Oklahoma City University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things I would tell myself. The most important thing I would remind myself is to find a good college that I would like to spend some time at, and work on gathering a lot of small or large scholarships to pay for college. I would tell myself not to spend so much time trying to impress others and just be myself. I would remind myself to save the money I worked for instead of spending it on useless items that I will not be using in the future. I wouldn't forget to tell myself that I need to quit procasinating all my assignment and try to get them done as soon as I can. It's crazy how much I would tell myself in order to ensure that I will have an easier transition from high school to college. Most importantly, I would advise the younger me to not worry about partying too much, and spend more time focusing on bettering myself and creating a stable future.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would not be the conventional "work hard" or "get ready for challenges" type of discussion. I was prepared for the music rehearsals and late studying at Oklahoma City University because I had a taste of it in high school and have an older sister. No, I would warn my former self that I would encounter a surprising number of students on a daily basis that, to put it frankly, do not care. As I enter my senior year at OCU as a student that indeed does care about the things I do and the way that I treat people, I realize that the fight to stave off the predominantly negative attitudes and uninitiated behavior of some people will prove to be a sincere effort for the rest of my life. There are other people that also try to do their best to put effort and energy into their pursuits. Yet, negativity always seems to have the stronger pull. Through experience, I now have a trick to combat that negativity: be like a duck, paddling furiously underwater, while floating gracefully up above.

You aren't going to get into a musical theatre program. You are a stronger actress and that's where you will fall. With that being said, it doesn't mean you aren't talented. You are so talented, and you can't spend the first semester beating yourself up because you can't sing as well as some of your friends. It's okay to feel sad about it, but don't let it get you down, let it bring you up and motivate you to be a better singer. If you ever feel low, go speak to a councilor. DON'T wait until the end of the semester when your friends tell you they don't want to be your friend anymore to seek help. If you feel like giving up on anything, school, friends, pom, etc..... Ask for help. It's okay to ask for help. It makes you strong. You will be strong, and you will overcome the challenge.

Ashley, be proud of what you have accomplished and excited about entering college, but do not be naive about expectations and human behavior. You are a people pleaser and also worry more that you like to admit about what others think of you and this will cause you some sadness during your first semester. Don't worry, it gets better and you will start to find your "college self" and so will others. Understand that people will disappoint you and you will disappoint others, but be quick to forgive and do not hold grudges, they will only cause you pain. People make mistakes, including you and be quick to forgive yourself and not beat yourself up too much. Be happy. Be nice. Be positive. When things don't go your way or seem too tough to overcome, breathe in, breath out and move on (sooner than later). Have high expectations, but make sure they are realistic. Make sure to hug your sister a lot and tell her how much you love her. She is your best friend and you will miss her more than you can even imagine.

Throughout my first year at Oklahoma City University, I discovered how valuable prioritizing and time management is. During high school, being Student Class President while maintaining my 3.2 GPA and All-State cheerleading, was easy. Despite of what many respected individuals told me, I continued to assume college would merely be a tad bit harder than high school due to lengthier papers and the lack of daily reminders from my professors and parents. If I could, I would show myself how in the midst of my second semester, 8 organizations, 3 shows, and 2 roommates later, I was nearly burnt out. I had failed to make wise decisions when it came down to preparing properly. Although, I finished my first year with a 3.96 GPA, I had trouble deciding to say “No.” when I had too much on my plate, or choosing to get a well-needed 8 hour night of sleep. When I look back, I see an eager girl who didn’t want to miss anything. With maturity, I have realized missing some “things” is a good thing. College can get overwhelming quickly if you don’t know how to prioritize and manage your time wisely.

I would first and foremost ask myself "how much do you want this? When I was 18 I was so ready to start my college career and get away that I didn't blink about the fine details; I didn't think about the amount of money I was about to commit myself too. I fell in love HARD with a school then didnt hunt around to see if there were possibly more cost effient schools that I could have equally fallen for. I loved my 4 years at OCU but now having just graduated I look at the student debt that is now looming over me and I can barely catch my breath. Was taking all that money out worth it? I would say its about 50/50. I made amazing friends and met the love of my life but I now feel like I'm tethered down and un able to begin building my grown-up life because of the impending doom of possible default. Do things happen for a reason? Everyone has student debt right? I'd tell my 18 year old self to think really hard about where she wants her life to go. Then leap.

Apply for every scholarship no matter how strange it comes across as. You need all the money you can get and it will pay off later. Having the feeling of knowing everything is paid for is well worth all the time and effort it takes to apply for these scholarships, and then you can devote all of your focus to your passion instead of working two on-campus jobs to fight to pay for college.

Out of my college experience so far I have learned that in order to get good grades I need to study at least an hour a day after attending the class. I have also learned that attendence is important even though you cannot get into trouble with the school if you don't attend class, but only with yourself. Being in college has also taught me great independence. I find my classes on my own, choose when to go on my own, choose when to study on my own. Allmost 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time I am making my own decisions in college. Since i've been attending college I have been a more productive member of society and have transformed from a teenager to a young adult as I find my own way to support myself and my own way to find out what I need to do in order to become a more successful citizen. I also believe my skills such as writing and math have gone way up since going to high school and living at home. College doesn't just make you smarter, it pushes us as individuals to become more independent and responsible.

Besides gaining more knowledge in my field of study, going to college has lead me to really find myself out. Being in college here has helped me become more independent and find out who I really am and develop my own political and moral views in the world. Since this school is a liberal arts school, I have been taught in many different areas besides just science. It has helped open my eyes to all my other choices and gives me more options for a career. Going to college is not just going to be more beneficial for someone financially in the future, but it is a key life experience every young adult should go through to discover themselves.

