Iowa State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to go to college with an open mind, and think about what you want in your future. In two years of school, I have changed my major to something I want to do with my life, bonded with like-minded students who share my academic prowess and passion for learning, and found talents that I would never have awakened had it not been for the opportunities I had here. Also, be prepared to study a lot more than you think you need to; the courses call for more work than you are used to, but if you learn to balance your social life with your academics and extracurriculars, it will make your college experience not only fruitful, but absolutely memorable. Most importantly, enjoy this new experience. Learn to take care of yourself, break a few rules and learn from those mistakes, make lasting friends, participate in anything you want, learn all you can, and above all, HAVE FUN!

I would tell myself to stay strong. When times seem hard they will only get better with time. College is not only a place to achieve academically and career wise but it is also a chance to meet those who matter to you the most. Be prepared and never give up, stay motivated and strong and always try your hardest. Don't expect things to be like high school because they aren't. This is a huge learning opportunity that many people don't have and to see it go to waste would be tragic. Stay involved with your school to help you achieve and make a career/life plan you would like to follow starting with your college career. These are the years that mean the most to us, and to watch it get thrown away would be devastating.

I would advise myself to take full advantage of all the resources available. When you have questions about classes and scheduling, ask your advisor because he knows who the best people to talk to on campus would be. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the sense that you are now on your own for the first time, take some time to do something you enjoy and to just unwind; when you are stressed because of the change you are not going to focus and do your best on your school work. Make sure you get involved in campus organizations you find interesting because they will help you feel like you fit in and they will also help you meet new people and make friends. But above all, always remember that classes are most important and even if you don't want to study, do it, because you are the one paying for your education and not doing taking full advantage of your classes is a waste of your hard-earned money and your time.

Dear Victoria, Hey beautiful! Congratulations on your success in high school and defeating struggles throughout the years. This is you from the future and I want to give you some advice that I should have done when I was where you are. First and foremost, SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS!! Yes, you had your mind up about where you wanted to go to school but with your academic abilities and achievements, do you know how many scholarships you could have earned??? Tons! Money doesn't grow in your parents wallets and you need to help them out in every way you can with your school education. I believe that not filling out many scholarships was one of my biggest mistakes. Secondly, do your very best in class especially during your first few years in college. Just like high school, if you do exceptionally well in the beginning, it won't be as hard to rise up if you fall down during the later years in college. Do more than just "getting by". You KNOW that you are capable of achieving greatness and suprising those who doubt you. Show the world that you can make a difference and change if for the better!

Going from high school to college I think I would have been more social, granted I was in all the activities in high school: dance, band, student council, cross country, track, religious education and so much more. Going from knowing everyone at my high school to going to knowing very little people was a hard transistion because I was more shy when I got to college and didn't get involved in everything right away. So giving if I was able to go back in time I would have worked more on my social skills and being able to jump out there and get involved in things out of my box. Thank you.

In high school, I never had to study for tests or study to learn the material. All I did was pay attention and do the homework. In college, this is VERY different. I found out my first semester the hard way. I thought I could get by the same way, but I was wrong. I would tell myself to study every night, even if it was only for a little bit. I would also say to make sure to do the homework. This will aid in the studying process. I would tell myself, "you have the potential, don't let it go to waste by not studying and not putting forth the effort". For me, this was the toughest part of the transition to college: studying.

Take advantage of the scholarships and local jobs because every cent helps towards your education. Iowa State has an impressive graduation rate and the campus is one you always feel proud to walk. You can always try new things and never be afraid to ask for help whther it is financially, legally, or academically. Someone is always here on campus and most professors know where to send you if they themselves do not know the answer. Keep in mind that you will meet your closest friends here and no matter where you end up they will always bring you back to the place you called home.

If I had the chance to give myself advice about college, I would have advised myself to maximize the work I had put in during high school and applied for as many scholarships as possible. I had an impressive resume coming out of high school and I let it go to waste by not applying or even attempting to get any scholarships. It is much harder to obtain scholarships in college as maintaining good grades while participating in extra-curriculars is a challenge. I would also have advised myself to save money as there are many more things to spend it on in college that are more worthwhile than dinners and shopping in high school. Finally I would have advised myself to spend time learning how to study. It is nearly impossible to skate by and receive good marks in college. Studying is a learned skill, one that I did not have after graduating high school. Overall, I would have provided myself the same advice I give to incoming freshmen now.

