Iowa State University Top Questions

College is the time of your life. There are so many opportunities and activities to do, that they are too numerous to count. Here is some advice that will help ease you into the 4 greatest years of our life. 1). Stop worrying if you will make any friends. There are so many ways to meet new people on campus, that I made new friends on the first day I moved in. Here's a hint: everyone is just as nervous as you. You're not the only one, so man up and go talk to people you don't know. 2). Plan accordingly. Make sure that you know when assignments are due, and not wait until last minute to finish them. The worst thing you can do is to be stressed out over an assignment or a test, so plan to start them beforehand. 3.) Take moments to just relax and have some alone time to yourself. It does wonders. 4.) And finally, enjoy yourself! College so far been has been the best time of my life. Go out and have fun with your friends and cherish the memories that you will make together. Enjoy!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senion in highschool, I would tell myself to be confident. As teenagers, we are all confused and scared of the future whether we like to admit it or not. I have learned throughout my 19 years of life that being confident is key. Being confident doesn't mean to be arrogant, instead it means trust in yourself. I have always had doubts in myself when it comes to balancing my busy life, but somehow I always am able to maintain a socail life, while working 20 hours a week, volunteering and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I would have told myself so long ago to thrive, and to have pride in my accomplishments because in the end that is what motivates me to keep going toward my dreams. I gad a tragic past, dealing with the suicide of my mother, and I encourage everyone to take every obstical and use it to your advantage. I would have told myself to be confident, and thrive.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to focus more on preparing for college and not to wait until the last minute to finish everything. I would tell myself that to ignore the drama that goes on during the last year of high school and to take things more seriously because friends won't be there to help you when you need to get everything ready to go to college. The final piece of advice I would give myself is to be prepared to study for classes in college because one has to keep there gpa up and not let it drop.

If I could go back in time, I would surely tell my high school self to relax and not be nervous. I remember walking into class for the first time in college being very nervous, when I truly did not have to be. Nerves and anxiety only add to the frustrations that every college student has to handle.

I recently finished my first semester of college at Iowa State and I couldn't have asked for a better start at my new life. To look back at my high school graduation feels like a lifetime ago. To look back even three years ago, I never would of thought I would be at Iowa State. As a senior I definitely had senioritis and wanted nothing more to go to school and meet new people. What I wasn't thinking was how much I will miss my family, miss the friends that matter, and realize how fast I will grow up in the five months at college. I would love to go back to high school for just a day and remember what it was like because it is a complete 180 to life away from home. I have definitly learned a lot with school, time management, becoming involved and doing things on my own. What I would tell myself then is even though you think you don't need to study, you should start. It will help with college! Appreciate all the things your parents do for you because you will miss it. And to be open to possibilities!

Spend more time on finding financial aid. Simply work to the best of your ability and try to find a course of action that will help you succeed. Get to know your teachers. When the time comes teachers can be extremely useful.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself about as a high school senior I would probably tell myself to stick to my ed plan and apply for scholarships. Continuing your education after high school is very hard when you lack financial assistance and with no ed plan you tend to be unsure of what classes to take. I would probably also tell myself to apply to the very expensive university I have always dreamed of going and not waste my time in community college. Knowing what I know now about financial aid, scholarships and loans I would tell myself about all the opportunities available. Building my self-esteem would be number one on my list, there where so many insecurities that I had when I left high school that lead me to decide to stay home and not pursue my career like I should have. Finally I would also get me more excited about college since I had no one to encourage me and tell me about how fun planning your future is.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to open up and communicate more to people in college. You only get one chance at college, and you should enjoy it to the fullest. During my freshmen year of college I was so focused on my classes that I forgot to take time off to enjoy and socialize with my community. It is possible to balance homwork with your social life and still have fun. I have learned that the more people you meet in life, the more you become uderstanding and conscious of people's feelings . By having a large social group, you are able network and have a larger support system. Communication is essential in college, and should not be taken for granted.

You are going to be out of your comfort zone. You are going to meet new people, and you're going to make new friends. Instead of being shy and worrying what other people think, put yourself out there. People will like you, and you have to deal with the fact that some people won't like you as well. They don't have any affect on your life, so don't worry about them. Focus on studying, and make time for friends. Remember that school needs to come before any extracurricular activities. Always remember to have fun!

