Hastings College Top Questions

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

Kelly

Looking back, I would tell my high school self to not be afraid to make mistakes. Making mistakes is a great way to learn and high school is the best time to make these mistakes. Also, I would say to not take anything for granted. Time flies and before you know it, you will be moving out and being on your own. It will be your time to start your own life, so while you are home, cherish those moments spent with family. They are the ones that will always be there for you, so you need to treat them right. Finally, I would tell my high school self to not be afraid to move on. You can move away and when you come back, every one will still be here. They aren't going anywhere. So go on, start your own life, and make it a good one! Good luck!!

Amy

I would tell myself that college isn't just for fun, and to really try and listen and learn in my classes. Although it is important to have fun and make friends, that's not what college is all about. I would tell myself to make all the moments count because once college is over, you can't redo it. Take risks, make friends, date, get involved, do things you never would normally do. College is about finding yourself and who you are, and most importantly, who you want to be. It is realistic that you will make mistakes, but don't dwell on them; learn from them! Most importantly, every student there is in the same boat as you, and the professors and your parents are willing to help you if you need it! All you have to do is ask. The college experience is amazing, yet so important for your future. You will make it through, and trust me, it will go SO fast. Oh, and try to get a part time job. This helps tremendously with money and will teach you responsiblity and time management. Enjoy college. It truely is a once in a lifetime experience.

Daniel

The advice I would give myself would be to work better with your teachers. I would also would need to practice how to organize my time and do more independent thinking for myself. Also learn and practice how to manage your finances on your own.

Kandice

While attending Columbus State Community College, as an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting major, I have opened my eyes to the world and cultures that surround me. The ASL interpreting program is a wonderful program that allows students to take steps outside their own life to think about the lives of others around us. I have learned what culture really is, and how it affects every individual in their own, unique way. Through the program, I have learned that how we say something to others is far more important than what we actually say to them. In sign language, there are so many different ways to sign one particular sentence; it truely is amazing. If you choose to sign the sentence one way, someone could be offended, and in a different way, someone else may not be affected. The interpreting program has definitely opened my eyes to other people's cultures and values. I think that everyone should be aware of why different cultures do the things they do.

Emily

My college experience is everything that I hoped it would be. The faculty, staff, and environment provide a very comfortable feeling for each student. Students are always able to find their own place to study, do group projects, or interact socially. This school is very accommodating to all of the needs that a college student might have, and the staff is always willing to help or to find someone with an answer to any question that a student might have. I never thought twice about attending a college other than Hastings College. It is the school for me!

Katelyn

In the semester that I have attended St. Charles Community College I have gotten a new view on what my possibilities are. In one semester, I have learned that the World is a profound place with many oppurtunities. Not only do you learn how to think and form your own opinions on topics; you get to meet new people and cultures, attend student activities and special seminars, and open up your ideas in different carreers. Its been valuable to attend college because everything that you need for your future carreer is right there. All the information is provided for you plus more. By participating in clubs I have met new people, by experiancing seminars and events I have opened my eyes to new cultures, and by attending class reguarly I have aquired new skills and ideas that will be valuable in my present and future. College challenges me to be intellecual. Its the best experiance that I have ever been through and wouldn't choose to be any where else right now.

Kira

The most important thing I gained from my overall college experience was how to work with others, and the importance of good relationships with my professors. I found that anti-social tendancies will more often than not will estrange or offend the people you work with, which is detrimental to any experiance. I found it also a very valuable experience academically. Hastings College strongly encouraged students to try out many things, in fact it was required as it was a Liberal Arts school. I found that part of the experiance wonderful because it forced me to go out of my way to try out new areas of study; areas that I previously rejected as a waste of time, only to find the subject matter enjoyable. The staff at Hastings was all about encouraging their students and forming lasting relationships. In fact it wasn't all that strange to find the college president wandering into the library, addressing students by their names, and discussing course work over a hot (and freely provided by the college, I might add) cup of coffee. The experiences at Hastings I had, both academically and socially, are ones I'll carry with me for every career.

Bailey

I have received an amazing education and oppurtunites that have helped me to grow as a person. I am surrounded by caring faculty members that want to make sure that I receive all that they can offer to me. I have been able to expand my knowledge of the world. I have been able to take all that I am learning and apply it. It has been so valuable to attend this college. I will take away with me experiences that have helped to shape who I am. The faculty are teaching me life skills that will help to make me a successful person. They give many oppurtunities to help me to find a career that will suit me.

Ashley

Don't hesitate, go live on campus and only work part time so you won't have to struggle through school later on towards the end

Christopher

Look toward the future to determine your vocation. Be prepard for future job prospects and needs.

