Eastern Michigan University Top Questions

Be prepared to be able to handle things on your own. In college there is no one there to wake you up and force you to go to class. The teachers do not really push you either. Learn to organize your time and get a schedule going. Make sure to write down deadlines because the teachers are not going to remind you when it is getting close. It takes some time to get used to the freedom and the homesickness but it will get better. After a while it will feel weird to go back and you will want to come back to campus. Having a roommate has its ups and downs but believe me you will become friends very fast. Manage your time because there is definitely going to be oppurtunities to go out and party. Make sure you have your work done before you go out because once you get behind it will pile up on you. Most importantly do not stress out. You can get through it even though it might seem overwhelming at times.

Work hard to achieve your fullest potential. You are a smart girl and deserve a good education. Managing your school work and your social life is crutial to transitioning into a college lifestyle. You can't wait to put off homework until the last minute, it only makes for a worst outcome and you can't put your full effort into it if you're working on it at 2am in the morning. You are a smart girl and you deserve the grades you recieve, so work for nothing but the best. These four years are going to go by quicker than you think and you have to be able to retain all the information you learned to better your chances of getting into a graduate school. Don't underestimate your ability. You're not as hopeless as you think. You have so many people to help you on your path to success, all you need to do is ask. You are a smart girl and you deserve a chance at reaching your goals, whatever they may be and wherever they may be.

I would tell myslef to study harder. To try to be better everyday while striving for academic excellence. To not worry about my peers, like boys or what so and so said because this would be my ticket to leave and get away. To take my SAT and study like crazy for it. To not accept failure or anything that doesn't jive with my future sucess. To alwalys push forward even if I do not always succeed baceause there maight be something better around the corner. To apply to all the schools I have ever wanted to attend like Harvard, Standford or Perdue. No settling for a state college because it was safe. To apply for scholarship after scholarship to make it happen. Most of all though, I would tell myself that everything will get better once high school is done.

The advice i would give myself is to not choose a big course load and to keep up on my studies, and to just be prepared because its nothing that im going to expect.

Work hard and stay focused on your intended goal- a well rounded college education. There will be plenty of time to go out and have fun once you have establised yourself in a career. The fruits of your labor will be that much sweeter when you can look back and be proud of a job well done.

I would tell myself to take harder classes my senior year and to retake the ACT atleast once more. Other than that I was pleased with the transition. The staff and other students made college comfortable and friendly from the start. Although I would warn myself about how to handle my first ever lecture class.

I would tell myself to be more open and trusting of people, because more often than not there are people who are very willing to help you. Don't take things too quickly, give yourself time to get settled as well.

I would tell myself to focus on school. Somewhere along the line, I got too focused with work. Not that I would go back and change my work ethic, but it should have always been school first, then work. Instead I am still trying to finish my degree, eight years later. I would have encouraged myself to go to a community college first. Then I could have saved some money and get the general education classes out of the way. One big thing about making to transition from high school to college I would tell myself would be listen to your parents. They know a lot more than you do about life. Some mistakes are there to be made, but listen first before making decisions.

Speaking as a 40 year old single father: Mike Top 10 College Lessons: If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now 1) Apply to multiple colleges. 2) Try to attend a college away from home, the "away from home" experience is invaluable and it helps you mature . 3) Visit your college of choice prior to begining of the semester. 4) Set aside time for studying and keep partying in check or you will find yoursef right back home in two semesters. 5) Sit near the front in lecture halls, it will force you to pay attention. 6) Make new friends and get involved in campus activities. 7)Don't spend $50,000 on a Bachelors Degree in "Basketweaving". You won't be able to get a job, you won't recoup your college cost investment and you will be paying back loans until you're my age. 8) Remember if you decide to skip class that the professor doesnt care whether youre there or not. 9)Respect others - It will make you a well rounded individual for the workforce where you will be forced to work along side a potpurri of different individuals. 10) Have fun and learn

I would sit myself down, and tell me the truth about everything. I would first tell myself that I HAVE, let me repeat HAVE to study for all of my classes and that I must attend them all. I will also explain to myself that as much fun as parties, and drinking in the rooms with all your new friends is, doing it every night is probably not the smartest thing to do. College can be a blast if you want it to be, but you HAVE to put your school work first. I would also explain to myself that, at times I will feel depressed, and I will miss my boyfriend, family, and all my old friends, but its only a phase, and that feeling will pass as long as I stay active and remember I am here for school. But most importantly I will tell myself to have fun, and remember that there are 20,000 other kids feeling the exact same way as I am.

