Northeastern Illinois University Top Questions

I would tell myself to take your college education seriously. Any time that you take off from school, only prolongs you from reaching your goals. Work hard in your classes and go the extra mile; you get what you give. Take part in extracurricular activities such as school clubs; the friends you make and the experiences you gain from clubs will play a huge part in your development as a student. Be bold, take risks, and push yourself to do things you wouldn't normally do academically and personally. School is the best time to grow and become a bigger, stronger, and ultimately better you. Learn how to manage stress. Things can become quite hectic during midterms and finals, but just remember that if you put in the work, everything will be fine, and you will see the grades. Help a fellow classmate, aiding them in their academic sucess can be extremely rewarding. Lastly, I would say apply for scholarships. There are people who are willing to help students financially so they can acheive their goals, don't be afraid to ask for their help!

I came from a different country and studied at Northeastern with very little language skills. I wish I had taken more English courses in high school, so that I could have had an easier time in school. I also wish I had participated in more clubs at Northeastern, so I could have networked more. What you give to the school, you get back. Investing in the school is a good idea because it helps you out in the future in various ways.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to stop letting my fears get in the way of doing what I want to do. For a whole semester, I did not attend college because I was frightened; I did not know what field I wanted to go in and I was only focused on wht would earn me the most money instead of what would make me happiest. Playing it safe has its uses, but I would advise my past self to avoid taking it too far and to not be afraid of taking chances and living life. It is only through making mistakes and overcoming doubts that we learn how to live. I would also advise my younger self to not be so withdrawn; meeting new people and making new friends is a key part of college life. Refusing to do so out of mistrust and fear will not make college easy or fun. Being afraid to ask for help from the faculty of other students is a key to having a miserable college experience. You only get out of college what you try to achieve and the effort you put in.

KAREN! Study. This may sound cliche but you are a smart girl, with a little more effort you could acheive anything. College is expensive and you know you do not have money so work hard for scholarschips. Keep your head up when mom says you can not do someting. You know that is how she has always been but what do you do? Usually prove her wrong, so continue to do so. Can I let you in on a little secret? You know that boy you have been inlove with since freshman year? He will stay in your life but put yourself in front of him. Make choices for you, boys are dumb sometimes but do not let it affect you. You are going to have a beautiful little miracle and to be ready for him you can not give up on school! Besides prove everybody wrong, show them that you are not just the typical hispanic, who became pregnant at 18. At least you earned your diploma and have the ambition to keep moving forward with school. Let me just say as future Karen working is not fun, working at a regular job and not a career, of course.

My high school senior year and the following two years were a trial, a tribulation, a test. They were hard, frustrating, and unexpected. The past two years were suppose to be spent in college but I have not started yet. Nonetheless, I have learned and grown so much, especially in my senior year. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would stand back and remain silent. I do not want to tamper with my past, as much as I would like to, because I was being tested. I am going to be a better person and have a better life. I know now what I want to do with my life. For starters, I will be starting college this coming fall. My family has always cherished education. Starting in my senior year, I was getting an invaluable education; it would continue for two more years and will keep going. I may have needed some great advice in my senior year from my future self, but the truth is that she did not need it. She put me on the course to the life I am to live and to the person I am to become.

Life is what you make of it, weather hard or easy, but nothing worth having comes free. During your walk through life, there are going to be struggles, challenges, and stressors. Also, there are going to be happy moments, joyous occasions, successful breakthroughs, and breathtaking adventures. However, it is how you perceive and react to what you encounter, which will determine a positive or negative outcome for your situation. Never wish your experiences could have been different, or let obstacles stop you from achieving your goals. My advice to myself would be as the Nike tagline says: “Just do it!” Take all steps needed to pursue all of your dreams and a higher education. If you want recognition, growth, and success, do not sit around waiting on someone to direct you. As a tip for achieving your goals: evaluate the situation, discipline yourself, prepare in advance, and pray for courage and strength. Always take teacher's criticism as fuel to accomplish your life’s goals and dreams. College marks another phase of life, therefore take lots of notes and strive for greatness. It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.

The college search is serious business. If you want to go to a great college, you need to look for it and do your research. You've spent the last four years of your life working hard to get good grades to excell in college. However, it all goes to waste if that effort is not put towards finding a college and scholarships to pay for it. I left my college search until last minute, and I had to settle for less than what I believed I was capable of. Unlike high school where there was always the threat of a lower grade or someone constantly checking up on you. No one supervised me with my college plans, and so I let myself slack off. I know past me doesn't believe when people say he has the power to change the world, because it sounds cheesy. However, my failures and successes in college have taught me that my own efforts matter. Even when no one is telling you what to do, you should still do everything in your power to get yourself the best opportunities and improve yourself as a person.

