Kalamazoo College Top Questions

From my perspective as a maturing adult I would tell my younger self to keep myself collected and at peace. There is no rush and stress to worry about that eerything I had worked for will pay off in the new experiences and events that I will live. In addition, to be proud of all the accomplishments and setbacks and that soon all the stress and late nights will be paid off and be fullfilling.

Follow your interests to find your passions. Be diverse. Be open to any and every experience.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senor self; I would let her know that it is okay if kids make fun of you. At least this is your last year of school and good grades is what will get you scholarships. You would not have to rely on student loans which you would have to spend at least ten or more years to pay back. Don't be afraid to raise your hand in class because the only way you learn is by asking. Always ask the teacher for help if you did not understand your assignments. Do not let other students dictate your life by saying college prepatory classes are for nerds. These are the most important classses you can take which gets you prepared for college and counts toward your degree. Apply for as many scholarship as you can because college can become expensive. Pay close attention in english class because there will be many college days you will be up writing reports and giving speeches in class. Instructors are not lenient when it comes grammar errors. Always remember to turn assignments on time because procrasination is not a good excuse.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior it would be a very long speech. During my senior year I had just giving birth to my first child. I had firgured I made it this far so I'm basically finished. I began to slack off. My advice to myself would be never slack off. Even though it is your senior year give it the best you can. Go to class every day, go to class on time and give your all with your work. I started off with a 3.5 and my gpa dropped drastically because I thought I had more important things to worry about. Now I'm giving it my best to find things to help me get through college. Never back off and push until graduation day. Also never let anything get in the way of your dreams.

Take every opportunity you can get, there are so many resources and connections available to you, especially in a college setting, that you have to make the most of it while you can.

Leo you need to relax. Every one of the students whose class you will make a part of has just as many contradicting preconceptions about what this "college" thing is as you do. No single preconception will be right or wrong. Remember that as soon as you form expectations you are creating an opportunity to let yourself down. Getting caught up in the goings on of others around you during this tumultuous life experience - while it may seem attractive - will not easily help you understand what you have come to this college see, experience, set out for, and achieve. Let these people come naturally, that way you'll find they mean so much more to you and most likely you to them as time passes. These are some of the people that will provide emotional support for you when personal challenges that flabbergast you come your way. However, if you get too caught up in your peers, you might overlook your professors. Never let your preconceptions about these professors hinder your appearance in their eyes and your willingness to meet with them at the first doubt of certainty. Be stoic, be compassionate, and keep your ears and eyes open.

One of the most important things that I learned as freshmen was the importance of enjoying the material that was given to me by my professors. When I did the assignments at the last minute, I only focused on finishing and trying to meet the minimum of the assignment. This approach was often stressful and I did not feel much satisfaction when most of my assignments were finished. However, when I actually took the time to break down my assignments into quantities that I could absorb, it was easier for me to digest the material. This process enabled me to enjoy my readings and my writing assignments because now I had the time to reflect on my work and allow myself to be immerse in the material rather than just speed my way to finish my assignment. Through the use of a planner, I was able to be more productive both academically and socially in the new community that I now found myself in. By successfully managing your time, you can enjoy many more of the opportunities that your college offers all while accomplishing your tasks, assignments, and goals.

Kalamazoo College offers a 13:1 student to staff ratio. Simultaneously, Kalamazoo places a high importance on success inside and outside of the classroom. Courses are offered in three trimesters of 10 weeks. Thus, it is a fast-paced and demanding schedule. However, the close-knit environment allows easy access to professors who I have found who genuinely care about the success and well-being of students. The Kalamazoo community also expects students to get involved in the outside world, placing high importance on environmental sustainability, community organization, and social awareness. The 'K Plan' has opened my eyes to opportunities which await me. Freshman year, I was chosen to work in a law externship in which I learned not only how lawyers live in the office, but in the home, where I was able to stay with my boss, an alumni. Currently, I am benefiting from K's study abroad program which is paid in full through tuition. I would have never had the opportunity to travel and experience seeing the Mona Lisa in Paris or standing on the bridge of Robert the Bruce. I am living what I had only learned about in my two prior years at Kalamazoo.

