University of Iowa Top Questions

If I could go back and give advice to my high school self I would say the one thing that just about everybody told me: apply for scholarships! I heard it from teachers, parents, friends, financial aid offices, and I still didn’t do it. For me to be saying this now to myself is a bit cliché but it’s honestly my biggest regret. Don’t depend on FAFSA to give you all the financial aid you need because they only have so much money a year to give out. I’m here applying for scholarships at this very moment because after completing my first year of college I realized just how much the cost of tuition would affect me and it wasn’t just a little number on a piece of paper anymore. This year being $9,000 short for next year is a scary thing. It’s really becoming real that if I want to continue with my education I have to do everything I can to fight for my dreams. Scholarships no matter how small are equally important. Although $100 looks like a small part of $30,000 you really learn that it makes a difference.

I would say, worry less about your grades and more about being involved in other things. If I had always wanted to go to a prestigious college, then maybe keeping up my grades would have been more important, but I've never felt like the money spent would be worth it, especially since I didn't know what I wanted to major in. It's really the ability to work hard and apply myself that has helped me at college. While working hard does help me get good grades, I think that I thought more about tests and quizzes than I did a good work ethic. Other activities can also test your work ethic in a way that you really notice it as well as teaching you how to use your time wisely. Managing my time is something that I have had to work on, and I think that increasing my involvement in high school could have helped that. High school was an easy place to test your limits and I wish that I had taken more advantage of that.

I would tell my past self that graphic design is not the career I would want to pursue and physical therapy would be a better choice to follow. My father dislocated his shoulder this past December and he received exercises from his physical therapist to perform at home. I assisted him by stretching his arm and shoulder muscles every day, which made his flexibility better and helped repair the broken muscle tissue. I always wanted to help people as a career but I have always fainted at the sight of blood. So when I learnt I could help people in the physical therapy field, I found my perfect future career. When talking to my past self I would tell her in the future she will take graphic design courses and realize she does not want a career that consists of sitting in front of the computer all day. She would rather be taking courses to build her physical therapy career. She would rather help people and make a difference in their lives.

I would tell myself to try! I did not try in high school just when to school and cut class alot. I think I missed out on alot. Education is not something that one should take lightly. I thought I knew what to do to get what I wanted, but real world is not like the tv or movies. It is a lot harder. I would make myself realize that I need that education!

I would just make sure that I wanted to be as faraway from school as I am. Its really tough for me to get home sometimes and I wish I would've realized this before I chose my school.

I would tell myself to delve into the social life here at the University of Iowa. I was too timid as a freshman in college, and because of it I feel my social life suffered a bit here. I would tell myself to get involved in student clubs and organizations, do intramural sports, do a bit more research into clubs and organizations that interest you. Strive for excellence academically and don't be so focused on sleeping in and letting loose; enjoy the school for what it is--an amazing center for academic learning that can broaden your view on life if you only let it.

I would say enjoy your time and personal space. In college, I seem to lack both and really spend all of my time doing something. Whether it be studing, hanging out with friends, or various activities around campus. Additionally, enjoy family time because you will miss it! Not that I didn't spend a lot of time with them, but it would have meant more if I realized how much I would miss them while at college. Also, enjoy showering without shower shoes and harsh water... they are the worst & should not be taken for granted!

Since I was in high school I dreamed about going to college in order to get o the right career path in order to become an FBI Agent, that's all I wanted to be since I was small. I would advise myself to be more aware of how money is much more valuable when you attend college. Everything is far more expensive when you go away to college. You have to pay $300+ for classes alone and then the books are at least $100 each depending on the class you take. I would advise myself t o start working early and to save as much money as I can. I would also be aware of what requirements I need in order to achieve my dream goal of being in the FBI and being able to help as many people as I can all over the world.

There are many days I wish I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. Knowing what I know now, first I would say, "Hannah, start developing great study habits now!" Though I am a good student, if I had developed better study habits in high school and started learning them then, I would be an even better student! I would also say, "Pick up as many hours at work as you can, maybe even get a second job. It will be worth it!" This would have been the best advice I could have given myself as a senior, because at the time I did not realize the financial burden of college. If I had realized this back then, I would have worked a lot more and would not have to worry so much about how I will pay for tuition in college. This would also allow me to be a better student, and focus more on my studies.

If I could go back in time to advise myself as a high school senior, I would begin by saying to take advantage of as many Advancement Placement tests as possible. Although I received credit from European History, Government, Language, Literature, and Art History, I regret not taking Environmental Science or Statistics which could have saved me from 3 General Education Courses. Also, I would say to buckle down and make my last year of high school count; towards the end of the year, I let my grades slip a bit and I did not strive for a higher ACT score. If I had really disciplined myself to continually execute stellar academics and put fourth my best effort on completion of assignment and studying, those habits would have been better instilled in me for college. The lifestyle change of college was not what schocked me, but the academic rigor caught me by surprise in the beginning and I quickly learned that large amounts of time must be invested in studying if I wished to excel in academics.