Brigham Young University-Idaho Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

alexandra

I would tell myself to just try and have fun with it. There is so much to do up there, you just have to plan ahead. The school publishes a calendar a month in advance with several events to go to everyday so there's no reason to be bored. Acedemics are important but college is a time of self discovery and it should be something you can look back on and treasure for the rest of your life.

carrie

Don't do the senior prank on the school. It will haunt you to the end of the seas.

Kento

If you are not sure what you want to do in the future, don't worry so much. Enjoy every second of your life and let those things come to you as you go through different experiences in life. Be sure to keep your options open. Don't start closing doors on certain subjects just because you don't like the teacher, or because it's too hard, or whatever else it might be. Have an open mind to new things and allow yourself to learn and to grow. Don't be afraid of failure. If you are too scared to try because you might fail then you will never do it. Just do it, if you fail, learn from your mistakes and get back us and try again!

MaKayla

I would tell myself to be wiser in making a decision on what I want to major in. Don?t get caught up in unrealistic wishes of rich futures, because life will just be spent spending money that isn?t there. I would also tell myself to relax; college is an amazing and a wonderful experience. Take time to enjoy the ride and don?t get caught up in getting through it as fast as possible. Although it is stressful, and sometimes you might hate your life or your professors, it is worth it. Make as many friends and contacts as possible because they will make your time enjoyable and might open opportunities in the future. Altogether just have fun and don?t stress too much, it?s all going to turn out just fine!

Trent

Be more diligent about doing your homework and studying. Learn how to love reading.

Daniel

I would tell myself to relax and not worry so much. College can be enjoyable. I would also tell myself to stay involved in the community and that it is unrealistic to get a 4.0 GPA. I worked way too hard for classes that I wouldn't end up getting an "A". I passed up many fun activities to do homework that wasn't important.

JoAnn

I would have given the advice to stay more focused and I would have studied more often.

Kelly

Be more confident in your decisions

Camille

With high school ending, friends moving away, and college tuition costs looming on the horizon, it is easy to worry about the small things. The most important thing to remember is to live in the moment. It is important to plan for the future, but you should never let the future sap the fun from the present. Enjoy your senior year, enjoy spending time with friends before you go on to bigger and better things. These memories can never be replaced, and your experiences make good stories to tell your new roommates at college. Certainly, taking the necessary steps to assure that your financial aid is aligned or your housing contract is set up is important, but you cannot plan everything, so why worry when something unexpected happens? Learning to be content, regardless of the situation, will not only help you make friends, but it will make you happier and healthier in the long run. The transition from high school to college can be whatever you want it to be: make it fun.

Claire

Claire, don't slack off in your senior year. Work as hard as you can. Prepare yourself. College will be a lot easier if you work hard now instead of later. Also, make a commitment now to work hard at school, and don't take it for granted. Another thing, be money smart. Keep a budget. Only buy things that are absolutely essential. College is a great experience, just don't forget that you have to work hard. If you work hard, you can achieve anything.

kaelynn

there is a lot of advice that i would give myself, but two of the most important peices of advice that i would give my self is to make good long lasting friends, and to put time and effort into my work. i would tell myself to make good long lasting friends, because when you leave high school that is really all you will be able to keep from it. also i would tell myself to make sure and treat those friend with the up most respect and always let them know how much you care for them. i would tell myself this because i left high school thinking i had a lot of friends and come to find out only two of them i still keep in touch with. i would also tell myself to put time and effort into my work, because many times i slacked off. at the time i didn't think it mattered, but going through the process of getting into college and staying in college those many tidious assignments in the pass could have helped me now.

James

My advice would be to just keep doing what I'm doing. My whole career has been one of staying focused on my education and learning as much as I can. I would say that it's very important to keep helping other students where needed and asked for, because my ability to understand material should be able to benefit others as well as myself. Socializing is not one of my strong suits, but developing relationships with other students has been as easy as being myself and offering what I can, mostly help with learning new material. I would reccomend keeping up the good work with being careful with my finances. The only thing that I really need money for is paying for my education right now, and I plan to use the budgeting experience I 've gained from here to govern my finances for a lifetime.