If I could go back and suggest some things to complete before going to college, there would be a few things that would make the top of the list. The first would be making a decsion about which college to choose. I started out at one university to find that it was too small and did not offer everything that I wanted to get out of my college experience. I would also spend more time researching colleges and what they have to offer, instead of trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to major in beacuse it can change as you go through college.

Ask more questions and take as many upper-level classes as you can to get the most out of your high school experience. Pay extra special attention in Physics and Calculus-since you'll need the skills from these two classes in almost every class you will take in college. Work hard now but know that you must work even harder in college to do well.

I would have told myself to plan better and take advantage of programs offered in high school to learn more about what options there are and how to prepare yourself for the next level of education. I would also have told myself to look into majors more in depth and really figure out what my interests were sooner and also to go with what I enjoyed and would make me happy, to save from changing majors after two years of college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would hug and congratulate myself for deciding to go to college, the beginning of a successful life. I would say, "Juan, being the first in your family to attend college and not having much knowledge about superior education is going to be very hard, but not impossible. There will be very difficult times in life, but you must fight through the hard times and always try your best. Always help others who are in need and ask for help when help is needed. Speak your mind and share your thoughts, be creative and spontaneous and be actively involved in something you care about. Difficult times in school, financial problems, and working hard are lessons in life that will make you stronger and will help you become a better person." I would tell myself to always stay positive, to meet as many new people as I can and make life long friends, to try my best at everything I do and to not take a single second of college life for granted because they are truly some of the best years of your life.

Freshmen year of college was definitely a transition year for me. It wasn't until last year, my sophomore year, that I truely figured out what college meant to me and what it all had to offer. Searching for a college was different for me than for most high school seniors. I knew what field I wanted to study in and I knew immidiately upon arriving at Iowa State for a campus visit that this was the school I was going to attend. By having relatives at other colleges I knew I wanted to join the Greek Community at Iowa State and I am so happy I did. My expiernce so far within my Greek life has been priceless. If I could go back and give myself advice as a high school senior it would be to let your guard down and get involved on and off campu. It is the best way to meet people and gain the most out of college that you possibly can. It wasn't until the end of my freshmen year that I learned this and it has, from then on, carried through each year of college.

First, I would tell myself to SAVE MONEY! It's fun to go out with your friends and enjoy your last summer before college, but if you don't manage your money well, you will soon be living off macaroni & cheese and pocket change - it may not be your first year of college, but it will come! Second, I would tell myself to maintain a balance. Get a part-time job and balance that with school and friends. It's very possible to do without letting any of the the three suffer. Last, I would tell myself to do everything you can! Get involved right away with clubs and organizations, go to extra seminars and workshops, volunteer with an agency related to your career field. This is how you will not only meet your future peers in the industry, but also how you'll meet future employers and mentors, all while staying more educated about your industry and its opportunities.

I would look my self right in the eye and tell me past self to ditch that slaker attidute and give every class and every assignment my best effort becuase this school requires it to get a mediocre grade. I would say that there is no attendence requiremnt however that dose not excuse absence from class in the slightest; every class missed is an entire hour to two hours of information that I will have to figure out on my own and then be behind.

The advice I would give my self is don't expect to get all A's, stay organized, know that some people will make bad choices while they are in college, try new things, stay positive, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, and find time do still do the things you enjoy like exercising.

I would tell myself to never forget the morals and goals I had when I was in Afton. To never give in to the peer pressure that college provides. I would remind myself that I never once wanted to be the typical sorority girl and warn myself of how being a part of the greek system hurt me. After realizing how binge drinking effected my GPA I would tell myself of the future dangers and how to drink responsibly if the need ever arrived. Next I would tell myse lf to never stop going to church despite the business of my schedule. Church is a very big part of my life now and has helped me in so many ways, never give up on the Lord. But most of all I would remind me to always remember who we are and to always enjoy myself.

