Drake University Top Questions

Do not worry about what they think of you, but don't get self-righteous either. Yes, you are awesome, but you need to keep in mind that other people who do not share your views and opinions are also awesome. Of course you want to try to find a group of people who you feel you "fit in" with, but please, please, please don't spend all of your time worrying whether or not you have found that group yet or not! If you love the people around you, stop looking for other people just because you might find something better. On an academic note, job shadow. Job shadow the heck out of every career that pops into your mind and doesn't sound half bad, because otherwise you are going to spend your whole first three semesters stressing out about the Google results of "What to do with a ________ degree" and it will do you no good. Also, just remember that your salary is not going to determine your level of happiness, so stop Googling that. Most of all, have fun and learn how to love yourself and others!

I would tell myself to be patient and open to new experiences. College isn't going to be easy at first, especially if you don't know anyone. You have to be patient and trust that you will find your place and make friends. It will get easier! Being open to new activities and experiences will also help you find new things you like and make new friends. College sounds like a lot of fun, but don't be surprised if you find yourself lost and confused at times. It's OK, you will relax and figure it out. College is a time to make something of yourself! Be confident knowing that you are who you are and that you are loaded with a future of success!

One point I would make clear to my high school class is to take as many college credits as possible while still being in high school. I took a fair amount of college classes but I didn't challenge myself as much as I could have. Getting those credits in high school not only saves money, but it also would have helped me to pursue my major sooner. Instead of spending time in art or history classes, I could have been taking classes in my business degree and been working towards a triple major. I would also tell myself to be confident in my decisions. Showing confidence in any subject or are can make people believe in you, and that in turn can help you believe in yourself. College is an adventure, work hard in high school and enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

Breathe. Everything is going to be okay, that little test you had yesterday, it's okay that you got a B. Your friends here will always be your friends, at least that really matter and care about you. You guys will have late night skypes and phone calls that will let you laugh at memories. But remember, college is the time to make new memories. There's no point living in the past when you have such an exciting future ahead of you. Friends? Don't worry about those, there are so many friends waiting for you who are just as nervous and awkward about meeting people. They will love you, and you will love them Together you will all grow. You're independent now, but remember, sleeping until 2 pm won't get you A's. There is a lot of hard work ahead you, but trust me, it is nothing you can't handle. Every second you spend in the practice room, the library, the drawing room, your dorm lobby, it will all be paid off with high success. So take every moment you have and either laugh or work your hardest to achieve your full potential.

The advice I would give my high school senior self is to start aiming your focus because when I first got to college I was focused on being new. Trying to figure out my schedule, trying to make new friends, trying to adjustt o sharing a room with a complete stranger, I guess I was focused on the wrong things. I should have been focusing on how to interpret a syallbus or how to decode a message that the professor was giving us to warn us about pop quizzes. My focus wasn't where it was supposed to be and I had to learn that lesson the hard way.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to not take things for granted. I was one of those kids that never really had to study for a test. Of course, sometimes I would study for one, but it would never be more than an hour at most for a test. I took my learning for granted. I didnt' ever really look at the material outside of class either, unless it was to study for a test. This has led to a few problems in college, because professors expect you to spend most of your time on the subject outside class, as opposed to inside class. One other thing I took for granted in high school was my grades. Of course, I was really concerned with getting an "A", but I never really went out of my way to get that "A". I never got below a "B", but I never applied myself as much as I should have. If I had applied myself more, procrastinated less, I would be better prepared for college.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my senior self to try out for more scholarships. As a senior, I was swampped with homework and marching band the first semester. I had little tim to fill out applications for grants or scholarships. However, my second semester was so much easier. Most of my teachers were lenient by the time the second semester came around and I didn't have as much work to do. However, I was done with applications. I filled out so many applications and wrote so many essays that I was exhausted. I really didn't want to search for more scholarships because I was just done with the whole application process. I do regret this decision now since I really need the money in order to attend school. The idea that I am going to have to pay all of this money back is daunting and it scares me. Now that I am in college, I have even less time to fill out applications. I really wish that I had filled out those extra applications and I tried out for more competitions.

