Iowa State University Top Questions

Be sure to get involved with as many activities as possible! It's a great way to meet new people in a new place.

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I would definitely say to myself as a high school senior to branch outside my comfort zone. In college, there is a lot of different things that I'm not used. I feel if I would have gotten into more unfamiliar situations beforehand, I would know how to handle them better now. I would also tell myself to take as many college courses through my high school as possible. I took about a semester worth, and that helped me immensely once I got to college. I am able to register for classes at better times, and avoided taking gen eds so I can take classes that better occupy my major. I will continue to give this piece of advice to kids in high school thinking about going to a university. Finally, I would tell myself to interact with people. College is all about communication, and if you can do that well you'll go far in college and life. By being a well-rounded person, college will definitely be a successful adventure.

As an adult returning to college after a twenty year hiatus, I would finish college the first time around before I was a mom, employee, trying to juggle so many responsibilities at once. The few years spent to earn a degree certainly pay off in the long run, so if you are able, and I know you are, just persevere and finish! Endure the long hours studying. Ignore the temptation to work full time, earn all that money, and get that car. You can have all those luxuries, and many more, if you just push through the hard times.

I think that I would tell myself to relax a little more. I would say that it's okay to choose a field that I am really passionate about. Trying to please other people with career/academic decisions will only hurt me in the future. Also, I think it's important to follow your heart and find out who you truly are. College is one of the best opportunities to be yourself and find yourself - if only you allow it to happen. Having realistic expectations is important, but going with the flow and adapting to struggles and obstacles is just as important.

Assuming I could travel back in time and give myself some guidelines for attending college, I would have lots of advice for mini-me. First of all, I would tell myself get involved on campus. Being a loner not only made the first part of my college experience boring, it also made it harder to learn. I’d tell myself to join clubs, attend meetings, and be a member of the group. I would caution myself against overdoing it, but I know me, I am in more danger of hiding myself away with my books than I am of partying too much. Secondly, I would tell myself to take more hours in fall semesters, and less in spring. The cold takes its toll on my health, and getting more done in the warmer weather would only help my academic success. However, the best advice I could give myself would be to start searching for scholarships early, and to save every cent I could. It’s hard enough to pay for college without looking back and wondering “what if I had been more responsible in money matters?” I would say more, probably, but now I haven't the time.

The best advice I could give to myself is to cherish every minute of every day and don't grow up too fast. I was in such a rush to graduate from high school and move on to college that I did not truly appreciate my senior year. I wished away too much valuable time that I will never get back. The transition to college is anything but easy. While college will eventually be a rewarding experience, it would have been better to have appreciated my time in high school more than I did.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior there would be many things I would say. The most important thing I would tell myself is that college is HARD. Going to a small high school, you never had the opportunity to skip class, because it would be noticeable. When you go to college, no one is there to make you go to class. However, your grades will reflect if you go to class or not. You also have to study in college. In high school, you can normally scan over things before taking a test and still pass it. In college, the work is a lot more complex and you actually have to study for even a week before the exam. Personally, I wasted my first semester treating it as if it were still high school. My grades suffered, but I learned my lesson. I'm now close to ending my second semester and my grades have improved greatly after I learned this lesson and I wish I would've known before.

I would like to tell what I would do if I could do it all over again. Be "ready" to start college when you do. If you are not ready and dedicated to do your best it will make things harder for you. It is hard to go to class every day when you have friends trying to get you to hang with them. Pick those friends wisely, have good study habits, make a schedule that you can follow for your classes and your study time. If you are not a morning person, do not schedule early classes. Pick days to study, go to the library, etc. and try to keep that schedule as much as possible. Pick days as well to have time to unwind and have fun and be with friends. If you have a class you are having a hard time in ..GET HELP.. from someone that is qualified to help you. Some classes you will not be interested in that are required, but they are needed and in the long run asking for help is easier than dropping the class. Make going to college YOUR decision and do your best and you can do it!!!

If i had a chance to go back in time and change the things i did worng, i would. I would be more focus in my grades and research my college that i wanted to attend even more. I would study day and night, until i knew the material. I would just do everything all over again

Never doubt yourself. Once you set your mind to something, know in your heart that you CAN accomplish it. Although your goals may seem extremely far off and incredibly hard to reach, just know that whatever it is you’re aspiring for, it is possible. Do not let friends or family, who are not working as vigorously at their goal, throw you off or keep you from your goal of bettering yourself through an education. Don’t waste time; every day counts when you are preparing for and working through college. As you can see, high school is coming to an end pretty quick, but the days in a college semester fly by even faster. You must work diligently to complete all that you must to get to where you want to go—every step is as important as the next.

