Appalachian State University Top Questions

The most important advise that I could have given to my high school self would be to not be afraid to get out there. The only way to make friends is to talk to people; so get involved, take initiative, and relax. At college having a support system of close friends is essential for a healthy and happy experience. When one is happy with his/her social life, it's easier to apply that same attitude to every facet of life, including academics. Second, I would say that college classes require much more that high school classes. They are more research oriented and it is necessary to study twice as hard to get the same grade that you might have recieved in high school. Though the classes may be intimidating, you can do it with some effort and support; so put yourself out there and make friends and memories, because the years go by quickly.

It?s a common phrase: ?If I only knew then what I know now?. Problem is we didn?t know then, that?s the point. The life we live is what shapes us. It?s the choices we make, the mistakes we create. Of course, it would be nice if I could go back to my senior year. I?d probably tell myself to take a Sign Language class my very first semester, instead of waiting until I was nearly finished with my Associates, just so I could be farther along in my studies. It would be wonderful to be a fully certified Sign Language Interpreter at twenty-two, but I question if I would have felt the same way about it if I had not had the life experiences I did before I took the class. Although I might have to leave myself a note to save a little more money faster, I feel as though the advice I could give myself pales in comparison to the things I?ve learned through life.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school and talk to myself, I would have to tell myself alot of the things my parents and other adults in my life tried to tell me. This time I would listen. College life is a big transistion. You definately need to stay focused to succeed. There is time for social activities - just not as much as you would like. There is life after college and any and everything you do or don't do in college can dictate the life you have afterwards. College is a time to really mature, become an independent person (almost) and discover what type of person you can be.

Looking back at myself as a teenager and a senior in high school I wouldn't change anything, but I would be able to give some lofty advice that would've been useful. I think it's important to let go and allow change to transform you, both intellectually and personally. Holding on to old habits or old ways of thinking hinder the progression of becoming a better person, and I think college makes everyone a better, more individualized person. College teaches you respect for yourself and for your actions. As a seniior in high school, it's easy to get caught up in who's saying what, and who's doing what, and so forth. High school is a small part of live, in the grand scheme of things. It's merely a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Making the transition was hard, but had I been able to go back and give advice I would simply tell myself to "roll with it", and not worry so much about the outcome or what other people think.

To ease my transition from high school to college, if given the chance, I would give myself this advice: There is never enough tme in the day, so learning to schedule and budget time will be crucial. One of the best skills to learn in college is time management, and brining good time management skills with you from high school will save you from the headache period most college freshman experience within their first weeks on campus. With classes, clubs, sports, friends, homework, and, of course, sleep, and all with no parents to tell you when to do anything, living independently for the first time can be a major adjustment. My suggestion to myself would be to buy a good, durable planner for scheduling all of my time, so that I wouldn't forget important assignments, due dates, or meetings. If I would have done this for my freshman year, I would have had a much easier transition.

I would tell myself about peer pressure. When I first came to college, some older friends invited me to drink . The first time I went out, I told my friends that I would be the designated driver, that time. Hours later my drunk friend was extremly sick and I really didn't know if he would make it; no one else seemed to care about his health. That night changed my (bad) thoughts of drinking to horrible nightmares. Even after that event, the stress of the peer pressure was overwhelming at times. I felt like a "loser" when I would tell them I didn't want to drink. I felt stupid and lowsy when I would see pictures on Facebook of people having a great time at the parties while I sat at home alone. Then I would hear dormmates vomiting and be thankful of my responsible behavior. I soon found friends who would rather go bowling, watch movies, volunteer, and play games/sports, which are obviously more fun and even produced great pictures on Facebook of us, sober. Today, I would tell myself as a highschool senior to be patient and that people with my interests would come.

