Indiana University-South Bend Top Questions

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

Victoria

If I were able to go back in time and teach myself something it would be to quit being ignorant. I believed since I was going to a local college I did not have to apply for any scholarships I thought I would be fine; however, throughout my first year in college I have seen my Mom struggle. My parents are seperated and my dad does not help with my college leaving my mom and I to do it by ourselves. If I would have known that my mom would be struggling to help me earlier on I would have tried harder in high school and aimed to get more scholarships. In the end this would not just benefit my mom but my future as well. College can be fun but it definitely takes time and money.

Elkin

To focus only on school for the next 4 years, beacuse they are very important. To get the best grades posible and maintain a good attendace.

Morgan

I would tell myself this. Be yourself. The mistakes you made in the past dont matter in college. This new life that you are about to experience is a clean slate for you and you have a chance to change your ways. Transitioning isn't bad at all. You would think that it would be hectic and overwhelming but its quite easy. You meet some pretty cool people and make new friends who will be their to support you. Classes are going to be easy at first then gradually get harder as the weeks go on. The study skills you have now will be no where good enough for college. Study as much as possible. The teachers give you a syllabus that tells you when the tests are and when homework is due. Dont fall behind! Dont get distracted with your phone or ipod while you do homeowork. It takes forever and it hinders what you learn. But most of all, have fun and enjoy your new life. Do your best and above all, Honor God.

Erin

I would tell myself to not get caught up in the 'college life' and to try and not be over whellmed. It's okay to fail, but it's important to learn from those failers and make yourself a better person. And if nothing else, please study and do the homework.

Catherine

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior about the trasition to college life would be to not take some many classes that a stressfull and challenging at the same time. I would tell my high senior self this because adjusting to college life is very stressfull and requires time. You are trying to adjust to a harder work load and the stress of making a new friends all while trying not to get lost on your way to class. It is better to take the first semester a little easy to keep you sanity and to maintain a higher GPA. It will also give you the confidence you need to tackle harder classes if you have sucessful semesters to begin you college career. You will know that you are able to achieve academic sucess in the classroom setting. In return, you will enjoy your educational expreience for the next four years, which is very a rewarding and fulfilling. It will also giving you time to enjoy the many experiences that college has to offer and the oportunity to make life long friends.

Brooke

"Dear self, as you make this transition into college times are going to get rough. You will lose some friends and make some new ones. You will grow closer to your friends and grow further away from your family. I could just tell you what mistakes you will make if you do this or do that, but instead I just am going to give you some advice so that maybe you can save yourself and make better decisions than your already future self. If there is one thing to say, it's to sit back and listen. Even though you want to be an adult and not listen to your parents trust me they know so much more than what you think. Even when you think they are wrong and they don't know what they are talking about take note of what they say. They only say it because they love you and can see that you are getting yourself into some difficult situations. Keep true to yourself and don't let anyone change you and try to change what you believe, they just aren't worth it. With that I say good luck and have fun! Sincerely, Yourself"

Rebecca

If I could go back and give my high school self advice I would encourage them to do their best and not give up. This is something I have always seemed to struggle with because I don't always process the material the first time, in turn I get discouraged and frustrated, but I always knew college was the direction I was headed. After taking a year off to save up for college I decided to begin with general courses, with time I found my direction and have learned how to better stay motivated, as well as better study habits. I would have liked to start off stronger in my college education, but I value my mistakes as well because I am able to strive all the more for a degree!

Teresa

Go with the flow. Don't worry so much. Everything will work out in the right timing.

Sarah

I would tell myself not to wait to get involved. It's so important here to actively seek people to interact with. I would tell myself not to be afraid and to challenge myself because that's the only way I'll ever learn. Don't underestimate myself, I'm stronger and more confident than I ever thought and it would be nice to have heard that going in. I would tell myself to not be afraid to change your mind and follow your heart. It's important to make sure you are doing what you love. Mostly I would just remind myself that I am an amazing young woman and I can do anything I set my mind to.

Robert

Dear Rob, This is you two years in the future. I know you may be bummed about not getting into a 4-year University, but it's okay. You should really look into engineering your first semester at college to see if it's right for you. Waiting a year just to find out it's not is not worth it. Plus it will set you back another year to find out what you really enjoy. Don't ever stop in your athletics or else you WILL regret it. Lastly, make sure to try and be as open with people as you can and get social, you do not want the next couple years of your life to be lonely, trust me. Remember, you should be having fun in college, but school ALWAYS comes first. Love, -Rob

Teresa

Do as well as you can on AP exams so that you can receive as much college credit as possible!

