Hocking College Top Questions

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

Soumaila

Being senior at high school level of live most student think about what they want to do in their life or what kind of major they will study in college or in university. Thus, when I was in high school in my country Mali in West Africa, my dream was to come to the USA and study Finance or Economics in order to work for international organization such World Bank or IMF (International Money Fund). In addition, in high school I was good in math and sciences, but I didn’t learn or study very well languages such as English, French, and German as I was supposed to. As a result, now I have took two semesters to study and learn English before I can start taking academic classes in next spring semester 2014. Therefore, knowing what I know now about college life, if I could go back and make transition the advice I would give myself would be to study always seriously no matter what major is. I should always mind to get good or excellent grade in any courses related to the major I am studying, whether I like the courses or not.

Philip

Declare a major where you can get a job after only two years, since you aren't guaranteed to be able to afford all four years of college without stopping to work and save up some money along the way. Also, spend more time with the other college students. There are lots of people out there who could turn out to make very good friends, so make some time to socialize outside the classroom halls and cafeteria. I know it's also important not to spend all your time having fun and procrastinating your studies, but you really should be forming relationships with other people while you're there.

Avonlee

If I were able to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to procrastinate, goof around, or to be lazy. I would explain to myself that college is a lot different from high school and you have to take it more seriously. Also, college is harder than high school so you have to keep up with your work and study as much as you can. Last, I would tell myself that it's not only important to study but it's also important to have some time to enjoy yourself, because if you don't you will be overwhelmed with stress.

Christina

I jumped straight into college out of high school. I planned on skipping through college, the way I did in high school, honor roll, not really cracking a book. I was very wrong. I had an extremely hard time, and in my sophmore year, I dropped out. Now that I'm 30 years old, I realize, I'm stuck in a dead end job, and if I don't get an education, i will not be able to go anywhere in life that I want to go. I received a diploma last year, and have decided to get my degree in criminal justice starting this fall. I went through an online school and I absolutely loved it. I even received my diploma with honors!

jessica

I took from my college experience confidence and knowledge. When I began working as an LPN, the usual new nurse nerves were there, but once I was oriented and working on my own, I knew what I needed to know to be an exceptional nurse. The instruction that I received at Hocking was thorough and in depth. There were situations that arose in my nursing career where I had to be able to confidently juggle multiple emergency situations on my own. Because of the instruction that I had, I was able to do my job efficienly and provide the very best care that my patients deserved. Having had such a positive experience at Hocking, I am left with a thirst for further knowledge, and a desire to do more with my career. The instructors are compassionate and caring, and they share those qualities with their students. By doing so, they teach us by their example how to express those same qualities with our patients.

Lisa

My advice and wisdom is to slow down and discern by not being so well...discerning. Examine the world around you. Take the time and take in the extra knowlege, education is not a race. While your gathering grains of knowledge, ask as many questions as your heart desires. Never assume or believe that you know exactly what will interest or call you; in five, ten...or even twenty to thirty years from now. Inhale what knowledge is availible. Don't pick and choose what would be quickest or simplest. Do not select your educational career based solely on what you find engaging and interesting at the time. Fan out, widen your scope...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That class you didn't take because you knew you would hate it, could contain that one kernel that helps orient you and put you a little ahead later. Be a sponge and absorb, you don't always know what's best. Better a sponge than a brick that simply drops where ever interests and agendas lie at the time. The brick's a lot denser in more ways than one.

Terence

If I could go back in time and advise my senior high school self on how to progress to a successful freshman in college, I would give myself three vital points of preparation. First, I would instruct myself to keep the determination that I possess because it would help me manage a vivid vision of the goal that I plan to strive for. Secondly, I would inform myself that many hindering distractions line my path so it would be key to further develop my patience so that I may endure these complications. Third, I would tell myself that my interactions with my peers and my articulation would do no less than expand my networking capabilities. These three characteristics are the most essential parts of my personality. I know that if I suggested anything different from what I had previously done it would assure a change in my individuality. I hold much admiration for the man I am today and I couldn't aspire to be anyone else.

