Dakota State University Top Questions

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

Brady

I would tell myself that it is not easy but to just keep on going and you will get through it. Also I would tell myself to start to save money because college keeps getting more and more expensive and I was not ready for that and the amount of money I had to take out. I would also tell myself to take college credits in high school so then I would not have to pay to take them in college because that would have saved me a great amount of money.

Matthew

The single best advice I can give anyone is that they should go to class. In class you will make more friends than you think and actually learn the things that will help you be successful.

Jared

Don't worry about dating, leave that alone for the first year or two. Focus on getting friends, and just get your work done early so you can spend that time with the friends you make. Don't sign up for too many activities, and make sure you don't take on too much. Also, keep an eye on how much money you have. Don't be too cheap, but be wise.

Ian

Don't slack off. You don't have Mom around to keep you on track. No matter how easy classes might seem, or how inevitable failure might be, spend as much time as you need in order to be the best student you can be. You're there to learn, and there's no reason not to try your hardest. Even between classes and studying, you'll still have plenty of time to hang around and make friends. College might seem like the time people are supposed to goof off and have fun, and it IS supposed to be a fun experience, but it's also supposed to be the time that sets you up for the real world. High School didn't really matter. It's four years of your life that are supposed to set you up for the four that actually make the difference.

Kristina

I would advise my younger self to try her hardest in high school and actually study. I don't have problems studying now, but my habits could be better. I would also tell myself to study hard on core subjects. Math and science classes are a part of nearly every college student's career, and going in with more than I had (nothing) would have helped immensely. I have a hard time with math, and studying it more in high school would have prepared me better. I was good in Biology and could have easily gotten college credit while in high school and I didn't. I'm now going into my final semester, taking four 400-level classes and one 100-level science class, something that could have been avoided. A last thing I would tell my younger self is to read while she still can. I have a mountain of books I want to read but on top of work and school, I just can't motivate myself to do so. I really wish I would have read more while I was in high school.

Jennifer

If I were to replay my life I would go to college after highschool on my own and be done before I was 40. I would have listened to others and not have moved out of my home so early as a teen. I say I would love to do it all over again but the reality is if I did I would never have had my two incredible children. If I could have still had them and go to college I would have worked harder and went to my dream school and I would have done it all on my own to prove to my father and myself that it can be done. If anyone wants to go to college they need to do it while they are young. Don't wait, do it now before life happens and there is no way out but online college and student loan debt at 40. I work two jobs and go to college online and have no free time, why would you want to live like this. Go to school now before it is too late! Cross that stage with a degree in hand and be proud of yourself!

Joshua

Josh, forget the Art Institute of Schaumberg. Columbia is much MUCH better for what you're looking to do! They have a BETTER curriculum! Also? Fill the FAFSA out with the help of SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING! Don't do that yourself! You'll screw it up! I know! I was there! You'll spend a semester at what you'll later call your definition of "heaven" and spend the next 4 years going to Purdue for what they call, "practically the same thing," when really? It's not. Not even close! Please, look into all of this in your JUNIOR YEAR, not after you graduated! Seriously, get someone for that FAFSA. It doesn't get simpler until 2010. Also, relax. It's just high school. Forget the girls, forget the bullies, work on extracurricular. Also, Academic Decathalon is awesome. Do that ASAP. Take it easy, I'll see you around. PS: Don't be afraid of the train or Chicago. The world is big and scary, but can be a really cool place to live if you just take time to get to know it.

Jayne

In just the first semester of my college career I have learned some important lessons that I wish I had known from the start. I was determined to live in the residence halls, even though my parents tried to talk me out of it. After the first three weeks of school I had already moved back into my parent's house because it wasn't worth the drama or the money. I wish I would have listened to my parents and saved my $2000 but what newly graduated senior is going to listen to their parents. At the beginning of the semester I was ambitious and ready for anything; but about a month or so in, that ambition started to fade. If I had known the effect my lack of ambition would have on my grades I could have made more of an effort throughout the entire semester. I ended up passing everything just fine, but I definitely had some catching up to do toward the end of the semester. I would just make sure that my high school self new to take advice to heart and always keep your ambition! It will pay off!

