Alaska Pacific University Top Questions

Don't do drugs!

Give APU a try in marine biology.

Don't slack on scholarships and do NOT be afraid of college. It's easier than you think and very fun. A majority of people there are going through the same thing as you and don't mind going through it with you. Everyone is supportive and are open to help you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and join clubs because it wil be the time of your life. Get involved and be yourself, and apply for those scholarships!

I would start my college General University Requirements right out of high school. You don't want to start at the age of 40 years old because it will set you back on starting a career. There are many opportunities out in the world and having your college education right out of high school is the best choice you can ever make! Four years out of your young adult life is worth it to get your education NOW! Don't start college later in life and stunt your foundation for your future! Going to college is setting a foundation for your long future ahead. It is difficult to go to college later in life because you have so much other things to worry about. It is easier to begin college right after high school. In today's society, having a college degree is very important in good paying jobs. Give yourself a head start by enrolling into 1-2 classes then you will not want to stop your education until you are done. You will have a long but, easier journey in your career, if you get your college degree right out of high school. There is no going backwards!

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would advise myself to dedicate more time to making good grades then so that I could get a full scholarship, allowing me to spend more time worrying only about my grades now rather than the financial aspects of attaining an undergraduate degree.

If I were a senior in high school and considering going to college, I would prepare for it by doing several things. First, I would spend some time with a career counselor. I would take some tests and evaluate the results matching up aptitudes with career requirements. Then, I would research several career options based on what I enjoy doing, what kind of talents I have, and what the career counselors suggested. In my research, I would explore what classes would be required, how long it would take to achieve the degree, which colleges or universities offered that career, how much it would cost, and which college had the best rate of graduates finding employment. After I decided which college and career, I would work on the financial reality. How would I afford it and would I need employment to pay for the expense. One of the issues that students face in starting college is a new environment with a host of new faces and social opportunities. It is important to prepare ourselves to relate to the differing values that come with students and instructors. Establishing a positive set of values is imperative before attending college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to put so much pressure on myself. I would tell myself that there are opportunities everywhere to learn and that most of the important things won't be learned inside of the classroom. I would tell myself to explore my areas of interest and not worry about where or not I was getting credit for it. I would tell myself that college is a great opportunity, but that I should wait a few years to discover what I wanted in learn in college. I would tell myself not to go on other people's time table, but to listen to my own. I would tell myself that things were looking good in the future and that I didn't have to worry about getting there.

Hey kid, and yes I mean kid. You have so much to see, so much to learn! You are about to embark on an adventure like no other. I know it's hard trying to decided where you want o go, where you can go, but follow your heart! You've known for quite some time now that the mountains have been calling you, follow the call. The wonders of Alaska are awaiting you. Go out, travel around, find out who you are. There is no greater chance for this than being 5,000 miles away from home, with strangers, on a kayaking adventure. It all sounds crazy now, but by the time you finish your first semester, you will be someone new. Not new to you, for you have always knon deep down who you were, but it's time for others to see the real you too. Be safe kid, and listen your heart, the glaciers are calling you, your heart is calling...

I would tell myself to join the U.S. Marines (which I did) and to stay in until retirement at the ripe old age of 38. I am now 47 and I would have still planned on attending college either during my enlistment or after, which I am doing now. Use the G.I. bill to pay for college minimizing my reliance on student loans.

If i could go back and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to that i dont have to go to college right away, explore my options, and when i do go to college i do not have to delcare a major right away, so i wont waste a year on classes I know don't need. Also find a better job in the outdoor feild and to go out of my way to volenteer, becoming appart of my community.

As much as you will miss home, don't let it get to you. You will see your loved ones again and even though you are very far away from home, in a new environment and seemingly on your own, your family still has your back. They will support you through everything, even when you feel like the entire world is crumbling around you. Keep your head up and your wits about you; there isn't anything you can't do. Mom, dad, Amber, and everyone back home is supporting you no matter what. Oh, and one more thing... Stay away from the upperclassmen on Halloween. Don't do it, it's just not worth it. When they say they just want to watch a movie, they are lying. Just follow Jessica around. She will keep you out of trouble.