Hey! College is the greatest time of your life! It will not be easy and you will definitely have to work hard, so do not think you can just do the minimum and get by. Get to know everyone in your classes so you can work together and always be friendly to everyone who surrounds you because they will definitely do the same. Another thing is don't be afraid to speak up in class and go to your professors for help because they are always willing to help out and give you words of encouragement! Most of all, get involved! Clubs are a great way to meet new people and intramural sports are another great way to do the same. Living on campus the first year is another way to meet people. When choosing your schedule choose a schedule that is challenging, but also remember it is college and you are most definitely suppose to be able to enjoy it! So for closing words of advice, get know people, get involved, challenge yourself, and most importantly enjoy your time in college because it truly will be the greatest time of your life! Good luck!

Now that I have made it past my first semester in college I feel a little wiser. With hard work, concentration and the hardest cross country training I have ever experienced, I survived. Although this past semester was successful, if given the opportunity to go back in time to talk to myself while I was still attending high school, I would do it in a heart beat. I have always managed my time well while juggling my studies, track/cross country, and friendships very well, so I would avoid telling myself to study harder. The one thing I would tell myself to do would be to spend more time with my family. I feel that I took them for granted. They made me meals, drove me to practice, helped me with my homework, and now that I have moved out, I miss toughs small favors. I would tell myself to appreciate family time, because once you move out family time only comes on holidays. Becoming independent is a right of passage that every young person has to go through, and no matter how many times people tell you that you are going miss your parents, you won?t believe them.

I would tell myself to choose a college baised on the programs they have, not on where my friends want to go. I would also tell my self to research all aspects of the school including the surrounding area and the climate the school gets. I would also tell myself that I decided I want to do somthing in sports preferably sport management and to choose a college that has a degree close to that feild.

If I could go back and time and teach myself one thing before I came to college it would have to be finding a way to motivate myself and not procrastinate.

I would tell myself to to pick a college that offers my educational interests as well as my leisure interests because I believe it is important to have fun. I would also tell myself to get involved in extracurricular activities that interest me because I believe it is important to meet new people and try new things. Some other advice I would give myself would be to find a career in something that I enjoy rather than making the main focus on how much money I will make. Although money is an important part to making a living, I believe my top priority should be enjoying what I do.

Being in my second semester of college, if I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that the transition is hard but well worth it. Getting a little homesick is normal but get involved as soon as you get to college with a good group of friends, a Church or worship group, an activity that you're interested in and do not try to be something you're not. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Being yourself will lead you down the path best fit for you. Also, don't be afraid to take classes because they may sound hard, a little hard work never hurt anybody. Give everything you're all and never give up. It's very easy to get discouraged within the first months or your first semester but do not give up on your dreams and never let anybody else influence your decisions or change your mind. Along with that, I would tell myself to not forget about those you left behind at home. They care for you more than anybody you will ever come across.

College life is hard for everyone. There are no set rules as to how to handle one's college career because every student's is different. Some have to deal with the pressure of winning a fourth National Football Championship while others struggle with trying to pass English 1000. If I were to give advice to myself as a senior in high school on how to brace for college, I would tell myself to strive for the best but prepare for the worst. College is a time in most peoples' lives where they do the most learning and growing as a person. It is during these four years where you decide what you want to do with the rest of their life. Goals have to be set, however if obstacles come along to slow you down, that can't stop you completely from striving for your best. I would let myself know to work hard and don't procrastinate especially, but if something does get me down, to keep moving and leave it in the past. Everyone messes up at one point or another, but during college, it will be detrimental to your experience if you dwell on your mistakes.

I would tell myself to meet people in my classes faster. It is much easier to study with other people. I would have gone to the library sooner and learned about the different oppotunities on campus.

I would tell myself to relax. I was rather stressed and anxious about what college was going to be like. I was even worried that I wouldn't get into college! Looking back, I did more stressing than was really necessary and everything turned out greater than I had expected. Sure it is hard being away from home at times, and I do miss my friends very much, but college is probably the best time I have had in my life to date. I would also tell myself to enjoy the time I had left at home, and to be nicer to my parents since once I leave they won't always be there for like they were when I lived at home. Cherish the time you have with them and the wisdom they have, and don't take anything for granted!

