Northwestern Michigan College Top Questions

I would first give myself a pat on the pack for completing two colleges classes, saving my future self money. I wish I would have done my research or asked for help in high school on how to sign up for financial aid so I didn't feel so lost when I got here. Trying to find a niche right when you get to college and sticking with it is key, because you're going to be with these students for the next 2-3 years and it's hard to leave certain groups of people and come back when they've moved on and you're back at the start. I left on a trip around the country after completing a semester of art classes and getting used to this new group of people, and am now going back to art next year, but it will be a completely new group of people that I have to meet and get to know.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself that college is going to be completely different. Everything that you have learned for the past twelve years will not compare at all to what college is going to be like. I would emphasize the fact that you only go through high school once and that I should enjoy it as much as possible and to do everything I can to get the full experience. For example, go to all the pep rallies, dances, sporting events, and etc... However, I would warn myself to keep up my grades like I did because a good GPA does help out tremendously with getting scholarships and financial aid. In addition, I would reccommend taking advanced placement college courses to get some experience if you are going out of town for college. If you are deciding to stay in town though, then I would tell myself that there is no need to take college classes before you are actually in college. Consequently, I would highlight the need to enjoy highschool while it lasts.

School is important at all ages. Pay attention and ask as many questions as you need. Give yourself enough time to get to school and be a little early for classes. Meet new people and enjoy your time at school, but remember to focus and get your work done on time.

I would tell myself to not take advantage of high school athletics and being with your classmates. I would've told myself to really enjoy everyday and really try and make connections with classmates that you never used to talk to. I would also bring up the fact that there is no need to be worried about the transition from highschool to college, and that i need to keep my head high and know it will all workout in my favor.

Advice that I would give myself is to focus better on test taking because still to this day I struggle with tests and it can be a big impact once attending college. If i would have tried harder in highschool to do better on tests I wouldnt struggle so much in college, but other than that everything has improved after highschool including my GPA, so must be doing something right.

If I went back in time I would tell myself to be better prepared with class material. I would get extra help with math, to understand it better so that I wouldnt have to struggle so much in college math courses. I would also challenge myself in more science classes so that I could jump with both feet into the nursing program without having to take extra classes. Advocating for myself is also HUGE now that I am in college. I would stand up for myself and get the help when I didnt understand something.

Since, I have been out of school for quite a while, I would like to tell myself as a Senior, how important it is to enjoy the college experience. To learn as much as you can, not only from classes but from individuals. That this is an important stepping stone to becoming the adult you are going to be. I would also tell myself to work harder at doing well in school, and not to blow anything off.

I would tell myself to take more AP classes. I only took one and passed the test so I received college credit for it. I could have taken at least two more but did not have the self confidence to believe I could pass them. If I ended up having to retake the classes in college, because I did not get an A on the exam, it would just mean learning more and refining my skills. You can never get to much education. I would also suggest to myself to duo-enroll at Northwestern Michigan College which would help me to see what college was like before I became a full time college student.

I would encourage high school counselors to be more involved with their student’s future and for parents to be educated on the options and opportunities their kids have. I wish I would have attended the career tech center or did some college classes while in high school so I could see how a college class was like and what campus life was like. The work load was surprising to me and I would of like to of been better prepared for that. I wish I would of shadowed different kinds of careers. Problem wasn’t really high school but more so life after high school. Living on my own having my own bills, working full time, and trying to go to school full time; nobody prepares you for that juggling act.

Ah, high school was nine years ago. I've often thought about the words of advice I would give to my senior self as a graduate and wiser 'Alanna' I am today, but knowing what I know now would ruin the knowledge and experiences I learned along the way. And who knows where I would be if I did know - because I'm happy who I am today. Assuming that this answer does nothing for high school seniors today, the best advice I can give is 'slow down.' This generation is about how fast you can figure something out, or that everyone wants to grow up. Your college days are the best days of your life, but not because of the care-free party spirit. In college, you find your voice. It wasn't until after college, when I dropped everything and moved across the country to pursue a life of my own, that I could really look back and SEE - learn. As friendly as people are, not everyone is your friend. Stay close to family, as they will always be there for you. Motivate & inspire yourself, as you are the best thing you've got. Growing never stops.