Iowa State University Top Questions

I Would Tell Myself To Be More Confident.

I would tell myself to apply earlier so I could get into a better dorm and also to go out and meet new people instead of hanging around with my high school friends. I would also tell myself to study harder earlier to form better habbits since it is hard to improve your gpa later.

If I can go back in time as a high school senior with the information that I know now, I will advise myself and others, that Knowledge is one of the most important thing in life. I will make sure to advise to pay close attention to the teachers and turned all the material work on time, read the material about the class and the feel that I may presued down the line, it is important to investigate and know beforehand your program and participate in activities of the school and the community. Read important books to enhance the knowledge about any particular career field that you may take later in life. But the most important advised of all is to be persistence, don’t missed any class, participated and completed all the homework. Study ahead and be ready for discussion in class, Be sure of ask pertinences questions when you don't understand a subject . Research all the materials and be ready for class and participation at all times. Knowledge is power and is very important not to waist the time while we have the opportunity we need to make the best of the information we get from school.

I would tell myself to realize that all freshman entering the college life are experiencing similiar feelings and worries, which can mean it is a great opportunity to bond through that first transition into college life. College is a time for stepping out of your comfort zone to try new and exciting things, which aren't as scary as you may see them from the outside. For example, being an officer for a club, joining a sorority full of women, studying abroad or just asking for help. College is a fantastic time to become the person you've always wanted to be and to treck your own path through life, always looking at the future. I would tell myself not to back down from opportunities out of fear or ignorance. It is easy to meet people with similiar interests by talking to classmates, club friends and people at activities you attend. I would tell myself getting a tutor and asking for help is actually very common and a resource most people use. Paying for college on your own, is realistic with financial aid. Finally, know that the professors are truly there to help and guide you and are very approachable.

Do not stumble along through life taking the path of least resistance. Look ahead! Think about where you want to be in 2, 5, 10 and 25 years and work towards those goals. When you are young it can be difficult to think about the big picture, but time goes by very fast and it is depressing to think of someone late in life looking back and thinking "what if". Enjoy life as it happens, but don't make short term decisions that compromise your future.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior, knowing what I know now about college life and I would say "Cherity, there are three major thing's in life that you should consider that would make your transition in college a whole lot easier." I would make sure to tell myself to grab a starbucks Grande drink, have a pen and paper handy, pull up a chair and be ready to take notes!! Number one, Remember to Enjoy this year and make it count! Take full advantage of the teachers and councelors they don't get paid to just sit in there office, ask them for help like a college goal check list to see what you'd need to complete before college. Number two, Don't procastinate! This will help you in the long run. Believe me you'll have those days when you feel like doing it tomorrow, don't get in that bad habbit! Good time management falls into place when you don't procastinate. Last but surely not least, always remember to finish what you start! Even when the road gets rough just stick it out!

I would have given myself the advice to become less reliant on my parents so much during my senior year and throughout high school. Not being at all self-sufficient (not doing my own laundry, dishes, etc.) was a hindrance going into college. I needed practice at these life skills more than I realized. The transition would have been much smoother had I been doing these things for myself.

I would say to branch out more and make new friends. Get to know your roommate better and be able to talk to her about things that made you mad.

College is fun, exciting, and full of new experiences. You no longer have to answer to parents or teachers. There are no more people nagging you about keeping your grades up, doing your homework instead of watching television or staying on facebook, or even turning assignments in on time. Your education is in your own hands now. You'll have the freedom to do as you like, but along with the freedom and independence, comes greater responsibility. Your professors and lecturers won't care whether you pass or fail and parents no longer have the authority to tell you what to do. The people who were there to push you through school up until now won't be there anymore like they used to. You have to become your own motivation. You tell yourself what to do, how you want something to be done, and what classes to take. You call all the shots and become your own boss. Sounds exciting doesn't it? However, with all the freedom you may tend to get ahead of yourself, but never forget why you are there in the first place. Therefore, go ahead and enjoy the next chapter of your life responsibly.