Know what you want before starting any Major courses. If that means being a part time student and working part time for a few years while taking basic classes like English 101 and Art 101 then go for it. You will enjoy college more and save money by not taking classes for one major and then switching to another. The extra time and money you have will allow you to enjoy the college events, clubs and social life on campus. Just don't take too long, don't drop out of school. Get that degree before you get too old, you don't want to be pursuing your first B.S. when you're 27 and should be in a career job and house shopping. Don't play all those video games. Date that girl you wanted to.

I understand that high school is very stressful. You have incredible drive to get to college where life will magically become better. That is only half-truth. Life does get better when you get out of high school. College is a wonderful place of opportunity, self-discovery and freedom. However, with freedom, there comes a cost. My biggest advice to high school "Ellen" is to find self-love, confidence and gratitude because you can be your own worst enemy. When you leave home, you are leaving behind a built-in support system, which you currently resent because, well, you are a teenager. The fear and loneliness that comes with change is difficult to navigate. College is an easy place to become a recluse. You will find yourself desperately trying to control your life and hide your feelings. However, fight self-destructive urges, fake confidence, and it will eventually start to become real. You are a kind, quirky, intelligent person that people want to know! Force yourself to branch out and find that support system, so when you are having hard days, you have someone to reach out to...someone who will help stop you from getting in your own way.

Read, read, and read more. Nothing can make you feel happy, excited, and erudite as a good book. News, textbooks, magazines, novels, just read. Make up your mind, think fast, decide what you would like to be, and do it. Take the classes. Do not be undecided. Stay close to the ones you admire most, your role models. They can teach and help a lot from their experience. Call, talk and ask for help, for advice, for guidance. Do not think you know everything. Do not be a hypocrite, a selfish, or a greedy. Do not be lazy, banal, caustic, capricious, despotic, invidious, irascible, phlegmatic, naïve, or stubborn. Be punctual, meticulous, astute, perspicacious, harmonious, altruistic, funny, philanthropic, courageous, and lucid. Do not isolate, and do not hesitate to make friends, to talk to people, to work, to volunteer, and to interact. Do not waste 3 years after high school to raise the nephew, the sister can find a nanny. Do not marry or have kids at 21 years old, or when you are in school. Finish college, live your life, go out, have fun. You can find a husband any time, but you can never turn back the time.

Sandra, I understand that you might think that high school is not as important as you might think, but its one of the foundations that will help you for the rest of your life. Not only will it help you for the rest of your life, but it will help with most of college experiance. College will be easier if you pay attention in high school. Placing high on your placement test and on the ACT is also very important. Thats what high school teachers are for, they are there to prepare you for the challenges that you might face in the future. When placing high on the placement test, that gets you right away to college level and you can start taking the proper classes that you need. If you place low, you have to start in lower classes that do not count towards your major and it will take you longer to complete college. I hope that after reading this you will take my advice and work harder in these High school years. College will be easier and funner if you work hard now.

Dear HS Me, College is just around the corner! Have you been thinking about what exactly you would like to persue in the future? Remember Mom and Dad aren't going to be able to help you financially for college, so you are on your own! Make sure you look into colleges that will have classes that will further help your future career goals. And don't choose a very expensive school that will cause you to take out lots of loans and end you in debt! You'll then end up transferring to a less expensive school - but it won't have all that you want in terms of classes! Future you regrets the initial college decision. Keep your grades up and try to get scholarships! You are smart, I promise you that. Don't let some challenging subjects get you down - you can do this! You have been very strong these past couple years with all that you are dealing with at home! You still get up everyday, you still go to school, you still have a job. You are responsible. College will be tough, but WE CAN DO THIS. Good Luck. Love, Future You.

The journey that you will embark after graduating high school will be an even more difficult one in which you must take seriously and commit to as you approach the upcoming educational endeavors as if you are extremely ravenous for. You must convince yourself that your life will highly depend on the choices that you will be facing during your transition in the world of independence while in college. The opportunities that will be introduced to you during your college years will be transitory as your high school years have been but a preparation for changes in your adult life and future. Ensure that once accepting your journey in pursuing a higher academic educational challenge, you are confident in accepting all the trials that will come before you during those years. Learning to organize and prioritize will be some of the qualities that you will soon learn to dominate in the realm of education. Do not be discouraged of the required transformations that you will face but surrender yourself to the new environment in which you find yourself in and acquire what you are entitled to – an education. Take a hold and control of your goals and never lose focus.

