University of Illinois at Springfield Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell her to strive to realize that she has all the potential in the world, and that hard work will always pay off. I would tell her to always respect herself and know her worth. I would tell her that adventure and experiences are always worth more than possessions. I would tell her to listen to her gut and not succumb to negative influences. I would tell her that drugs and alcohol are never worth it. I would tell her to be herself at all costs and that caring what other people think of her is a pointless battle that can never be won. I would tell her that she doesn't have to know her life's purpose as long as she breathes positivity into the world every day. I would tell her that God is real, and seeking a relationship with Him should always be the first and most important priority in her life. I would tell her that her less anxious, more loving and open future self will be so incredibly grateful to her if she takes this advice.

To pursue a field of study that your both passionate about and that will provide a sustainable living. Always have your resume updated should a new and possibly unforseen opportunity arrise. Don't be afraid to seek out other job opportunities after your employment in your first job.

If I could go back as a senior in high school I would have done every possible thing in my power to attend college as soon as I graduated from high school. Being a student at 46 years old, working a full time job with major responsibility is much harder than being 18-19 years old with only your acedemic studies on your mind. I now have not only my financial responsibility of college on my plate, but I have put two grown sons through college as well. If I would have attended college when I was young I would have a much better job than I do now and the financial struggles that I have had all of my life would surely have been alleviated due to a higher education. I did not realize that an affordable education was out there for me when I was 18, my parents did not encourage me to attend college. They did not have the money or means to send me, I have been a single parent for 15 years and I have made it a priority to find ways to give my sons an education that no one can take away.

If given the opportunity to speak to myself as I was a year ago, I'm positive that I would take a long time to give advice to my younger self. I would probably give advice on everything from what major to pick to what school I should attend. However, the most important piece of advice I would have for myself is to not get easily frustrated. Many freshman level classes seem pointless when you take them. Now that I am at the end of my first semester and reflecting on my classes I can see the things that I have learned, though they were not obvious at the time. Therefore, I would advise myself to simply follow along with the projects the professors assign, no matter how pointless they seem. Getting frustrated only makes completing work more difficult, as the project still has to be done and having a negative attitude only makes it harder to finish. Looking back on my first semester of college, getting easily frustrated is the biggest mistake that I have made. Had I been able to give myself this advice my first semester would have been much more enjoyable.

Each day begins with wishing I had chosen a path of definition and purpose rather than the closest to the finish line. Now in my thirties, I am rerouting my future in search of the fulfillment I previously overlooked. Preparing to exit the ranks of high school and begin anew I narrowly focused on where I thought I wanted to study instead of making the best of a program that already wanted me on campus. Further, when an 18 year old faces the decision of how to spend their professional life, chances are that will change over the course of his or her college career and when it does, change your curriculum to match this new found passion. Enjoy the journey and put the destination out of mind. Focus on short term objectives before reaching long term goals. After several years of watching the world pass me by, I accepted that simply finishing college is not enough; that each person must create his or her own opportunities and remain thirsty for knowledge throughout life, not just in a classroom.

If I were able to go back in time and speak to my younger self, I would say don’t sell yourself short. Stand up for yourself because no one else will. Start college directly after school, speak to counselors and fill out your fafsa. The fact that you are in foster care is a good factor for you. You will be able to get finical aid, loans and grants that will help pay for college. Study hard, make good grades, and decide on your major by studying the classifieds. The job market should be what makes your decision on choosing a major. A degree in a subject that you like, does not guarantee a job. Use the job market as a decision factor on your major, looking at areas with the greatest need. I would emphasize not having a child directly after high school. Although, it is not impossible going to college and having a child it makes advancing in school much harder and takes time away from the two things you want to devote your time to, school and your child. Both school and children need your undivided attention and you don’t want to miss a step.

Don't go to the that big school, skip that, and go to a school where you are a name not a number. You'll get more for your money, drink less, learn more, and be less depressed.

To start applying for scholarships as soon, and as often as you can. I would also say that you shouldn't worry about it, you'll meet some great friends and have some great memories, that will definitely balance out the bad days and add to your pile of good things.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that college takes a lot of responsibility. I would tell myself that it doesn’t really matter where all your friends are going to school. I would say that you need to make your decision for you and know one else. I would also tell myself that I would need to completely dedicate myself to my studies. When I was a senior in high school I thought that college would be fun and full of parties. Over the past three years I have learned how important college is to me and my family.

I am a mother of four who was a stay at home mom. Although I have owned a business and ran many different charitable fundraising events, I was not challenging myself mentally. Cerebrally, I was feeling a little stagnant. My college experience at this stage of my life has changed all of that. My goal in returning to school after 22 years was to earn a degree in order to be able to return to the job market armed with the necessary tools required for the career of my choice. Although my original intentions to attend the university were a means to the end, I have discovered that it has become so much more than that. I returned to school last summer (2010) and a new world opened for me, a world where I am acquiring knowledge that I have found pertinent and valuable to my everyday life. I have made numerous life-long friends and have been able to positively touch the lives of many young people. I'm empowered with a new level of esteem and respect for myself. These traits and my school accomplishments will only help my children (2, 7, 12, & 17) in their academic careers.