Oregon State University Top Questions

There are a couple of things that I learned throughout college that I feel if I had known would have made my entire college experience that much better. Mainly I feel that if I would have first attended my current four year university instead of transferring after two years at a community college I would have had a much more enjoyable experience. The two main difficulties that I came into contact with were the difficulty level of classes and integrating into the social network. I expected college to be just as easy as high school was. I didn?t expect to have to study, and it took a little time to adjust and learn how to study. Also, if I had known how to be more actively involved in the social scene it would have been easier to make friends; for example, living on campus the first couple years forces students to be social. I feel that if I were to have begun my college career at the four year university then I would have had a much easier time with both of these mishaps.

I would tell myself the following... "First off, I know you have no idea what to expect from college. The best way to approach the college decision is to not rush things like I did. When you pick a college, make sure that it is somewhere that fits you and makes you happy. If when you get to college you feel out of place, take that feeling seriosly because it means something is wrong with where you are. Also, you don't have to pick a major right now, or even in your freshman year. Take your time, because you have all the time in the world. Think seriously about what you want to do for a career and find out exactly what classes are reqired by your major and what they entail. Don't pick a major because you feel like it's something you should do or because it sounds neat. Pick it because it is something you really want to do. Most importantly, find some people you actually enjoy being around and are not simply tolerable. Be sure to keep a check on reality and don't go through college with "the blinders on." Good luck!

It's a whole new ballgame when you get to college. "101" courses are not necessarily easy A's, they truly test you on what you did learn in high school, while still shaping you to deal with your intended field of study. Also, making friends is much different too. However, you don't have to drink alcohol to make friends, there are many clubs available to get involved in on campus. And of course, there are the athletic events to get together and show your school spirit. In the end, if you remain focused on your work and open to doing activities on campus to converse with other students, your college experience will be meaningful and you will learn more about how you can set yourself up for the workforce after you graduate.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, would tell myself to stay on track and don't get behind because I have seen a lot of people here that fall behind and can't catch up. Get started on scholarships early every year, and don't think that you can just fall back onto the skills that you had from high school. The pace is so much faster here that you have to study everyday and don't procrastinate. Don't fall into peer pressure and don't go to any parties; the people that go to parties are usually the ones that fall behind in their classes. At the same time, enjoy your time at college because this is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. Good luck!

I would tell myself to be ever vigilant and to keep my eyes open to the world around me. Know that college is about learning what you are made of. You will learn how to deal with amounts of stress that you have never experienced in your life. You will learn how to motivate yourself. Remember to make choices that you will be proud of, because this is an investment in yourself. Most of all, I would say ?Remember to invest in Google.?

I would tell myself to keep trying and study hard because that will help you in the long run. Also, to take a closer look at the Universities, and go and actually visit them instead of reading about them on the internet. Also, to become more involed in the community, so that way when she gets to the university she can create ties within the university community.

If I were to go back in time, and was able to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to change few things. I would have told myself to study more than I had done. I would have told myself to start on papers for classes sooner, since the games I would play are not worth the all-nighters I would do to make up for the lost time. I would have told myself to be more social and outgoing, because studying is a lot easier and funner when you're going at it with a group. Basically, I would tell myself to do the little things and subtle changes I've always said that I needed to make. The things that would be good this term, but hey, there's always next term to start.

Brace yourself. College is full of new experiences, new people, and new situations. Your identity will be questioned as well as your beliefs but be strong and surround yourself with those who know your true self. Don?t be afraid of letting go of the past, it is ok to distance yourself from home in order to branch out and see who you truly can become. Take the time to meet new people and not get caught up in the excuse of having too much to do; it will be worth taking a break in order to get you through and keep your sanity. Also make time for yourself it is in those quiet moments where you will find your true self.

I would help myself find happiness in the world of work. To do this I would first describe the work done in different job settings. The essential elements in every job setting revolve around basic parts of each job, such as sitting at a desk, answering the phone, working on a computer, being outdoors, and talking to people. After these elements were described I would then ask myself which I think I would enjoy enough to do 8 hours a day. Then I would take these choices and match them to college majors. Now with a list of college majors that may work I would have a starting point in life. These choices could be narrowed down again by considering income provided by jobs in the field. For example I would discuss with myself how much a family of 5 children may cost. A last critical step to finalize major choices would be to do job shadows. With these things done anyone considering college may save thousands of dollars and years of their life by not wasting it on things they probably won?t enjoy in the first place.

Assuming It was possable to go back in time and talk to myself as high school senior, and knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would have some pretty good advise to give myself. I know myself and I know that as a high school senior I had a lot of questions about going to college and obtaining a higher education. I would assure myself that joining the United States armed forces is an exellent way to gain an advantage. I would tell myself not to wait so long after my discharge to start getting a higher education. Knowing that it is difficult to obtain the resources needed to attend a college or university, I wuold give my self all of the information on doing so. I would inform myself that all it takes is a lot of motivation and and a bit of intestinal fortitude.