As a high school senior, I was terrified to leave my life in the "bubble". If I could go back and talk to myself then, I would tell myself to relax. Instead of being sad leaving my hometown and friends, I would advise myself to become excited to start my college experience. Looking back, I realize that the people you want to stay in contact with, you will stay in contact with. It is not hard to send a text, call or even Skype with your friends daily so there is no need to be so upset by leaving them. I would tell myself about all the new people you get to meet and about all the great experiences that come along with being a freshman in college. The transition from being sheltered in suburbia to becoming an independent responsible individual in a college town isn't hard if you have a good head on your shoulders. I would advise myself to stay focues and to enjoy the little things in the coming months. Simply, I would say enjoy the rest of the high school experience you have left but be more excited for what is to come.

There are two areas of college life that'd I'd give myself advice in. The first would be time management. Time management affects everything especially your academic studies. In order to suceed succesfully you need to have a schedule and stick to that schedule. Homework is extremely important and assignments can be started in advance. A planner really helps you lay out and see everything that you need to do in a timely fashion, whether its with work, home work, social events, classes and appointments. It is the best way to manage your time effectivly. The second area I'd give myself advice in is the social life. It's not enough to just be at college studying, but developing relationships and networking is really important. I have noticed that people with a steady group of friends tend to succeed more. Your attitude becomes more positive, and you can relate to issues going on with yourself that most students are typically worried about as well. It also helps your studies because you can organize study groups, or simply have a study partner to keep you focused. After all it is human nature to be dependent on others.

When I was a senior in high school I believed that college was going to be easy, carefree, and would fly by, so I would tell myself to study extremely hard and take full advantage of all the resources Iowa State has to offer to freshmen. I also would get involved with a learning community right away to get extra help and meet new people.

I would apply for more scholarships to help pay for expenses. I would also work during my senior year to save money for books and supplies for school.

I would have told myself how important it is to surround yourself with positive people and great influences. I would emphasis the importance of starting college career on a successful path and the gain personal values. Know who your friends are, and be positive in every situation.

If i could go back in time and give myself advice about college, i would say Get Involved! Getting involved in as many things as possible helped me to meet so many wonderful people and i felt as if i had something to offer my school. It made me proud to say i go to Iowa State University. Meeting so many people in the clubs and activities that i got involved in made the social aspect of college that much easier. I met some of my best friends by getting involved within the Greek community. Getting to know so many people made the huge campus feel like a small, homey community. Walking the mile across campus, it was very unusual if i did not pass anyone that i knew and could wave hi to. As for the school aspect of college, time management is my biggest piece of advice. Every Sunday night, plan out what you need to complete each week whether its homework, working out, or attending meetings. From that list, choose what you are going to complete each night that week. Treat college as a full time job with hours from 9 am to 5 pm.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell my self to get ready and to brace myself. Because college is a much bigger work load. I would say to myself to not waste time get into college as soon as you can and don’t wait. Then I would tell myself when I get there do everything I can to expand my knowledge and learn everything in sight. I would also tell my self to make a routine and don’t change it and that I should always be organized with everything. Id make sure I planned a daily schedule. It will make life so much easier. And finally I would tell myself to work as hard as I can if not harder study till I cant study anymore and never give up because it all pays off in the end.

If I could go back in time and speak with myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the following advice. Be open to new experiences and different people. Go to your classes, they’re there for a reason. Turn homework assignments in on time. Study for exams, preferably starting about a week in advance as to avoid cramming. Flashcards are extremely helpful. Try new foods, and always take things that are free. Make the effort to get along with your roommate. When you need your own space just leave, it’s difficult to always be happy with someone who lives in the same room with you at all times. Get to know the people living around you. Be safe when walking around at night. To finish, avoid spending all your time with your significant other. Make time for friends and yourself as well.

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the time with my family. Being away from everything you've ever known is difficult, but as long as you remain open, the future holds so much more. I would also tell myself that you could never apply for enough scholarships and you can't volunteer enough.

Start at a community college and save money

I would say not to stress out before I go. I was very stressed before I went to school and even stressed my first year. Eventually I dropped out and got my Associates degree but I came back to ISU to finish my 4 year degree and it has been the best decision I could have made. College classes are challenging but they help you grow as a person. There will never be another time in your life where you can choose what time you want to have an activity, how late you want to take classes and still have time and energy to have a social life.