When I think back on my senior year of high school, nothing positive comes to mind. That’s not to say that there weren't good moments- there were- but they have been overshadowed by experiences that are best left forgotten. I could dive into details of deteriorating friendships and rumors, but it is easier to say what it resulted in- my loss of faith in people. My advice to myself? Don’t lose it. You are about to walk onto a campus with genuine, motivated, likeminded people. They want you to succeed. They take pleasure in seeing you happy. They go out of their way to help you reach your goals, and are the first to congratulate you when you do. They know what it means to be a friend. I know- it seems unlikely or surreal, but I ensure you that these people are one-of-a-kind, and YOU are one of them. You'll discover you have everything to be thankful for; your family, LOYAL friends, and the high school years that made you strong. So, leave the memories and those people at your high school’s door; forgive, forget, and you'll have faith again.

Take a deep breath, you're going to make mistakes, but you're also going to learn from them. Everything you do is a learning experience, from doing laundry to studying new information. But do not let this overwhelm you, it will take time to get adjusted to living on your own. Just remember, you are not the only one going through this. Being the social butterfly you are is great, but remember to manage your time. Twenty-four hours in a day may seem like a long time, but once you calculate your nap, shower, meal times, and eight hours of sleep in there, it does not leave much. You do not have mom nagging you to get your homework done, so make sure you leave time in your day to study hard and efficiently.

Given the opportunity to go back in time I would tell myself a few things first, I would tell myself to learn how the manage time better. It took me about half way through my first semester to figure out how to use my time effectively. I found myself staying up doing homework instead of during the day. I am very active on campus as the SGA President, an honors student, a volunteer and a social media intern however I get easily distracted. Now I set specific time frames and days when I can use social media for personal purposes, read a book or nap and I schedule times for my homework. The second piece of advice I would give myself would be to plan better for the future. Unfortunately the first school I attended was too expensive so I came home to finish at community college. I am planning on transferring to get my four-year degree but I am unsure I can cover the cost. If I was wise I could have gotten more significant scholarships due to my accomplishments in school. Now, I find myself in a difficult situation trying to finance school on my own.

College is a place for you. It is not for your teachers, for your coach, your counselor; or for your friends or your parents; college (and the experience that comes with it) is completely molded by you. Your motivation and the efforts you put into your academics are what will establish your GPA and your ability intellectually. The classes you pick will determine what you will be able to learn; which teachers will have the opportunity inspire you, build a relationship, and teach you something new; and what classes you can take next. Your social life will be completely dependent on the environment you create for yourself; the familiar faces in the library, the collaborative groaning in study groups, or the devotion to your team. You cannot compare your college adventure to anything your friends or family have done. College is undergone by you and for you; so pick a college that represents yourself. Pick a college that fits your needs, whatever they may be, and be proud of your choice.

I would tell myself to prepare better in all my classes especially in my math so when I would take my accuplacer for my college classes I could score higher. In English so I would have better practice in writing for when I would do my homework I could have a better understanding in writing. Also government classes so I can have better knowledge of my current classes in college and make it easier to pass my classes each semester. Also to take leader ship to have a more confident attitude when presenting in front of my classes in college and it can help when I would take an EPY class which would help me in feeling more comfortable when writing papers and also to have confidence in myself when working with other people in class. Pay more attention in the economic class that was offered in high school so that I could take higher classes in economics to be able approach it with a more confident and understanding attitude.

Worrying about which college to attend is only half the battle: financial aid, orientation, and learning about the ins and outs of college will challenge you in ways you never expected. In high school, you often worry about fitting in to one certain group; in college, people don't care about those kinds of things. You truly can be who you are, and you will find people who share the same values as you. Conversely, you'll encounter many people very different than you. The stress coming from all the scholarship applications is definitely worth it. There is no better feeling than realizing that you can pay off your next year of college without having to take out extra loans. Worrying about your grades and extra cirricular activities isn't as big of a deal as you think they are. While they make you look good on college and scholarship applications, becoming burned out while still in high school is not a smart idea. You'll wish you learned better study habits in high school, but having friends to help you develop good study habits. Last but not least, have fun! These next four years are worth it!