If I had the chance of talking to myself in high school, I would simply tell myself to stick to my morals and don't get sidetracked. College is so easy to get off target and that's what I did when I first came here. I also would tell myself to stay close to your friends, but don't let them take advantage of you. Last but not least, I will tell myself to make sure you keep following God because he will lead the way.

Choose a course load that includes some challenging classes and others that will be less intense. Buy a calendar and make sure you write down when and where your classes meet, when assignments are due, and when tests will take place. Give yourself ample time to study rather than waiting until the last minute and pulling an all-nighter. Don't always do what's easiest at the time. Make smart decisions. When it comes to your money, stick to a budget and use credit cards wisely. When it comes to your health, get enough sleep, eat well, and pay attention to what your body tells you. You'll need energy to enjoy all that college has to offer.

Failure IS an option. It's not the end of the world or the only thing to ever be considered, it's a fact of life and it's the reason we can enjoy true success and happiness. Don't doubt yourself because you are as intelligent, thoughtful, and full of potential as you ever were and can only expect for your knowledge to grow and your experiences to shape you into a better person. These people here, the social norms and behavior of this small town should not reflect the world as a whole. Your choices, past mistakes and misgivings do not define you as a whole. Stay calm, breathe, hold your head high and REMEMBER: when it gets dark enough, you can see the stars. After that it's always morning.

Hey, dont sweat the small stuff. Your going to do great, but that doesnt mean you can go ahead and slack off. Yeah, your not going to get that Airforce scholarship you worked your butt off for. It's not you either, they have too many people and are being way too politically correct in their response to you. And no, you cant afford Western Michigan University. Beside's they dont have a decent ROTC program there anyway. So buck up and quit freaking out already, your going to be wonderful. Hey, we also do better in College. 3.6 GPA baby! Go us! Also, the Japanese language is super amazing. But you already knew that, didnt you? Oh, and before I go back, we finally passed that stinking Army Physical Fitness Test. We got an amazing 18:30 2 mile! just keep running girl. See you...well...never..Because Im you...And....well...that'd be freaky to see me again so...BYE!!!!

It is always easier to make a decision if we first know the outcome. If I had the ability to go back and talk to my high school self I would tell her to follow her passion. It doesn't matter what people in high school thought about you; whether they thought you were talented enough or smart enough, college is for learning. Not only learning in class but more importantly learning about yourself. It is for taking chances and risks. Nothing is ever gained without first taking a blind leap of faith, and once you take that leap and if you fall instead of landing on your feet, it is ok. You've learned. You've learned about yourself and about failure, and that it is ok to fail. I would tell now is the time to experience everything that she wants. Meet new people, travel to new places, you just might be surprised that what you thought was your path all along , is truly something else. I would reminder her that college is not about finding a job, but finding a passion.

If I could go back and tell my self something about college life, it would be not to be nervous. As much as I was excited to leave home I was also nervous. I didn't want to fail, would I meet friends, would I be all alone, would my professors be nice? All the questions that where running through my head. Now I know though that I had nothing to be worried about, I have three of the best friends in the world, I didn't do so well my first semester but I didn't completley fail and now I know what to expect so I know I will do alot better this semester, and I have so many new friends that I am never alone. Seems that there was nothing to worry about at all.

Honestly I would tell myself to go to a university instead of a community college. I started off at an community college and then came to Eastern in the Fall of 2008. In my opinion going to a community college throws you off and sets you back a little. If you just start off at a university you will be on the right track and graduate on time. Plus it takes the same amount of time to get an associated degree as it would to get a bachelors. So in my opinion getting a bachelor's degree looks better than an associate's degree. So saying that my advice would be to go to a four year university and get the bachelor's rather than the associate's.

Throughout high school, many respectable adults try to explain the transition into college/adult life to students, but no one truly understands until the moment is experienced first hand. College is not something that should be feared, but that should be looked forward to with great anticipation. One can forget all the embaressments, failures, and awkward moments of youth as they step through the transitory doors of adulthood. One of the best experiences is being on your own, whether in a dormitory, apartment, or elsewise. Take the opportunity to care for yourself when the consequences are not so dire and life-shattering, when someone can help you back up on your feet in case of difficulty. Make the best out of your first years of college and don't be afraid to try anything new. These years are the years that can define or redefine a person. Don't worry about who you were in high school, but don't forget that person either. Stay true to who you are and your future will shine bright on you.