Kayla

Dear High School Senior Kayla, I know that you are preparing to make a transition into the college-life, and I know that you are ready and eager to take that step towards independence. However, believe me when I say that you should cherish every last minute of your high school life, because from here on out, your life changes. There is no way that I can give you every piece of advice that you need to make this transition; however, the one piece of advice that I can give you is that it is important to know who you are. The decisions that you are about to make will shape the rest of your life, and in order to make the right decisions, you need to keep in mind who you are and not who other people want you to be. After all, as clich? as it sounds, you are the one who will be living your life. Yours always, Future Kayla

Sean

Going back in time, I would tell myself to prioritize the goals I want to accomplish in college and to use better time management. I believe that the proper use of these two fundamentals will lead to a fun, memorable and prosperous collegiate career. I understand college is supposed to be used for higher learning and to develop the skills necessary to have a succesfull career/future and we are told that having a social life should be sacrificed during this time., but I disagree. I believe that in order to have a rewarding experience you should have a healthy balance of both. Sure studying and tests play a huge role, but college is also a time to get away from home and parents and conformity and a time to explore. The problem I had, along with many other colleges students of past and present, was doing to much of the partying and football stuff, and not enough studying. I would cram last minute and my grades would suffer and I'm still playing catch up. That's why if I could go back I'd tell myself to still make memories, but to do so in a wiser fashion.

Amber

If I could go back to my senior year I would change many things. I would start first with my acedemic performances. I have found out that slacking is not a good idea. I would go back to high school and spend more time on my homework and studying or quizzes and tests. College is a much harder task and procrastination is not going to get any college student anywhere. Also if I could get to go back to my senior year I would preach to the underclassmen to get their school work done before anything else because high school is much simpler than college and giving it your all will help you to succeed in a higher level of education. If I could go back to high school I would make sure I gave it my all and told every teacher that I had thank you for giving me an education.

Helene

As a high school senior my main focus was to make it through my last year. When it came to searching for colleges I only knew a little about the process. Looking back I would tell myself to pursue more scholarships. There are a lot of opprotunities to get scholarships locally as we as nationally, and I didn't take all of them. I would also tell myself to not worry about roommates, even if you get paired up with someone that drives you crazy there is always the option of switching rooms. There are also a lot of opprotunites to get involved on campus and although it can be stressful to decide which groups to participate in, these groups are what make the college experience. Don't overload yourself but try and find something that you can particpate in that will help you to loosen up when you aren't going insane trying to study. Overall, the advice I would give is to do research, look through and find out what you want to be a part of and strive to do what makes you happy.

Brandon

Being in college and looking back to what I didn't know about college life I would tell myself, never be afraid of what is out there and always be yourself not someone you want people to think you are. I also would tell myself that don't doubt any advice that people give you as the people I have meet have never turned me in the wrong direction. Not knowing what was out there i would have told myself to be more optomistic of what is out there and never be afriad to speak my mind on anything I had an oppinion on.

Elyse

I would tell myself to pick a college in a town that I would want to live in regardless of the school itself. Then, I would try to spend some time sitting in on classes at various schools to get a feel for the classroom atmosphere. I would try to get a feel for the academic rigor based on the average standardized test scores of studetns and the homework load of students. I would ask my older friends what they liked and disliked about their colleges, and try to get a feel for what college setting I wanted. When getting to school I would encourage new students to be outgoing, and engage in every activity that they are intersted in.

Christine

i would give myself this advice to find out how hard it is the first year and try to find smoother traistions in adjusting to the first year. In all around help,support and having a place for new students to interact and also making sure students have ample help in all areas. Also that the students have a way to get back home for the holidays.

Bailey

I am 20 years old and a sophomore in college. I moved very far away from where I grew up to go to college. The transition was a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. There are several things I would say to myself at 18 about what it would be like to leave what I knew to go to college. One of the hardest transitions was leaving my family. I would tell myself to appreciate my family and the time that I had with them. Moving away for college is very important to me and finding who I was. Appreciating the time that I had with my family is important to help me strive in college. I would tell myself to work hard my senior year and stay focused. Senior year of high school is a transition to being a freshman in college. Staying focused on school work will make this transition much easier. Most importantly I would tell the 18 year old me that my life was ahead of me. The 18 year old me should be excited about all that I will accomplish and learn.

Katie

College life is absolutely amazing therefore when you get there, do not be afraid to be yourself and open up a little and make friends. The friends you make there will last a life time. Remember that when classes start you get on top of things right away and are organized from the beginning. Also when a class suggests doing some homework problems that wont be graded, DO THEM, it will help so much as you go through class. Don't start the first semester with a lot of courses either, a little less is alright to get going then add as you fill comfortable after that. Another word of advice is to remember to enjoy yourself but at the same time get your homework done and keep grades up. For housing, update your computer in order to have the upgraded versions of microsoft so that you don't have as many troubles writing papers and emailing them, the wrong year of microsoft can really screw you up, they offer a lower priced 2007 version, TAKE IT, it will pay itself off. And get an on campus job, they are not hard and will give you extra spending money.

