McKendree University Top Questions

Believe in yourself. In college, you're going to meet a lot of people. Some will believe in you and some won't, some may even belittle you, but stay focused on your dream and you can do anything you put your mind to. Don't skip class. I can't reiterate this enough. You may think it's ridiciously cool that some of your professors don't take attendance or even care whether you show up to class, but it matters. And guess what,? Most of them do actually care. Be involved, but don't try to over-dedicate yourself. Find out who you really are. Get to know your professors; they were once in your shoes and they may play an even larger role after you graduate in assiting you to find what is often referred to as a "grown up" job. If you want to change the world, you can. If you think you have your life figured out, you probably don't. College is a life-altering experience, and if you are open to it, college will not only further educate you but it will shape you into a better person all around.

One of the most important peices of advice I would give myself is to listen to others. Most high school seniors don't realize what great opportunities they have available to them as youth. The enthusiam, energy, and passion for life that young people have should be directed toward acheiving future goals. Parents, teachers, and older individuals have experienced failures and successes in the game of life. Because of their experiences, they can help guide and encourage young people to make good choices when it comes to their future. So listening to the advice and guidance that others offer to share, is essential to a high school senior's success. The second peice of advice I would give is don't worry what peers think about you. Peer acceptance is very important to high school seniors. I want them to realize that the world is made up of unique individuals who have all been gifted to do something special. Don't be afraid to be yourself and be unique. Believe in the person you are and your own talents. No one can live your life for you, your future is up to you!

Make sure you are doing what you want to do and study hard.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know about college life and making the transition, the advice that I would give myself is to not take out student loans that I can't pay back and to find a major that intrests me the most. Before attending college, I wish I would have learned more about tuition, grants and student loans, and how chaging majors would affect me. That is the advice that I would give myself.

I would advise myself to consider going to a community college before going to a 4-year college or university, that way I can allow myself to focus more specifically on my chosen major and graduate with time efficiency. In addition I would advise myself to get more involved with the community. Also I would advise myself to be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort, don?t overload my course schedule with more credits than I can handle in a semester. Therefore, I need to learn to balance my schedule to provide adequate time for my studies, time for socializing and relaxation, as well as time for work to help support myself financially and learn responsibility.

If I could go back in time, I would tell the young me to get involved with everything she could. I see now that learning never stops and it isn't just in the classroom! There's a proverb that says, "To sharpen iron, you use a file; to sharpen a person, you use a friend." Making relationships in clubs, groups and classes can teach you as much as a professor, IF you'll allow them to. I would tell young Jennifer not to limit learning to what she THINKS she can do. Believing in yourself is power unleashed!

As I am starting my second semester of my first year in college ever, I look back last August. College was a way for me to live my life like I dreamed of doing. Then school acutally started. I had to completely transition myself from having my parents wake me up everyday at seven to be at school on time by eight. Now I had the chance of not even going to class, it was my decision. Although I never skipped classes, I would be lying if I said it was not tempting. But the advice I would truly give to myself back in high school is to learn better study habits/techniques. High school came so easily to me that studying wasn't a must. First week of college, I was in the library for fourty hours. I would just advise myself to really learn how to study. Studying can either make or break a class, it's that important. It teaches a student how to be responsible with their time and how to use it wisely. Yes, if I were to tell myself one thing about college, it would be to learn how to study well.

Dear Younger Sarah Beth, I know you are really stressed out right now about boys, sports, school, and especially college but I want you to take a breath. Focus on living life in the moment and don't stress out about the future. God has a plan for everyone and somehow it will all work out how it is supposed to. Right now you just need to worry about soaking in your last year of high school. Spend all the time you can with friends and family becasue they are the ones who will be there for you through thick and think. In soccer don't hold back. Play the best you have ever played and LOVE it while playing. In school work your hardest to be the best you can and be satisfied with it. As for boys don't even worry about it. Sorry to say but chances are you are not going to stay with them through college. As you make that decsion on where to go for college be confident because you WILL make the right choice and be happy with it. So, for now go with the flow and live life. Love, Experienced Sarah Beth :)

Dear Joni, I am writing you this letter from a different time in hopes that it finds you well. I am well aware of the fact that you know everything right now and that you have the next several years all planned. I do encourage you, however, to take a few minutes and consider the adivce I am about to offer: 1. Always remember to let your emotions be your guide. If you don't feel right about something, change it. The key is to be happy and feel good. Always. 2. The more you think about something, good or bad, you will have it come into your life experience. Good OR Bad! 3. Love is never ending and full of joy. There is an endless supply of all the things you want. And wanting is good. 4. Again, follow your emotions! I hope that these words make you stop and think. Spend some time re-reading this letter. From me to me, I know this is true. This advice is invaluable and applies to anything that you come up against or are involved. Sincerely, Joni

work hard you can do it!

If time travel were possible, I would go back to tell myself that I need to take writing more seriously due to the intense writing aspect that this school requires. Additoinally, I would tell myself not to worry so much about college, because it is fun, offers a wide range of opportunities, and fosters valuable relationships.

I didn't have the opportunity to go to college right out of high school, rather, I went back as an adult learner. The advice I would give myself now that I didn't know then was check out all of your options. There are definitely ways to get to college without many resources. It would have been a much easier transition out of high school when it comes to being prepared to continue school and complete assignments and the required work involved in being a college student. As an adult it has not been easy, especially raising a family and having to work a full time job. So, to my high school senior self I say, don't let the opportunity pass you by, find a way to get to college as soon as possible before life as an adult with responsibilities begins and your procrastination becomes a regret.

