Iowa State University Top Questions

The first thing I would tell my high school self is to take more time to get a job and save money. I had a part time job but never worked very many hours and I usually spent the money I earned. My advice to myself would be to save money because when it comes time to pay for your college tuition, books and room and board you can never have enough money saved. I sometimes struggle to find ways to pay for college but have made it work. Saving more money in high school would have helped me out this year. That would be my biggest advice to myself.

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior, I would take more classes that increase my knowledge instead of just taking classes that seemed easy. It would have been well-worth it. I would have taken a difficult math class and more english classes. I should have embraced my areas of need instead of shying away from them.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would make sure to say, "It isn't worth getting worried over. Just go out there, be yourself, and everything will fall into place if you work hard enough." I was verry worried when I left high school, because I was making a transition into a university that had more people than my hometown. I wanted to make friends and fit in, but at the same time I did not want to change who I was as a person. I worried myself by thinking that it was going to be hard to make the transition into college, even though it turned out to be quite easy. I kept my head up and kept thinking of the positive things that would make my college adventure an amazing one. I wish I would have known that the transition into college is not worth all the worrying that many kids my age do.

Celebrate your last year of high school. Complete any important paper work in the fall of your senior year of high school. Spend time with your school counselor to prepare for your first steps in college. Spend your first year as an undeclared major enrolling in a variety of courses that interest you. Make sure to live in campus housing for at least one year because this is where you will meet your best friends. Get involved in new extracurricular activites and expand your involvement in them by taking on leadership roles. Leadership involvement will benefit you for the rest of your life. Don't let stress affect your social life; everyone else is stressed too. Get a part-time job. Keeping on a busy schedule may not seem fun, but the structure it provides for your future is priceless. It is hard work that will best help you appreciate what a college experience does for your life.

You really need to learn how to study. Work harder and learn to write better English papers. Be prepared to work a LOT harder than you are right now and focus on your school work. Enjoy your time in high school, learn new sports and don't get tied down.

I would tell myself to put in the effort. By slacking off and not putting forth my full-potential, I was cutting myself short. It doesn't take a dramatic life change to put everything into perspective, but for me, it did help and is making me see how much I shorted myself years ago. Instructors are not going to care about putting in any effort towards you if you aren't going to put in any into their class. By putting forth everything that I have, I have managed to consistantly get A's in classes and become "known" to the instructors. They are willing to help with any questions and help me before I start falling behind. They aren't the bad people and can actually help you if you are willing to talk to them. They are just regular people too.

I would place a lot more emphasis on remembering to stay focussed on school. Never have I found myself completely out of check of knowing why I'm here, but it's definitely been hard at times when school is challenging and all I want to do is rest or have fun with friends. There's one thing that makes up your reason for coming to college, and that is to get the proper education and life experience needed to succeed once thrown out into the "real world." Knowing from internship experience, the real world is a scary place, but I know that Iowa State was the right choice to get the knowledge I will need later on. So just a reminder to myself for my reasons for coming here and a glimpse into the future that things will end up the way they're supposed to be I think would be perfect.

If I were to be able to go back in time and talk to myself, I would harshly let myslef know that although high school was a blast, and it was thoroughly enjoyed, I should have looked a little more towards others. Although I was not a part of the "popular" group, I was a bit proud and perhaps belittled others a little more than I should have. Now, that is not to say that ran around bullying, but I definitely did not go around saying hi to everyone and striving to help. Of the many things I could severely scole myself for, that would definitely be the first to come out. I have learned in the last few months that service and empathy should be a great priority if one wants to lead people. Without mentioning my present calling, as a leader I´ve found the best way to help the group goal be achieved is through service to the group itself. I would tell myself that the best way is kindness to other people. High moral standards and a "not follow the crowd" attitude are the best way to personal progress.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college, probably the most important thing I could tell myself would be to push myself a little harder just so that I would gain as much as possible from my classes. I made really good grades, but I feel like I could have learned more. As I have grown through my college experience, I have gained a lot of personal discipline in all areas of life. I wish I had realized that getting a good grade on paper isn't what going to school is about. By putting just a little more effort into my studies, I am becoming a more confident, well-rounded, and strong person.

