Iowa State University Top Questions

I would first push myself harder to work on getting scholarships and getting a summer job. I think that's my first mistake regarding college. But, in regards to college life there's a lot I could say. I think the first thing I would tell myself is that it's ok to relax and forget about work sometimes. But, the most important advice I could give was to make a schedule and adhere to it and try to mold my past self into a more efficient worker. I had no idea it would be much harder to just sit down and work on school work when you aren't on 8 hour schedule that high school gave me. I would also convince myself that getting work done is important to getting a better nights rest, which towards the end of my freshman year of college my sleep schedule was rapidly depleting into 6-5 hours a day. Also don't bring so many clothes to college, I'm not going to wear more than the same 4 pairs of jeans and 10-12 T-shirts

As I just finished my first year at college I have learned many lessons that go beyond what I ever could have imagined. Looking back on it knowing what I know now one thing that I wish I would have known my senior year as cliche as it sounds is appreciate what you have. You dont realize what you have until you no longer have it and it can be something as simple as not having to wear shower shoes when you shower. One of the reasons why I wish I would have known this during my senior year is because everything was given to me shelter, food, clothes and so on. And coming out of college 30,000 in debt makes you appreciate more of what you have even if it is the little things. Another thing that I wish I would have known is there is more to life than what your GPA is. Making the transition from a high school senior to a college undergraduate as important school is you need to find a balance between school work and your social life. And that is what I wish I would have known as a high school senior.

Going back to my highschool self I would give myself three main pieces of advice. First I would tell my prior self to do would be to join a fraternity. I am currently in a fraternity and it was the best decision of my life I have learned so much about my self and gotten involved on campus and the Ames community in such a positive way. Secondly I would tell myself to choose a random roomate to live with for freshman year. I chose a random roomate and met some of my best friends and even my girlfriend through my roomate. Lastly I would tell my highschool self to relax and make the most out of my college experience. For college is more than just and education, it is where we find out who we are, meet the best friends of our lives for who we are, and shape our lives into what we want to become and contribute to society.

Take as low of credits as you can afford that first semester. If you can, don't work either. Time management skills usually aren't developed in the high school and it takes some getting used to in college. Having as much time to work with is ideal. Don't sign yourself up for a lot of things because a heavy load can be overbearing when adjusting. The dorms aren't really a rewarding experience at Iowa State. You should stay in an appartment somewhere, you will enjoy it more and also save money. Also, get to know your professors, if they an put a name to your face they will be much more likely to offer help of advice when you contact them.

I would have given myself the advice that I need to teach myself to study because studying is the MOST vital skill needed in college. It may seem easy at first, but it is not.

I would tell myself that every single grade counts and college is much harder than any class you took in high school. I would also tell myself to be more open to new ideas and people that I would never meet in my hometown.

The advice that I would give myself, knowing what I do now about college life, would be that I should not be afraid to have fun in college and eperience new things, as long as I keep the end goal in mind. I have seen too many individuals who did not know what their end goal was so they could not handle college life. But as long as you have an end goal, which for me is to stay focused on getting a good job with a corporate company and working my way up if I have to, then you will do just fine. I would also give myself the advice to not be afraid to take on something that is difficult, it only means that in the end you are gaining more experience in the real life. Things that are difficult to do can sometimes be the most beneficial to a person in the end.

I would tell my past self that it's ok to take some time to adjust to a new situation. College isn't easy and it's ok if you don't make friends immediately or if you don't love everything about your school. Do your best to try new things and meet new people. If you live in the dorms leave your door open and be friendly to people walking by. Remember that everyone is in the same situation as you, and everyone is looking to meet new people and feel accepted. Try not to hide away in your room- go out and explore, meet new people, learn about your campus, try out the bus system, have an adventure. College is all about new experiences, and it's best to jump right in!

Living away from is easier than you though, just remember to do laundry every week, be friendlier, and as always remember study.

