Iowa State University Top Questions

As a high school senior I would have told myself to losen up more and just have fun. I was much too focused and it would have done me a lot of good to hang out more with friends and just have fun. I now know that high school doesn;t mean much and it should be a good time and the real work starts in college.

My advice to myself as a high school senior would be not to be afraid to get involved. My first few days at college I expected to be meeting people left and right and be doing a whole bunch of new things, but that isn't necessarily true. I had to take the initiative and go introduce myself. There are so many times that i would not want to go and do something just because I didn't know if someone I knew was going to be there or not. It's frustrating knowing that I could have met so many more people had I dropped my fear and put aside my nerves and just try something. The worst thing to have in life is regrets and I would want my high school senior self to know that. It's a total cliche but I would have like to live my first semester without fear.

I would tell myself that I should have taken the extra time to apply for more scholarships. It isnt very hard to apply for scholarships at Iowa State, just time consuming. There are over 800 scholarships availible to choose from, and it would have been a great oppertunity to get a head start while I was still in high school.

The advice I would give myself as a senior in high school would be keep pushing. Push yourself to be the best out there in anything you decide to do. There are so many people in this world ready to do that and you need to show them you can shine and succeed too. Don't let the odds keep you from working hard. Stay focused and use every opportunity given to you. BE SMART WITH YOUR MONEY - you will need it someday. Lastly, tell your parents you love them before they drive away leaving you in this big world by yourself. Don't stress what you cannot change.

Stop. Breathe. You're going to be okay. It's definitely important to be working as hard as you are, but don't let it become such a distraction to gain achievement after achievement that you forget what is most important in life--God, family, friends. Do what you love and do not stress yourself out because you are afraid that you will not make the right choice. Trust your gut and run with it. If you want to sing, which is what you want to do, do it. Go to the college you want, not the one that everyone is telling you you have to go to. Life is too short to limit yourself and your abilities. Revel in Christ, thank him for the amazing opportunities he has given you, and give all the glories you may gain back to Him. And don't worry, there are people weirder than you. You will make friends; actually, lifelong friends. You will be challenged beyond what you ever were in your life and you will have a blast. Trust God. Breathe. Enjoy your adventure.

1. Find the right balance between study and play. Some classes won’t require as much studying as others so make sure you give the needed time to each class even though you may want to focus on your favorite class more than a harder class. 2. I found that making a time table is a very good way at keeping track of everything. It’s easy then to just glance at the schedule and see everything that is coming up. Also, I highly recommend a planner to carry around to classes and write down assignments and important reminders the professors may give. 3. Take a fun class that won’t take up too much of your time but will be something you look forward to each week. 4. You will have so many opportunities to try new things. Join a club, go to a new restaurant, try out an intramural sport you have never played before. Don’t do something that makes you extremely uncomfortable or you know is against your values. College is all about the experience though, so take the opportunity to do something you may never get the chance again to do!

Hi, my name is Vanielly Torres i went to Interamericana Recinto Arecibo Collage. This is my third year, I am studied Criminal Justice. I want to be a lawyer but i dont have to money to continued my studies. I dont have work . I want to continued because this is my dream and i Think if you gift me that money y will be continued and finish . Thanks for help students like me that need money to get a better life and take and realize their dreams.

Going back to when I was a senior was not that long ago. It was also very short lived due to the fact that I wanted to graduate as early as possible and head staright to college. Because of this, when came to Iowa State, mid year, during second semester I was completely caught off guard. I didn't get an orientation of the school, nor did I recieve a slow paced start on how things worked. I enter my first class excited, and came out as if I had been struck by lightning. To answer the question what advice I would have given myself, I would simply say "you are not ready man, get off your high horse to success and just take it nice and easy." That advice would have saved me so much hard work and trouble the first week of class that I probably wouldn't have felt like I wanted to go home five days after I started.

