Iowa Western Community College Top Questions

I would have told myself not to listen to all the people telling me not to go to trade school and I couldn't do what I wanted to do. I would have told myself to pick a field to focus on whether it be learning a trade or going to college to persue any specific math degree; just pick one. Like many young adults fresh out of high school I lacked a specific direction. I was happy at the job I had and worked my way up to being a manager, but over the course of the past 10 years the demand for higher education is higher than ever. I have found myself at a cross road where I can keep strugling trying to find a job to pay my bills for today or I can make a plan that would ensure that my bills are paid tomorrow as well. I would tell myself that you cannot predict what hard times may lie before you, but you can certainly be better prepared for what is to come if you are properly trained in a field that is not going anywhere any time soon.

I would tell myself to try new things in college. Nothing illegal of course, but join a club. Maybe even get in some intramurals sports. Don't just sit around in your room and watch life go by on Netflix. Go get a membership at a gym and actually workout! Get a job as soon as possible. The most important thing I would stress is this, fill out scholarships. Your resume is definitely good enough to get some schollarships. Don't be lazy, because you are going to be a lot of debt soon. The more scholarships you get, the less debt, and the less you will rely on Mom and Dad. Be as independant as possible.

College is many different things to different people. Classes professors, and classmates all have an impact on each student. Out of my college experience i have learned so much as to, what im good at, what classes i enjoy, and therefore what career to seek out in the future. Besides gaining the freshman 15 as they call it you meet so many different people and make a lot of new friends. You learn both in out of the classroom, just by listening to your teachers, talking to friends, and discovering things that you never knew you could do. I belive it has been valuble to attend college, as i am the first in my family to attend and i wouldnt want anything else for my future children. College gives you a whole new perspective on life. Learning new things, thinking new ideas, and discovering who you really are are all what you achieve by going to college. I wish every student would try to achieve their college degree, because no matter who you are everyone deserves a better and brighter future.

The tranition between high school and college really wasn't that difficult for me. I started taking college classes when I was a senior and I was also in the jazz band at Iowa Western second semester my senior year. Doing this allowed me to make friends before I started going there. Although if I got the opportunity to go back in time I would tell myself to live on campus. Living on campus would help me get to know a lot more people and allow me to experience the "college life." I would also tell myself to study a lot more and to get a tutor whenever I was confussed or needed help with a class. Overall I think I did a pretty good job transitioning from high school to college.

If I could go back to 1999 when I graduated from high school, I would tell myself to straighten up. When I graduated, my first thought was not to go back to school. I told myself "I have already been going to school for thirteen plus years so why do I need to go back??. So being as naive as I was I decided to make this my career-partying. Alcohol and drugs were affecting my life in a negative way. I began to lose my relationship with God, jobs, being evicted, losing my family, my sanity, and money. I finally sobered up on July 10th, 2005. Instead of going to school for Addictive Studies, I am going to do Social Work with an emphasis in Addictive Studies. After graduating in May, I then plan on earning my bachelors/masters degree at UNO. After I earn my masters, I plan on getting a LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor), my LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, and my LISW (Licensed Independent Social Work). I wouldn?t change what I went through when I was younger because if I didn?t go through these things, I wouldn?t have learned.

Dear Caitlin You don't know it yet, and I hate to burst your bubble, but you are completely unprepared for what's to come in the next three months. After graduation life as you know it will change completely. The plans you have will be crushed to pieces and so will your excitement and heart. Don't loose faith though...everything will work out. As you return to the starting position on the totem pole, hold your head high. Your biggest assest is you determination and courage to face change. Remember that it's ok to let people into your heart. Everyone won't leave. You might be disappointed, but everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for everything...even the things that come out of left field and hit you like a car accident. Be strong. Leave your heart and mind wide open to the world of limitless possibilities. You'll be amazed what happens. With all my love and belief in you, Yourself with future insight P.S. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

If I could go back in time and talk to senior high school self; I would tell myself to make sure I stay in school. I would let myself know that I should make school my first priority and not worry so much about having a good time or finding a boyfriend. I would also tell myself to go to a University college. I went to school for a half of a semester after high school and I did not go back until after I had my child. Although I am still young I wish I would have went to a University so I could have that college experience. I worked have had to work a lot to go to University but I think it would have worth it. I see my friends on facebook who went to large universities and sometimes I wonder what it would have been like. I am very proud of myself now and I love my child more than anything; but I always wonder "what if?" I have already started a college fund for my 18-month old son to make sure that when he is older he won't have to wonder "what if?"

dont go to iowa stay home and be with the friends you know and follow your dreams there its soo much better then being away from them and never knowin what might have been

If were to go back in time, I would tell my self to enjoy being in highschool. Enjoy making friends and to learn as much as possible. I would do my best to stay involved in as many activities as when your in college you can't be involved in as much. Finally, I would tell my self to have fun and enjoy life. You only have one chance at highschool, so enjoy it while it lasts.

I would not have graduated midterm and would have suggested that I take more course, ie. Chemistry. Not having that course, restricted me from going to an Iowa resident 4 year university. My grades were great my senior year, but I definitely didn't strive for greatness, and I regret than now.