Personally, I would have looked more into the social aspect of each college that I visited. I was entirely wrapped up in finding a college that fit my academic needs that I didn't take into account what I would be doing with the rest of my time. I love my school, however I find that I am bored with not a lot of social places to go to besides greek town. I think I would have rather gone to a bigger city to be able to expand who I am, not just contain it in a small town. Other than that, the transition was relatively easy on me because I had watched my sister go through the same experience.

I was a frivolous high school student, which culminated in my receiving an abysmally low G.P.A. Now that I am a college student, who has been on the Dean’s List several times, I often reprimand myself for being that foolish in the past. I always think “How could I squander away my education like that?” And that is something I would tell myself not to do if I had the opportunity to speak to myself. Getting a good education should be my principal endeavor, for it will enable me to accomplish a multitude of grand things with my life. Dating girls, playing video games, and hanging out with friends may be fun; but when they thwart your ability to study effectively and achieve outstanding grades, you should extricate yourself from those distractions to become a better student. They are not going to help you succeed in life, but taking full advantage of your education will. Getting an education is more than achieving mere grades; it is about the knowledge you acquire that will resonate with you. With immense knowledge, you will be able to help a plethora of people – just as Martin Luther King Jr. did.

"Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get." Except you do. College is not just what you see on "Animal House" or "American Pie". College is either the most rewarding time in your life, or it is the biggest drunken blur you will ever have. Why be like everyone else and fall into an alcohol indused coma every Thursday- Saturday, when you can be YOU and be that explorative and adventurous person you know you are. You will have ten photo albums full of memories in one year if you live life the way you want to, versus living the way you think people want you to. That transition is hard, you will fall into poor groups of friends, because it's really hard to find your place at first, but you know exactly where you belong and by October, you will be living the life you've always dreamed of with good friends by your side. Get involved, join anyything and everything, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. This is the best time of your life, and you should make the most out of it.

The college process is hard if you are not aware of the responsibilities and steps you have to go through to become a college student and be successful throughout college. My senior year in high school was stressful because of the ACT and trying to find a college to attend. If I could go back I would give myself advice about selecting colleges, the reqirements to abtain my degree and available sources that can help me throughout college. When selecting colleges you have to do your research especially when you want to go far away and plan to live on campus. when selecting a major you need to know what classes are required for your degree and the classes you need to have before you take certain classes. This will help you have an idea of the classes you plan to take each semester. Some classes are not as easy as you think in college, therefore you may need a tutor. This is why reseach is important because you need to know the sources that are avaliable for you to help you be successful throughout college such as tutors,help rooms and

As a senior in high school I was unsure of what I wanted to do in college and was unsure about my choice of school. Now that I have two years of the "college experience" under my belt I am very happy with the decisions I made. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to get involved! There are so many great activties and organizations offered in college that offer opportunities to meet new people and make amazing connections! The people you meet through these connections become some of your best friends and may open doors for you in the future. Also, don't be afraid to try new things. College is a time to diversify yourself and your interests. Take advantage of the multicultural events on campus or try your skills at a new hobby. Though, it's still important to remember not to run away with your new found freedom. Study hard, but take time for those midnight study breaks with your roommates. Those are some of the moments you'll always remember.

I would keep my mind on studying harder and make sure that I was dual enrolled while in high school which with my good grades all the way through school I would not have to take any prep classes and could start earning my degree as soon as I enrolled in college. This would also ensure that I would be eligible for a lot of scholarships that I might not be eligible for if my grades are not top notch. This would ensure that I did not have to work hard along with attending college which would allow me to keep my focus on keeping my grades at a 4.0 average which would help me when I go to get my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in my Major of Music and my Minor of Art. I f this did not pan out for me, I also have Electronics that I can use as a backup Major. My life has been all about Music and Art starting with my kindergarten years so I am very passionate about Music and Art.