The first two reasons I chose this colleger were the fact they are the only college in Oklahoma to offer a Bachelor's Degree in Film Production, not just Film Studies, and the fact that my mentor Fritz Kiersch is the Department Advisor. Mr. Kiersch has been an invaluable teacher for me and has helped encourage me to follow my dream career despite my older age than most of the other students. Thanks to him and the students I attend classes with I feel like a vital and creative person that has something to contribute to our society. Everyday I get to go to classes puts a smile on my face that does not evaporate until my head hits the pillow at the end of a full day of learning. A Bachelor's Degree will get me into the life and career I have always wanted and after attending this college for only one year it has made me wonder about a second career. I may go beyond a Bachelor's Degree so I may not only work in the film community but also teach college students who want to live the same dream I am working on now.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience. It has been valuable to me socially, it has helped me learn how to be independent, it has helped me to be responsible, it has given me the chance to learn many programs that will help me in my major, it has given me a chance to be careful financially and learn how to use the money I am entrusted with, and has allowed me to go on field trips to companies so that I can see what is expected of me in my career field. I would like to be helped as much as possible financially so that I can continue my learning at OCU. I think that my time there will help me gain valuable life experience.

Here at Oklahoma City University, I have grown to discover myself. Oklahoma City University is not like any other University; there is a strong diverse background, professors that do care how you are feeling and staying caught up with class, unique friends you would not be able to meet anywhere else and a history of excellence and pride towards the success of the University along with the individuals that have graduated here. Without Oklahoma City University, I would not have had the many opportunities I have been blessed with, nor would I have left home to spread my wings to grasps all aspects of life.

I've gotten a better sense of awareness of myself including: respect, dignitiy, value, and most importantly knowledge. I have never known the greater feeling of actually absorbing all the material presented and passing an exam with flying colors. Getting good grades proved to me that I can do anything I put my heart and mind to. It doesnt matter what other negative things people say about me, I am an intelligent single mother who can make all dreams possible for myself and my 4-year-old son. I can't see myself doing anything else but learning. My B.S. degree will be the beginning of my promising future, and it doesnt stop there. I do this all for my beautiful son, Kameron.

My college experience has helped me grow as a person. I came from New Jersey and went to Oklahoma, and fell in love with the people in Oklahoma. I have many more positive views on groups that I did not have before and I am more accepting of people and their differences. I have developed great leadership experience as well while attending college. College has allowed me to be more responsible and more dedicated to making a difference. My whole life I have been somewhat of individual, on my own I guess you could say, but now I am involved in many groups and many different organizations. I am an active volunteer on and around my campus. College has shown how to interact in the work force, and what I need to do to be successful. Without my college experience here at Oklahoma City University, I do not think I would be the person I am today. I am very greatful for coming to Oklahoma City University and would do it all over again if I had the chance.

I have met so many different kinds of people and gotten experiences that are unparalleled to anything I have seen before. I have made wonderful friends that I know will be with me for life, even if we are not in the same location. The alumni are so caring and really seem to outreach to the students still in school. I've begun to feel very confident to graduate next year and know that I will be all right and will have a support system waiting to help me along the way.

I would get into the medical field instead . I got my MBA/IT and it seems waste of time . Now I am going back to school try to get my nursing . something I can pay bills and be productive at all time and anywhere.

My advice is this: Be open to new experiences. More than anything, be open. College is about making a fresh start and new memories. In order to do so, you must be adventurous. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone during the transition. That is the best way to develop friendships and grow as a person. In high school, you became set in your ways: you talked to the same people, went to the same classes every day, and then went home. Don't fall into the same pattern now. Open yourself. There is a whole world before you; you must open your heart and let a little of that adventure seep into you. Feel the beauty of the newness. Embrace it. Breathe it in deep and hold it close to your heart. Follow dad's motto -- grab life by the shoulders and give it a good shake! The transition is difficult. Sometimes you will feel like Dorothy, like a tornado swept you up and dumped you in a strange world. But hold on to the strength inside of you. Smile brilliantly, and you'll draw people to you. Have faith in yourself. Adventure is good.

Looking back on my last year of high school, I am surprised that I survived. I was in a constant state of panic because of college essays, application deadlines, financial aid; the list goes on and on. After being rejected from the first three schools I applied to, I was positive that I was just not going to go to college. I could see my life in ten years, without a degree and working at a fast food restaurant. As I said, I was panicked. If I could go back in time I would have told myself to chill out and enjoy my final year of high school. If there is one thing that I have learned since beginning college it is that nothing is so important that it should prevent you from enjoying your life. The first day of school I was equally terrified. What if I had made the wrong choice? There was no need to worry. I am at the perfect school for me. If there is one thing I wish I knew my senior year, it is that things will always work out. I wish I had known that I could relax.

I would tell myself to study for and try to get a higher ACT score to increase my chances for more financial aid. I would tell myself to remember to ehibited my best efforts at the beginning of the semester so that I would be less stressed by the end of the semester. I would also stress the importance of studying at numerous intervals versus cramming for a test the night before. I would warn myself about fraternity boys and the consequences of the party scenes. I found that frat boys like to prey on nieve freshman. Lastly, and most importantly, I would tell myself to value each moment of this unique experience because it goes by too fast.

The transition for high school to college is one of the most difficult yet exciting transitions you will probably face in your life. Going into college, there are many challenges you will face. Teachers are not as lenient about assignments and there is much more outside work that is required of you. By staying focused and learning to be a good manager of your time, you will be able to succeed in college and have fun while doing it. College does not have to be all learning all the time. You have to be open to different experiences. There is not only learning going on in the classroom but outside in the real world as well. Try and get involved as much as your schedule allows you because that is where you will learn more practical and life knowledge. By being able to balance your academic and social life, you will succeed in college.