Make sure you work on your study habits because if you don't you will have a hard time. Also work on you shyness otherwise you will spend most of your time alone. Be sure to take charge dont wait for some one to tell you what to do just do it. And one last thing HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was homeschooled online through high school because I had such bad anxeity around people. I had always heard that college was "better" and I was always so eager to get out of high school I ended up getting my GED before my class graduated. After seeing how quickly I adjusted to college and the social aspects of it, I occasionally look back and wish I would have tried to go to an actual school as I had done up to 8th grade. I think of how maybe I should have used college as my motivation to get through a public high school rather than let my anxiety push me away from it. I've always done well in any class I have taken but even knowing I was soon going to college after receiving my GED made me feel a bit insecure. I was only out of high school for a month before taking the GED test but I still wish I could know that once I was I made it through high school and received my diploma that there is a great experience ahead of me and perhaps I would have been more comfortable.

Knowing what I know now I would tell myself to fill out scholarship after scholarship. I will also tell myself don't get distracted and leave these little boys where they at. I would also try and keep a positive attitude and look at things from a good and positive perspective because If i don't I will be stressed and depressed. I would also tell myself that it is ok to be close to certain friends and who not to get so close to. I will also tell myself that i can not help the world and that not giving my last is ok because when i may need that person's last they are not going to be willing to give it to me like I was willing to give it to them. I will also tell myself get used to being in situations alone. I came in this world as a single therefore i am in this world by myself. I will also tell myself the situations that is going to come at me, how to handle them, handle them in a different way then I already did and dont forget school is all you have.

First, I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships because there is more expenses than you expect. Then, make sure that you look at a variety of universities before selecting which one. You want to make sure that you're going to be happy wherever you end up. Also, when you find out your classes look for books online, they are much more expensive in the bookstores. I would also tell myself to bring less distractions to school because that it why you didn't do so well. I would say to focus on what the teachers are telling you right now because believe it or not, it really is the truth. And they really are there to help you and watch you succeed. The last thing I would tell myself is what I believe is the most important. I would tell myself to do whatever you can to stay close with your family and friends because you are about to move in with a bunch of strangers so for the first couple of weeks they are going to be all you have. It's scary, and its okay to be homesick but it will get better soon.

If I were to go back in time when I was a high school senior I would tell myself that Eastern is a much better school that I thought. When I first started at Eastern I thought that it wasn't going to be a very good school just because it is such a large commuter school. Looking back I know I made the right decision and I now love my school. I would also tell myself to make sure I worked hard, Eastern is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. My first two years at school were not my best academically and I wish I knew I should've worked harder.

I've actually thought about what I might say to myself or what I might do if I could return to my senior year of high school... I know the first change I might make is I would have applied to more universities. I didn't have the confidence to apply to the schools I really wanted to go to at the time and began my college career at a community college, which I sometimes regret. But I suppose everything happens for a reason. There are many things about my college career that I might like to change, but by coming to this school and choosing the path I have, I was able to study abroad in Japan for the '08-'09 school year and that was by far the most invaluable experience of my life. If it means possibly losing that experience... I wouldn't change a thing. I would go back to myself as a senior and say, "Just go with it. You're headed toward some disappointments, but they'll lead to something awesome."

I would tell myself to focus more in highschool. I wish i would have paid attention and learned in highschool instead of blowing it off. i had to work very had to get into Eastern because of the slacking off i did in Highschool. If i would have focused more in highschool i could have gone to school out of state which i would have much rather done.

I would tell myself that I should be more serious. I would study harder. I would intern in my chosen field. I would have tried to gain more academic scholarships and would have studied for the ACT. I would have talen advantage of the dual enrollment program offered b Detroit Public Schools. I would have taken more leadership positions event hough I ran and lost my senior class President position.

Before i got to college i always felt that i wasn't as prepared as i could have been and that i wish i could change so much but now that i'm in college i feek different about how i felt. Being a college student is tough but it is very managable if you know how to work around your schedule and how to put your time into your work. If i could go back and talk to myself i would tell myself to keep pushing yourself to get where you need to go. Being a college student can be difficult especially trying to go into the medical field it requires skills, patience, time, and hard work. I would tell myself not to give up i did good for my first semester i recieved a 3.4 gpa but i know i can do better. Before i would leave i would tell myself to not give up that if you start off doing good then go to better then great. Achieve your goals and push your way through and let no one hold you back from becoming a doctor but just know it hard and be prepared to work.