I would tell myself over and over again just like I did back in high school, "everything happens for a reason." You will fall into place no matter what happens. Take that extra time to study for the ACT's, get extra help absolutely whenever in doubt, and literally never waste a moment on pointless things. Stay as involved as you possible can and always reach out and meet new people, because it literally is all about the people you know that will take you places. After all the heafty measures of grades, tests, school work, never forget to manage your time and leave lots of space for growing as a person individually. It may not always be about making friends, but it is about living and structuring you as a grown up individual. Be strong, be happy, and always be you!

You're going to make mistakes and you're going to make them often. There's nothing wrong with that. You need to not be afraid to admit when you've messed up. If you can't face that something is wrong you'll never be able to fix it. Also, don't let the fear of failing stop you from doing something that you want. Most importantly, don't listen to negative people. No matter how many times you change your path in life, your real friends will support you. You'll find these friends eventually, even if it takes an entire year and changing schools. Find the friends who will love you for each and every quirky thing about you. They're out there, I promise. It's a little more difficult to find them but once you do it's worth it. You'll never find them if you keep judging people so quickly, so cut that out right now. Forget labels, forget your past ideas, forget what everyone else tells you. You are you. Do what you love and live your life passionately.

Enjoy your last year of high school as it lasts because it goes fast and college is so much busier. Even though it is a lot more work than high school it is way more fun. Even though you are shy make sure to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and be outgoing. It may seem tough to do but you will get it eventually and it will help you in so many ways. Even though tests in high school were a breeze don't overlook exams in college. They will surprise you but it is nothing you can't handle. One of the most important things I can tell you is to keep excercising and eat healthy otherwise that freshman fifteen will creep up on you. Keep working hard and pushing yourself and everything will turn out great.

I have gained much more then an education from my college eperience. What I have gained does not have a price and will be with me forever. I have gained a sence of who I am. I have discovered myself and who I want to be for the rest of my life. This is the time of my life where I have been experiencing some major changes and my college experience has helped shape the paths that I will take. The professors, the curriculum, the students, and the environment have all had an impact on me. I have discovered that there is much more to the world then I previously thought. I have found that there is so much knowledge out there that is still to be learned. My mind has been exposed to the wonders of chemistry, biology, music, and literature. I am now seeing the world though a much richer and more complete view. I am now asking questions about and anaylzing the world around me in new and mature ways. My college experience has shaped who I am. I have been placed into an environment of learning and knowledge. I hope to forever be in this environment.

I have gotten alot of things out of my college experience. I have learned that the instructers are they to help you. I have learned that if you dont study or show up to class you are setting yourself up for failure. It is valuable to attend college so you can have a successful future. I am a single mom of two and I just got laid off. No matter what I am going to pass so we can have a better life. It is valuable to attend college so that you can do something you like to do instead of settling for something your forced to do. I am attending college so my boys and I can have a good comfortable life and I will do anything to achieve this.

My college experience has given me the opportunity to find the perfect balance between my academic life and my social life. I also have taken on a stronger role of responsibility considering that I am living on campus which is in a different state from where I originally lived. Now that I do live on my own away from my parents, this gave me the opportunity to take more reponsibility for myself with tasks such as managing my time and making smart decisions for myself. It has been valuable for me to attend because I know that this is the path that I must take to create a successful framework for my future. It also allowed me to put some of my fears to rest about making new friends and living on my own. Making new friends was easier than I thought because going to college was like starting from a clean slate and you are bound to find someone who has similar interests to your own. You know that there is going to be someone else at the university that is in the exact, if not, close to the exact situation or position that you are in.

Although I've found that the Drake student community isn't the most friendly, the surrounding area, faculty, and alumni that I have met have grown into open and friendly people to interact with. I am also learning life skills towards my profession that will give me an advantage over other pharmacy graduates from other institutions.