Brook

I would tell myself to take things more seriously school wise and study harder. I would also tell myself to stick with it and study hard once I got into college. I would have alos liked to get more involved on campus my freshman year. Also, don't be so shy get out there and have fun meet new friends, ejoy life.

Kayla

I would tell myself to not worry so much, and just be more excited about the opportunity. I would prepare myself but not overthink all of the things that could go wrong. I would probably try to learn more in high school so it wasnt as hard to really learn it in University. I would have looked into more majors and career opportunities so I had a better idea of what I wanted to do when I started University.

Christina

There are three things in my life that have helped me get to this point; my religion, my family, and my job. If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would testify that my continued membership in my church is crucial to my happiness. Attending a school where this church is central will be a great blessing in my life as a student. I believe the influence will impact my thoughts and actions throughout the remainder of my life. Along with the joy I recieve from this gospel, I would tell myself, is the comfort and love that I feel when I am with my family. I would tell myself to always trust and respect my parents, and to create a harmonious and lasting relationship with each of my three siblings. Lastly, I would stress the power that a good job can have on my future. I have been tremendously blessed to gain employment as a certified pharmacy technician, and I hope that this employment will continue to help me to pay for college, although I know it will not cover everything. I hope I would also tell myself to apply for this scholarship.

Ryan

Be more disciplined in your homework and don't stress too much about your work being perfect.

Darin

Have fun, but make sure you study.

Cami

I would tell myself to stress less about college. I probably would tell myself to study harder, but to enjoy the activities I aprticipated in in as much as I could.

Tyler

I feel that I made the right choices and I would not tell myself anything because I know I did the right thing.

Kjerstin

There isn't much I know now that I wish I'd known then. I have wonderful parents who remember what the college experience was like and they gave me the best advice: "Stay out of debt. You'll get out of the experience what you bring into it. And remember to stay balanced --- study hard but take time out to play." There's not much more I think I needed to know.

Camille

Advice I would give to graduating seniors would be to make sure you make time for yourself as you plan your schedule. This is crucial so you not only destress, but so that you also have the time to reflect more on what you want in life. It also makes college more of an every day thing, rather than just this specific time to get your education. Let me explain. As I have learned to take time for myself, and I have learned more of what I want. One thing that I have discovered, is that learning is not jsut soemthign everyone does their whole life, but that college is the time to decide the quailty of learning that you want for the rest of your life. We will always continue learning throutout our lives no matter what, but it is the intrinsic desire and love for learning that is gained at college. Knowing this as a high school senior, woudl have given me greater hope for the furure, and would have provided me with more courage and power to act in ways that would allow me to fulfill my daily educational potential.

Stephanie

It's going to be a whole new experience. Nothing to worrry about. You will make friends, and you'll be amazed at the things you will learn. Be whoever you've always wanted to be and everything will work out better than you hoped.

Elizabeth

Keep working. Don't date those stupid guys. Have fun. Love your roommates. Take harder classes. Find a different job.

Sarah

You get out of life what you put into it. Participate, be involved. It is all too easy to go through school stuck in a low gear. But why stay stuck in gear one when you can excell to higher gears? Focus. Taking classes now that are more challenging will save you time in the future, and help get comfortable in higher gears. It is all too easy to not believe that you have the strength to move up into that higher gear, but I tell you now that the sooner you do it the sooner you will believe in it. It may surprise you, and you may wish that you would have done it earlier. Express yourself. It's so much easier to excell if you've got a pal to rely on, laugh with, and grow with. Live in the moment with those in the present. Not to worried about who you may meet or when you will meet them because eventually, you will. What matters is that you are ready. Believe that you are worth all the work, all the sweat, and study time because you CAN excell and live out your dreams of a happy future.