You don't need to search for your passions. They're already inside of you and you're expressing them. You have a gift for analyzing movies and books and for writing about them. I know you feel inadequate, like what you create is inferior, but think of all the encouragement and praise you've recieved from people who care about you. Can they all be wrong? And college will help you excel so that you can be proud of your work. If you should come to realize that this is not what you want to pursue, don't fret. You don't need to figure it all out now. You will have time to allow life to fall into place. So while you take a chance and pursue one option, be open to other pursuits, enjoy learning, thinking, and doing the things you love. Don't dwell on the past, stop worrying about the future, and live only in the moment. I know you feel alone, but you are never alone. It will be hard to live in a place that is not your home, but have faith. Trust that you will be where you are meant to be.

Given the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would pass along advice that I think would save myself a lot of time and stress. The first thing I would say is that the saying "you can retake a class, you can't relive a party" is absolutely ridiculous, and whoever came up with it probably never graduated college. I would stress the importance of going to class, and while in class taking good notes. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would benefit from this advice, which would undoubtedly save me from stressful hours of studying in the library. I would explain to myself that cramming for a test the night before is in no way an effective way of studying, and that getting started on assignments early will make them seem easier and usually result in a better grade. Finally, I would tell myself to be sure to get involved on campus and to develop good relationships with my professors, because doing so makes college life less daunting and much more enjoyable.

If I had the oppurtunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about what it would be like in college, the most important thing would be to tell myself to start off hard at the begining. To start off you grades right because you easiest classes are at the beginning and its important to get good grades in those so you are not struggling to keep your grades up in the end. To not get caught up in the stereotype college life of being able to party and skip class when ever you like. Most of the people that you knew your first few semesters who slack off will NOT be there when you graduate. It is really easy to take a few days off here and there and to let you work build up. However, it will come back to bite you. Even though you have several classes at different times, each class has finaly that make up most of your grades. dont leave everything until the last minute. I would also tell myself to take part in extra curricular activities. Its important to find good friends to make it through college.

I would tell myself to take more marketing and computer classes. I would also have taken English more seriously, especially the writing. I played baseball eleven out of twelve months from the time I was 12 years old. I played for two years in junior college. I mainly went to school and did well so that I could play baseball. I would also tell my high school senior self to work harder so that I would qualify for some scholarships. I have loans and some financial aid but scholarships would really help since my middle-income family has three children in college.

The feelings of being overwhelmed by this transition are temporary. Take pride in yourself and have integrity, to yourself and the school. This is a life you are building and the alternatives arent very appealing once you are stuck in the middle of them. Study study study. Friends and having fun are great, but neither are going to do your homework, take your tests, or support you financially in the end. This is your life. Take charge!!

Oh, there is so much that I could say that would help so much. I would start with a hard slap in the face followed by a cold bucket of ice water. After successfully getting my attention and simultaneously relieving myself of the shock of having been slapped in the face by my future self, I would provide myself with the following advice: forget everything you thought you knew about college. Forget the campus tour, it's honestly not going to help you. Rememeber all those movies you watched that made college out to be a leisure trip of good times and girls, well they lied. College is life's wake up call for you to grow up and face reality. You may have thought you were getting up way to early for high school, but just wait for that 8 a.m. exam on a Monday after you stayed up until 4 trying to cram everything you blew off for the entire semster. Study hard, I mean really hard, focus on your goals and assprations and never give up. Oh, and remember to take your room key everywhere. Remeber these simple words of advce and you;ll be fine.

Even though you were homeschooled, someone can help you find a good college; seek out a school counselor. Do not settle for what you can only afford, because there ARE ways to pay for college that do not involve piles of loans. With your grades, you can get into a great school and have scholarships to help you pay for it. Do not only visit one school and do not assume that by the prettiness of the campus and the energy of the representative that it is perfect; even if it is perfect, it may not be for you. Apply earlier, and do not only apply to one school. List your goals and what you want from college and search tirelessly for the one that is right for you. Further, do not be afraid to transfer before it is too late.

I would advise myself to find scholarships and apply to as many as possible. Also, to join clubs once I got there in order to be connected and find friends easily. Do not be afraid to get involved or go to the work out classes. Going to class really does help the information taught in the class to stay in the mind, especially when it comes to taking tests. The library is not a scary place and if I needed help in a class to go to the tutoring center. Get involved with club sports, it is an easy way to make connections with people and do something fun at the same time.