I graduated May 2012 from a school in Puerto Rico and started college in the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, studying a Bachelor Science in Mechanical Engineering. If I could go back in time when I was in high school and give whisper of advice to myself I'd encourage myself to move to another high school because the one I graduated from did not taught a Calculus course, so I did not took the Calculus Advanced Placement exam, consequently I had to start college taking the Precalculus 1 course which I had already taken in high school. As a result, I got a little behindhanded on my math courses and that affected me a little bit at the university because several concentration courses required Calculus as a prerequisite. All things considered, I really recommend all those high school students preparing for college entrance to look forward to taking a Caclulus course prior to entering college. Furthermore, I strongly recommend to take all the AP exams so that way you can save money, but most importantly time in your college academic curriculum.

My advice to my past self from my future self would be: "Treat school like a full time job." My grades the first semester of college were embarrassingly horrifying, the whole reason being because I didn't study. I went to a public school where studying wasn't necessary to recieve a 3.0; however, in college it is very different, especially because you're paying for it. In order to be successful in college, you must study for each class for at least two hours a day. Make a schedule, write it down, keep it in your panner: STUDY STUDY STUDY. Public school, and a four year university do not - I repeat: DO NOT - work in the same manner study wise. It is vital to treat any four year university as a full time job. What you put into it is what you will get out of it.

I wish I had known what I wanted to do when I was in high school. It would have saved me taking a lot of classes I didn't need for my major.

If I could share one piece of wisdom I've gained in college, it would be that your sense of identity should be your greatest treasure - don't compromise it for anyone. Your freshman year will be a hugely eye-opening experience. You'll learn how to live with strangers. You'll be making decisions on your own. You'll be challenged academically and probably emotionally. You'll encounter some of the issues you've prepared for and some that you haven't. And you'll meet some of the best friends of your life. No matter who you ask, college is a journey of self discovery. As you navigate through your years, you'll inevitably figure out what it is that you believe in and care about. It is easy to let other people decide this for you, but what's easy ususally isn't best. My advice to you is to take control of your own identity and do what feels right to you. If you know who you are, you have nothing more to worry about. Everything else will fall into place.

Knowing what I know now, I would go back in time and tell myself not to attend college right away. I was 16 years old when I graduated high school and moved into my dorm at Iowa State University. In the 4 years I have been here, I have accumulated an overwhelming amount of debt. Even with grants, loans, and scholarships, tuition, textbooks and the overall cost of living has left me with bad credit and a bleak outlook on life after college. I became even more discouraged after witnessing a sudden death near campus and being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I now have severe anxiety and trouble interacting with people. Although I have received counseling and am employed full-time, the financial responsibility is too much for me to handle on my own. I am nearing graduation, and will have to start paying back my loans. If I could go back in time, I would become more financially independent before making such a big decision. For most high school graduates, it is expected that they will attend college. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford it in our current system.

If I could go back in time I would like to tell myself that college academia is nothing like high school, but I wouldn't. So many people told me this, and they were all correct. I had strong grades in high school and was not worried about the difficulty of an engineering major in college, but I should have been. Telling myself though, that it would be harder would be unnecessary because everyone told me that. I knew that. I, personally, have learned from my mistakes so far and continue to learn more from them every semester. The best advice I could give myself would be to meet more people in my classes. The reason this would be key for me is because as college has progressed, I've found that making friends in class has made the coursework much more understandable and manageable.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself no advice. The reason I choose to give no advice is because I like the way college has gone for me. So far I have made good friends, I have found what I prospectively want to do, and I have had many experiences that I would trade nothing for. Honestly I want to put that I would tell myself to study more or make some different choices, but that would mean getting rid of a whole year of awesome. I don't know about other people, but I have only started my adventure and I am loving where I am at right now. That is why I would give myself no advice if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior.