Don't waste time in community college, university life is very different, but still fun. There really is nothing to stress about, the biggest change will be the weather, but it is easy to adjust. The school is accomodating and makes the stay as enjoyable as possible. Transporation is not a big problem everything is either in walking distance or can get there by bus. The bus system is easy to use and the wait time for the bus is short. Everything is cheaper in Iowa and having a Wal-Mart is very useful for a student, just be sure to save up at least $500 before the semester, and if you spend it wisely it can get you through a semester quite easily. Buy the very basic essentials, because if you stay busy and have a healthy social life you will not be in your room too often wasting time.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the opportunities and take as many college classes as possible and to spend more time on filling out scholarships. Also to spend more time studying and prepping for the ACT's so that I could get a higher score. I would also tell myself to be more active in clubs and to do anything to give my resume the wild factor to set mine apart from everyone else's. I would also tell myself to pick up extra hours at McDonald's so that I could have more spending money while in college. I would also talk to myself about time managment. Tell myself to start a study schedule and to stick to it. Also let myself know that it is okay to set some time aside for fun.

there is plenty of advices that I would advice my self : the first one is : do not be confused and everrything will go okay ,, it is just a matter of time . the second one : if you want to be successful know what you want and be the best at it. the third one : don't think that university id like high school you have to be reposnsible for any of your actions . the fourth one : the success key is to work with gruop so you axchange information and you will be social and get to lnow people better . the fifth one: try to help students with any thing because that will benefit you a lot .

That I would fill out more scholarships.

Even though i was a pretty good student in high school, i still wished i would have tried a little harder and learned more.

I would tell myself to reconsider my major and looking into something that is more of a passion than an interest. I would also tell myself to avoid dorms, especially with a random roommate because things just don't work out well. Don't take large lecture classes that are scheduled early in the morning, avoid campus food because it's expensive, don't be afraid to walk/bus everywhere, and keep all the classes organized. Be social and join a club, get a tutor if you need it, continue to apply for scholarships and keep in touch with the professors. Don't be afraid to email your advisor about any questions or concerns because they are there to help. Always take advantage of extra credit assignments, and lastly, don't skip class, no matter how easy and convenient it would be because you will do better if you go and not pay attention than not going at all.

I would tell myself to take a couple Advanced Placement classes this semester because I could use those few extra college credits. Senior me should know to think of the bigger picture, too. I am too focused on what has happened in the past, what is happening right now, and sometimes about what could happen in the future, but never the big picture as a whole. Having a broader view of life, I now feel, is how you should see things. We should think of the past, of course, but mostly just as a means of knowing what to do and not to do for the future, not to only dwell on the mistakes we ourselves or others have made. Seeing past the frame out the present helps to prevent stray from our future plans and goals. Senior me, you need to take a step back and look, is this decision going to put you in a place you want to be? Will these goals be reasonable further on? I know you think things through so very much, but don't think about one little things too much or you will never go anywhere with it.

Being away from home is honestly not terrible, I promise. Taking advantage of work study, socializing with classmates in the classes you like, and clubs around campus takes the edge off the homesickness. Make sure you keep active, even though after a rough class crashing in your personally decorated dorm room sounds awesome. Meeting the requirements of your courses requires a great deal more organization and time management than your courses in high school, even greater than needed for AP English. Follow your syllabi during the semester, not the week before something’s due. Use a whiteboard to keep track of what assignment is due next for each class. Are you stressed out as mid-terms near? Use your whiteboard to make sure you’re not overwhelmed with deadlines, grab a coffee and head to the library to study; remember to make flashcards for classes involving timelines of history, foreign language verb conjugations, or vocabulary words. If you’re still in an upheaval about the rigors of pre-calculus, use the tutoring center and congratulate yourself at semester's end. Making sure you’re well prepared and embracing a balance between work and play will let you succeed. Good Luck!

Please look at what you done a be proud you're on your way to graduating, but just because your graduating doesn't mean you should be done with school. The average person now-a-days has an associates degree and thats what starts a career. I wish the best for you and know that your humanity and humility will take you far, but I ask as a last request to please apply for colleges, take your SAT, and go far with your life. Art is your passion and you have a talent, but I don't want you to be a starving artist struggling to get through life. With a college degree you can go so much farther and share your wisdom and appreciation for life and art. To help yourself go back to school. Love yourself and be proud of who you are!