Stay focused and remember why you are going to college.

In high school, I was just like all the other teens my age; my daily activities revolved around my social life. After school, I went straight to a friend?s house to relax. Though we planned to do homework, we would decide to watch TV or listen to music instead. I would return home each evening to race through my homework. Much of what I learned, I didn?t retain past test day. As a college student, I would give my former self one piece of advice: take the time to realize how fundamental, yet precious, knowledge actually is. I would warn myself of how easy it is to take education and knowledge for granted. Though school and learning is a part of my everyday life, it is not at all something that is guaranteed. Hopefully, I would be able to convince myself to take advantage of every opportunity to learn, both in and out of the classroom. Lastly, I would tell myself that even the socialization that I love so dearly can actually be a form of knowledge. If used properly, socialization can be a means for one to experience new things, expand horizons, and grow as a person.

I would tell myself to go through college; don't let college run through you because as soon as you let it run through you, you have to do a lot to catch back up! Another thing I would say is don't take this oppurtunity for granted because you are being blessed with this oppurtunity and many other students would like to be in that position but aren't. Lastly, I would say make the most out of the experience because there is only one first time for everything.

I would advise myself not to miss my family and my boyfrend so much and to stay at school more often. I would also advise myself to allow myself to make friends and to hang out with them often.

I wouldnt give myself any advice, I'd just let things play out the way they did.

Hmmm, if I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I probably would advice myself truly to never quit your dreams and stay on the path to what you want in life and hold onto it. As most students know, you have to pick your colleges early to be accepted by them. However, there are times when that doesn't happen so you attend a community college to start on your dreams, thats what I ended up doing and then work on that very group of colleges you wanted in the first place and work to be their transfer student. Over all thats how I found and got accepted by my number one school, Appalachian State University. All it takes to succeed is hard work, determination, optimism and the strength to never give-up and those very words have led me to success. In your life, I hope you follow these words as I did when I was a senior and I bet you will be able to achieve your dreams.

I had a difficult senior year, taking all International Baccalaureate classes to prepare me for my IB exams in May. I was very much focused on studying and learning as much as I could. I prepared myself for college by taking extremely difficult high school classes. I was prepared for college coarse work, but not as prepared for the amount of free time college brings. To any future college freshmen, I would recommend that they try to find a balance between social life and study time. It's a hard balance to find, especially without the presence of parents. You can take classes seriously without jeopardizing your social life.

I would tell them to take their time in choosing a college. You have to go out and ask the students there what they think of their school. Do they like the social events, sport events, the residence halls, and the cafeteria food? You also need to make sure that they have what you are looking for academically - make sure they have a lot of options for majors because you will change your mind a lot. See if the school has any special classes/residental living communities for new incoming freshmen to get acquainted with life on campus. See what the residence halls are like. Does the school have wi-fi spots? Is there public transportation to get around town?

I would recommend going on campus tours and trying to find students on campus to see how they feel about it and what they like and dislike about campus. I would also recommend talking to some of the teachers in the area of study you are looking in to.

Make sure you tour the school. Ask a freshman how he/she feels about being there and then find an older student and get there opinion. Find out what a normal day is like in that town and find out how the weekends are too. Tour the library because you will spend most of your time there, but its not all you will ever do so make sure you know what would be available in your free time. College is what you make it. If you want a 4.0 you are going to have to work hard and you really won't have much time to play, but it will pay off later. If you can pull off good grades and still go play take a tour around the campus and see the sights. If you love tanning next to the ocean all day don't go to a school in the mountains. Just get a feel for where you are going to be before you commit your life and money to that school. It's going to be the best 4-7 years of your life, make sure you enjoy it.

Parents should know that choosing a college is one of the most important decisions their child will make in life, and it is imperative that they are able to make that choice for themselves. College is a time for them to make their own choices, and as difficult as that might be, parents must oblige and allow them to mature. Students should choose a college that suits their needs and goals, not those of any one else. Do not change your self for others, and always play to your instincts. It does not matter what other people say or think about you, but only what you think about your self. Stay true to who you are, and enjoy life.