Kellie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would inform myself that I should try harder than I did in my classes instead of waiting for the teachers to push me who never saw the point in making me want to learn. I would tell myself not to use my learning disability as an excuse . I would also tell myself to go to college right out of high school instead of waiting until I turned 32 years old. I would tell myself to stop skipping school because I was depressed over things that seem trivial now. I would inform myself that I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and to talk to my parents and counselor about getting into behavioral therapy.But most of all I would tell myself that I should stay in school and work hard on my grades no matter what every one else thought of my capabilities and intelligence because now that I have the instructors I have , I know I can make it and succeed in college.

Chelsea

You need to study more. Yeah, it's fun to slack off and see if you can finish that 8 page paper the night before it's due and see if you can still make the grade. But you really should learn to be more time efficient. Plan things out better. Don't wait until the last minute. It only stresses you out. That tv show will be online tomorrow; you can watch it then. Yeah, it's fun to stay out late, but the grades you make in college, effect you a lot more than you think. So close facebook, twitter and pinterest, open up Microsoft Word, and start that paper while you have the time.

Mostafa

If there's one thing that life teaches you it is that experience is the best teacher. Even though my college going friends told me a lot of things of what to expect from college it was experiencing it first hand that taught me most. In many ways I was prepared to handle the challenges I met - and in many ways I was not. If I were to go back in time I would instruct my younger self to not hesitate going out of his comfort-zone to get things done. And the advice isn't just for studies. Coming out of your proverbial "shell" and meeting new people, approaching teachers to talk about a personal problem you might be having, reaching out to everyone you're aquainted with and working together to solve new problems - that's what college is all about. While High-school offers a more competitive environment - an environment that prefers individual skills to that of working in a team college is almost completely the opposite. Teamwork is no longer an optional perk that's good to have. It is a necessity. And above all I would tell my younger self to give everoyne a chance.

Natalie

My high school year was packed. I felt the need to do absolutely everything, including sports, music, and academic clubs and community life. One thing I tell senior's now from my high school is to breathe and to focus on what you feel is most important. I wish that I could go back and really focus on my major in college now and maybe realize that doing everything is not necessary. Swamping oneself with continuous activities is only a distraction from the most important goal. My goal is psychology and possibly a minor in respiratory care and while sports and music was a enormous part of my life for high school I realize now that my focus has to be on my major. High schoolers are packed with activities and my biggest regret was taking on activities I did not need to do which distracted me from my biggest goal.

Summer

SUMMER! Don't hesitate to continue your education! I say this from experience: having a child DOES NOT have to hinder your education. Do you want him to grow up seeing you struggle? Do you want him to think of college as unobtainable? Help him see why this is the best avenue for him. Change your life now so you don't have to work so hard when you're my age. Life is a journey; do you want to enjoy it or fight it every step of the way? You are such a smart person, take your brightness and run with it! You can be anything you want to be, you just have to grab on, hold tight and enjoy the journey. The consequences if you don't take this chance? Well, first of all, it will only be longer until you are reaping the benefits of a stable job. Secondly, at thirty-one with three kids, it's much harder to stay focused and on track when it comes to furthering your education. I know you can do this! Be the best you can be; all you have to gain is SUCCESS!

Ethan

Don't be afraid to jump right in and try new things. You might get overwhelmed at times, but that's ok. Go out and meet new people, they will help you to discover yourself. Work hard, learn as much as you can as fast as you can. Make your dreams come true.

Nolan

I would tell myself to relax and be ready to focus on what’s important. The transition from high school to college is as easy as just about any other transition in life. It’s a little uncomfortable and kind of awkward at first, but after a while you get a routine you find a few friends and you start to enjoy yourself, but that doesn’t happen until you stop worrying about every little thing, that the smallest thing going wrong means the end of your college career or just life in general. Take each day as it comes and meet your problems with calm and reserve and sort your problems out accordingly. When a new problem comes along take a deep breath and gather yourself together. Secondly be ready to work hard and focus don’t think that it’s the easy life now you need to work just as hard as before it’s just that now nobody is going to be breathing down your neck. That can be nice but at times but it can be a bit of a hindrance at others. Don’t waste your time and don’t take the easy way out.

Danielle

I would have tried to build the courage to take some college courses my senior year of high school instead of sitting back and taking the easy way out. I would have tried to get the grades I now know that I am able to get to raise my GPA higher. I also would have told myself to start looking for scholarships because I ran out of time and probably could have applied for alot more then what I did. All in all do not be lazy your senior year, take you education seriously.