There is much advice that I would give to myself as a senior in high school; I will give three major points of advice. First of all, get involved with the community around you, whether its making friends with others in your dorm or joining a club that relates to your major. Having that fellowship with others will encourage you to continue doing your best, even through the toughest challenges that the college education can bring. Second, discover good study habits that will help you succeed with classes. Always put aside time in the day to do some school work, whether its homework or needed studying. Experiment with different study tactics as well to find out the best way for you to retain the information and be successful in your classes; some common study tactics can be finding a quiet spot to work by yourself, or by forming a study group with others in your class. Lastly, learn how to manage your time. Finding a balanced between study time, and relaxation time is very important; you wouldn't want to work all the time, so find time to take short breaks as well as making a schedule/agenda for yourself.

If I were to revisit my high school self, I would tell her to take advantage of the tutoring and academic success centers at college. I always have a problem asking for help and it really made my GPA suffer my first semester at college. Looking back I should have set aside extraccurricular activities and focused more on my studies so I would not be trying to raise my GPA the rest of college. I would also tell myself to keep being involved. Looking at my college life know, I am extremely involved and I have made so many network connections through various people that will help me career wise.

Juliana when you take notes acutally read and study them oh and read the books because you are going to basically teach yourself that way in college. Enjoy the sleep your getting now!

Community colloege is a great way to save money and your going to meet some great freinds where ever you go. Take your grades serious where ever you end up, and push yourself to do the best your capable of and push your limits. Come out of your comfort zone every once in awhile too. There is nothing wrong with trying something new or challenging. Have fun and manage your time wisely with school always coming first. Plan your life how YOU want it, your now in complete control of everything you do so make the most of it and be happy while your doing it. College is something you will only experience for a short while just like high school, make sure you make the most of it and give it your all. Constantly push yourself to new limits and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. It might not be that easy but you will feel more accomplished than ever once you succeed.

If I could go back in time, I would have taken the time to visit more campuses in the mid-west and figure out a way to have a more stable scholarship pool or cheaper costs in general. I love my school, but it costs way more than I expected to go to school at Iowa State which makes it more difficult for me and my family financially. I wish I really sat down with a counselor to discuss my options before preceeding any farther in my decision. I know that there were more offers as a freshmen than there is now as a junior. I reallly wish I made a list of all the pros and cons of going to an out-of-state school before I choose to. Working a job, getting actively involved in clubs, going to school, and having any social life is harder than I expected.

My biggest goal in high school was to get out of there as soon as possible, taking the easiest road imaginable. My parent’s only requirement’s for me were to get a 3.0 and to stay out of trouble. I did just that, I graduated high school with a 3.3 GPA and before I knew it I was an adult in the real world. What I didn’t realize or take the time to think about was my future and where I would be in the next five years. Looking back if I could change the way I viewed my future I would. I would have taken the extra classes and study time needed to get into a four year college. Instead of thinking what is the minimum I need to accomplish, I would think, how can I reach my maximum potential? My advice for not only myself, but also to my younger siblings and other teen’s who are still in high school is to always put your education first. If you put your mind to it you can do and be anything you want, the world is at your fingertips.

If I can go back in time to talk to my high school senior self and knowing what I know now as a college student, I would advise myself to go the route of community college after high school with the goal of transferring to a four year public college. The route of community college is much more affordable and employers does not mind an employee obtaining their four year degree by going to a community college first. I would advise myself to focus on a degree that I would enjoy with a prospect of a career in mind, which now I know to be a Finance degree. Also, I would inform myself not to worry too much on all the little things, such as getting all A's or that it is absolutely a must to attend every class session, but to focus on the big picture of finishing a four degree and learning the trades that would improve my chances of a better career. In the end, college is a learning experience and a stepping stone for my dream job. I should enjoy the experience and make the best of every opportunity.

