Dakota State University Top Questions

Sarah, whatever you are thinking, STOP. College is not to be scared of, it is actually a much better place than high school. You can make your own choice to what class you will be taking and when. You can be a day student or even a night student. It doesn't matter what you wear or who your parents are. New people, new places, new start. But most of all, it's all about you! Open your heart and mind, see that you can go anywhere possible in life with a solid career. You don't need to be a homemaker. You can do it, don't just settle in life! Life puts challenges in front of you, but you can make your own challenge by creating a life worth living by doing what you love to do! Get out there, show people how you care, help someone in need, one day you may get the chance to help a veteran who may feel helpless because of a lost limb. Just because you can't be a part of military, doesn't mean you can't help out otherwise to help your country! Make yourself proud!

The advice that I would give myself in high school is not to slack off in school and athletics. All the days I skipped classes, or split homework assignments with my friends really put me behind when I went to college. I had to play catch up, and do a lot of extra studying to understand the material. Basically, I had to backtrack my education to the high school level and re-teach myself it all to understand it and to be successful in college. If I had buckled down and just did the work at that time I could have been more successful earlier in life. I could have already received my Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy and be working in the field. Also with my athletics, I wish I could have put more time to practice to give myself the chance to have played baseball at the next level. Life could be different for me right now. I could have money and be living in my own home instead of my girlfriends grandparents spare bedroom. I also wouldn't have as many student loans taken out. If I did those things differently...life could be better.

If I could go back into time and tell myself what I know now about college,I would tell myself to take classes that challege me. Take classes that will benefit me in the future, college level alegbra courses are much more difficult if you don't know that begining principles of the basic algebra. I would also tell myself to work harder and to not depend on my friends and teachers for help all the time, college professors can help as can classmates, but when you live 45-55 miles away from campus it is much harder to get help.

First I would tell myself that Algebra, though you may not use it, is useful. It will help the problem solving part of your brain grow, which you will deffinatly need take as much as possible, and do not cheat. Then I would recommend going to college right away and getting at least your generals out of the way, then if take a year off or pursue Cosmetology. Also put ten dollars away from each paycheck it will pay off in the long run. Lastly I would recomend understanding what true integrety is and living it in every area of life, not just surface areas; aviod a few men, and focus on investing in the lives of others your legacy is all you take from the grave.

Well Leslie, college is aboout what you imagined what it would be. The parties, the school work, and of course the boys. My advice to you though is keep up with your homework and class materials. The professors are pretty easy to get along with, but it is not high school any more so they are not as lineate. They are hard on you, but only because they want you to succeed and do your best in whatever you choose to do in the future. Money is also something that you are going to find to be pretty scarce. Be sure to work and save as much money as possible. Mom and Dad's pocket book is not going to be open for much longer. Everyone is extremely fun and outgoing and I am sure you are going to have a blast!

If I could go back in time and talk to my highschool self about college I would say take as many AP classes as you can to knock off some credits before you go. Take your choosing seriously, not all colleges are the same at all. Apply for every single scholarship you can, and if you get scholarships, do everything you can to keep them. Especially your first year, work hard for your grades to keep the scholarships. When it comes to friends, I would say you do not have to like everyone, and not everyone has to like you. You don't have to bend who you are to fit into a certain group. Do everything you can to broaden your horizons about the world, especially if you are in a college close to home. Lastly I would say do not be afraid of change. The first year will probably be the hardest, but once you get your niche and meet amazing friends it all gets so much easier, and eventually you will want to spend more and more time away from home, but don't be afraid cause it's all part of leaving the nest. Have Fun!

The advice I would give to my high school self would be simple yet valuable. The first of which would be to go out and get involved in school and social activities. While you may think you are looked down on by your peers for participating in these things it turns out they really could care less, and these activities are fun! You get a chance to meet new people and stand out of trouble, all while having a great time doing it. The other piece of advice I would give is to pay attention in class and don’t be afraid to talk with professors and be involved. If I would have known how much help it is to simply talk with a professor one on one about a homework problem or lesson I would have had much less stress my freshman year. It turns out most professors enjoy getting a chance to talk with students outside of class and will take a more personal interest in you once they know you are really putting in an effort. These two easy things can be all it takes to change a subpar experience to a great experience!

