Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior high school self my college life would be a lot different. First thing I would tell myself is to prepare your mind and body for daily all night study sessions and classes that start as early as 6am. Also, how to properly balance leisure and study times so you don’t fall behind in your work. While in high school taking advantage of every scholarship opportunity and other programs geared toward college. Lastly, to continue learning not only while in school but over winter, spring, and summer breaks to stay ahead of the class. The best advice I would give to myself would be biggest mistake most first year college students make is they do the exact same thing they did in high school, which is to go to every party and feel they have all the time in the world to make up their work. Even though they might be able to the work, you won’t be able to retain any of the knowledge and will further delay yourself from getting that degree.

If I had the ability to go back in time and tell the younger me about college, I would have made sure to tell him to try his best. It sounds simple but my mindset in high school was doing as little as possible to get by. If I could have done things differently I would have made sure I studied for every test, took extraordinary notes, and listened to every word the teacher said. When you try your hardest you can enroll in programs such as post secondary to further your education for the better. The harder you work in high school the easier college will be. My biggest regret was not participating in post secondary; I had heard about it but never had the mind set to peruse it. In reality post secondary is college and you can advance yourself multiple years in preparation for college. The best thing about post secondary is that it is “FREE” and free college is something unheard of. Post secondary is one of my biggest regrets and if I could do it all over again I would snap my fingers and begin college as sophomore in high school attending post secondary.

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be this, never give up on yourself. I know it might seem cliche but it's not. College is a transition from young adult to grown up, it helps mold our character and strengthens our ability to work through tough times efficiently. We become inteligent and enlightened about the world around us. At first, it is difficult to get used to being your own self motivator but it's something that is needed to graduate. There will be rough times in school where you feel like you can't go on, but that is when you have to sit down and think about your future and where you wanna be in 10 years. A college degree isn't jus a piece of paper with my degree on it. A college degree says that I am not a quitter, I don't give up, and I will keep persevering in life through many other challenging obsticals. Never give up on educating yourself, it only makes you better. Remember, knowledge is power and don't sell yourself short doing whats "easy".

Be open to meeting new people, and don’t judge people for wanting to drink, even if you don’t want to lighten up just a little bit and be willing to venture out of your dorm room sometime. Don’t be afraid to look into joining a Fraternity, they aren’t all like that one you looked at during orientation weekend of your freshman year, spend some time and shop around, because if you do you’ll meet a great group of guys who will do anything for you, and trust me, you’re going to need them come Junior year. Your life is going to fall apart junior year when Dad dies, but because you’ll’ve lightened up by then, and developed a large and diverse group of friends you’ll be okay. The people you meet will help you through it, and about that first room mate? Make friends with the kid across the hall. He hates his room mate too, become his room mate, it’ll be good for both of you.On a nonsocially related note just keep an open mind, work hard, stay positive, and above-all smile, cause it’s worth it.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to be afraid to take risks. I feel that in high school there is immense pressure to go to college immediately after graduating. My personal experience had me applying to colleges that were out of my league in which I was denied from each one. Feeling pressured to complete a 4 year degree I applied to the local university not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I found myself unhappy and uninterested and after 2 years my GPA dropped significantly. I wound up being dismissed from the university. However determined not to give up I worked hard to bring my GPA up from a 1.66 to a 2.5. Because I worked so hard I was able to study in NYC in which my classes were taught by professionals in the fashion industry. Had I taken some time to explore my options I could have avoided failing out of school and a debt of $40,000. Though through my experience I have learned not to fear failure, from failure comes success!

Dear self, When deciding on your school, make sure you look into more than just one. It works out, but safer is better than sorry! Scholarships, scholarships, scholarships. Seriously, you're going to need the extra money. Now that that's out of the way, do you best. You're so much better than being un-motivated and lazy and I know you can do so much better and pass every class. Studying is definitely more important than it was in high school, but it will pay off. You'll still have time to see your friends, trust me. Push yourself to do the best you can, let yourself lean on others, and remember that it always gets worse before it gets better. Oh, and Mom is always right. Good luck!

