Kirkwood Community College Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would set up a meeting and give my advice. The first thing that I would address would be that it is essential to stay on task right from the beginning of the semester. Every test, lab, quiz, etc is important and will affect your final grade. Also, don't get behind. If you study a little bit everyday come test time, cramming will not be necessary. Second, I would advise to apply for as many scholarships possible and that they are out there. Third, would be to not be afraid to ask for extra help. The teachers are there to help you succeed and if you ask they will do anything in their power to get you where you need to be to succeed in their class.

If I were to go back in time to give my self some advice I would tell myself to enjoy college and to work hard to acheive my goals. Thats the one thing I did not do for myself when I first attended college right out of highschool. I did not set goals for myself. Goals are so very important because they keep you motivated, and on the correct track with your schooling. The transition from highschool to college can be dificult , but it can also be smooth if you use the resources that most colleges offer freshmen. My suggestion to all students who are graduating and heading off to collge is to work hard, manage your time wisely and enjoy the experiences that college can offer you. You will make great friendships and create memories that will last a life time.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a few things to say. First I would tell past self to study hard and learn helpful study skills. I would tell my past self to start taking better notes now so when he starts college he will know how to take fast and effective notes. I would tell him to learn how to set a schedule for studying and stick to it. I would tell my past self to take a college visit and meet with an advisor before going to college. Lastly I would tell him to plan study groups with friends.

I would give myself a lot of advice; there are a lot of things I would do differently. First of all, I would be much more active in my college search. I thought I wanted (and could) stay in high school so I put off my college search and just took the easy way out: going to the closest state university. What a bad decision. If I could do it over again, I would follow my dreams and look out of state, which is exactly what I am doing now that I have decided to transfer. Once I moved in with my roommate, we didn't spend a lot of time getting to know each other, though I wish we would have. We got close later in the semester, but the transition into college would have been much easier if we had developed a friendship and trust sooner rather than later. I would also tell myself to get to know my professors right away. Go in to their office hours the first or second weeks of school to just introduce yourself and get familiar with them. It'll be easier to approach them when you actually need help.

I would tell myself to get used to becoming more organized and learn to balance work and the school the best i could.

I know that it can be hard to get things done early, especially if you don't know exactly what you want to do but if you have any classes in mind you should sign up for them early. The longer you wait the more your choices narrow, and the longer you have to wait to take a class of choice. If you decide not to talk to an advisor about what classes you should take in whatever degree you pursue, you should know where to look for the requirements needed to either transfer or graduate. They have a degree audit link on the page that tells you exactly what you need for graduation, the classes you can choose to take to accomplish graduating, and your progress in your degree. Other than that just don't get discouraged if you don't know what you want to do or don't do things the way you want, especially the first two years because they're there to pretty much just get you used to the transition and explore your options.

Dear self, If only I could've warned you about college life, and prevented you from making some terrible mistakes, but then again you made some great accomplishments. First, make sure you eat food on your first day of classes, when your stomach talks and rumbles so the whole class can hear, you'll wish you had. Don't worry about getting around on campus, the staff and students are so friendly and kind they'll help you around when you can't find the new Benton hall. Never skip class, you do it once, you'll do it again, and breaking that habit was harder than quitting biting your nails. Don't leave your straightener on in your apartment, that counter top cost a pretty penny. The televesion shouldn't be a component of studying. Take Sociology classes, not Psychology, just isn't your strong suit. Don't get discouraged by your failures, improve yourself. Set goals I promise you will reach them, because I did. You can always do better. At the end of the day be happy where you are, because home might be where the heart is, but Kirkwood was a great place to grow.

Know what you want to study before your go to college and study everyday, it will make college so much easier.

Dear Me: I know going to college is exciting and I know you don't know what you want to do with your life, but you need to work harder, study more and realize that the things you have now won't always be there. I know it's hard when people leave your life, and it can be hard to focus but you need to know that things get better and that school is the most important thing, spend your time studying instead of worrying. I know this has been a short note, but you'll figure out the rest of college, I wouldn't want to give too much of it away, that's the beauty of life, 17 year-old me, every day is a new day to breathe new air into your lungs and take control of your life. Seize life by the throat and never look back. Much love, Pete

I worked very hard in High School to get good grades so that I would be eligible for scholarships. I also worked two jobs to save money for college because I am paying for my own college education. My parents make enough money that I don't qualify for grants, but not enough to pay for all of us to attend college. Making the choice to start at a community college was also a very wise decison. The smaller class sizes and the lower tuition have both been very beneficial to me. I took PSEO classes in High Shcool also, so that I had some of my college credits before I even began college. ALl of these things helped me to prepare for the transitoin very well. If there was any additoinal advice I could have given myself, it would have been to check into the university requirements better than I did. My guidance counselor told me that I didnt need a 4th year of foreign language and it is required by the University. I would have taken it in college, had I known.