University of Sioux Falls Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Sioux Falls know before they start?

Thomas

Relax. Take a couple more advanced courses in high school. Though it may be more work to do in high school, college will be much more managable for you if you can put the effort in now.

Molly

When I was in high school all of my classes came naturally to me. Everything was easy and understandable and so I never put forth much effort into studying. Now that I am in college the courses are ten times harder then they were in high school. My best advice I wish I could have given myself is prepare yourself for college. Take a little time out of your night every night and study because it will be a lot harder going into college never having studied and experiencing a little extra work.

Kameron

At the time that I started I had been in a serious relationship that lasted up to my second year. Because of this, I did not get as involved in campus activities as I would have liked. Therefore, I would tell myself to become more involved and worry less about that relationship. I would also have gotten to know my fellow classmates better and participated more in events going on on campus and off.

Gabrielle

As a freshman in college I would go back and tell myself many things. The first one would be not letting the little things in life get you down and holding fueds with friends, it is simply not worth it. College has made me accept each and every person that I encounter, because friends in life are very important. Along with friends I would tell myself to treassure my family and time spent with them much more, because being away has been a tough transition, most definitely making my heart grow stronger for those that I sensed as an annoyance. Then moving right into the academic aspect, I would say that greatest thing I regret from high school is not talking more college credits or even pushing myself to take those AP exams. At that time it seemed like a burdon, but now that I am in college those test scores that I could have managed to obtained, possibly would have got me out of some of these college courses that seem like a repeat from high school days.Therefore in high school one must understand that college costs money, so taking advantage of high school opportunities is key!

Argentina

I'd explain that college is essential for creating a life that has options. It's challenging, but it is also enlightening to one's innerself and intellectual capacity. Choosing to further your education is one of the wisest decisions you can make because we never stop learning no matter how or what we learn; so why not gain a diploma with credentials in the process of that. Choosing a college is probably the hardest thing, but make sure you choose one that is both befitting of your personality and help to guide you in the way that you hope to achieve success. Stay focused to avoid procrastination. Make sure to socialize/network with people who are both unlike-minded and like- minded as yourself because you gain different perspectives of the world and you also make lasting relationships that can be perhaps beneficial down the road. Lastly, I would say, BE OPEN-MINDED. College is like a little world within itself; different cultures, backgrounds, races, ethnicities, talents, and religions are apart of this community, so don't limit yourself to your own beliefs or background. Know that having a diverse mentality will strengthen your view of the world.

Sean

Well, I had my mind set on the school I chose so I only applied to this school. My advice would be to look around and to find as many scholarships as possible so you can be placed into the school that best fits you. And no school is perfect

Janelle

You've only begun this journey into the beginning of your life, so choose wisely and embrace all that life has for you. Learn from your mistakes by becoming a stronger individual and overcoming your obsticles, you can acheive what you are destine to be in the future. Set goals for yourself to accomplish throughout your college years, this will allow you to follow the path that you're destine to embark upon. Listen to the advise of others, but in the end find your true voice by declaring who and what you desire. Embrace your inner self by staying true to your beliefs and morals, even in the face of the pressures of the world around you. Take the path less traveled by most only to find your passion, which will create flavor for your life. Once you've reach your desired goals and expectations for yourself, look back on your journey by appreciating the wisdom and insight you've gained along your adventure. This is the beginning to the rest of your life, so you can make the choice to celebrate your life's journey.

Zane

I would have to tell myself that buying the textbooks is a much better idea than sharing them between two or three people, even though it saves money. The convenience of having your own books, and being able to use them when you need them for studying for out weighs the extra cost. Also I would tell myself to take advantage of the study aids that the university provides students with. The writing center and tutors are all there to help and even though I never needed these things in high school, I shoudn't be too proud to take advantage of a great study aid. The most important thing I could tell myself though, is that I shouldn't be afraid to talk to my professors even if they seem a little intimidating. The professors are all great people who are concerned about their students progress and well being and they are more than happy to answer questions adn work around difficult situations that might come up. Overall my advice would mainly deal with academics, since that is usually where new students struggle the most during their first semester of college.

Stephanie

I would tell myself to take harder classes in high school and not be afraid of failing. Those classes that sometimes I was afraid I would fail, were the ones that were the most like college courses. I learned the most in those classes and can still recall most of what I learned and apply it to classes I am taking now. Also, I would tell myself to listen to all those scholarship seminars. Do not just trust that the college will give you a full ride. Even the little scholarships help make a dent. I would also say to research different places for scholarships, you can find many obscure ones that aren't very hard to obtain. Lastly, I would tell myself not to stress about going to college nearly as much as I did. College is a great time to find out more about yourself than maybe you'd ever care to know and find yourself surrounded by some of the best friends you'll ever meet.

Jacob

Dear Jacob Sittig, I hope this letter finds you enjoying your senior year in high school. While I know you do not take your schooling for granted, I would like to impress upon you the importance of your education. Your education that you recieve early in your life will shape who you are for the rest of your life. In the next couple of years as you enter college, you will be introduced to an unlimited amount of new ideas, lifestyles, and kinds of people. Throughout these encounters it will be up to you to study these new ideas, lifestyles, and people, decide which way of life is best suited for you, and then follow your heart and work your hardest every day to be the best person you can be. College is a time in every young person's life when the practice of good habits can lead to amazing possibilites down the road. The choices you make in college will set the tone for the rest of your life. While I encourage to have fun and live a worry free college life, please do not forget the overall grand scheme of things. Sincerely, Someone Invested In Your Future!

