University of Iowa Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise: "Do not take your education for granted!". Because I was in National Honor Society with many academic awards, I presumed I would get scholarships automatically. I did not research the process on how to be more marketable, so I only received one $2,000 scholarship to one school, which I really did not want to attend at the time. I should have asked my counselor why I was not recommended into AP classes and found out how to get into them which would have made me more marketable. Then in college, I should have gotten involved in school, intermural sports, and student clubs, and worked hard in my studies, instead of just barely getting by, lamenting where I was and wishing for more--but not doing anything to make that happen. I would have a very different foothold in life had I optimized my time in college right off the bat and completed in 4 years; aside from much money saved, that approach would have made me more mature and a better producer in life earlier on than it took otherwise.

I would give myself the same advice I would give myself as a freshman in High School if I could go back. It is so important that you take advantage of any opportunities you are give for they will shape the outcome of the rest of your life. Try your hardest, and make sure that everything you do has meaning to it. Appreciate what you have and strive for the best. You are lucky for the opportunities if any that come your way so don't you dare let any of them pass you up along the way. I would let myself know that my dreams are always reachable with continual hard work and not to et others discourage me from doing what I want to do, because it is will that powers your future not someone else telling you that you can do it. You need to believe in yourself and work for everything you want. You are on your own. You may have support, but your life is yours alone.

The advice that i would give myself as a senior would be: go to tutoring and get help right away and do not wait til its too late. Everything is easier when you ask for help. When you ask for help then it encourages others to ask for help as well.

I would tell myself to focus on getting an associates of arts degree and to start doing my homework the day its assigned and not the night before its due. I would also tell myself to spend more time with my high school friends because I would rarely see them after college has started. I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as soon as possible, as early as possible, and to spend 2 hours a week studying for each credit hour of class I took. Most importantly, I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy my time in college while I could, because I have the rest of my life to work.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to worry less, spend a lot of time filling out scholarships, and to take Spanish. As a senior, I was constantly stressed out about college; where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do, etc. I would tell myself to worry less because everything will all work out in the end. I'm having an amazing time at Iowa and really feel like I belong here. It's the perfect school that is far enough from home, yet still close enough if I need/want to go home. I have met so many amazing people and keep learning the campus is not as big as I thought it would be. College is not cheap, I would tell myself to spend more time than I did filling out scholarships. I would also tell myself to take more Spanish. It was so much easier in high school and learning it in college is a lot harder.

I have gotten quite a lot out of my college experience. First, I received a world-class education and was able to do so in an environment that creates excellence. This education has opened doorways for me to countless opportunities. However, I also benefited from my college experience by growing, not only as a scholar, but as a person. The hard truths that come with the first years of adulthood have lasting impressions on us all. Navigating those years at the University of Iowa came with benefits and unique challenges all at the same time. The maturity I gained during that time, often in the form of lessons learned the hard way, instilled an enduring sense of discipline and integrity. These are not things that can be learned only in the classroom. However, it is my experience that the University of Iowa is committed to making its graduates better people, not just better students.

Sometimes, I still can't believe I'm in college. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was counting down the days till graduation, or getting ready for prom. It seems so distant that that's the next step, but after being here for a semester, it feels so natural. I feel like being here at Iowa, I have changed so much. I'm finally able to manage my time, get work done at reasonable hours, and have enough focus and motivation to study for an exam that will make or break my grade. I have learned how to be independent, yet know when I need to go to someone for help. I've learned how to break out of my shell, and be more outgoing, and put myself out there. Iowa has been extremly valuable to me due to everything it has to to offer me. I know that as long as I am here, I will challenge myself to succeed, and fulfill my dream of becoming a first grade teacher. It seems to be the common trend that everyone hates classes, but I find myself excited to attend, and ready to learn.

Iowa has been challenging and rough at times, but also rewarding and bright. It's taken me a long time to realize the fact that I'm in college now and things are different. To be honest, I'm still getting used to it. I've met many people with different personalities and similar tastes and I've learned so much about myself by being around them. Sometimes I think I made the wrong choice in choosing Iowa, but then I think about all the fun times I've had, all the amazing people I've met, the friends I never intend on losing touch with, and the professors who helped me finally decide what I wanted to do in life and I realize that I made no mistake. Iowa wasn't my first choice, but I'm thankful that I made the decision to attend.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience at the University of Iowa. I used to live in a small town that was mainly Caucasian, and when I moved up to Iowa City my world was flipped upside down. There are so many different people from different cultures and backgrounds. It's fascinating to me to see so how people have come to work together in a community, not caring about skin color, sexual orientation, or beliefs. Everyone here seems to be very welcoming, as it receives thousands of students each year. I have also found that living up at college has helped me grow up and away from home. Yes, I still love my family dearly, but I also have created a life up in Iowa City, which I call my home. The people I live with have definitely had a huge impact on me and I am so thankful that I have gotten the chance to meet people from any town you could possibly think of. It is nice to be able to have someone who is always there for you even though you have only spent a semester with them. That's my College Experience.

My college experience thus far has given me the initiative and inspiration to become passionate about my future. This is due to the amount of people I have met that are willing to help me reach my goals and show me how to succeed. Of all that I have learned so far in college, the most important is that students must have initiative to succeed. From my college experience,I have gained the inspiration and goal-oriented mindset to find the initiative to use my resources. For example, when I was considering my major (theatre), it was so easy for me not only to find the right person to contact about my interests in theatre, but also to get involved in theatre productions with people who truly want to see me suceed. It has been valuable for me to attend the University of Iowa because of all the connections that so easily form between students and their teachers, advisors, and other community members, who all have the same goal- to help students reach their goals.