The College of Idaho Top Questions

If I could go back and give myself advise the mian thing I would want to tell myself would be to not worry so much. I was very worried and scared that I wouldn't be able to keep up with classes, no because I am a bad student but because I always worry too much, and I was also worried that I wouldn't make any friends. I would tell myself that it would all be okay and that my teachers are very helpful and the classes are interesting and that I would find some good friends who think that I am perfectly adorable. I would tell myself that I am able to do things away from home and that I will be alright. My first two terms in school have gone very well and I have made friends with very nice people. I was very stressed and scared about leaving home for school so the main thing I would want is to tell past self that I will be alright.

"Do NOT stress out, everything will fall into place." As a senior in high school I had no clue what I wanted to do as a career. Being a little older now I realize that constant worrying does no good. It is almost like rocking back and forth in a rocking chair. Yeah, it'll keep you occupied for a while but you're not getting anywhere. So do not worry! Everything will fall into place. Have faith in yourself.

If I could go back in time to advise myself about college, I would push myself to plan accordingly for college rather than blowing it off for later. The main issue I had with college around my high school years was I didn't know what I wanted to do. I wanted to be sure of what I wanted before I made the decision so I didn't waste time and money on a degree I would find out later I didn't want. If I could tell myself in high school that I don't get anywhere and I'm stuck in a dead end minimum wage, tip-less job, I'm sure I would be in a different place now. As tempting as that sounds, I'm happy with the road I chose, it makes me who I am. I've met many people, seen some awesome things, and I think the time spent in the world made me a more solid individual to be able to handle the hard ships of college. I attend college now so that I may grow further and sieze my dreams, and it's not mopping floors! Sincerely, Meonah Hamdan

I would tell my high school self not to break down and cry because I couldn't afford to attend my top-choice school. Whitman College may have been a great school, but it could not have been a more wonderful experience than my four years at The College of Idaho. As a matter of fact, I would tell myself not to worry about other schools: if I had to do it again, I would enroll at The College of Idaho without hesitation. It is important to take initiative in reaching out to would-be friends, rather than waiting for them to reach out to you. Trust your academic advisors and meet with them often, but at the same time take responsibility for your own success. Check on your own to make sure your are on track with your coursework--don't make your advisor do it for you. If you are looking for an job, let your professors know. They will help you search, but they need to know that you are in the market. Do your own work and manage your own life but admit it when you need help, and let your friends and professors help you.

Ashley, I know you think you know everything now, but you don't. College will be hard and it will challenge you. I know that no one in high school really takes their work seriously, but please be different! If you work hard now and create good habits, then college will be so much easier. Start applying for scholarships now and don't wait until your senior year of college. Don't be afraid to explore a little bit at college and to go for a major that no one else seems to agree with - pursue what you want to and what makes you happy! Don't let yourself get too busy to not find time to write - make time for it. Above all, know that school is not eveything. You will graduate and move on to a bigger and more important life afterwards. Don't loose your friends and family by being too stressed out with school. Don't be too busy to miss the memories that are being created right now. Sometimes it's okay to stop looking up at your future goal and to look around you to take in the present. Stay strong!

Remember to have fun, to take a moment every day to slow down and do something for yourself, something relaxing, or distracting, or worthwhile. Go running, read a book, stop and talk to someone new. Try a new hobby like painting or drawing or photography. Reach out to make friends, they will accept you for who you are. Be bold with you descisions, but stay safe. College is a life experience, it teaches more than accademics. It will allow you to grow, to know yourself, to change yourself, to challenge yourself. Balance is key, socially, accademically, and physically. The perfect balance will help you sustain happiness. Finally, find a goal, a point in the future to focus on and never let it fall out of your sights. Your professors, your friends, and your experiences will help you obtain your goal. The first stop is your first day of college, next stop life after your last day, enjoy the places you go in between.

Continue to let Jesus Christ be your strength, it's hard in college with losts of temptations but when you lean wholly on God and not your own strength you are given strength. Where ever God calls you to go, go there, it is by far the best place you could be.

