Northwestern State University of Louisiana Top Questions

Increase your study habits and don't treat it like high school. Make wise financial choices until you get a job. Get close to people with goals and determination. Don't waste time doing things that won't benefit you or make you happy in the long run. Finally, stay safe.

In truth, I do believe my senior year of high school went by too quickly. I was afraid of leaving home and not being around my mother, who supports and loves me unconditionally twenty-four/seven, everyday. When I first toured Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, I was nervous at first, but the welcoming environment I had encountured when I had arrived quickly dimmed my fears. Now that I am a sophmore at the university, I have learned that leaving home and everything you know may be scary at first, but I know that I can always return to my home to visit. Making the transition to college from high school is a life changing experience and one that I believe is very enjoyable. With this transition, I have managed to make connections with people from different parts of the country by building life long friendships. In conclusion, if I had the chance to go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself , "Do not be afraid of change because everything will be okay. Just stay true to yourself."

One of the things that people tell you all the time is that college is a completely different creature from high school. That, at least, is certainly true, but what they don't tell you is exactly how. Your entire life will be thrown into the air - if you were the nerdy kid who was bullied in high school, no one else knows that. If you were the jock who everyone loved in high school, no one cares in college. You are who you make of yourself, so if you want to abuse your newfound freedom to do nothing but sit in the dorm and play video games, that's fine; people will treat you as the person you pretend to be. If you're friendly and talk to people, they'll happily talk back, especially because their lives are just as upended as yours. Finally, remember that your professors are people, just like you. While they might be tired of new freshmen, if you introduce yourself to them during their office hours, and if you are persistent with talking with them individually on a weekly basis, they will be far happier to help you than they would be otherwise.

If I was a high school senior and getting ready to attend college there would be a lot of advice I would give myself. I would save more money to make sure I could make most of the ends meet and also have some spending money left over. I would focus all of my attention on campus life and get out to make more friends. I would be more involved in campus life such as various activities, sports, and organizations. I would allow myself a little free time in between classwork and always include myself in functions around the campus. There are so many things that I would tell myself, but above are just a few.

My #1 change would be I would not spend so much money applying to colleges. Instead I would have saved the money and just planned on going to junior college getting my general studies done, which is what I ended up doing. My parents spent a good $3,500 on applications and SAT preparation, which I didn't really need. I think everyone just gets caught up in applying to school and SAT scores, and in the end, it didn't really matter for me. You will still get into a good four-year school without SAT preparation or even the highest scores if you attend a junior college. I believe the application process is just a way for schools to make money when you consider the majority of the applicants do not get accepted. Also, instead of trying to be involved in everything in high school, I would concentrate on just one or two things. I was involved in everything ASB, AP classes, theater, cheer, choir, NCL and in the end it really didn't make a difference. So do what interests you without thinking this will look good on an application because it probably won't matter anyway.

The advice I would give myself if I were able to go back in time is nothing. I know you may be thinking why. Well, everything that I was expecting college to be was it. As a senior, I was happy to attend college and go into that next stage of life. I wouldn't go back into time because the way college turned out to be for me is the way GOD wanted it to specially for me. I was prepared to learn, to party, and make new friends. The college life is fun and a very good learning experience; literally.

I would warn myself to take college seriously, to do the absolute best that I could academically, and to hang in there because four years passes a lot faster than I could ever imagine. I would advise myself to take advantage of any scholarships possible and to have confidence in myself. I did the complete opposite when I entered college six years ago. I was not confident and did not realize the potential that I had. I dropped out of college and went to work full time. Along the way I had a son and quickly realized how essential an education would be in providing him with the life he deserves. I am a full time nursing student and have raised my grade point average significantly since the first time. I know that my college journey would have been much easier if I would have finished school the first time. I would not have to juggle school, work and a child but I do believe that my son is the motivation that I did not have back then. If I could do it all over again I would take school seriously and receive my degree before I had children.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would push myself more than I did. I would have told myself to apply for all the scholarships available to me. Along with that I would have left my little city and attended one of the many great universities I got accepted to. I would tell myself to be more responsible and independent because that's all college is about. In college you don't have the teachers reminding you what is due and extending the deadlines, instead you're all on your own and it is up to you if you want to succeed. You must have the want and drive to succeed, because you are now in the real world. You can either climb your way up or fall straight down.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transitions, honestly, I would tell myself to first of all, listen to mom! She knows best! Second, even though you didn't have to study in high school, it is not that easy in college! You have to do the homework with out mom telling you too. You have to study without someone forcing you too. Also, just because you are sheltered by mom and you couldn't do whatever you wanted, when you get to college and get out in the real world, YOU have the choice of what you will do with your time. Going out to bars and clubs isn't all that great anyway. Getting you degree and getting a great job is what means the most! You are on your own in college!

First of all, I would tell myself that college is nothing like high school. When you come to college, you gain complete freedom. This can be good and bad. You do what you want, but you have to find that perfect balance. You cannot be so concerned with grades and have no social life. College is all about finding that perfect balance.

