be paying for college on my own, so things are a bit different for me. Think outside the box. There are many paths that can take you to where you want to end in life. You don't have to follow the norms of college; graduate, and then go straight to work. For example, the military is very helpful with getting a degree, you would just have to start school a semester behind every one else. Be wise with your money. I know every college kid comes to appreciate a dollar but for me it would've been good to know how hard it'd be to come by. Scholarships are hard to get because you're not a minority. The government won't help because according to your parents' taxes, they have enough money to help you with the costs of college. Work hard now and save your money because little bits can add up.

If I could go back in time to tell myself something that would of helped me be more prepared for college, it would be a few things. I would tell myself to look closely at the colleges I wanted to go to just to see if they have my major. Instead of just randomly selecting a college that doesn't have my major and now having to go for what is second best or closest to what my major involves. Second thing that I would tell myself is learn good study habits now instead of in college. In college a person needs to study double the hours spent in class and not having those study habits hindered me a lot my first semester. Third thing would be find a good group of friends that share your interest and values. Forth thing I would tell myself is that even though mommy and daddy are not there to wake you up, you still need to get up for class. Finally, I would tell myself to learn how manage my time because in college there a lot of free time and if not used in a productive way, it can hinded you.

Transitioning to college life is a major change in a young person's life. There are several things that I have learned since being in college. In regards to how to handle your classes; I think it is very important to build a relationship with your professors. Having that relationship will help you more than you know. Something that will enrich your college experience is making friends to share your experience with. Join clubs to find friends that are interested in similar things as you. Finally, you shouldn't be afraid of taking risks. Choose a career that you know will fulfill you and don't worry about whether or not you've made the wrong choice. Just follow your gut, it will rarely steer you wrong. There are many opportunities that present themselves to you at college. Don't be afraid to ceize those opportunities even if they require a lot of hard work. Sometimes the things that you dream about require a lot of hard work to attain. Good luck.

Looking back on what I know now, I would tell myself one simple phrase, "You are not your GPA., nor are you your resume." In high school, all I worried about were the activities I was in and the grades I got, for the simple reason that I wanted to look good on paper. However, coming to college, I have grown as a person, and I have learned that although activities and grades are still very important, there are other skills acquired in college that matter as well. For instance, the art of holding a good, theoreticaldiscussion is not looked at by employers. Neither is the ability to comfort a brokenhearted friend, nor the ability to get dressed in thirty seconds flat before a class. However, the abilities I have acquired here will help me for the rest of my life, in every aspect. If they don't help me, at least I have the wonderful memories of how I learned them and who helped me along the way. I want my high-school self to know that the most important things in life cannot be read nor typed, but rather experienced and cherished.

I would start by saying calm down. Although everything seems confusing and stressful, it will all work out. Get involved in as many things as you can and enjoy every minute you have with your friends. Soon you will leave everyone in this town and start a whole new life. Study hard and put your everything into your classes. Don't slack and I cannot stress that enough. Start scholarships and other forms as early as possible because putting everything off till the last minute is the worst thing you can do, and I say this from experience. Learn to put yourself out there and do things out of your comfort zone. Overall, make the most of your last year. Be serious but don't forget to have fun. This is the last "easy" year you will get so make the most of it.

After now being in college for a semester, going away to college is a must. You should not try to breeze through your senior year but continue to concentrate on your school work. Look at many different colleges even ones that you are unsure about. The first semester is tough because it seems like you have so much free time. Don't let that fool you and study as much as you can. Keep on top of your grades. Also, ask for help if you need it. There are many programs and professors that are more than willing to help you. I could not wait to come home to see old friends but soon realized I missed my college friends as I had begun a new life.

Dear Past Me, (Senior in High School) First of all relax! Everything is going to be okay. I know right now that you are feeling very stressed about trying to make the right decisions about your future. Do not worry yourself about whether you picked the right college, or the right major, or the right residence hall. Remember who you are. When you get to college, it will be a new and exciting adventure to start off the rest of your adult life. It will be scary, but you are a strong person who has never turned away from facing a challenge head on and working hard until success is reached. Keep your head held high and open yourself to all that college has to offer. Become involved in anything that sounds like fun, but don?t overwhelm yourself, sleep is a precious commodity in college. Make it your goal to get to know as many people as possible- you will meet some lifelong friends in college. My most important piece of advice is to just be you. Work hard, have fun, smile, laugh, and call your mother! Love you lots! The Amazing and Awesome Future You

As a senior in high school, I was very anxious about my grades and raising my class rank in order to graduate with honors. I worked very hard, as hard I could have, and got a 4.0 easily. However, now when I look back on my senior year I realize how much I missed because I was so concentrated on studying. If I could tell my senior self anything, I would tell her to keep working hard, but don't forget to spend time with friends and to really enjoy your last year of high school. It goes by fast and you will regret it next year when you do not have these milestone opportunites. I would also tell her to not let her anxiety get the best of her. Senior year should be the best year of your high school career, but that is only possible if you let it.