I would tell myself that COLLEGE is a serious thing now. I would always put FUN and unimportant things before school. I come from the smallest place on planet earth. The island of Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands. I was never into school until I something hit me. All my friends were going off to college in the mainland. I felt that I was slacking in life. I was a bad influence to my peers, I'm not going to lie. But when my parents sat me down to talk about what my plans were, I was blank because I had NO IDEA what I wanted for my future. I did finish high school but I never took the time to study hard. If I can go back to high school, I would work my BUTT OFF. I want to go to college, I want to pursue my dreams in becoming a counselor for high school. I want to make an impact in someone's life with my "story" and to let them know that EDUCATION is KEY to SUCCESS. I would be so happy and blessed if I could win this scholarship! Thank you!

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say to myself never to take anything for granted. During my high school days I was friends with people who took everything for granted. So I being friends with them affected my studies and although I was not like them but the idea of them not reading their books affected me a lot because they will not study their books, I also saw no reasons to study my books which at a time affected my grades. Another thing I will talk to myself about is to be independent and not depend on others when it comes to my studies. Above all I will tell myself to be more discipline than I was in High school. Because we all in high school were told what to do at all time and I thought that was what life was all about. The teachers will remind us about our homework, they will remind us to study and so on. But in college that is way different.

Remember what hard work feels like. I know the power of diligence and focus behind writing an essay. I have felt the exhaustion of staying up too late, and getting up too early. I know how my calves feel after working a ten-hour shift, standing up. My hamstrings have felt the pain of hill repeats, but I continue running, because I know I gain strength with every step. I have felt the frustration of a bad day, but I know the difference that a smile can make. I have come close to quitting, but never give up. These are the struggles of my past, and I am sure that they are nothing compared to the struggles of my future. However, because I have overcome these issues I know how to look for a potential success route. I approach life like a hike in a heavy backpack – I focus on balance, and take one step at a time. The College of Idaho stands for the power of education, through valuing the individual while strengthening the potential for success. Remember who you are, and dream of who you can become. Appreciate the process, as the result is only the last step.

Start applying to scholarships, get some job experience. College will be harder than high school but don't worry, you can do it. All you have to do is concerntrate and don't procastinate as much as you do now. You will have to give up some of your free time to do homework so get used to not playing or reading as much as you do now. College is not impossible so don't worry for a second.

GO FOR IT. With all you've got (and you've got a lot). Stop stressing that you weren't totally sure about every detail, or you don't know many people going here, or the people you do know are "smarter" than you. Stop making decisions for other people because college isn't about other people; it's about YOU and YOUR FUTURE. You're far enough away for some independence and close enough that if something happens, you can be there. The nice thing about college is that it's now less about grades and more about actually learning. All of the things you disliked about high school are changing. Just like your junior AP language teacher said, "you're made for college. I know you don't really like it here [in high school] and maybe feel like you don't quite fit, but as soon as you graduate and head to college, you'll feel right at home, I promise. Plus, you don't have to raise your hand to go to the bathroom." He was a wise man. You will absolutely love it there. It's a perfect fit so calm down and enjoy it!

Looking back I see a fearful me walking down the bustling hallway of my old high school. High school was a comfortable place for me, and the idea of leaving everything I knew, changing up my entire life to go to college, terrified me. If I could tell myself anything during high school I would tell myself to free myself of every fear burrowing into my mind. Fears of failure, fears of not being good enough, fears of choosing the wrong path, fears of being in debt, fears of not having a plan; the list is never-ending. I would have told myself that fear is the ONLY thing hindering your potential. No matter where you go, what adjustments you have to make, what fears you have to conquer, you WILL be successful with hard work. When you’re in high school you are bombarded with the idea that you need to know your future and have some elaborate plan for your life, but really from my own experience I have found that it is really the journey that matters. Now is the time to conquer your fears of embracing the journey, and take risks for new-fangled opportunities.