If I could go back in timeand talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not be afriad to go outside of my comfort zone. Throughout my college years, I have learned to step out side of my comfort zone and it has turned out to be a great experience. By doing this I have been able to grow as a person, make a difference in the community around me, and get to know many people.

Take all of the AP classes you possibly can. Even if they do not directly apply to your major. Never underestimate the value in taking as much out of highschool as you possibly can.

I would tell myself to continue being the person that I am and really hold on to who I am as a person. To appreciate every little moment of everyday. I would tell myself to have fun with band because now I really miss it and I wish that I had enough time to play in some form of band with my trumpet. I impart some knowledge to myself with the way that college works and some of the ins and outs of some processes in college. All in all, I would tell myself to do what I would do and use yours senses to see when things are bad and stay true to oneself.

Scholarships, scholarships, scholarships.

If I were able to go back and talk to my senior self I would advise him to take more credits his first term of college. I would also tell him to try a little bit harder in his AP Calculus class, so he could have a better grade when it transfers for college credit. I would say these things, because I am currently working on getting my Associates of Science Transfer Degree in Business to Southern Oregon University done in two years while also getting a one year certificate for Massage Therapy. I am trying to at least maintain a 3.0 GPA while I am doing this to keep myself eligible for scholarships, because I am doing everything in my power to not have to get student loans. The only reason that I am so worried about it is that I am paying for college by myself, but luckily I obtained enough scholarships and grants last year to make it through my first year of college without debt, and I am hoping to do it again. Thank you for reading my essay question and giving me the opportunity for this scholarship.

I would tell myself not to worry so much about my high school grades and be more focused on actually learning the material to the point that it is easy. During my senior year of high school I failed AP Chem. That really took a toll on me going into college thinking that it would be as difficult. I am proud to say that after my first semester of college Chem I got a 96{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} on the final and an A- in the class. I took what I remembered from AP Chem and applied that to what I studied for my college Chem class. And in the end it became easy because I remembered what I had already learned from high school and added onto it in college. So if you can learn something from a class that will help in the future, that bad grade will be nothing but a letter in life.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior, I wouldtell myself to apply for scholarships, and apply for aid early. I would also tell myself that college isn't quite like highschool, as it is in many ways more serious, however I would remind myself not to lose hope and to always try my best. Also that College isn't scary, but does require hard work.

College is the best time of your life, but it goes extremely fast. Don't let yourself get caught up in high school drama. Enjoy high school as much as you can, but continually look forward. Work hard in high school, get involved, and get yourself excited about your future. I'm only done with one semester of college and can't even believe it has gone as fast as it has. I have met some of my best friends, joined the most rewarding organizations, and taken interesting classes. College has opened up my world to so many new opportunities such as internships, study abroad, traveling, and much more that I never thought would be possible. Thinking back to a year ago, I wouldn't of even believed that this life was a reality. I am extremely thankful for all of the endless opportunities and possibilities college has opened up for me.

First off, let me tell you; it WILL get better so don’t give up. When you show up to your first class and can’t breathe because you’re nervous, don’t give up. Sit down next to someone and introduce yourself. They are new too. When you have to give a speech in front of your class and you feel like you should say you’re sick and leave, don’t give up. Take a deep breath, swallow, and talk slowly. When you’re sitting alone at the lunch table and think “maybe I should just go home”, don’t give up. Look around and notice everyone else does it too and it’s not because they don’t have any friends. When you think sleeping in sounds better than going to class, don’t give up. Get up and know that this will save you from a slippery slope on down the road. College is no walk in the park, don’t get me wrong, but it’s exciting, it’s unforgettable, and it’s worth it. Whatever you do, just don’t give up.

The advice I would give to my high school self is simple. Learn how to manage your time. Time management is key in succeeding in college. If you know how to manage your time wisely, college should be a piece of cake.