My advice to myself knowing what I know now is very simple. Enjoy school to its fullest, and try your hardest with your academics. Their is always time for fun and interacting with others, but focus first on your studies and remember you are paying for your education not your entertainment. Study for every test, and give your 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} full effort in each and every class. Secondly, play intermurals to help interact with others and gain as many friends as possible to make for the best educational experience that you possibly can for yourself. Lastly, try a variety of activities and meet a variety of people, because with this you will gain many new friends and gain many new and fun experiences that you never thought you would be apart of. Enjoy your college experience and make the most of every oppurtunity that arises, and try your best for success. Have Fun!!

They always say hindsight is 50/50. Well of course it is! How could it not be? Well, that’s not the point trying to be made. The point is we all live and hopefully learn as we go along. So the question I’m trying to answer for those of you reading this is what I would tell my high school senior self in regards to starting college. It’s one of the questions that you actually really have to or should think about before answering. I’m sure of all of us at one point or another have looked back upon events in our lives and thought about things we would have changed. Anyways, all I would really say is to relax and don't stress about it too much. Make your education fun because you'll actually find out that the major you picked was the perfect fit. Don't push yourself too hard.... Actually, I would tell myself to do exactly what I actually did do. No joke. End of story. I like where I am out at now. I'm not sure I could be in a better place. Is there anything wrong with that?

I would tell myself to try alot harder in school. Grades are a big deal. I also would tell myself to bulk up and try to get bigger to football and not to be dead set on wrestling. Spend more time with my family because you really do miss them and not to take things for granted because the things you are granted can get taken away.

The advice I would g i ve my self is to be devouted in my studies and not waste time. I also advise my self in taking extra post secondary classes in high school so i can be prepared f o r c o l l e ge. I s h o u ld have taken a lot of science classes in h i g h school so i do not have to pay for it in college. Also choosing one major and sticking to it is a big deal for me. I choose and changed major couple of times and that effected my g r a d u a t i on years. So, i would a d v i s e h i g h s c h o o l s e n i o r s to be serious and choose their majors ahead of time and work towards it as to finish in time allowed which is four years. I being first generation student did not know any better and did not have a roled model to guide me to school so all the pressure is on me whether it is from families or relatives.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy life. Don't get involved in too many things where you barely have time to breathe or sleep, and sleep is very important. Procrastinating studying for a test never ends well, always start studying two days before a test so you are not sleep deprived at your 8 AM test. Always make time for your friends, because they are the ones that get you through the hardest times and the transition to college can be one of the most scary life-changing happening in your life, but it can also be a great learning experience. Do not be afraid to fail, because being afraid will keep you from succeeding and possibling missing an experience of a lifetime.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to start the scholarship looking process earlier than I had. I would tell myself to start looking for scholarships during my junior year and write down which scholarships I could apply for when I am a senior. Doing this process earlier would give me an advantage because I would know which scholarships I could apply for and then I wouldn't have to take more time to look for the scholarships that match me, what I'm going into, and what college I am attending. I would also apply for my scholarships earlier than I did; on some of my scholarships I forgot about them and didn't apply until the deadline and I even missed some scholarship deadlines because I didn't write them down or when they were do. I would also tell myself to become more organized when it comes to scholarships and to apply for all scholarships that pertain to me even if they take longer and require more essays than other scholarships do.

If I went back in time I would tell myself not to slack off as much. As a senior your will to do homework decreases significantly and that is a huge mistake. I would make sure to study and keep in mind that college is just around the corner and to succeed there you have to have good work ethics. Going into college without that makes it more challenging. I would also tell myself to keep the same values that you followed in high school. College can be overwelming and when you get around that kind of atmosphere you can lose sight of what is right and what is wrong. I would tell myself to study hard and make sure to keep your grades up because that's why I am going to college. To get good grades; not party or just go to go.

