Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

If I could tell myself what to expect as an incoming frehman, I would say, "Listen up. Everything that everyone has told you about college is completely true. It is nothing at all like high school and you better be willing to put in extra time to focus on your studies. It's alright to socialize and have fun because that is the best way to make friends. Don't be the quite kid who doesn't talk to anyone in class, but do not be the kid who tries to make your classmates laugh with loud and obnoxious remarks. Everyone who is at college is there for a reason, and that is to learn and get a degree. Be kind, caring, and compassionate towards others because you would want people to treat you the same way. But most of all, work hard and study hard. College consists of four years that will determine the rest of your life, so don't mess it up. Believe in yourself and you will be able to accomplish anything you want. Good luck and most imporatantly have fun, because it is going to go by quicker than you think."

Whatever you do, take your classes as seriously as possible. If you don't, it is a huge mistake. Even if the class you're taking seems like an easy course, or it's something you've been good at since middle school, take it as serious as your most difficult class. If you don't, the class will surely take you for a turn, and that turn is definitely for the worse. College courses are much different than high school classes in which college courses advance much further into the subject, much quicker. I'll be easy one day and you'll blow that off and let your guard down, then it'll tear you down the next. Just, promise me, whatever you do... Take your classes very serious. Go to every class, every week. Take as detailed of notes as you can. Study every night for all your classes, even if it's just 30 minutes for each course. Just take your classes seriously.

If I had the ability to go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself not to be afraid of the unknown and have more confidence in my abilities. While I was in high school I knew that I wanted to go to college and I had quite a few local options. But I decided to go miles and miles away from my family and friends to pursue my education. But after my decision was set in motion I started to wonder if I had made the right choices. I would tell myself that even though the adjustment was frightening and stressful, it would work out for me in the long run. The choice that I made to move away has matured me and made me more optimistic. During my first semester none of my professors or classmates cared that I was right out of high school, so I had to adjust very quickly. But I did really well that semester and I was proud of myself. The faith that I have gained in myself has made me push myself further, and that push would have been great to give to my high school self.

The advice that I, as a college freshman in his second semester, would give to myself as a high school senior is very simple: show up, on time, for the whole time. As Woody Allen said: "Eighty percent of success is showing up". Students who show up, for the most part, pass the class. Those who take an extra five minutes of preparation to arrive early do even better. Individuals who show up not only to lecture hall but also make an active effort to pay attention for the full time period will find themselves in great standing with both their faculty and grade point average. Success in college is worked for, and showing up is worth far more than half the effort. The direct correlation between showing up and success is 180{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} true.

The main advice I would tell myself is that changing your mind isn't always a bad thing. I changed my major a couple of times in school. Prior to starting school, I thought this was a horrible thing to do. However, I learned so much through exposure, and ultimately ended with a major that I enjoy. I'd also warn myself about the amount of debt that comes with school. Before attending school, I had one part time job that paid minimum wage. It was difficult to afford gas, insurance, food, etc. Since then, I've acquired a full-time job, which I wish I had done a lot sooner, to help me with the financial burden. Finally, I'd tell myself to calm down. Yes, academic success is important - but not to the point of phyiscal and mental exhaustion.

I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible! I now know that student loans add up very quickly and scholarships can help tremendously.

I would tell myself not to worry about meeting new people and to just be myself. I am not the best at meeting new people, so I was really nervous the first day of school. There was really nothing to worry about because a lot of other people were feeling the same way that I was. Also, I would tell myself to read and type my notes because I learned how helpful that was towards the end of my first semester of college.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would definitely say to make sure to let go of the past and try to start college with a completely fresh mindset. I have felt very nostalgic about my high school experiences, and it has held me back in trying new things in college. It has been hard to fully adjust to college life, and for a long time I was feeling as if I still had to return to my high school at some point. I think that if I were to start my first freshman semester again I would try to be more outgoing and talk to every person I see. It has been hard to branch out of my comfort zone and try to meet new people because I have been so stuck on the people I met in high school.

The advice I would give to my highschool self is to be open to all of the students on campus. Be outgoing and become friends with as many people as you can because most of the people on campus are nice.

The primary piece of advice I'd want to tell my high school self is to start practicing time management early and to dedicate extra time to studying physics and computerscience, which I am majoring in now at Kent State. The biggest problem I have faced in the transition has been the amount of free time I have in college that has to be divided up into time for studying, recreation, and rest; finding the right balance to be successful in classes and to enjoy the college experience is important to staying motivated and happy. And as for studying the subjects I am majoring in now I'd like to paraphrase a certain saying I've become fond of in college, "We start off by learning a little bit of everything and slowly specialize ourselves until we reach the point where we know everything about nothing." There is a whole spectrum of potential occupations and interests out there and college is one of the best times to hone our skills in the fields that we want to work in, so why not get an early start and have a head start in college.

As a late life/return student, I would tell my high school self to perservere, to be humble, and to seek help from students who had made it through the college system. In the spring of my sophmore year in high school, I had a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, the health issues caused by my kidney failure also caused me to struggle to get even decent grades. Though my grades improved drastically after the surgery, I still had all the self doubt gained from struggling so many years in school. This doubt plagued me and motivated me to leave junior college before finishing my degree - a choice I am now paying for with far greater sacrifices than had I perservered and humbled myself to jump through all the hoops colleges require of students. Knowing that I would face bad academic advising from my junior college advisor, I would tell my younger self to not feel angry and defeated, but, instead, humble myself, and seek advice from students who graduated successfully. Given the opportunity, I would encourage myself to hang in there when classes seemed hard or when academic advisors failed me, and to seek outside help, especially from successful students.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would talk myself out of rooming with my friend from high school and tell myself to be brave and choose a random roommate instead. My friend and I got along for the first month of school and we did everything together, but eventually some major differences became clear to us and we started to have a lot of disagreements. Because we did everything together and didn't make many efforts to branch out and meet new people, we would be all alone when we got in fights and wouldn't have anyone else to hang out with. Plus it was awkward being in the room together when one person was angry at the other. As scary as it sounds to have a random roommate chosen for you, I definitely think it is the better option in the long run. Having a random roommate pushes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to meet new people with different interests than you instead of using your best friend as your crutch all the time.