Knowing what I know now, looking back there is much I wish I would have known. The most important thing I would look back and tell my self is to get out there and active. If you are undecided about a major take all your general education cources while taking one entro cource to each of the major you are interested in and see which one grabs you. School is number one and should always come first. I would highly suguest not worrying about money and getting a full time job because as soon as you start making money that becomes your prority not school. Reach out to all the department within the school. You will have to do all the leg work for information and knowleges of what you willl need to do to complete your degree. I will highly recomand taking a workshop on how to fund your schooling. School should be fun but not to much fun. School is much eariers if you keep to a schedule and do not put work off. Respect the oportunity of being able to go to college, even if you have to work harder for it. You will thank youself later.

I got in a major car accident senior year that put me in the hospital for 6 days and out of commision for 8 months. I would start off my advice giving by telling myself to learn to drive better as I got in another major accident my first year of college. Secondly, I would tell myself that any girl named Brooke was bad news and not to date her. She causes you to do things that you would regret for many reasons. Third, I would tell myself to never skip class, for any reason other than extreme illness. Extra sleep is not worth it. Stay on top of your studies or you will regret it and be making up ground the rest of college. Lastyly, I would tell myself to listen to the Lord in all my decision making. Where I would go to college, where i would major in, and who I would hang out with. Really dig into the word your last year of high school, cause its hard to live a Christian lifestyle without strong roots. But then again, everything happens for a reason, so maybe I'd just say, "Goodluck, and keep your head up."

Breathe. This would be the first thing I would tell myself. To remember to breathe; to take it all in, roll it around in your mind, and let it out. Your going to get overwhelmed. You may think your not going to feel lonely. You will at the beginning, but know that it doesn't last forever. If you skip class, it will come back and bite you in the butt. DON'T SKIP CLASS. They are not joking when they say if you miss class you miss important iformation that you can't make up. Sit in the front row, you will thank me later. Make a friend in each class, just in case you do miss, you'll have a way of getting assignments. Don't waste your meal plan, your paying for it, might as well use it. Stay far away from alcohol at all costs, its not even worth being around. Get involved on campus, its a great way to make friends and staying an active student is just fun. Above all else though, remember and never forget, breathe.

Follow your inner spirit. Do not follow the beaten path. No matter what the reason, do what you truly want and not what anyone else feels is best. Never second guess yourself, in any decision. Make realistic long term plans, and be willing to adapt. There is no such thing as a mistake when you know you've given your absolute all. Can't experience worthy success without trials and tribulations. After graduating this summer with a bachelor's, yet still unemployed in the medical field, has changed my entire outlook. Sometimes you have to do something less practical to have true self-satisfaction!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are so many things I would tell myself. I think it would go something like this: "Chrissy, it's ok to follow in your big sister's footsteps, you don't always have to do things differently, you can go to a community college first and live at home for a while. Listen to the people around you, do you really think you are responsible enough to move away from home and go to a four year university? Yes, of it will be fun and you will have lots of freedom, but won't you miss your family? No matter who is trying to get you to go out, make sure all your homework is done and GO TO CLASS! Check your major Chrissy, make sure accounting is for you, just because you are good at math does not mean you should be an accountant, do something you will love, even if it means not making as much money. Keep yourself organized, you're good at that, and make sure you try your hardest, no matter what the assignment is!"

I would tell myself to continue on with my education right out of High School instead of working for 4 years and then going to college. I would tell myself that college is not out of my reach because of financial hardships; that there is help available.

Put as much effort as you can into your studies in any field. You might think you’re not going to use that knowledge in your life after high school, but you actually do. The studies you acquire in college are designed to be built on the knowledge you have acquired in high school. Also, the process of learning gives you not only the knowledge but also the wisdom. It trains you how to think logically, set goals clearly, and gives you the power to be patient and never give up till you accomplish the goal you set. You will know how much your parents have done for you when you leave home and study in the college far from home. Instead of using harsh words, or not being nice to your parents, tell you love and appreciation BY WORDS and ACTIONS because they may not notice until you actually express it. It is not too late starting that after you left home, but much better if you start it when you are with them.

The advice that I would give myself would be to always stay up to date with the current pre-requisites. Pre-requisites, especially for nursing school, are continually changing from semester to semester. In order to avoid taking the wrong classes, I would advise myself to establish a good rapport with my academic advisor. The academic advisor acts as the liaison between yourself and the nursing school in most cases, therefore their information is the most up to date. I would also advise myself to not take out any private loans. The private education lenders are definitely looking for prey to feed upon that will sign that $10,000 loan with ridiculous interest and fees. Instead of making the mistake of taking that easy private loan, I would advise myself to look for scholarships instead.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to not rush my year away because the people I have with all of my life, I will most likely not see 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of them again. Next, I would say that college is totally different than highschool in which the way one has to study. Study habits were one of the biggest changes because you do not go to the same classes everyday in college; certain classes are only on certain days. I would tell myself to learn how to make a planner. The biggest thing about not going to the same classes everyday is you may forget what you did on Monday because you did something totally different on Tuesday. I think for the most part a person has to get use to going without. I am fortunate to have what I have, but college is expensive and it really begins to hit home when you find out your parents are doing without so that you can have. Money is tight, so you have to spend wisely. You must prioritize your needs and wants and even your time. Have fun, make memories, and remember it all because time flies.

I would tell myself that its okay not to take all honors classes, and to get involved in as many things as possible ahead of time, so that the transition is easier. I would also tell myself that I need to room with someone else that isn't the roommate I have now. or better yet, that me and my roommate don't have to be best friends.