University of Northwestern-St Paul Top Questions

One piece of advice that I would give myself as a high school student would be to hang in there. I struggled through high school because I did not fit in. I did not smoke, party or drink and was often ridiculed for my faith. The knowledge that I have now is that college is so different than high school. I get to finally be myself and I am encouraged by my peers to grow in my faith. My high school self would also need to know that college is more challenging. Not only does the work load increase, but also the volunteering and the social aspect. It is important to learn how to balance all aspects of my life and to keep my priorities straight. In high school I was always an A student. Looking back I would tell myself that grades are not everything and that it is okay to get a B once in awhile. I am a perfectionist and in college I have been trying to learn how to accept that I cannot be perfect in everything. Overall, I would tell myself to stay true to who I am and my faith and my beliefs

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, there are three things that I would say: relax, learn, and believe. A lot of pressure goes in to preparing for college, but just relax. Often, high school seniors have an idea of what college ?should? be, but the truth is the college is what you make it to be. No one's college experience is the same, and the less you worry about what it ?should? be, the more you can focus on how you want it to be. College is designed to be an institution of higher learning, so undoubtedly learning will happen. However, learning takes place outside the classroom, too. Opportunities for learning are endless; they are all around you. Focus on your studies, but also focus on the day-to-day realities of life. Learn from those little mistakes; learn from those small successes. Listen to the wisdom of your professors, but also listen to your heart. There are many challenges and struggles in college. Believe that you are becoming the person you are meant to be. Believe that everything happens for a reason. Believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think you are.

The advice I would give myself is to ask advisors in helping me map out what needs to be done in my specialty area to accomplish what I majored at. I would tell myself to save money more to help me with financial needs when I go to college. I would also tell myself to do internships to get experience. Lastly, I would tell myself to do a minor if possible, or explore other areas of interests before rushing into choosing a major.

When I was leaving high school and heading to college, I was certain that college would be homework, making friends, and not being too different from where I just left (aside from not living at home). While I had an idea of what to expect, I never really grasped it until I ended up living on my own; dealing with homesickness, the actual (and hard) process of making friends in a new place where you don't know anybody, and dealing with the lax yet pressured campus life. Eventually, when I moved into an apartment and attended college, getting a job came into place, and a whole new stack of responsibilities were pushed on me. It was overwhelming at times. But in the end, even if I went back, I don't think I would have given myself a head's up, because I would not have believed it myself. The experiences I had helped me to grow, and just hearing them second-hand doesn't nearly prepare one enough for the actuality of it. I dealt with them as they came, and in doing so, it helped me feel more accomplished.

Though you make not think you are ready, you have a lot of decisions to make. You may be scared about how college life will be or worried about how you are going to find out what your major will be, but it's not as bad or as scary as you think. Choosing the right college is a big decision, but once you find what you're looking for you will be able to figure everything out. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, but after my first year, after my first accounting class I knew what I wanted to do. College is not that much different then high school. Classes my take more work, but the community is amazing. You make great friends and have tons of new experiences. Whereever you choose to go, whatever you choose to do, only you can decide how your experience is going to be.

I would tell myself to be prepared to change. You will not be the same person after you attend a college. Also, I would tell myself not to start school with a boyfriend, because that just adds stress.

If I could give myself as a high school senior advice about college, I would tell myself to break my procrastination habit right away. In college there are so many things that take up time. Unplanned events happen. It is best to get homework done right away even if you think you have plenty of time in which to do it. Secondly, I would tell myself not to make judgments about people too quickly. People who you think you would never get along with may turn out to be great friends if you take the time to get to know them. Thirdly, I would tell myself that a balanced diet is key to performing well in college and having energy to get through the day. Just because your parents are not monitoring your food intake, doesn't mean that you should eat all the unhealthy food that you want. Along with the last point, taking care of yourself is important. Life gets so busy with homework and friends that it is easy to get run down. Make sure you get plenty of sleep.

College is going to be great. But you need to work hard and finish strong. Do not senior slack, you will regret it if you do. Freshman year is going to be fun, but even though your friends are amazing make sure you take the time to be disciplined and study. Friends are important but don't compromise your GPA for them. They will be there. I promise. Also, make sure you take advantage of your professors. They are at the top of their fields, so use their knowledge and ask good questions. As for guys, take your time. Make some great guy friends and wait for the right time. Finally, make sure you take the time for God. He is the only one who will get you through all that you will experience in life. Don't forget that He and He alone is your rock and your best friend. Good luck!

Do not go to Northwestern College just because you are wary of venturing off into a place outside of your comfort zone. Give the other colleges you looked into more thought before choosing the one you are going to attend. Apply to more schools, allowing you to keep your options open. Pray about your decision more than you have been because you definitely do not know for sure what you want to do with your life yet. When you do move into college, do not take your past life for granted. Write your parents more often and use their guidance as you go into a whole new surrounding for you. Yes, you are a very independent person, but do not forget to take advantage of the resources that have been placed in your life to help you now in college. But most of all, do not think of these next four years as a time to party, but realize that these next four years will shape the rest of your life. You must use them wisely.

If I went back in time I would definetly first give myself advice on money management. Now that I'm on my own I need to always be watching my money for the next payment due, for buying food, and for emergencies that happen to come up. I would tell myself never to waste a moment. There are so many oppurtunities that are just too good to miss and that don't come up very often. Concentrate on school because this experience costs money and I don't not want to waste it; not many people get a chance like this. I would tell myself that college is different than high school. I sounds like an obvious thing to say, but I don't think I reliezed it. It costs money, the professors are here to help; I'm paying them. Everyone is different so take everything with a grain of salt. Don't get lazy. The key to a good experience is developing good freindships. Get involved in as much as possible. You are going to college to get a degree, to ultimately get a career that you can use for the rest of your life. This is important.