Knowing what I know now about college I wish I could go back and give my “high school self” some good advice! The most important bit of advice I could give would be to “take it easy!” Don’t try to take a full load of classes, work full time, and expect a thriving social life. My first few semesters of college I tried to do everything at once, I spread myself too thin, and my school work suffered. Another word of advice I would give would be, “make time to study.” You don’t realize how important it is to make time in your schedule to find a quiet place and study for a few hours every day. I would always wait until the last minute to do homework or study and once again my grades suffered. The biggest transition from high school to college is that it is now time for you to step up and take control of your education! In high school your teachers used to baby sit you, but there is none of that in college. You have to be pro active, study hard, and go to your teachers’ office hours with questions!

If I could go back in time as a high school senior i think i would tell myself to enjoy it more, and appreciate what i had and how much my teachers and peers helped me and meant to me, because when you get to college it really is a whole new life, and it can be scary. and one of the things I miss most are my friends that went to other schools, it is so different not seeing their faces everyday. i would also tell myself that my senior school work was JUST as important as previous years, even though i was already accepted to the universities i wanted to attend. i would tell myself to focus even harder now so that i would be prepared for eveything college had to throw at me. and the last thing would be to appreciate my parents, because they helped me and did more for me than i ever could have imagened.

math and english, must study hard.......

For all high school seniors, exploring every possible option is necessary. First, it is important to look at schools that have your major. I went to Kansas State University my first year of college knowing that I wanted to be a nurse. Although KSU is a great school, it is not a nursing school and I ended up having to transfer. It is important to talk with your parents about the possible options. Make a list of what you are looking for in a college! Do you want to move far away? Do you want to stay close to home? Is a D1 or a community college better for you? Do they have my intended major? What is the town and social atmosphere like? What will the cost me? These are all important things to look at when deciding on a college. If you are unsure of your major or are not confident in school, I highly suggest starting at a community college. Actually, many of my friends wish this is what they would have done. Most importantly, find somewhere that you feel at home. Best of luck to you all! Study hard!

I would tell myself not to be so anxious about higher level classes for math and science. Even though the classes seem to be intimidating at first glance, there are so many programs available to help a student get through a class. Managing study time is extremely important as well. Taking more notes, and asking more questions in class helps to get through the tough parts, just as much as reading the textbook does. Studying an hour here and there for each class helps understanding the material better than does the late night cramming. And I would tell myself to have more fun. Just getting through the classes isn't enough. I would tell myself to enjoy the college experience more and get to know more people. Tkaing time out to have a conversation with another student and taking time to relax between classes helps the mind to settle down to be able to focus more on concepts and materials.

i would have advised myself to go to my current major right away at first I declared being a mechanic at acommunity college, and halfway through the semester decided to transfer to ISU and be an engineer, BUT I don't regret it.

If I could repeat my senior year, first of all I would start applying for scholarships as soon as possible because there is never enough money for college; for books, classes, gas, rent, food, utilities, and miscellaenious costs that come up on day to day living. I would also take extra college prep classes to help me transist from high school to college life. Once you start college its not just the physical workload you take on but the mental exhaustion that comes along with it. Having a support system is also a key factor in succeeding in the everyday life of being a college student. Don't count on just friends but family and those friends not just in your age group become the key factor in helping you cope with school work, work force, and peer pressure.

My advice would be to enjoy your time in High School. Once in College students should be focused and determined to succeed. Making the transition can be as easy as you make it. Stay organized and follow up on conversations had with adivors or professors. Be a person of character as well never compromise your honor.

Unfortunately I was not an extremely confident or focused individual during my senior year of high school. Prior to entering the university I was extremely insecure, self conscious, and unsure of my career/school goals. The idea of navigating my way around a large campus terrified me. Becoming involved in school activities intimidated me. Accessing the computer labs, library, and other educational resources seemed complex and difficult. The other students seemed comfortable and familiar with their routines. I felt nothing of the sort. Looking back I would tell myself to create a support system in and outside of the college campus. I would begin to see a personal counselor outside of college to gain a stronger perspective on my strengths, my beliefs and values, and to better handle the general conflicts and issues in my life. I would seek similar support within college. Counselors, mentors, and peer supports would have been helpful. Visiting the campus multiple times with a friend to map out my daily routes, locate important buildings and classrooms, and becoming familiar with those of whom I could seek out in times of need. I would create a support group to provide both direction and accountability.