Brian

I would tell myself to go to sleep earlier and check what will be needed for class ahead of time. Get ahead on the work when possible because playing catch-up is harder. Don't hesitate to get involved in extra-curriculars and find what sesne of community there is on campus. Because so many people commute to this school and many also work there is not much of a community but it is there and worth finding. Don't stress so much over your professors, they can all be dealt with with a healthy dose of apathy towards their opinions and a focus on the actual coursework. Don't hesitate to take more ellectives. Make sure to look for other places to find the textbooks a few weeks before classes start as they charge too much at the campus book store.

Alisha

I would advice my self to aquire good time management and study skill as a high school senior to be better prepared for high school.

Jessica

Going back, I would give lots of advice about college and what to expect once you attend a commuter college, such as Indiana University South Bend. I would tell myself that the options in finding parking spots are very limited and you must arrive very early in order to get a great spot and arrive to class on time. I would tell myself to get more involved in on-campus projects or clubs/sports because getting involved helps you meet so many new people and get comfortable with your institution.

Tori

Ask more questions, expand your horizons, and don't be afraid of change. The plan you make for your life at age 18 does not have to be set in stone; things change, plans change, people change. Change is good--and if you embrace it and make the best with what you have at your disposal, you will be a success. College is harder than high school--more work is required, but the rewards are greater. Don't limit yourself or your dreams, because anything is possible with hard work, committment, patience, and a little luck.

Morgan

If I could go back and talk to myself during my senior year of high school I would tell myself to not be so nervous. I would also tell myself that high school and college or completely different. That once I got into college I would need to actually study more then what I needed to do in high school. I would tell myself to read the textbook and to work the problems at the end of each chapter for practice. I would also tell myself to have some fun. Go out and meet new people. People dont act like they did in high school. College is a place to start over and to make new friends. I would tell myself to join more clubs and go to more soccer and basketball games. To not be so shy in class and make a group of friends that I can study with before major test. If I could have started doing this my freshmen year of college instead of my junior year then college would have been a smoother transition for me.

Lorrie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself some much needed advice. First, always go to class. Not every professor teaches the same, and sometimes missing a single class will get you really far behind. Second, do not be afraid of being wrong when answering questions in class as it's often the wrong answers that reinforce the correct ones. Third, take advantage of the professors' office hours to get help with unclear material, and also use the tutoring resources, which are free at IUSB. Don't feel that you have to try to succeed on your own, the professors really want you to do well and will gladly help move you in the right direction. Fourth, don't ever put off studying until the last minute, this is college not high school! And finally, study early and often, and ask questions, ask questions, ask questions!

Angeline

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I probably would of told myself to be more serious about high school and not joke around. I could of had a lot more opportunity to go to different schools. I would of told myself to make the best I could in high school, taking every class seriously, going to seek help when I needed to and to not give up and slack off like i really did. I would definitely of told myself to transition a little better than I did this time around. Coming from Honolulu Hawaii to South Bend Indiana was definitely a transition I was not ready for. I would of prepared myself psychologically, mentally, and physicaly to come here. All in all I was glad I did what I did but if I made those slight changes I would be better than I am today.

Ashley

My college experience has given me confidence and it has given me an open-mind. Growing up from a poor family gave me a strict world view, self view, and cultural view. In many ways, the limitaions on my outward viewing lens had caused myself to loose great opportunities. IUSB has given me a sense of professionalism and I can now view others as collegues rather than authoritarians. I have learned where my educational passions lie by continuously refining them with the help of acedemic counselors and work/research opportunities. I have discovered ways to help fellow students or neighbors ranging from next door to around the world. I have been shown a whole new world that contains arts, music, and career positions that I may have never known to exsist. There isn't any area of my life that education and this university has not touched. I have become unbound to my strict views I learned early in life and know that I have wonderful tools to use for my own success and to use to help others find their successes.

Adam

My college experience has really helped me understand what it's going to take to succeed in the outside world. I was homeschooled through high school and jumped into college work with minimal experience in public schools, and it was difficult at first, but I learned to adapt to new situations and make the most of them. It has taught me that hard work is really the only way to succeed in school, and that work has led me to a job that I love.

Nina

I've loved my college education. When I was still in high school I was more interested in socializing. College has really brought it home for me. I'm taking classes I want to take and learning things that I want to learn. I get out of it what I put into it.

Jaclyn

During my time at Indiana University of South Bend, I have applied what I have learned from the classroom over to everyday life and have realized how useful it can be. For example, public speaking courses have helped me gain confidence and have helped to manage my mannerisms, when communicating with others. The course, First Aid, was also very valuable to me, now and in the future...it has given me more practical knowledge of what I should do in certain situations and how I can help others. While these courses are just examples of how knowledge can be applied outside of the classroom, all of the courses I have taken have made me a well rounded student and I strive to further my education in years to come.