Amber

Knowing what i know about life, If i could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school,I would tell myself not to drop out. I would tell myself that just because you are having a baby does not mean you can't finsih school. I would tell myself how hard it was to complete school later and the only help I will have is my amazing mother, who will be there for me no matter what.

Rebecca

Keep striving to do your best, never lose focus on what is important to you. The transition will be difficult at times and the homework will catch you off guard. However, being yourself in college will give you a whole new experience. No one cares what clothes you wear, when you wear make-up or don't wear make-up. They also don't care that you are overly silly or hyper. You don't need to impress anyone anymore, college is where you can let go of self-doubt and focus on relationships and what you want to do for the rest of your life. The best part is, there is no rush, slow down and enjoy the ride you just signed up for.

Courtney

Never give up! Goals are achievable! Work hard!

Rhannon

Dear highschool me, Your bestfriends are no longer your backbone, you need to become more independent and responsible. Growing up is fun, soak up the little things. You will meet people that are from all different backgrounds and their stories will make your old issues look tiny. Your dad will miss you even though you think he won't, and you'll miss him too. You're about to realize how great you've actually had it and you will become more comfortable in your skin, I promise. The people that have surrounded you in school for so many years now will no longer matter, and what they said about your hair or your clothes will all be forgotten. You get a chance to get to know who you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. Be excited. Ask questions. Stop dying your hair and wearing so much makeup. Explore. Dream. Be humble, and be kind and always keep an open mind.

Megan

College is definately not as easy as high school. You really need to prepare yourself by learning to study and learning how to manage your time.

Karin

I would tell myself to save money. Find a college that worked best for my life sytle.

Amber

The advice I have for high school seniors is to consider their interests and passions in life. Use these to direct you when considering a major to pursue. When choosing a college, consider the majors they offer, where they are located, and they type of community there is. The big aspect may be the finicial side of choosing a college. The activities that you enjoy throughout high school and your personality can help you choose a major quickly. Getting hired in a job that will be like your future job after getting a degree is helpful in knowing whether you really want to pursue a major. Adjusting to college life can be difficult, but making connections can help make the college expierence enjoyable. Getting to know the professors and your peers in various classes can help you start to feel comfortable with the classes. Focusing on doing well in the classes you choose to take is necessary so college can be beneficial for your future career. If you struggle with classes, get help from the professor or tutors.

Sherise

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have tons of knowledge to inform myself with. Knowledge such as learning how to study correctly. Studying is a huge factor in college and without the skills of doing so, it will be way harder to retain the information given to you in your course. I would also tell myself to not slack on applying for scholarships, because college is not cheap! Taking out loans to pay for college is very stressful. Being lazy and not applying for as many universities and scholarships as you can will only make you do all that hard work later on when you become serious about it all. If I could actually go back in time with the knowledge I have now about college, I believe it would have been very helpful. If I could have done so I believe my future with paying for college would have been set. Having information about college is very helpful and knowing what you will expecting will help you to be prepared.

Lenna

Try harder in school! College is a big step and its important that you choose the right school for you. Senior year is just as important as any other year if not more important. Your GPA and SAT/ACT scores indicate if you get accepted or not. If you raise that GPA now you can still qualify for academic scholarships. Do not rely on athletics to pay your way through school. Life is what you make of it, so if you are going to sit there in class and be lazy, might as well not apply to any colleges.

Tara

I do not regret what I have so far completed in my college experience. However, given the chance to send my high school self a little advice about college may have made my first year here at DSU very different. First of all, I would tell myself to get involved! Make friends and get out of that dorm room! Homework and school is very important, but one must balance school and a social life equally. Go out to movies and restaurants with friends or go to the many entertainment hotspots that the campus provides for the students. Also, join a club on campus. This is a great way to make friends and find other people on campus who have the same interests that you do. Second, scholarships are vital to any college student. Even if they are a long and tedious process, fill out every one that you qualify for. College is where you will be the next four years and it is not cheap. Every scholarship will go towards education costs and textbooks. The more scholarships you receive, the less loans you will repay after you graduate. You cannot be rewarded a scholarship if you do not try.

Hailie

Go into college being organized. Make time for fun, work, and sleep. But most importantly make time for your education because that is the reason you are going to college.