If I had the ability to go back in time and tell the person I was when I was a high school senior the skills they need to succeed in college, the critical components would be: time management, reading, working out, and maturity. Entering college was a real transition and milestone in my life. I disciplined myself in developing study skills by devoting 6-8 hours into studying and reviewing concepts every day. Then I learned how to release stress and increase my motor/cognitive skills by working out at the gym. Using these skills in my college life, I successfully obtained a 4.0 Cumulative GPA and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. The last important thing I learned in college is "maturity. " I believe maturity is getting to understand yourself more. In college I learned more about my personality and the way I study and even communicate with people. Going to a community college was the best choice I made, because it developed my study skills and made me a better person I am today.

I would definitely have prepared myself better for the academic transition to courses in college. I would have taken better control of my time management, and not have procrastinated and crammed so much. STUDY HARDER!

I would tell myself not to wait to attend college , I would do it immediately following high school and I would directly for my bachelor's degree. When you wait after high school - it's really hard to go back because your used to being in the working field and going back to school could change that. The more that time goes by the easier it is to put on hold. Just do it.

I would tell myself to take more classes in high school for college credit. I would also tell myself to attend a community college before attending a big university because it is cheaper.

The college life was very different from those in high school. In high school, we just think about what the teacher told us to do, uauslly , we just do the homework. But when i enter in the university , everything was changed, we may not see the teacher after class, everything class was in the different time and it is up to ourselves. Everything was did by yourself, you should review the book , then you can get high GPA. What's more, you should be harder and harder , beacuse too many useful information must be learnd.

If I went back in time, I would tell myself to be sure I had three years of a foreign language finished. I would tell myself to continue studying hard and working towards my goals. It is very important to be involved in high school activities because it builds character and helps you become a more well-rounded person. Don't be afraid to apply to large schools for college and don't become overwhelmed with the amount of work you have going on now in your life. One important lesson about college is to not give in to peer pressure. There are many other students out there who have the same idea about things as you do. Although it may be tough to go out and find them. It is important to focus on your schoolwork and not jeopordize your morals just to fit in. Finally, enjoy your time in college and have fun!

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as an 18 year old, I would tell myself to stick with it, and not be upset if you don't do everything perfect every time, especially the first time. Make friends, stay true to your words, and stay true to yourself. Do not allow anybody to tell you that you CAN'T do something; you get to make the decisions in your life. Nobody has control over you, but you. Attend class. Even if you're going to be late, still go! Form alliances with others in your class to help you study. Don't be afraid to ask for help; it does not make you a weak person to ask for help, you're weak when you don't. And most of all, have fun, but remember the words of your dad "It will all work out in the end. If it isn't right, it's not the end."

Don't be such a procrastinator. Make sure you leave enough time to get everything done. You may think you have time, but you really don't. Everyone here at ISU is very understanding about everything.

I would take as many college credit classes as I could as a senior in high school to safe money on school. I would tell myself to start saving money because the quote "poor college student" is 100 percent correct! Find a school that is student based, care more about the students than their next research project. Don't just pick a college because it is cheaper than others or well known by the media.

The advice I would give myself being a Senior in High School again would be more prepared for college. By "prepared" meaning looking at colleges in what I really wanted and look and start filing for scholarships and finacial Aid eariler. I would have visited more colleges rather than just Iowa Western Community College I attended and graduated in 2010 right after graduating High School in 2007. I would have also done more ride alongs and researched more about the education. My first Major was Firefighting and to get my EMT. If back in High School, I would have thought about the type, style, size, and etc of college I really wanted to go instead just kind of settling for the program and going because I knew a friend who was going there. I wish I went to a big university with Soroities and Fraternities, many buildings, big classes, and etc first because that's what I always pictured college, but no regrets. I met great friends and had many great times at IWCC. I found what I really wanted to do and was good at, which is studying Criminal Justice. Now I'm at ISU and I love it.

I would tell myself to consider all aspects. I need to apply for many scholarships, run as best as I could, visit campuses, do more research about the many colleges around, not to be scared to leave my home town, not to go to a college because a friend is there, and to imagine myself being there.