Jamie

I did not go straight to college after high school. Living on my own and struggling to provide for myself made me realize why I needed to go to college. My college has proven to me that if I put the hard work into my projects my grades or outcomes will reflect that. It has given me the feeling that I will be able to provide for myself and, in the future, provide for my own family. My classes have given me confidence. Not only the confidence that I will be able to have a job out of school, but the confidence to know that I can do that job right and to the best of my abilities. I no longer feel as though I am just another person on this planet that blends in with the rest, but that I can stand out. It is up to me, but I can do it.

Victoria

Although this is my first year in college I can already tell that my university stresses the importance of critical thinking. Almost every class I have taken so far has required me to think critically while doing my assignments. This has already helped me so much outside of school as well by having a new outlook on situations. I am appreciative toward my school for feeling the need to teach us to think critically as much as they do. This skill won't only help me in school but also oustide the classroom as well. I know I will take this part of my college experience and keep using it for the rest of my life.

Brandi

I started my college experience early while dual enrolling with my high school and the local community college. While in high school I received 31 college credits. It was challenging but it was well worth it. I feel the experience that I gained through this opportunity is going to prevail in helping me when I start attending college full time this fall. I have several friends who have been procrastinating with getting started with enrolling in classes and I'm glad that I already have the experience and know how challenging school can be and taking the initiative it takes to get where you need to be. College is valuable in so many ways; I don't think I can possibly express them all. Schooling not only gives you the confidence to hold a conversation about intellectual topics, but gives you the head start for the rest of your life. College graduates make more money than those who never attended and also you can't expect a great career without some type schooling. I want to have a good quality of life and make myself proud. I'm willing to work hard in my schooling and then after as well.

Adam

The most important concept that has been stressed to me during my college career is the absolute correlation between success and diligence. Although it seems like an obvious fact that hard work equates to accomplishment, the idea of a self-sufficient and victimless work ethic had never been illustrated to be so immersively until I began attending college-level courses. Since realizing this, I have applied this invaluable lesson to just about every aspect of my daily life. Most significatly, at the workplace. I was astounded at how quickly my pay rate increased along with my rank, all by simply applying myself to the standards that I would expect of someone who deserved the opportunities I was allowed. However, I have realized that the privelages are not what make my efforts worthwhile, but the knowledge that I am worthy of them. I suppose that if I had to express the concept more eloquently, it would have to bethrough the words of Elbert Hubbard; "We work to become, not to acquire."

Brian

What I have gotten out of my recent college experience, beside the obvious knowledge, I see everyone is not so radically different than myself. Normally, there is someone better, but I now see there are people a lot worse off than myself. If I am not the worse, then maybe I can learn here. I have acquired a little self-confidence, and perhaps a new set of glasses, to look at the world. To me this is very valuable.

Megan

I feel like I've grown as a person. Not only have I been well educated, but this university puts a lot of the responsibility with you. The teachers care, but they're not going to hold your hand and make you learn like some high school teachers.

Gladine

As of right now I am still starting out, but what i have gotten from it so far is the ability to communicate with others. I have not been able to do that before but at this school it seems very easy to just start a conversation with anyone in my class. Also what I have learned from my experience so far is how to study productively in order to score well on my tests. IUSB actually has a workshop to help students study better, and that has helped alot as well.

Jessica

Attending college has really opened my eyes to the fact that there are so many things you can choose to be in your life. I also leaned that you should not get intimmidated if you are not sure exactly what you want to major in, it should be no reason to postpone your eduction. You have the option of going in as undecided or you can try something out and if it's not what you really want you can change your major. Never consider the classes you took a waste of time even if they end up not obtaining to your carreer. Just look at it as more knowledge on your behalf. the possibilities are endless.

Lyle

Don't trust everyone and ask questions when it comes to financial aide. Also to keep working hard on my goals, they are within reach.

Danielle

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to follow my heart in every decision. college will be tough and to take fifteen to eighteen credit hours per semester so that i would not have to rush to finish in four years. also i would tell myself to save money to help pay for tuition for all four years so that i do not have to take out any loans.

Suzanne

I would tell myself to not choose the college I did and not go to IU South Bend. I would also tell myself to go through the trouble of filling out more scholarships. I need to become more openminded about being out going. That I shouldn't just go to school and come home. I should try and branch out and make friends. I would tell myself to not let my friends and boyfriend to affect my college decision. I need to choose the college that is right for me and not for them. The most important thing I would say is to be myself and not be a wall flower. I need to get involved to enjoy the college experience more.