Lindsey

You do not have to go far from home to go far in the world. Transitioning from High School to College is one of the biggest and scariest transitions of our younger years. However, don't let the fear consume you. Treasure every moment and learn from every mistake and opportunity. I learned more about life in the first 4 months of college than I did in all 4 years of High School. Know what you want and don't settle for anything less. You future does not belong to your parents or your friends or your teachers; it only belongs to YOU. Do what makes YOU happy. Remember, college isn't just about obtaining a degree; it is also about growing in your faith, learning to live on your own, and meeting friends that will be with you for a lifetime. Money, grades - they will always be an issue, but do not let them hold you back from growing. For me, the loving, moral, supportive community I encountered at my college was worth every $26,000 I paid out. PS. Sometimes MOM does know best...give her a hug before you leave...she'll be your best friend someday.

Skyler

I would tell myself to make smarter decisions. College life is fun but also very difficult. The transition is much easier then it seems and making new friends is great but sometimes things lead you down the wrong path.

Cynthia

If I were a high school senior and I could have given myself some advice, I wish I would have told myself to give myself some time to figure out what I wanted to do instead of jumping in with a major already picked out. I would say to take generals even if you think you're sure. Go into working in the field if you can to see if that is something that you want to do for the rest of your life. This is what helped me decide that nursing was not for me. I still wanted to help people and be in the medical field and I decided on social work. I never would have though about social work in the first place because it didn't have high prestigue and the pay wasn't fantastic but that has to be set aside! Also, I would have encouraged myself to go do career assesments. I also suggest to make sure you do the assignments as best as you can or better so you don't have to worry so much about exams. College is not something to underestimate when it comes to tests.

Kara

If I could go back as a high school senior and know what I know about college today, I would definitely try to change as much as possible. I would try and work very hard at school work considering we had slim to none in high school compared to college. I would not wait to do my homework in high school until the very very last minute like I did. I would have studied what classes i needed to take in high school to be prepared for college. I would have told myself to take a lot more college courses through our community college senior year to be ahead in college when I got there. I am still unsure of how I would tell myself how to make the transition easier because I cannot even tell my sister that is a senior in high school that answer. I would tell myself that I have to learn to go with the flow and to be prepared to work five times as hard in college as I did in high school.

Haley

One major advice I would give myself is definately to pay a lot more attention to the details of the colleges, such as what they offer, costs, scholarship availability, and teacher-student ratio. If planing on attending a private college, I should look at other options for general requirements, and make sure that those classes will transfer over to that college exactly the way intended (i.e. if a math class does not transfer as a math credit, do not take the class). Also, there are scholarships available for people other than just seniors in high school, so keep applying! Another important aspect to look at is if certain classes have dual accredidation, like maybe a sociology class can give you credit for generals and major courses; this happens quite a bit. The last big piece of advice I would be sure to give myself is that even though I may be set on a certain school, I need to make sure to check into as many schools as possible because the perfect school could still be out there and I do not even know it because of stopping my search early on.

Kaycee

Hey Kaycee. You will soon be making the transition from your loving high school to an all new university. Remember to keep your head held high and never back down from your own opinions. You will be challenged in the next four years, remain strong and focused. You have made the choice to play collegiate soccer and it will take a toll on your time. Remember to stay focused on your academics, your faith and your family. You will make new friends, some of whom will test your power of will and try to pressure you into trying new things. You know what is right and how to say no; if they don't accept you for who you are, then they aren't worth your time. USF is close to home, you can go back if you need to but try to stay on your own. Balance your money and remember the difference between needs and wants. Above all, don't lose sight of your faith. The Lord has lead you to USF and will stay by your side as long as you allow Him to. Love all, trust few and live life to the fullest.

Alesia

The advice that I would give myself as an high school student would be study. I would tell myself that working hard I to gain a degree means a lot. Along with in time when looking back at how hard I have worked would make me proud. I would also advice myself that staying focus and keeping a clear mind will pay off . As well as, reminding myself that it is not easy in this world with out a proper education. I would also tell myself that woring hard is the key to having good success. I would let myself know that I am giving myself a one time oppertunity for success. Alon with advicing myself that there is no easy way of achiving an education. In addition, I would also advice myself that the transition from high school to college will not be easy. Along with getting discouraged, would not be the answer for making it a transition in a different enviornment. I would also tell myself that prayer also works, it also helps to relax your mind and see things more clearly. In final thought, knowing these things before making your educational transition is very essential in life.

Cassandra

I would remind my high-school-self of a good friend named N.E.I.L.Y. "Not Everyone Is Like You". People will come and go in my life, bringing with them their own perspective, world views, social views, religious views, their culture, their ethnicity, their life styles, economic status, interestes, excitments, passions, and the ability to LOVE and be LOVED; they will also bring with them their hurt, baggage from painful life experiences, anger, frustrations, closed mindedness, hinderances, hypocrisy, and their ability to behave unlovingly. No matter what someone thinks about me or says to me, to my friends, or infront of others, ALWAYS treate them with LOVE, respect, empathy, kindness and appreciation for who they are as a person, and creation of God. Never back lash, but repay someone's harsh words with a compliment; in this way you will be preventing unwanted trouble. 1 Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Elisabeth

I would tell myself to take the time of highschool seriously and learn all I can, to take every addvantage of it. at highschool age we tend to see only in the present time, and not realize how important our highschool education is to our future.

Brianna

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior i would just prepare myself more for classes and get used to studying on a regular bases. Just preparing myself for making new friends and being a little more open minded towards new people. Back in high school i never really wanted to do homework bc it was never too difficult. Coming to college school is definately more challenging and i was never really shown how to study correctly. So definately if i could go back in time, i would show myself how to be disciplined in homework and studying so i could be prepared for college exams.