If I had to sum up what I have learned out of my college experience in one word, I would have to say experience itself. I have been educated in the field of architecture, and with that I can help to create more environmentally friendly buildings. I have broken out of my old shell of shyness, and am now a Resident Assistant at my school. Through this job I have learned leadership and communication skills that I never would have experienced. I have learned to always have goals and to always keep improving myself. When I get knocked down or if times get tough, I get up and never give up. I keep my head and spirits held up sky high. A valuable skill not only in college but in life itself is to stay organized and have a healthy balance of things. It will make everything simpler in the end. I have learned that even when you don’t get along with someone, just be respectful and understanding to make everything easier and more peaceful. After going to college, I have learned to be me.

There are many things that I have viewed as valuable while being at Drake. The first is as a freshman the business school makes sure that you get a business card immediatly and begin networking with people in the business world. From freshman to junior year the business school makes every business student take a fifty minute class teaching the way to write a resume, prepare for an interview, so that when you graduate you are as prepared as you could be. Already as a sophomore I have been to job fairs, career fairs, and job interviews. I have also made a lot of friends through the business fraternity I joined, Alpha Kappa Psi. As head of finance committe I have planned fundraising events and worked on our AKPsi budget. This semester I will be running for three postions; V.P Finance, V.P Professionalism and Master of rituals. Being a part of AKPsi has helped me grow as a person and has also made me become a better leader.

I am currently in high school but I am dual enrolled in my community college, almost done with my general A.A.. I have learned what I finally want to do with my life and that is help the Deaf community. My college and my proffesors have all helped inpact my learning experience and I love school and learning now on a different level. Another reason it is valuable to me is, it can help me support my family with both of my parents retired military and both growing old and they won't be able to work for much longer. This is one of my main goals for taking my learning to the next level!

So far, I have realized that there are many unique people all over the world that are sitting in the same lecture hall as you and all of them have there own story and goals. I've also learned that you don't get much free time, but you get a lot of freedom time.

College is a time for new beginnings, a time when you begin the separation from a life you knew before and begin a life that you create for yourself. Your life is placed in your hands, and slowly becomes completely yours as you move from freshman to senior year. You meet new people, often live in a new place, and encounter new situations and experiences. College has broadened my spectrum and pulled me out of the bubble I lived in for so long. Not only am I creating my future by academic means, but I am learning about the real world around me. It is true that by studying, receiving grades, and networking I am en route towards an ultimate goal that I have set for myself, but I am also learning about the person I truly am and the person I can become. By understanding every facet of myself through my personal and individual college experience, I am enabled and empowered to become the best person I can be, someone who will graduate from university and be a benefit to the community and world around her in every way possible.

College has taught me more inside and outside the classroom then I ever could have imagined. I grew up attending a predominately white, middleclass, Catholic school where most of the people I came in contact with had similar beliefs and lifestyles. College has opened my eyes to a bigger more diverse world and has ignited a fire in me to go out and see what it has to offer. School has always come fairly easy to me, but college has brought new challenges and truly forced me out of my comfort zone. I have been pushed by professors to not be content with good work, but instead to push for outstanding work. My reputation as an involved student who gladly took on leadership roles was no longer automatically attached to me, I had to work to rebuild it. I have had to translate the person I was in high school to a college setting. This process has taught me so much about who I really am, and has made me a stronger person. I am now excited about my future and have confidence that my college experience will continue to direct me along a path to success!

Chill Out. Relax! What are you so worried about? You don?t have to be the best at everything even if you were in high school. Focus on what you are good at, not on what everyone else is good at. This is the time to meet new people who will accept the real you. So be yourself; it's too hard to pretend to be someone you aren?t. Join clubs, socialize, talk to people you normally wouldn?t. But don?t forget why you are in college in the first place. Your grades will suffer if you are constantly partying. Make sure your schoolwork is completed before you go out. Once you get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Read your textbooks, you bought them for a reason, and learn the information. Professors don?t remind you about tests and projects anymore. Get a student planner or a calendar to keep track of important dates. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercising and eating right helps manage stress and keeps you fit. Most importantly, realize that grades are not the most important thing. Build relationships and network with future employers; finding a job after college is your goal.

