Iowa State University Top Questions

First of all, do not worry about making friends. At the university level when individuals have matured, people begin to have a sense of more open-mindedness making friendships a lot easier. In college, you can make your voice heard since everyone is really supportive of your decision. The transition from high school to the college level seems arduous at first due to the responsibilities of financial aid, scholarships, moving on campus, etc. hovering over the student. But this stress is all gone when you have finally taken the first step to freedom in college. There are a plethora of supportive counselors to aid you even before you are considered a student.. So what makes you think that they won’t be helpful when you do become part of their university or in my case a “Ram”? Yes, the stress of the work overload can be stressful, but there are different forms of assistance situated all across campus to help you make this work load a lot of easier. So don't worry...this transition will help you gain a better perspective of everything making it a positive enriching experience that you will carry on throughout college life.

If I were to go back to my senior year of High school I would defiantly do things differently. Fitting in with the right crowd, having the latest fashion and saying the right thing's don’t really matter now that I am in College. So why did they matter so much in high school, having the most expensive in style shirt doesn’t help you pay for college and it doesn’t help you're wallet at all. I would also change the way that I studied and the way that I took in my class information. I would hear my teacher teaching the class of course but I never actually took in the information in the way I needed to or even asked for help when I truly needed it. Knowing what I know now I would tell myself not to care what people say, their thoughts about you don’t get you into college. Don’t spend Money on unnecessary items and instead save up for college. Lastly pay more attention in class and try to fully understand the information to the best of my ability and ask the teacher for help when I need it.

I would tell myself that at first it will be overwhelming. There are so many things to try and so many people to meet. Just be yourself, try new things, and just be open to new relationships.

To start saving up money earlier, college is very expensive and its a hard thing to get back into after your already out of highschool and just working away.

Considering I only attended high school for a very brief period of time before I dropped out due to my unexpected pregnancy at 15 years old, some may think I do not have much input on the essay topic. And to their surprise, I agree. I do not have the more typical advice one might give when faced with this question, but I feel I can still give the most important advice. GO TO SCHOOL. The grass is always greener on the side and that quote does not fail to include academics. High school can be a metaphorical platinum platform to a life of prestigious academics that only few people ever get to experience. To me Utopia is learning what a galaxy is, or how the plant kingdom works so delicately together to sustain life. A constant Utopia I may never have achieved without the relationship with education. I would prepare myself that while this is an exciting adventure filled with dreams and excitement, it is also filled with sadness that others are not given this same opportunity. My advice could be summarized to: Dream big, learn everything, and teach others.

I would tell myself to be more outgoing my freshman year

I would tell myself to go to Iowa State University and probably join more clubs. I'm very involved in two clubs but I wish I had gotten involved in one more. I'd also tell myself to start thinking about full time jobs, it's never too early

Go with the flow, have fun and study like youve never studied before.

I would definitely worry more and less about who I will be rooming with and which high school friends I will be seeing in college. By this, I mean that you shouldn't be afraid to room with your best friend. many people consider it to be taboo and a freshman mistake, but I'm rooming with my best friend of 14 years, and it's been the time of my life. With that being said, I still have made many new friends from around the country that live on my floor and who are involved in clubs I'm in. So don't worry about who your friends will/won't be next year as a senior in high school. If someone is truely your friend, you'll stay friends through the whole process, but if you aren't, don't be broken up about it. Everyone in college is in the same boat and wants to be friendly and make friends as well. College is a fantastic academic and social experience. Don't necessarily plan your collegiate life too early.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about the college experience, I would definetly tell myself to know when and how to organize classes and homework, and to use my time wisely! I always told myself there was never enough time in a day, but once I got to college, that became even more of an issue! Between classes, homework, activities, and finding time to just relax, your whole day is practically gone! I would tell myself to study all the time, not just the week before a test or exam, and to ask for help from professors or teaching assistants when having trouble. The main thing I would tell myself is "You are paying A LOT for a education, so make it worth it. Teachers aren't here to fail you, they're here to HELP you, so take advantage everything while it lasts!"