Elliott

I would strongly recommend going out of state or to a college where you don't have friends from high school. The new friends you make in college can really become lifelong friends. Also, I would remind myself to go to a college that caters to the activities and the degree that most closely fits you, you shouldn't have to change yourself or settle for second best when it comes to your education. Do what makes you happy, forcing yourself to pursue a degree in something that you don't enjoy every second of is a waste of time and money.

Kaitlyn

The advice I would give myself is to try harder in class, study more, and actually try. Just because it is senior year doesn`t mean you can slack.

Ashley

Ashley, be prepared study more for classes. Some professors don't always tell you what the assignment is or when a quiz is coming up. You need to always be studying for your classes as much as you can. You will spend a lot of money on textbooks that you should not let ust sit on your shelves but put them to use. Study for your classes, read up on the materials presented in front of you. Always be prepared for anything a professor may assign.

Brian

I would tell myself to do things like: get more involved in the thinks going on around me, spend all your extra time aplying for scholarships, and study for the ACT its important.

Rays

The advise that i would give myself and other highschool seniors would be to one, listen to your parents and teachers because they know a lot more than you about what it takes to make it through college. Two, be responsible when it comes to homework and class work because in college is easy to lose focus on what you really want to do with all the temptation of partying and doing stupid things that aren't going to get you anywhere. STAY FOCUS AND DO THE RIGHT THING!!

Margaret

If I could go back in time and give myself one peice of advice on making the transition to college easier, I would encourage taking classes either online or at one of the South Dakota State Universities prior to graduation. Instead of taking easy classes to fill up my last semester of my senior year, I wish I would have challenged myself with something more useful. I think wasting your brain by not pursuing a knowlege gaining oppurtunity is robbing yourself. Coming to college with college credits gives you a head start and helps make the transition to college a lot smoother.

Kimberly

Attend college immediately following High School graduation. Work hard to obtain your undergraduate degree and move on to graduate studies. The better your education and degree obtained; the better you will prosper in your career and life itself.

Holden

"Holden, I need you to listen to me." I can imagine the bewilderment I would have felt, seeing a slightly bigger portrait of myself. "College, it's gonna be tough. Mom is going to love you and is so proud of you and how far you've come. but she won't be there much longer." I can see myself listening, intrigued. "When it happens, there wont be anything you can do but damn you need to be strong. The girls aren't gonna know what happened and they can't afford to have you fall by the wayside. Be a brother, love Mom to her last breath and never give up on yourself. I believe in you, I love you." "I did, I do."

Brandi

If I could go back in time to high school and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to be more social and outgoing. College is a different time in our lives and friends are very important when it comes to transitioning to a new part in our lives. If I would've been more outgoing it would've made it easier to make new friends in college and to talk to people. I am a shy person and this really affected me. If I would've been more social then it would just come naturally to me to make new friends and talk to them; I actually have to try and force myself to open up to new things.

Lina

Attending College after High school will be a advantage towards your career. You might not know what you want to go for yet but, you can take classes that are interesting and find out what it can lead to later on in life. Yes, I know you want to get out there and make money to provide for your family. Imagine how much more money you can make when you actually have a career. That degree will make it easier for you to find a job because your employer will see that you don't give up that easily. That you have that discipline in you and that you are focused not easily broken.

Kaitlyn

The advice I would give myself is to study and not panic about tests because if you study like you should you will do fine.

Chelsea

I would tell them that it is easy as long as you do all of the work and keep up on all of your assignments. You also need to know how to manage your time so you are on top of things and dont fall behing. I would also tell them that they should talk to everyone and make new friends. The friends you make in college will be your friends in the future and way down the road. They are always there to help you and you can make study groups with them so you make sure that all of you are on task and doing what you should be doing.

Brianna

I would give myself the best advice I know. That advice would be to use your time wisely. I am in volleyball and we have to do study tables, so I would tell myself to start making study habits now, so when you get to college you won't get distracted as easily. I would also tell myself to get enough sleep. It's hard to keep up on sleep when you have classes and volleyball to balance, but getting sleep is a vital part of college. Studies have shown that if you do not get enough sleep your school work will lack the excellence that it could have.

