Simpson College Top Questions

If I had the opportunity to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are many things I would like to say. The biggest piece of advice I would share with myself would be to not get caught up in the idea that you have to spend every second with your friends senior year, instead, spend a lot of your time with your family. I say this because when you are at college you have ‘all the time in the world’ to hang out with your friends and experience new and exciting things. While creating these new memories here at Simpson College I wish I had more memories with my family to cherish, because when you are away from home you realize how important they are to you. I find myself wishing some nights I would have stayed home with my family instead of going out with my friends, because those friends that you spent 24/7 with in high school eventually go their separate ways and you are left with the people who have been there for you all along and love you unconditionally.

Do NOT choose a college based on your high school friends' choices. Don't be afraid to go to a college where you know NO ONE and start your own path!! You will meet the most amazing people of your life and make life-long friendships. Keep an open-mind! Once you look into Greek Life, give it a chance. You will realize that maybe the stigma associated with fraternities is just a myth. Instantly, you will have the "brothers" you didn't have growing up.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to be myself. I would tell myself that no matter when ANYONE tells me, I cannot succeed in the choices I have made. I will hear them out, but go ahead with my choices. I would say "Cindi go unafraid" you have the self esteem, the confidence, the intelligents and the courage to do whatever lies ahead. Do not weary over transition, it is fun, challenging and most of all rewarding . Cindi, be the best you can be and you will be a U.S. Army Soldier with a college degree.

Dear Charlie, Wow, look at you. You're a hard-working, dedicated, and optimistic young lady. I know you work extremely hard for everything you accomplish; sometimes it feels like it's a waste of your time, but don't give up. You're helping yourself in the long-run. Don't be afraid of college life; truthfully, you're going to love it. You're going to have the time of your life, but stay focused. Never give up your big dreams of getting out of small-town Iowa. You're going to make something of yourself; everyone you know is behind you and always will be. Stay the person you are; don't turn into one of those students who procrastinates and has to pull all-nighters. Keep your chin up when things go wrong in life, whether it's homework, roommates, dating, financial problems, or just life's little curveballs. Always swing for the fence and you'll be a champion to yourself and everyone around you. I'm proud of you.

I thought I knew everything. I felt I was smarter than my teachers, than all the football players and cheerleaders who I assumed knew nothing of substance. I felt college would be a waste of time, writing senseless papers, factoring equations that I would never use in the real world and memorizing significant dates in the civil war. But upon reaching college, I have actually learned how much I do not know. High school is all about keeping us out of trouble; I can’t remember a single thing of importance I gained there. In college however, I am taught to expand my mind and think for myself. I have barely dipped my toes into the vast knowledge I am capable of, and that is why college is so valuable to me. College is a mental “coming of age”, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to broaden and deepen my thinking.

When I came to Simpson I had not had a great senior year of high school, long story short I had lost my best friend. I was really nervous to start here and wasn't sure if I could make friends easily. Simpson definatly welcomes its students with open arms they had activites to get to know the students in your class. I made friends so easily and it picked up my spirits immensely. I have learned so much here and I actually like going to class. The teachers treat you with great respect and make class fun. I had decided my sophomore year of high school to go to Simpson, and if I could go back I wouldn't change my decision at all. Simpson is an amazing school, its not just a place to learn but a place to find yourself.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. First, when I came to Simpson I felt instantly at home and I knew I could do accomplish anything here. Back in high school I did not fit in anywhere within the school and I felt invisible to some teachers and students. Here at Simpson it is impossible to feel that way with all of the different activities and friends I have made. One of the things I got out of Simpson was joining the Greek community. I wasn't interested in joining a sorority before coming to Simpson, but after going through recruitment I knew Greek life was for me. Simpson has also taught me great leadership skills and to have more self confidence within myself. The financial assistance offered at Simpson is fantastic. They have helped me find multiple loans to help pay for school. My parents are unable to help me afford college, so I have just the few scholarships and government loans to pay for Simpson. This 5,000 would be helpful to repay some of that loan money and I know it would help me a lot.

I have always loved to write; it is a great form of expression. Thus, at a young age I became intrigued with journalism. When, in high school, I had free space in my schedule, I spoke with my school's journalism teacher in hopes of being able to join the class. Once enrolled, I completely fell in love. The experience of seeing my work published was an overwhelming feeling. I have been granted the opportunity to continue this great experience of seeing my works published and read through writing for my school's newspaper, The Simpsonian. I still believe the hard work necessary to be a journalist, as well as the chance to write is the best and most rewarding part of journalism. This is what I have been able to experience first hand as a Simpson student. Simpson College has provided me with the opportunities to pursue my life-long dreams and goals of becoming a journalist through the amazing faculty and staff dedicated to educating myself as well as the student body.

There have been so many new and different people that I have met. There are people from around where I come from, but also from further away, like Germany, Ireland, and Malaysia, and it is great to get to know people that come from such different backgrounds. The classes are more challenging and give me a broader view of the world. Taking liberal arts courses makes me feel secure that even if for any reason my current major doesn't work out, I at least have a better idea of other things I like and that I could go into!

Life is hard. College is hard. There will be disapointments and times where things do not go as you planned but you will get through them and be better for it. If it were not hard it would not be worth it. Do not focus on these hard times just try to be happy. You will like it here. You belong here and it will not be long before you call this place home. You are stronger than you know and even when it seems like you cannot go on you will find a way. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not capable of doing something because you can do almost anything. The most important advice I can give is to remain true to yourself. Do not let others try to change who you are and what you stand for. You know what makes you happy and what you should be doing with your life so always remember that, even beyond college.