The College of Idaho Top Questions

Having been a college student for 3 years of chaos and the best times of my life, I would begin by making myself learn how to study better and take great notes. Next I would tell myself that your only in college once so live a little go places, study abroad, be active, give, do work in your community, and explore. I had the opportunity to be the first child in my family to go to college and I didn?t realize how special that was until I got here. In order to transition that was really hard for me so I would probably have liked to spend more time away from home before I actually moved away from college then it would have been easier when I left for school. Next I would say just be ready for a whole new world of excitement, craziness, tears, and most of all getting an education that will begin the rest of your life.

If I were to go back in time, and talk to my senior self, I'd tell myself to work as hard as I could. If I had just worked a little harder that last year, I'd be able to apply for more scholarships, and it would have made my life so much easier... I'd tell myself to not worry so much about the senior project, that I hade that in the bag, and to worry more about my grades in everything else, especially in pottery and government. Other than that there's not much more I'd say... maybe to have a little more fun. I never really did get out that much. I really wish I would have. Maybe actually go to a party, or join a club. I'd also make sure to tell myself to dump the guy I was with... It so wasn't worth my time. Hahaha. But seriously, the most important thing to tell myself would be to really work hard my last year. If I worked half as hard as I am now, I'd have an amazing GPA, and I could have gotten so many scholarships to help me.

I would tell myself that college is a whole different "ball game" then college, you need to be more preparred. You need to listen to others who have gone to college and take some of their advice. You need to seek out as many scholarships as you can and take the ACTs as many times as you can. And most of all take the time to meet with your advisors and get as much help navigating the system as possible.

Imagine Pandora opening her box and instead of unleashing all amounts of dreaded things on the world, out storm the most roucous and enticing moments of life. You have opened a door into your future where anything that you want goes. The freedom to find yourself is now yours alongside the most exciting and entertaining people you can imagine. The hardest question that faces you after deciding on where to go to college is now how do I manage my time. I suggest that you reach for the goals you want most while taking as many detours that you can without losing sight of your dreams. You are in college, out on your own, able to think for yourself and now able to grab any and every opportunity that floats down your tributary of life. This is your life now, grab hold and enjoy the ride before it passes you by.

If I could travel back in time knowing what I know now about college, I would tell my highschool self bounds of advice. The first thing I would reccommend to myself is that I break out of my shell and become more of an extrovert. Next, I would tell myself to just experience everything. Life is about experience, and most of my highschool years were spent in fear of trying new things out. As soon as I reached college, I realized what life was really about, and am still learning to live! I would also advise myself to actually study. I tended to not need to study, just come to class, take some notes, and take a test and do just fine. College was a whole different game. A majority of classes required a constant, daily overview of notes to keep all the ideas fresh. The tests came around about once a month in a majority of classes, which meant that a months worth of material was on the test. I would have advised my high school self to get a strict study routine set up that would make college a little bit easier.

Don't worry about money. Visit a few different campuses, and whichever school feels like the best environment for the student, go with. Finances can always be worked out, but feelings can't.

In order to find the right college to attend, make sure to do your research. Learn about all the programs offered and tour the campus. What size school are you looking for? What do you plan to major in? Does the location of the school effect your decision? Each school has different ways of helping the students make the most of their college experience. What I enjoy about mine is how at the beginning of each year, all of the incoming freshman are taken on a camping trip to get to know each other and the faculty members. I thought it was a fantastic idea, and a lot of fun. I also enjoyed having a guidance counsellor who had all the resources for summer internships and ways to help me start a career after graduation. It's very important to find someone to help you become confidence about your education and future goals.

My freshman year R.A. once responded to my comment about never feeling homesick after I came to college by saying that she believed that was God?s way of telling me I was in the right place. Trusting in God?s plan is the only way to feel secure about choosing the right college, and serving and glorifying Him in everything is the best way to make the most of the college experience. After making the decision to be at a place for God, relationships become increasingly meaningful and activities become much more purposeful. Prayer, by far, is the most resourceful tool a college student can use. Although the internet comes in a close second, nothing beats consulting the All Knowing; the answers may be vague and more than just a click away, but they are definitely more significant and applicable to life. Regardless of the trials and triumphs that every college student faces, living for God brings greater joy to all of those events because He will never leave or forsake His own. ??And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mat. 28:20)".

Visit as many campuses as possible and talk to currents students about their experience until you find what is right for you.

Visit the college . See if you connect with the professors and current students on campus. Do you like the feel of the campus? Sit in on a class from a field you're interested in. Do you like large lecture classes or small discussion groups? Find out if the school provides these. Are you interested in a liberal arts education? Find out about what core curriculum the college provides and what current students think about it. Talking with current students will be your best link to what the college is really like. If they like it and are enthusiastic, there's a better chance that you will like it, too. Find out about food options on campus. Are you vegetarian? Do you have allergies? Discover what accomodations the school makes for these needs. What about learning disabilities and the campus counseling services? Find out how safe the campus is. Talk with campus safety and see what they have to say. The most important thing is to talk with as many people as you can. Find out what they think. Get all of your questions answered. Don't think that what you want isn't important. It's your education.

Visit as many schools as you can, and choose the one you like the most. Money should come as a secondary issue, because financial aid IS available. Be sure that the goals of the school are in line with your own. I attend a liberal arts college, and that works great for me, but some people prefer the specialization of a university. It's all about where you feel you will do good work in school and have a healthy social life. I like to say that high school is like a gun, launching a student into the real world at full speed, and that college acts like a suppressor allowing students to go at their own pace so that they have healthier and more valuable development. As long as the suppressor fits the student/bullet, you've got nothing to worry about. In short-If the shoe fits, wear it. The only problem with this is cost. But that's where institutions like Campus Discovery and Federal Aid can help. Fill out your FASFA early.

My advice? Without a doubt-- start early! Devote a little bit of time to it every day, researching pros and cons of each potential school, e-mailing professors, and definitely schedule a visit to your chosen college, it could mean the difference between being happy for the next four years or regretting the decision and wishing you had gone somewhere else. Also, look for as many scholarships as you can, they're out there, it just takes time and a little effort to find them. Once you get to college, my advice is to be yourself. Forget about all the drama that you experienced in high school; everyone else did. Just be yourself and meet as many people as you can. All of the other freshmen will be in the same boat as you are, away from home in a wierd place with hundreds of people they don't know, so don't be afraid to open up, they'll be just as glad for the conversation and friendship as you are!

To the parents, take your time and help pick out the school that you feel is best suited to you're child. To the student, once you have made that important decision get actively involved in the campus and find what works for you. Remember that academics is the main reason why you are in a higher education institution but don't forget that it is also a new learning experience and the begining of the next stage of life. Take it seriously, but also enjoy your time and enjoy the experience. Pat yourself on the back for making the right decision to further your education as it is becoming more prevalent in todays world, and trust that it will inevitably be better for your future.

Wherever you go, make sure you can afford it (or will be able to in the future) and that you will be able to find people you can network with for future career possibilities.