Life can be dictated by one decision. Before you make that decision, take the time to think and reflect. Do all things to the best of your ability keeping your head held high and a smile on your face. Most importantly, do what you have a passion for and put all your time and strength into whatever that is whether it is a sport or a specific class. That passion and committment will pay off and contribute to a successful and fulfilling future. Be kind to everyone and leave a legacy that people remember positively. Most importantly, set attainable goals. The moments when a goal is reached is such a rewarding experience and the road to that goal not only teaches patience, but perseverance as well. Go on a mission trip to a third-world country. The experience is lifechanging and the ripple-effect can start from you. Take pictures. You can never have enough of those photos to bring back happy memories. Do not worry about what others think. Be yourself, respect others and command respect in return. Get off your iphone and spend quality time with family and friends because you never know when time will stop.

Don't rush the decision on which college you want to attend. Make sure you look at all your options. Don't worry about making friends that will come on its own.

I would tell myself to make sure that I place reminders for every thing that I want to go to as there have been several times that I have missed an event I was looking foward to when I lost track of time. I also would tell myself to be more sociable with those around me so that I can make the friends that I did and more. Through this I would be able to have more people to interact with and have a better time at college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to figure out what I want to major in, apply for scholarships, and keep an open mind when entering college. As an incoming freshman to Iowa State University I was an open option major which caused me to take some classes that weren't in my interest area and kept me from joining a learning community. Being an open option major I missed out on many opportunities therefore I would tell myself as a high school senior to research the different undergraduate majors and decide on one. As I am paying for all four years of my college I am in great financial need and I would tell myself as a high school senior to apply for more scholarships in turn making it easier to pay for my first year of college. Last I would tell myself to keep and open mind because joining new things in college helps you meet more people and make more connections. If I were to keep an open mind I feel as though I would have experienced more in my freshman year.

My first piece of advice would be to calm down. As a senior, I was ridiculously worried about making the transition into college. I thought that it would be really difficult for me to buckle down and study, and that leaving home would be hard on me. I spent so much time worrying, and now that I'm actually here, I realize it was a whole lot of wasted energy. For me, the transition into college wasn't hard at all. In fact, it was liberating. It still is. I wish that I had more confidence in myself during my senior year, because I could have spent a lot more time enjoying my last year in high school. I would also want to tell myself that just because I didn't do so great in high school doesn't mean I can't in college. I thought motivating myself would be really hard, but I've found out that as long as you really want it, you can do it. I've performed worlds better my first semester in college than I ever did in high school.

Hey Kristen! Looks like you'll be headed to college soon. Yeah, college is a transition but you are going to be just fine! I have a few "words of wisdom" to share with you. Firstly, remember to be you. Just because you are starting anew doesn't mean you need to change who you are. Being yourself around new people is the best thing you can be. Trust me, I know from experience. Secondly, don't be afraid to try new things! Get involved on campus and in your major, even when people are telling you that you are too busy. You get to be the judge of that! Each person is unique and has his or her own personal capabilities. Don't limit yourself because someone else tells you that they think you won't be able to do something (or shouldn't do something). Once again, I know because I have been there and done that. Thirdly, keep an open mind. You are only a senior in high school and there is so much you don't know and haven't experienced yet. Be willing to step out of your box, girl. Have fun and good luck!

I would tell my young self to be open to new experiences and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. My biggest accomplishments have come from putting myself in unique situations that I would consider uncomfortable. Coming to a school where I knew no one forced me to open up and grow more than I ever could have imagined.

College. Such a meaningful word. For some, it is the glory days remembered. For others, it is the current late nights spent cramming for finals. And for you, it could be one of the most feared words of the future. It will feel like a tiny thought snowballing through your final years of high school, and once that last summer hits it is simply an overrated climax of packing, goodbyes, and unnecessary worry. In all reality, it is a change, a transition. However, contrary to popular belief, you will make new friends, you will see your old friends and family again, and you will survive. Three pieces of advice that I have for you going in to college are to get involved, stay connected, and to find YOU. Really let those words sink in. Get involved immediately whether it's a club or volunteer organization. Stay connected to your friends and family, and do not forget to send letters to your best friend and to call your mom. And most importantly, through everything seek who you are and who you want to become. If you truly find yourself, then the word college to you will mean one thing: success.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to love and approve myself exactly as I am. You have to trust your inner self and believe in yourself. These beliefs were missing in my high school life. My high school experiences are the typical memories of any one who ever went to high school. That included my friends hurting me, having my first crush break my heart, trying to survive math class and figuring out my future on top of family life. I had a terrible time making new friends and felt like a total outcast. Besides all my ups and down, there were times I had wished I was more supportive of myself. Instead, I constantly brought myself down. When I realized what I was doing was not making my situation better, I quickly learned to forgive myself for what I can and cannot do. This new self-esteem and understanding I wish I possessed in high school. I have come to understand that there is no one in the world who can give you all the love and acceptance you crave than your self.