Advice I would give to students about making the transition of college is to get involved. Being involved not only builds your resume but helps you to better understand classes and become more confident in decision making when it comes to future goals. With this in mind you create more opportunities for yourself and meet new people. Making yourself available for opportunities is the best thing possible and finding those sources.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to make sure you get involved. There are so many great oppertunities of things for you to do. Just be courageous and try something new. I would also tell myself that you can't waste time not making friends. Just be friendly and outgoing and meet everyone you can.

Don't stress yourself out over grades. They are important, but small differences don't matter as long as you fall in certain ball parks. Know where to focus your time and effort, many of the classes taken in high school will mean nothing when you get to college while others will be your starting block and foundation for the entirety of college. In this way you can put your time to more efficient and productive uses. Also be sure to dip into a little of everything, being well-rounded is crucial to success in college. You will have many opportunities not available in high school and knowing how to take full advantage of your resources will take you far.

I travel back through time and I see myself waiting at my graduation ceremony with both fear and excitement displayed on my face. My fellow classmates and I are waiting for our teacher to gives us the signal she would give us when the time had come to throw our Caps up in the air. At the time, I remember thinking in my mind "I am so scared...I am going to have to go to college where I do not know anyone or what it'll be like." Suddenly the high school senior "me" notices the me, the college student "me" and I begin to tell the old "me" to Stop Worrying because college life and making the transition are not so bad and that I am going to enjoy college life. Of course, I tell the old "me" I will have to work really hard and study for endless hours, but there is nothing to worry about. The high school "senior me" looks at me and smiles and thanks me for bring her good news. The time has comed for the senior "me" to throw my Cap in the air and transition myself to a college student.

I would give myself the main advice: STUDY! Everyone thinks that college is this fun place where you can party and have a good time and that the classes will not be much harder than high school, but i was wrong. I would tell myself to really buckle down and study a lot throughout the week so i can have a social life on the weekends and at night. You have to have very good time management skills to budget your time. There will be a lot of different things thrown at you and you need to be able to be independent and learn to cope with obsticles that come your way. Also, to never let things get you down and always stay positive. Study with friends and people in your classes to help stay motivated and when all else fails there are many places to go for help and tutors always available. I would say know your resources here at college and defiiantley use those resources.

College life is the most important thing in life of a student. According to me, it is the last step of a person before facing the real word. It is the time when we are mature enough to understand the harsh reality of life. If I could ever go back to my high school knowing all about college life, the most important thing that I would have suggested myself would have been the time management for everything. Since students at this age group gets distracted very easily. We are attending college, doing some part time and due to this pressure we sometime try to get out of this and can get distracted from our path. So I would suggest myself to pay proper attention to my studies, I would prefer understanding the concept rather than cramming things, and do all the readings I need to do because this is a better way of being successful in college.

I would tell myself that It's okay to make mistakes. I stressed out too much in the beginning of the year and put too much pressure on myself. I thought that college classes would be just like highschool ones, so I took too many credits and couldn't handle it. If I had known that it's okay to take some classes that aren't all serious I think I would've done much better. I started out my freshman year at Iowa State as a pre-med major and I set impossible goals for myself. Over the past year I've changed my major to pre-physician's assistant and it helped a lot. Now I'm in a rock climbing club and feel a lot less stressed out. I would definitley tell myself that balance is so important. You still need to be social and take breaks once in while. Grades are important but college is about having fun too!

I would tell myslef to take school more serious. To involve myself a little more and to learn how to STUDY. Learning how to study was a big thing for me when i came to school. I would also said to work on my time management a little better. Keeping an agenda can really benefit your time keeping. I would also told myslef that college is one of the best expierences i will go through.

I would tell myself to study my math and science classes really hard. They will help you with your future engineering classes and labs. Geometry is more important than you might have thought. I would also tell myself to stop playing games and spend more time with my sister. I would also say that games are fun but they aren't real and they never will be, focus on your studies. Finally I would tell myself good luck at Iowa State University and don't forget to have fun every now and then!