Allen

I would tell myself not to take any of my classes for granted and to work hard to get the best grades you can because it will have a great effect on how I qualify for financial aid. I would also tell myself to take as many college accredited courses as I could handle that way I can start college a few steps ahead and I could jump right into the classes that I'm most interested in rather than wading through the generals classes that I don't care that much for. Finally I would emphasize the importance of learning to be patient with others. In college you work and live with many people of all differnt backgrounds and it's important to be open to their way of life. We may not agree with how they do things but it's important to be flexable and learn to appreciate people for who they are.

Alicia

I know that it is really fun to be on your own for the first time. The feeling of freedom is exhilerating. It is great but you need to remember to not put off your studies and study a little everyday and everything will go by a lot more smoothly.

Alex

Hey alex, calm down a little. I know you think grades are the most important thing in your life, but their not. Take a look around. You have at the great friends. Go on a hike with them, ask out that cute girl that you think is leagues above you. Live life. Honestly, what makes college awsome is the people you will have relationships with and the experiences you have with them. Grades are important, but just remember, "If your not having fun your not doing it right." There is a way to succeed and have a blast.

Maryann

try to be more social.

Jennie

I would advise myself to spend a little more time studying. College is not quite as easy as high school. Be patient with the professors and the classes and the other students. Just because someone doesn't grasp something as quickly as you do doesn't mean they're slow; it most likely means that they think in a slightly different manner. Reach out to your classmates, you can't always expect people to come to you, as scary as it is talking to others is rewarding, socially and academically.

lauren

If I could go back and change something about my senior year I would only change one thing. I wish I would have worked harder in saving my money so I could have left to go away to school right after college. However, I did save money by going to a community college for two years so I have learned from that experience and tried my best this time around to save money to go away to school in January 2010. I wouldn't change anything else because those experiences has made me who I am today. I have learned from the mistakes I have made me a better person. No one is perfect so take your regrets and make them into learning experiences and try to change from there. My parents have always taught me to work hard in life so im grateful I can be able to go to college and get a good education to support myself.

Jessica

Don't be afraid to do anything! Too many times I would think to myself, "You aren't good enough," or "There are so many other people that are better than you. Why even bother trying?" After one year of college I am still working on this, but it took me a whole year to figure out that if I really want to succeed, there is nothing in this world that can stop me. I have many goals for my future, and the only thing that can stop me from reaching them is sitting in my chair in front of my computer finishing a scholarship application. If I could see how many scholarship applications I would have to submit, I could get discouraged, but instead I keep trying because I know that I am special. Don't get discouraged that you may not stand out in the midst of a pile of applications, keep on trying, because someday, someone is going to notice you.

Brook

I would tell myself to focus more on school and to hire a lot of tutors. Don't be afraid to ask teachers and class mates for help. Go out there and enjoy every minute of it. Take full advantage of school and the social life. ENJOY IT!

Amy

Parents are naturally hesitant sending their offspring to college. Advice seems to cascade from their lips each time the potential freshman enters the room. It is a crash course in all they hope we know. One of these lessons may be, "Don't talk to strangers." However, this advice warrants reconsideration. As we transition into the unknown we should seek the wisdom of those that have experience. Talk to students and alumni of the schools you are considering attending. These individuals are eager to share both positive and negative aspects of their institution. A campus visit may remove some of the anxiety that accompanies ambiguity. While you are there stop a student in the library, chat with the bored food court cashier, just talk to strangers. You will find that information about their adjustment, classes, campus life, and a mired of other topics is volunteered freely. If you cannot visit the school, there are often students available for discussion through the school website. It may seem awkward at first, but it will prove an invaluable resource as you build your skills in social and career networking. For a credible source, and an incredible college experience, talk to strangers.