There are a few things I would tell myself if I had travelled back in time. For one, I would tell myself to make sure not to take Pre-Calculus at 7:30 in the morning. That was a lesson I learned the hard way. The second thing I would tell myself is that life in college is different and hard, but it has its advatages when compared to High School life. First, I would say to save up as much money as I could possibly save. College is decievingly expensive even with loans and scholarships. Second, I would tell myself to work on getting my license. I hadn't really considered a license to be an important part of my life, but now that I see how important it really is, I would tell my past self to work harder and get more serious about getting a license. Finally, I would tell myself to get more serious about school work. I think if my past self were to do all of that, I would be in a much better situation now.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to balance my time properly. Time management is critical to handling everything that is put before you. Next, you must remain organized. Prioritize your activities and always have a plan. Know what is important because your future depends on it. In addition,never forget to study if you want to be the best. You must not only know your material, but also gain an understanding of what it means. Lastly, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Complete your work on time, for deadlines are very important. If you slack off in the beggining it is nearly impossible to catch back up in the end.

Having experienced a year of college now, there would be three pieces of advice I would give myself. The first would be to develop good study habits regardless the difficulty of the class or exam. What I'm trying to say here is that there may have been times where I didn't study as hard for an exam as I should have or how I studied wasn't the most effective way to study. I would tell myself that I need to study notes, readings, and information my teacher provides so I can excel to my greatest ability. The second piece of advice would be become involved in as many leaderships activities as possible. Leadership is an essential tool colleges as well as future employers are looking for from young adults in our world. The final word of advice I would give myself would be to apply as well as be eligible for as many scholarships as possible to help pay for my future education. I didn't realize how much money it costs to finance your education. Those three things would help any high school senior to make their first year college transition just a little bit simpler.

I would tell myself to study more for tests. Coming from high school where classes were very easy for me, I never did too much studying before tests. Then in college I spent countless hours preparing for an exam. If I was used to doing that then continuing to do that in college would have been less of a problem.

I would advice myself that; things may become difficult, there might be times where you maybe find yourself alone to deal with life problems, and solutions may not come as easily. With so much on your plate, just remember that blaming yourself for life problems and using short tactics won’t fix the problems in your life. You need to be willing to use your negatives as positives and move forward. With every negative there is surely to be a positive. Just keep this in mind and every scenario you will find a solution to. Providing for a family, mortgage, and just surviving is more of a challenge. Your challenge will only be to pass the next class with a good grade. Does that seem like a challenge that you could overcome?

I wouldn't tell myself anything different. Community College was super easy and a waste of my time and money. I felt like I went back to kindergarten with the work and teachers. Ok, so maybe I'd tell myself to NOT go to community college. Sure, it saves money, but it honestly wasn't worth it at all. I was so infuriated and put down and degraded by teachers that I wanted to leave and never return. It was a terrible environment and I was learning things I learned in 1st grade. It was insulting. So I would warm myself and say "Don't do community college. Skip it and go elsewhere."

The most important part about making the transition to college is adjusting to the class difficulty level. College classes are much harder than high school and therefore require a great deal more studying. Devising a study plan is extremely important so you study the necessary amount to pass your classes. If you don't begin with a good plan you will fall behind in your classes and it will be much harder to catch up and succeed your first semester. It's an old cliche but, study, study, study.

It is okay not to have a plan, or to deviate from your original plan. College may not be the best years of your life, and that's okay. The next few years you are going to have very little sleep and be under a lot of stress. It will be very important for you to prioritize efficiently and stay on top of the workload that will be thrown at you. This is your time to be selfish and do what is best for you, minimize your worrying about family and outside influences. You control the outcome and as long as you try your best, you will succeed. You're going to want to give up or quit multiple times, but the important thing is to realize that the end result will be well worth the struggle. Keep the end goal in mind and don't be hard on yourself if you stumble a time or two along the way. The best is yet to come, and with a college degree and the college experience behind you, you will be a better person and go on to bigger and better things.