I remember high school being a time of trying to impress others with who a person was. Whether is was by who a person dated, their grade point average, or what parties they attended, everyone thought they needed to give off an impression , whether they stayed true to themselves or not. In college, that all changes, Of course, some individuals stay stuck in the past of high school, but most develop into the person they are truly meant to be, with no need to impress anyone but themselves. High school is not even the beginning of how you will begin to discover yourself. College is also a time to become the responsible adult one will grow up to be. This means being responsible in finances, organization, schedule, careers, and personal relationships. In high school, most, if not all of this, is taken care of by another individual. In college, one becmes more independent. The sooner one begins to learn the responsibilities of adulthood, the more successful that individual will become. A final note I would like to leave my high school self is that friend made in college become an even longer term relationship than high school.

In all honesty, it's exactly like high school as far as the learning curve goes. School is just that, school. Yes, it might be stressful from time to time, but what isn't? Be responsible and get your homework and studying done ahead of time, but don't forget to have fun. The social connections you make at college will prove to be very valuable. And having more friends to hang out with and talk to is always a bonus. Break out of the usual and don't be afraid to try anything new.

To get involved right away with activities, but don't get overwhelmed. It's easy to start just saying yes to different people once you know more people, but saying no is okay too. Don't procrastinate on your homework and if you aren't understanding something, go in and talk to your professore, they aren't as intimdating as they seem! They are there to help you when you need it. Finally, don't be afraid to make new friends because you're worried you'll lose your old ones. It's fun meeting new people and with all of the technology today, it's hard to not stay in contact with everyone!

If I could give myself advice as a high school student entering college I would say be prepared to put in the same effort into the school work as you would a job. I was raised to expect that when you get to work you do the job completely and to the best of your ability. I, however, did not have a family that placed much of an expectation on school. If I had started college with that mindset I believe I would have done better to start with. It took me extra time to realize the amount of time and work that would go into getting a degree. I would also caution myself to take time to enjoy the extras of college like the student union, the friends, and yes even the parties. Those extras all go by way to fast and the "real" world will rush in on you soon enough.

If i could go back and tell myself one thing that would more prepare myself for school it would have to be life goes on, grit your teeth and fight through everything that goes wrong and you will be alright. Although I feel that I could have easily said that I need to work harder in school and get better grades, but I feel that it would have been more valuable for me to make that transition knowing what I know now. I would have told myself that no matter what goes on in the dorm, the cafeteria, the classroom or the hallway to always always keep your head held high but not with your chin up, because no body like someone stuck up. Be friendly to everyone, even if they are not friendly back. Reach out your helping hand whenever it is possible, because those are the ones that will be willing to help you when you need help. And most of all to keep your faith when everything seems to be falling apart. People may make fun of you, maybe cuss you out, but if you can keep your faith you will be alright.

Advice I would have given myself in high school that I know now about college would be to ask older friends about teachers, classes, and things needed for college. Also to be prepared for time management, harder classes, and being on your own. I've found it very useful to ask friends that have already been in college to let you know items you need such as surge protector for more electrical use and hooks to hang more things up. Also if you know people that have gone to that college before you ask them about teachers and classes you should take, also about where they bought their books. This can save you money and also helps you find teachers you would like. Time management and organization is a big thing you need in college, you must manage your homework time but also your personal time. The reason you need to manage your time is because classes and homework are harder and you are on your own. Your parents cannot wake you up in the morning or remind you to do your homework. Mainly you have to learn to be on your own, be an adult.