Mary

Follow your intuition. If there is a certain school that you want to go to, apply anyway, even if you think that you will not get accepted. You will be surprised at what colleges actually look at on an application. If you are confident in yourself and your application, it is almost a shoe in. As of making the most of a college experience, just have fun! Go to orientation, it is one of the best things that you can do to make new friends. Don?t be afraid to make friends and to be outgoing. More often than not, your friends will be the ones that you go to for everything. Don?t get so involved with your friends and social life however, that you forget about school work. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a great social life, good grades, and enough sleep. Don?t be afraid to volunteer for anything either! It is there that you will most likely meet some of the most amazing people you will ever know.

Kalee

I would give any student the advice that if given the opportunity go to a school where you can live in an apartment. Some of the best growing, learning and memorable moments of my life came from living in an apartment. I also think parents should encourage their children to live on their own so that they can learn and grow as an adult. I would also tell every incoming college student to learn how to study effectively and how to use proper time managment.

Amy

Find a college where you think you will feel the most comfortable with their peers and professors. It is important to feel welcome and have a place where you will not be judged. It is not all about the name of the school.

katie

For me, visiting the campus of the colleges I was trying to decide between helped me. That way you can get a feel of what it would be like to live there, and attend that particular school. Go to some activities while you're there. Talk to some students currently attending. Once you have decided on your college, make the most of your college experience. Don't hold back! Get involved in the things you love. Make new friends! The friends you make at college will more than likely be life-long friends. Have an optomistic outlook on life and college. When you look at things in a positive way, you will learn and grow so much more! Everything in life will be great, even the hard things. Study hard! Take advantage of your opportunity to learn, and learn a variety of things! Don't sweat the small things. Learn to enjoy the simple things of life. Don't worry about having the best appliances or clothes. None of that matters. The appliances will probably get ruined anyway! Have fun and be yourself! That's the best way to make the most of your college experience!

Rachel

Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn to dry your tears, pick yourself up, and go.

Lora

It will take time to decide, the best thing to do is to research the different colleges and to see what you want out of it. Also to get involved with things both on and off campus they'll be so beneficial and do freshemen orientaion it helps you to meet amazing people.

Rebecca

Go with your gut feeling. Take everyone's advice, listen to it, and throw it out the window! Choose the college that stands out to you. Your college experience will be amazing if you just go with what feels right. Set goals. Before you start each semester, write down a list of detailed goals and how you will execute them. Do everything in your power to accomplish those goals. You will feel amazing! Exercise and eat healthy. Keep off that freshman fifteen! Eating healthy can be pricey, but it's worth it! Taking care of yourself will benefit your grades and social life. Become best friends with your roomates. Athletes, geeks, artists, gamers, anyone! College friends are lifelong friends. Let your professors know you exist. It helps them be more open to helping you. Don't forget to check out www.ratemyprofessors.com before registering for your classes. It makes all the difference! Never get so involved in your studies you don't have time to have fun. College is a time you will never forget, make it amazing!

Brittany

Do what is right for you! It is so important that you find a place and an atmosphere that you will feel comfortable and in which you can make the most of your college experience. Make sure you think about your long term goals when choosing your college and your major. Once you are at the college you have choosen, make sure you take advantage of the services and activities offered to you. College is a great time to follow passions or try out new thing; Attend the social activities or be involved in running them. Whatever your calling is, find a place to express it at you college.

Amy

First, decide what you want. Are you looking to get your associate degree? Or, do you want to go on to get your masters or a doctorate? Do you want to go to a less expensive school and transfer? Or, would it be worth the money to stay at one school? Do you have a scholarship to a certain college or university? Do you want to be close to home? Or, would it be better to go half way across the country? Second, do your homework. It doesn't make the process any easier if you are uneducated and poorly informed about the schools you are applying to. If you know how much tuition is, the cost of living, if you can use a scholarship, or if your major is even offered at a particular school you will be much further ahead. Third, check it out. Go to the campus or online and view the facilities, check the housing, and find out where the nearest grocery stores and laundry mats are. Also, check into your program. Fourth, weight all of the pros and cons. Decide what will fit best with what you want. Fifth, decide and enjoy your college experience!