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and not procrastinate! There is a life outside of your dorm room, and if you don't take the effort to make friends and get to know new people, it won't happen and you'll be disappointed. Also, college is extremly different from high school. You can't just cruise through a class. You have to study. And study. And study some more. College is work, but it's so rewarding to earn that high GPA. Work hard, but remember to branch out socially.

Nancy you are about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life. The present time is the most valuable time you have, so write down your plans and aspirations for the future. It will serve to remind you of your goals and update it as you change your mind. When you get into college work toward your love of science and get your degree. Even if you don?t know what you will ultimately want to do, don?t worry about it you?ll figure it out along the way. You will never get a better reward for the work of your intellect and hands, than the day you receive your university diploma. It?s going to be one of the best journeys in your life, similar to your accomplishments in high school but with the elements of independence and increasing challenge. You have the same mind and motivation to accomplish anything you wish that?s why you will be successful. Be wise with your time, spending and focus on your studies, because the effort and the heart that you put into yourself and your studies will actualize itself in the woman you will become.

If I could travel back in time, I would have made myself understand that college would be a pivotal point in life. A time when I would learn who I was currently and who I wanted to become. Home would not be like it used to be, and the college dorm would not feel like a new home. But, I would make life long friends that would help with this transition because, they too were transitioning. The next topic I would discuss would be the importance of studying. I would inform myself that there would be times when going out with friends, sleeping in late, or watching television would seem like the right choice; but to refrain from doing so all the time. I would tell myself that I would do fine in college. However, if I would have taken the time to learn how to study, I could have done better. Lastly, communicate. I would inform the younger me that I would learn how to communicate throughout my time at college. However, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble and heart-ache if I knew how to communicate effectively from the start.

No matter what decision you make about which college to go to, just know that there are always options if you find yourself unhappy, un-challenged, or wondering if there's something more out there for you. There are always going to be options out there for you to change your situation or to adapt it to help you feel more secure, happier, or whatever it might be. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself in a situation that you're unhappy with, because even out of those situations you will be able to learn something new, and you will be able to grow as a person as you learn more about yourself and the world around you. Have heart, have courage and know that there are always people who are looking out for you, and there are always people who are rooting for you to succeed.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would really try harder. Even though I made A's and B's in high school I did not apply myself as hard as I could have. I could have really applied myself alot more and then I would not have had as much trouble when first starting college. I have really had to study extra in some classes some of the things I remember from high school but did not really pay enough attention then to learn what I really needed to learn about the subjects. I know now that I could have learnt more then and that would have given me more time to learn more now while I am in college. I have to really set my mind and time now strictly to studying so I can learn all I need to know for the career future. And it is harder to do that now with 4 stepchildren to care for then it would have been for me to have applied more when I was in high school.

If I could speak to my high school self, I would encourage her not to be so shy. She was so quiet and did her work as told but had very little fun. I would encourage her to join in student activities and build relationships with the other students instead of always working so hard. I am glad that she got good grades but there is more to life than grades. Also, I would encourage her to follow her own path. Do not choose a college because your friend is going there. Be your own person!

To focus harder, find a study habit that workss for you.

I would tell myself that I don't need to freak out about leaving home so much because you will meet your new bestfriend as a roommate. I would tell myself that it would be a great learning experience in college. However I would tell myself that, after taking a year off of school to pay for second semester to go back to school, that I should stay in Illinois to go to school because it's cheaper and they can't rob you as much as schools in Illinois. And good luck and study more for your third semester History classes.

I would tell myself to stay on target more often. College itself can be a huge distraction, but if you don't set your priorities straight, you'll be there for an eternity. Don't give yourself a chance to slack off; just get done what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. The classes do not get any easier, and not following through on assignments will only hurt you.

I would tell myself to think very deeply about the things that I want out of life and what sort of life I would hope to have and then craft a realistic plan to achieve those goals with solid discernable steps. Then I would say, "pay attention to the plan," updating or revising it as necessary.

I would tell myself to get involved in school activties, participate more in school sponsered events. Also, I would job shaddow so that when I entered college I had a better idea of what I wanted to go to school for.

Save your money! It is going to take you longer than you think to get through school. You are going to hit some major financial bumps along the way. Do not spend your money on thing you do not need. Save, Save, Save.

