Marshall University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Marshall University know before they start?

Melissa

Do not bring a lot of useless things to college. Be open to meeting new people. Be more easy going.

Whitney

I would tell myself that college is way better than high school, and that it will be an awesome experience. It is a little sad at first to leave home, and especially say good-bye to the family, but there will be plenty of family time ahead. I would definitely tell myself to put a great amount of effort into making the best grades possible. I would say to not be so nervous on move-in day or the first day of classes. Also, I would want myself to know that I will meet great friends at college. I think I would tell myself how I became much more responsible for everything. Going to college will change my life forever, and bring me the independence to create my own path in life to accomplish my dreams. I would tell myself to never give up on anything, and that the time goes by quickly in college so make the best of every single moment!

Jonathan

Throughout the two and a half years I have attended Marshall University, I have grown tremendously in several aspects of my life all because of the experiences I have faced in college. Even though I can point out more than one experience which has helped me grow, the most important one to me is the effort at which I exert myself. Most freshmen see college as only four more years of school. Knowing this, many strive just to meet their B-average standard, C-average standard, or whatever it may be. Coming into college, I too suffered from this mentality. It wasn't until about a year ago that I decided I wanted to go to law school. With this in my future, my prior mentality of "just getting by" wasn't cutting it any more. I realized that if I want to get into a reputable law school I am going to have make my studies my top priority. This doesn't hold light to only law school. I have since learned that other professional degrees are extremely competitive, as is the work force. Always putting forth my best effort is a habit that I now live by daily.

Katelyn

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself a few things. One being to hold strong to my beliefs and what I consider honorable. Don't let my new environment sway me what I know and love. Be outgoing! The first month of college is the best but you have to put yourself out there, don't be aftaid of rejection: there's always someone out there who will love you for you. Lastly, when making relationships be yourself and don't be afraid to get too close. These new friends you will meet in college could last a lifetime but it is up to you, in part, to make sure they last that long.

Christopher

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and to not blow my graduation gifts. I also would tell myself to stay away from certain relationships because they take a tole on the emotions and distract you from what you should actually be doing. I would probably also let myself know not to stress that much because college is not that hard as long as you do the work that is assigned.

Evon

Dear Evon, It's me, your future self. You'll be happy to know that you are attending Marshall University. You are receiving a lot of really competitive scholarships, including the West Virginia Promise and Marshall University Presidential scholarship. During your Freshman year, you adapted very well. Amazing, huh? That's because Marshall is everything that you thought it would be and more. Moreover, you are dorming in their brand new Freshman dorms and you have your own private bathroom! So, that eradicates your phobia of public restrooms. But I write to you on more important matters. I remember those times you are now facing. You feel like you are losing a lot of your friends by going away to college. I write to you with hope. Things get much better, and you actually make two friends that you'll probably have for the rest of your life. So, perk up, buttercup! You're beginning a new chapter in your life. This is you in two years, and I can honestly say that I'm happier than I've ever been. Yours Truly, Evon

Kathryn

Life at college is simply what you make of it. Hard work promises uplifting results, while laziness (or missing many classes) results in not only lagging grades, but a depressed outlook on life in general. Find out about everything that will save you money or time, as these are two of your most precious resources. AP and CLEP exams are a great way save time and money for other things, such as other classes. Be proactive everyday and leave lazing about for the weekends when no offices of business are open. Learn your university catalog inside and out and keep a copy at all times. Take your education in your own hands and don't let anyone take it from you. Grades are vital to procuring scholarships, work hard on them and you will be rewarded. Making connections and networking is crucial to your health as well as to your successfulness. Don't be afraid of anyone, but treat every person as an opportunity to better a life (or make them smile). College can be hard, but don't despair: it can also be the best time of your life. And NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER give up.

Emily

I'd tell myself to really evaluate what I love to do and what I'd want to major in. Also, to remind myself that college is a life decision and that it is my own, not my parents or friends' choice. Follow your gut and stick with what you decide on. Follow through with your choices and ask for help if you are having difficulties. Make friends in your classes so you have study partners and also a social life outside of school but try not to get caught up with the drinking scene on a school night either. There are many opportunities throughout your college experience and expand your horizons by trying new things and getting involved in organizations that help the community. Remember to be yourself and have fun as well. These are the years where you begin the building blocks of your life, start out strong and finish wiser than going in.

Jessica

If I was given the opportunity to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, my words of advice would be priceless. I would make sure to first say that your first year of college can be one of the most exciting and enlightening years of your life if you seize the opportunities you are given. I made the mistake of not taking advantage of all of the opportunities given to me in my first year of college, and I have come to deeply regret that. Also, I would make sure to explain that nothing should stop you from achieving your personal goals and dreams. Living in the dorms is a great experience, but can also greatly distract you from receiving decent grades, and you have to learn how to balance your personal life with your school work. I would also tell myself that I need a plan for gaining admission to the pharmacy school of my choice. I have changed my mind numerous times about where I desire to attend college at. Most importantly though, I would tell myself that college is full of opportunities to meet new people and experience new things.