I'm getting great experience in the community college I'm currently attending, as I've gain more knowledge thanks to the great instructors I've gotten. I believe I've become a better student as I'm more responsible in everything I do,such as studying harder for my tests and working harder on my school work. I've established discipline in my study habits and ensuring that I'm always punctual for my casses as I know I'm no longer in high school. I have learned that you can't procrastinate and be successul as every second is valuable to study and complete homework and cannot be wasted. The years I have spent in Clark College have been very valuable to me as I have grown not only as a student but also as a person as I have learned that giving up is not the answer to reach your goals. Also being around other students that have their own set of goals has been a great influence on my goal setting,and what it is that I really want to do in my life. I have found the skills I have to reach my goals.

We attend college under the pretense of learning. We will study, we will sweat, we will pull all nighters, and we will go to class. We will learn, learn, learn, until we've learned enough to get a degree and utilize what we've learned to make money. But no one can deny what other kinds of things we learn at college. Some of them will not say good things about our characters such as when we learn to lie or when we learn to cheat by hiding notes in the paper towel dispenser in the girls' bathroom closest to class. Oddly, I have not learned these things. I have merely learned that people actually DO these things. I was the girl who read all of the assigned reading and didn't even THINK of using cliff notes because that's cheating and who would do that? My college experience so far has taught me the rarity of a truly good student and drastically increased my self-worth because I am one. I can do everything fairly and still succeed and knowing this has given me confidence and power, two thinks I utterly lacked in high school.

What i have gotten out of my college experience so far, is learning the meaning of hard work. College is quite different than High school. There is more work due in less time. I have learned that time managment is a great skill for one to know. I think its caluable to attend college because continuing your education can only help you in a world like ours. With layoffs and high unemployment, having a degree or certificate, you have a leg up on the other canidates. I want to feel when i graduate college that I will have an advantage over the others. i want to know and learn everything there is to know about costume design, my career path choice. The experince of only on semester of college that I have completed thus far hasn't impacted me too much but I know the rest of my college experience will end up being a good one.

Thus far, college has taught me that every learning experience is a chance to grow oneself. In the beginning I slacked off and had the "just getting by" attitude. Over time I made decent grades and had fun in school but didn't really apply myself full force. After 3 years in community college I left school for a life of adventure and ended up with a wife and child. Since then, I have discovered how much school really meant to me and the wave of "what if" has come rushing over me. I now attend Everest Institute for the Electrician Trade and have decided to continue on to get a Electrical Engineering Degree. I have discovered through my very helpful instructors that education isn't a one-time thing. For my son's sake I want to continue to grow myself in order to teach him through my actions that education is not all work, but fun and rewarding as well. That by continuing your education you can accomplish anything you want. For this father who thought his dreams went out the window when he started a family, can say that education will lead to far more adventures.

Kalamazoo College has bashed me around academically and even socially at times - but I would be lying if I said I didn't make the right choice in attending 'K'. The relationships I have formed with my peers and professors go far beyond just the classroom - they have become a part of my very identity. I came into college dispassionate about the political system and the sight of numbers made me queasy; however, I have now given a speech about the importance of voting, help conduct a voter registration drive, and am now an Economics major. In high school, I loathed the 40 hour community service requirement for graduation. Now, I am constantly engaged in community outreach through tutoring underprivileged children and working with Habitat for Humanity. In fact, I plan to pursue a career in public service after I attend law school. Though cliché, it would not be an exaggeration to say that I am who I am today because of coming here, and I couldn't be happier about the decision. I am not only a much more educated and well-rounded individual - I am happier, kinder, and a better person because of attending Kalamazoo College.

