Iowa State University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give myself would be to keep pushing forward and to never give up. I would keep reminding myself to keep going for my dreams no matter how exhausted I became with school. I realized the reward of accomplishing my goals and dreams is so much greater than complaining about how complicated or big the obstacles were. For me, college life isn't as complicated as I thought it would be. In fact, my transition to the college was quite easy because I have God first in my life, great support from my grandmother, and wonderful academic advisors to guide me along in my college experience. Also, I'd tell myself to not be nervous because college is a step closer to my dreams. It's all about prioritizing and staying motivated to attain the degrees I desire in order to fulfill my dream career along with other wonderful possible oppurtunities. I know as long as I keep the faith, I can accomplish anything. The sky is the limit!!!!!!!

Relax. The point of going to college is to learn. Nobody expects you to know everything on the first day, and nobody expects you to do everything perfectly. I know it seems complicated now, but think about when you saw all the orientation information about high school. Remeber how complicated it looked? Remember how everything worked out? College is like that. It seems really complicated on paper, but the school isn't trying to make things hard; they want you to succeeded and they want to help you resolve your problems; it's their job to do that. So relax. Concentrate on your studies, pay attention to what is going on around you, and let people help you with your problems. You'll do fine.

Dear Me, One of the most important things you will learn is that it is okay if people don't like you. You don't have to do things that you aren't comfortable with and you don't need a reason to say no. If people don't respect your choices, they really aren't people that you want to have in your life. Another important thing that you need to know now is that you need to have your own dishes. It causes more problems than it's worth to have to use other people's anything, so just have your own. Also, be nice to everyone. There will be roommates and classmates that you don't like, but often those people will turn out to be your most valued friends, so smile and do nice things for people when you can. Lastly, don't procrastinate. Complete your responsibilities first and then go and enjoy life. You will safe yourself a lot of stress this way. Good luck in the future, Me. I hope you learn from my mistakes but even if you don't, just keep moving forward. Warm regards, Sara Jimenez

1. Have a basis knowledge of common household duties. Laundry, dishes, cleaning up. You never know how dirty a room can get when someone (aka Mom) isn't there to clean up constantly. 2. Know and have a healthy diet. College dining halls are filled with unhealthy options. Although, there ARE healthy options if you have trained your brain to spot them and resist the "oh so yummy" bad foods! 3. Have time management skills. Having this will help balance good grades and a happy social life! 4. Get involved. Easy way to create friendships and connections with people who have similar interests.

College feels like camp, except with better beds, bathrooms, and showers, in addition to a dining hall and a gym next door. Try to remember people's names, especially your neighbors in your dorm house. I recommend using study areas outside of the dorm hall. Also, examine your math textbook before class and try to figure out what will be going on in the next class, and be prepared to find out the rest in class. Go above and beyond when it comes to foreign languages like Spanish, expecially because you are advancing beyond the basics which you have little confidence in, and Span 301 doesn't require the mountains of busy work found with your strict High School English and Spanish teachers. Make sure you go out of your way to get a hispanic friend so you have someone to review your Spanish essays, make sure you do stuff for them too. I know you will do a good job at staying away from late night parties, and getting a good amount of sleep every night.

Rebecca, You may not be able to get help from your parents but there are so many resources that can help you go to college. Please talk to your counselor and know that you are worth it! You are not stupid and, in fact, are very smart. Your counselors will provide you with a career path if you just show interest. Your instructors recognize this even if you don't. You are a gifted female engineer type so you are not like your older sister who had all the breaks and parental support that you did not have. You should pursue your dream of interior design or whatever field you gravitate to naturally. You have not had the support you should have and no one sat you down and mapped out your abilities, skills and talents for you, however, it does not mean you should not feel like you are a nobody. I know you are thinking about the military but try to look harder at other options as well. Visit schools, make an effort and make your dreams come true. Remember, if you think success you will be a success. The mind is a powerful thing. Sincerely, Yourself

Don't count out any school because it doesn't "sound" good. Don't count out entire states. Consider every option. Meet the people at the school. Don't get too involved in the process. Do not let all of your friends' decisions start to affect your decision. You are a unique person. Even though you get along well with your friends, it doesn't mean that you necessarily belong at the same school as them. Talk to your parents. They are going to be really important in your decision so keep them informed and let them help you.

Hello Class of 2013, I am here to repersent your local community college student. I was new to the State of South Carolina when I graduated from high school and moving to a new state can be a huge transition, espically when going into college. I didn't know one single person my age when I moved to Charleston and was hoping that would all change when I signed up for classes. I wish I could come up with how I met a whole bunch of people, but that is not what a community college is for. There are no dorm rooms or sport activities, or social activites. Everyone is there to get in and out whether it be for their gen. ed classes to move on to a four year or to get a fast degree. If I were to give advice to a student that was in my situation I would say go to a four year college and have the college life expiericnce, go hang out with your roomate at the big game! Don't move into a new city and not know anything about the college your going to attend. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Good Luck!

Keep up the work ethic you have established, it will definitely pay off for you in college. All of the long nights staying up studying for AP tests and U of M Calculus are all worth it! Taking those classes will make college seem so much easier! Also you may not realize this but you are excellent at time management because you already have a job, have higher level classes, and have volunteering experiences as well. Enjoy your last few months of school and know that you have set yourself up for incredible success in college!

If I was somewhow able to tavel back in time and deemed the greatest use of this pheonomenon to talk to myself, I would tell my high school self to prepare myself for a complete surprise as to what I thought college was. That college isn't a series of hoops you have to jump through,and that in fact treating it as such would restrict what you could gain from the experience. I would say to get used to thinking outside of the box and challanging an idea, and to not just accepting it without a second thought ( which was essentialy what my high school education instilled in me). Get used to being uncomfortable and challenging yourself but also to be prepared to enjoy the work as it gives you a greater sense of accomplishment knowing that its existance is not to simply keep you busy but to better yourself. Most importantly I would confirm my skeptic high school self that all the hard work you put in pays off. That if I put in the hours, show the effort and do well, it will pay off and people will take notice as they have with me now.