Here is my first advice for myself: don't stress yourself out. I was usually nervous when it came to big events like Senior Project, or the big tests. From stress, I ended up getting sick and having back pain when it came to stress. I would tell myself that I don't need to stress about grades or Senior Project. Tell your friends in hip hop club about it & ask them for advice & not handle things alone. Also, I would tell myself to spend some more time with my friends then I did. I mostly spent time with friends in my senior year of high school & some of my freshmen year of high school. I feel that my friends will make my life much better. I would spend time with my family, but I would like to take a break from my family sometimes and spend time with them outside of school. Lastly, I would tell myself to get a real job now! Only babysitting once a week & volenteering at Lynnwood Library is not good enough get you by when you are about to start college. Overall, don't be stressed, have fun with people and get a job.

What advice would I give myself if I could travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior? Interesting question but a great one. I would definatly say that you need to find the person balance between course work and a social life. Grades are not necessarily the most important thing. A great deal of what society has/while come to is how well your social skills are and how well you can present your ideas. Dont be scared of the little things and surely do not focus on the little things cause if you do then you will miss the big picture that this is the best part of your life and you need to make it worth while. Just enjoy yourself and make it fun. If you are not having fun then something needs to change. The final thing would be to come to college single. Yes, that may be tough to say or hear but it allows you to start fresh and see that there is more to life that just you first love.

Bailey, you're beautiful. I know you disagree with me, but you'll soon come to realize and accept that no matter how much you disagree, others will always tell you this. It's true. You young, innocent girl. You're very intelligent. Moving out of your parents' house is the wisest and best move you have ever made for yourself. But I must say, you are going to let other people's opinions and perceptions of life sway your own decisions. Please, PLEASE do not allow this. Yes, the partying and memories are all experiences that I have under my belt; but I would take it all back if I could. Don't drop out of college! Learning is in your blood my dear. Dropping out will only set you back financially and waste your time. You know how I know? Because I'm back at school, right where I starter. I look back at you and see all of the promising potential you have. Follow your gut instincts, not your peers. Thrive in school the way you're meant to. Question, learn, discover. Bailey, my sweet 17 year-old self. Follow your own path and you will succeed.

Assuming I could go back to my senior year of high school I would tell myself to not get bogged down on the little things. In high school I would always stress out over the smallest details. Although the little details can sometimes be important in getting that A, it is also important to take a step back and look at the big picture. University has made me realize that grades are not everything, if you pull an all nighter to get a project done and end up getting sick for a few days because of it, the all nighter would not have been worth it. Health is more important in the big picture than handing an assignment in "just the way you wanted it". If I were still in high school I would have said that those few extra points were way more important in the long sceme of things. However, after staying up late finishing the final details on a project resulted in an illness causing me to miss a few days of classes, I would have much rather taken the B instead of playing catch up.

I would tell myself to take advantage of opportunities that come my way. You won't know until you try, whether it's worth putting in the time and effort for. Who knows? Great things could transpire if you stick your neck out there and become more involved with various activities and take hold of some of those opportunities.

College will be exhausting, it will be hard. You will realize how important the value of a dollar is. College will show you who you were really friends with in high school and who were just there to be convenient. College will open your eyes to all sorts of activities that you didn't have access to before. It'll introduce you to people from all over the world. Some of them you'll become best friends with, some of them will end up being your worst nightmare. Stay strong. You know who you are and what you believe in, and just because other people strongly push their different morals and opinions on you does not mean that you have to change what you believe. Trust yourself. Your decision making abilities are about to be tested, but you're going to pass with flying colors. Practice sleeping, because you'll wish you got more of it. But most importantly know that your family loves you regardless of what decisions you make when you leave. They are behind you step by step.