First of all, keep yourself responsible. I have come to realize that now I have to not only "act" responsible but "be"responsible for choices I make. I still get advises from parents, teachers, and other mentors however, the it is me who makes the final decision and takes the responsibility. Going to classes on time, completing the assignments on time, setting priorities of my time, and etc- I am learning to be an adult. This makes me think deeper and further when I make decisions. College life would be so much easier if I'm just told what to do. But, your mom is not here to clean up your mess. Be adventurous! My life is just about to spread it wings. Be open to any possibility and never cease to dream (don't live in a movie or fantasay, though). Experience many things you can as a young adult and meet and talk to people and get advices. Take evey moment as a time of learning and investing for your future!

First of all, I would encourage myself to take AP classes and take college credits in English, Sicence, Math and Social Science courses. High school is a great time to get ready for a college. It will save an incredibly big amount of money and time. By earning credits in high school, I will be able to concentrate on my interested area at the college and efficiently earn my degree earlier. Moreover, I would give an advice to consider different options of purchasing books. Northwestern has a great book store system; purchased-books from campus can be returned at the end of each semester and receive 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the books price. It will be a good option for a semester course. However, for a quad- course, it will be better to borrow books from upper-class students. Regrading some important courses for my future career, it will be beneficial to own some of the text books. In such cases, I would consider purchasing books from online for there are many sales of both new and used- books.

Hey Joey what?s going on? Listen I need to give you a good heads up on college life here at Northwestern. As you can see I have already gained some experience in being part of Northwestern. Pay attention carefully, so you don't end up making the mistakes I did a second time. First of all you need to actually put in the time and effort in all your classes, especially your major. You are expected to know your major front and back, after all it is going to be your area of expertise. Also be assertive, for not let meaningless situations take advantage of your time especially if it's going to keep you up late at night. College is actually enjoyable but you have to learn how to manage your time wisely. Listen, you've made it this far so keep going at it, remember you are currently a full time student so don't worry about finding a job God will always provide the essentials. Focus on your studies and one day your efforts will pay off by serving as a blessing to your family, your church and your community. Best of luck to you! -Joey

I would just say to have fun and don't worry about what people will think of you. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer in college. And you never know who is going to become your friend, so don't look down upon anyone. Also I would say to just relax and take a deep breath. College is fun so why not live it up and have fun!

I would tell myself to take more college classes in high school. I could still be able to learn the same things in high school and while in college I could take other classes that interested me more and that would apply better towards my major. I would also tell myself to not waste my time at home before going off to college. I would try and raise more money because college is not cheap; if you want to get a good education then you must be ready to pay a lot of money. And besides most high school friendships will not last, but college ones will. So do not worry about distancing yourself from your high school friends because they weren't that special anyway. I feel like I knew my college friends much better in one year than I did getting to know my high school friends in the 12 years of schooling with them.

I have some advices for myself. Firstly, I would tell myself to be brave enough to say "NO" to wrong advice eventhough it comes from the elder. Secondly, I would tell myself to involve in community since the first year and take foreign languages as many as I could in the afternoon, after class. Thirdly, I would involve seriously in one of high school organizations or government. Fourthly, I wanted to replay my chess championship and be the first winner instead of the third. Last but not the least, I would tell myself to stay away from television and alcohol. I would remind myself that life is very very short and do all kinds of new things and try my hardest at everything I take on.

If I was able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a lot of advice for myself that I've learned from bein a college student thus far. I would tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as I can. I would also tell myself not to be worried about what people in high school think of me and not be always worried about how many friends I have. I have learned that many high school friends don't last, and the friends I make in college are the ones who will stick with me throughout the rest of my life. Some other advice would be to take advantage of the post-secondary classes at the community college. I would've saved mysef a lot of time and money to take a few free college courses while in high school. I would recommend to take speech class to get it done with since that is my worst fear. There are many things I would do differently if I could go back in time, but the most important thing to do is to not waiste my time worrying.

Dear Samm, At Northwestern you will grow more than you can even imagine, you will get to know people who change your life and meet a God who will give you way more than you deserve. It will be very hard financially, but it is beyond worth it. You will have to leave and go home after one semester to work but everything will be okay. God is good and he doesnt withold anything from you; remember he gave you life. The stuggles you will go through in the next year and a half will be extremely difficult and you wont know where you'll end up sometimes but trust that God will provide when there seems to be no way. Everything happens for a reason and no matter where you are you will be needed to help others, it's not always about you, but very often about how you affect the ones around you. Forgive and give grace when people make mistakes and hurt you; laugh and make the most of every opportunity you come across. love 19 yr old Samm

I would tell myself that college was a great time and by the time graduation rolls around I will have had an overall great experience. The papers that I had heard were supposed to be killer really weren?t that bad. However, I should have spent more time studying for tests. If I had done so I could have gotten a really good G.P.A. rather easily. But with that being said I don?t really regret not spending that time to study either. The time that I spent with friends and the relationships that I developed will be life long and I cherish them more then my education. In fact if there is something that I regret about college, it is that I didn?t spend more time deepening those relationships.

I have always regretted not finishing my BA when I attended college the first time. Do whatever it takes and get advice and help from people that are more than willing to help. Realise that not ALL schools are the same, had I listened to a friend of my older brother I would have had my BA a long time ago. Had I talked with any of the guidance counselors at the school where I earned my AA, I would have found out I could have received my BA in about 9 months to a year. I am one of the lucky few who has been able to go back to school and complete my degree. If I had already completed my BA I would be in a better place with better opportunities. I have been in the last two or three finalist for some very good jobs, they love my experience, all the things that I have done up to this point, and the direction that I'm heading. Then they turn around and offer the job to the person with less experience, narrower experience, but who has their BA.