There are many things I would like to convince myself of back when I was in high school. For one I wish I would've taken more high-level math classes to prepare my self to the adjustment to classes in college. I also wish I would've taken more community college classes in high school in order to better suit myself and learn more towards what it is I want to do in my career path.

Pick a school that has a strong reputation for the subject in which you're interested. Although you might think that you have what you want to do all figured out, be open to taking other classes because chances are you will want to change your major at least once during college. Be prepared to work hard, don't be afraid to take math classes or shy away from the "hard" classes in favor of the "easy A" classes. Remember that no one has it all figured out and just going through the experience is more important than knowing for sure where you want to end up right now.

I would tell myself that everything I thought I couldn’t do isn’t true. College is a reachable dream. It's hard but I can do it. I would also say that everything that my high school teachers said didn’t come true and the military isn’t my only choice. I would make myself start by going to the guidance counselor and make her believe I have a learning disability and that’s the reason I have done so poorly in school. After that I would tell myself that that the medical career I always wanted is in my grasps and if I believed in myself I would have achieved it already. I would mostly try and convince myself I’m not stupid and that I have grown up to be the one person everyone looks too for medical advice. College is achievable for kids that are told in high school you will never make it.

Take more AP classes and get involved in more activities. College is all about getting involved and challenging you to test your limits.

I wouldn't have let my decision to go to a certain college be based on what my friend or ex boyfriend were going. People change, so it is best to live in the dorms the first year you are at a certain college. Also, work hard in your classes the whole semester, because by the end, it is usually too late to catch up. Don't expect to get a 4.00 in college just because you got that in high school. There are going to be people smarter than you and you'll have to get used to not getting perfect scores due to more difficult material.

I would tell myself that college really is the land of opportunity. Don't be afraid to get involved, network, try something new, meet new people, study abroad, etc. The resources to do these things are at your fingertips while you are in college and everything you partake in will teach you something new. You will really grow as a person and will make the most out of your college experience if you jump in head first, take a few chances, and get involved. Also, don't forget to call Mom and Dad. You will learn just how much you appreciate and love your family when you are on your own at college.

The single most important piece of advice that I would give myself as a senior would be to make as many close contacts in your undergrad as possible. I would say that as soon as you get on the college campus begin branching out and joining clubs and groups and meeting as many people as possible. Whether they are professors and advisors or even upperclassmen and other friends your age, your college experience will be made so much easier if you have a close group of people that are there to help you throughout the semester. I can not begin to tell you how many of my classmates never once talked to our professors, and it was probably the most foolish thing that they could have done. Whether its applying for jobs or graduate school, a good reference letter from your professor is priceless, however they will not be able to write one for you if they do not get to know you personally. You only have to spend a few extra minutes with your professor before or after class and by the end of the semester they will know you, and you will be very glad that they do.

The transition from high school to college was difficult for me because of the person that I was in high school. In high school I didn’t care about school, career or life. I cared more about my friends than myself, more about looking cool than earning respect, and more about that day than the rest of my life. I would have ignored myself until I said, “I am proud of who I am”. In high school I disappointed my family, teachers, and myself. Although I still face many of the same problems I did in high school the problems seem insignificant to goals I hope to achieve in the future like becoming a doctor, making advancements toward a cure for cancer, and helping communities threw out the world in need of medical assistance. I would be shocked and inspired as I told myself about my hopes, dreams and achievement. Knowing these things I would go to college with a clear vision, amazing work ethic and unwavering courage. The transition from high school to college would have simply. On the first day of college I would be excited knowing that I would soon become the person I am today.

