North Park University Top Questions

What should every freshman at North Park University know before they start?

Nicole

Making new friends in college and getting to know who they are and what their interests are. I experienced getting help from my professors when needed. Professors gives students more attention and they are really good with finding jobs after college. It is valuable to attend, because they give out many scholarships and grants to most students who plans to attend North Park University.

Jaimie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior would tell my self to apply for admissions in the GPPA (Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions). Applying to the program would have given me peace of mind, knowing I was secure in the program and on the path to the career of my choice. Nursing is important to me because I love helping people anyway I can and I love kids. Children are a big part of my life. They make me smile and laugh all the time and I would do anything for them. This is why I want to become a pediatric nurse. I would have told myself to prioritize every step in making becoming a nurse happen. I would have also told myself to think about living in a dorm. I would have told myself this because I want to become more independent and I do not want to rely so much on my parents.

Ashley

Advice that I would give myself is to live in such a way that makes your life worth telling others about. I wish that when I came to school, right off the bat, I would have started a story out of my life. I would have done things in ways that I would have never done them before. The time goes by very quickly, and there are so many experiences that go on. I believe that when those experiences are done the same way as anyone else does them, they are not as memorable. Instead of just going out for coffee with people, do something with that person you never have done. Maybe it's a bike ride, or climbing a tree and talking in the tree. Whatever the situation, do it in a memorable way.

Monica

Dear Self, Making the transition from high school from college is not as difficult as it seems. Don't worry so much about how your going to find your way around or make new friends baecause your fellow classmates are in the same boat as you are. Prior to your first day of class make sure to check what classes you are registered for and purchase your books. I recomend trying to purchase your books online it saves money. Make sure you print out a map of the campous along with your class schedule so you can find your way around. Once classes actually begin make sure you keep up with your reading and note-taking and if you do not understand a concept in a class ask a fellow student or the professor. Make sure to make a few friends in your classes and exchange phone number or emails it helps to have study partners. The biggest rule when it comes to doing well in college is don't procrastinate. A final piece of advice manage your time wisely. College is a great deal of fun when your not stressed so manage your time and don't fall behind.

Emily

I would look myself in the eye and say, "You will go broke. People will doubt you for what you believe and you'll hear the 'starving artist' story countless times. You will feel lonely and out of place, especially for being a virgin and a transfer. You will worry, stress out, have multiple all-nighters within a three day span, drink a substantial amount of caffeine, room with the party girl of campus, and cry yourself to sleep some nights." Then I would grab my senior-self's shoulder and whisper, "You'll meet amazing people who love you and your nerdy British scifi obsession. You'll play Risk until 5am and watch at least one movie every weekend in your Snuggie. You'll have Christmas lights in your room year round. You will learn about love, faith, truth, justice, honestly, loyalty, responsiblity, trust, and identity. You'll discover that no one really has it all together and that life is now, not ten years from now when you have a career. You will be broken down for two years and rebuildt for the following two years. College will test you with everything, and it will be worth it."

Adrienne

Hello Miss College Bound. So during this time of hectic schedules and graduation coming up your going to have to find time to pick a suitable college. Well Im here to tell you that the choice your going to make is going to be both hard and the best one you can make. College is a scary place you dont know what to actually expect. You read all the magazines and books but for all you know its a big world and can and will confusing. Only at first though I want to tell you that bieng in college you have to do alot more. I want you to study alot harder your very dedicated so prove that in every essay you write. Prepare yourself for the hard, long nights at the library becuase there coming. Make sure you talk to no men they are a huge distraction and yor not paying them any money to focus on. And mostly dont worry will you fit in just be yourself like always and the rest is nothing. Well im off now and dont forget college is going to be better than you thought have fun little one see you soon.

andrew

If I could go back and tell myself as a high school senoir I would make sure I knew what I was getting into. I Would talk to myself about the responsibility of studying by myself, doing the homework by myself, and knowing that the teachers won't come to me if I am failing, or falling behind. I would also tell myself that college is no joke. I would say " you need to work hard, and not screw around all the time, otherwise you might flunk out and waste all of your parents money." Its a hard time with the economy and to have my parents help pay or tuition I would tell myself it isn't fair to them if I don't do good. I would make sure that I knew I have to stuy hard and work on my own.

Kaleb

Some people think that by senior year, they have to be perfect. After four years, all mistakes have that could have been made have been made, right? But that is a waste of an opportunity. In a matter of months, this entire life will be behind you, and a new one -where decisions cost money and friendships form quick and paths are set - will be upon you. A high school senior has the privledge to make mistakes. That fiesty opinion piece you wrote in the school paper? Joining a new team? A new club? A new class? How about leaving? Applying to that school you mysteriously like, but cannot imagine going to? Talking to that person you never thought was worth a sentence of your time? Making food from scratch instead of the refrigerator? Leaving the country for a week? A month? All summer? Do not regret taking risks this year. They are the easiest, cheapest, most innocent shots at self-discovery you will ever get to make. More importantly, they are invaluable lessons as you navigate the labyrinth set in front of you after graduation.

Cory

If I were to go back and speak words of wisdom to myself in my senior year, I would explain the difficulty of living in an environment in which accountability and motivation levels are significantly lower than in the home setting during high school years. I would tell myself that in order to make a smooth transition into college life, I would have to first establish a list of priorities, and devote time and energy to what means most to me, as to not get lost or discouraged during the transition. For example, finding a supportive friend group, and devoting enough time to my studies both mean a lot to me. In order to make these two things happen, I would first tell myself to make sure to be extroverted during the first few weeks of school, so I can get to know those around me and initiate friendships. Then, to ensure that I had adequate study time, I would plan out a schedule of my daily events, and set aside a time and place, so that I would not fall victim to procrastination in my studies. These are the changes I would make for the transition to college life.

Selena

For parents, allow your child to make the decision about what college they might want to attend. I myself was not given a choice 10 years ago when I was 17. My mother said you're going to this school or this one. I chose the school an hour away from home instead of the school five hours away. A person should not base such a huge decision as far as what college to attend based on how close it is to their home. I would have loved to go to the University of Illinois or UIC, but instead, I went to Judson where I had a horrible experience and was just extremely unhappy there. I only lasted a year and a half. I will always be unhappy about the way my first college experience was handled. For students starting college, I would just say make sure the school you've chosen is where you really want to be, and once you're there, enjoy your experience because it'll go by fast. I always wonder if I'd made an effort, would things be different? Students, you don't want to have that feeling, trust me.