Iowa State University Top Questions

I would have to say that going to college is an important decision that effects the rest of your life. No matter what career you decide to pursue, college can teach you so many things that you will use throughout your life. The maturity and self motivation that you experience in college can help to prepare you for the workforce. It can also help you to experience different types of careers without actually finding out the hardway that maybe this career isn't quite right for you. It is a priviledge and hard work and should be taken very seriously. Having a college degree can help you to find a higher paying job than having to work your way up from the bottom, year after year, to get to a certain level of income potential. Employers look at a college degree as hard work and dedication, having an opinion that the applicant for the position is dependable and dedicated. High School students don't realize the cross roads that they have come to, and need parents, teachers and mentors to help guide them back to college.

As prepared as you think you are to start over as a freshman, it is scary and you can feel very lonely in the beginning. Talk to your CA/RA if you are living in the dorms, and get involved in the campus and surrounding community as soon as possible. It is a fantastic way to meet people that share common interests. Also, make an effort to know your advisor, because he/she will be the best ally you will ever find.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to let things slide a little bit more and enjoy my time living at home and learning. College is a complete new world and it is the time to branch out and start out life different. In high school, I would want to transition from constant stress to a more relaxed state of mind.

Dear past self, Take this with a grain of salt; you are going to discover the future of your current self in the upcoming years. By endulging and preparing yourself in studies that interest you, you will find that experience is key. Playing around with your likes and dislikes will help you create an ideal image of what you would like to be. This being said, don't be afraid to try something new or take a risk. Everything from this point on will be a learning experience, and should be taken as such. It may seem overwhelming at first, but determination is key. In the end, when all is said and done, looking back on your life and accomplishments will be far greater than telling yourself that you wish you would have done this and that. Don't be afraid of the future, embrace it. Sincerely, Your future and much more knowledgable self

Take it easy with your friends and what you do with them. Do not use drugs or have sex. Study, study, study. Be patient with teachers. Take your studies seriously, because your future depends on them.

The first thing I would go back and tell myself is that you need to follow your heart and decide right off what you want your life to be about: do you want to have money, or do you want to do something you love? because the two things can be different. I decided initally that I wanted to move out of my parents and live on my own, so I went to college to be a respiratory therapist. After doing that for two years, I realize it's totally awful. Sure, I moved out, live on my own, and will always have that career option, but that's not what I want to do. I want to do something I love and will feel good about doing everyday--something that enriches who I am as a person, so I am going to be going back to get my Illustration degree in art. Decide now while you have time, how you want to feel about your life and your career and what you really want to do. Don't let financial stresses decide how you spend your time in this life, because like they say, money doesn't buy happiness.

I would recomend that I join a Fraternity. I have witnessed the benefits that follow being a member in a fraternity, and they are truely something I would reccomend to any high school senior. Being a member can offer many scholarships, leadership positions and academic resources that aren't available anywhere else on campus! I would tell myself to sieze the opportunity to become as involved as possible because there are so many opportunities out there just waiting to be experienced. I would advise spending more time meeting new people in class each day. Dont sit in the same spot; instead, branch out and meet someone new each day. Down the road, the kid you sat with in Chemistry might become your partner or even your boss. Networking is just as important as getting good grades, so take every chance you can get to attend career fairs as well as talk to professors. It isnt always what you know, but simply who you know. If you spent several hours each week meeting new people and you get an A- instead of an A+, it was worth it. So if passion drives you, let reason hold the reigns.

I would tell myself not to be overwhelmed by the campus and the classes being hard. The support system is so great that there is no need to worry and other students are the best resource.

I would tell myself to start studying each day as the professor gives you lectures and notes. Do all of the practice problems they give you even if it's not homework. Take all of the practice exams, they recycle some of the questions that were difficult from the previous semester. A little bit each day helps keep your brain focused and the repitition is great. I would also say to stay busy. It seems weird to say but it helps with time management and it gives you a great college experience and makes your resume look amazing. Go to office hours. The professors have them to help you. Professors can also write great letters of recommendation for scholarships and internships. Take advantage of any of the free study services they offer such as Supplemental Instruction or if you are in a program that gives you a free tutor, get one. Even if you don't think you need it, it doesn't hurt you. Lastly, college is partly school and they are just showing that you are easily trainable. You will take away a lot more from the experiences you have rather than the classes you take.

If I had the opportunity to go back and time and have a conversation with who I was as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that I need to trust that wherever I go, it will be the right place and that I am meant to be there. My biggest concern as a senior was that I was making the wrong decision and that I would regret it - but as a college sophomore I know that I am in the exact right place. As soon as I moved onto this campus, I knew right then and there that this would be an adventure of a lifetime, and even if I didn't know exactly where I was going, I knew I was making the first steps towards my future.