So you think you are ready? I guess most graduates do. You’ve completed high school and the world is at your fingertips. I remember when I was there too. It will be fun, they said; major in anything you want, they said; college is the perfect age where you are old enough to know better and young enough to do it anyway they said. When it comes down to it they said lots of things.However, what wasn't said was; you will engage with hundreds of different personalities, learning how to find the best in each one is a necessary skill. AP classes are cake compared to college. Oh, and honors classes don’t equal harder classes. Backwards right?Never refuse an opportunity; networking is a stepping-stone to success. You can be friends with professors. Practically everyone is learning who they are, learn to embrace the journey. Umbrellas aren’t “uncool” as a matter of fact being soaking wet as you walk into class is "uncool." Ride the bus, use an umbrella and dress warm. No one cares all too much about what you wear to class.You are really going to like it. Cherish everyday.

If i could go back and tell myself something i would tell myself not to worry so much about the school i ended up picking. Iowa State was such a great match for me, and i worried through out my senior year that i may have picked the wrong school. I would tell myself that everything will fall into place, because they did, and none of that stress about school was needed.

I know your future plan has been to become an architect, live with your best friend, graduate in four years, and move to New York City to live out your dreams. You dont actually want that. Be open to change. Be open to setbacks. Be open to everything. When you get your housing packet and realize that your roommate is from South Korea , dont switch rooms. You will find that she is one of the greatest people you;ll ever meet, and she'll show you that you should be open to people no matter their culture, language, or background. Keep your door open when you're home, some of your greatest, lifelong friends may be a couple doors down the hall. When all of your classes for architecture fill up, take that journalism class that you know nothing about. You'll find that maybe your true passion has been waiting to be discovered all along. Reach out for any experience and any adventure you can get your hands on. College is the time to find yourself, and you will never be able to do that if you dont deter off the path you have set.

I would tell myself that I can do it. I can achieve high grades and make friendships that would last a lifetime so do not worry. I would tell myself to not compare myself to students who live on campus; I can be just as invovled as they are. Keep your chin up and dream big because this is the place where I know I belong.

Do not be afraid to fail, failing just means that you tried but need to go back to the drawing board. Lessons can be learned from failing, and in those lessons lie the answer to succeeding (and at least you can always say that you tried). Hold yourself accountable, but remember you're only human. Get to know yourself and acquire "identity capital"--interships, studying abroad, learning a language, live away from home-- because regardless of the debt and time, you will always have the experiences to look back at--and you will be a better person for doing it. Do NOT wait until the day before (or of) to do assignments or readings. Sit at the front of the class (even if you do not want to) it may help your grade more than you think. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help shows that you care enough about yourself and whatever it is that you are doing to get assistance (and asking for help can help your grade more than you know). Do not rush through college, half of the fun are in the digressions before you walk across the stage. "Just Keep Swimming".

If I had been given the chance to advise my senior self, I would have emphasized the importance of being involved in extra curricular activities. It was not until my second year of college that I became involved in campus activities such as working at the Student Services office, joining Biology Club and even taking time to speak with my professors outside of class. By participating in such engagements I made great new friends, gained important connections and began networking. I now have many great offers for letters of reccomendation. In addition, taking part in extra curriculars makes your college experience much more engaging and satisfying. In conclusion, I would have told my senior self to be prepared to get out there, make friends, make connections and have fun

I would tell my high school senior that college is not like high school. You need to set up a schedule for homework, work, and social life. I learned that school comes first and that you will always have time later for your friends. You shouldn't spend too much time at work either. Have a lot of money is nice but having good grades is a better feeling. Going back to school work, make sure you study a full week for exams and you will end up liking your classes you are in. Don't wait until the last moment to open up books or do homework also, they will pile up on you before you know it. Last of all, enjoy it all! You only have so long to live life to the fullest. Make some friends and enjoy your adventure.

If I had to go back to high school and teach myself valuable lessons for college, the main part I would focus on is saving money. Making the transition from a high schooler living at home, to a college student responsible for bills is a huge transition that would be a lot less stressful with proper saving techniques. Also, I would remind myself that being scheduled as a "full-time student" is not just a term used to separate students. Being a full-time student really will be like having a full-time job, and a lot of the time I have available should be used responsibly for school work. A good work ethic is key to being successful in college. The better I keep up with schoolwork in the beginning, the easier the transition will be.

