University of Iowa Top Questions

There are three pieces of advice that could have helped me immensly with the college transition. The first is the importance of establishing a healthy routine. When I moved away from home for the first time, all the habits and structures I had grown up with went out the window. I slept at random times, never getting a full night of sleep, ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and had no study routine whatsoever. That lifestyle took a serious toll on my grades, physical health, and mental clarity. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to sleep at night, and approach my schoolwork like a 9-5 job during the day. Secondly, I'd tell myself to expect constant change. Friends will transfer, drop out, and change. Most people switch majors at least once. Students who are prepared to be flexible will cope much better. Lastly, I would encourage myself to think carefully when making decisions, because everything counts. The quality of your work, the impressions you make on people, and the overall amount of passion you put into everything you do will directly affect the rest of your college life, and possibly even life after college.

If I were to go back and talk to my old high school self, I would tell myself to take as many classes as I can at the community college during my senior year. The classes are free when taking them through high school and they can give you a headstart on your general education classes. I would also tell myself to work more at my job and to save more money. Once you get to college you have to support yourself, which is hard. Having extra money saved can help take a lot of stress away. I would tell myself to try to make as many friends as I can my first year in college. Do not continue to hang out with your high school friends that went to the same college. Try to branch out, keep your high school friends, but make a whole bunch of new friends. Lastly, I would tell myself not to become discouraged if classes do not go the way you want. Stay positive and keep working hard. Things will turn around if you keep your head up and charge forward. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel!

"First off, Teen Sam, a Psychology major was a great choice. It was just as interesting as you anticipated. The only problem was you were too shy with your academic advisor, worried too much about wasting her time. Your advisor is there to help you. If you have a question, you should ask it. Tell your advisor about your passions. I know some times you feel like you have it all figured out and you should free up your advisor's services for your less composed contemporaries, but believe me, you could use the advise. Psychology is a humongous field, and if you inform your advisor of the aspects that interest you the most, she could steer you in the direction of a human relations minor. This will Narrow your focus and you will discover classes that truly pique your interest. In fulfilling your human relations minor you will get a better understanding of the many careers you have already considered and learn many skills in diversity and counseling. And it is through counseling that you discover a field with enough opportunities to keep you satisfied for years to come."

If i were able to go back in time i would have a lot of advice for myself. First of all i would tell myself that i really need to find scholarships. As a senior i thought i was"too cool" to apply for scholarships. Now looking back i wish i had gotten over that. With my financial situation i really could have used them. I would also tell myself to open up. I was a very shy girl in high school, and it kind of carried over into college. I wish i could have told myself to try new things and just put myself out there. The last thing i would tell myself is probably to spend as much time with family as possible. You don't think it's that big of a deal leaving for college, but i miss my family all the time. I would want to get all the time possible with them while i still lived with them, so t would make up for living in a different state. Lastly, i would thank my parents every chance i got for everything they have done and will be doing.

The biggest thing that I would tell myself as a high school senior would be: "Don't be so nervous." I have come to realize that college is no more difficult than high school, as long as you manage your time efficiently. I was so worried in high school that I wouldn't be prepared for classes and the such, but now I feel as though I was overprepared. Also, I would tell my senior self that living in dorms is not the best thing to do, at least in a loud dorm. I wish that I had to chosen to stay in a quiet dorm where I would actually feel like I was going to college. As of right now, some kids on my floor are attending class just a couple times a week, and spent most of their time drinking or using marijuana. The age-old addage about surrounding yourself with good people rings true. I have had to focus extra hard on maintaing my scholarly disposition.

I would tell myself dont listen to everybody when they say high school is just like college but harder. Because that was my mind set and thats completely false. IT IS NOTHING LIKE HIGH SCHOOL. Your on your own when it comes to everything and classes are ten times harder. You actually have to study and prepare for class. You have professors not teachers and you have to realize it is a difference. I would tell myself you can do it. Back at my high school i had no role models when it comes to a black male student graduating from my high school and being successful in college. So i was thinking it was impossible. I thought wrong I am living proof it is possible with my 3.34 g.p.a first semester. I would tell myself a quote my professor told me and that is TIME=SUCCESS. and those two words are so correct in more ways than one. I learned quickly if you want an A in college YOU MUST put in the time and study. I think if i would have knew this stuff six months ago i definetly would have been better off.

That going to college doesn't have to be a financial burden and that there are plenty of resources out there that are willing to help me pay for my education. I would tell myself that college is a wonderful experience and the opportunities are endless. There's nothing like a college degree or even a certification to help you feel like you really accomplished something in life. I would tell myself that there's no big rush to finish and that you can take your time until you figure out what it is you want to be in life, just as long as you apply yourself and stick with it. Never give up on your dreams. There is no such thing as I can't it's either I will or I won't . To Fail is to be defeated and for me that is not an option.

The college experience for me has been even further enriched by my age. In some ways that is a positive, but when it comes to my retention skills it is imperative that I study longer, try harder and do better. If I could go back in time and talk to myself one of the first things I would discuss is health. I abused my body when I was younger and filled it with things that no body should ever experience. In all honesty I know that the things I did as a young adult are now affecting my memory/retention/comprehension skills. I would eat healthier, exercise and I would have never taught myself to smoke, yes taught. All my girls were doing it and I was foolish enough to think it would make me look cool like them. It took me almost two years to learn how to slowly kill myself. I would have talked about how I am not taking any breaks between high school and college and go STRAIGHT to college. It was much easier then to retain things. I was the most absorbent sponge often able to completely describe something that I had seen in passing.

One year ago, as a high school senior, I was uncertain about where I would be going to college and what I would be studying. My friends had applied to an absolutely ridiculous number of schools and were beginning to narrow down their choices, causing me to worry that I was doing everything wrong in comparison. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would offer the high school senior me a high-five first. I relaxed and took my time and made a decision that I am now incredibly happy with. I would tell the old me not to doubt myself when people questioned me about my "different" major choices: English and Pre-med. I would remind myself that it is important to maintain friendships from high school, but reveal that at college new, close friends can be made quickly and easily. Mostly, though, I would just remind my younger self to relax and enjoy every moment of the transition--because it only happens once.

If I could turn back time to advise my pre-college self about the challenges ahead, there would be much to say. However, two important tips stand out above the rest. Be friendly with everyone you meet; and keep up with the assigned reading for all of your classes. Making an effort to get along with everyone is imperative. Although some of the people you meet will prove to be truly unwelcoming, chances are you will run into them again, and maybe not so far down the road. Group projects are common in college and some student organizations vote on prospective members. Networking is the best asset that you can build in college, smile and introduce yourself often. To aid your college transition, professors assign a lot of reading during the first semester. Stay on top of it! Professors often pull exam questions straight from the assigned reading. If you set aside two hours a day to read for class, you will be ahead of your classmates and confident during exam time. Balance is always important, so remember to have a lot of fun! College is the best time of your life; use your time to your advantage. Good luck.