University of Northern Iowa Top Questions

Some advice that I would give to myself as a high school senior would definately be not to worry about what other people think about you and dont be too trusting with people you do not know. I would also advise myself to create better study habits and to start working on long term projects the day that you recieve the information, college projects are a lot more involved than the I-Search essay you had to do your senior year. Don't be afraid to make new friends, but remember that you are not a loser if you choose not to go out every night. Sometimes being alone is good so dont worry if you don't get asked out on a date or asked to go to the mall with your friends, there is plenty of time in your life for those things. Finally the last thing I would advise myself to do is not to rush your childhood, have fun and laugh as much as possible. Make your mistakes and learn from them. And always be open to advice, but know you do not have to take it if you do not want to.

If I was to go back in time to high school knowing what my first year of college was like, I would have multiple pieces of advice. First, I would prepare myself for the "work load," or in other words learn how to study! That was a skill that was not tought well at my high school. Second, I would tell myself to get involved! I was always involved in sports, but I did not volunteer enough or join enough clubs and organizations. Third, I would prepare myself for the independence. I was very independent in high school, but I was not grown up enough to succeed at the level that I would like here at UNI. After the first semester it took me a long time to build up that level of independence. Lastly, I would tell myself to think positive and enjoy the ride. College is only fun if you make it fun. It's about trying new things and having many new experiences. College is one of the biggest steps in our lifetime.

As a high school senior I felt college would be a breeze and that classes would be the same as they were at that time. However if I could back I would tell myself to alter that way of thinking because college is really tough and you need to pay attention, focus, and work hard. I would also tell myself to follow my dream instead of my parents and not let them choose what would be good for me. Following your dream is what college is about in hopes that you will become what you want to be one day. If I had known that as a senior it would have really changed what I ended up doing and might have even helped me to work a lot harder in my studies.

If I was able to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that some college classes aren't a walk in the park like most high school classes were for me. During my high school years, I took advanced classes when I could, even some with dual college credit. Yes, they were more difficult than regular classes, but I still didn't have to try as hard as some people to receive and A in the course. Everything came almost naturally to me, and I never had to study very often. However, when arriving at college, I soon figured out that I was going to actually have to study for most of my classes. This was a difficult adjustment for me, something I'm still trying to master. It became even harder still when I came down with mono and other various infections, since the professors aren't as sympathetic as high school teachers. My professors still expected me to get my work done which is to be expected of a college university. If I could go back and tell my high school self one thing, it would be "be prepared".

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would look myself directly in the eye and say, 'Work hard Jonathan. Work hard and never settle for just enough. You have it in you to do great things with your life, I know because I have just started to scratch the surface of it. There will be times when you think you cannot work any harder or make a difference but it is at those moment when you must perserve. You will make an excellent teacher when you graduate but you must never get discouraged. Work for greatness and you will earn it. Also, I want you to know that it is okay to break out of your shell and dance like no one is watching. I will do great things someday."

If I could go back and give my advice about college while I was still in high school, I would first of all tell myself to take more dual credit courses. I have talked to alot of people here that are already in sophmore status because of the courses they took in high school that counted for credit. This means that they will be done with college a whole year before me and in the work force, which is outstanding to me. Also, dual credit courses are free. When I was in high school, i thought the classes I was taking wouldnt count towards my degree because they didn't interest me. You always need to fill in electives, and taking classes then would have easily saved me $1,000 dollars. My last bit of advice would be to get started right away on college, don't wait. I graduated early in February and this put me at a disadvantage by waiting about six months to start college. I couldn't remember very current things that I had learned simply because it had been so long. I could have gotten a jump start by starting as soon as I graduated.

Looking back, I would have plenty of helpful advice to give myself as a high school senior. I would advise myself to start becoming more independent before college with varoius tasks, such as preparing meals, doing laundry, and purchasing everything with my own money. Additionally, I would advise myself to create a budget, clip coupons, and moniter whether or not my purchases are necessary. A great way to save money is to take advantage of the grab-and-go dining services on campus. They are nice bec ause I can grab extra items when I get a meal there, and it just comes out of my dining plan. I would also advise myself to become more independent in other ways, such as learning to be away from family and friends. I made several trips home the first few months of college, but quickly realized I was wasting money on gas, missing out on campus activities and exploring my college town. I would advise myself to embrace the separation, though it may be difficult at first. Although I would have much more advice for myself as a high school senior, I feel this advice is some of the most important.

If I were able to go back and tell myself about college I would have a lot to say. I would tell myself not to worry about the work load, that the teachers are nicer than I expected, that if you ask the right people you can get the help you need. The main office is a great resource and there are always people available to help. I would tell myself that there is nothing to be afraid of straight out of high school, college is just the next step up and there are hand rails there to make sure I don't fall.

If I could travel back in time, I would tell myself to attend a college visit to the University of Northern Iowa sooner in the year and to choose a major so I would have more specific information on classes I would need to take. Entering college as an undecided major had its benefits, but I would have liked to come in knowing what I needed to accomplish to get my degree. Along the same lines, I would tell myself to take a few classes over the summer at a community college to prepare myself for the demand of college classes and to ease the financial burden a little. I remember being very stressed my first semester because my classes were so different from what I was used to in high school. I believe easing into it in this manner would have been wise. I would not, however, advise myself to delay going to UNI by attending a community college first, because if I wouldn't have started at the time I did, I may never have met my roommate, who was chosen randomly and who I am now living with for the third year in a row.