It's easy to believe that you will age "Later" when in High School.It comes upon you quick.Leaving college ,banking,in 1984 due to several family tragedies,I vowed one day to return.I saw a lot of substance abuse,including myself for awhile.It turned my life upside down.I was self-medicating my grief.I am now in college to become a Substance Abuse Counselor,to steer other peoples lives down a good path with psychological tools and healing.I am also feeling great as a role model for my children.Two of the oldest are already in college,one to be a nurse.I am holding GPA's of 3.33 and 3.26.It is a great thing for them to see that you can hit a rough road,come through it,and turn around to help others who may not be so lucky and blessed.I attend Church of Christ in Sparks,Nv. I owe my life and my recovery to the Lord,without whose help I would have never changed my life.It is a struggle everyday and something I would love to help those in the midst of substance abuse afflictions.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would advice myself to study more, and try and better myself as a person all around. I am very positive person and I love helping people. I would also advice myself to become more active in my surrounding community. Sometimes a friendly conversation with a stranger can make their day and yours.

I would tell myself very straight forward and desperately to study my butt off and get the best grades I can. I would tell myself to switch my classes to the ones that would better prepare me for college courses and that would benefit my major. Then I would probably go on forever in telling myself to save all the money that I can. Spend only if I really need to. That way money will not be a problem and my focus will be more on studying, rather than worrying about how I will pay for college.

Dear Younger Ali, When you get to college in New Orleans, things will be great. Your enthusiasm and charm will draw people to you, and you will go to amazing concerts. You will have limitless energy, and will stay out until six in the morning some nights. You will meet a cool boyfriend, and many other interesting people. Your philosophy professors will praise you for being one of their best students, and you will be proud. Don't become overconfident and lazy. Boyfriends don't last forever, and neither do party friends. Your brains will only take you so far in life if you don't work hard. And don't forget your wonderful family. Your mother is going to miss you so much, so pick up the phone when she calls. Continue with your old hobbies, because they give your life meaning. You were born with many gifts, and it would be a shame to never fulfill your capabilities. Don't get upset when you realize you've been foolish. Change your behavior, and things will work out. I know they will. With Love, Older Ali

If I were able to go back and talk to my self as a high school senior, the first thing I would say is: Don't stress. When coming into college, the biggest mistake I made was probably stress a lot about what I could do, how I would finish, and how I would be able to afford school. This was a mistake because it made me so focused on everything but effectively finishing some of my prerequisite coursework to my standards. I would tell my high school self not to worry, and that everything would work out in the long run. I would also encourage my high school self to explore a bit more when it comes to recieving any type of assistance, whether that is study-based or financial aid, and let go of the pride that I could "do-it-all-by-yourself" without any outside assistance.

Outside of high school, the number one rule is never give up on your dreams. All throughout high school you have maintained a strong passion for athletic training, but tuition has always been in the way. The move to Arizona right after high school is a great way to begin the transition into the college life; however, it is simply settling for something convenient and running away from your past instead of running towards your dreams. Of course, family is important and coming home to help Mom after the first year is the right thing to do, but I urge you to never lose sight of your goal. The economy is tough and certain relationships and events will be even tougher, but as long as you never settle for less than you know you have earned and deserve, you will find happiness and fulfillment of your dreams. Always look ahead without forgetting what has made you strong and don't forget to be thankful for those who help you along the way. Cherish those butterflies in your stomach as you walk into your first college class and remember that someday, you are going to be an athletic trainer.

You are a senior, this upcoming Fall is going to be the start of your freshman year at Kent State. I know you're nervous, and shy, but you'll come to discover a whole new light on learning here. You're finally studying what it is you've always loved-DNA, cells, diseases, and more than you would have ever imagined. This college is FULL of friendly, very nice people. Every teacher you will take is more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or see you during their office hours if you need extra help. Your science classes are made up of hands on labs and projects that always involve groups working together; which is very helpful in making new friends, especailly with people that love to learn the same things that you do. Also, you will often times have extra time between classes that give you more study time. You may run into some difficult classes and knowing you, particularly math, but I garantee you that you're going to make it through and your're going to do well. Always make sure to try your best and to study hard. You will go far.

