Mount Mercy University Top Questions

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships so I would not be in as much debt. I also would tell myself to get ready for the difficulty of some of the classes. So I was more prepared for the difficulty. I also would tell myself to volunteer more, because it is very important and very rewarding.

I have attended too many colleges in my time, and I have learned quite a few lessons on the way. I have learned that I will not be able to succeed in this world, doing what I want to do, without having a degree to show. I love challenge, and have decided that research psychology would be best for me, since the human mind is the best challenge out there! I want to use everything I learn into my research at some point!

Although I have been a business professional for the past 24 years, going back to college at the age of 41 helped me to broaden my views about society and learn more in-depth theories of sociology and why the world is the way it is today. It has been valuable for me to attend classes because I have become more accepting of others and less critical of myself in the process. I think there are a lot of ways that I have applied what I have learned in my classes to improve my work environment and will continue to do so as I delve even deeper into the psychology and behavior of people in today's ever changing world. My goal is to merge my professional experience with a college degree and to make a difference in the community where I live through a combination of technology and sociological studies.

College helped me become a stronger person emotionally and mentally. When I first began at school I hated it. I cried all the time and went home every weekend, it was even tough for me to make it through the school week without going home at least once. Then troughout the first few months of my constant complaints of having no friends, always being bored and feeling like an outsider, I began to realize that I needed to make a change. I knew that I had to make it atleast through the rest of the year and honestly I didn't want to look back on my first year of college as a failure. It became my goal to push myself out of my shell, away from my comfort zone and make the best of it. If 1500 other students enjoyed the school why couldn't I? I started saying hello to people in my classes, going to school events and even stay through the weekend. Suddenly I felt like I belonged. I was able to creat a new home. I became a stronger more outgoing person and now I feel like I could adjust to any situation.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would say "calm down, there's nothing to worry about!" I would tell myself that senior year is not meant to be a year to slack off and forget about grades. I would also tell myself to enjoy every last bit of the year, because once high school is gone I can never get it back, but to not be nervous because college will be an even better experience. I would mention all of the great friends I would evenutally meet, all of the crazy experiences I would be lucky enough to go through, all of the priceless late night dorm room chats with the girls, and finally everything I would learn about life and myself that I would have never been able to pick up on as a high schooler. If I ever really had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would mention all of those things and leave one more quick word of advice to myself; Plastic does not belong in a microwave!

i would tell myself to attend all of the first week activities. that is a way to create a group of friends and no mattere what it can benefit you in the long run.

Chosing a college is has a lot to do with personal preference: size, distance from home, loction, etc. Finances are also very important. Make sure you know if scholarships are renewable or if they are only good for one year. Once on campus, get involved in some groups or activities, but make sure you keep your grades up too!

Before you decide on a college, make sure you go on a campus visit there, preferably when school is in session. That way you can see what campus is really like. When you are there, talk to current students to get an idea of what college is like for them. Try to arrange an overnight visit if possible, so you can see what really happens on weeknights/weekends. Once you decide on the right college, make sure the school has a few majors that you like. If one of them doesn't work out, you aren't wasting precious time trying to find a different one. When you move in, don't just sit in your room. Go out and meet everyone on your floor and in your dorm, its the best way to make friends early on. Take advantage of the school's services. Don't be afraid to ask for help, talk to the guidance counselors if you need to. It may be helpful to use the library or academic center to study in. Not much productive studying can get done in your room, there are too many distractions. After studying, don't forget to have some fun!

Don't be afraid to look in several places. I was scared to move far away from home, however, I'm glad I went a little ways away. My school was three and a half hours away from home and, with work and school, it was difficult to get home; but you have to have good time management and set your priorities. When at college, put effort into all of your classes right from the start and it'll make the rest go a lot smoother. Live on campus for at least the first year to meet people and have the dorm experience, it can be hectic, but you won't regret it. Learn to take time away from studying for fun, it'll help you keep your sanity!

My number one advice is that the environment of the school is equally as important as the program you will be attending. If you aren't comfrotable in the environment you will not excel. I encourage going on multiple campus visits, including overnight visits. Attend campus activities, sports events, sit in on some classes and eat in the cafeteria. Get the full feel for the college before making any decsions. Also, once you start attending, GET INVOLVED. This will be your home away from home, so jump in and make it the best experience of your life!