Montclair State University Top Questions

I have gotten out of my college experience the tools I need to succeed in life and that will make me a better person. College makes you broke but its valuable because it gives you what you need to stand apart from other people.

A reality check in life. I am now taking out loans for my education. I need to work hard and succed or I am wasting time, effort and money. I learn higher education is very time consuming and very difficult. It has been valuable to attend because again, a life lesson, I know the importance of education and finding a career for myself in life. I realize all this hard work will provide a better life style for myself and in my field I will be helping many people throughout my life, which will be heartwarming and satisfying.

I would tell myself to learn more about about financial aid, and learn about paying for school in general. I would also tell myself that scholarships are VERY important. When I was in highschool I had no idea about how much college would cost. For some reason I never believed people when they told me that college was expensive so I just thought to myself, "Financial aid will pay it off for me." Boy was I wrong. For this same reason i hardly applied to any scholarships. I also did not think very highly of myself. I thought that I had no chance of winning so I didnt see the point of trying. Wrong again! If I knew how much loans I would have inevitably taken out, maybe I would have changed my mind. I often think that its too late, but then I see scholarships like this one and it quickly changes my mind. It gives me hope.

I had a lot of guidance during the application (and for me, audition) proccess. But if I could go back, I would work on the transition from High School to College life. I have pretty servere anxiety disorder that is linked with some depression. I had a small breakdown in my sophomore year oh High School and was put on some medication. It made a complete difference in my life at the time. After a couple of years, my doctor took me off ofthe medication because I was doing so well, but that left me going into a major life transition, having just come off of mood and brain chemical stabilizing medications. My first semester of college was sort of a disaster. This isn't the usual story people hear about why their first semester of college was rough, but I wish I had been better guided in how to handle my disability coming into college. Although once I got past my initial issues, the disability resource center here took really good care of me.

I think that the most important thing I would want to tell 18 year old self would be: take your time. I think that most new college students are so caught up in trying to take in everything and experience everything that they lose focus on the more important things in life. I would also tell myself to figure out a way to NOT work full-time through college, that way my focus could be more on school and enjoying my first years at school rather than stretching myself too thin. It is hard to juggle a new independent life, school work, blossoming social life and work - especially when life in high school hasn't required such multi-tasking as college life demands. So most importanly, my young self: try your best to take a deep breath, relax and try to focus on school first to avoid slumping grades but also, try to enjoy your time and realize that this really is the best time of your life, it will over before you know it. Time management really is the key to success in college!

College can be the most exciting time of your life, but remember if you don't maintain your grades, it will be over quicker than you think. Make friends as soon as possible, it helps the transition. Stay organzied and you will succeed. College is stressful, so have fun! Stay in touch with your friends and family at home, and also know that the friends you meet in college are the ones that stick around the longest. Be proud and happy of who you are!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about college life I would have so much to say. I would tell myself how important the journey I am about to embark on is and how much I will grow as a person. I would stress the importance of having an open mind and being ready for almost anything because college is so different from any place I have ever been. I would tell myself to save money as much as possible because college is expensive and so is trying to hang out with your new friends. I would tell myself how scary it is to move out but how amazing it is to gain a new sense of pride and independence with each passing day. I wolud tell myself not to worry about college because you picked the best one for you. Most importatnly I would tell myself to hug your family and friends tight not only because you will miss them but because it is each and everyone of them who helped you to make it this far.

If I could go back and give myself advice about entering college, I'd definitely warn, or advise myself, about books and schoolwork! In high school I was always a procrastinator and would wait until last minute to do all my work and projects. I tried that same approach in college and got my butt kicked. I had to work extra hard to make up for some of the poor grades I got in the first part of the semester. Advise: start projects when you find out due dates and 4 page papers aren't as easy as they sound, don't wait til last minute! Second advice topic is books. My first semester books were bought at the bookstore. BIG mistake. They charge outrageous prices for even the used books. Advice: use the book store to find out what books are required for your course and section and then just buy them on amazon.com or half.com. Other than that, the transition was pretty easy, socially, physically, and mentally! Good luck !

If I could go back in time and give my self advice about college life I would definitely say you need to work really hard for what you want. I would say you need to study a lot and get good grades. College life is fun but also very demanding. You need to be able to compromise with others. Living on campus is very nice rather than commuting but it is very expensive. I would say to apply for any scholarships that are available to you. There are many resources available to you so therefore the transition is easier for you. The professors are very understanding and they are willing to help you, so take advantage and get the help if you need it!

Marni, the words that come to mind that is a piece of advice I wish I had when making the college transition are know thyself. Know that college selection is not as important as college performance. Confidence, respect and diligence will serve you well in school. It is good preparation for upcoming endeavors. Never think you know more than the professor or that there is not something to be learned. Don?t ever give up because the class is too hard, too strict, too- anything. Those are just excuses. Accept that it is challenging and rise to the occasion. My experiences have taught me priceless knowledge in my chosen program and in life as well. It has supplied me with the tools to write my own future achievements and has done so through school accomplishment, self realization and has not been without the occasional taste of humble pie. Embrace the experience, it is this time that shapes you into your future self. Who do you want to be? A whole world full of opportunity is open to you, see them and seize them.

