International Academy of Design and Technology-Troy Top Questions

I would tell myself to simply work harder, stay focus, and do not look back. Also that I should grab life by the horns and enjoy life because I'm stilling finding out who I and what I want to be.

As a High School senior, I didn't prepare for college. If I could go back and tell myself a thing or two, I would tell myself to apply to as many schools as I could. Not applying to other schools left me the only option of going to a community college. Secondly I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as I could. The expenses of college are only going to get higher and it is always nice to have some help. The most important piece of information that I wish I would have done would be to talk to counselors at my high school and college about what classes to take and what programs will be right for my degree and major. With so many classes out there to choose from (and not knowing what half of them are about) it gets to be confusing as to which classes to take in order to stay on track. It's not a bad thing to ask for help. That is what the counselors are there for. If I had known then, what I know now about college, who knows where I would be studying, living and growing.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take every college and scholarship opportunity that my counselors mentioned. I would also tell them to not only go to the counselor for information, but to find information at home instead of napping all day. Most importantly, to focus on school work and homework more than goofing off and playing with friends. It's okay to be happy about being a senior and enjoying your last year of high school, however you should do what you need to do in order to do what you want to do. I've learned that the hard way and I realize that I have to finish the hard stuff to get to the easy stuff.

I happen to be very fortunate to know exactly what career path I want to take. I have known this since I was just a little girl. Unfortunately It took a few years until I was able to attend a school where I could begin the journey toward fulfilling my dream to become a fashion designer. Since starting at IADT in July of 2009 I have learned a lot about myself; I have pushed myself beyond what I ever thought was possible, I have overcome many of my fears, I have been inspired almost daily and hopefully been able to inspire others as well. I am proud to be able to say for the first time in my life that I’m a good student! On top of all that, I now have the confidence to compete in the world that I am most passionate about.

I would give my younger self a wealth of advice. Starting highschool is huge, it's important it begins the day of the possible career choices you will have to choice from. It gets harder when you grew up and realize that missing 4 important years of your life that all you had to do was read, study, go to school, and hang with friends. You can do all four and still have more opportunities for yourself. Stay with it, it's only 4 years and you learn so much in high school. Focus and prepare yourself for the real world it's harder trying to past without experience. You don't go to school, you don't get much for career choices there are people anxious and ambitious out there wanting to be the smarter man or women, to make more money, and have you working for them. Taking the GED proves you are capable of studying and retaining information but it's not the same as real life interaction with others who are learning with you and the life lessons you miss out on by your teachers and peers. There are so many advantages you get in highschool.

I would tell my self to listen to my art teacher, and do more hands on art projects. As I attend this school, I'm seeing that I have had a background in it already. I am learning the next step of what i already know. If i would have done more independant projects in my art classes I believe that I would know more 'tricks' on some of my progects. I mean trick by things that i could do to make my project stand out from others. I would have told myself to do more art work, save more money and apreciate the time you have at home with your friends. Now that I'm gone I cant see them as much, besides holidays. If i would have saved more money I wouldn't have to pay so much back. And i believe that if i would have done more art projects, I would be more equiped than the other students.

Well first of all, I would redo highschool all over again, academically. I wouldn't have waited six years to go to college, either. I probably would have moved to Chicage or New York and applied to the Fashion Design school there, had I known of them. I feel like I am paying a lot of money for an experience that isn't half as exciting as I could have had at another college. I almost feel as though many students here aren't as educated as they should be in order to attend college. Sometimes I feel I'm being held back by learning and going over things I've known for years just because others are behind. I definitely would ask more questions about the financial part of it all, and make sure I applied for more scholarships. Knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't have put myself in so much debt that I can't seem to swim out of for a lesser school than I could have attended.