Oh Nicole, I know me saying this now and being as stubborn as “we” are you wont take this into consideration right now, but you will eventually. College is going to be rough sometimes, you are going to break down and cry from the stress, you are going to hate these papers called literature reviews so I suggest you get a head start on them and don’t wait until the last minute, you will lose your social life sometimes during the semester and it will be boring as dust, you will doubt yourself a million times and jump for joy when you get that A you’ve been waiting for. Believe me I know, it sounds like an emotional roller coaster but it’s all worth it when you apply those counseling skills to something important and a rush of warm feelings will come across you and you know you are going to make a difference someday maybe not in the world but to somebody. Without a doubt it will be the best time of your life so keep your head and standards high girl. =)With Love,Nicole

GO STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE NO BREAKS!!! Take your schooling more seriously and work towards your goals! NEVER GIVE UP!!

If i could go back in time to being a senior in high school I would tell myself not to put everything off untill the last minute. I would get scholarships turned in before the summer so wouldnt have to worry about it during my last free months untill college. Also, I would tell myself that no matter how much writing I have to do scholarships are worth the effort because in the end it's money that I dont have to pay out of my pocket. Lastly, I would tell myself to have more fun because all of my high school friends are going to go their separate ways after graduation; I would want to have many fond memories of the many spirit days, pep rallies, football games, and bon fires that happened throughout senior year.

My high school self was pretty on track and made sure to know what needed to be done in order to be successful. Now that I'm finished with my first year of college I would definitely like to go back and prepare myself better. I would warn myself to be careful of all the freedom college comes with. I didn't do anything crazy, but it was a big change to have time to do whatever you wanted and go wherever without telling your parents. I spent money however I wanted and it was a big change for me. I would also tell myself to learn how to listen in lecture type classes. I have always been a good listener, but I need to focus on not daydreaming or drifting off topics especially when I got bored. Another big lesson that I learned in my first year would be to study more and try different ways of studying. Everyone learns in different ways and sometimes they can help you learn something just by saying it differently.

Don’t pass up opportunities. There are so many amazing things that you can do! All you have to do is gather up the motivation to do so. Not only through the school offered programs, but just in life itself. Also, if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Your professors and friends are more than willing to give you advice and point you in the right direction. Rather than wondering where to go and trying to figure things out yourself, just ask. I know that you like to figure things out yourself, but it’s ok to ask for help sometimes. Staying focused on school is going to be hard because of friends, money issues, work, family, and everything else. Just try to put time aside for school only and don’t let anything get in the way. Remember that you are paying for it, and by missing a class or doing bad you are wasting your money. You might as well get as much knowledge and experience out of this education as you can, right? Take advantage of it, and don’t forget to play outside and do what you love.

As I walk the halls of the old Bartlett High School gymnasium, approaching the riflery range, I see standing outside of the heavy double doors, an indifferent red-head. He is bored and just waiting to be finished with jumping hoops. He only sees into his near future with discouraged eyes and not wanting anything to do with school for a long time. Upon approaching my younger self I see the shock in his eyes; he notices an older version of himself, downtrodden and beaten by uncaring workplaces and underappreciation. "Don't give up on your education, Evan. It may seem silly now, but trust me, it gets a lot better. Take a year off from school to explore, then go back. Live without regrets and we'll be just fine." He is shocked and looks around to make sure he isn't crazy. "Are you my ghost of distant future, or something?" He asks his future self. "You could say that. It shouldn't matter who I am, for all I offer is sound advice. Believe me, it seems boring now, but there is so much more to look forward to. Who can you trust if not yourself?"