Don't be afraid to jump into campus life completely, there is so much to experience and see. This is the time in your life that you get to discovere who you are, the first time that setting your goals and direction in life is completely up to you. You get to meet so many intersting people, students and professors, some that you will be in contact with your whole life; and the activities on campus are something you definitely don't want to miss out on, and even though there are so many interesting activites and people to meet, the classes will really make you want to learn. So don't slack off on your studies and remember to read the books, because that makes everything even more fun when you know you finished your work already.

I would tell myself to breathe. I would make sure to tell myself college isn't as bad as I thought it would be. The change isn't that drastic, it is a huge transition in life but all for the better. I would make sure I know to brace myself for all the new challenges and experiences out there. I would make myself be open to all other races, sexualities, cultures, and beliefs and not be judgemental. I would tell myself to take advantage of all the resources the college offers, tutors, financial aid, study groups and supplemental instruction, as well as the professor's office hours. I would make sure I know to be careful and meet new people. And most importantly to have fun and work hard.

College me: "hey claire, you need to try harder." High school me: "well, i'm 5th rank in my class, I think I'm okay..." College me:" That's what you think now. Fifth rank in a small town school isn't going to make a difference in college when you get to your first semester and realize each subject needs hours of studying. You don't know what studying even is. You aren't required to take semester tests in high school, and I really wish you would've because the first semester test at college was brutal, long and a complete nightmare. You more than likely failed it because you had no idea. Studying is not putting the pencil down until you can repeat all that you're supposed to know backwards and in Spanish, since that is you're minor now... Realize how serious this is. But, my final advice to you is don't let writing or doing what you love become a chore. Study it because you love it, because you need it, to be you. Do what you love and I know you'll do amazing." High school me:"okay.. can i go now?"

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would tell myself to work hard to achive my goals. I would tell myself to never give up, and i would tell myself to study hard to do my best to get good grades. I would tell myself the my furture is in my hands and without a College Education I will not get a good job! Education is what you need to succeed in life. College is hard, but life is harder without a College Education. When it gets tough making the transiton just stay focused stay positive, it will be worth it in the end. Dont ever give up and keep reaching for the stars! You dream can and will become a reality!

Advice that I would give myself goes as follows. "The first thing you need to know about college is that it is not as difficult as it may seem." I went into college with these huge expectations as far as classwork being difficult. And it is not as bad as I expected. Sure I have to study more than I had to in high school, but there is still time to meet a bunch of new people and do a ton of new stuff. The biggest piece of advice I could give myself back then or someone just getting into the college atmosphere is don't worry about it. Relax, get work done, and then enjoy life and your college experience.

There is a statement I took for granted that I would have liked to share with my high school self. I would tell myself; "do what you want to do in life. Many of the people you meet will tell you that you will be great at doing this or that and although you are you should stay true to what you really want to do. It took me a long time to learn that and the result of not believing in myself at the last minute caused me to make a change in my major to what I (we) really wanted which mean I have to spend at least a year longer as an undergraduate but I am the happiest I have ever been. I will be the only person to tell you the absolute truth and that it listen to yourself."

As I am an older student than the traditional norm, I have come to realize that time is of the essence and life is only worth living when it is lived to the fullest. I would wish that if I was a high school senior today, I would listen to my mentors and have applied myself more. I would do the research to figure out what it was I wanted to do sooner, and do whatever I had to in order to achieve my goals. Now, I have a lot of time to make up for, and many things to accomplish. I feel that though I have my regret of not taking advantage of these opportunities years past, my experience has taught me to appreciate my opportunities now. I now possess a determination and strength that I feel will generate into all the great things I will accomplish during the my time at Iowa State University.

I would tell myself to be wise with my money; spend money wisely. Not only save money but to respect the little time left you have with your family and friends who are the closet with you. Choose a rommate you do not know. Expand your herizon to new and better things. Love the life you live because you only get on life and you are ony 18 once. After this you will be treated and expected to be adult, so enjoy being a kid.