I would love to tell my high school self about all of the fun, stress, friends, and stories that I made/had this year. I would like to start off by telling myself about the tough issues with college - independent living, classwork, and weekend responsiblity. I would say, "The independent living is different at first, but is easy to get used to, at least for us. Also, classwork is tougher but not as drastically different as some people may lead on. And, when you go out on weekends, be responisble. Think things through before you follow through with that plan." Next, I would tell myself about all of the good aspects to college life - meeting tons of new people, having fun in classes, and becoming more confident. I would continue to tell myself, "Those are the more tough issues, but all the good overrides the bad. You will meet TONS of new people and make some new best friends who are amazing. The classes you will end up taking are actually more fun than you would think, especially the design studios. I know you aren't the most confident now, but trust me, that will all change next year."

There is plenty of advice I would give myself as a high school student. First, I would inform myself to take every AP class and to take them very seriously and prepare for the AP exam in order to get credit. I would also tell myself to take more classes at the community college in order to gain college credit. I would also strongly encourage myself to learn how to write a paper! I also am feeling a bit strapped for money and definately wish more money would've been saved by me in high school. Another thing I wish I would have done more of in high school is just been involved in every sport. I wish I would've played football and stuck it out in baseball. I would tell myself that being popular doesn't matter! I would tell myself that what matters is having strong, true friends that are based on values and beliefs. I would also tell myself that God is number one and to attend church and live in the way of Jesus Christ. Lastly, even though it is cliche, enjoy high school because its only four years and its over in an instant.

I would tell myself to make sure and read the text book to get into the habit before college. Plus, I would like myself to learn good study skills to maximize my learning for example to turn the television off and work. Other than that, college was a good and easy transition for myself.

I'd tell myself to make more friends. I have a few close friends at Iowa state and many less close friends, so I'd say make closer friends. I'd also say don't be afraid to get to know your professors. They don't bite and they are really helpful and often times very interesting. Lastly, I'd say, never regret your decision on what college you pick. Don't ask what if I went somewhere else, because that will make you like your college less, when really you should just be enjoying college life. I don't regret anymore and I love it here at Iowa State University. I'd tell myself to still come here.

Do not be afraid to get involved. Be the one to walk up to persons in your new dorm hall and introduce yourself. Your parents will always be your main backbone, keep them up-to-date with everything in your life, even though you may be miles away from them. Do not be afraid to admit in class that you do not understand something, if you do not feel comfortable to ask the question in class, go to the professor's office and talk to them one-on-one.

I would tell myself to stick with my original idea of going to Iowa State. I had attended an engineering camp at Iowa State the summer before my junior year of high school. I then visited Iowa State again before my senior year for a campus visit. I liked it then and now know that I love my school. I would give myself a preview of all the fun I was about to have at ISU. I would not change my decision to attend Iowa State University.

I would tell myself to be sure to keep the same work ethic from high school. High school tried to help us transition, but it didn't go the best job. High schools need to do a better job in the future.

I would advise myself to take more college credit courses in high school when they are cheap and you can get help from the teachers. Taking such courses help a lot when trying to get into classes and finishing within four years. A lot of seniors are still taking the 1st level english and other general education classes so its hard for a freshman to get into them. I would also tell myself to not worry so much about grades, but about actually learning the content and having fun in my classes. High school is like looking through the window into the real world. Its a place to make mistakes and start over with the help of teachers, parents, and administrators. In college, its harder to mind such a support system at first, so learning from mistakes is an important part of high school to prepare you for college.

One major concept I would hit on is to prepare better for college education. By this, I mean really focus on study habits because they are an essential part to time management. Also, I would work harder to obtain transferable credits to get an edge on college life. Having credits coming in cushions not only your knowledge base but also one recieves earlier sign up dates and such based on the amount of credits to your arsenal. Another aspect that I would hit on is time management. I will be honest, I never had to study much in High School because I was relatively bright. I ended up with a 3.82 gpa, so I did really well, yet my study habits and practices are not the strongest. I was an effective time manager in High School outside of class in terms of chores and sports and homework, yet the area I lack strong practice in is studying. I am constantly working to improve as a student and a young man, so this strong quality effectively boosts me above my peers.