I believe the most important component of a person's life is his or her belief system. As a new college student, the fresh challenges and new ideas that accompany the college experience can shape and alter one's belief system. I would advise myself to make a critical assessment of my beliefs and decide which beliefs I wish to hold true throughout my life. A sturdy foundation of beliefs and values are needed when dealing and coping with new and demanding circumstances. This will prepare me as a student to give my best effort in the academic, career, and social areas of the college experience. However, I should also allow room for growth in my belief system during college. The knowledge acquired during this journey can have positive or negative effects on my belief system, thus I should choose the influences carefully, only allowing those that nurture and better the foundational belief system to have lasting impact. In addition, I should carefully guard and nurture the relationships that have had the most positive impact on my life thus far. These relationships will be vital to my success in the future, as well as the new relationships I will form.

My first advise I would give to myself would be to, not declare a major yet. Instead talk to the career center and discuss what major would best fit you and most likely find you the best job. Then once some choices are narrowed talk to the professors and some students that are enrolled in the major. From there you can make a decision about what to major in. The second advise I would give is to be involved in clubs, organizations, and social events. Next I would tell myself to network with everyone and be friendly. You never know where it will lead and what opportunities will arise.

I know this is hard for you to understand, but college is a very short part of your life and what you do during these few years will affect your quality of life for the rest of it. My advice to you is this; do not miss class, keep up with your studies, and ask for help if you need it. The professors are there to help you succeed. Show them you are interested in learning what they are teaching. Ask questions in class and do not be afraid to answer questions or express your opinions and ideas. Learn as much as you can and challenge yourself to do the best you can at all time. Be honest and friendly with those around you and you will develop true friends. Manage your time and treat college like the job you dream of having after graduation. Put in an honest day?s work (8 - 10hrs.) of going to classes and studying. I know you can do it. It will pass quickly and be over before you know it.

The first day of my high school career seem murderous. As fourteen-year-old girl I faced losing my best friend and the struggle to find my identity. I tried so many different things while in high school ranging from joining different clubs to going to house parties that I became more lost and alone. Once entering my freshman year of college, finding my identity began to reflect the values my mother and grandmother taught me at the kitchen table. They spoke of the values of leadership, standing firm in my faith, and surviving in a world that is unpredictable. Initially, I thought their words were funny and full of nonsense. Looking back now, I realize how important those words were in shaping me as and individual and if I could give myself some advice, it would be to be careful of who influences you. My mother and grandmother are great influences in my life but in high school some of the people who share our best interests or not the ones we listen too. Now is the time to start listening.

Dear high school Stec, Toughen up a bit, will you? Let's be honest: you let people walk all over you. When something stupid is happening, you smile and nod because you're too afraid that people won't like you. Who cares? You have great intuition and you know right from wrong. Once you get to college, there will be people (like your Homecoming date who thinks it's okay to drink and drive) that you'll have to stand up to (besides, once you dump him, sometimes a much better date comes along anyway). There's a strong young woman inside you - stop repressing her. She'll take you places. Also, you really need to smile more. All those years of orthodontia weren't for nothing - your smile is your best feature, and it wouldn't hurt to flaunt it. You have a lot of things going for you. Life is good. Smile about it. Laugh wildly. Sing in the shower. Dance in the rain. Throw your inhibitions to the wind because they're holding you back. Don't be afraid. It'll only prevent you from having the time of your life. Love, your future confident self

I wish I could have told myself as a high school student that I should embrace change, instead of resisting it. Entering college with the perception that these four years, or more, is simply a time of transition from high school to a career is completely false. Being a college student is the greatest opportunity for metamorphosis that any individual can have. I spent the first two months of college in bitterness and anxiety because I was torn between everything that I had regarded as valuable in the past, versus everything in the world that excited me and inspired me yet?was not the easy path to take. I wish I could have said, ?Jessica. Nothing will be definite or simple. Nothing will go as you plan. You will be angry. You will be lost. You will fight with your parents. But, you will also become a better person. You will develop and grow. You will learn to do what is true, not necessarily practical. You will also make your parents proud. Don?t search for yourself. Don?t dwell on what you can?t change. You will be truly happy for the first time in your entire life.?

I would tell myself not to stress out and overwhelm myself but rather to enjoy my college experience and do the best I can. My college years have passed much faster than I could ever have anticipated. So, I would tell myself that college should not be a hard, stressful time but one of growth and excitement. I would advise myself to join clubs and organizations, in order to make friends, to have fun, to learn and to grow. In addition, I would tell myself to make friends with the staff and professors, because they are there to help students. I have made many friends with the faculty and staff at my school, and they have been extremely helpful to me. I would also suggest going to career services to learn about available jobs and internships, how to make a resume, etc. I would also advise myself to become familiar with the library, with its staff and databases. Finally, I would tell myself to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way. This would include getting involved in activities, going to concerts or hearing a special speaker on campus, and applying for a conference or convention.

I am one of the lucky people who picked the right college on the first try; however, it is a difficult choice and there are many different colleges from which to choose. A high school senior should definitely take campus tours and even spend a night in the dorms if possible. This way they can get a much better feel for how the campus life will be for the particular school. They also need to consider the size of the school. Small schools allow for better relationships between students and faculty, but it might be difficult to always get the perfect schedule due to the small number of classes available. Large schools will provide more freedom in scheduling but students might seem more like a number to their professors. If the high school senior plans to play on an athletic team at the school, make sure the high school senior meets the coach and team before a decision is made. Try and attend or watch a practice of the team as well. In addition, if the high school senior becomes more comfortable with the college before actually attending, the transition to college life will be much easier.