Let's see; college life and transitioning. As a senior, I would tell myself to be adventurous and to not hold back. I would let myself know that the only way to comfortably transition is to get out of the dorm and try new things. Be bold enough to try different clubs and go to organized events to get involved in the community. Also, I would tell myself to try a variety of classes to expand my horizons and meet new people with different interests. The hardest part about transitioning from high school into college will be separation from close friends and having to start all over again with making new friends. So, be fearless and try new classes and activities. For instance, play an intramural sport or try out for the school play. These are great ways to be involved and make friends. Another thing; pursue the friendships you make. If you want close friends you will have to make an effort to get together with people. Remember, be a good friend as well. You can't rely on others to take all the initiative. This will take you out of your comfort zone but you can do it.

If I could send the girl I was six months ago a message it would be, in the immortal words of Timon & Pumbaa, "put your past behind you". The first days of college I was suffocating in the constricting corset of distance dating. Suffering under the societally encouraged delusion of true love, I allowed myself to skip valuable opportunities the first few weekends in order to spend weekends with my John. In most other aspects I adjusted quite well to college--I wan't nervous, stressed, or perpetually drunk--but I had trouble letting go of my high school life. When I did finally pull in my anchor that kept me stuck in Midland while going to college three hours away I felt so much more free to focus on my studies. In fact, I learned so much from my seminar on local food that when I went home over Christmas break I felt more compelled to spend my time organizing a community garden project that will be launched this spring rather than lazing around with John like I did in high school. It has been so liberating to rediscover the individual beneath the girlfriend I'd become: haquna matata.

Self, Don't play around wasting time it will not be beneficial to you in the long run. Try new things and explore different clubs activities, & and classes. You are smart you made it this far it is only a few more years to go with school. Your family will be proud of you don't let them down they have always been your biggest cheerleaders in all that you do. College will not be easy but you can do it anything that you set your mind to do you will accomplish with flying colors. Money will be not easy to come by so apply for grants and scholarships often and don't give up. If you have not all ready done so begin taking any pretesting for entry to some colleges such as SAT, or ACT to name a few. Make friends with your counslors & use all resources available to you. The world is yours for the taking by going to college it opens more doors of oppertunity and more $ which we both know that you love to have more of. This is your first real adult change in life so, go get it done girl!

If I could go back in time I would tell myself: Relax everything will work out for the best. Just keep an open mind and be receptive to new ideas. Be open to trying new things but be safe, and above all THINK. When put into a new world with more independence than you have ever had, there are a lot more choices and decisions that can affect you for the rest of you life. Think through the decisions that are put in front of you instead of acting on your impulses. And if you maintain an open mind you will complete freshman year with a much broader perspective of the world.

Do what you did before. Get experience in a wide range of areas. Stay focused on your strengths - athletics, academics. Enjly your life.

Be open to new experiences. Don't expect that everyone you meet will be your friend - or enemy. Give everyone a chance, but rely on your gut instincts about them. Don't write people off just because of their hobbies. Take classes you're interested in even if they don't fit in with your current plans for life. Find time to take joy in the small things every day. Your mother is correct in that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so speak up when you have something to say - you WILL be heard. Overall: let yourself have fun! The education in college is not all entirely classroom-based, after all (not to say that the education part isn't fun, too!).

If I could go back in time and give advice to my younger self, I would say to treasure the last year of high school. I would mention that while college is a rewarding and worthwile experience, I shouldn't take the last year of school for granted. I should take the time to enjoy the free education, free books, even the free school lunches, because in college, I will have to pay for everything. I would go back and thank my mother for every thing she ever bought or paid for. I would suggest to myself to take the time to get to know some of the freshmen so I still maintain a connection to my high school. I would show my teachers how much I appreciate all of their hard work for the last four years, and finally thank them for bringing me this far. Finally, I would telly myself to enjoy my friends and the close camarderie of marching band because I will have to start over again after I arrive college.