The first piece of advice I would give to myself is to start scholarships early and apply for as many as possible. Any amount of money that is donated helps tremendously. Financial aid does not cover everything, so having money that is awarded to you to cover the remaining balance is helpful. If you are awarded the scholarship be grateful and show it. Transitioning to college life, I would have given myself different advice. That advice would be to finish your homework early. Take the time between classes to work on it. It will help you to stay on track. College courses are tougher than high school courses so pay attention and work hard. One more piece of advice I would have given myself is, don't be afraid to make friends. Get involved right away, open up to people, and befriend them. They will be the friends that will be there for you for a lifetime. College isn't just about the school work and the discipline. It's also about the experience, so work hard, but save room for new experiences and the new friends you will get close to.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to learn how to study and how to ask for help when I need it. My first year of college was a huge transition and was completely different than classes from high school. I really never studied much as a high school student, but was still able to maintain good grades. I started college as a human-biology major and quickly learned that I had no idea how to properly study. My first step was to admit that I needed help, which was very difficult. After committing myself to tutoring and learning to ask questions, my grades improved dramatically! It would have been so great to know proper studying techniques early on, instead of learning how to while trying to adjust to college.

I think the conversation would go like this: Me: Hey past me! Past Me: Why hello there future me. What are you doing here? Me: Well I just came back to give you some advice, and hopefully get a scholarship! Past Me: Really? What kind of advice? Are we talking about how to meet girls, or get rich quick? Me: No, we're talking serious stuff. I want to tell you how to be prepared for college. Past Me: Oh, I already know all that stuff. Me: Well, you kind of do. I just wanted to tell you to pay close attention in high school. Everything that you learn in college will build on the foundation that started in high school. Pay attention in calculus and physics (especially physics) and listen to everything that your teachers are saying. They really want you to be prepared, as do I. Past Me: Well thanks for the advice. Me: Yeah, no problem. I've got to go now. My hover-car just arrived. Past Me: They have those in the future?! Me: No, I was just kidding! See ya later, and good luck.

I wish I had taken more AP classes in high school. It would have prevented me from taking sevearl general classes that were very similar to classes I took in high school. They tend to get boring and I could have saved the tuition money.

Dear High School Self: I know it seems hard right now but trust me your hard work will pay off. Do not worry about the cliques that are all around you, just be yourself even if people judge you. The sooner you learn to be you and not have to worry about others the better. College is a lot easier on you so hold tight to your good grades and don’t get put down with all the pressure. I know you are counting down the days till you are out of there but enjoy each and everyday because you will never get those days back. After high school, you are a kid in an adult world so you grow up fast. Hold tight to your child-like creativity because you start to lose it fast. Challenge yourself in every way you can. Listen to these words of wisdom because no one can tell you what to do but yourself. Love, The much wiser You

One piece of advise that I would give to myself is to fill out more scholarships. After being in school for about two years, I found that it was starting to get harder to pay for tuition, even though I was getting finacial aid. Another thing is to study more and try harder on the assignments. Studying for tests isn't the greatest thing in the world, but if you want to get a good job after school, you need to know certain things. One last thing is to be more social. When it comes to meeting new people, I get very shy and basically keep to myself.

If I could go back in time, to when I was a senior in high school, I would give myself this advice: slow down. No matter how hard it may be, slow down. You have five years of schooling to have fun and still get an education, dont blow your first semester by partying all the time and neglecting your studies. Slow down, meeting people and partying should never come before schooling. If you screw up at the beginning it will forever affect your time in school afterwards. More advice I would give myself would be to create a routine. It may be hard to resist partying, stay up late and go to class on a few hours of sleep. In the long run it will all catch up with you and hurt you eventually. Your body may be young, but it's not indestructible. Don't go crazy and wild just because your parents aren't around anymore, take care of yourself as if they were. One last piece of advice. Enjoy the little things because life flashes before your eyes.

Since I've just started, I really haven't had a chance to learn a lot, but I have gotten a good start. I have always been interested in how computers work and I have been learning about how to design programs and it's definitely something that I can see myself doing in the future.

