Trinity University Top Questions

Studying. Higher education requires studying, no matter how easy high school was for you. Take the opportunity to learn how YOU study best: do you learn best making flash cards? Having a roommate quiz you? In a group? Alone? The faster that you figure out what suits you best, the easier the transition. Class. Go to it. Get to know your professors outside the classroom. Most of the time, they will love that you take time to show you really care about learning their subject. Plus, you will establish bonds that will be crucial when applying to medical school. It's so much more than just "getting through it." Knowledge is one of the most amazing blessings. Friends. Meet new people and step out of your comfort zone. Although the soccer team brings 26 immediate best friends, it's okay to branch out and express some individuality. Faith. Trinity is a hard place to crack. Even though you don't drink, it's okay to go out with your friends and meet new people. You not drinking may influence them to ask you about your beliefs. Overall, enjoy it while you have it because it goes by fast.

As a high school student, I knew college would be much more different than high school. As a college student, I realized how much things were actually different from high school. And as a first generation student, I knew the transition would be even harder. My college self would want to tell my high school self that proper time management and studying are KEY to understanding the material in every single course. My college self is still trying to figure this out, so if my high school self knew this, then I could have transitioned a lot more quickly. It is important to set time aside to do homework, to study for classes, and to even do relaxing or fun activities. Otherwise, you will procrastinate, which is a habit I am trying to break, to the point where it's hard to catch up with work. With proper time management and studying, I know the transition into college would have been much easier and less stressful.

Food is one of the best ways to make friends. Whether you’re eating in the dining hall or having snacks in your room, everyone is always hungry and will go anywhere for food. However, that does not mean you should share your food with everyone you meet at college. If your gut tells you something about a person, you should listen to your gut and not ignore it. Once you have figured out what your gut is telling you about a person, you can decide whether or not you want to share your food with them. By sharing your food with people, you will make a variety of different kinds of friends, which is great, but there is one very important thing to remember about people you choose to be your friend. If someone you consider to be your friend does not respect you or your choices, they are not really your friend. True friends are people who will respect your choices and not judge you for who you are. Your true friends might not be the people you first people you shared your food with, but they are the people will share their food with you, too.

I would tell myself to not worry about the future. Things get tough in life, and all you can do is trust that things will work out in the end. I would also say to just enjoy myself and the opportunities I've been given, because things are going to be great! Along with that, try new things, you'll be amazed to find out the things you enjoy and are good at. Also, remember to stay in touch with the people who care about you, because they will carry you through whatever hardship you might be facing.

College is an exciting adventure rather than a daunting challenge. Being away from home will be difficult and you will miss Mom and Dad but there will be very little time to reflect on being homesick with all of the new people and experiences you will encounter! College is a gift to help become a more authentic “you”. People will appreciate what individuality and unique ideas you bring to the table. No longer will you be looked down upon for your beliefs and opinions, in college you will be celebrated. You will unexpectedly begin to love learning since you can take classes that suit your interests and skills. These classes are difficult but high school prepared you well and you will gain confidence overcoming academic obstacles. You will be exposed to radical people and ideas in which you can choose to appreciate and learn from, as others will from you. Most importantly you will make friends, every college freshman will be in the same boat as you are. Be friendly and open to new people and opportunities that present themselves along the way since you never know where they will lead.

I would tell myself to work a lot harder in high school and really apply myself to my studies. I would ask myself to be a little more social and out-going and warm up to new people more often as well as becoming closer with my friends at the time. I would ask myself to start taking care of my body more than I did and work out and start making healthy choices. I would ask that I be more responsible with my money and start looking towards the future. Most of all, however, I believe I would tell myself to treasure those around me and say "Thank you" to my mother everyday; her guidance became so important to me in college and I failed to see that in high school. So I'd ask myself to refrain from a snarky comment and simply smile and enjoy the time we had together then, because pretty soon I would be missing it very much.

If I could go back and talk to myself, senior year of high school, I would tell myself: "I know it's hard, right now, making this choice. I know you wanted to go to Carleton, but you'll see. Trinity really is the best place for you. Grit your teeth and bear the disappointment now, because college is going to be great. Keep your left up, just like mom says, and roll with the punches. Try not to take it to heart when people betray you, and keep putting your heart on the line-- people are worth it. It's going to be harder than your used to-- be ready for that, and be willing to work until you get what you want. And get out of the dorm sometimes; I know it's scary, but it'll be okay. More than that, it'll be worth it, for the friends you make. "And have fun. Because I promise you will."

While in college, I didn't just get the ability to memorize a lot of information, I actually learned crucial skills like critical reasoning and analyzing, writing skills, and social skills that will be beneficial in law school. College taught me to not just go through classes memorizing information, but rather, to take the time to actually understand the information and think critically about the information in front of me. Although I plan to go to law school, Trinity also gave me a broad range of knowledge in other subjects which was beneficial because it affirmed my decision to go to law school. I also feel that college and my political science classes prepared me for the work load I will encounter in law school, as well as the difficulty of reading and writing that I will need to use in law school.

I am currently going to my local community college to obtain my CNA, and I am enrolled for the LPN program beginning the end of August. The CNA program has been valuable to attend because it has eased my fears about starting the nursing program. I'm not saying the LPN program will be easy, but at least I will now have some experience, as well as the CNA program counts as one of the beginning nursing classes so that will be one less class I have to take. I have previously gotten a degree from this college a few years back, and the teachers are very knowledgable in their subject areas, and they are very nice as well. I also think the small class sizes are instrumental in giving the students one-on-one attention when they need it.