I would tell myself to find an adult who can explain to me how I can apply for scholarships that can help me pay for school and than help me with other appliances that I would need persomnally. I wish I knew about scholarships back in high school than I know now. Honestly I am happy I know about scholarships now. I am qualified for a majority of scholarships. I am left-handed, I write poetry and I love singing.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to study more for tests and work harder in my classes. In high school, sports and my friends were the two most important things in my life, and I now know that school work should of came before those things. My GPA in high school was 3.42, I know that this isn't an awful GPA but I also know that this number was without me even trying. I wish that I would of put in more effort and time into my school work to refect what I really could of accomplished. I would also tell myself to get a job, I went to school with no money for my classes and started off in alot of debt with no end in sight. I plan to go to grad school after I get my degree and my school loans are going to be out of control. But I know that in the end the loans will be worth it because I am chasing my dreams to become the veterinarian that I have always wanted to be. Thank You.

If I could go back to talk to myself in high school the number one thing that I would tell myself is to not be scared. College is intimidating but it is not as scary as people make it seem. The largest difference is that in college you are responsible for yourself. You have to take control and make sure you complete your work on time and efficiently. Secondly, I would tell myself, as a high school student, would be to be ready for change. There are many things in college that are different from high school and you have to be open to welcoming that change into your life. College is not high school but it is deffinatly an experience you'll live for in the end.

Like many people that succumb to the pressure of life it took a bit longer than usual for me. The combination of work life with school life became overwhelming. After a few years I found a balance and pursued my true passion in the arts. If I would be able to speak to my senior self in high school I would explain that I should get a part time not full time job, major in what I’m passionate about, and schedule time properly. Thus the transition of high school to college would not take as long. Not to mention how simpler it would be to take care of my mother without worrying about having enough time for my education.

I would tell myself to find more time to study for all my test and assignments. The more time you study, the better grade you will get. Also look for scholarships before you leave high school because there are a lot of scholarships that are just for high school students. Also when you get to college focus more on the important things like basketball and school than the parties that are going on. Trust me it will pay off at the end.

Take the time to join clubs and activities while you're in high school. You don't realize how much more time you have in high school than you'll ever have in college. Make the most of the time and resources that you're given and do everthing you've ever wanted to do now, before you leave for college. Once you're in college you won't have the time or energy to do things like sports or leading clubs or volunteering so make sure to do those things while you have the chance. Also, make sure to appreciate your family and savor your time with them. College doesn't have that same homey feeling that your house does and, though you might not get homesick, you'll definitely regret not taking in the love of comfort of living at home.

As a student at Iowa State University, finding a community is the most important key to enjoying time at school. Attending a school with 30,000 students is intimidating to say the least, however, I have been able to succeed by involving myself in different organizations and finding a strong community that I feel at home in. Three main communities that I have joined have made my time at Iowa State the most enjoyable experience and created a love for my school. The following communities I have found myself in are my the sorority of Alpha Chi Omega, the Iowa State Ski and Snowboard Race Team, and employment at Iowa State Outdoor Recreation Services. These three activities have led me to become a better leader, more involved with the community around Iowa State, and given me drive to do better in school.

The advice I would give myself is to work hard in every class and try to maintain a high GPA throughout college. I would tell myself to get more involved with clubs and associations and network as much as possible. I would tell myself that the classes ahead are going to be very tough and that I should seek help and advice from others. That I should not get confident and think that I can do it on my own. I would tell myself that there will be times were I will have to sacrifice some of my personal free time so I can dedicate it to my studies. I would tell myself that if I work hard I will be able to have fun later and that I will feel more accomplished by keeping up my grades. I would tell myself to not get lazy and to keep working even when I think I am ahead. Finally, I would tell myself that all the hardwork that I am putting into school right now will pay off in the near future and that the feeling of accomplishing something so great will stay with me forever.

I would let myself know that there isn't any time to mess around. I need to get myself focused because college is nothing like high school and in order to graduate from college there is no time to slack off. Other than getting myself focused and prepared there isn't really anything else I would go back and tell myself.

Get to know your professors. It may seem kind of awkward, but it makes a huge difference. I go to a large university and a lot of my classes are large lecture halls, so it takes effort to communicate with professors. Visiting your professor during their office hours and not being afraid to email them will make you more comfortable with them and when they see you making an effort they will be more willing to help you. Sitting in the first few rows and participating in class is another tip that I would give. It’s much easier to pay attention in class and retain information when you’re actively engaged and a lot of the information is given during lectures that you may not be able to find in your books. Going to class is crucial to your learning. Also, prioritize! I am very social and involved in activities but school should be first priority and that is why I am in college in the first place.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get and keep those grades up. And submit applications for scholarships before the beginning of the last semester. And then take an assessment to find the perfect job I could picture myself working in the future and pursue it. I would also start saving my money from jobs that I work to pay for school. Moreover, I would tell myslef to get my master degree first before I start a family. Knowing now, how hard it is to be a parent and attend school. I would probably not volunteer for a deployment in Afghanistan and apply for University immediately after graduating form the Community College.