I would tell my high school self to get as involved as possible, especially with not having lived in the dorms. I would tell myself that what worked for me to study in high school, will certainly not get me by, to put forth so much more effort into the academics in the beginning. I probably would tell myself to go seek others to talk to regarding majors and what options there are since I was an open option arriving, and maybe suggest visiting the career counseling center. I would also tell myself to save more money before I had entered college, it's a typical phrase "broke college student" but hearing the phrase, and actually experiencing it, I wish I would have set aside some money so things such as rent and bills would not be so stressful and more time could be devoted to studying. I would tell myself ultimately to explore, not to be afraid of taking chances, and learn how to make it on my own, to not rely on parents as much get through the first few weeks. College will allow you to grow into the person you were meant to be.

I would have taken more classes seriously. Applied myself more and not just "sliding by" because it was my senior year and I had all my credits. I was just looking forward to my summer not the future. I would have taken a few classes in the summer to get myself ahead of the game. I also would have started looking for scholarships alot earlier and not stuggled to try to pay for everything without the help of family. Starting early would have helped me fit into college quicker and taught me that hard work was worth it. Instead of trying to figure it all out while attending classes.

Don't be afraid and don't wait until the last minute to get help with your courses, because you will need it. The learning techniques your using in high school it is not going to work during your college years.

Be willing to be average, as compared to others. Doing your absolute best is good, and expected, but don't be discouraged if you haven't gone as high or far as you dreamed, or as someone you know or admire has gone. High school isn't life, it's just a start. Even if you aren't a member of that club, or you haven't won that prize, or that person hasn't been your best friend, life will still be good, and there will still be a way for you to do whatever you want, even if you have to make the way. In a few years, you will look at high school seniors the way all adults do--they're kids with good intentions and they need friends, and help with some things. So for now, use the time you have around practice and study to make another student's life a little happier and a teacher's life a little easier. Knowing how to take a break when you've done your best, and start something new, is better than trying to do more than you can.

If I could go back in time the one of the things I would probably go back and advise to myself would be the keys to studying for exams. I've always had decent study skills even though I must say high school seemed way easier but once I started attending Iowa State, preparing for exams was harder than I thought. Had I known the proper keys to studying as well as good note taking I think college would've started off a little bit better for me. I'd also probably stress to myself how important it is to do good my first couple of semesters of college due to the fact my first year lays the ground work for my G.P.A. It's harder to raise your G.P.A. when classes start to get harder as you get farther in and having a high G.P.A. makes it less stressful to work your G.P.A. up

You need to prepare for the biggest change of your life yet. Living without parents requires more responsibility. Finding a career that you like is much more important than one that pays more money. Don't get in over your head; take fewer credits and get better grades by focusing more on less classes. Getting a degree within four years isn't as important as gaining the knowledge. Balance your life out and don't overload on either school work or a job because it will catch up with you. Don't give in to distractions and procrastinate; doing the fun thing isn't always doing what needs to be done. Join clubs because it gets you out of the dorm to a place where you and others can share common interests. It is important to stay out of trouble. In only one year I have seen many students drop or fail out because they partied too much. Use campus resources such as the library, they're there for a reason. Give your family the occasional call because they love and miss you.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior is start saving now! I learned that college is exspensive and if you plan on working hard in classes and not wanting to work as much during school you should dave up money for the future. Especially the summer before your first college year is when you want to really start planning and not put anything off. I would also tell myself that if you are going to a community college first then you should do an AA degree instead of an AAS degree that way most of your credits transfer and you can begin the program you want at the University of your choice. When taking classes at a Community College it would be better to challenge yourself. The last piece of advice I would give myself is to maintain a healthy and balanced social life. Partying isn't everything. Grades are important and its okay to have fun every now and then, but going out so much can really affect your college achievment which just puts more stress on your life. Your social life isn't always everything because you have your whole life to make friends!

Dear self, Stop worrying yourself about what you are going to major in, because the average student changes majors three times in their undergraduate career, so coming in undecided is just fine. Besides, the one that you pick in the long-run will be what you want. In regards to whether or not the college you chose to attend is right for you, you'll have to wait and see how it works out for you. Trust yourself because you know yourself better than anyone else, including your instructors or academic advisors, which is why you need to explain yourself and your ideas to them when you communicate with them. Sitting in one of the first three rows of a classroom is highly advisable because it makes large and small classes feel the same and allows you to befriend the other people sitting in the front; it is a proven fact that people who sit in the front versus those who sit in the back of the room get better grades and understand their material better. You are also more apt to stay awake and to have your professor actually recognize you. My best advice: trust yourself and pay attention.