I would tell myself to just breathe and not to worry so much about college. Being far from home isn't too bad, but you will miss home more than you probably think. You're going to meet some amazing people in college so be open to every person you encoutner because he or she might just end up becoming your best friend. Call your parents often-not just for money- because they are the reason you are where you are. Don't forget to relax in college. Your GPA (although important) isn't everything and one bad test won't ruin you. With that being said, don't fall behind in classes or skip just because no one is monitoring you now. YOU have to be your own motivation and driving force. If you work hard and push yourself while still keeping in mind the truly improtant things in life, college will be, without a doubt, one of the greatest experiences of your life.

I would tell myself to find even more scholarships. The cost of going to college is more than just tuition. You don't realize just how much money you need for other expenses during college. Getting a refund from having so many scholarships really helps with those expenses. Expenses other than tuition include food, fun, club dues, car problems, and things you just don't see coming. Not being able to afford some of these expenses can really put you in a bad place. I would also tell myself to manage my money better. Mismanaging money causes you to lose money that could really help you later for those unforseen expenses. Minding the money can either help or hurt you in both the short-term and long-term.

I would tell myself to take a year off of school, make a list of everything I love and enjoy doing, what excites me, and interview and job shadow people from all sorts of industries. Then, I would get a job and work my but off doing anything to save up money so that when I go to college, I can either not work or just get a work-study job and be able to focus on my studies as much as possible and really soke up the opportunities to be a part of campus organizations, clubs, study abroad opportunities, events, and other off-campus organization opportunities.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not be so worried. College is a whole different world. It is so much different than high school. You will meet some absolutely amazing people. Also, attend as many of the free events on campus as you can. They are a great place to meet new people and relieve some stress. An most of the events are free! Who doesn't love things that are free? Most importantly, be yourself. You will find people who accept you for you. If you try to fit in and be another person, you will soon regret it. Have fun, study hard, and enjoy your time. You only have four years left until you are thrown out into the real world. Make your time at college count!

This first year of college has been rough. After starting one college, making friends, and then deciding to transfer to a new one because it offered your major, it has been more than difficult. Moving 3 hours away from home and being on your own for the first time was terrifying. But would I change any of it? No. The experiences and lessons I have learned this year are unforgettable. I have grown so much. I have tranformed from a teenager in highschool, to an adult in college. I have learned responsibility, respect, and patience. I know what it feels like to be shot down and having to start from the bottom. But through all of that, I have become a stronger, more independent woman. I have grown in mind and spirit. If I could give myself one piece of advice, it would be, stay true to yourself, stay true to others, and stay true to your dreams. Don't give up because someone told you to or because it's the easy way out. Work hard and achieve the most important goal in life, accomplishing your dreams.

Study for your difficult tests the entire week before you have the test. Even though in highschool you didn't need to study much at all, college is different. The tests are much more difficult and require more preperation than you realize. Also, watch the carbs. College food is tasty and unhealthy, salad is more than ok to eat a couple times a week!

I chose to attend community college right out of high school for two years, a decision i now regret. If i could talk to my high school self, I recommend taking one or two semesters of community college (maximum)and then moving on to a 4 year school. While community college is cheaper and usually easier, these factors do not offset the disadvantages. The relative ease of community college classes made the transition to the extreme difficulty of ISU classes unpleasant. Also, unbeknownst to me until my transfer, GPA does NOT transfer between the two schools. I got great grades (3.1 GPA) at Des Moines Area Community College, but this was all for naught upon my transfer. I immediately started into 300+ level classes, and my GPA suffered greatly as a result. Without the buffering, easier courses from one's freshman and sophomore years, a GPA can potentially take a massive hit with one or two bad semesters. In short: study hard in high school and go straight to a 4-year institution!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself to relax. The transition into college was not as difficult as I thought it would be, and this was thanks to my college's orientation programs. I would tell myself to not be afraid to go out at make new friends at college because everyone is new and probably as nervous as you are. Finally, along that line, do not be afraid to commit to some clubs, they are fun and you will regret not joining them sooner later in you college carreer.