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school, and give advice to myself, I would say that I am very happy that I took Advanced Composition for college credit. The class was very worth it and helped me out a lot as a freshman when I was taking my FYS class. I would also tell myself that I need to come up with better study habits for my biology classes. While in college, I found them to be very difficult and I struggled through them. Better study habits for that class would have been very helpful. Otherwise, I don't think I would give myself any other advice if I had the chance to go back in time.

Get pumped! College is so great. It is probably fifty times better than high school ever was, and the friends you meet are fifty times cooler than your classmates. But, you have to learn to embrace the awkwardness. Because, trust me, it will get awkward. Just remember that no one will remember in a year, heck, they probably won't remember twenty minutes later. Don't forget your family either. I know everything is new and exciting for you, but your family really does want to hear from you every now and then, so just plan a time at the beginning to call home. You don't have to tell them everything, just some highlights of the week, it will help keep you close.

Have you ever heard of the "poor college student" rumor that everyone seems to talk about? Yeah? Well, it's true. I'm sure some of you are thinking, "well, I've had a job for a long time and I've saved up a lot of money; I'll be fine in college." I did and thought the same thing and I still ended up like the typical poor college student. Just learn how to budget your money once you get to college because things come up all the time that will require you to spend money unexpectedly. So my advice: SAVE MONEY! Another thing to think about once you get into college is to manage your time. I went through my first semester without actually managing my time, and some of my grades prove that to me. I've learned from it and am managing my time more this semsester, but you would be much better off if you started from the beginning; that way you won't have to worry about getting back on track.

I would tell myself that adjusting to college seems easy in the beginning. However, as things settle down and people begin studying and getting involved you will begin to find yourself bored. This is when the homesickness sets it. It is difficult to find things to do sometimes, but you have to do everything you can to just stay busy. Whether it is working out, studying, or just wathing a movie. It is also difficult to get over the homesickness especially when your friends are homesick as well. You just have to keep an open mind and remember that everyone is feeling the exact same way. Another thing that I would tell myself is that although reading materials and chapters before class seems unnecessary it is very important. I didn't realize this until midway through the semester, but when I finally realized that just taking a few extra minutes to read a chapter

You are going to embark on an amazing journey that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Do not take any of it for granted and make the most of your time because it will go by a lot faster than you think. Be sure to cherish all of the relationships that you gain, because many of the people that you meet will have a great influence on your life. You will make some good decisions and some bad decisions, but always use your best judgement and consider all consequences. Take advantage of all your opportunites. As a college student, you will be presented with many. Most importantly stay true to yourself and be motivated by your dreams.

I feel that I made the right choice in choosing Drake as my college. However, I would tell my high school self to look for more scholarships and look into majors more closely. Currently, I am an undecided major and it makes me very nervous. I have no idea what I want to do and not a clue what degree I should be seeking. In high school, there were opportunities to go to career fairs and I did not take advantage of them. Another good piece of advice concerns friends and being outgoing. When I first came to college, I was very antisocial and scared; I spent most of my time talking to my boyfriend. I now wish I had spent more time getting to know people and making an effort to have friends. It can get awfully lonely in a dorm room, even with a computer and television. Finally, I would tell my high school self to never give up hope and just chill out. Everything usually works itself out in the end.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself a year ago, I would give myself four items of advice. First, save any and all money. Money runs out faster than anything else with buying books, dorm food, and other necessities of life such as shampoo, pencils, etc. Second, don't be afraid to be different. The more unique someone is, the more people remember them. On any campus, even a small one, standing out is bound to help along the road. Third, enjoy high school. College does sound like a great idea as does the possibility of moving out, but you can't go back to high school. Enjoy things like Prom, Homecoming, and above all else, enjoy how easy the work is. Last but not least, things change. Your best friends in high school may become nothing more than acquaintances in the future. Be open to making new friends and to trying new things. College is the chance to change yourself to be whomever you want to be for the rest of your life.

