Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

If I had to go back in time and give advice to my younger self there are many things I would want to say. Achieving your goal of become a Registered Nurse will not be easy but it will be worth all your hard work. All the long nights of studying will be worth it! Becoming a Registered Nurse is not only a job but a profession that you can be proud of. Achieving this goal will bring not only you a better life but a better life for your family. Stay passionate about your dreams and never give up.

If I could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior I would tell myself to not stop trying. Once I got accepted to Kent I sort of gave up because I thought it didn't matter. It did matter though. I would tell myself to keep working hard and to apply for a lot of scholarships. I would also tell myself to stay involved. I played sports but I would tell myself to do a lot of volunteer work. I would just tell myself to keep working hard because even though high school is almost over, college is right around the corner. Work hard, get involved and stay focused. That is what I would tell myself if I could go back.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self advice, I would tell myself to have as much fun as possible during the summer before college. The fashion design program that I am taking in school is a very demanding program, and I have very little time to socialize or just relax. The summer before college started I worked 30+ hours as a nanny, and I studied hard so that I could take as many clep tests as possible, which gave me credit for classes that I didn't have to take once I got to college. I would advise the past me to still study for the clep tests, but to work fewer hours and enjoy my summer hanging out with my friends and family, since I don't get much time for that now. I am very glad that I have chosen to go to Kent State University, and I enjoy being challenged as much as I am in the fashion design program. I know that my instructors are giving me all the skills and knowledge I need so that I can make my dreams come true.

Dear Sierra, Please, please, please break out of your shell. When you get to college you will need to make friends, especially since your best friend will be out of state. Dont forget that you are in the fashion world now, and a huge part of being successful in fashion is connections. Networking! Don't be afraid to be yourself, and don't bash yourself when you make mistakes. Another huge part of college life is time management. Do Not Ever wait until the last minute to do your work. Granted, you will have long nights regardless, because there is always something to be doing, but you dont ever want to put so much stress on yourself to the point where you cant sleep at night. Finally, just have fun. Go with the flow, and make tons of fun memories. with love, Your future college self

Before attending college, I knew little about life outside of my hometown. The only things I knew about college came from my family and friends who had experienced a college setting or the way the media had been portraying it for the past decade or so. Therefore; I scarcely knew anything about a college experience. If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self some advice, to thrive in college, it would be to focus entirely on you. I know this may sound a little strange but knowing what I know now about college I think this is the best advice I could give. To me, college is all about finding yourself and finding out what you are truly interested in or what you are passionate about. Instead of trying to constantly please other people, college students need to learn how to please themselves and find their own voice. In a society where everything is told to us about how we should live our day-to-day lives, an individual has to be able to stand up for their own thoughts and choose for themselves what is right. Sometimes being selfish can pay off.

If I had the opportunity to go back and talk about the future with myself as a senior, I would tell her that everything is going to work out. The 18 year old I was had just experienced a very difficult life situation, and was not entirely sure what the future would bring. I would tell her that even though the tragic event would affect her for a long time, it would give her the strength to perservere, as well as find her passion. I would tell her that happiness does not come from following the plans others have for her life, but rather to find something that makes her come alive, and do that as much as possible. I would also ask her to trust her instincts, know that she is smart, and that relationships will come and go. Hold on to situations and relationships as long as they serve a purpose for both parties, and then move on, taking the memories and lessons, but find the place for new experiences and doors. The doors will open, just not always where you may expect them.

"Slow down. It's going to be okay." I was extremely nervous about making the transition to college. Would I make friends? Would I pass my classes? Are the teachers meaner? What AM I going to do when I grow up? I was so concerned with looking far into the future that I felt paralyzed in the present. After getting to college, however, I realized that each day is a process. You have to get up, go to each class, learn the expectations, and take it one day at a time. I would tell myself that the future can be scary, but that I'll get there when I'm ready. By the time I'm ready to graduate, I'm sure I'll know what I want to do. I'll make friends along the way. I'll learn what to expect from teachers - even the mean ones. I would tell little High School Jenn to take college as it comes, and that we'll make it through.

Before coming into college I was just looking to get a degree to qualify for a good job. However, when I came to college I realized that I can do way more than that. College opened my eyes to a lot of new opportunities like geting involved and gaining leadership skills, studying abroad for a semester, or seeking an internship in a good company. I wish I had realized my potential before I came to college.

Becoming a college student is a difficult and complicated process. If I could travel backwards in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, we would inevitably talk about college experiences and being apart of higher education. Normally, I procrastinate on my studies, believing that I have all the time in the cosmos, but as a student at Kent State, I am unable to do so. With gigantic projects, you need to take your time and put in your best effort. While trying to accoplish assignments, it is in your best interest to keep on schedule. Make a calander, do small parts of the project at a time, and try to get the assignment done as soon as possible. It is also a good idea to ask questions, whether you may think it is a dumb one. College is a wonderous education system. Don't ruin any chances you may have at a future.

I would tell myself to get involved the second that I got on campus. When I first got to Kent State I was a little afraid to get involved because I wanted to do well in school, and I was already involved in a volunteer program in Kent. I did slowly get involved, I joined the sorority Delta Gamma, I joined Psychology Club, and I am planning on joining the honors fraternity. I would tell myself to get involved right from the beginning of fall semester, and not to wait. I feel like even waiting just the couple months that I did, I missed out on some great opportunities. For me, getting involved has actually helped me do well in school. It has engaged my interest in college in general, and spiked my pasion for education. College can teach students so much more than just what is taught in the classroom. Getting involved can teach students time management, relationship skills, the importance of charity work, and more. So, if I got the opportunity to talk to myself as a senior, I would give the advice to get involved in as much as possible as soon as I stepped on campus.