Cara

Don't be so preoccupied with grades. Focus more on doing what you. Extra-curricular activities are a huge part of high school. Don't miss them. Hanging out with friends will give the social skills you need to handle constantly meeting new people. Grades are great, but ultimately it's what you learn that counts. Learning comes from more than just academic work. It comes from acting in plays, eating out with friends, rebating with teachers and expressing yourself in life. Academic work is such a small part of high school.

Brittany

I would tell myself to get into school as soon as high school is over. It's hard to transition back into school mode after being out in the real world. I would also tell myself that college is completely different than high school. I didn't like high school so i put off going to college thinking they were alike but the atmosphere is so much different as well as the people you encounter. I would tell myself not to worry about not knowing what I want to do with my life because most of the freshman don't have any idea what they want to become but through taking courses a focus sort of develops and gives you direction. I would also tell myself to try to try to do well in high school since it can help with getting finacial aid when you go to apply to schools. Being involved in extra curriculars and your community would also be advice I would give to myself because that too can help in attaining financial aid.

Brittany

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would tell myself to go for more. To take more classes so that when I enter into college I would have more knowledge. I would encourage myself to try out different sports, clubs, and activities. I see now, in college ,these activites help students out so much and it is a great way to meet new people. I was doing well school, but I would tell myself to study harder, get more help from the teachers! Overall I would remind myself how succesfull I will be if I never give up. College has so much to offer and it's the best thing anyone can do for themselves.

Elizabetk

If I could go back in time and talkn to myself about college, I would mention the work load. It is very different to go from being in high school 35+ hours a week to college that has (on average) 18 credit hours a week. Time management can be difficult and you need to find activities to fill this time, such as studyin and clubs.

Kristi

The best advice I could give myself as a senior would be to apply myself in high school to my studies and go to college immediately after instead of waiting. I would be able to share how waiting to go to school and life affected me. I would share the struggles of trying to provide for a family without a college degree and how hard it is to attain that degree now that I am a single parent and working full time. The best thing I could have done for myself in the past is applied myself to my studies in high school and gone on to college then.

Amanda

The only advice I would have given myself would have been to choose a major before beginning college. I am a junior and am changing my major, which is going to add an additional 2 years of school.. it just would have helped to be more organized going into college. Overall, though, I am satisfied with my choice of colleges.

Brian

I originally graduated from high school a year early and took a year off school so I could start college with my friends. I attended a enrolled in a large traditional university and was immediately overwhelmed with the people I met and the responsibilites of college. My grades suffered my first year adn picked back up in my sophmore year. I decided to transfer to my hometowns non traditional university which is a satelite school of the my previous university. here I have found it is much easier to focus on studies as well as get internships and develope my skill set. If I were able to go back and make give myself some advice it would be to take a broad longterm look at what it is I want out of life and set goals for myself. To take things one step at a time and not try to rush into doing everything at once. I would also tell myself to start my college career at a smaller school and work my way up to a larger more demanding university rather than the other way around.

Tayler

If i would go back in time I would tell myself to take better care of myself. Early in this semster I spent more time in the hospital than I wanted to. This time took away from my studys, work and also personal life. If I took better care of myself I would have been able to meet my GPA goals. I feel like i could have looked up different materail to keep my self safe. I would also tell my self to have fun.

Kara

I would tell myself to focus because college is completely different than high school. I would research career choices to make an easier transition because having a career path that you are 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure about makes planning college courses run more smoothly.

Katrina

I would tell myself to take time to look at all the schools that I was interested in and make sure that they had good programs in my areas of interest. Also, to make sure I know and understand all of the requirements and schedules of my need classes. To make a tentative 4 year plan of when to take what classes, so that I would be ready for enrollment and be able to graduate on time. Also to look into and sign up for as many scholarships as possible, so that I would have a better chance of getting help to pay for school.

Bret

Going back in time would create a total different life, future, and ending for my life. Since high school graduation, I failed two semesters at college, and also had child, while now expecting another. If I could go back into time and give my young, stupid-self, some advice I would just tell myself to use my brain. Thru out high school I was a honors student. I played soccer and wrestled, and did other things with the school. I went to Germany after my sophmore year. Then I moved to evansville, and just lived life a little to exciting to be focused on school. I forgot the importance of life, education. I would simply tell my self to use my brain. Just use the brain you have Bret. Now you have a family to provide for, so really use your brain to further yourself and not others.

Elyse

College is not that hard if you are organized and attend classes. It is a lot of paper writing and doing things independently. Learn to be organized before you get to college.