I would tell myself to say yes to things. Take a fun class every semester, run for a position in a club, ask out the prettiest girl in the room. You never know what will be the best decision of your life.

If I were to go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would definately tell myself to not quit caring about homework. Many high school seniors, even myself, seem to catch "senioritis" and give up on trying in school. I would tell myself to continue to complete all my homework to the best of my abilities because colleges really do care about your grades and in college the schoolwork is going to be much harder and take up more of your time. I would also tell myself to start better time management skills because in college, knowing how to divide up your time between different activities and completing your homework is vital. It is great to go out and get involved in different programs on campus, but it is essential for your future to receive the best grades possible and learn as much as you can while you have the opportunities available to you.

Hi Daly, I'm you in the future but … wait!!! … this isn't a joke!!! … I'm serious … yes I'm you … please came close because I don't have time. I had the opportunity to come back in time and quickly advice you about the opportunities you have in your hands but I didn’t saw before. I know what are you thinking, this seems strange, but pay attention. You still have two year to get better grades before graduate from high school, and you have to take advantage of this. Study hard every day and join some sciences clubs biology related, we know you love that science. You have to be prepared for years to come because you could qualify for advanced student programs. Don’t be afraid of what people could say, because important is what you get for your future. You need to give the best of you in these crucial years to come. You are smart and you deserve to be where the best students are. Be smart, because you are, use your potential to get what you deserve. I don’t have time … I have to go… please you can do a better future…..

When you first enter college live on campus. You get a lot of opportunities to meet new people and experience the freedom, but community it brings. Be involved with at least one major club. This is a great unifying point for students, and helps you to meet a like minded group of people.

Dear, high school Sarah, you will do great things in your future, you dont have to worry about that, what you do need to focus on is being more out going, you might as well work on that now because you will need the social skills in the future because you will be a cosmetologist working one on one with people from all walks of life in less than 2 years! you also need tto take school a little more seriously right now, education is so important, you know that, but maybe tak some running start classes to get ahead. college isnt too hard you can do anything you put your mind to. love, future Sarah.

The first thing I would tell myself is to just chill out. Yes, college is a big decision, but it's not something to continuously lose sleep over. I didn't know what I wanted to major in or where I wanted to go to school and didn't decide until mid-senior year (far after most of my class) and it stressed me out to no end! I was considering too much of what everybody else wanted and not what I thought was the best fit for me. Just because everyone in your class is going somewhere in state doesn't mean you have to! I would remind myself to find a place that would make me feel at home, help me succeed, have fun at it, and meet great people along the way. Iowa State University has done all that and more for me and I am so incredibly thankful I chose to be a Cyclone! It's a feeling I cannot put into words accurately enough. Once a Cyclone, always a Cyclone!

Oh if I could only! I would start with telling myself to realize what is happening. I went through my senior year thinking college was never going to come and here I am almost done with my first semester already drowned in debt. I would tell myself it is time to start applying for scholorships and go out for a leadership oppurtunity. Leadership is crucial for everything, it stands out and people love to see it especially on applications. I honestly wish someone would have told me how important leadership is. There are going to be times when you feel down and lonely and just want to go home, but you have to fight through that and realize it has to be tough, hard, and frustrating now so that you're future can be easier. Stay strong and stay motivated and realize that the cliche 'the best things in life will never come easy' is absolutly true.

If I could go back to high scool and tell myself anything it would be to have confidence in myself, and to never give up. Keep working at what ever it is you think you want to do, you can always change your mind and try something else. If you dont understand something dont worry about what other people think, ask questions untill you do understand. After all it is your education and your life you are working toward. Just because other people dont encourage you to dream or seem willing to help you with your goals dont give up. It may be that you need to find more positive people to be around. I would tell myself to work hard and always do my very best at whatever I do, because my time is just as important as anybody eles's time is. What it all boils down to is what do you want out of life? do you just want a job? or do you want a carreer that you can be proud of and grow with? because you will change with age. What seems important in high school will not be important when you are thirty.