Jessica

If I could go back in time and advse myself on what I now know about college I would tell myself that it is of the upmost importance to fill out as many scholarship applications as possible. Many scholarships are designed only for high school seniors and once you begin your education it is very difficult to find scholarships for undergraduates. Recently I have been searching the internet most diligently to find scholarships that will allow undergraduates to apply, but I have come up very empty. Now that I know the trials of being an undergraduate in college without enough money for full tuition I wish I would have filled out many more scholarsips while I had the chance as a high school senior.

Samantha

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself many things. One being to imporve my study habits. In high school I was never the one who needed to study to maintain my B+ average, and because I hardly ever studied I had a hard time adjusting to the demands of my college professors. Another thing I would tell myself is to not let any one hold you back. I shouldn't let anyone keep me from living my life. I need to meet people and make sure that my college life is all that i want it to be and more. The last thing I would tell myself is to make sure my parents realize how much I appreciate them. It was only unilt I made it to college that I realized how much they have done. They go above and beyond to make sure I have evertything I need. They make sure that I have many opportunities in my future.

Myndi

My most useful advice to myself would be to calm down. Before going to college, I was absolutely terrified of it and convinced that my college experience would be like the ones portrayed in movies - all drinking, partying, and football games with no one who is career-motivated and definitely no learning. In reality, yes, there are some students like that, but the vast majority are the exact opposite. College is the best experience I've had thus far and I wish I hadn't been so terrified of it.

Haily

Having completed my first semester of my freshmen year I understand some of the challenges of adapting to college life. Assuming that I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would have a few pointers to give. I would start off my conversation by advising that I should take studying habits more seriously. In collegeone must study about the same amount of time that they spend in lectures. There is no way to learn the material other than to sit down and study hard. Associated with better studying habits I would also advise myself to learn better time mangement skills. I know I have heard this pointer most of my life but it really hit home when I had to go to lectures, then set aside time to study along with social time. This was one of the hardest things about college to adjust too, but once I got the hang of things I was able to make the best of my college experince. I would use this conversation to make myslef a better student and to insure that my future will be everyhting I plan and want it to be.

Ashley

If I could speak to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I do now about college, I would encourage myself to research different majors and career paths to decide earlier what is right for me. I made that decision years before college and changed my mind after my first year. The second year, I struggled with the new path I had chosen, finding out it was totally wrong for me and also cost me my scholarship. This brings me to now, in my third year of school but my first year in my major stressing out about losing what I worked for, having to pay tuition now and trying to graduate on time so I will not have to pay even more. Also I would tell myself to get more involved on campus to make more friends, which is hard to do when not living on campus but 35 minutes away. I would warn myself to study hard, that things may not come as easily as they did in high school. I would also tell myself to not procrastinate and take my time to make sure I do my best instead of getting overly stressed out.

Sean

I would tell myself to embrace the blank slate that I will be given at the beginning of college, and use it to be the best that I can be. I was so concerned about making new friends that often times I shirked my academic responsibilities. Sometimes I get distraught about my current GPA, but I know that at Marshall the professors are willing and able to help you raise it, and I have a large group of supportive friends that can help me study and do well.

Christopher

First thing I'd tell myself is to take it a bit more seriously than when how I did my freshman year. Its more challenging than what high school ever was and you can't just sit there and expect to pass with good grades. My grades my first year weren't as good as I would have hoped and now I have to make up for it the next three years during my degree. However, by going off of a good start, you can start ahead without having to dread about bad grades.

Kristi

The advise that I would give myself is to go to college. I would research all of the different colleges I was interested in and figure out which one was te best for me. I would have told myslef to never give up, and that everyone should have the chance to experience college life. Also everyone should be given the opportunity to continue their education after high school.

Jessica

If I could go back and talk to myself in my senior year of high school I would tell myself to learn how to study better. I would tell myself that the days of just looking over material a few times is over, and that I would need to learn what way best fits me to be able to retain what I am reading and learning about. I would also tell myself that I need to get over my shyness and that if I do it would make it much eaiser for me to talk to students in class with me that are from a different place other than where I grew up, and it would be eaiser for me to meet new people and make new friends eaiser.

James

Don't go to Marshall. Stay at WVU and keep playing music.

Wade

First , I would make myself take the ACT test again to possibly get a higher score for scholarships I missed by 1 or 2 points. Then I would enforce how procrastination is not a very wise thing to use. Also, I would make sure to get all I could out of my science and math classes instead of just focusing on "getting through". Next, I would tell myself how to deal with the work load by repitition, especially in Math. To make sure you don't get behind on assignments, and to make plans for what you need to get done each day. Put time into each subject no matter how difficult the class or work is. Do not count on "one"night studying to be sufficient in getting you the grade desire, because that is not a very wise strategy. Finally, I would work on diligence, because this word is key to your work ethic. The more you surround yourself with your work/concepts/job, the more naturally things will come. So, basically work hard and stay focused on the goal that is set before me, which is to obtain a degree with the least amount of setbacks possible.