You're almost done, the light at the end of the tunnel is just starting to come into focus, but do not get distracted by the prospect of the end because it is really just the beginning of the best time of your life. Stay focused and finish strong, no matter how tempting it is to take all the fluff courses try to apply yourself. I know the idea of starting your college career is a daunting one but try to have a little fun every once in a while because you deserve it. Enjoy your time with friends and family and fill your mind to the brim with good memories to get you through those bouts of homesickness, as they will happen. Know that you can do whatever you put your mind to as long as you are willing to put in the work; that white coat is waiting and you are getting closer to it everyday.

I would firstly tell myself that college is very different from high school, and that the homework and tests require much more effort and time. It is easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed by the amount of work that college requires at first, but when you sit down at the library and commit yourself to what needs to be done, time flies by and it really isn't as much work as what it seems. Working at the library prevents many distractions that working on homework at one's own apartment can cause, so getting homework done and tests studied for at the library can be very advantageous. I would also tell myself that college is a very isolating experience, and it helps to have friends at college that are different from the ones you have in high school. Joining clubs as early as possible opens up more possibilites and allows you to meet people who are interested in the same thing as yourself, and that can be very helpful with making friends and keeping sane during all of the stressful times that college has.

If I were to give myself some advice, I would tell myself to take all of the courses provided by my high school to put me ahead in my college career. I would take harder classes and focus more on school then athletics. I would tell myself to put in the hours now so that when I got to college the work load and stress wasn't overwhelming. I would just perpare myself better so that when I got to college, I was ahead of the game.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a few words of advice. First I would suggest to myself to take college credit courses in high school. Now that I have almost completed two years of college I see how helpful it would be to have come to college with credits. Having credits starting out would allow me to register earlier, not have an 18-credit load each semester, and it would allow me to be able to take "fun" courses. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to be open to new experiences. There have been a few experiences in the past two years that I have held back from. For example, I did not join a club freshman year of college because I was nervous to be a part of something big. My sophomore year of college I joined Colleges Against Cancer, a club that puts on Relay For Life, and I am now future publicity executive member for 2014-2015 school year. I have loved my experience at ISU thus far and have learned a lot about myself and life along the way.

I would have told my self to study a lot harder and then to look for scholarships a lot sooner.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get involved in many extra curricular activities, and to vollunteer a lot. It is so important to have different experiences in high school, so that you are not just coming to college and not knowing what to do. You need to gain independance throughout your high school years, so that you are ready to go to college. College is a huge step to make, right out of high school, and having the resume builders sooner is much better than having them later. You need to learn how to manage your school work, along with many other things such as work and vollunteer work, as mentioned above.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to branch out and not be quite as shy and quiet. I would tell myself that college is a time to meet new peopel and give yourself a new identity so come out of your shell and get involved in activities. College is where you will meet some of your life-long friends and it's important to put yourself out there and get involved in as many activities as you can. Also, have fun! College is one of the most exciting times in your life so enjoy it.

I would tell myself to not jump in and declare a major right away, because "you" will change it plenty of times and it would be much easier on yourself to not jump in on the hard classes you will have with the major I came in with.

Build up your GPA in your sophamore and junior year of high school to increase your chances of recieving scholarships. Enjoy high school activities, but also work so you can save money for college. Be outgoing and make lots of friends at college. Learn to be a good time manager. Focus on your studies. Get help when you feel you are stuggling and keep studying. It's easier to maintain a good GPA than try to make up for bad grades. Take time to have fun. Don't eat to much at first. They same food will be there for years. You don't need the weight gain. Workout at the great facilities provided. It's good for your mind and your body. Perceiver to achieve your goals at school. The rewards are always worth the effort.

