University of South Carolina-Upstate Top Questions

College life is definitely not what I thought it would be...there is so much that I wish I could have prepared for instead of being thrown into such a vast ocean without a chance to hold my breath. If I could go back in time and tell my entering-freshman self what I know now about being a college student, maybe that would ease the difficulty of the transition, or atleast provide some insight as to what to expect. First and foremost, I would warn my younger self of the enticing grip of procrastination; you may feel more relaxed two weeks before an approaching exam if you put off studying until the night before; however, that lonely night will be one of complaining and cramming, and the test results will not reflect the efforts of that fateful night; they will be influenced by the two weeks of laziness, and you will be left with nothing but memories of two weeks packed full of junk food and reruns to show for it. Yes, procrastination is a familiar friend and a entriguing enemy. By the time you wish you could rewind and do it all over, the damage is already done.

If I could go back in time and talk with my high school self there would be a couple key things I would say in order to better prepare myself for college. the first thing that i would say is that i need to develop a better study method, because the current study method that i have will not benefit me in college. another that i would mention would be to work harder on getting the nasty habit of procastination out of my system because there is too much work in college where if one procastinated its not a guarantee that one will catch back up. The last of advice I would give myself would be to stay focus and to not get side tracked beacuse once one lose focus it will cloud one's mind hendering them from ac omplishing their goal.

I would definitely tell myself as a high school senior to be prepared to work very hard and study very hard because it is not going to be easy to make all As like it was in high school. I would also give myself the advice to keep trying even if you feel like giving up. I would also tell myself to go talk to my professor if I am having trouble with the class material or struggling with my grade in that class-don't try to fix everything yourself! Sometimes you have to ask for help! Another thing I would tell myself would be not to give in to peer pressure. Be strong and stand for your morals and don't let anyone tell you differently. Finally, spend time with your family and friends when you can. Don't overwhelm yourself by never having any social time. Last but not least, HAVE FUN! These days will be some of the best of your life!

It is always important to apply for college early and there are so many opportunities for you as a student to succeed! It is also important to send high school transcripts and take the SAT or ACT to find out where they will place you according to the courses they offer! Please visit the schools of your choice and pick which one would best fit for you and your major! Also meet with the faulty and staff in your particular fields and ask them questions about the particular major that you are going for! Please sign up for financial aid because it will save you money in the long run. There are scholarships, grants, loans, and other federal aids for you to have! College funds can be difficult and I know personally how it feels to come out of the pocket! Financial aid is crucial and I am telling you as a student to take advantage of all the money you can get! Last put not least : Look at your college handbook and find out what your college is about because all colleges are not the same in everything!

Your freshmen year is so important. The first year is so full of new and freedom but it is not the time to goof off. You don't need to pick a major yet or take those classes. This is the time to get all your required courses finished. Take them seriously. The grades you make now will lay the foundation for your gpa. You don't want to spend the rest of the years pulling your gpa up. Try to find a part time job or intership related to the field you are interested in. The job will give you a taste of what it is truly like that books do not give. Plus you will have spending money. If you apply for student loans, only take the amount you need not the amount they are willing to loan you. At the time it seems great to have all that money, but it will take FOREVER to pay it back. This will be one of the best times of your life, enjoy it.

What if we could use wisdom gained with age and experience to change the past by advising our younger selves of important life lessons? If I could go back in time to my self as a high school senior, there are several bits of wisdom I would give to my younger self. One concept I would relate is that grades are not everything. In high school and early into my college career all I thought about was earning an A. Now I would implore me to focus on learning and encourage me that the grades will follow. A grade can be had without truly learning the material, but study crammed in on a last minute basis is promptly dumped by the brain (sometimes even before the test one was cramming for in the first place!) and is not in the slightest beneficial to the student. Learning and understanding are ultimately more important for one's future than a high grade. In nursing school we have a joke: What do you call a the nursing student who graduated with the lowest class average? Answer: R.N. This is just one of many ways I have become wiser with age. Thank you.