I have gotten a lot out of my college so far. Being a returning student I know now that what I learn is based on the work I put into school and I am more perpared to spend the time learning the infromation. I am working in a medical records department at the local hospital but need this education to furthur my career. With a daughter in middle school I am starting to look and see where I want to be career-wise and I want more so that's how I ended up enrolling at DSU. This is my first year back after a tweleve year break and I can say now having theworking experiences I do see how all of the things I am learning correlate to the real work field. Which as already benifited me with my current position. I want to continue learning and putting that knowlege to good use. I want to stay in the health care field becuase I truely enjoy the fact that health care is always changing which makes it an ongoing challenge.

I have gotten so much more out of my college experience than I could ever have imagined. I came here looking for a degree and I feel I will leave with so much more. The friends I have made are ones I will have the rest of my life. The information I have/am gathering will take me far in the Graphic Design field. I am not your typical college student, as I am completeing a four-year degree in three years. While this feat has many challenges, I feel Dakota State will do what it can to help me meet my goals. This university will give me the tools I need to succeed well after graduation. When I graduate in one year, I fully intend to aid DSU's excellent placement ratings, for I can go anywhere with my degree in Graphic Design from Dakota State University.

I've learned more about myself in the last three years than I have in my whole life. I've grown in my knowledge of myself and the world around me, as well as gained friends for a lifetime.

I have recieved many things from my college experience thus far. First, that you cannot be shy while you're trying to meet new people. Everybody is nervous, so you just have to go out there introduce yourself to people. Second, your professors give you homework for a reason, so do it. You can't make things magically come together like you could in high school. Lastly, yes, college is about learning everything you need to know about your future career. However, it is not all work and no play. College is also about finding out who you really are as a person and what you really want from life. I've learned this in my short college career. I go to school full time and have to part time jobs to pay for the things I need. If you don't go out and have fun, though, you may lose that fun piece of your personality. Who would want that?

The advice I would give myself would have to be to get away from your parent's house. I did not move out and I did not get the full college experience. I think all students should at least move out their first semester so they can meet people and grow on their own. I would also say that college is not as cheap as you think. There are a few classes that make you buy books that are a couple hundred dollars. Art classes are expensive also. You have to buy all the supplies and product needed to do your homework. The best advice I would give myself and others is to have fun and let loose. College is an adventure, so grab on with both hands and go for a ride!

I would tell myself not to get worked up about meeting new people. I have realized that it isn't as scary as I thought it would be. Also, you do not need to have a lot of friends to be happy. As long as you have a few close friends that give you enough support, you can make it through anything that God throws your way. I would also tell myself to not take too many classes at one time. This can lead to too much stress, not enough sleep, sickness, and grades that don't represent who you really are. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to go to a tutor, a friend, or a teacher. Asking for help in college is key because unlike high school some teachers don't care to ask if you understand.

The only advice I would give myself would have been to look into future careers more and try to better determine what I really wanted to do with my life. I originally enrolled at DSU as a Computer Information Systems Major, and now halfway through my Junior year I've switched to Computer Education. I wanted to be a teacher but didn't know if I could do it financially. But I've discovered that I'd rather make less money and be happy with my career, then make a lot of money in something I didn't want to be doing. I just wish I would've realized this in High School, so I wouldn't feel behind right now.

Dear Senior Megan, You made the correct decision. I know that you always wanted to go to Augustana in Sioux Falls, but you most likely would not have liked going to Augie. Augustana is an expensive college and Dakota State is more afordable. By working during the year and the scholarships you have been trying for, you will most likely be able to graduate from college without any school loans and that would be wonderful. Dakota State is a great school. You will enjoy the experience. It goes quick, so enjoy it and remember everything. Don't be afraid to meet new people. Don't be worried about your roommate, she is awesome! Also, don't be afraid to talk to the guy you will see during gaming night in the Trojan Center, you will find out he is a great guy. Don't be afraid to meet new people. But don't forget to study either! Calculus will not be fun, but it will be worth it in the long run. Take Care, Freshman Dakota State University Member Megan Fredberg

I would tell myself to make sure I get to know lots of friends and get involved in campus activities. I would also say that college goes by so quickly, even faster than high school did, so be sure to make lots of good memories with good friends.