The best advice I could offer myself would be that I will make the right choices if I follow my heart. I felt that Drake University was the right campus for me, and I knew that it would all work out. Sometimes I doubt myself, but if I trust my instincts the results are always good. At first, I was worried that I would be nervous in a new state and that I would be homesick, but I also knew that I wanted to go somewhere else and experience something new. If I could go back to talk to myself I would tell myself that making choices isn't always going to be easy, but I need to have confidence in myself and in my resources and everything will be fine. Situations happen in life for a reason: to shape us.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college and the transition, I would tell myself to take advantage of everything the school offers to help with academics. I did well my freshman year, but it would have been a lot easier had I known what I do now. I would have told myself to take advantage of the extra help sessions, go into office hours frequently, and not to be nervous asking for help when I don't understand something. My freshman year would have been a lot less stressful. I would also tell myself to be friendly and open when I first arrive and to make friends. I am so glad that I made friends. Finding friends, and especially my closest friends, made the transition so much easier. When I got to school and started meeting people, I found that close group of people who I can always count on. We have so much fun and are there for each other one-hundred percent. That has made my college experience amazing and a ton of fun. I would recommend everyone be friendly, and to fall into that group of friends who change your life.

As a high school senior I was very unaware of what college life would truly be like for me. If I had the opportunity to go back I would take better advantage of resources that had been available to me the entire time. Instead of preparing myself for a new chapter in my life I had been busy enjoying the past. Furthermore, I would ensure not to let my study habits slip once I had been accepted into the college of my choice. For the reasons that I just described, the first few weeks, and the for that matter the first semester of college came very difficult to me. I truly feel that the last year of high school and the first year of college provide the most significant intellectual and matural growth in our entire lives. If I was given the chance to try it all again I would make sure that I spent more time growing up and focusing on my future and less time trying to bring back the joys of my childhood.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be calm, work hard, and to learn from mistakes made. The transition from a high school senior to a college freshman is difficult, but it is even more difficult when one is nervous. Being a calm individual lowers anxiey levels and helps one to open up and meet people that could provide great help in the future. The second thing I would tell myself is to work hard. Having a social life is still possible when hard work goes into studies. College is not high school, where the cool kids are the ones who don't do their school work, instead college is about respect from peers and professors. In order to earn this respect, one must work hard. Lastly, I would mention that it is important to learn from my mistakes. The bad descision to go out and drink instead of study for a final is a mistake that one must learn from, otherwise it will be difficult to grow as an individual and to get places in the future.

As a high school senior, I vividly remember the entire process of going to college. From the initial step of visiting different campuses and applying to my favorite school to packing the car the night before leaving, it was a very emotional transition. Even with the gracious support I received from different people and resources, I do not think any one thing could have fully prepared me for the ride I was about to take beginning at my freshman year. Taking that into consideration, what I would have told myself would be to trust myself and the decision I have made up to this point. I would tell myself to let the vigorous steps I took to make it to college encourage me to believe in the future. Looking back on my freshman year, I realize that there is not specific advice to give a high school senior to sufficiently prepare her for the academic, social, and physical transitions about to take place. It is all about being confident that you have made the right decision and always remembering where you came from in order to understand where you are going.

I would tell myself not to rush my senior year. Once you graduate that is it there is no going back. Once you graduate life gets hard its not all fun and games anymore. You might think your ready to graduate now but as soon as you get out you wish you could go back. So do not rush life take things one at a time and enjoy life as it is now. Also always be willing to take advise you never know how it might affect you in a positive way.

If I could go back and talk to my senior self about what I know now about Drake, I would tell myself to brace myself. I would tell myself to invest in some nice rain boots and an umbrella, but most importatly to start the job search early. Once the school year strats, it becomes increasingly more difficlut to find a part time position anywhere. I would tell myself not to take so much initially. I had brought too much at first and had to send things back home. The most important thing of all I would warn myself about would be my room mate. I would tell myself to make sure I stand up for myself and clearly state the boundries of the room. If I did indeed know that my room mate would be the way she is today, I would had took the proper steps to get a new dorm mate.