I would tell myself to not be afraid of studying. As a highschooler, I had a bad habit of procrastination. I found most tests to be easy, and so I never learned how to study. I knew college was going to be much more difficult, but I was so nervous because I knew I would have to study and stop putting things off. I thought it would be really difficult for me to do those things, but in reality it just comes easily. The way classes, homework, and tests are spread out, it's easier to do a little every day than to put everything off until the end. There is also a lot of study help, like supplemental instruction and online learning modules. Studying was definitely easy to pick up. So I would tell myself not to worry about it, because it's going to be fine.

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and talkative. At the beginning of the year, most people are looking for a new crew and "peeps" to hang out with since a lot of people left their buddies and "homies" back at their previous home. Getting to know more people at the beginning is a good way to make connections and networking before everyone settles down into their routine. I would also tell myself to watch out for the UDCC desserts... Those darn things can be so addicting!

Go to a college that seems the most affordable and try to go with as many friends from high school as you can. Join communities freshmen year that allow you to be constantly exposed to the same people like sports teams, fraternities, jobs, etc.

Study more and work harder

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself two pieces of advice. The first thing that I would tell myself would be to be more outgoing the first week of classes and make many friends because Iowa State University is so diverse it is a nice way to meet many people from many backgrounds. The second thing that I would tell myself would be to join as many extra curricular activities as possible instead of waiting to do them my third year of college. There is not much that I would remind myself of as a senior in high school, but those would be two things that I would tell myself and have as much fun as possible.

Unfortunately, my school didn’t provide us with a proper guidance counselor to clarify doubts, help us with any application processes or guide us through college life when I was a high school senior back in Puerto Rico. If I knew some of the things I know now, maybe my first year in college wouldn’t had been so hard and stressed. I was completely lost in college, because of lack of knowledge I made some basic mistakes for which I gave myself such a hard time. Because of economic struggles, going to the United States straight out of high school was out of the question. I would’ve done some research about colleges, campus life, budgets, tuition, scholarships, etc. I’d guide myself through college requisites and basics, which I didn’t understand back then. Also, I would indorse not push myself so hard and give myself a hard time when things don’t go according to plans. As John Lennos said “Life is what happens while were making plans”.

I would encourage my former self to take a minimal course load during my first sesmester. While I had a great deal of academic success as a college freshman, I had to push myself to the edge of my abilities to accomplish this. There were a number of weeks where I saw no other option than to drop out and start over the next semester. While I was able to pull through my 19 credits of accelerated math, physics, and music, I saw another student leave college entirely due to the stresses of his first semester. The transition to college was challenging because I was accustomed to participating in multiple activities outside of classes in high school, and it took time for me to realize that college is less conducive to living that sort of "all or nothing" lifestyle.

If I could go back to High School I would tell myself to take some AP classes so I could pick up some credits. I would have also thought more about my college decision. Although I have fallen in love with Iowa State I basically just looked at colleges my parents told me to look at. I would have first thought about what I really wanted to major in. Going into college I really had no clue what I really wanted to do. I went into engineering, but switched to Accounting because I found it to be way more interesting in my point of view. Overall I am happy with who I am and the choices I have made. I believe you can always say you should have done things in the past, but you may not be the same person today it your past was different.

The advice I would give myself as a senior in high school would be, to not be shy. College is the best time of your life and why not share that with your fellow classmates? Talk to people in your classes, talk to people in your hall, and don't be afraid of talking to people. Meet people! Join clubs, and get yourself involved with campus. I would also tell myself to learn how to study!! Having to study for a high school test and a college test are very different. Learn how to properly read textbook information and take proper notes. Also never be afraid to as a professor for help. They are always more than happy to help.

I would tell myself to spend a year or two at a community college to get my general eds done. The transition from such a small school to a slightly bigger one will be less overwhelming than going to a school with over 30,000 students. I highly encourage a community college first then going to a university because the classes are the complete opposite from high school classes and it is very difficult to adjust to that kind of learning.

