Saint Cloud State University Top Questions

During the transition from high school to college level classes I didn't have much confidence in myself. I laid an inordinate amount of unnecessary stress upon myself during my first year of college. If I could advise my high school self, I would tell myself to take a deep breath and try my hardest to succeed. Nothing was beyond my capabilities, and there was no reason to cause myself that amount of unease. The classes and lifestyle were certainly different from high school, but nothing was beyond my reach. I hope that I'll continue to mature and navigate the different hurdles that present themselves throughout the rest of my college career. I'll continue to put my best effort into everything, but also realize that I'm not a perfect individual...my best is the best that I can do. With that in mind, my second year of college will hopefully be productive as well as stress-free.

Hi Ka Lia, I'm you from the future, only 1-2 year difference but I just wanted to let you know: When you go to college, make sure you do all your work and assignments, and if you're lost on something you don't understand-ask for help. There's going to be some real cruel people, but don't let that stop you from exploring because where there are cruel people, there are also kind and generous people. There may be so moments where you're having a hard time, but don't use those as an excuse and just over come the impossibilities and make them into possibilities. When great opportunities come to you or you find the opportunities that can benefit you from improving yourself, don't be afraid and just risk doing it. You really won't know until you try. Also, really prioritize what's important and what matters to you. Be the best you can be. You'll do great and be successful in this lifetime, I know it. P.S- I LOVE YOU!

Advice that i would give to not just myself but others would be dont stress to much about choosing what college, worrying about if you will have a safe and good environment for you to study and get your work done. choosing the college should not be a top priority just because there are community colleges that can help you move on in to the college experiences and help transition from going to high school to college, and help with if you would be wanting to move to a different state to help you grow up so you could eventually live on your own. On the other hand just worrying about if you will have a place to make sure you get your homework done or any other projects. Most likely the school will have a library also have academic labs with computer and reading help all sorts of help more that you even need. College is a big step but not to big that you should be intimidated by it. Just enjoy time and plan.

Since I know that I cannot go back in time and wish I could follow this advice, I try to tell my younger friends and sisters this following advice all the time. College is a new atmosphere, especially with the routine that I have developed since I came to SCSU. Don't let the thoughts of staying up and out late every night take over your life. Although you are away from your strict parents and strict high school routine time, it is still important that you get your homework done and get enough sleep. Some of the new atmosphere of college is partying, but don't let it take over your life. Another thing I advise is to go out and make as many friends as possible. Most people aren't the same judgemental people you may have encountered in high school, and odds are a lot of your high school friendships will die out within the first few months of college. So go out and enjoy your time - college is the best time of our lives, but it is also important to graduate!

DO NOT FREAK OUT. It's not as bad as you think it is. You will make friends right away and will be more involved than you might want to be, but it's all good for you. You will become a more diverse person through this process and it will make you a more well-rounded person. Don't be afraid to do something you want to do, chase your dreams and never stop. And don't stress, because everything will work out in the end.

I would go back and tell myself to stay focused and get through school and worry about my social life afterwards. I'd have said, "Tiffanie, your parents might be right 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time, but that doesn't mean that they know what you should get out of your own life. Instead of slaving away for years in businesses that they own, embark on your own path and just keep trying things out until you find the right fit." I would also have told myself that what they say about going into business with your friends is true and that at 21 years old, you aren't ready to start one nor figure out who your true friends really are. I think my life experiences, even the bad ones, have been for the best ultimately because they've shaped me into the person I am today so a part of me wouldn't want to give any advice to myself, other than maybe... "Watch how much you are eating, losing weight is such a pain!!" or "WHY are you spending all of that money on a FESTIVAL?!?!"

Overall, I’m very happy with my college experience. However, if I could do one thing differently, I would not choose to start college at an out-of-state university. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself, “College is what you make it!” This statement contains two important points. First, the debt I have accumulated by spending a year paying high out-of-state tuition is going to affect me greatly after graduation. The student loan payments will likely delay my first home purchase, and force me to postpone starting a family. Secondly, what really matters in college is the work invested. Becoming a well-rounded, intelligent individual is what will provide future opportunity--not a fancy university name on a résumé. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to picture how my life will be after college. I would tell myself to take a personal finance course. I would tell myself that, to a point, it really doesn’t matter what university I attend, as long as I work hard.

I would tell myself to be more open to making new friends. Even though you are really close to your old friends and don't want to lose that closeness and connection to them it is okay to get to know new people. They will make your time at SCSU more fun and will give you a better experience and allow you to be happier and not rely on just a very limited few to entertain you and trust. If they are your true friends then no matter the distance or time you spend away from them, nothing will change and you will always have them to lean on and have fun with when you go back home or even just to talk to on facebook when you need to vent.

I would advise my high school senior self that this is a time to challenge yourself to believe in your abilites; there will be many road blocks, but remember you do not have to navigate the path alone. A challenge is just a way that life pushes you to redefine preconceived limitations. There will be many negative internal and external voices that will try to discourage you from reaching your planned destination. If you feel it in your heart, then trust your instincts, but it is essential that you take the time to formulate a concrete plan. Jumping into difficult tasks without careful consideration of all the influencing factors will lead to wasted time. Do not be afraid to ask for help because you do not have all the answers. Use the resources that are available to you through your high school counseling department, and continue your work with the local park youth groups because the lessons learned in these interactions will form the blueprint necessary to pursue your ambition of becoming a physician. Always give your best effort, and the most important lesson is to never give up on creating that future world you keep safe in your dreams.

