Valparaiso University Top Questions

My college experience has taught me many things about myself and about the future me I will become. I am having the time of my life and I am very involved here on campus. Nothing will ever replace my times here. Going to college is valuable for more than just an education. You really grow as a person and learn so much about yourself you never know you could. You also learn skills on how to better associate with other people and how to act professionally. I have learned so much in my freshman year alone that I can only imagine what else I will learn in my college experience. Nothing will ever replace the things I learn here or the times I share with everyone around me. The relationships made in college stick with you for the rest of your life and the education is looked at strongly. If I had not gone to college, I would be so limited as to what I could do with my life and I would not have learned how to be with others or be an independent individual.

The transition to my college life was not an easy task. Nevertheless, I did confront it knowing that this transition was for my own good. I have always known that college is my to becoming successful in life. There are hardly any well paying jobs in todays society where only a high school diploma is accepted. Yet, this was my first time moving away from my home in order to live in a completly different environment with a different group of people. Now that I look back to when I started this journey, I realize the mistake I made. Thus, if I were to return to my senior year in high school, the advice I would give myself is to relax and not be afraid of change.

I would tell myself to not be so afraid. The transition was relatively smooth for me and I fit in well here at Valparaiso. However, I would tell myself not to be afraid to try to make friends and talk to more people. I did not really have too much trouble making friends, but I do not really talk to anyone outside of that group. While this is not too much of a problem for me given my personality, I feel I could be having a better time if I knew more people as friends. Also, I would tell myself to get involved more in campus activities. This is a good way to get key life experience and is something I feel I have not done well thus far in my college life.

I would tell myself to keep having fun and not worry so much about what other people think about you. In high school I was involved in every possible activity, and I was constantly trying to please people. When searching for a college to attend, I was trying to find one that pleased both my parents and myself. Luckly, the one I chose happened to be perfect for both of us. To return to my point of constantly trying to please people, I would tell my past self that it doesn't matter how my senior prom looks because after it is done, it will be in the past and it won't matter anymore. That is true about everything that I tried to make perfect. Also, I would inform myself that at college people don't care about who you were friends with in high school or how involved you were. I know this sounds cliche, but it is true, and it won't make sense until you actually experience it. The main point of my talk would be to just have fun and enjoy all my high school friends.

I would tell myself as a high school senior to be prepared to study hard and learn more in the next two years than you could possibly imagine. The amount of growth you experience within your first year in a nursing program is tremendous. Ivy Tech Community College will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Look into the vocational that allows you to take college courses while in college or just take night class or courses on the weekends, this would definitely help jump start your freshman year of college as well as taking less time to get into the nurisng program. Don't be surprised that you will be one of the youngest people in the nursing program, it is a compliment, and you worked hard to get there. Don't be afraid to believe in yourself, you will be a competent nurse, and Ivy Tech Community College will make sure of that.

Get involved in clubs and activities right away. It's a great way to meet people. Take advantage of every academic and extracurricular opportunity to enhance your resume and/or build your portfolio. Don't be afraid to ask your professors questions or make an appointment to see them. Never miss a class. Participate in class. Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities.

Kathleen, looking back on my life as a high school senior I would have always thought it was so hard just to graduate and move on in life. After graduating I have come to relize that my thoughts were right trying to finish high school was a struggle but I have succeeded and proven everyone wrong. I have graduated early and i have accomplished my high school goals. Now as i enter the real world where "who you hung out with or what high school team you were on" does not matter , what matters now is Where are you going in life?, What are you going to do?, Have you applied to colleges yet?. My advice would be "Do what you are passionate about", do not listen to other in telling you what do. It is your life and you are the one that has to live with your occupation and deal with the choices you make and learn from your mistakes as they come at you. Also i would tell myself that the would is at my finger tips and i have my whole life a head of me to figure out what is right for me to do

I would tell myself that college does not come easy. It requires hours of hard work and dedication in order to be successful.

The first thing I would do different starts at the very beginning, before even choosing a college or university and completing the extensive application process. Now that I am fully aware of how much of an effect SAT and ACT scores have on one's qualification for certain universities, I would definitely try my absolute hardest to get a good score and not brush off the exam as if it were insignificant. I would have also started looking into universities my junior year of high school so that I would be aware of the aplication deadlines and the requirements needed in order to be accepted into my prefered school. I found myself completing everything last minute when I was applying for college, so that is also something I would encourage prospective college students to do. Stay on top of your applications, deadlines, and scholarship information so that you are the one choosing the University you want to attend, not just winding up "stuck" at one.

One of the first things that I would tell myself would be to break out of my shell early. College is a place to define yourself. You should become more open and outspoken. No more sitting aside and being a wallflower. I would tell myself to be talkative and outgoing early in college rather than waiting towards the end. Another bit of advice that I would tell myself would be to keep working hard and not slacking off. There are a lot of distractions in college that weren't around in high school and one needs to learn to keep them in check. As the tough classes start to come during sophomore year, you need to stay focused and keep your grades up. There is always time for fun, but only when work is done. The most important thing that I would tell myself would be to join Phi Kappa Psi. It was one of the best decisions in my life because I've made so many friends that I will keep forever. These friends will become a great group to help support you throughout college and even after. Phi Psi will give you the best memories of your life.