Jamie

In order for you to make the right descistion in choosing your college, you need to look for yourself, not let your parents or your friends determine what you do. Look at how the students live, interact and even visit the campus and sit in on a class to get a feel for the atmosphere. If you can not do that, look on the internet and find what the students are saying about the college and how they like it, with their dislikes also. Also make sure to find what majors and minors they have avalible, and which colleges have the best programs for what you are going into. Another thing to make sure not to do is to just look at the "higher class" colleges being ivy leage, because a smaller less known college could be absolutly perfect for you and you haven't heard of it yet. But all in all, you must reseach and get a feel of each of the possible choices and then YOU pick the one that you think will work out the best. Good Luck!

Heidi

Motivation is crucial for success. Without enough motivation, nothing gets done. This principle makes or breaks the college experience. One needs only to understand this principle in order to select the perfect college for him/herself. Determining motivation is the key element to knowing what to look for in potential colleges. Motivation as a definition means what helps to push through the difficult times when you don?t think you can make it through. You want to have this motivation available to you at your chosen college so that when that college degree seems hopelessly out of reach, you can push forward instead of dropping out. To make the most of the college experience, all activities must be balanced, so that one does not outweigh the others. Social life should not crowd out academics, but the opposite is also true. Planned activities should not fill up the schedule so much that there is not room for spontaneity. College encompasses more than academics. It?s late-night talks with roommates, relationships with significant others, campus activities, influential professors, life-long friends, leading out study groups, and participating in athletics or music.

Zachary

Find a school that will support you in your desired major, a school which provides the student body many social activities, and that maintains a high standard of morales.

Annette

The advice i would give to someone looking for their ideal college would be firstly, know what you stand for and what it is you really want out of your college experience. Knowing who you are is a major part of the school selection process. You will have a more enjoyable time if you are surrounded by those who share the same values and standards you hold. Once you have chosen a few different colleges that are appealing, look into their academic programs. This will help you decide which school will most aid in achieving your future goals. Also look at non-academic activities available, such as sport s teams and volunteer work. Read through the school's mission statement to find out what they deem is most important. Next apply to whichever schools sounds right for you. Once acceptance letters come in you can take a deeper look into student life. Visit the campuses you are most interested in to get a feel of the people you would be surrounded by. Remember college is what you make it. If you are committed to your school work and are involved in various activities you will have a great experience.

Carol

College is an important step for the future, but it is not only important academically, but socially and emotionally. I think that it is through college that many people discover new things about themselves. The future can hold so many options and college is the time to figure out those options and what would make you the happiest. I would suggest not spending all your time with school work. While school work is important, college can be a lot more fulfilling and fun when school work is balanced with the appropriate amount of social activities. However, college is a place of learning, so school work should be one of the main priorities. Enjoy the experience. As for finding the right college, try picking a place where you will enjoy the environment, but not where the environment discourages your main purpose for attending. Go somewhere you will be happy.

Kelly

I think that when you are looking for the right college an important factor should be the type of people you want to be around. The academic part of college is important, but one of the most vital things i have gained from college is the friends i have made that support me while i am here. You should choose a place where you will feel comfortable, not just because it is prestigious. It won't really matter in twenty years from now where you go to college, but what you remember from the experience you have.

Richard

Do what makes you happy. Don't focus just on partying. There are good people and teachers wherever you decide to go.

Janae

There is more to consider when choosing a college than which one has the best sports or the best academic programs. For one, prospective students need to realize that they will be living there for the next few years, so they need to be able to adapt to the climate. This may seem silly but not every place has the same weather and so much more than your mood is affected by the temperature, especially when it's hard to adapt to something foreign to you. Another thing to consider is each school's reputation. Our college years create the foundation for our friends as adults, our future careers, and possibly even our future spouse and family. Therefore, prospective students should look past the parties and the alcohol and focus on their life-long goals.Students need to decide what what they really want out of college; what values they want to be surrounded by, what work ethic they want to experience and what kind of people and teachers they want to interact with. Once students understand this, they will be best able to find the school which can best fit their goals and bring them to fruition as adults.