Torrey

The advice I would give myself is to become accountable and responsible for every an anything you do and become more organize. In college you are the only one who is responsible for your grades, attending classes, and other responsibilities you have you have to take care of. Unlike like high school, there is no safety net to catch you when you mess up in college. The school and teachers don't care if you attend classes or not, its either you want to be there are not. There will be nobody there to tell you to get to class, and do homework and class work. , Also become more organized. Take notes in class, know when assignments are do, ask questions and know all-important dates. Something simple as not turning in a homework assignment can cause you to fail the class. In college your one person among thousands, the only person that going to notice if you are there or not is yourself.

Keith

If I went back in time to give myself advice about college life, I would say that college life is not as bad as everyone makes it sound. From the friends you make living on campus to the life skills you gain living away from home. Learning to take care of your self is a valuable skill to have, more than ever now, because of the hardships that so many are going through. College life has and will teach you so much, more than you could think.

Jessica

I unfortunately did not attend college immediately after graduating high school. I did not think it was a big deal to attend school when I could just go out and get a job. Restaurants and minimum wage will get you nowhere. I, like most high school students, felt unsure about the entire college admissions process and wanted to have fun rather than take the time to study. This was a mistake I made six years ago and if I was to go back in time I would tell my former self to go to college. No matter how scared you are about the process get over your fear because the rewards are much larger in the long run. College has brightened up my life so much I cannot remember the last time I smiled so much. I would tell myself to take the time to learn from everyone; you never know who will inspire you to do great things. I would say not to be concerned with the small things and enjoy every minute of your college experience. People say high school are the best years of your life but I think whoever says this has never attended college.

Natausha

If I could go back in time and give myself advise, I would tell myself that it takes time. By that I mean, i would tell myself to slow down and not try to do things all at once. I would tell myself to manage my time better and spend more time studying. I would also tell myself to take more aerobic classes and make some more friends. With this being my second year, I have witnessed a lot of people failing because of not studying enough or some other reason, but I have also seen people drive bring them to graduation day. Lets strive for the best and become an RN.

Jessica

I would have seriously considered looking at more colleges and making a more educated decision about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do with my life. I am now in the middle of transitioning colleges and my major because I am unhappy with the decision I originally made. I do feel I will be much happier with my new decision. The college I have chosen is more selective and has smaller class sizes. It also offers some technologies that Hocking does not.

Hannah

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself what I decided majoring in! I wasted a lot of money and time my first year and a half of school by taking classes that I have no need for anymore. Although those classes helped me decide what I want to do with the rest of my life, it would have been very helpful to know what sort of classes I needed to be taking instead of being "undecided" for so long. I would also tell myself to have fun! Although college takes a lot of work and a lot of time studying there is no way I would have gotten as far as I have without taking time out to have fun with my friends and family.

Heidi

Make a perfect decision with the health field. Even though I didn't know what college just go to Urbana first then decide to stay up there and take Sports management.

Sarah

Advise I would go back give myself as a high school senior would be to follow your gut when it comes to your future, everything you do now can only help you, so do it! I know that I am now a very driven person who has goals for myself and makes the most of every experience that will better and open doors for my future; however, what I know now, I didn't fully grasp my senior year. I believe the extra boost and drive to start planning for my future that last year in high school would have opened even more doors to me. I started school with a very nonchalant attitude towards what I was actually trying to accomplish until the middle-end of my first year. I believe if I could have heard it from myself that I am fully capable to be what I want to be, and live in a way which would make me very happy. I feel I wouldn't have worried so much about other's goals for me, instead I would have followed my own goals and dreams.

Heather

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior in high school, the advice I would give myself would be to apply for more scholarships. While I recognized the importance of scholarships, I feel like I did not have the resources or the tools to utilize scholarship opportunities that were available. I also would advise myself to try harder to find a job before graduating, to help with the initial expenses upon entering college.