Always follow your heart and don' t be afriad to be yourself. I know this is an incredibly cliche answer but it's so true. You will always find people who love being with the real you and who you actually have a lot in common with. Why would you want to spend time with people who like you only because they think you are like them? Well, the answer is you don't. So stay true to yourself and the world will start to open up into this big, beautiful place full of possibilities right before your eyes and you will begin to figure out who you really are and who you want to be.

If I could go back to my senior year, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to actually apply myself in the classroom. I was the student that never had to try to get A's in high school. Going to college, it was a huge rude awakening. I never knew how to study because I did not have to, but now I am having to teach myself all the basics to studying to do well in college, when everyone else around me already knows. Also, I would tell myself to start and write and apply for scholarships at the beginning of my senior year. I never understood how much money was really involved with college until after last semester. If i would have applied for scholarships at the beginning of my senior year, I would not have to stress over all the money to continue to pay to stay in college now or the debt of college once I graduate. Little things that I never thought of my senior year could have totally changed my life in college right now if only I could go back and give myself a wakeup call.

Dear High School Jackie, Just so you're aware, college requires more responsibility than high school. Being away from home for four years will make you the adult you have been wishing to be since twelve years old. With all of that being said, remember the word responsibility. Also, develop time management skills in senior year. Those skills, along with others, will make college easier. This next one may be the most important. SAVE MONEY. Learn how to save money for mom and dad's sake. Lastly, remain confident in yourself. That attitude that is getting you through senior year will aid you in surviving your freshman year of college. Finish senior year off strong and start your freshman year in college the same way. Sincerely yours, College Freshman Jackie

My advice to my high school self would definitely be to try and kick my procrastanation habit when I could. It was a challenge I dealt with all through high school and getting over it in college did not help with the adjustment. I have, however, done very well with getting my work done and studying this past semester. Another thing I would tell myself is to prepare for responsibility and independence. In college I am all on my own, without my parents or usual friends. High school is such a different environment than college, everything is essentially laid out for you and it's a big leap to have to do a lot by yourself.

You are important. Value yourself. By this I mean, don't listen to other people when they tell you you're not smart, artistic, good, or pretty enough to do anything. We tell our children they are the future and they can do anything, well this is the time for you to do anything you want. Don't hold back, don't doubt yourself. Take that trip to Europe. You are free to explore and learn what being you means. Of coure everything in moderation. Temper your freedom with an understanding that every action you take IS leading you to your future. Whether it is the future you've dreamed for yourself, or a nightmare your parents warned you about, is entirely up to you and the actions you take now. The classes you skip, the date who doesn't treat you right, the friend who's choices drag you down, all of these things lead you to your future just as inevitably as good grades, a top internship and lifelong friendships will too. In the end, when faced with all the choices to come, remember that you are valuable and make your decisions based on that.

I have gained a lot of knowledge while going through my first semester of college. Before leaving for school I was extremely nervous to the point of messed up sleep schedules and reduced eating habits. If I could go back in time to being a high school senior I would tell myself a few things that would have made the transition a little easier and a lot less stressful. First, I would tell myself that even though I am going to be independent this will give me a chance to prove my maturity to not only myself but to my friends and family as well as learn how to handle difficult situations on my own, such as time management. Another piece of advice I would tell myself is that everyone else is in the same boat as I am in. Every college freshman student is nervous and lost so it is okay to not know where to go or to ask questions when confused because chances are someone else around you is wondering the same thing. I'd tell myself college is definitely a learning experience but it is not something to lose sleep over.

Personally, the advice I would give myself would be to continue to open up my mind. I would tell myself to work hard, even when time does not agree. I would have to understand that only I am responsible for my actions, and that I will have to think about how I spend my meal plan, and the money on my bank account as well. I would also tell myself to start saving money to buy a new saxophone as well, due to the fact that the one that is currently in my possesion is not recommended for professional use, and should be replaced with something much better. I would say to stick close to my girlfriend as well. Throughout my first semester, she has been the one to hold me together when stress was rattling me and ripping me apart. I would tell myself to tread lightly and never, under any circumstance, take her for granted. I would tell myself to complete not only the homework on paper, but also the homework that is assigned online as well. All of these words of advice from my older self to my younger self would help me greatly in life.

As a high school senior, one of my biggest worries was about the transition into college. I worried about money and what classes were best to take first, and whether or not I would be able to complete my transfer degree in two years. Now that I have passed such a hectic time in my life, I would be able to go back and tell myself that everything would work out fine. Despite my biggest fears, going to a community college and getting my general education out of the way as well as completing my Associates Degree for Transfer was much easier than I thought. I learned with the help of my college’s administrative staff that community colleges are a cost effective way to get some of the more tedious aspects of college out of the way. That way, I could focus more on my major in a four-year college. Essentially, I would advise my high school self to calm down and remember to ask questions when in need of help. Additionally, I would remind myself that anything is possible, like completing my degree in two years, as long as I focused and set my mind to it.