In searching for the right college, parents obviously want a school that will not break their wallet. One of the biggest factors that parents should consider is how comfortable they feel leaving their student at the school for the entire year. The friendliness and helpfulness of staff and students at a university are a great indicator of the overall atmosphere on campus. A friendly staff indicates that they truly care about the individual needs of the students. Students should search for a college that they can see themselves at. They need a university that has their major and also a variety of activities and clubs that they are interested in. In order to make the most of the college experience students should certainly introduce themselves to others to make friends. They should also attend Club Expos to get a feel for the activities on campus. Furthermore, participating in dorm activities will help students make the most of dorm life and draw them closer to their neighbors.

Finding the right college is not as easy as school counselors make it sound. Sure, visiting is important, but a campus tour alone will not cut the cake. If you have a specific ambition, go to the department of the school you plan to study in and speak with some of the professors. If you need to be around a certain type of people, hang around a grassy spot on campus and talk to some current students. Most of them would be more than happy to tell you about their experiences. Think about where you see yourself after graduation and try to match the expectations you have for yourself with the expectations the world will have for you. Location is important, but not the MOST important. Academics are important, but a lack of social life will drain you. Know what you value and make sure that the school you attend holds the same values. Work hard, play hard. Once you're there, you'll find your own personal balance of learning and living. No school is the "wrong" school as long as you have the right attitude!

Choosing the right college for your needs is one of the most important stepping stones toward a fullfilling education and career. It's never too early to start researching prospective schools, and deciding what you want out of your university experience. Once you've identified these things, working toward it with diligence in school and community involvement is key. When you finally begin your college career, finding your niche in the community can make all the difference in your campus experience. Many schools host club expos which allow new students to see what organizations the university has to offer. Getting involved enhances education, social and cultural aspects of college life.

When it comes to finding the right school for you, the choices may look overwhelming. However, it is possible to find that one school that is perfect for you. The first way to start narrowing down your choices is to look at location, price, and size, based on your prefrences, to get an idea of which colleges to look at. When you have that list, then start looking at what kinds of courses and majors are offered. If you are undecided about what you want to end up doing, a larger school with a broad selection of courses may be right for you. Once you have a list of schools that fit your criteria, the best thing to do is visit them. Before I visited the campuses, I was sure I would want to go to school in Florida. However, when I visited Appalachian State, I fell in love with the campus, and I knew this was the right school for me. Visiting campuses lets you see not only the campus itself, but also the types of people who attend that school, the professors, and the surrounding area. All of these play a huge role in your overall college experience.

First, visit the college and go on a tour with a student that is not affiliated with the campus touring because you find out much more useful information and you also could get to see more important sites on campus. Talking with your advisors multiple times to keep you on track and ahead in your classes. Also, go with your gut on choosing a college that you truly enjoy, with classes/majors, student life, living, and food. Also, try to go to a school that isn't were all your high school friends are attending. You need to get to know new people and you find out what your true high school friends are really like if you room with them. Look at the costs of the schools too so that you are not stuck financially for your college years and the years that will follow.

if they make friends, then they will be happy, and make sure that they are challenged, because so many highschoolers dont understand what it is to really work yet, to study through nights, to put in everything; and if they do that in colledge, they will learn their worth.

Do not get wrapped up in to much your freshman year as it can hold you back from enjoyment the rest of your college career.

