University of Wisconsin-Parkside Top Questions

If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself that I should really follow my heart and continue looking past the in town school. I mean really listen to my heart and I would have know for sure a major plan that wouldn't leave me hanging and I would have the expierences I have always craved. I would tell myself to focus more on me to make the transistion smoother and not so much on the people in my life. People come and go but you have to be happy with yourself and what you are doing. I would tell myself to live. Just let go and live life to the fullest.

When you think of college, what comes to mind? PARTY! Right? Well, don't get me wrong, college is a party. It is a party everyday on a college campus. There are always events being held, clubs recruiting members, friends eating lunch together and packed sidewalks in between classes. There are plethora of opportunites when you go to college. But, if you think college is just a party, you're in for a big, big surprise. College requires in depth exploring, focusing on you and what you want to become in life. College requires research, searching for the best match for you. College requires applying, trying to find scholarships and grants to pay for the outgragous costs. College requires decisions, on where you'll live and who you'll live with. College is an exciting, yet important time in your life. I think the biggest mistake I made was procrastinating. I waited to do my exploring, I waited to do my research, I waited to apply, and I waited to make decisions. DO NOT WAIT! College is worth the time and effort! Your happiness and future depend on it.

I know you think that school is a waste of your time right now. I understand that you don't find any accomplishment in finishing high school, because as soon as you cross that bridge at graduation, you've got 6 more years ahead of you. What you don't see is that starting college is actually the start of your career. You want to get into the medical field immediately, but you're not willing to take the time to complete the schooling. There are always other options; you just need to take the time to look into them. If you want to start working in the hospital ASAP, you should take the phlebotomy course at Wheaton. It's time consuming, but you can make it work with your future job. You can switch to part-time, and you can apply for financial aid as a full-time student versus only part-time. You can also find a higher paying weekend job. I know you're always worried about money, so the last thing I want to say is that you'll be accepted for financial aid. If that isn't enough...it's ok to accept student loans.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take class-assigned reading a lot more seriously. I was ill-prepared for all the book work that the professors assigned during my first semester of college because my high school did not stress learning from a book enough. I would also tell myself that it is okay to go up to a person in class and ask for their name just to become more aquainted with classmates and surroundings. In high school, I did not realize how easy it is to just strike up a conversation with another person. If I had known then I would have tried to make a lot more friends back at the time. Finally, I would have trained myself to study a lot earlier so that I could have had less stress learning how to study during college.

If I could go back in time and tell myself about everything I learned in my first year of college I would have to tell myself to take in every day for that day. Listen fully to your teachers and your upper classmates because that is where you will learn the most. Also, the time that you learn the most tends to be outside of class, studying and asking questions. Furthermore, I would tell myself to live at home because that is where my best support system is. When anything goes wrong, no matter how badly you screw up, that is where you will always find people who love and care about you and they will always forgive you. College life is not easy but it is a life changing experience for the better.

As a current college student, I would tell my high school seinor self to not be nervous or scared your first year. I would tell myself to listen to my high school teachers about me keeping my career goal on my mind all the time to keep me focused and that they have prepared me well for my future academics. I would also say to keep in mind that what ever I'll be learning is what will help me attain my specific career goal. The last thing I would tell myself would be to keep running to keep the stress at bay and to have a social life because if you don't mix it up once in a while, I'll get burnt out.

I would adivse myself that I do not need to join a lot of oragnizations because the school work will take up mmost of my free time. I would also adivse myself to make "me time" where i destress myself from school, work, and friends. to destress myself I would suggest going to the gym, relaxing somewhere quietly , or even going to an organization meeting. Do anyone of these things so O can keep my mind ready for the next round of studying but also not to over to do. I would tell myself that going to the first year experience meetings to learn how to handle the first year of college is very important to because they teach you to; manage time, destress, healthly living, and other important information for my first year. One of the most important things that I learned from those meeting was how to manage my time. I helped me a lot through this first semester. Knowing that in managing my time for the week I need to calcuate sleep, eating, commuting, homework, studing, and friends. I would have never calculated sleeping, or eating in my calcuations if not for the meeting I attended.

I would tell myself to relax, and not be so worried about starting college, its not the big bad wolf so many people make it out to be, but its not a cake walk either. You have to be confident and prepared, because it is still going to be tough if you want to do good. Always study your materials, and make sure you do not slack off. College is one of the biggest steps of your life, so messing up here can mess up the plans you have for your life. As long as you work hard, and give it your best, there is nothing more you can ask for yourself. Do not be too hard on yourself if you do poorly on just one quiz, just take it as a reminder that you just have to work harder for the next one. It is not as scary as people make it sound, so just be yourself, work hard, and have fun, and as long as you keep that in mind you'll do just fine.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to start earlier to look for scholarships and study more. Do not work so hard meaning do not work over 40 hours a week for a minimum wage job. Expand your expectations and rise to the top. Do not be afraid express yourself.

If i could go back in tie and give myself advice as a highschool senior it would be to be more involved in school and focused in class. I feel like I was not focused enough in class and i did not find the time to get help with things i didnt understand.

Focus on the subject that you truly love and that you have a passion for and this will help you in reaching your goals. Take as many college level courses as possible while still in high school as this will help you complete your undergraduate degree in less time.

I would tell myself that Parkside is an excellent school and I never thought that I could be so well adjusted and ready for my career (as a sophomore) as I am now.

College is what you make of it. Don't get upset if you don't go to what you thought your dream school was. You might find unexpected pleasures in a second choice.

try to go there a couple times before school starts

Parents should encourage their children to take their time to find out exactly what it is they want to do in life. The student must find what it is that motivates them and this should play into their college choice. Finding the right atmosphere is important to be able to focus. When choosing a college you may want to stir away from the wants and focus a little more on the needs. I would have liked to have gone to a bigger school in a huge city because it would have been fun, however I know that I would not be able to focus on what is important. So in a way, you should know yourself and your needs before making any decisions such as accomodating how much you have to work and knowing if you are better focused close or further away from your home town. Atmosphere is definetly key to aquiring a desired college experience because any college can offer one to anyone, but not every person is right for any college.

Talk to your kids and know what activities they are in

You only live once (depending on religion), but in this life you should do what you truely want to do. Choosing where you feel in your heart is what is best and no matter what a parent or peer says, it's still your life to live. They will get over it and you will be stronger from the decission that you make on your terms.

To go to the college you want, evenif it means tranfering.

I would tell them to tour the school and make sure they like what they see. Also, talk to the students that go there. Nobody can give you a better insight into what type of educational environment you will be entering then students that already are attending. Also, do some research. The first school you see may not always be the best choice. It's important to do some research to make sure that you are making the best choice for your future.

For parents and students trying to find the right college I would ask are they intrested in a 2 year or a 4 year? Do they want to take classes outside their major or do they want to go straight to their major? What is their learning style? Do they like big classes in a 200+ lecture hall, or do they like smaller classes where it is easier to interact with professors and ask questions. Do you know what your field of study is already? What have you heard about the schools you are looking at? How far are they looking to live from home. Do you want to stay and live at home or do they prefer to go out and have an adventure living on campus? Is sports a big factor for choosing a college? Are you intrested in playing on a varsity team, or do you just want to play for fun? Are you willing to make new friends, try new things and get involved? Find a few colleges that hold your intrests and go visit them. You could even shadow a student for a day. Have an open mind about applying and ask questions. Good luck!