Get a much better G.P.A. and have the motto of, "work hard play hard".

Hello me, Don't wait to go to college, do not take time off; continue with your education and don't stop until you are complete. My advice to you is to actually study hard, apply yourself fully and don't just skate by on the average. You are capable of much more than what you are giving in regards to your education and you deserve more. You want to go to college and have a degree behind you, don't let life get in the way of that goal. Decide what you want to do and stick with it. Create a plan with realistic steps and work towards it without stopping. Take a fulltime coarse load and don't falter. Commit to yourself and no one can stop you or take your dream away from you. Most of all have confidence in yourself and know that you can do it.

After I finished admiring all of the hair that my younger self still had on his head, I would tell my 1988 pimple-faced self to invest in Microsoft and to learn computer programming. It’s almost 25 years later and I am in college learning ( yah…you guessed it ) computer programming. After 10 years at home raising my 2 children, I am returning to the workplace and looking for full-time employment. As a graphic designer, many of the opportunities that were available 10 years ago are no longer available due to the length of time I have been away from the Design community. So I have returned to college to pursue a life-long passion for computer science. I have always loved math and computers and want to build software based on solid design principals. As they say, “it’s better late than never.”

If I could go back to high school, I would tell myself to learn better study habits. At the small high school I attended, I did not have to study very much for tests. During my first semester at Iowa State University, I have learned that studying is a big part of what you have to do to get better grades. With better studying comes better scoring. I'm glad that I have learned better study habits while attending college, but if I could, I would go back and tell myself to start working on those habits earlier. Reaching out to others and putting myself out there with people I don't know is the second thing I would tell myself if I could go back to my high school senior year. Going into college, everyone at Iowa State University was new to me. At first I didn't know how to start talking to and meeting people. Throughout the semester I have learned better social skills and have gained many new friends and can talk to professors without being too shy. This is a skill I am glad to have learned and will help me in the future.

Pick a school that you will love. Pick a school where you are comfortable. Instead of following friends and allowing them to lead the way, create your own adventure. Do not choose a school based on how large it is, how expensive or exclusive it is, or even how it is ranked. Sure that looks great on paper, but choose somewhere you will be happy and able to blossom into the best version of yourself. Do not be afraid to venture out on your own. Do not be afraid to follow your own advice rather than someone elses. You can make your own way and start a new life, it might be scary at the beginning but it will lead you to great things and great people. Only you know what is right for you.

My best advice would be to learn everything you can in high school. If you have previous knowledge on a subject, it makes learning it in college immensely easier. High school is free of cost. College tuition prices are out of sight. Why not get the education in high school while it is still free? Universities love to take your money (especially out-of-state students), but fool them by coming in with some college credits already completed. Having prior credits helps in many ways. When registering for classes, the order is decided by who has the most credits. Getting gen ed classes out of the way reduces the likelihood of having a 300-400 person lecture. At that level, students do not develop a one-on-one relationship with the professor. With the basics out of the way, you are free to take the classes you actually care about and want to pursue further. Taking classes in your major instead of just the basic requirements helps solidify your choice of major. If you decide to change majors, having the prerequisites out of the way gets you to that decision quicker. Overall, college credits from high school help a lot.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that yes, college is fun, but to enjoy the time I have left. I feel like I spent my entire senior year looking forward to college and missed out on some opportunities. I would tell myself to live in the present and make the most out of it, because looking back, I miss high school.

Being a high school senior I was so concerned about leaving my nine siblings, and worrying that I was in some way letting them down by leaving to go to school. Being in school now for almost five months, I realize that the most important part of my being here is my education. In striving for academic excellence and remaining dedicated to my schooling I now realize that my family does not need me to live in the same house in order to be influenced by me. All I want is to make my siblings proud of me, and in leaving for school and pursuing my dreams I believe they are. So, looking back, I would stress to myself that leaving and getting out on my own is the most effective way of mentoring my siblings. I needed to relaxe in high school and realize that my siblings would not hold resentment towards me because I left. They would only be more proud of me.