Iowa State University Top Questions

If I had the chance to go back and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be prepared to say "no". When I came to school, I immediately jumped into so many opportunities that I was constantly tired, sick, and never had a time to rest. Now that I've taken on only important responsibilities to me and I've learned to manage, making the transition has never been easier. I love to volunteer and work my way up to new leadership positions in clubs, but hanging out with friends until midnight on a weekday isn't always an option. I wish I could go back in time and learn that the important things needed to be a priority, and that I had to "keep my eye on the prize".

Dear me, Balancing your social life, homework, sleep, your 4.0 GPA, and of course work can be difficult. Just take it one step at a time. Sometimes you will get stressed out. It's okay. Just take a deep breath and slowly work through the massive amount of work that can seem overwhelming. Friends are important. They can be there for you when you really need them. That GPA might be hard to maintain, but it's so worth it. You may think college will be easy and just like high school; it's not. It can be challenging; however, it's a lot more rewarding. Sleep is important as well. You need a minimum of 6 hours at all times to perform your best. Caffeine will become your new best friend. You will feel frazzled. Everyone needs a break sometimes. It's okay to relax and take some time for yourself. I know it sounds stressful and overwhelming, but it's definitely worth it. It's hard work but it's also a lot of fun. You're in for the time of your life. Enjoy every minute of it. Just breathe. Take it in stride. Sincerely, me.

I would tell myself to be more confident in my abilities and in who I am as a person. Coming from a small school to a very large one, it is hard to find a group of friends, but the key is to be confident and people will come to you. Be polite, kind, and be proud of yourself. Also, do not neglect your family and friends at home. They are your most valuable asset and one you will rely on often. Do not be afraid to admit your mistakes, but face them with confidence, correct them, and resolve not to make the same mistake again. Everyone has trouble adjusting, and it can take time to get used to a new environment, a roommate, and classes, but if you fall back on your past experiences and remain self-assured through it, you can make the transition much easier.

I know you're saving money now for college, but save more. Use the two years you'll take off before going back to school count. Think twice about some of those big purchases and trips you'll want to take, because those will just cut into your savings. You still need to enjoy your time, and I'm not suggesting you shouldn't, but trust me, saving now will save you stress in the future. Working 20 hours a week while in school is no fun, and you have friends now! You'll want to spend time with them and you won't be able to as much as you'll want to.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in High School to talk to myself about college, I would first remind myself to go out and be social and make friends. You never know who may become one of your best friends. Be social, but not so much that you forget school work. Relax, the professors understand that things happen. Also, I would probably have told myself to have gotten a job during my freshman year to help with college expenses, especially since its the only year I will be taking that few of credits. I would probably also tell myself the stuff that I do not need to buy, but was told to buy anyway. Lastly, I would remind myself to have fun and take numerous amounts of photos. The time will go faster than you think, and befre you know it, you will be ready to graduate.

Becoming accustomed to the college experience was incredibly difficult for me. I believed I was prepared to face the challenges of a large university. However, it did not take me long to realize I was not prepared at all. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, this is what I would say: "Not everything will be easy right away. It is okay to feel a wide array of emotions for the first few weeks and even months. This period of time will be a notable transformation and growth period. Do not be afraid to venture out and learn more about yourself and the world around you. Coming to a new place and learning in a new environment will allow you to see the world in a brand new light. Some of the new things you see will be ugly and unappealing, but hopefully, a greater number of things will be new, exciting, and beautiful. Embrace those good things; build upon them. Meet new people and do not fear change. In doing so, you will grown, transform, and renew yourself."

If I could go back and give myself advice about my upcoming college year, I'd tell myself not to worry as much as I did. The people at college are super friendly and helpful and college is a whole different game than high school. People can express themself however they are and they can find others who share similar interests. The people are more mature and open minded and everyone is willing to make new friends. The work load isn't as bad as I anticipated, but I should learn to actually study because college professors will get paid the same whether you pass or fail the class. Getting up early is hard, but I better get used to it. In the end, have fun because time flies faster than you think.

I would say: Cierra the difficulty in school now is to better prepare you for your future in college. The outcome is so rewarding because you are bettering yourself, family and your future. High school is to help you get ready for one of the biggest steps you'll ever take in your life; college. College is full of surprises and excitement. Your teachers do their very best to help you out any ways they can to help you succeed. It's the best feeling in the world to imagine yourself graduating with your hat, gown and hood and finally have that diploma in hand and say: "wow...I did it"! Don't worry about making the transition to college because as long as you do your best, then you WILL succeed. Sincerely, your future self, Cierra

Be prepared to study more for exams and to open up more to meet new people. Also experiment with different class choices, you may find something you like to do.

I would have said to be ready to avoid negative peer pressure. It's so easy to not get your work done, because everyone has different schedules so someone will always want to hang out. Stay focused and you'll succeed.