Marquette University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and speak to my senior self, I would say to go into college with an open mind, especially when it comes to making friends. College is one of the only opportunities you will have to meet a variety of people. When you step onto that campus shaking with nervousness, know that everyone around you is in the same boat. So instead of waiting for people to approach you, go up to someone and start up a conversation. Sit down and talk to someone that you would not normally talk to. The more diverse your friends are, the more diverse your college experience will be. College is about stepping outside of what you normally do, and start living your life for the sake of gaining new positive experiences. This is easier to do if you have a widespread and diverse group of friends to go on the journey with you. Diversity will help you even more as you move past college because knowing how to interact with different types of people is essential for any profession. So as you begin your journey take a deep breath and dive right into something new.

In a quick and simple way, if I could give myself advice as I entered the college life I would say just follow your gut. There are so many different decisions and options as you experience more freedom than ever before in your life. Sometimes, all of these different opportunities cause people to become overwhelmed and worried that they won't choose the right activities, classes, friends, etc. However, as I enter my second semester of college, it is clear to me that whatever you choose to do, you will have fun as long as you enjoy it for you, and not for anyone else. In other words, don't go somewhere just because your friends do. Don't just take a class because your roommate is taking it and you can compare homework. Take classes you think sound interesting, and do something different once in a while with your extra-curriculars. Don't think so much about how you could be making a mistake. Instead, think about how you can make this experience one that you will enjoy. You have to try reall hard to dislike college, so just go with your gut, and do what you enjoy!

Lacey, you will be going to Marquette next fall, so there are some important things you should be practicing and learning during your senior year at Merrill High school, so here goes!! First of all, keep up the good work in the classroom. Sit in the front and ask questions of the teacher; go in after class if necessary and always start the assignments early so don't have to panic the night before it is due! Keep a calendar of due dates in a prominent place. Take time to go to the gym to work out - you will feel better all around. Eat good meals and get enough sleep. Before you go, learn how to do your laundry and make mac and cheese. Buy shoes that are comfortable, for you will soon learn that those heels will not cut it walking down Wisconsin Avenue to your classes! Be sure your know how your alarm clock works and the snooze - and maybe have a back-up! Stay safe by calling the limo at night for rides and never walking alone. Stay the same independent, strong person you already are and you will be successful at Marquette!!

I would tell myself that college is not the frightening and lonely place that I envisioned, but a place and time for great growth--intellectually, socially and emotionally. College is a time where we have freedom that we will never again enjoy, and this is the time to do things out of the ordinary--study abroad, join clubs, take classes for the knowledge and enjoyment, not just because its required. Don't be afraid to take risks. Do things that will make you a better person such as volunteering in an area that uses your talents and makes a difference. But it is also a time where we learn about ourselves. Mom thinks I should be a counselor; Dad thinks I should be a nurse....We all need to have the courage to decide ON OUR OWN what we want to become. If you think you would like accounting, take a class. If you think you might want to study in Spain, take a class. But think ahead and plan. Sit down and chart your coursework so that you have time to explore new areas, but that the path ultimately leads to a degree and career you will love.

If I had to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to relax. Judging from my experience and the experience of my friends here and abroad there is a right place for everyone to be and once you find it you will know. Don't stress about tuition money and meeting people because if you have a dream you really want accomplished you will find a way to make it happen.

As a high school student I worked very hard, but I never fully understood what was to come in the future. I often felt that certain classes I took and certain experiences were irrelevant to my future. After coming to Marquette University, I realized how much high school attempted to prepare me for what lie ahead. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the advice to take advantage of every opportunity possible. I would tell myself to join more clubs, make more of an effort in my classes, and get the full extent of every lesson I learned along the way. I would also make a point to tell myself everything happens for a reason. Sometimes plans do not work out the way you want them to, but that is because something better is coming in the future. Not everything worked the way I wanted it to from senior year until now, but I would tell myself to be grateful for that. If all my plans had been successful, I would be not be the person I am today.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to keep my room door open and not be afraid to meet new people. I thought it would be so easy to meet people but when I actually got to college, I didn't meet anyone from my floor until the end of the semester. I was sharing a bathroom with these people and didn't bother to get to know any of them. Now I love having people just two doors down that I can go and hang out with. The reason I really did not like school at the beginning of the year was because I didn't know very many people. I would sit in my room and feel so lonely and hate every minute of it. But I found that when I'm with other people, I am so much happier. The change was astounding. Basically, I would just tell myself that you can never meet too many people. You'll find out who your good friends are in due time, but in the beginning meet people! Plus it's okay to be homesick!

I had many advisors in high school. Counselors, teachers, parents, friends and family were always giving me advice about life beyond high school. The first thing I would tell myself would be to take heed to all advice. Some is very useful right then and some very useful later. College life is a different world from high school. I could praise myself as a senior in high school for not feeling the need to conform to cliques or groups that didn't contribute to my academic success and for contributing to Spirit Club and Black Honor Society. I could tell myself that being a nerd actually gets you where you want to be in college and doesn't make you a social outcast. Most importantly, I would tell myself to not worry about the myths of the university atmosphere at an ivy school being pretentious. Don't let your fears of non-social conforming be the reason for not attending a prestigious university. What is most important in academia is one's ability to open the mind to endless possibilities and to train the mind to aquire the skills of our predecessors and exceed their expectations.

Make sure you go to a college that is not in your home town. I found that the experience of going away from home allowed me to grow into an independent and confident person. It was hard for me to adjust at first because I am a home body. By attending Marquette University, I am far enough away from Chicago, but close enough to visit home easily. I recommend choosing a school that fits your environment. If you a very active person and love to take adventures on your free time, choose a school in the city. The most important thing I wish someone would have told me is to be open minded and to leave those you love behind. I came to college starting a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend. Although I loved him, it was harder for me to adjust to campus and become involved because I was busy planning my free time on when I could visit him. College should be an open experience that builds ones character. I wish I would have enjoyed my first year rather than spending my time on the phone with him each night.

I have no doubts that Marquette University was the right choice for me, even if it took awhile to arrive at the final decision. However, I decided to enter a professional degree program (Engineering). Jumping into a program when I was still unsure of what I wanted to pursue was a mistake. As a high school senior, it would be nice to know that one does not have to decide right away which program he or she wants to enter. There was stress in trying to initially decide. The only result of being unhappy in the program was more stress. Engineering was not what I thought it was going to be. Exploring my other interests is the next step in my education. While there is still some stress present, excitement also plays a large role in my self-discovery process.