Cameron, You are to embark at an awesome journey at Iowa State. You made the right choice in going there. Here's some advice though to make sure your freshman experience will be one to remember. First, make make sure you to use up all your meal plans, because they expire at semester. On that note, bring plenty of snacks and drinks to satisfy that late-night hunger. Secondly, don't have a roomate who is in a fraternity and comes home at 3:00am and wakes you up. Third, be outgoing and approachable, and not seclusive and quiet. The best way to make new friends is to go up to someone and introduce yourself to them. Fourth, get involved on campus! Join as many clubs and organizations as you can to get involved. You'll be amazed at the connections you make from joing different clubs. Most importantly, remember to have fun. College prepares you for your future, so along with studying for classes and making good grades (strive for that Dean's List), also make sure to enjoy the expereinces that college has to offer. You only live once. From, Your-Not-to-Distant-Future-Self-Cameron

Senior year was the year of not knowing what to expect in college. If there was a way to travel back in time and give myself advice about college life, I would take that trip in a heartbeat. First of all, I would tell myself to expect to be nervous and anxious during the first couple weeks while transitioning to your independent life and meeting new friends. Speaking of friends, be less reserved and more outgoing in order to warm up to them. Also, I would recommend attending all lectures and stay caught up on homework. Trying to catch back up after slacking behind is brutal and stressful. Study hard, but you have to make time for social activities and relaxation. After all, that is what the college experience is all about, studying hard for your degree while interacting and meeting new friends. Another piece of advice is to be very organized. This way you are guaranteed to not forget about important events and homework. Finally, I highly recommend that you talk to your instructors and get to know them by attending their Supplemental Instruction sessions. With these notes in mind, I would have been more prepared for college life.

Go to class every time and you will succeed. Don't get lazy and take school days off just because you can now. This isnt high school, and nobody but yourself will make you go. It is important.

I was a lazy student throughout my high school career. I always expected others to do things for me, and as a result of this I never developed a strong sense of responsibility. When I began college, I was extremely unprepared for the trials I would have to face. As a person who was far more interested in playing video games than studying, college life came as a nasty surprise. I would not break out of this way of thinking until years had passed. When I would come to my senses, I would have missed out on many opportunities that could have changed my life. I am continuing on with my college career, but I am lacking heavily in the knowledge that would be relevant to my chosen vocation due to the fact that I never hit the books. In a big way, I made my life considerably more difficult due to my lack of focus and commitment to success. So, if i could go back in time, I would advise my high school self to take life more seriously. I ask myself to do everything I could to fufill my dreams instead of passively allowing them to slip away.

If I went back in time, I would tell myself that college isnt as bad as it seems. The idea of going to a place where you are going to live seems scary but it is a whole nother world. You feel like you are in another county. Its a weird feeling living somewhere where you see, eat, go to classes and hangout with the same people every single day. Its defiantly hard to get used to at first but you have to belive in yourself that you will be okay and everything will work out, and you will even be best friends with people who live all over the world, and you will have them for the rest of your life. Although the work is a lot more challenging then high school, it is worth it especially for your future in graphic design.

College life is tough.Classes are hard,homework is constant and money is always short. Save as much as you can before you head to college. Your gonna need it!

I would tell myself to research and try to find more scholarships and to save more of the money I get. I would encourage myself not to ditch. When making the transition to college, organization is key. Make sure to write down and know all the papers you need to fill out and/or file and the dealines you need to meet. College is more difficult than high scgool, but most of the discipline is all on you. Don't ditch in college because missing one day in college is like a week or two in high school. The other mian thing is to not procrastinate on any work-- whether it be a quick assignment or a research paper because you need all the points you can get. Finally, relax and have some fun time during the week and make sure to get sleep because if you are all stressed out and have little energy from no sleep, you won't get much accomplished and are only hurting yourself.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say not to worry so much. When I was a high school senior, I didn't know where I wanted to go to college and I didn't decide until the very last minute when my applications were due. I would tell myself to relax a little; take a chill pill. I know that deciding where you want to go to college is a very important and difficult decision, but it only gets more difficult and more consuming when you worry too much. I believe that this advice can be applied to college life itself. If you spend all of your time worrying about whatever you worrry about best, you will have a hard time keeping things straight and staying organized. In order to have a good college experience, you need to keep your head on straight. Don't let your worries get the best of you; relax and enjoy the transition that is about to come.

