University of Iowa Top Questions

In high school, I worried so much about where I wanted to go to college. Where do I want to go? What's the academic program like? Is there a good party scene? Looking back, I'd say these are the most important questions to consider. For example, I went to high school just outside of Chicago, Il. One of my friends goes to school in Atlanta, GA. While she loves her choice, the one thing she regrets is not being to come home whenever she wants. Since I go to Iowa for school, I can hop on a bus and come back to my family's house anytime I want. I also chose Iowa because it's a great Big-10 education for relatively little expense. The third reason I chose Iowa is because of the party scene. There are going to be parties at any school you go to, but some do party harder than others. Here's the bottom line, when you choose your school, you're choosing your home for the next four years. I loved Iowa the first minute I walked onto the campus, and I've loved every minute since.

If I could go back in the past and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that my parents are gettting divorced. I would warn myself about my dad?s assault charges and how broke my mom would become. I could tell myself about how my mom really cannot help me pay for school like we planned. I would tell myself that I?m pretty much on my own when paying for college. I should have applied for more scholarships as a high school senior. After the warning of being broke, I would also tell myself not to be nervous about college. I would tell myself about how great my teachers are at Iowa. I would tell myself about how my own determination in my entrepreneurship seminar helped me to open up my own jewelry business and that it is beginning to be profitable. We would discuss my other classes too. I would tell myself to make my schedule without so many breaks in between, so I could get done with classes earlier and have more time at night to finish homework. I would tell myself how much I love it at Iowa too.

I would tell myself that it is ok to take your own path and timing. I am older now than most of the students that I am taking classes with because I took time to work and have some life experiences. I would tell myself not to worry too, you can finish anything that you put your mind too, including finishing yoru college degree. I would also tell myself to ask questions, don't be shy to ask for help. People are willing to give help most of the time if you just ask.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice to transition in college I don?t know where I would start. I think I would start by telling myself to study for once! I would say to myself that I need to develop proper study habits. I would advise myself to take harder classes all four years, I would tell myself to pick up a book more often and read outside of class. I think I would tell myself to do those extra projects or go that extra mile so that I would find the requirements in college to not b so outlandish. I would tell myself to listen to my teachers more because they know more than I give them credit for. I would tell myself to go in for extra help when I didn?t understand things instead of skipping over it hoping it wouldn?t show up on the test. I think I would tell myself to not take my friends for granted and to listen to my parents because they do know what they are talking about. I think I would tell myself I can achieve whatever I want.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to choose psychology as a major. When I was a senior, I decided to take my mom's advice and become and engineer. Because of this I took a lot of classes I hated and was on the path to a carrer I would hate. If I would have chosen psychology as my major earlier in my college career, I would have a better GPA and be in better standing to finish college on time. I wish I would have known all of this back then.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to be more confident in what I'm capable of. Coming from a small highschool I was woried that I wouldn't be prepared for college classes and that it would be really hard. I had friends from a really big school who got to take classes that my school didn't offer, such as Calculus and AP courses. I was afraid I would have to study way more than them and have them help me with some things. However, when I got to college it was the other way around. My friends from the bigger highschools were asking me for help. The majority of the students in my Calculus had already taken it in highschool but ended up with a worse grade than me. After my first semester in college I ended up with a 3.97 GPA. Now I am confident that I can be successful in any class I take. I will be majoring in Integrative Physiology and I plan on going to either Medical school or Optometry school. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Hey Diana. I am about to give you the best tips of your high school career, so I want you to listen. I understand you are a senior and you are almost 18, but that doesn't mean you can slack off. Senioritis is just about to kick in, but before it does, I want you to really focus on this last year of school. Right now, the best thing for you to do is start your college applications. This is something that is very important and will take lots of thought, so you better do a good job and DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Also, as for your last two semesters, do the best you can. Your grades this year will be very important so study hard, and don't let yourself slip. Set up study groups or take better notes, whatever, just get it done. Another thing, celebrate and have fun AFTER your work is done. You can head off to a movie or hangout with friends anytime after the important things are done. Last of all, relax a little, have fun and ENJOY your senior year. Remember these words Diana, and you won't go wrong.

The one piece of advice I would give myself would be to worry less. As a senior I didn't know where I wanted to go to school or what it would be like. I fretted I wouldn't find my classes, or that living in the dorms would be hard, maybe I wouldn't make friends, and that I'd miss my family too much. The only thing that actually did happen was missing my family but that will be something every person will endure. After first semester I've realized the transition really wasn't all that hard. There are so many people willing to help you that it'd be impossible for you to get lost or struggle with school. And as for friends, you'll make plenty and you'll miss them a ton when you go home for breaks. I'd make sure to tell myself to not be afraid to try new things, after all , college is the last 4 years of your life where you can try anything you want. So do intramurals, go out with friends and cheer on the football team. It's all a part of college LIFE!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to do three things: study, save money, and stay positive. The transition from college was very difficult and different. Students were expected to learn everything from the book in a semester and classes were short. I only studied about 1 hour a day in high school but it was not enough for college. I did not do well on my first exams but I realized I needed to study more. After my first semester in college, I ran out of money and was depressed. I come from a low income family of 10 and I try not to ask much from them. I had to think of ways to budget my money until the next semester. I feel like if I stayed positive in college my first semester, it would?ve helped me feel in control when being on my own.

Plan to ease into college life, and do not expect this to be at the same level as high school. Let the freshman year be a period of acclimation; do not over reach and suffer more failure than was necessary to provide the learing experience. There will be plenty of time to stretch and challenge yourself in the subsequent years of school.