Thomas Edison State University Top Questions

My college experience has helped to put me back in touch with who I am as an adult and to restore my confidence. I have been out of school for a while and recently decided to finish the degree I started long ago. This experience has been so positive for me. I had concerns about feeling "too old" or not fitting in with the other students and those fears were alleviated very quickly. To anyone out there who has some "unfinished business" in the academic arena, you need to get out there and finish your degree. I promise you that the feeling of self-satisfaction and accomplishment will be worth the investment.

I've learned many things about myself through my college experience. I've learned not to give up and not to quit. I am an older student, and working a full time job and being a full time parent is challenging. Going to school put more stress on an already hectic life. But the saying that whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger is indeed true! I learned that I can do whatever I put my mind and body towards. I learned to keep on keeping on, to fight through the end and I will succeed in my goals. That is the reason I am applying for this scholarship - to continue the good fight by starting the Master's degree program at the University of Denver. I've learned through taking care of an infant and my other four children that sleep is overrated at times and that through a determined spirit and strength from your family one can succeed. That information was worth more than the knowledge gained in class and by completing assignments. Thank you for your time.

There are so many things that I would tell myself if I could go back in time, and visit myself as a high school senior. The main thing that I would tell myself is that I need to follow what my God given talents are. I had been told so many times that I was a great listener, and that I should be a nurse or couselor because I was caring. Then I just ignored those compliments, because at the time I did not want to be either of those things. I felt that I wanted to do something "cool". After I graduated I had no clue what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life, and I hadn't even applied to any universities. It wasn't until 4 years later after I had been working in the hospital for a while that I finally came to the realization that I was meant to be a nurse. I am now currently in nursing school at ITT Tech in Norfolk Virginia, and I haven't been happier. I just wish that I could go back at tell myself this and save myself the trouble.

Absoulutely none! I am happy with my life the way it is now and would not change a thing. If I changed anything, there is no gurantee my life would be better. I would still have good things and bad things in my life. There is not "perfect life" and I have nothing but fond memories of my past. As a high school senior, I received all the advice I needed for college; study, study, study. There is no substitute.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself one of the most important things to have in college is a good support system. I would advise myself to keep living with my parents rather than striking out on my own, to make sure I focus more on school and less on fun (though there definitely needs to be some fun to break away from the stress of school). Having done both online classes and attending classes, I would tell myself that my learning and lifestyle preferences are better suited to a online degree program. I would encourage myself to keep school as my focus and to remember how importat it is to my family (especially my grandfather) that I complete my degree. Most importantly, I would remind myself that I need to look out for myself and what will benefit me most in the long run -- and that's completing school, making smart decisions, and keeping my family close.

Things have really changed since I was a high school senior. I've been out of school for almost 30 years and have decided to go back to get my degree. There are many more opportunities now then there were way back when. I find that it is best to set specific goals and have a strategic study plan that you will be able to stick to. Make sure that you have a competent advisor to assist you with these decisions as that will make things go much more smoothly. Once you know what classes you will need and in what order, things will fall inline.

If I could go back in time to my high school senior year i would give myself a long lecture about not being lazy and push to make my studies count. I was very easygoing in my high school years and did not realize that if i applied myself to my school work that it would really pay off in the end. My laziness (yes, it was more lazy than easygoing) came back to haunt me when I had to retake some basic courses in my freshman year. Retaking some very basic courses that many of my friends could test out of held me back from diving in to courses that would fit into my degree. Remember, Mom is usually right when she tells you to focus on your homework!

If I were to go back in time to give advice to myself on transitioning to college life I would say what I tell the young people that currently work for me: "The degree that you choose makes little difference, just that you pursue a degree of some type. Don't find yourself at 35 years old trying to return to school with nothing to show for the past 18 years. You can always go back again later and pursue a separate undergraduate degree or continue on to a seemingly unrelated post-graduate degree, but do not walk away from your youth with nothing. When you reach my age, what would you like to do, assuming you don't need to earn money from doing it? What career path will put you in a position to be able to do that? Pursue a degree toward that career path while you decide..."