Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

There are pros and cons to going back to school as an older student. As such a student, I have found that I am more disciplined and focused on the goals I have set, but too old to participate in some of the student activities and sports. If I were able to go back in time I would have to tell myself not to wait. I would also tell myself to consider degrees in areas in which there is always a need, such as the medical field. The idea is to secure a future for yourself and by doing this you will have an edge on others your age. I would also encourage getting involved in a variety of activities and understand the importance of balance. Have fun, meet new people but don't let class assignments and grades suffer. I would stress the importance of maintaining a strong GPA because so many programs look to that to determine if a student is committed to the work necessary to be successful in a particular program. I would also remind myself that a failure is not the end, it is how you respond that shows who you really are.

If I could give myself advice as a high school senior I would advise myself to save up more money by working more. Most importantly I would tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as possible! As a senior I worked hard in school and at work, I would not have to remind myself the importace of education. I would have to remind myself that funds end, and that I should save as much money as possible in order to pay for school.

The transtion to college can be harder for some then others. For me the hardest part was knowing that I had to now motivate myself. I love hanging out with friends, but now I needed to be the one to have enough self control to say no to hanging out and doing the other stuff I needed to do. What worked out for me, and the best advice I can give is to come up with a routine. Besides hanging out with friends, I needed to fit in enough time to study for all of my classes, find time to eat a healthy meal, to get some exercise in, and get enough sleep. Also know that when you study, your brain can only take it for so long before it needs a break so factor in some time to take a break from studying so your brain can take a break and so you don't feel as overwhelmed. Looking back, the best advice I can give is to manage your time wisely. As a college student you have so much time to do everything you need to, but it is amazing at how much time you can waste.

I would tell myself to aquire good study skills and time management. I did not need to study in high school but I realized that to succeed in college time management and studying skills are essential.

I would tell myself to take the time to visit all the colleges I was considering. It may seem daunting but I really should make a list of attributes that I want in a college and find colleges that match. Talking with upperclassmen that attend the university I am interested in also helps tremendously. They will be able to tell you all the good and bad parts of the college that the official tour leaves out. Have a over-night visits at colleges to get their real feel and see the group of people that live on campus. Visiting for an afternoon doesn't give you the full flavor of the college or university. Finally, talk to your parents about paying for college because you want to consider the amount of scholarships each college awards you. Being debt free after college would be a great feeling and will help you be stress free and enjoy the college experience!

If I could go backin time and talk to myself I wouldtell myself to pay attenion more in class. I would tell myself that because the knowledge that you learn in high school will be used through out college. I would even tell myself to interact with others more because while in college you will be interacting with people that you have never seen before. I would also tell myself to get more involved in activities that are at school because it will help you with your communication skills. I will also help you interact with new people that you would have never talk to.

One semester down. Seven more to go. Looking back at my first semester of higher education and poring through the many new academic and social experiences that I've gone through, I would tell my high school senior self one thing: "Don't be afraid to talk to new people, peers and professors alike, because doing so will give way to many new opportunities and experiences that will shape the undergraduate experience for the better." Trust me. Never in my wildest dreams did I forsee that striking up a conversation with that guy in the elevator or that girl in the library would lead to many of the memorable experiences that have come from these first few months away from home. And believe me, I'm certainly glad I did.

For starters, don't be scared or nervous. Loyola's faculty and staff will be some of the kindest and most capable people you will ever meet. They will work with you to make the transition as painless as possible. Take advantage of the teachers you have in high school, as well. They will work with you for applications and recommendations. Loyola's staff will be every bit as helpful, although the bursar's office will frustrate you for obvious reasons. As for the workload, it is different. You will be thrown into a part-time job, volunteer work, and lengthy papers. Thankfully, you were not lazy in high school, so you will be more prepared than most. The best advice is to breathe deeply and remain calm, remember that you are capable of anything you want to accomplish, and never be afraid to ask for help.

The most important thing I would have told myself would have been to look into the financial needs of college. There are many other costs I didn't consider expecially because I live on campus. Tuition is a majority of the cost, but I thought after tuition there wouldn't be any other financial responsibility; i was wrong. Along with tuition, there are books, activity fees, and organization fees. Most of the above were free in my high school, so i was shocked when I found out I had to pay for everything. My high school councilors would lecture us on and on about how there are so many scholarships out there for us to obtain, but I didn't even bother trying because I didn't think I would get them, but I realized if I would have tried it would have helped my situation to get all the financial help I could get. Trust me college is expensive. I thought i would just pay everything off in student loans, but I hadn't thought about how bad the economy was going to be. Also, college should be about discovering your dreams and goals, so don't be nervous.

You can do this. You are horrible at focusing but you always get As. You aren't going to be perfect and you aren't always going to be sure about what you are doing but just follow your heart and never give up. :)