Ultimately there is no magic spell or perfect plan for finding the right college. You can find your perfect match in the strangest ways. You have to keep your eyes open but you'll know it when you find it. When I found the university that I'm now attending I was a freshman in high school who had just moved from Florida to North Carolina. I knew nothing about colleges in North Carolina and hadn't even begun to consider that step in my life yet. In October of my freshman year of high school I was with my marching band at a competition at Appalachian State University. I spent an entire day wandering around the campus with my friends. It was pouring down rain and about sixty degrees. We could all feel the water sloshing in our shoes (yes it does flood in the mountains!) and we were soaked to the core. It was miserable, wet and cold, but I fell in love with Appalachian's campus. Three years later the magic was still there on a snowy campus visit. I fell in love with the mountains and stayed for the education.

has your field of study or if unsure then be sure you are not limited ( i.e. a liberal arts school); study abroad opportunity; activities outside of school you would want to get involved with; is it a "suitcase" college; talk to students - at different levels ( and not just the ones giving the tours - stop someone on campus); transportation; financial assistance (inc job opportunities)...PARENTS: be involved with the decision making but in the end,let the student make the final decision where they want to go(too many of my friends were told what school as well as what career to pursue and it hasn't worked out) once at school GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS,IN THE COMMUNITY AND FOCUS ON CLASSES - don't loose sight of why you are there!

There is an abundance of advice that could be given to parents and/or future college students regarding finding the right college and making the most of the entire college experience. However, I am not completely sold on the fact that there is one perfect college/university out there for each individual. I believe the most important aspect of the college experience is making the most out of the situations you are faced with. It's not about what school your at or what town you're in. It's about the relationships you create and the experiences you create for yourself. College is an experience that will remain with you for life. Make the most of it where ever you end up! The possibilities are endless as long as you engage with an open mind!

I think the most important part of finding a school is being comfortable. Students who are researching and visiting schools should immediately feel a sense of unity. More and more kids today aren't taking the steps to look at tschools, or decide what area they would like to go into. Having this uncertainty going into a school causes a high rate of turnover, making it hard for students ever to find acceptance and settling down to pursue their academic career. It is the parents responsibility to push their kids. Parents should make sure their kids research the schools, expecially the areas that prospective students dont consintrate on, things like financial aid, class sizes, availability of teachers, extra help, and part time jobs. Students should also look to their parents in those moments of doubt when at school. Every student goes through a point when they are unsure if they are majoring in what they want, if they should be at this certain school, or even homesickness. It is an active role that I would like to see more parents fill.

Finding the right college is definitley a hard task. Campus tours will never give you the real side of a college that you need to know about; such as the effect that the alumni have on the everyday life of students, or the availabilty of off campus housing or the actual taste of campus cuisine. However, you will be surprised to learn that not only is college a place of higher education, but it is the place that will most influence your long term goals in life. It's no mystery that over 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of undergraduates change their major at least once. I feel that in order to get a better grasp on the decision you will make, you should consult an underclassmen or graduate student who has spent a couple of years at the university and ask them for a brief synopsis of the school in question. Use the information gathered from campus tours, admission brochures, student interviews along with observations made by you of a typical day in the life of a student at that school and formulate a proper course of action as to whether or not this college fits you or that you fit the college.

Make sure it fits your child's personality. If your kid absolutely hates the country don't put him in a rural college like Appalachain. Make sure he stays close to things like cities and nightlife if thats what he's used to. Don't put what you desire on your kid. If he wants to go to community college let him go. If he wants to go to a university let him do that. Remember, college is college no matter where you go. It is compassion, ambition and dedication that get you through college and nothing else.

The key is to start early as possible. Check out acceditations,curriculums,and especially alumni,gather all the imformation you possibly can.When gathering this imformation,don't just gather from former students and alumni who chose the same major that you intend to take,but get input from every source you can possibly find,go to that college for an in person visitation check out the campus,its layout and its ease and comfort to commute,check teacher to student ratio, ethnic ratio,and anything else that may come into mind before making any final decision,for not only is this an educational investment,but an investment in your life experiences.

Make sure that your student feels comfortable and if they decide to transfer to another university or college, allow them to make that decisions and do not live through your student. Just because a school is expensive does not mean that it is a great value.

Find a location that you will like year around. Some students who come to Boone do not like the cold weather or the mountains and most of the year the area is either cold and there is mountains all around. Also consider your finances an important consideration. Aim for an in-state college or university, but if you find one that is out of state that you like then go for it. Never give up and aim for the sky. Finally, wants you decide what you want to do; do it, don't let anyone or anything stop you.