I would have told myself during my high school senior year to be more active in school. Especially with extracurricular activities and volunteer work. While studying harder in school to get a higher gpa for merit aid. I also would have applied for more scholarships and had a more focused mind at that time. Money magazine and scholarship books should have been my first priority to read over teen magazines.

Embrace your future and let go of the past. This is a bold and valuable new opportunity in your life. You will always have the close friendships you've developed up until now. However, you will make new friends with new shared experiences that will be richly rewarding. As for your education, you cannot make a bad decision when it comes to attending college. The colleges in the United States are some of the finest in the world, in all price ranges. What matters is that you are challenging yourself in order to connect with a brighter future filled with more choices than you would have if you didn't go. Don't worry about the money. This may sound naive but it's not. When you realize that you cannot make a bad choice, you can go to the school that best fits your schedule and your financial situation. If it takes you five or six years to get a degree, it's still worth it. If you can afford to go directly to a four year college, then do that. Whatever your choice, remember that your education can never be taken from you.

There are quite a few things I wish I could have told myself in college, but the number one piece of advice I wish I would have know is that, "YOU WILL GET HOMESICK AND IT'S OK!" I came to UNI thinking I would adjust instantly, make my new best friends in a day, and not miss my family at all! Boy, was I wrong. It's a whole new ballpark at college and adjusting takes some time but it's worth it to stick it out because it WILL get better and you will end up thinking of it as second home!

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior I would emphasis the importance of budgeting and money management. I would have told myself to apply for as many scholarships as I possible could in order to not have to take out student loans from the government. I'd tell myself to be mature and not be "normal" by taking out a bunch of student loans and ending up in thousands of dollars of debt right out of graduation. I would also tell myself to visit and research careers by job shadowing and interning. Furthermore, visit colleges to see what they are all about. Is the school a good fit with what you want to achieve? Lastly don't pick a degree thinking it's what your parents' want you to do. It's your career, it's your education, it's your life. Pick a major that you like and have the necessary skills to succeed.

"If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." That quote by Henry Ford sums it all up for me. Will power is what will get you through your first year of college. Having the will power to do your homework while your friends are all hanging out together can be difficult, but it will pay off when you get the grades you want and need. Having the will power to get up every Sunday morning and go to Church, even by yourself and when you really want to sleepin can be hard as well, but your perseverance and love for the Lord will eventually shine through and lead other people to Christ or get them to go back to Church. Plus that is the place where you will meet your best friends. You know who your friends are when you can tell them things and they won't judge you, they won't try to change you or get you to do anything you don't want to do. If they do then they aren't your true friends. But the most important thing is to remember who you are and never give up.

Megan - you are a fun, friendly, loving person. You should not be afraid of who you are. Be yourself and just have as much fun as humanly possible. ALWAYS take up every opportunity in order to meet new people. Work and schoolwork are going to take over your life in a couple of years, so fun times need to always be had. There are people who can be your friends outside of your small hometown. Life is short, enjoy every moment, especially when nothing but school is to worry about.

The experiences I have gained just this year so far at UNI have given me memories to last a lifetime. The education I'm receiving is going to give me a bright future in a career I feel I will enjoy and have a passion for. The classes I've been in have helped me become a more well rounded individual. By attending UNI I have gained a world class education, friends to last a lifetime, and made connections with professors and community members that will help me reach my goals now and in the future. I strongly believe that UNI offers a quality education with small classes that have helped me gain more than I thought possible.

Where do I begin? In these first two years of college, I have experienced tremendous growth both in and out of the classroom. When I first attended college on an athletic scholarship for soccer, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was just so excited for the opportunity to further my education and ready to experience all college had to offer. Preseason training was my first college experience. I soon found that most of my teammates were bilingual and from families who lived outside of the United States. It didn't take long for me to become fascinated with different people and their cultures. I have since forged strong friendships with a variety of my peers. I learn from them everyday. It's amazing to me how we can become so divided by our differences when in reality they make us the unique human beings that we are. It's because of my experience in college that I have been inspired to pursue a degree in social work. I want to help people of all races, ethnicities, creeds, religions, etc.

College has certainly been an eye opener. Working your way through high school becomes so very monotonous, and every student drems of the day they are free. In college I am free to create my own schedule and have become the master of my time. I have been able to work more hours and save up money to pay for my own education. I have learned that money is certainly more valuable when you work hard for it. I have also learned that education is so very vital to the life you will live, and I am thankful that I can attend college and am thankful for every moment I am there.

It's all about time! There are so many ways I'm growing in my college experience. In some ways, I've taken some steps back in order to grow. Once too cool to walk anywhere after getting my drivers licsence, I'm back to walking. The dorky snow boots from grade school? They're not only a necessity, but a fashion statement. And similar to starting Kindergarten, I've re-discovered how to be assertive and put myself out there to meet new people. But time management is the most valuable skill I've learned during my first semester at college. My mother no longer is there to keep my priorities in check. It's all on me, up to me. I'm proud of me, that I've been able to manage both classes and work, learning studying techniques to use my time effectively and earn good grades. I'm learning how to learn.

I have gained a thirst for knowledge in college. Not only knowledge in the classroom, but knowledge of the world around me. I have come to realize that it isn't all about me. My life is a small part of this amazingly fast paced world. Here I am discovering how I can make my miniscule life matter. We can not value what we do but rather who we are, and this school is helping me realize how important that is.