Don't think that it's going to be an easy ride. Start studying (actual studying) early in the semester. Even though you may be working your butt of for grades, still have some fun. You'll meet a lot of new people really quickly, and enjoy your time with them. One last big tip is that yes, you need to get involved just like every one tells you, but don't stress out on it. All of your advisors, teachers, and mentors will be telling you right off the bat to be joining this club and that club and to start getting leadership positions, but remember, you have four years of this. Start with a couple of activities and then start adding more or changing them each semester. There's no need to get burnt out right away. Take your time and have fun because college will be an amazing part of your life.

I would tell myself to study and work hard at school. Focussing in class and keeping up with homework assignments are essential. I would also need to be better at time managment. I would encourage myself to go outside of my comfort zone and get to know many people and be involved in something to help meet other people. Lastly, I would know how to manage my money and do laundry.

There are three things I would tell my senior-year-self: take more college level classes, become involved in more leadership positions, and work during the year as much as possible without losing focus in school. I entered college with approximately thirty credit-hours, and these credits have been a blessing, especially since I want to minor in two other areas besides my major. Having these extra credits can classify you as a sophomore, meaning that you can register earlier for classes, and have plenty of room to fill your schedule with additional classes. Becoming more involved with leadership positions is another decision I would change because they boost your resume. While filling out scholarship applications, I realized that my leadership involvement was lacking. To have the best opportunity at any scholarship or dream you’re aiming for, leadership and qualification for the position is extremely important. The last change I would make is to work more during school. I worked in the summers, but every penny counts. College is expensive and stressful as it is; there’s no need to increase the stress by having to worry about how to pay for the cost of an important education.

Receiving an education is not a “given” but rather an opportunity which is unfortunately not afforded to everyone. Therefore, take advantage of your education in its entirety. Find the value in each class period, each professor, and each lesson that is taught. Challenge yourself by doing the things you don’t know how to do; after all, that’s what learning is all about. Locate, understand, and use all available resources which could be of use to you. Lastly, remember that truly gaining knowledge does not derive from simply showing up to class. In order to truly receive an education you must stay motivated, commit to staying focused (long-term as well as short-term), and APPLY YOURSELF.

I can imagine sitting in my desk waiting for the bell to ring. I would hear the door open. Sanding there would be I, only older and wiser. After picking myself up off the floor from shock I would ask myself why I was there. The college me would say “I came back to give you pointers about college, you’re going to need it.” I would listen, and this is what I would discover. Being a senior you have to stay focused and not be lazy. Take classes that are required for the college you’re applying for. I should have taken algebra two as a senior, now I have to pay for the class in college. Fill out scholarships even though you do not understand how expensive tuition is until you write your first check. Research your major before you choose it, so you do not have to change it. If you can, take college classes in high school. After listening to wise advice the college me would say, “And don’t stress it. College is hard, but you are going to make solid friends, have a wonderful time, and learn more about something you’re passionate about.”

If I could go back and tell my high school self anything it would be to never give up. Life and transition into new situations are stressful. Anyone, even the most confident of people can break under pressure. My advise to myself is just that. No matter how bad things get, no matter how hard it is, there is always a way to perservere. In life I have found there are always people willing to help, you are never truely alone.

I would tell myself to not give up and always follow my dreams of what I want to become. Don't let others put me down or allow them to tell me I'll never make it. Always keep my head high and never give up.

If I could go back and talk to myself, I would tell myself to keep my head up. At college, you get a fresh start a large population of people who most likely do not know you. They cannot judge you because they do not know very many people yet themselves . Furthermore, they do not know your past or your mistakes. I would also tell myself college has a vast amount of activities you can take part in, and in order to prepare for that, I should join a lot of clubs while I am in high school. It is good to keep yourself busy with many activities. You learn new things and meet new people by participating in clubs. By keeping very busy, it would prepare me for the business of college. Lastly, I would tell myself to keep on applying for scholarships no matter how many letters came in the mail to say you did not recieve the scholarship. Eventually a letter will come in the mail saying that you will recieve the scholarship and it will make you extremely happy.