I would tell myself that it's okay not to be involved with every activity and to say "yes" to everything. Sometimes you need to focus on you and that's okay!

College is not all fun and pretty flower fields when you first get there. It's scary and the tranistion will make you very uncomfortable and almost scared to start your college career. Not everyone is going to be your bestfriend when you first get there. It takes time and someone will end up being your friend. After time goes on, you will make more friends and you will make friends in your classes and in your major. College is about finding yourself and what you make of it. Give it a chance and just let things happen. I've learned that not everyone is going to love you and want to be friends with you. You are there to pursue the life you want in the working field. Keep your head up, stay strong, and never give up on chances and obstacles that life is going throw at you.

I would tell myself to not think of my self worth through how many friends I have or how many pictures people like on my Facebook or Instagram. When I first got to college I felt like I was a loner because I only had a few friends, I would come back to my room and cry all of the time and I felt awful. Now, I realize that sometimes a few close friends are a lot better than a lot of fake ones that aren't going to be your friend after school is over. The close friends I have actually care about me and what I'm going to do with my life. So I would definitely tell myself to not get caught up in the social life too much. It's not like high school, you don't know everyone so you're not going to have as many friends that you grew up with, and that's OK.

Do not focus your life around any other person than yourself, don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask as many clarifying questions as you need to fully grasp a concept. Do not let bad professors intimidate you, they are there to help, and if they aren't the need to be. Get a job, having your own income is rewarding, but actually save some money. Last but not least, try new things and let yourself grow.

The number one piece of advice I would give to my high school self is to study to learn, not to memorize. I got by in High School studying to ace the exam, rather than studying to learn the material. In college, it is so much harder for me to do well on exams because the questions being asked on exams are application questions, and because I don't know how to study correctly, doing well is much harder for me. Another big piece of advice I would give is to get involved. Whether it be signing up for intramurals, club sports, or clubs, just do what you can to get involved. The more you have on your resume, the better you appear to college admission officers.

Do not be afraid is all I would tell myself. There will be nonstop opportunities for you to feel uncomfortable and back out of. That is not how you could be taking this experience. I would say, wake up every morning with a smile on your face, and go out there and tackle the day. Make every single day worth it. If you are not getting out of bed putting your best effort just go back to bed. College is going to be the most fun , but also one of the most stressful times of your life. The trick to getting through it all is, just keeping a smile on your face. If that can be managed, then there will be absolutelty nothing to worry about. You came here to get an education make sure that is put first, and enjoy the ride, it is the best of your life. Make this time about making yourself into the best version of yourself you can be.

Dear High School Self, Don't worry. Stop stressing about your SAT scores, they're better than what you need and no one cares about them after you get to college. Stop scouring the internet for the perfect major and start searching for yourself, it makes the process a lot easier. Stop worrying so much about your boyfriend or best friend, if they really care about you they'll keep in touch. The dorm rooms are smaller than you think, I promise. Once you get moved in and realize how small it is you'll want to pack it all up and go home. I know how much you're worrying about the 'freshman fifteen,' but don't worry, campus is big enough that you'll walk off that burrito before it goes to your thighs. I'm not going to lie to you, self, there will be nights that you want to cry (and believe me you will). There will be exams you feel unprepared for, and there will be awful nights. But those are outweighed by the times spent laughing with your friends while watching 'Mean Girls.' College is amazing so don't stress yourself out. Love, You.

Going back to when I was a senior, I would first tell myself to get serious with your financial aid. College is not cheap, whether you are going to community college or a big university it is extremely expensive. Second, I would tell myself that no job is worth your health or your grades. Third, go straight to the main campus. Yes, community college is cheaper and you love your job. But going to the main campus will give you so many more opportunites than the ones you get at Kent Ashtabula going part time because of a full time job. And lastly, I would tell myself that it is okay to not know. At eighteen, you're not supposed to know everything or what you want to do. Do not let anyone make you feel inferior.

If I could go back in time to my high school self I would tell myself not to be afraid of change. By the time that it has been a year since you walked across that stage to recieve your high school diploma a lot will have changed. You will have had your last summer with your high school friends, had your first day on campus and will have taken your first college exams. You will stress out and study for hours and think that high school did not help you prepare for this at all. But no one can fully prepare you for your first semster of college. You will lose contact with many old friends but you will see new faces on campus to meet everyday. There will be a lot more personal responsilbilty that you put on yourself to succed because college is a whole different ball game. The one thing that you need to realize though is this change is one step closer to your future. Your first year out of high school is a lot of change but this change will make you a better person and you will finally know yourself.

You're graduating within the next couple months, not that I have to remind you of that--You are well aware considering it is all you think about. You think that leaving high school means leaving behind the people that judged you for every little aspect of your life, or that all the rules are suddenly gone and you have absolute freedom, and your biggest mistake is assuming that just because you are moving on to college means that the boy that broke your heart will no longer be relevant. This is the last thing you want to hear as a senior in high school getting ready to graduate but someone has to tell you--High school NEVER ends. Everything you had to put up with in high school, you will continue to affect you in college, in your future career and beyond. You have to accept it. The difference is made with how you handle it. Worry about yourself instead of others and it will make the change you've been yearning for. Stand up for YOURSELF. Be healthy, study hard, be vulnerable, do what YOU enjoy-- for YOURSELF. Most importantly, smile and be brave. You deserve it.