Go in with an open mind about classes and people. Be prepared to discover your own ideals and opinions about the world without your parents opinions defining your own. Also, The more involved you are in campus, the more connected you will feel to your fellow students and the university and the more say you will have when you want to improve or change something.

Going to college makes you feel invincible. It is a time that you are in control of your life choices. How you spend your time, what you study, who you hang out with is up to you. It is an opportunity for a fresh start at a place full of new and interesting people. This time of excitement in your life should be celebrated. Now, if I had the chance to go back in time and give myself a life lesson about the do’s and don'ts of freshmen year then I would keep it short and sweet. I would say, "Go to class, Save your money, and live life." Other than those three tips, I would remain silent. Sure, I would love to tell myself certain people/places to avoid but then how would I learn from those experiences? If I had known the challenges college brought beforehand and avoided them, then how would I grow as a person? Sometimes not knowing is half the fun, which is why I believe freshman year is such a life changing experience. You learn from what life throws at you, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Either way, it makes you stronger.

I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships sooner, as early as ninth grade. I wasn't aware of the diverse amount of scholarships available to practically anyone with a certain set of skills or even basic demographics. I also didn't know how expensive college was, so if I knew those things it would've motivated me to apply for more scholarships.

People in college are far more open and accepting to new ideas than I was told. I was under the impression that most students would be into partying and other things that would lead to trouble. Little did I know that most of the students I met where there for the same reasons I was: to learn or eventually transfer to a 4 year college. I also would tell myself to take studying a bit less seriously. I had been told over and over to study at least two hours for every credit. This may be necessary for some classes. However, some of the time for studying easier classes could be kept for harder classes. Lastly, I would say to find resources to help suceed and use them. The reading and writing center are available for help, as is the math center. Getting a tutor if needed is probably not the end of the world either. College classes are fast paced and it does not do well to fall behind. Colleges offer many resources for students to do well and it is up to thes students to find these resources if they need them, swallow their pride and pursue them.

Anything is possible so approach every situation and opportunity with openness and the assumption that things will work out. Then work hard and reach out to people for help to achieve your goals.

If I would talk to myself when I was a senior, I would make sure that I knew to follow my dreams and only do what I want to do. Take your time when you are deciding your major and don't be afraid to try new things, you never know what you can be capable of. This is the time in your life to find out who you are and who you are going to be for the rest of your life. Remember that you have your entire life to live and that you don't need to rush into being a grown-up, yes you are becoming an adult, but don't forget to have fun too.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would talk to myself about the importance of planning out all the details related to higher education. Planning out the future is important to be able to accomplish one's goals, whether they are long-term or short-term goals. I would talk to myself about submitting applications early and applying for financial aids and scholarships to assist in paying for my education. I would also talk to myself about deciding on a major. It is not imperative that I have a major decided going into the freshman year of college. Exploring the options during the first year of college is not unusual, so is changing majors through the course of college. Although high school to college is a difficult transition, it is not impossible. More focus is required going into college, classes become a little more difficult, and homework becomes a little more time consuming. With a little bit of time management and organization, the college experience can be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

You know what you want to do and where you want to end up, so keep reminding yourself of those ambitions. You have many friends now that you'll lose touch with, but you are about to meet some of the greatest people you'll ever have the opportunity to learn from. It's true what they say about making life-long friends in college. Keep filling out those scholarships, and those reflections and portfolios you hated in high school are very important and will only play a bigger role in your future career. Keep networking, stay true to your beliefs, and ALWAYS have an open mind. The world is a crazy place, and we need people like you out there now more than ever. Keep up the great work, and I don't think you'll need the 'good luck'.... it's all skill!

If I could give my high school self any advice, I would probably tell myself to learn better time management. During high school, I could usually push things off until the last minute, and still get everything done on time. However, the way I pushed things off was by using the internet, instead of doing something else worthwhile like spending time with my friends. I realize now that all of the all-nighters during my first semester of school could definitely have been avoided had I worked on minimizing my procrastination in high school, and that I also could have enjoyed connecting with my friends so much more. It's your life, don't waste it with meaningless social networks or 'grumpy cats.'