Knowing what I do know about college life, I would tell myself to be more open to different people and put myself out there more. This makes meeting new and different people a lot easier so that I can surround myself with an enjoyable group. I would also tell myself to keep in mind that I am going to college for school and to complete a rigorous program so I need to be focused on school from the start. There are many distractions including activities and events that take up time, but with effective time management I should be able to balance all the activities and school well enough to keep grades up and still stay involved around campus. Another thing I would warn myself about is how easy it is to get lost in everything that goes on around campus and lose track of simple healthy habits, like working out on a regular basis. If I start a regular workout schedule as a high school senior, I can keep that schedule throughout college to stay healthy and in-shape.

Academically, college is at a much higher level than the high school level. Even if a student took several AP and honors courses in high school, this does not mean he or she will succeed at the college level. During a student's first year at college, he or she should study daily - even if it is just for an hour. In college, students cannot cram for eams and expect a decent grade. In addition, college is much more competitive than high school. Sure, high school grades were a means of getting accepted into college, but college grades and degrees earned could potentially dictate a student's lifelong career. So, to sum up my statement, I would first tell college freshman (or high school seniors) to get their academic life under control. Secondly, I would tell the students to get involved in whatever activities interest them. Freshman year is when most students meet their lifetime friends. Lastly, I would tell students to have fun (after their studying is complete!) This 'fun' does not have to include alcohol, it may involve going to a movie. Sure, college is about grades, but it is also a time to have fun!

Dear Vicky, I know it may seem crazy, but listen to the adults around you, they actually may know what they are talking about. You seem to have a handle on everything going on with your schooling and college search, but a little help from you advisor, peers, and even parents could help you and save you a lot of stress. Also, please save yourself the hassle and the money and apply to schools that you are truly interested in and could possibly see yourself going to. Don't just apply to say you applied to a school, it's a waste of money and you'll make the right decision in the end anyways. Most importantly, be sure you follow your heart! With all the help you'll get from advisors, parents, and friends, you need to know that at the end of the day you pick the college where your heart feels right at because let me tell you; once you step onto that campus of your dreams...you'll just know it is meant to be. So enjoy the next 4 years of your life, they fly by! Best of luck, Vicky in the Future

Some teachers feel that their students are so fortunate and should be honored to be in their class. When in reality, they should not feel that way. Also, be savor every home cooked meal, because the food at Drake University provided by Sodexho is terrible.

Do not stress out. Take time for yourself and work hard. You only have four years dont waste them in the library. Relax and have a good time but remember you need to earn your education. Keep up with your school work and meet new people.

I would tell myself that grades don't matter for everything, that people will let you down and don't base your experiences on that. I would remind myself that there are people out there that love you and even when you don't feel like it always remember that. I will tell muself that it is hard but don't give up, you might want to change your major and thats okay! It will all work out in the end.

Since I worked hard in high school, I would have told myself not to worry about a thing because college really isn't that much harder. It's a little more challenging, but that just makes it fun. Also, try living with someone, but if you don't like it, don't be afraid to get a single room. Roommates aren't for everyone, and it doesn't make you unsocial if you don't have one.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self some advice, I wouldn't say anything. The reason for this? Everything that has happened to me since senior year of high school has been a learning experience that has helped shape me into the person that I am today. I try to live a life without regrets and although I?ve had to stand in the face of adversity, I have overcome the obstacles. Those obstacles are the reasons why I continue to strive for better grades, more internships, success, and a happy life.

I would tell myself not to focus so much on the academic aspects of the colleges I'm looking at. Most universities will brag about their programs and tell you they have the best any school can offer. All schools have excellent academic programs. The extra curicular activies, clubs, and greek life vary from school to school. Looking at activies one can participate in outside of classes should be a key aspect of the college decision process. It is important to be certain that there are activities that you would be interested in. That way, there is something to do for fun. Studying can be stressful, and it is important to have something to do that can be fun and relaxing.