If I was able to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, two words come to mind, live life! Due to the fact I was severely bullied all throughout school it was difficult for me to be open, meet people, and get involved. I to this day am still scared of making mistakes and not being able to find friends, but I have recently learned I can't just hide away from the world because that isn't living. I have missed out on many things because I played it safe and I regret that to this day. I am free to make my own decisions and if I make a mistake so what! I would tell myself that don't always focus on what others think of you, they don't matter because the only thing that matters is how you think of yourself. Live the life you want to and enjoy doing it. Don't hide the fact that you are who you are, show that to people and you will have the power to do anything and to find those friends that accept you for who you are.

Don't worry! Don't stress! There are so many extra opportunities in college that you'll easily find out what you're passionate about, so there's no need to worry about it in high school. Make sure that the path you choose is for you, not for your family or your guidance counselor because you will quickly realize that you it isn't your fit. Learn how to study in high school so it will be more natural in college.

I would tell myself as a high school senior to just let it all in. It will be hard at first and you will miss home, but after a while it really feels like home and it is a place you will fall in love with. Also, work hard! You are at Iowa State University for a reason and you should be proud of yourself for making it this far! Things will get hard and you will have to study and really focus but you can do it! Just stay orgainzed like always and try your best! Go out and do things out of your comfort zone, too. You will find out who you really want to be and all you can do! Everyone says to get involved, but really do it! You will meet so many new people and make so many friends and not to mention make more amazing memories! The opportunities are endless and get out there and follow your dreams! Do everything you have always wanted to do and enjoy it! It will go by fast!

I would tell myself to take time to find yourself before pouring tens of thousands of dollars into something you may not want to actually do. Similar, I assume, to most of my peers, I didn't view college as something that I could choose whether or not I wanted to do. I knew that my parents expected me to go, and I blindly followed what they and society told me to do. I wish I could've found perspective on who I actually wanted to be and who I actually was so that I could have made an informed decision on what I should study, instead of switching my major four separate times. Trying to find what I want to be the rest of my life has caused me a great deal of anxiety, and if I could've gotten it sorted out before going to college, I feel I would be a more confident, less stressed person. I still don't truly know who I am, I don't know if the path that I am on is the path for me. Getting a better grasp on all of this beforehand would've helped me out immensely.

I would tell myself to just be yourself even at first if you don't find many friends. Also to get involved in as many clubs and organizations as possible that you enjoy. Intramurals are an amazing thing. Also to actually go to class and take you studies seriously because the freshman classes are the easiest and it will only get harder from here. I would also tell myself to be more open and willing to meet new people becuase if you don't ever say anything or do anything you will get pushed into the background of everyone and it will be hard to make friends. Also as soon as you get to college test out churches around in your area and see if the people on your floor go to church and where, maybe you could go with them one day. Along with church get invovled and test out the multiple christian youth group meetings because you may find out that you meet your best friend there. The most important thing may be AVOID THE DESSERT BAR at the dining centers.... once you eat one your hooked. To help avoid the weight go to the gym!!

In highschool, the classes were a lot easier, there may have been more frequent homework, but it was significantly less rigorous than college school work. If I had one piece of advice to give my highschool self it would be to pay more attention to school. The higher my GPA would have been, the more Scholarships I could have earned to helpe me pay for school. On top of that, a lazy work ethic in high school can carry over. Building a more consistent study schedule in high school would have helped me prepare for college. It was until about the second half of my first semester when I started getting used to have homework to do every night. Study hard in high school and college will be easier for you.

I would tell myself to be prepared for the college work ahead and learn time management. The first semester here hit me hard and fast and I was not that great at time management and fell behind quickly. Now that I have gotten everything figured out, I wish I could of better prepared myself.