Zach

The advice i would give, is to choose the right school not by your friends/family, but what you want out of college. also i would tell myself that to be great at what i want to be i must be able to get an education that seems fit to my goals, and that would be to choose the right school so that it offers everything that i need to succeed in the big world after college. Also i would tell myself to get involved with everything that i can, because the biggest thing about college is making these connections at this stage of life because it will transition into the real world after college. the last thing i would tell myself is to not be afraid to stand out from the norm, because life is too short and unforetelling to not try this or take this class or talk to this person, because you will never know until the time has past.

Corey

Don't worry about how successful your life is going to be or not going to be. College is a time for you to learn about yourself and discover some hidden talents. Don't let your life be runned by your studies and your will to get good grades. There are going to be disappoints. That is how life is. But college is not entirely about that. It is about learning more about the person you can become. It is about developing new friendships and learning more about how you can become an active member in the community. And it also teaches you how to be better, more giving person. Don't compare your high school life to college. Believe me. So many things, such as your writing, your grades, your character, will change when you enter college. It gives you a new voice, and it is far better voice than it ever could have been when you were in high school. The transition from high school to college is definitely worth the risk taking. It is definitely a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Elizabeth

One piece of advice I would tell myself is to be couragous. To go out and try new things and not worry to much about what might happen. To let down some of the walls that surround myself which would allow me to be more adventureous. As for the schooling part of college, don't worry to much about the professors. Most of the professors aren't out to get you so go to the class with an open mind and let your bright nature shine through. And not to procrastinate too much on homework or it will come back to haunt you, especially research projects. Now for dealing with being away from home. Even though home is within several hours worth of driving, don't go home as much. It will save you alot a money, and you can get the same affect from a long phone call home. Overall, be yourself and show the world what your made of. Your not in high school anymore, but rather in the real world. Stay true to your values and yourself and you will succeed.

Katherine

Be Smart and Honest with yourself about where you'll fit and what you can handle. But most of all its an adventure don't be afraid of the unknown.

Jason

Find what make you feel comfortable because you are going to be at the same college hopefully for at least 4 years. I know people who transfer around have a harder time finding friends or their niche, if they are constantly moving. I wanted to have smaller classes (20-30 people max), with professors who knew what they are doing, and who care about me. That is what makes me feel comfortable to earn good grades and to enjoy myself. I have highschool friends who are doing great at big universities with 300 students per auditorium. In short, do what puts you in a study kind of atmosphere and makes you feel comfortable at the same time. Because it is your responsibility to earn good grades, and not the professors' to spoon feed you.

Elliott

The thing I treasure the most is my college's capacity to allow me to pursue my passion beyond the course curriculum. My professors saw great things in me and allowed me extraordinary opportunities. Find a place where you feel at home, and that you believe you can do what you want to do with life. Never compromise for money, or pressure to pursue a field you're not interested in. Find what you're passionate about and go for it.

cameron

First thing is to pick the place the student is most comfortable with. Remember that all colleges essentially give the same courses and have a similar curriculum. Once you pick a school make the most of your time there. You'll be graduating before you know it and they really are the best years of your life.

Nichole

When searching for the right college, it is important to consider several options. Look for colleges that have the programs you want, but make sure they have other options in case you change your mind. Once you have a few colleges in mind, visit them if you can. Just being on campus you can often get a good feel for the atmosphere. Try to talk to students other than the one who works in the admissions office or the one giving you a tour. The students employed by the college are often required to say specific things that may not be completely representative of the entire college. To make the most of your college experience, take advantage of the services the college provides. Go to the orientation activities even if they seem really cheesy--you meet some of your best friends at these events. Look into joining several groups that seem interesting to you; you can always quit if you decided later that they aren't for you, but just going in the first place can expose you to many new people and ideas. A healthy balance of social time and studies is a must!

Nathan

Start Early!

jocelyn

Make sure that you can picture yourself on the campus when you visit. Make sure to meet the teachers and talk with students that go to the school . Even though the college may be very prestigious, if it doesn't feel comfortable you won't get the best experience no matter how big the name may be. Also remember not to stress too much and not to overwhelm yourself. It's important to get out of your comfort zone and try as many things as possible, but remember half of the education you recieve during college is outside of the classroom and you don't want to spend that time being too busy. Remeber not to take it for granted and just have a great time!

Schuyler

Well you need to look at what the college costs are and if you and your family can afford it. Next if they offer a diverse curriculum in which you can choose from if your not sure what you would like to major in. Vist the school and get an overall feel if it is what you want. I wanted to play sports first, they offered a good program for this and I looked at Biology second. I now am working more on the future of Biology but still enjoying the competition. You also need to make the grade. My parents have really directed me in that direction and I have listened to make sure that I am not spending over the budget and I have their support especially when I need it. My advisor has really helped me to move forward and has directed me in the right direction. You need to have self decipline and want to be more in life.

Nathan

Don't be afraid! Try new things and break your shell!

Justin

First, ask as many questions as you can think of while on your campus tour. Have a decent idea of what you want to major in or at least a general direction before your start your college search. Don't go to a college just because your friends or your girlfriend is going to the same one; go to one because you can see yourself there 4 years down the road.