Minnesota State University Moorhead Top Questions

When I was in high school, I was the art kid in a small town. So of course, everyone would stare at my work and say things like “You’re so good!” and I wasn’t able to receive valuable critique. I was always afraid that I was just big in a small town, and that when I got to college I would get discouraged or feel I wasn’t good enough to have a career in art. Now that I am here, I know that is not the case. My professors have shown me my strengths and weaknesses in art and I have improved so much. Instead of feeling depressed after critique, I learn a little each time. In fact, feedback from professors and success in my classes has inspired me to start thinking about illustration as another career option. I have always been set on graphic design, but now that I’m here I see many opportunities lying before me. Overall, MSUM has encouraged me to be enthusiastic about art and the choices I have, and to work hard to achieve my dreams. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!

I have only completed one semester of college thus far, but I have learned so much already. I've gained new friends and going to school gave me an outlet to start over. I tackled many obstacles such as moving out, getting a job, and being on my own. Going to college has given me the opportunity to grow intelectually and physically. I gained some good study and work habits. I am much smarter with how I spend my money as well. College is very valuable. I have seen the change in who I am as a person. It gives me something to work towards, which would be a career. I've been able to see that my parents work hard for their money, and I've gained much more respect for my family. I also live in the dorms and have learned to accomodate with others and try my best to be easy to get along with. College is honestly the best thing I have ever done in my life.

I have majored in anthropology since day 1 of college, and it's been worth every minute. I am very fact-based, preferring to debate my professors and peers instead of accepting fallacious logic. But what I get from the debate, especially in class where everyone can discuss and work to a common goal, is critical thinking skills. I am very active in international student organizations, of which there are many on campus, and I have friends all over the world who have exposed me to many different viewpoints. I believe the world is full of bad ideas, and I want to use the holistic methods of reasoning I have learned in my education to replace those bad ideas with good ones. I want to understand other cultures, and fully intend on experiencing them firsthand.

Getting the most out of a college experience is important, and already I feel I will be getting the most out of mine because of the University I chose. Minnesota State University Moorhead has provided me with opportunities that weren't even offered to me in high school. I have been given a chance to study topics that interest me and that keep me wanting to learn, with professors who try to get to know me as an individual-- even with a class size of over sixty students (which I'm happy to say is my largest class). My time here has helped to reinforce my decision to get a degree in Music Industry (a unique program to MSUM) as I am already taking courses that will help me succeed in this field- and it fascinates me. The opportunites that MSUM has provided me far surpass the opportunites I had in high school, and with the help of the encouraging professors and my fellow students, I feel I have made the right choice in coming to MSUM-- not only to further my education, but to teach me the skills to be successful in everything I do.

I always hold fast to what a very wise professor once said, and I belive in it whole heartedly. He said that education turns people into human beings.

My college experience has been the foundation for personal and professional growth. It began when I was 18 years old and has continued for 30 years in the field of nursing and now education. Coursework in nursing gave me the background knowledge and skills to care for the person in body, mind and spirit. Seventeen years later, the change to K-12 educational studies led me to further understand the process of effectively facilitating children's learning. Studies in both fields complimented one another and led to a greater understanding of the role multiple disciplines have in the education of children and the support of their families. Persons in areas of health, education, social services, counseling and educational leadership collaborate to create the support for children, families, and one another's professional growth. My continued college experiences have been supported by colleagues, the children and families I work with, as well as my own family. It has been a self-fulfilling experience that has been self-directed and transformational. My continued studies will enable me to assist other adults in fulfilling their interests and purpose through education, ultimately using my philosophy in education to reach more elementary students and families.

My college experience has been valuable to me because it's been very flexible with my schedule when I had my daughter. Now I'm in a full-time program and it's very hands on and has helped me learn much more than just sitting in a classroom.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is that education is a major key to success. I'm working hard to be the best that I can be. I also pay for my college education myself. I have gotten over fears of giving speeches infront of a crowd because the class does not judge who you were but who you are going to be. I believe that everyone should attend college because the more you can learn the better your future will be.

The best thing i have gotten from college is Education. Education changes people, and it has changed me. Ever since i graduated i felt a new person coming to the service. I have met so many people with different ideas that have made me think different. i have learned to become open minded about situation i never thought i would think twice. i feel like a new person since the summer of my graduation. In highschool i wasn't very studious because everything came easy to me. Morever, in College i have noticed that if you study you will get your rewards and if you don't you will see the consequences. College has encouraged me to aim for anything i want because i know i will get it with hard work.

Take elective courses that interest you and are outside of your major. Play or watch varsity and intramural sports. Go out to clubs and bars frequented by students. Eat at the campus and town hot spots. Explore the fraternity and sorority scene to see if it's for you. Read the books, magazines and papers that students talk about most. Stay up late at night discussing controversial topics with friends. Attend special lectures, panels, speeches, plays and/or concerts. Ride a bike and walk around campus. A lot.Listen, play, sing and/or dance to music often. Study in a foreign country for a quarter or semester. Join a student group that is passionate about something. Protest something at least once. Take wild spring break trips. Go to professors' after-hours sessions to ask questions.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself there would be many things I would mention. The first thing I would tell myself is that in a year from now you will be going to school in Moorhead and hate about everything about it, and come December you will start to look for a new school. I would then go into detail about what I dislike about school. I would first let myself know that my first roommate is a sweetheart but she likes to party and I don't get to see her as often as I would have liked. I would next make sure to mention that buying your books online is the way to go becasue it is a lot cheeper than the bookstore. The next bit of advice to be shared is that a majority of the people on campus are very liberal and that I would not agree with many of their beliefs, which would cause more sturggles. And last but not least I would be sure to explain to myself that the first week I am on campus is the time to make friends because after that it just gets harder.