I would tell myself to get help in study tips, Ask for help sooner so you can earn more college credits. Relax and enjoy your senior year because it goes by fast and college gets harder. Study hard because it will help you lots when you get to college. Remeber what you were taught while attending Central Academy and Central Campus because it will help you when you get to college. Don't give up you can get through anything.

I would have been much more focused on academics and also studying much more because my study habbits now are confusing and not affective because i never learned a good way to study and also would have not worried so much about what people thought of me because when you come to college there is so many students there is no reason to worry about because there is more important things to worry about and if you do something dumb you prob wont ever see that person again or not often.

Take high school seriously. The friendships and connections you make here will help you greatly in the future. Also, don't ever stop making connections. Most advisors and teachers want to get to know you and your interests. So when you get the opportunity to tell someone your interests and passions, don't be shy. You never know when someone you meet will also be the connection you need to your future. Next, I would tell myself to learn the correct way of studying. In high school I was one of those students that didn't have to open up a book or study for a test becuase I listened to my teachers. Although this is helpful, in college the professors expect you to study and learn more than what they lecture you about. Finally, I would tell myself "Good Luck!"

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior based on the knowledge I know now, I would tell myself to stop worrying so much about how college will be. I'd tell myself to embrace the friendships I currently had, but also to be excited for the new ones about to form. As I try to do anyways, I'd tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that is offered and not be afraid to try new things, experience the world, and put myself out there when needed.

The advice that I would give myself is prepare for the experience of your life that you would never forget or replace. It’s going to be tough and challenging at the beginning but once you get adjusted to the life style of studying, tests, and social life it should be smooth sailing for you and the rest of your time being there. You are going to make lifelong friends, create everlasting memories and experience many things you couldn’t even imaging doing. There are going to be times that you would asked yourself why am I in college and you would sometimes even feel like giving up but if you ignored those thoughts and continued pushing forward the rewards in the end would far greater than anything beyond imagination.

Titles don't mean everything. You have set your hopes very high, applying to the best schools in the country; but you need to have back up schools. You have done an excellent job, graduating in the top of your class, but you have to remember, there are millions of other seniors who have done the same thing. There is no shame in attending a community college, and state schools are just as prestigious as the Ivy Leagues. The student is the most important part in college; it's what you make of it. Employers really only care about the fact that you graduated; where you attended is not as important as it seems now. If there is still time, go retake your SATs! Study your hardest for your AP exams because once you get to college they will really pay off. Consider taking community college classes while you're still in high school. Finally, make the most of your personal essay. Don't be so modest; the people reviewing your application don't know what a wonderful and promising student you are. They don't know your determination, all they see is numbers and a limited amount of words.

Enrolling in college is a completely new transition from high school life. After having almost completed two full years of schooling at Iowa State University, I feel that I have plenty of knowledge and experience to share with future students. To me, the most foreign adjustment involved life in the classroom. Coming from an extremely small town, I rarely had to spend time away from school on homework and I also didn't have a large amount of students to academically compete with. Those situations changed drastically when moving to college. My best advice to up-and-coming freshman is to consistently take time out of your day to keep up with the textbook readings so that you don't end up having to cram for exams. This will also keep your test scores high and put you ahead of those students who choose to slack. There are several opportunities to get involved around campus, particularly for freshman, so I would strongly encourage taking advantage of those. Socializing is key in a new college environment because the acquaintances that students make right from the start tend to become their closest friends for the next four years and commonly, a lifetime.

College is not nearly as difficult as everyone says it is. If you just keep working hard and putting in 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} effort, yo u will do fine. A 4.0 GPA in college is possible, and you can do it. Don't pass up the opportunities to participate in research. You will gain so much experience, and it is a great way to get to know your professors better. Lastly, don't worry about leaving home. It will be difficult at first, but you will find friends and start a new life as an independent adult.

High school was all about sports and status. I was very involved in schools, sports, music, band - I did it all. I came from a small town school with a graduating class of around 25. I would tell myself that it doesn't matter what others think of you and how popular you are. Be yourself and enjoy who you are. Don't let people, teachers, or classmates set the pace of your life. I have learned that in college. It doesn't matter who you were in high school, college is a totally different place. Be proud of yourself and who you are....

Going to a community college for two years while working a job and saving up money for the four-year school is a great plan. Transfering in your gpa from your previous college doesn't follow you.