James

Do what you want to do. The game major is looking like it is puttering-out by your Junior year. Stick with it or don't, your choice. Just make sure to start getting your classes in right away! Don't take the classes that you don't need, and attempt to CLEP out of the ones you can. Trust me, it's not that hard. Oh, and that girl who gets an armpit in the face in the GO! Group? She is a bit iffy. You will have some interesting times identifying yourself if you hang out, but you will definitely wish to look elsewhere. Another thing: maybe give yourself a shot at becoming an resident assistant your sophmore year. I don't know how it will affect you, but you certainly can handle it your junior year! And the room is nice. Finally, remember to eat. Don't over-work yourself - your heart is pretty bad. Keep the grades up, since I know you can, but be social more so than you may think appropriate. Play only superb games, and enjoy your ride with Keith - you'll be living a new life then. Take care, kid.

Sarah

Don't procrastinate. EVER!

Nader

It's true that my college life just began, but it introduced me to another way of life. I would like to go back in time to explain the advantages of high school. First, and exceptionally in my country Tunisia the number of hour studying in high school is lower then in college. That's permitted me in high school to have a part of free time to study English in Amideast. Moreover, the people you meet in college aren't as nice as high school. A Lot of people I met don't like to have new friends. The way of studying is also large and don't feet to most student because of less obligatory courses. In fact, there is more subject you will study and their coefficients are equal so you have to be excellent in all the field. Finally, you have the chance to study in group of 15 in high school and it is not difficult for the professor to explain when you do not understand, in my case we are groups of 65 students some times more. Take the chance you have because you will regret if not.

Jessica

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself, I would give myself tons of advice. I would say not to be so scared. I would say, "You will make many friends that will care about you, you have the best professors anyone could ask for, and you will enjoy DSU more than any other experience you have ever had. The transition is difficult, no doubt, but you will have plenty to do to ease you into it, DSU definitely helps ease that transition."

Brandon

I would reconsider my major. I somewhat enjoy exercise science, but there just aren't enough options to choose from post-college. The options I do have its pretty much required that I attend grad school and there is no money in the field. I also would tell myself to start right away each semester with my school work rather than ease into each semester and have to try and catch up, procrastination has been somewhat of a weakness.

Stephanie

In high school I was a naturally good student. I did not have to study a lot to get good grades. Everyone always told me that I was going to have a hard time adjusting to college academics, where I wouldn't be able to just get by with showing up to class. If I could go back, I would tell myself to listen to those people. My first couple years of college I did what I had been doing in high school, and received pretty good grades. As I'm getting further into my academics, I'm realizing the importance of studying, and taking time out of class to go over material, unfortunately I'm learning the hard way. The best adivce I could have given myself would be to learn good habits when the work is easy, then when the work is hard, you won't be defeated before you've even begun.

Jairus

Starting college is the best thing I will ever do to myself. Iam interested in computers and so I will look for a college that offers computing technology. My uncle is a Security Engineer and I want to emulate his footsteps. I want to be a security engineer. I love Mathematics and coding and I believe pursuing a computing course and eventually graduating with a computer bachelors degree will be the best thing to do for myself. I want to work hard, be determined, focused and willing to learn as fast as I can. I know college will not be easy as high school but I believe in myself and I know I will make. I want to make my parents proud and really know they have made a good investment in me. After college I want to pursue a graduate program specifically in Information Assurance and I know this is achievable. Sincerely, this will not be easy as it sounds but the ball is in my hands and I have to do what it takes to go through college and realize my American Dream, I want to believe my dreams will come true. Looking forward to another educational transition.

Ty

I would tell myself to do exactly what I want to do in life. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do what you want to do in life. Don't let the tricks people pull confuse you because they all just don't want to be alone. If you don't like to party and get hammered every weekend then don't do it. You may like it for a while, but when you start to see your life spiral, quit it, and focus on what you want in life. But mainly, I would tell myself not to make life so challenging. Joke around as much as you can; don't make life so serious.

Deanna

Be sure to maintain your math skills as most majors require furthering math skills. College life is much different. You're not a child anymore therefore, you're not expected to act like one. Embrace your teachers' knowledge and don't be afraid to ask questions. Know that when you go to college, professors expect more from you and therefore, respect the teachers you have now. Enjoy the time you have now because your workload will definately increase! Have a good time, but study your head off!

Chaz

be more studious! plan better than what i have in the past.