I would tell myself to stay away from the night life, and focus more on my homework. My friends are indeed important, but so is doing well in school. I would tell myself that studying, working, and exercising helps me stay true to myself. Being independent means you have to be responsible financially, socially, and personally.

High school is pretty awesome place, stay in school don't skip classes, meet new friends and study smart and try to be best.

Prepare yourself for balancing your social life, your school life, and your work life. Things may not always go the way you want but keep pushing forward towards your goal. Also remember to not put off applying for scholarships or other opportunities that come your way. Be careful when it comes spending your money, there is a difference between things you need and things you want.

I would tell myself to take a deep breath and not put on so many classes. I have four years to decide what I want to be and what classes to take. Don't put so much on your shoulders and one time and take more fun classes. Don't be afriad to ask the teachers, or the people around you, for help. I would remind myself to have fun, and stay in contact with my friends, both new and old.

Take advantage of every opportunity possible. Pack as much into your time in college as you possibly can without getting in the way of your academic achievements. Read your textbooks, they're part of the curriculum for a reason. Question what you're learning and try to make sense of it rather than just memorizing facts, because that will give you a much deeper understanding of the material. Help people whenever possible, even if there is no immediate reward or recognition. You never know when someone will be able to return the favor. Make connections with professors, fellow students, guest speakers and potential employers. Success in life is partially about who you know. Find a good group of friends that shares similar values and motivation as you. Be open to making friends with lots of different types of people-- you never know what you could learn from them and what they can learn from you. Mistakes will happen and that is okay, just make sure that you learn from each mistake that you make. Lastly, be happy! Keeping a positive attitude no matter what happens will bring you great success in school and in life.

Sit down and do it. Just suck it up. Getting good grades and being persistent in how you work will pay off! Take the ACT and just accept the fact that it's scary. It could help you with college in the future. Have a good work ethic and stick to your schedule because no one is responsible for you except you. It's okay to miss out some things like watching TV and taking naps because neither of those things will benefit you in the future. Please, just do your work and try your hardest. No one makes fun of someone who succeeds.

I would tell myself to research what I would like to do and what interests me, and go right after I finished high school. This way I could make a good decision about what program I would like to do in college. I went to college after I had a family and found that the major I decided on was not really what I wanted to do. Now I am trying to find scholarships that will allow me to go back to school for something that really interests me and not a fly by night decision. I try to instill this into my children so that they can make good decisions about attending college in a program that they are interested in. Lorrie E Foss

i would tell myself to stay focused on school and not other things. i let my grades slack when i entered into a relationship. that really let my last year of school slip.

Make sure to study hard your first semester and not get distracted by collage life.

Upon beginning your freshman year at Iowa State and moving to Ames, work less so that you have more time to make new friends. Don't pass up any of the opportunities presented to you while you're in college because they will help shape your future. Apply for internships, even if they are unpaid. Look for jobs related to what you want to do, even if they pay less. You don't know where you're going to end up after you graduate, so any experience will go a long way. In class, always take advantage of extra credit, office hours, study sessions, and don't skip class or get lazy with assignments. A little extra effort can be the difference between a B and an A.

If I could go back in time to that year, I would tell myself then that college is hard work and a great experience. Tell myself that the first year is difficult, I will have trouble with grades and struggle with money. However, through everything, I will learn more about myself and be a responsible student. I discovered alot about myself this past year, and made true friends. It is an impact going to college and I will change for the better. I will develop new skills that will help me excell in classes and I will learn from my mistakes I made this past year. I would tell myself to focus on school work, not only on paying tuition. Grades first, and this of knowledge will help me for this upcoming fall of 2013. The transition from high school to college is an adjustment, but it is a great time. A time to make new friends, try new things, and discover yourself.