Dakota, this transition is going to be even harder than you think. Those first 2 months are going to be incredibly difficult on you. You just have to stay strong and keep pushing, because I promise it will get better. There are so many good things at Iowa State that just take time to find and adjust to. Don't get too discouraged during the beginning, feeling like you are just a small fish in the massive sea of people. There are plenty of activities and groups on campus to get involved in, and once you get involved in those you will meet new people, make friends, and feel like you are valued for who you are at Iowa State. There are going to be times where you will feel like you are cant win, but if you step outside of your comfort zone, trust the advice of those you love, and stay strong in what you believe, there are countless lessons to learn in your first year as a student. Take it from me, if you stick with it and stay true to yourself you will come out on top.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to not be afraid. I would tell myself to not be afraid to get out there more and to not be afraid to try new things. Now that you are in a new place you wont be around things you are used to and its scary to jump into something new, but being brave makes all the difference. Find where you fit in a thrive there. There are so many opportunities at ISU and it just takes courage to discover where you fit in and what you are good at.

Dear Hannah, College is just around the corner! After attending ISU for almost a year now, I have some advice that'd I'd like to give you to hopefully make the transition smoother. First of all, create a 4 year course plan. Doing so allows you to plan out your college career and have a focus. Without this, signing up for classes and making sure you meet all the requirements will be hard. Next, learn how to ride the busses! Do this while it is still warm out. Winters in Iowa are brutal so taking the busses to class is necessary. As for classes, sit close to the front. The farther back you sit, the more people will be in front of you who will distract you. Find a quiet place to study. Go to your teacher's office hours. Take classes that interest you. Stay caught up on homework and don't put things off till the last minute. Don't put too much on your place - you will get stressed out. Lastly, enjoy your time at school. College is the best 4 years of your life. Good Luck! -Your Future Self

Go to a community college for a semster to gain in-state tuition.

I would have told myself to take even more college courses in highschool. I would also tell myself that to start making a weakly to do list (something I found to be extremely helpful in college). As a computer Engineer I would have encouraged myself to learn more programming languages during my free time. I would tell myself to work on my speed reading skills. Most importantly I would tell myself to work more so that college would be more affordable and enjoyable.

Some advice that I would give to myself when I was in high school and still worrying about what my life would be like at college would be to stay focused! It is so easy to skip classes and to not do your class readings, but if you do you will see your hard work pay off. Also I would say that you should be open to getting involved in clubs on campus because if you do you can make so many new friends! Meeting and making new friends I think is one of the most important college experiences to have. To put it shortly, my advice about college is to do what your supposed to do when your supposed to do it, but also at the same time dont forget to have fun!

Being a high school senior was a very stressful and scary time for me. I had known what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go but I had many pressures on my from family and friends to change my dreams. The best advice I could give my high school self would be to not worry about it. I still followed my dreams and am doing what I love, but I shouldn't have spent so many nights second guessing my decisions. The greatest advice I can give myself or anyone is to not worry too much, especially when it comes to following your dreams.

Hey Joey! This is me from the future (only a year-ish). I just wanted to let you know what you should do when you first start Iowa State University. Join a club. Go to the club meetings. Talk to the people in the club. Build connections with people. You always thought you didn't want to join a club, volunteer, or even venture out of your comfort zone. Stop sticking to your group of friends on your floor and go meet new people. It's not hard, especially when those people you meet have similar interests as you (*chough* the club meetings help with this *cough*). That's the only advice I have for you. If you do that, you're in the clear. Sincerely, Me / You / Us / Joey

#1) College is fun and exciting, but keep in mind, you're still human! You'll still have bad days, you'll still have to go out of your way sometimes to make friends, and you won't like all your classes. And all of those things are okay! Just be prepared for disappointment sometimes. #2) Do things that are outside of your comfort zone. College is a time for exploration and new experiences, but you can only make those things happen if you make the effort to get out there and do something. #3) Surround yourself with positive people. Keep in mind, some of the friends you make in college might just become your friends for life. So don't waste your time on downers. Choose people who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself! #4) Despite what you may think, you will miss your parents. Answer their calls! #5) Finding a happy medium between social life and academic life can be difficult. Remember to study, study, study, but don't forget to have FUN!

