Iowa State University Top Questions

I have two major pieces of advice I would give myself. The first is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Look for them in places like your college as well as through scholarship websites. Apply for everything you can. It never hurts to try! Also, make sure to fill out your FAFSA on time. Many scholarships require this information by specific dates. The other piece of advice I would give is to get involved at college right away. Go to as many club meetings and activities as possible. It is a great way to meet people who are interested in the same things as you. There are organizations for everything from sports to the arts, and many even give you opportunities for volunteering in the community. Even though you might be nervous because you don’t know anyone, realize that all the freshmen are experiencing the same thing as you. These activities will give you a chance to make friends and have fun.

If I were given the opportunity to go back and talk to myself about college as a high school senior, the first thing I would say is regardless of how tough things get, do not give up on any classes. The curriculumn and classes are all set up in a way that they are meant to be passed the first time; if you drop out you will just look back and realize the time is going to pass anyway so you might as well spend it all wisely. The second important piece of advice I would give myself is, stay at home - do not move out until you graduate. It is much easier to focus on school when you only have one or two bills to pay.

If I could go back in time and give my self advice about college it would be to make sure you don't let your self get lost in your social life, to make sure to get organized and prioritize your education. I would also tell my alternate universe self that my mother was alway right and that I really needed to study more and get used to doing it correctly.

Don't ever be afraid to make a mistake and to ask for help. Making mistakes is what helps you learn. If you never make mistakes, you'll never learn from them and grow as a student, as a professional, and as a person. In addition, there are so many resources and people that want to help you, but you have to be willing to ask for it. If you don't take advantage of people willing to give you assistance, you'll miss out on opportunities. The possibilities are endless. Set your sights high and enjoy the ride.

Oh that's a great question, I think I would go back and tell myself to take more classes through my community college and get the credits transferred over so i had a least some credits to start out with.

Being a know-it-all senior who is ready to ditch the rest of high school and start attending college immediately is tough. I remember getting into Iowa State University earlier than my friends were hearing back from their schools. If I could tell myself one thing about college at the very beginning, it would include living in the moment. While I was so anxious to graduate high school, I didn't realize it would be the last time my friends and I saw each other on a daily basis. Going through sorority recruitment as the very first activity of my college career was scary. If I had recognized it as an opportunity to make friends right away I wouldn't have been so nervous. When I met new people through friends I made during the first year of college, I could have realized that meeting them then could lead to a resource or a friendship later on. College is flying by quicker than I had hoped, but the people I meet, the classes I attend and the opportunities I take in that very moment define my overall experince I am lucky to look back on at Iowa State University.

Finacial aid is an important aspect of higher education. There are many opportunites to complete scholarships in high school and as a high school senior you should work on one each week. Use your tools, the high school advisor is a good place to start and university websites often have lists of trusted scholarship websites. My first week on campus, I attended a finacial aid presentation. There, I heard the most useful advice on debt management. The speaker told us, "... get a job, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit. Everyone will have a crappy job at some point in life, just remind yourself that it's only temporary." I have found this advice the most useful in my student career. Being a student in the global market of today isn't the easiest thing to accomplish and bare alone. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. This is how you meet people and grow into a successful student. So, my three peices of advice. First, get a job with the understanding it's only tempory. Next, actively fill out scholarships. Finally above all, actively engauge in activities and clubs.

don't spend all your money

Do not consider yourself "too cool" to do anything when preparing for the universitiy experience. College allows so many unique opportunities that no high schooler is even aware of! Keep an open mind when involving yourself in extracurricular activities and keep your head in the game when it comes to finding the path of study that is right for you. You will come to find that there are so many options to sort through that times might get tough, however if you are at the right university you will find the right place for your and your interests. It will be the time of your life!

Start thinking about your career right away. Enjoy the learning process, but also consider your future and take it seriously!