The first semester is always the hardest. I would go back and mentally prepare myself for something so far different from college life as far as the studying and being independent. I would tell myself to take advantage of the free time I have and to have a relationship with all the teachers than rather just being a name or number in the class. I would realize the love of Christ instead of waiting for a life tragedy to have me realize it and use His love as motivation for me as I do now. Knowing that Christ wants me to achieve has been a huge motivation factor for me and that'd be the one main thing I would tell myself if I could go back and talk to myself. Along with a huge good luck!

I would begin pursuing scholarship opportunities earlier. If I were going to attend a two year university I would be sure to coordinate with the school I would be attending after obtaining my associate degree. By failing to do this I delayed my acceptance into the school of nursing by a whole semester.

Study harder and make better grades!

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go with my gut instinct and never give up. As a senior in high school, I had the opinions and words of others either pushing me in directions I now regret going into or discouraging me from pursuing the things that I wanted to because of mistakes that they made in either the same area or an area similar; I would say to myself go with your gut instinct, no matter what people say. YOU CANNOT BE A PEOPLE PLEASER! I would tell myself to never give up on my dream(s), just because others thought it (they) was worthless or a waste of time and money. I would also tell myself that it is okay to help others, but don't neglect your own health in the process (because if you are not well and healthy then how are you going to be of any help to those who really need your help and time).

I would tell myself that even though all my high school teachers told me that they were preparing me for college, they didn't. Nothing I learned in high school prepared me for college. I would tell myself that I would have to basically forget about having any sort of social life, as I'd have to study all the time, and that it would be much harder than high school, where I never had to study at all. I would also tell myself, however, that college is great for meeting new people with different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, and that I would learn a lot about myself, my beliefs, and what I want out of life.

Make sure the college is "yours" you have to be happy with your surroundings before you even attempt to learn.

Make sure that you visit the college before deciding to attend it at least twice. Know what you want as both the student and the parent and make sure that school offers it. Try to start school where you will be for all four years it makes your stay easier and the transition is not that hard.

Choose a college that best suits you or that you feel comfortable with. Go with your heart and what you want to do.

Visit it to see if ypu like it.

Let the kid go where they want to go within resonable expensise. it is imporatant for them to make the decision and to be happy!

When choosing a college it is imperitve not olly to visit, but to sit in on a class. It is important to speak with the students that are currently enrolled and if possible some alumni. Consider the distance that you will have to travel. Live on campus during your first year, to receive the full experience of college. Lastly enjoy and succeed in all you do.

If I could give anyone planning on attending a college or university advice about finding the school for them I would tell them to visit more than once. Visit the school you think you would like to attend at different times and talk to the students about the area. If you can stay overnight try to it allows you to see the people whom you will be living with, it?s a great opportunity you should take advantage of. To make the most of your college experience you need to learn how to balance your friends and social life with school work, this will allow you to be successful. You also need to try to go to school events with your friends. Going to events allows you to socialize with people outside of your group and best of all socialize with your professors outside of the lecture hall. Most of all have fun and work hard and it will all be worth it when you walk across that stage in front of all your peers, family, friends, and professors.

Take your time, research the schools, visit campuses. Do comparisons on the academic and social aspects of the schools on your list. A visit to a school's website is often a great way to see events the school has happening on a regular basis, as well as courses of study, campus life, and community interaction. Once in college find your own niche, whether it is playing intermural sports, trying out for plays, joining volunteer organizations or joining a sorority or fraternity. Don't be afraid to try a new experience. It will help you to grow not only as a student but as an individual.

My advice goes to prospective students: do whatever it is you need to do to make sure this is the right choice. make a list, visit the campus, talk to students who already attend the university. The university will tell you whatever it is you want to hear to get you to attend their school. But this is an important decision and it needs to be taken with thought. Make sure this college has your major and will help you find a job so you can reach your dreams. Once you're there, work hard and have fun but be smart. I joined a sorority and i had fun. I volunteered and raised money for premature babies, I studied, and I partied. Greek life is great and if your interested then do it. But remember to work hard. Study a little bit everyday or write a page a day for a paper, then have fun at night. If you procrastinate you will not do as well. I'm telling you the truth because i know from experience. To get anything out of life put a little work into it and you'll land among the stars.