There are a few things that I would say to my highschool self. First of all, take advantage of the dual-credit opportunities available at your local community college. Get some of the general requirements out of the way during your Junior and Senior years of highschool so that you will have more opportunities to get involved on campus when you start college. It saves time, energy, and money. Secondly, make a list of what is most important to you in a university. Some ideas might include: location and distance from home, size of campus and how spread apart it is, academic programs, student organizations, etc. Next, take as many campus tours as you can. Travel to each school you are thinking about applying to. This may not seem very important, but it is! You just can't get what you need in order to choose without seeing it for yourself. Once you start college, get involved!!!! Participate in dorm activities. Check out student organizations and academic clubs. This is where you will meet people who share similar interests and beliefs. This has seriously made the most important contribution to my university experience.

Over the past 25 years I thought countless times, ?If only I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would have made the right decisions the first time?. I went to college the fall after graduating at the top of my high school class. College was a time in my life full of firsts; it was the first time I did not live with my parents, my first checking account, the first time I was completely responsible for my actions, the first time I skipped class, the first time I stayed out all night drinking (night after night), the first time I had sex (and with someone I didn?t even know), the first time I got an ?F?, the first time on scholastic probation, and the first time I was suspended from anything in my life. As a result I went through loan repayment, marriage, motherhood, and life struggling for all I have. It took me 25years to get back to college. I see now, I could not have understood, as a high school senior, the impoverishment as a result of my choices in college; but I sure do this time.

I would tell myself to take my time and not over load myself with credits the first semester. I would also tell myself that to talk a little load but still be a full time student and talk general classes to help the transition from high school to college. I would also tell myself to follow my heart on the decision of the school I should go to. Do not be scared and know that this will be the time of your life where you test yourself and you turn into the person that you?re going to be for the rest of your life. What ever you do just follow your heart and the best will follow. That was the biggest mistake I made was that I did not listen to my heart and just logically thought it out.

Looking back and remebering my college years, I would advice myself to work less outside of campus (of course if I could have the financies) and focus more in taking classes and getting involved with school. I do not believe I expreience college as an ordinary student would do, because I came from a different country and when I was 22 I had my own Primary Foster Care. I enjoyed the work I did, but it was very challenging to combine respponsibilities at work and the class load. However, I would not change anything because it was a great experince for me.

One thing that I would want High Schooler's to know is to try as much as possible to not have a job your freshman year. I never realized how much more I studied when I did not have a job. Also, never let your social life get in the way of your studies, if you need to study on a Saturday, you are not a nerd!

College is hard. It isn't like high school anymore, where I can get good grades and a high GPA by listening in class. College requires studying, and dedication to whatever classes you take. One of the most important things that I could tell myself though, is to enjoy high school. The senior year is stressful and complicated when it comes to deciding what you want to do for your life, and what school to go to. Relaxing is the key, go into something you like, and if you switch your major during school, you won't be the first one to do that. If you do something you like, and go somewhere you're comfortable, then college will be a great experience. Learn to balance schoolwork, a job, and your social life so that you aspire in all of those aspects. Lastly, be yourself. College may be a great time to create a new image, but if you get tired of wearing a mask for others, than you become a different person to them. Let people like you for who you are, and who you're comfortable being. Learn to like living in your own skin.

Make as many friends as you can right away, and avoid having a serious relationship at least for your first year. Get involved in as many different things as you can on campus when you first arrive and find out what you like. Be sure to attend group help sessions and study groups, sometimes learning from others around you teaches you more than the classroom ever could. Be friendly with your professors and go to them for help, prove to them you want to learn. Their trust and respect is extremely valuable down the road. Always go to class, even if you don't feel like it, the days you skip could be the most important. Be open to new ideas, but also be critical. Don't believe everything you are told, investigate for yourself. Take advantage of research opportunities. Make time for studying, that's what you're here for.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, the first thing I'd tell myself is that the friends you have in high school may not still be your friends in college, so you shouldn't worry so much about how crappy some things have gotten. The next thing I'd say to myself is GET YOUR STUFF DONE ON TIME. I never had a problem turning assignments in in high school or even in college, but things like loans and scholarships are what need to get done in a timely fashion. Finally, I would tell myself to just enjoy life and everything that comes with it, because you'll never get this time back and these are definitely the best years of your life.

I would tell myself to just relax. Take things one day at a time. Things are only as difficult as you make them, so be aware of your souroundings and make the best of these situations. Get involved. It might seem lame to do some of these things, but you will never regret your involvment. The only thing you will regret is not getting involved enough. Try your best and do anything you want to do. Nothing is holding you back!