Loyalty, perserverance, and a greater desire to learn are only a few of the qualites that have grown in me since coming to Alaska Pacific University. I was able to go Spain, Italy, and France last year to learn about philosophy, art, and culture. It was one of the most fullfilling experiences of my life. Less than a dozen students per class creates the best learning environment, and the teachers actually want to help and teach their students. Because of this school I was able to graduate early and have a year of college done at the same time. APU has teachers that are better than anyone could possibly imagine. My philosophy teacher has truly enlightened me; I really feel like I have a greater understanding of life because of him and a better ability to question everything. Not only is the academic life superb, but the social life. The residence life faculty has really fun events every day. We can paint pottery, go skiing or snowshoeing, and go to concerts without having to pay. The experience at APU could not be found at any other University, because of the activities done here and the variation of people that attend.

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I could go back to my senior year, I would tell myself that I could do it and stay with it. I would remind myself that you need an eduaction to just about anything now days. I will look in to school better then go to one school and not like it and go to a different one. I will tell myself it is going to be hard after you have the baby but you can do it your famile will help you out no mater what you are doing as long as you go to school. I will remind myself when I am down that I am smart and I can do it! I would tell myself that I am better my life for me and my child that I will be having in a year.

If I could go in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work harder at finding sholarships I wouldtell myself not to procrastinate in the search for sholarships so that I could attend collage in the fall intead of having to wait a year. Waiting on filling out sholarships did not really save me anything, in fact it partly hindered my school because of the time gap from senior year and when I start collage. If I had filled out sholarships my senior year, I could have had one year of collage done while what I learned in high school was still freash in my mind. Now I will have to review everything when I attened collage. I would also tell my self not be be afread of finding and filling out the scholarships, if I could go back and talk to myself. After all, what is there to really be afread of anyways, you may or may not get the sholarship but if you do not even try then you never will. So in the end, you just need to bite the bullit and fill out the sholarship applications.

I don?t know if there is a whole lot that I would tell myself to change or to anticipate. A few things I would tell myself are to be more open minded about other people?s back ground. Not everybody grows up the same way or has the same opinion on different topics. Everyone will have a different goal in life so don?t let your goals be changed by someone else. If you want something go for it and dont let anyone stand in your way.

I would have to tell my high school self not to accept admission to Alaska Pacific University, instead I should have applied and attended University of Alaska Anchorage. I would tell myself to take some more science classes at a community college to fufill some of my Science GURs and GERs. I would tell myself to take as many college classes as I could at the community college and have them transferred over for Fall 2008 term at the college that I wanted to attend. I would tell myself not to take classes I could not handle in Fall 2008, instead I would take a mixture of challenging classes and the easy classes. I would make sure that I had better time management and had better judgment when it came to making friends and choosing the college of my four years.

Don't worry about the little stuff in life; save your anxieties for real world problems. However, still try your best at what you're doing. Also, don't always just wait for the future. Rather, enjoy the present and make use of the opportunities you have while you're still at home. Remember that just because you'll be getting a degree in a certain field, doesn't mean you are limited to jobs only in that field. You have limitless choices in life, so take advantage of your opportunities. Volunteer often, spend time with your family, dream about life. Make life goals for yourself and then figure out how you're going to accomplish them. Nothing is impossible if you are determined enough. By the way, college is going to go by even faster than high school, so make sure that you get to do all of the things you want to do- sometimes you will only get one chance.

If time can time travel is possible, I'd go back to tell myself to first enrolled at a community college to get my required core classes out of the way. That way when I do transfer into a 4 year university, all I have to do are the fun and more meaty classes. I believe this is where most of the knowledge will come from. Also, in the process, I'd make sure that I find a job within the field that I want to get into, such as Health Administration. It does not matter what type of job it is, I can be a file clerk or just an intern for the time being. With the changing economy, getting into this field is very difficult especially if you do not have any practical knowledge or experience in the field. Now a days, employers are seeking candidites with experience, and therefore, having that experience will help make my college career much easier. I will have the experience to discuss in classes and understand what it is when we are discussing issues in the field.