Organize,Organize, Organize. Staying organized and on top of assignments and classes that are needed for graduation makes things a lot less stressful. I would make sure to tell myself to be prepared, to join in on activities but to put my schoolwork first.

I would tell students to think of what they want to do with the rest of their life and after that search for colleges known for that. Once you've found a great school that has a good outcome in your area, apply. Once you get there do anything you can do and just have fun along with your classes. Parents, stand by your children the whole way even if they change majors or transfer schools.

I think that the two most important things that a student or parent need to take into account are the strengths and the interests of the student. I think that if a student takes a direction in college that does not follow what they are interested in then they are more than likely going to fail, or have no interest in finishing their degree. If the student has some indication as to what their strengths are then they can then take the most advantage of the time and opportunity that is available by following their chosen major. In the end it is really not a choice that the parents should make alone, the students interests should play a role in the decision of which college or major that the student should pursue while at their chosen college or university.

Go to a school that fits you as a person.

The biggest mistake that I made in college selection process was letting my brother's search for a college overshadow my choosing a college that was right for me. I was so bored with the process my parents had and after being carted around to several colleges I didn't put any effort into the college selection process. Luckily I transferred to Dakota State after a mediocre year at a beach Cal State school where my academics came second to a beach life. Dakota State offered not only an athletic opportunity for me, but smaller more personal classes where I could really grow and develop academically. An important concept to keep in mind when looking into colleges is that it has to be made by the student and the factors that determine the decision should be more than based on convenience or the minimal amount of effort because in the long run it determines your future. It's never too late to make a change in your academic career; if you aren't happy with your initial choice of college keep researching and use the experiences that you liked and disliked to make your next academic decision.

My advice to students would be to not settle for second best. Pick you first choice go where you heart tells you to go even if that means you won't be with that special someone or your best friend. Their choice might not be that good for you and you'll end up transfering and that just throws you off on you whole college career.

To visit each school they are interested in an way the options of what each school has to offer and find out what credits are easily transferable

Students and parents should take looking for a college very seriously. One should look for a school that strives for academic excellence as well as offers many activities/programs that the student could become involved with; class and campus size should come to mind as well. The college you choose will be the building block for your future, so choose one where you will be successful. Success will come easily if you choose a school where you are happy, the people are friendly, the staff are knowledgeable, and the opportunities are endless.

To really get the most out of your college experience you need to really try to connect personally to alot of students and faculty. All the faculty is really great and love helping students if you would have questions.

When deciding what college or university to attend, don't let your parents, friends or significant others make that decision for you. Pick a school that meets your needs financially and socially because this is where you'll be spending a significant amount of your near future. Put yourself out there and don't be afraid of rejection. You will meet somebody that you can relate to and probably learn new things about yourself as long as your remain open to the experience.

College is a very important choice in a student's life. In order to finding the right college, I believe a tour is very important. You should look at your personal needs and wants. I also would suggest to look into the college statistics, like job placement and graduation percents. A student should feel comfortable in the enviroment and look into activites that he or she might be interested in. Parents, don't force their opinion to heavly; let their kids follow their dreams. Also, they need to make sure that their student looks at more than one possible college, even if the student is sure that college is the place for them. Its a good idea to compare. Also, make sure the college is affordable. Making the most of the college experience is very important because it is a once in a life time ordeal for most people. Do not hold back from meeting people and make sure to be involved in activities, focus on grades, partying may look like fun, but remember the reason you are in college!

The only advice that I can give is that students should find a school that they will fit into. Take your time when looking and start early to be able to look at everything!

I feel there has to be a balance between school work and leisure. A parent, or student should look for a school that has a nice amount of fun things to do to take the mind off of work every now and then.