I am not sure there is any one speech that would have prepared me better for college. You can listen to all of the speeches, prepare for it in every way possible, and still have a difficult transition. That is all apart of college. I would most likely just have told myself that everything would be okay. Hearing that might have helped ease a little of the nerves going into school .

Pick an environment you fee comfortable in, and get involved as soon as you can.

Don't freak out. It's a better environment than high school, entirely different, and you'll enjoy it as there is less emphasis on asinine things like homecoming and more on actually making friends and doing well in school.

I would tell myself that college is a lot of work but it's a very rewarding feeling when you accomplish a task that at first seemed impossible. You learn to push yourself in ways that you would never think possible. I would also remind myself that you are thrown into situations that require you to grow up quickly. The decisions that you make at that moment could shape the rest of your life. College is an amazing experience, I would tell myself, but also a lot of work, but the friends you make here will be with you always.

I would tell myself to forcus more on my school work and to apply for more scholarships. I wish now that I knew more about what to expect when I started college. I would of hit the books a lot harder in high school. I would of taken studying more important than socializing. Now that I am in college though my fews on studying has changed greatly. I actaully enjoy working hard on my papers and seeing the positive grades I get back from me putting more into it. I want to graduate with the best I can be from college because I did not do that when I was in high school and I believe this counts for so much more.

As a high school senior, I was independent, proud and thick headed. If I could go back in time to talk to myself then, I would let myself know that it was going to be okay. I would tell myself that it is okay to start off at community college and explore your interests until you are ready to focus your mind on a specific subject. It is okay to cut back on time spent with friends for time spent on studying. It is okay to work on projects as a group because not everyone will be unreliable. It is okay to leave old places and things and faces behind in pursuit of new adventures, experiences, challenges and scenery. I would make sure to let myself know that not everyone is certain what they want to do in life and that most people make career changes. I would take things in stride and be able to enjoy the time I had to figure out where I was going. Most of all, I would have been completely confident the entire time because I would know that eventually I would get to where I needed to be.

The advice I would give is to really take the time to get a feel for different colleges. Do what's best for you and not what's best for others. If you know you like to party maybe you shouldn't go to a big college thats known for partying. Go to a smaller college or maybe live off campus. Take the time to really think about your choices. Do whats best for you and your future. If you know you'll get home sick maybe you should go to a college not far from home. Just remember it's all about bettering yourself. You need to stay focused and acheive your goals. There will bee MANY distractions especially your first year. Do not let anything or anyone get it the way of you having a better future, having a career, and fulfilling all of your dreams.

The biggest piece of advice that I would give is to say to make sure you know what is important to you. It doesn't matter where all your friends are going, or where your boyfriend is going. The only thing that matters is that you pick the school that is best for what you value. Some people want to far away from home, and some don't. Some people want the best school for their major no matter where it is, and some people want to go for the best school within driving distance. Once you know what is important to you, picking a school won't seem as overwhelming as you thought. To get the most of the college experience you have to learn to be open-minded for new people and new things, while always keeping in mind that your number one priority while being at school is to do just that..... Go to school. As long as you work hard there is no reason that you can't play hard either.

I would really look at where you are and who you want to be in 5 years when you are looking at potential colleges. Consider your religion and moral attitudes and career goals. Look for organizations that really support your beliefs before agreeing to attend a school. You want to surround yourself with a network of people who will truly encourage you to be the best person you can be and being around people that you have little in common with won't help. I chose a school that had a party reputation but knew I had no desire to party. I have struggled with that decision because it was very tough to find my niche. Luckily I did find it but I would advice someone to be careful to avoid situations like that because they do bring stress and heartache into an already tough and challenging situation.

Your first choice isn't always the best choice. Dig deeper into the cirriculum the school has to offer and make the decision based on what college offers the best program that you're interested in. To make the most out of your college experience, be social. Make friends, go out on the weekends, and get to know as many people as you can. You'll regret it later in life if you don't take the time to get to know people while you're in college. Also, study often. This seems like common sense, but it's important. If you're serious about finding a job after graduation, you have to know what you're doing. Studying is the best way to make sure you know what you're doing. Most importantly, don't forget to have fun.

The best advice I could give is to make sure that the college is the one for you. Make sure they have classes that match your major, pick a place that fits you, for example, if you a city person pick a college that's not far away from cities. Make sure the professors/faculties are friendly and enthused. Make sure the price of the college is affordable to you. Pick a place where you can have fun but also have a quiet place for you to study or just to relax. Make sure the college does not only have small or big classes, but both.