If I were to give my former self advice on going to Iowa State, I would tell myself to relax. I was not only very excited about going to college and living on my own, I was also very nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect from the people there, or from the classes. I would have reminded myself that college is different from highschool in the fact that the classes are geared toward your specific interests, which makes it a lot easier to be excited about attending different classes. I also would have told myself that I would eventually discover many things I enjoy, and that it's okay to change focus and plans. Life comes at you quickly, but there is always time to go in the direction you feel is right for you.

I would tell myself to stop worrying so much about doing extra curricular activities that look good on resumes and that I had no genuine interest in. Instead I would tell myself to learn things that interested me and that I would regret not knowing or doing later. For example, I should have tought myself how to create a platinum-palladium print or photographed in Kodachrome or taught myself how to spin. Instead I expected my high school to provide all the information I thought I needed. I should have been more proactive with my education. I should have read philosophy and sociological texts and I definitely should have stood up againt misogyny, racism, homophobia, and transphobia instead of muttering to myself that it was wrong. If I would have done all these things, I could have gotten far more out of undergrad than I did. Instead I played catch-up to all the things I could have and should have learned when I was younger.

When you first get to college find out all of the available capus material like about the tutoring programs, study groups and so on. make friends in a lot of your classes that way you can form study groups and the can help if you do not have a complete set of notes. Go to the Library often instead of doing homework and studying in you room to minimize distractions. Focus on your education from day one and put your social life second so that you can keep your grades up. Spread our your studying and homework throughout the week and do not leave it for the weekends because it is to your benifit to study as you go along and not to wait till last minute. Also the weekends is where most people get together with friends and some people will completly disregard their studies.

There is a huge difference between public schooling in America and College level work. If I were still in Bosnia the public school wouldn't have been as poor therefore college would not be shocking. Expect to always study, all day long. What my typical day looks like now as an architecture major is this: wake up at 7am do readings and emails, shower eat, make lunch at home, go to class, have lunch at studio desk while writing, start 4hr studio class, work during class with professor and class mates, then go to work at the wood shop where I will do class work as well as teach students how to us power tools, then go home and eat dinner around 8pm, finish writing the hw or scholarship essays i worked on during lunch too, study hw, and after a little while at home head back to studio to do the architectural project. Weekends are a lot of studio time and working at the bar. So it’s a intense place with not a lot of relax time, you just have to keep chucking away with school work and employment work, good things do come, the professors notice it!

Well in high school I was the high school sports star, but I didn't work hard enough to make it in college so if I could go back I would tell myself to go to the weight room and workout and run. Also I would tell myself to study more because compared to college, high school was a cake walk and there's no reason I shouldn't have gotten a 4.0.

If I could advise myself in my senior year of high school, I would advise myself to start my adventure career at a junior college. Junior colleges are a great transition from high school, especially for students who are undecided in their future career choice. Even if it is only for a semester, it allows you to take a few prerequiste courses without being in a lecture hall of 300 students. After attending a junior college, I would recommend attending a public institution. It allows students to discover a new of diversity and culture that most don't experience in high school. I also would advise myself to be active in clubs or Greek living. It allows you to meet new people and expand your social network. Most importantly, I believe students should live on campus for a year or two and then make the move to off-campus living. It is important to learn how to manage your money wisely because after you graduate, you will no longer have a meal plan provided for you, there is a need to buy groceries. It also forces you to have responsiblities such as paying rent and bills on time.

Don't go to a community college, go straight to the university, when you are having problems understanding some matterials don't be afraid of asking your teacher during class or make an appointment to talk about the matterial. Make study groups to help you learn. Don't go into chemistry instead go into genetics. This are the advices that I would tell my self if I could go back in time.

Firstly, I would explain to my past self that the major I initially had in mind, computer science, is something that I do not actually enjoy doing. I would explain to my past self that I should, in fact, study what I am passionate about: politics and philosophy. If I had this information while I was still in high school, I would never have had to play "catch up," and I would be significantly further in my academic program today. Secondly, I would write down which classes I should take, and which professor I should take them with. In addition to making the four years I have in college more efficient in terms of time management, I would enjoy certain classes better if I had professors more suited to my personality. Finally, I would explain how vital it is to develop a schedule that I could actually adhere to. Make room to study, because studying means high grades, and a higher GPA means more scholarships, which means less stressing about financial troubles and more focus on learning about interesting concepts.

Get sober, don't drop out and apply for college.