College is an EXPERIENCE. It’s the first time you are on your own, you make your own choices without direct parental influence (hopefully). You chose more than just your classes, you chose the group of friends you hang out with, what you eat, what time you go to bed and wake up. It is a time to realize the real you and get a glimpse of what you future in the “real world” may bring of you. Within the 4 years of college, I know more awesome memories will be made for me than in all of my elementary and secondary school educations combined. I have made friends that will always remain close to me and made decisions that I regret, but learned from. I have learned to sculpt myself and my schedule in order to complete everything required and desired by myself. College is about setting goals that may be too high for your expectations, but striving hard to reach them anyways. College is about playing hard, but working harder.

The most important thing Trinity gave me was confidence. By this, I mean confidence in who I am as a person, a scholar, a professional, a friend, and a servant to the community. As a recent graduate, I believe that there is value in my ideas and I feel comfortable expressing who I am in a variety of settings--something which I lacked prior to college. I've learned to be a strong person and stick to my beliefs. Trinity enabled me to see challenges as an opportunity to grow rather than a hindrance. These challenges arise in the classroom, in the community, and within friendships, but they continually make me grow stronger. Within the classroom, other students are constantly challenging ideas and asking tough questions. This has taught me to not only fully prepare ahead of time, but also, to think on my feet and provide equally challenging responses. Trinity has encouraged me to be a well-rounded person. As a result I am a full time student, part-time employee, a member of the Epilepsy Youth Leadership Council, several honor societies, and a sorority. I know now that I am capable of handling all challenges with confidence.

It is amazing to me how many decisions I made early on in college that have had an effect on other people in a negative way. Once a student reaches college, his or her parents are not typically around to make the everyday decisions that high school students are so used to having made for them. At first I did not realize that I would be confronted with so many decisions, and I especially did not realize that they would affect others; other than myself. Like many high schoolers, I was completely consumed with my own desires, and only concerned with what is best for myself. After a series of bad and worse choices, I realized that my actions affect others, and that the decisions I make have a lasting impression on those around me and those who care about me. Given the opportunity to give advice to myself as a high school student, I would relay specific examples of the decisions I have made and things I have done that have hurt others, or even hurt myself. I would stress the fact that loving others well and developing solid, healthy relationships is perhaps the best way to live life.

Prioritizing is so important. You need to be able to get things done on time and don't be afraid to speak up or go to professors with questions.

College will be a great experience. At first it will scare you having to truly make your own decisions. Just hang in there though and you will do great. You will grow as a person and learn to be an individual and stand up for yourself. Work hard and get your papers done early! Be outgoing and willing to make new friends. You are not the only one who is starting from scratch. Keep your mind open and be willing to listen to others and work with them even if you disagree.

If I could go back in time and give myself any advice, it would be to choose my major more carefully. I majored in Biology as an undergraduate because I thought I would be going on to medical school. However, as fate would have it, not only did I not get in to medical school on the first two tries, but sometime during the third attempt I decided that wasn?t what I really wanted to do anyway. At that point, I was stuck with a Biology degree that basically only qualified me to do research, and I hate research in the same manner that Paula Deen hates health food. So I would tell myself to pick a major that would enable me to work in a career I would actually enjoy, regardless of my future educational plans, because sometimes those plans don?t work out. As it stands, I am now returning to school to pursue a Master?s in Social Work for work in the medical field. The things you enjoy doing don?t change much; just the way you get there. My younger self needed to know that.

If I could go back, I would tell myself not to worry so much and to just be very open to everything that college life has to offer. I would tell myself to be prepared for interactive classes and to be outspoken and opinionated in classes because participation is very important. I would definitely tell myself to try and meet people and be social because college is much easier with friends. Your social life really does matter. Even though some people see college as a time when you should be completely immersed in your studies, you cannot do that all day everyday. You need people to hang out with and to talk to, so make friends. I would also tell myself to take any and every course I think seems interesting because when they tell you that something you might not be interested in will end up being one of your favorite subjects, it is actually true. I would also tell myself to be prepared for tough times because, like life, college has its ups and downs, but you will get through them, and when you do, you will be so proud of yourself because it is all worth it.

I would tell myself to learn how to study. It would have helped me so much to have developed good study habits before I entered college. I would love to go back to senior year and tell myself to apply for scholarships as soon as possible and to visit as many campuses as possible. Deadlines always come faster than expected, so waiting until the last minute to apply for scholarships is a very dangerous game. Finally, I would advise myself to get in touch with students who are currently attending the colleges and/or universities in consideration, if only to get the inside scoop on the best dorms and which professors to watch out for.

Congratulations! You are going be the first one in the family to graduate high school and go to college. You are going to make it into a great school, but continue to fill out those scholarships, don?t get lazy and procrastinate like I know you want to do. Mom is trying really hard to make this work for you and you need to help her. You are an adult now and you need to start acting like it. When you get to college, make your study habits the exact opposite of what you did in high school or it will screw you over in the end. Although you go to a college prep school you are not completely prepared for college, no one ever is. But don?t study 24 hours a day 7 days a week, you will want to shoot yourself if you do that. Join some clubs, try new things, party it up (but not too hard), and make our family proud of the young lady we?ve become. Keep on keeping on.

I would tell myself not to be afraid to go somewhere thats farther away from home. I was accepted to Brown and I would tell myself to go there because of the value of the degree.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that college is the time of your life, but that it requires an incredible amount of hard work and dedication. I would tell myself to take time while choosing my friends, and not to latch onto the first person I have something in common with, for I will eventually find my group of friends and they will support me through every ordeal I will face. I would tell myself to be true to myself, and to focus on the important aspects of life, such as family, strengthening bonds with my friends, and to love with all my heart and never be ashamed of it. But most importantly, I would tell myself that difficult times are inevitable, but that I will get through them with the support of my friends and family, and that I should never give up because even if I think I have hit rock bottom and that the world is against me, there are people that will never give up on me, and God will always be on my side.