Dear Self, I know that almost every day you can't help but think "I can't wait to graduate! I'm tired of high school!", but try to enjoy it while you can. I, your grown-up, 20-year old self, wishes that you would slow down and do a little more. I know you can be rather lazy, but please join all of those clubs that you think are too time-consuming and "pointless". Also, pick up the slack and apply for more scholarships! I know you're frustrated because most of the ones available to you are for Native Hawaiians, Filipinos, Samoans, ect, but take to the internet and apply to all that you can! Trust me! You're not going to like your first job for very long! The more scholarships you have, the less you'll be stuck in that stupid blue uniform picking up the shoes and apparel that grown adults are too incapable to put back correctly! Remember to smile more, laugh more, love more, and keep rocking on with Kpop. Vixx hwaiting! With lots of love, regret, and hope, Your adult self, Kira.

If I could advice my high school self I would say to her: Patricia, you have had a rough start and no child should have to endure the suffering you have. Just know the road you are traveling will not be easy but stay focused and remember your goals because your struggles will serve a greater purpose later. You should know that you are intelligent, beautiful and worthy of respect and love. That love will come when it is supposed to, but you must first love yourself to recognize it. Keep your heart and mind on God and your studies; when your intuition tells you a guy is all wrong for you, you should RUN like the wind. From here until our dying days, I urge you to trust yourself, believe in yourself and most importantly, love yourself.

"Wake up! The clock is ticking and you're still in bed doing absolutely nothing but sleep." "You can sleep all you want when you're dead." If I had a time traveling machine that is definitely something I would be saying to myself on September, 2013. I would push my limits over sea so I would know everything I know now before submitting my last minute decision on May 1, 2013. As a high school senior one cathces the common disease called "senioritis," meaning lazy to do anything. Unfortunantely, I was a target for this disease. If my mentality was stronger like it is now, I would not be doing this essay. I would have known that private colleges have different gen eds. Plans do not always go as one plans them, and it would be very expensive... to purchase books and commute (because there is no sufficient funds to afford dorming at a private university.) The whole "dream school" is a dream, but one has to WORK for that dream. I was vise versa, dreaming and then working in it. Wake up, drink coffee and complete your research, the bed is not going anywhere, but you will!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would apply for more scholarships and have FAFSA done earlier. Study hard from the begging, turn my work on time a, don’t be lat to classes, and talk to people who are majoring the same major as I do. Get involved in activates, tutoring and clubs. Be careful when Im choosing my classes. Have a positive attitude about everything that has happened. I would have taken advantage of my grade, teachers and tests. Keep in touch with my teachers who helped me a lot to stay on track with grades, tests, and homework. I would’ve liked to visit the university couple of times before the school year started. That would have helped me know the departments, and where my classes would be located, I don’t have to get lost when the school starts. Talk to my advisory all the time especially when I decide my major or what classes I want to take or what I have to do after the four year college. In conclusion I will be more careful about college and what I want to major in.

If I could go back in the time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would apply for more scholarships and have financial aid done earlier. Study hard from the beginning, turn homework's on time and talk to people who major the same my major, that help me to know what classes I have to take or what I'm going to do after the four-year of university. Involved in activities and clubs helps to communicate with student and make you learn more about the university. Choose the classes carefully and drop it earlier. I have to be positive about everything happened I don't have to take advantage because of my grades or teachers just studey. Being in touch with my teachers help me a lot to keep on track with homework, grades, and tests. I like to visit my university couple times before the school start that help me know the departments and where are my classes. Talk to my advisory all the time especially when I get confused about my major or my classes. That's what I want if I could go back and talk to myself as high school senior.

I would tell myself to always believe in myself. Do not ever give up on self. Ask for help because help is always available. Do not be fearful of achievement. Always have confidence in myself and understand that hard work will pay off in a good way. Study to show my aproval with self and others. Always hang with positive people and people that want to be sucessful in life. Respect your parents, teachers and elders at all times. Listen to them carefully and learn from them. Do volunteer work and always be ready to help the needy if possible. Commit to doing good in school and out of school. I would raise my hand more and study more diligently. Do not worry or be ashamed at how others will think or feel about me. Always be honest and true to yourself and others. If something is bothering me, talk about it to my parents, teachers, or another responsible adult. Understand that I can make a difference if I stay focused and have a strong desire. Always be willing to help and to be helped. Love people unconditionally. Do not give up. Do not quit. School is the answer !

I did not realize how important it is to get invalved with your community and your school. Joining clubs and being social is not only a great way to make friends, but it is also a great way to build bridges. You never know who you are going to meet and what kind of an asset they may be to you. Putting yourself out there opens many doors, such as network connections, scholarships, and experiences. I have grown so much just by learning from my piers and building profetional relationships with teachers. It took me too long to learn that being shy and blending into the backround does not bennifit my future or enrich my life. For these reasons, I would let my high school self know that time flies by. Make the most of tomorrow today before tomorrow is yesterday!