I would tell myself to take classes that focus on the nursing proffession. I would not waste time taking other classes that won't be useful in the nursing field. Part of growing up is learning from mistakes. I know in the bottom of my heart that Nursing is for me! Another thing that I would tell my self is to work two or three jobs and save up money for college so that I could afford to pay my college bills later on in life, because working one job while being a student simply isn't enough to pay for todays high education costs. I would also tell myself to hang in there and not be so stressed from a life with no father and a sick single mother in a new country with no one to turn to for help. I moved here from the Ukraine at the age of 20, it was very difficult to adapt in a new country. I studied hard to learn English fluently and worked hard to find a job(s) to support me and my mother .. no matter what life throws at you, You Must Overcome and Be Strong!..Never Give Up!

Freshman year equals the best, yet very awkward. All that is on your mind is how to be cool and to be friends with the seniors. Boys are everywhere! (or hot young ladies if you are a man). You dress the best this year and feel so cool. You come back home and tell your family after 2 months that you have been dramatically changed. College has already matured you. Sophmore year is forgotton. Junior year is weird. You just want to leave already so you come up with ways to make sure you can somehow graduate early or escape the roomates you live with by maybe studying abroad? Senior year. The chill year. You don't try to impress. You are not attracted to anyone. Classes are a breeze! Not like before. It is a smooth sailing place where you are preparing to leave yet kind of are in love with college and wish it did not end. You are on top of the world. Nobody intimidates you. You see yourself with new people and becoming new.

I would tell myself to start those pesky college applications early and get them out of the way. I would say to have my art teachers evaluate my portfolio before sending it out. To not slack off so much in all of my classes and to go to afterschool help in precalculus to aquire the the extra help. And finally to just take a deep breath because you might struggle and feel hopeless at times, but in a few short months you will finally be finished with grade school and you can finally move on and enjoy so much in college. You've grown so much and you should be so happy you made it this far. You should be so proud; some people don't even get to go off to college and you are going to the 2nd best fashion design school in the country. Look how far you've come, you are amazing.

The best advice one could give to their high school self would be to keep their head up, think straight, force themselves to work hard, and apply for scholarships. It is very daunting to try to arrange financial aid and prioritize education with not being able to enjoy four great years of growth, education, experience, and excitment because during their senior year they did not focus on amazing grades, planning for the future, or figuring out their financial situation. Applying to any and all scholarships should be a priority for juniors and seniors because not everyone has the funds to comfortably pay for their education, to not take loans, and to not have to stress about making ends meet. No student should have to work two jobs just to be able to have the opportunity to go to school and better themselves. While it happens, and it develops character and experience to pass to their children, incoming students should make the commitment and sacrifice during high school to apply to scholarships to secure their education. In retrospect, I wish I did this as well, because I spend more time worrying about paying for school than worrying about passing.

I would tell myself to go to school. That not going to school and going straight into working is hard and it's hard to make it and have anything on $8.00 per hour. You can not survive on that even one person. Do something that you love and enjoy and go to school so I could have a better life.

I would tell myself that making friends and having a social life are definitely important to keep happy because you keep some of your friends, but it is also important to make new friends in college to help you get by and to study with. It is so essential to balance out your social life and your academic life. While you should definitely study hard and keep your grades up, also make sure you keep hanging out with your friends from high school and making new friends at college because they will keep you from getting overwhelmed by schoolwork and the new college experience.

Looking back at what i know now and what i didnt know then. As a high school senior i would of took the time to fill out scholarships and grants. I was always told that you need to do this ,but i being the normal teenager never did. This would be the first thing that i would do. Then i would also get the volunteer hours that your supose to do and get them done. This is one of the biggest things that i regret not doing. So please as your parents say fill those out, take the time to do them, they will help you, because before long they are going to be right.