First, I would tell myself to not worry so much. You will find all of your classes and if you can't, someone will definitely help you. Don't be worried that everyone will know you're a freshman; nobody will and if they do, they don't care. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but make sure you learn from them. If you need help make sure you get it. Nobody is going to judge you for needing help and the only one you're hurting if you don't get help is yourself. Put yourself out there. Especially as a freshman, everyone is in the same boat. Everything is new and a lot of times, if you're worried about something, someone else is too. Finally, slow down and enjoy it. The days go slow, but the weeks fly by. Before you know it the year is over and you're on to the next one. I guarantee that one day you'll be sitting on campus watching high schoolers on campus tours wishing that you could go back and do it all again.

Knowing what I know now about college, I really wish that I could go back and tell myself that college isn't high school. It sounds silly because CLEARLY college isn't high school, right? But it's easier said that acted upon. I treated college like it was high school. I didn't study, because I didn't need to in high school, I waited until the last minute to do homework, and I tried to work too many hours per week. Well, it didn't take me long to get overwhelmed with schoolwork, and my lack of studying produced failed tests. Another thing I did, was skip classes. I learned that once you start skipping, it doesn't stop. You start thinking to yourself, "I didn't miss much last time I skipped, and the professor posts the lecture online anyways." But trust me, you won't look back at those slides, and you'll just keep missing things. Especially freshman year, it's "nice" to skip classes, it's like a break, but you'll get "addicted" in a sense, and your grades will suffer. Once you start it's hard to stop. Don't skip class.

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self I would tell myself, or do whatever it took to get the point across, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. I know this is always a point that is given, but most people do not take it seriously and I feel as this is the biggest component to being successful in life. If you get a homework assingment on Monday and it is due on Friday at 6:00 p.m. do not wait until 4:30 on Friday to rush through the assingment to get it done. Most likely if you have that much time to work on it in college, its probably not easy and it takes time to achieve greatness. I would then sit my high school senior self down in front of a pad of paper and tell myself to take good notes. I would tell my past self all the essential things I would need to know in college that would make me even more successful. I would be very precise knowing that these notes would be the guildlines to my own success in the future. Last words, don't lose the notes.

Take as many classes as possible to prepare for college.

I would tell myself to study harder, pay more attention to small details and concentrate more on school than other things. Prepare yourself by researching the classes and be prepared before class.

Earlier this year I was questioning if I made the right choice coming here so early out of highschool. If I could go back and realize what I would do different or recommend others do is take as many classes at a community college as you can. Basically gen eds and maybe some elective courses. You come here to learn about your major and what your job will be not math and english. Your paying to learn about what you want to do so why not take classes before you get here. Also I have found that the earlier you start studying for something the odds are I did a lot better than not studying. If I would have known and could have prepared myself for how social everyone was going to be the first week I could have made a ton of more friends. So I guess just be a lot more social and that will take away some stress from being away from home.

Learn how to study now. Once you are in college you will not be able to do well in classes without studying because it is much harder and part of the test will be over subjects that were not covered very well in lecture. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone because in the next 4 years you will be out of your comfort zone on a daily basis. Also, enjoy high school while you can, don't take it for granted because you will miss it, even if you think you won't, you will.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to stay dedicated to higher education and to seek couselor advice when I get weary. I believe listening to my own thoughts, and not that of an experienced adult, led me to stray away from college like I did. I would advise myself to challenge my learning capabilities and to take the AP courses when they were offered to me. I would push myself into applying for scholarships, even if I didn't have a game plan at the time. If I was rejected for scholarships, I would just be back at square one and no less further. I would remind myself that I can make my own path and that the one laid before me is a path I can take, not the path I can make. I would tell myself to look into the future and see where the path chosen is leading to, and if it's where I want to be. And if it isn't, change it.