Students should take high school very seriously, those four years serve as preparation for their upcoming college career. Everyone should take initiative in high school to discover colleges early and learn that today college is possible for anyone who plans to attend. The most important step in searching for colleges is the process that requires an exam that determines your placement. Many high schools do not stress enough on its importance to review its material. The Scholastic Aptitude Test better known as the SAT tests the knowledge that should have been performed throughout the four years of high school. The earlier students begin to prepare the better they can expect from their results. In fact, the results obtained from this exam allows colleges to provide students with financial assistance based on their score. The better the score the better the award they present to their students. However, the reality is not everyone achieves the 2400. Students are also accepted or awarded to a school based on their participation in their community, their talents in a sport, their grades, and should visit their school counselors regularly. Collegeboard.com becomes your best friend throughout the college process it ha everything you need.

If I was able to travel back in time to my graduating year of 2005 I would remind myself that no matter what happens; live every moment to the fullest and worry less about which career path to take. It is a stressful process to figure out what major is right for you, and to deicide what you want to do for the rest of your life when your only eighteen years old can be a huge challenge because there is so much growing that still needs to occur at that point in time. Although I learned by attending college that the greatest joy in life is the journey, obstacles, and lessons you learn. I would explain that the lessons waiting ahead will help me figure out who I am and then I will know what I am truley meant to do for a living. I would remind myself that you can't go wrong if you follow your heart and stay true to yourself; then everything will fall into place. I'd also tell myself to get a second job to help pay off student loans!!

The advice that I would give myself is to work on my studying habits and to take college as serious as possible but have fun at the same time. Besides that I am satisfied with my experience so far at college especially here at Montclair State University.

As a high school senior, one's priority is to graduate and get into a good univeristy. However, as I look back on my high school years I realize that nothing could have really prepared me for some of the obstacles that I have faced during my semester at college. If I could go back and talk to myself the only advice that I would give myself is to not be afraid to take chances, to take advantage of all that college has to offer, and to be confident in my abilities. I would tell myself that I would finally get a chance to assert my independance and therfore, I should not shy away from it. I would tell myself to meet new people. I would encourage myself to step out of my comfort zone. I would remind myself that everything in life is not handed to us and that I should put effort into my work in order to see results in the end. Responsibility and organization are a must, but so is determination and ambition. During my first semester in college I have gone through many changes, but the rewards have been great.

I would most definitely tell myself that I should not be as worried about getting situated into the college life. As high school seniors, we are always so worried about what people think of us, that we forget the true things in life. I have realized now that in college people like you for who you are, and that speaking out and having opinions on important topics of life is what people like to see in you. I've learned that class discussions are not meant to stay quiet in, but to talk amongst your classmates and professors and engage in highly diplomatic conversations. High school is completely different when in comparison to college, but I would have told myself to not be as worried as I was about it, and just take it in stride. It was a new place, but it has now become a place I can call my second home.

To have the option to give my past self a piece of advice about the future in front of him is a challenging and difficult one to consider. There are many points in the past that I wish I could change, however I question how much would be different if I were to change one event If I make one decision differently in the past I question would there be a ripple effect and if so, how will it affect close my friends and family? After much contemplation the only piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to be happy and content now. I would suggest for him to look within himself for the reasons to be happy and content. Being happy now is not the result of attaining money, a job, or a relationship, but being grateful for whatever positive experiences he had up until that point in time.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would definitely tell myself to prepare myself financially. My first semester was more stressful then I thought it would be because of my financial issues. If I were able to go back, I would tell myself to get a better job and to save up as much money as I could so that I would be able to help my parents pay for my education. I would also tell myself to work harder. Although I did very well my senior year, I know I could have done better and that may have helped me to get a scholarship.

Do not second guess getting a higher education. You are the only person that can determine your future. Jump in.. Feet first. Don't hold your nose! After it's done and over with, you WILL come up smiling.

The one thing you can count on in the next phase of your life is that almost nothing will go the way you planned. Don't let it stress you out though, because you'll end up learning way more from what goes wrong than what goes right. Stop focusing so much on what everyone else is doing. Don't compare yourself to those around you. Your journey is going to be very different from everyone else's. Your struggles are going to be unique for someone your age. Don't spend all your time focusing on what you wish your life was and enjoy what it is. Remember that when you really want something, you have to compete for it - nothing is going to just come to you. Be as proactive as you can. But more than anything, please remember to enjoy all the happy moments and great people to come your way, and never take things too seriously, because they won't seem like nearly as big a deal in the future. Oh and don't eat so much junk food on campus; it'll take forever to lose that weight.

I would tell myself to start squeezing every penny possible and save up as much money as I possibly can, because the only way to afford college is through loans. I would urge myself to find a part time job to start building a steady income. I would also inform myself of the back-breaking labor and work that will be involved with homework, exams and class. I would tell myself to buy my books online instead of the school store because the school's prices are ludicrous. It would also be wise to tell my past self that I should break up with my girlfriend because it would not work out in the future, so I should have fun during college and find someone else. Lastly, I would let myself know that I am in for a turbelent ride through the lucrative business that is secondary education, and I must prepare for hardship, success, stress, anxiety, debt and eventually a triumphant year.