If I could go back to senior year I think I would advise myself to take more AP classes. AP classes allow for you to get college credit and therefore test out of a lot of general education requirements in college which are what consume most of your first year or two. By taking these AP classes I could have earned college credit and maybe cut off a year of my college education and saved my family a lot of money that would really come in handy during these tough economic times. I didn?t understand the value of an AP course or how it effected you long term until I reached college and saw that many classmates were cutting off full years of school because they had enrolled in AP courses and tested out of general education requirements in college. I just wish I would have realized how much money I could have helped my family to save back in high school so that college could have been less stressful for them.

Make sure to fill out a lot of scholarship applications, make sure to do research on your major and the schols you want to attend so that you can get the best education.

Dive right in! Valpo's a great place, and the people are wonderful. Be sure you keep your priorities straight though; make enough time for homework AND sleep. Most of all, don't worry. No matter how difficult somethings may seem, or how much work it looks like you have to get done, you'll be able to do it. Try to keep your own stress on as low a level as possible. Also, just declare. You know you want to be a Social Work major... And have fun!

Go in with an open mind because it is a fresh start to reinvent yourself and let go of anything from your past that may be holding you down. Also participate and get involved with campus activities. Greek life is not what the media portrays it as and can be a big help when it comes to career connections .

I would advise anybody, including my future self, to seek out many financial options not only for the present situation , but also long term (such as for graduation and retirement).

When you get to college, remember this thing over anything else, you can talk to your professors, your parents, and your friends when you start to struggle with classes. Never think that college is a battle you have to fight on your own, this is a battle that is long, and it will require everyone you know and trust to help you succeed. You are never alone, and if aren't doing well in classes, you don't have a girlfriend, and you don't like your life, tomorrow will remind how good your life truly is. Finally trust in God, cause he will see you through any crisis, no matter the pain of the struggle, you can always overcome the barrier presented to you.

Don't be nervous, trust me when I say all the other freshmen are going to be just as nervous and self concious as you. Oh, and make sure to say hi to the Asian in the room next to you, she is going to be one of your new best freinds and introduce you to the other ones. But seriously, don't be afraid. You are going to a great school, and you are going to find people that will be a part of your family. Be yourself, and people are going to love you, and you are going to love them to peices. Unfortuantly, you are going to go through some rough times, but that's ok! It's not as scary as it sounds and your new friends are still going to love you, the real you. So, you got accepted to your top two choices for college, and they seem VERY similar. Being the person you are, you are going to pick your school by flipping a coin, and it's going to be completely right. We all love you on my end, can't wait for you to get here!

Although I didn't have too tough of a time transitioning from home life to college life, I would have actually told myself to pack less clothes. My roommate and I (we both roomed blind) packed our tiny dorm room full during our freshman year, which obviously wasn't the greatest living situation. I'd also tell myself to go out and make as many friends as possible...when I'm feeling homesick sometimes its nice to just play a board game with friends (note to senior self: bring board games) or cuddle up with blankets and watch a movie (another note: LOTS of DVDs) Pretty much just bring things that remind you of home; things that will, no questions asked, make you happy =]

If I could talk to my high-school self about college life, I would probably not be able to stop talking! First of all, I would tell myself to not be afraid to open up to people. My freshman year would have been so much better had I not been so shy. Making the transition between high school and college is hard enough in itself, but it is exponentially more difficult to do when you feel like you're alone. The majority of freshmen feel the same way in the first month or so of college--lost, stranded, and lonely. This unifying factor can be the foundation of friendships that last an entire lifetime! Secondly, I would encourage myself to think more critically about reading assignments and to participate in class discussions. It is amazing how much you can learn about yourself just by asking yourself questions about your values and convictions. Lastly, I would remind myself to eat. Mom isn't going to call you down for dinner!

My number one piece of advice for college searching is "Don't let money be the deciding factor in your college choice." Ninety-nine percent of college students are paying more than they can afford, so expect to be among this group. But don't worry, the bills will be paid and when you get a job doing what you love, the money spent will be well worth the education you received.. Nevertheless, don't waste this money. Make the most of your college experience. Try new things and say yes to more invitations than you normally would, otherwise you may miss out on incredible opportunities or invaluable friendships. However, never let anybody or anything drive you to act outside of your beliefs or values. Stick to that which defines you and be yourself. The people who love you for who you are WILL find you. Have fun, but don't let social engagements dampen your performance in school, i.e. don't forget why you're at school in the first place. Two final pieces of advice: don't play videogames for more than an hour, and call your mother every week to tell her that you love her.