If I could go back to myself in high school, scared of college and my future, one thing I would say is look for scholarships. From what I have had to take out in loans for college I would tell my high school self to start looking online for scholarships everywhere. In high school I didn't take it serious but am paying for it now. Besides stressing the fact of scholarships I would also tell myself to start managing my time more wise between sports, school, and homework. I have played sports all three years in college so managing time is a crucial step in succeeding in the classroom. Scholarships and time management are the two most important items to explore way before anyone's first year of college.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a lot to tell myself. Most importantly I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that you can. In high school there were so many scholarships and programs I could have gotten involved in but I did not because I thought I did not have the time. The problem was I did not make the time. Scholarships are much easier to win then one would think. If you put the effort into the application process it will pay off. I would also try harder to be more involved in my high school. I wish I had went to more football and basketball games and tryed harder to make a lasting relationship with my teachers. Now that I am in college my goal is to work hard, and be as involved with the college as I can because this is my last chance to do so. If I choose not to go to graduate school this will be my last chance to have this kind of expereince. College is a great expereince and it should not be done alone.

There is alot I would say to myself. I would let myself know that I need to stop worrying. I will end up making it through, and although there are going to some pretty rough patches it all works itself out in the end. I would tell myself to not hesitate to call my parents when I need help or take a half hour break from whatever I’m doing to talk to them on the phone. I would tell myself to be careful about the friends I choose to make, they may not stick around. I need to make sure I take the time to enjoy my freshman year and all the great opportunities C of I has to offer. Don’t let it go by because it will end up being one of your biggest regrets. Before you know it three years will have gone by and you’ll be wishing you had done more. Don't let someone stop you from what you want to do, join a sorority and make mistakes, now is the time. Learn from your mistakes, admit when you are wrong or need help, but more than anything enjoy every single momen.t

Education is more important than social interaction. As a high school senior, I was too focused on my social life: ranging from drama with friends, to feuds with my girlfriend. It turns out, that none of that really matters when the undergraduate life begins. I was skeptical at first, taking the "my friends will be my friends forever" mindset. Of course some of them still are, but the little relationships I focused to hard to maintain were soon replaced by bonds with my peers here at my new college. That being said, I would have placed much more stress on pursuing scholarships, as the financial burdens I am posed with now are nearly overbearing. As a sophomore, I am just now getting into the habit of scholarship searching; whereas I could have started in high school. This would have significantly reduced my stress, and greatly improved my positivity and outlook on financial aid. All in all, a lesson learned late is better than a lesson not learned at all. For what it's worth, I will make sure no one I know makes the same mistakes I did. Friends are important, but your career is your legacy.

High school was a breeze for me and though mentors and teachers always warned about what college and the real world was, I didn't want to believe it. Yes, I was told to save my money, not to procrastinate, and to practice good study habits, but I didn't think it would be hard. Now that I am wiser and learned the hard way, I would tell my high school self to change half of my ways. I would tell my stubborn and invincible self to save my every penny so I wouldn't be struggling as I am now - living paycheck by paycheck, off campus, and walking everywhere. My high school self could have used better study habits as well. Procrastination is a college student's worst enemy and is a good way to be under stress. Stress in my case led to depression and almost set me up for failure. Had my high school self known to develop better habits, my transition to college would have been more enjoyable and relaxing. At least I learned from my mistakes and now know how to be organized with my money and my school work and be successful.

The biggest piece of advice that I could give to my former self would be to let things go. When I was frustrated with my roommate for being messy, I wish I could have been able to not let it bother me. When I was discouraged during group projects, I wish I could have been able to simply let others do their part and not worry about the quality of the work they would do. When I was stressed from working and doing homework all the time, I wish I could have taken a moment to decompress and be content in knowing that I was doing my best. I know I spent a lot of my time dwelling on the stress, frustration, and worries that I encountered during my first few years of college, and I could have spent that time focusing on more positive aspects of the college experience.

If I could go back in time to my senior year in highschool I would take the oppurtunity to really explore different fields of interest and really figure out what I want to do. I thought that I knew exactly what I wanted to do since I was in the 4th grade but when I got to college I quickly realized that I did not want tocontinue pursuing a career in orthodontistry. I then struggled finding another major which led me to taking classes that were not getting me towards graduating. I finally found a major that I was very passionate about. Sports and Fitness Management is something that I became interested in and I can truely say that I have found my calling. Once I found this major I finally felt like I knew what I was doing and am now looking forward to my future and exploring this field thoroughly.