If I knew how college life would have been like during my high school senior year, I would have made much more different decisions toward the college path. I would tell my high school senior self to pay much more attention to my academics instead of worrying about my social life. Friends and boys would not be the ones assisting me through the transition to college and my career path; that I would have to be the one helping myself. I would also tell my past self it is not worth skipping class because, ‘I don’t feel like going’ will not help you out in the long run. Missing out on important materials and assignments causes one to do awful on exams or quizzes. Not doing the best on exams affects your grades and grade point average, which may limit you on the colleges you can actually attend. The final advice I would tell my high school self would be to speak to my counselor more frequently in order to make the appropriate decision in which college I could actually attend. If I had an opportunity to speak to my past self, college would be very different for me.

Making the decision about where to attend college can be one of the most stressful times in a person's life. Did I choose the right school? What major suits me best? Will I be able to make new friends? There is no way to answer these questions until you have experienced them yourself. However, just trusting yourself will make the task much easier! When I was a senior in high school, I was completely set on my major, thinking I would never change my mind...but I did! After having the experience of an internship in my original field, I decided it was not for me. Don't let this scare you! I am happier in my new major than I ever could have imagined, and without taking that chance, I would never have known what I was missing. The most important advice I would give myself as a senior in high school would be to trust yourself and take chances, even if you're scared, becuase you never know how much you will love your decision in the end! No regrets!

Going back in time to talk to myself would be really helpful. I would tell myself to consider all my options before settling. Looking into scholarships, grants, and loans could potentially help myself go to a four-year university and to know that it is possible without having to go to a community college first. Telling myself to not be so shy would be great because everyone just wants to make friends deep down. I would tell myself to stop eating so much top ramen and realize that pad thai is really not that hard to make. Not stressing out over little things would be another piece of wisdom to tell myself as I have come to learn that making my body stressed out does not change things as time does. I would also tell myself the technique I've learned in pole vaulting that took me four years to learn so I wouldn't have to spend that long on it. Knowing that I need to have fun and keep smiling is key because college life really isn't that long, so I should enjoy it while it lasts!

People always will tell you that high school will be the best time of your life. You make some fantastic friends, have many firsts during these years, attend sporting events, and basically live a care free life. But Caitlin, trust me, college is the best time of your life. Not only do you have all the freedom you want, but you learn to be responsible with that freedom, you make even GREATER friends, and you learn what you want to do with your life. College will help you create the best memories of your life. Drama subsides and you learn not to care so much of what others think of you. Trust your favorite band Jack's Mannequin when they say, "Read your books, but stay out late some nights." It's gonna get better kid.

If I knew what I know now when I was a high school senior I would have told myself to pursue my own dreams. I feel like now that I'm twenty-two, I am finally on track with what I want to do with my life and have a pretty good mindset on what I would like to achieve. I would also have told myself that it is going to take a lot of hard work. Throughout my years in school, I've kept a job and worked around thirty hours a week while keeping up with my school work in able to afford my education. It has given me a sense of accomplishment throughout the years to know that I am achieving a goal that I have had since I was a little girl. Although it would have been nice to know these hardships before starting my education, I believe it's made me a stronger person. I've worked through many different factors while attending school and knowing that I have persevered through them has given me more confidence in myself. It has made me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to.

If I knew what I know now about college, I would tell myself to select an advisor who loves her/his job, who has an invested interest in my future, and will encourage me not discourage me. I would have my four year plan laid out in advance to make sure I am not taking classes out of sequence. I would also encourage myself to develop key relationships with faculty and staff. I would seek out a mentor both academic and professional who would invest time in me to help me develop and grow in both areas. I would ask to be placed in a learning community, so I may develop strong academic relationships with students in my area of study. I would not hold leadership position in many extracurricular activities my first semester instead focus on my academics to ensure I am transitioning well into my first semester. Most important of all I would encourage myself to seek out support and help from the university vice president of student services when treated like a second class citizen. I would also tell myself to make friends with individuals who want "Nothing Less than Success" in all aspects fo their life.