One of the main things i would tell myself, is to study more and study harder. I came into college not having the greatest study skills or habits and during my first semester it caused me to struggle. Dont let up just because it is senior year, every year of high school counts and will effect if you get into schools and what schools you get into as well as the awards and scholarships you can recieve. I believe in high school i had a pretty good work ethic and worked hard, but i do think that i could have worked a little harder and pushed for a bit better grades. College is right around the corner from senior year and you dont realize it till summer break hits. I would say prepare yourelf to your best capability, work hard, and apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can.

Hi there, I know you don't think that school is super important, but you're wrong. This next step is going to be very challenging, but you need to stay strong and do your best. If you get stuck, ask for help. Find other people in the same situation and talk. Talk a lot and more importantly, ask questions. Lots of them, both big and small. Don't pretend to know something if you don't . You will be so grateful that you did. Feel dumb sometimes, feel foolish, feel all that school has to offer because this is what life is about. There are so many things to do and so little time, so don't waste it. Good luck!

If I could go back to my senior year, I would tell myself what my parents told me before they left after dropping me off at school. One piece of advice was to not be afraid to be myself, because there will be people that will love me and hate me for who I am. Another was to stand up for what I believe in because there will be so many people that will try and persuade me to be like them. Along with that, in all of my classes, put one hundred percent into all of them; study hard and above all do my best. That is all anyone could ask of me. The last thing would be to enjoy college to its fullest. College is one of the most exciting times of your life and if you don't have even a little fun, when you are older and out of college you will look back and say, "I wish I would have experienced more of what college really had to offer." So, enjoy college all you can because before you know it, it will pass you by and be nothing but wonderful memories.

College students are much friendlier than high school students. Continue your study habits because they help out a lot in the future. Your true friends are in college, not high school. Start wearing Cyclones clothes proudly because I wear them everyday! Start getting involved in campus organizations as soon as you start school because networking is essential. Just when you thought how great basketball managing is, just wait until you are the softball manager (it's even better)! Overall it's the best experience you will ever have so don't miss out.

You have no idea how much you need to study for your tests. Always take notes because they will come in handy. You will read more in your first few weeks then you did in your entire senior year. Time management is an important skill you will need to learn. Sticky notes will become your best friend. But, don't get scared there are so many people who are willing to help you. You will meet so many amazing people who will help you get a broader view of the world. The transition to college isn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for any reason.

First off, I am a firm believer that everything in this world happens for a reason and that trying to change past events would only ruin our culture's future. That said, there have been many moments in my life I wish I had a "re-do" button for. The biggest regret I feel, having just completed first semester of college, is not devoting enough time to my studies. No matter how cliche you may find the words "time managment", they never really stuck with me until now. In high school I was able to balance varsity athletics, with earning my Eagle Scout Award, and maintaing above a 3.0 GPA. Now that I am in college though, I have found that all the extra time I have in my schedual is actually working against me. If I was a high school senior again, I would start to develope better study habbits as well as organizational skills. Most importantly though, I would get into the habbit of creating a "To-Do" list for each week, in order to prioritize my commitments and assingments.

As a high school senior, I was concerned that it would be difficult to make friends and that I wouldn't fit in at whichever university I chose. Looking back, I would tell myself to just relax! A confident, independent person is already travelling down the road to adulthood and responsibilty whereas a person who is nervous and worried about what others think hasn't even started the journey. Other people will accept you for who you are and if they don't, they aren't worth being around anyways. And yes, there is still the possibility that you won't make friends, but that's not the end of the world. If you aren't happy, do something to change it! Action is what defines us. If there are not people you can relate to in your dorm, go join a club! Often we confine ourselves in unhappy situations, but simply taking the initiative to change your own situation can make all the difference. So confidently go in the direction that will make you happy and all will be well!