Take your first year in college seriously, and apply for grants. Don't go into college thinking that because many universities don't count your freshman year. It is just as important as your senior year in college, because it is the first step into preparing your life ahead of you. Sure, you're going to think it's easy because the teachers don't give you homework or check to make sure your studying, this is not high school. Make sure you study. It, also, can get expensive. It is important to apply for grants and scholarships early on, not last minute. If you follow this advice, you will be better prepared for taking the next step of your future.

College isn't as scary as you think. Just relax and don't get too stressed out. Stay with the idea of attending a community college and get your basic classes taken care of. College life isn't too different from high school. There is a vast age gap though, so don't freak out if you see some older people walking around campus. Just do what you do in high school. Go to class, study, and do your homework. Just because you are going to college now doesn't mean you have to become an adult, have some fun. -Future you.

Start off with one goal and do not back down from it. Start and ended with a 4 year college or university is helpful, because you are doing your generals along with the classes with that are preparing you for your major. Rather then finish all your liberal arts classes and get an Associates from a 2 year institution then transferring over to a 4-year institution, even though it could save money to go to a 2 year institution.

I strated off college going to North Dakota State University last semester. I roomed with someone I knew, which I thought would be fine because we were decent friends. One piece of advice I would give my high school self would be to not room with someone I knew. Now that I am at St Cloud State and have a roommate I did not previously know, I am much happier and feel like I am better at socializing with people. I would also advise myself to go into college and think of it as a learning experience. It's true what people say: this time in your life is the time that you make mistakes, learn some lessons, and figure out who you really are. I would just tell myself to live it up and not worry about being perfect and especially to not be so hard on myself when I make a mistake; it's all a learning experience!

If it were possible for me to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have many words of advice for myself. The main point I would drive home would be “push yourself do your best.” I would tell myself “a college education is a precious investment. This is a time for learning and growth into adulthood. New and exciting things are to be experienced. Do your best in everything you do, work, play, school and life. Test yourself with your college classes and strive to be the best in the class. Endeavor to make the Deans List. Become active in clubs and organizations and assume leadership positions. Make working hard a ritual. In addition to school, push yourself to be a steward of the community. Volunteer and make a difference. Be your best physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Make good friends and make good decisions. Push yourself in everything you do, to do your best.”

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE MARLESHA! That's one thing I would tell myself as a high school senior. However if I had to give myself full advice about college life and making the transition it would go a little something like this..."College is a great learning experience so do not waste your time on silly things. You're there to learn. The first thing you must understand and adapt is do not procrastinate; it is a recipe for failure and stress. The most important key to success in college is to manage your time appropriately. Give yourself enough time to complete homework and give yourself enough time to study. Don't overload yourself with work it causes way too much stress. Avoid cram sessions, they don't work. Study ahead by making flash cards or join study groups. Make many friends because it is great to meet new people and you never know what you can learn from them. College is about exploring, expanding, and becoming who you want to be. 'Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid'-Basil King."

It has been a long time since I was in high school, and I've done a lot of living in those years. If I could go back and tell myself about transitioning to college, I would say DON'T WAIT! It is far more challenging to balance the demands of college life with a home and family to care for. It is also harder to get financial aid and to be involved in campus life. If I had it to do over, I would finish school when I was young enough to really immerse myself in it and enjoy the trip!

If I were to go back in time and give an advice to my high school senior self, the best advice I could give him is to savor each moment of high school left, and to be prepared to be self-sufficient in many ways. In high school, I remember that I was really eager to finish secondary education because I thought graduating is the right of passage to adulthood. Due to that, I was not able to cherish the luxury of being in high school. Although one may find good relationships in college, everyone seems to be on their own and independent -from their family, teachers, College is more than attaining a higher education but is also about independence. What I miss about high school was the presence of my parents when I come home from class. I always feel relieved from the stress from class when I see my parents. Unlike high school, teachers don't really chase after you when you are in danger of failing. Although teachers are glad to help students, it is also one's responsibility to keep track of his grades. Being in college is one of the best growing experience I had.

As a senior in highschool I would advise you to take as many AP classes as possible, these will help so much when choosing colleges. As well as applying for scholarships. I didn't really spend the time doing so and now I am running out of money my first year. I think that in highschool you should do your very best to earn scholarship money, grants and apply for FASFA. I am not eligible for FASFA even though I have a single mother with one income.

If I could go back to high school as a senior I would try to start off my year by getting in more activities and focus more on my work then usual. So far my college experience had been pretty good so far. I feel more responsible and mature then I was in high school. If I was in high school I would study more than I did and work more harder than usual. I would also try to be more responsible with my belonings. In college you have to keep your stuff organize and prepare for your classes so that it wouldn't be hard to find in high school I just had my belonings like in one folder, but now im in college so I got it seperate in each binder. So that it wouldn't be hard to find when I got my classes and prepare for class.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the only advice I would give myself is to do research. When I was a senior in high school I didn't understand how important and how big of a change college is from high school. I felt very unprepared for college when it came time to apply for schools. I would have told myself to go on more tours and set up meetings with the admission offices at schools. I would have taken my time deciding where I wanted to go to get my education instead of applying to the schools I have heard of in the past. I like where I ended up, but I wish I would have looked deeper and gone somewhere that I could have gotten the same or better education that I'm getting now. Overall, if I could talk to myself 4 years ago I would tell myself to take it more seriously and to do the research.