I would have tried harder in high school to get better grades and to get my GPA up, it would have helped me out a lot when it came to scholarships and financial aid. I also would have listened to my parents when they actually told me to apply to all those scholarships, and I was just to lazy to fill out all the forms, now I'm struggling to get enough financial aid money to pay for school, and am searching for scholarships to fill the gap.

I would tell myself to start being better organized when it comes to applying for scholarships and search for them way in advance. As for transitioning into college life, I would advise myself to join clubs that I never would have imagined being in and to not be afraid to socialize with new people. I would advise myself to get help with classes as soon as I start to realize that I'm struggling and to get a tutor for the classes in which I am having difficulty in. Most importantly, I would tell myself to not be afraid to try new things and to remember that it's okay to take risks.

If I could go back and give my high school self some advice, there would be many things I would say. First off, I would tell myself that as soon as I move in to college, I need to go out and meet new people, rather than depending on my high school friends to be there for me forever. Another thing I would tell high school self is to try a bunch of new things, join all sorts of clubs, and don't be afraid and timid to be yourself. I think this advice would have really been helpful for me when I first moved into college.

If I were to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself it is never to early to start planning for the future and not to worry. As a senior in high school I didn't realize all the resources that my college was offereing to me. I would have told myself to explore the college website and see what interesting things I can find and be involved with. I would also tell myself not to worry about about making friends or finding things to be involved with. During my time in college I have made so many friends and found many new interest and they were all easy to find.

*Bursts throgh the closet door of my old bedroom* "Hey, put down that controller a sec" I huff. "What are you- what am I doing here? Nice beard by the way" my younger self responds, surprisngly calm. "I don't have time to explain all that. I'm hear to tell you about college life. Listen, each class is important even if it's statistics." "I hate math.." "Uh, hello? I know! Don't interrupt me. People are going to want to help you, listen to them; take any help or advice you can get. Especially your advisor- she just wants to help you to suceed. Look, just turn that off and sell it." I point at the Xbox on the TV stand. "Seriously?!" "Yes, just listen, college life will be so much easier if you network with people and make friends. That thing makes it too difficult for you to maintain relationships and manage time effectively. That's going to be important! Time management!" "Okay...I guess...anything else Mister Futureself?" "Don't eat the eggs on campus." "Wait, why? What are you doing here anyway?!" "No time to explain!" I yell, vanishing back into the closet.

Remembering my senior year seems so long ago. If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell her to be patient. As a senior I couldn’t wait to get out of school and take a year off and start working. I wanted to grow up fast. My plan was to wait a year and do some travel and relax before enrolling in college. I also only had to take 3 classes my last year in high school so I was defiantly pulling against the restraints to leave. I would tell myself time goes so much faster once you are older. You feel it slowly passing now but you will miss the time you had in high school. I would let my senior self know that waiting to go to college is a mistake. I’d explain that you won’t return until 6 years later because you wanted a “break”. Life happens and I wish I would have started my college life sooner than later. Some say better late than never, which I can agree to that now. I needed someone to push me harder to continue education.

Dear Alex, please don't worry so much about making friends in college. Just work on being the person that everyone would want to be friends with. Keep your focus on your schoolwork but don't forget to have fun every once and a while. Make sure you try new things, but don't feel bad about holding your ground if you're uncomfortable with what people around you are doing.

If I went back to senior year, I'd advise myself to not stress or worry about transitioning into college. Iowa State was very welcoming which made for an easy adjustment. I would also advise myself to not get to caught up in the social aspect of college. It is a very different world and if you aren't cautious you could fall behind academically. Be very social and take advantage of all the opportunities offered. Lastily, I would say cherish every minute. Freshmen year is a great experience and is over in the blink of an eye.

I would say "Karina you should stick with college. It is only harder on yourself to go back to school and relearn the material that you have not studied for awhile. Rather than give up, keep on tring and with perserverance and support you can keep going towards your goal no matter what obstacles come your way."

I would tell myself that I do not know everything! Coming into college I thought I had it all figured out. Man, was I wrong. I had terrible study habits, time management, and stress management skills. I would tell myself to read more, take better notes, and spend a lot more time on my studies than what I think I need. Lastly, I would tell myself that even though times get though, to let it go and it will pass. Good times are always just around the corner!

If you are planning to attend a four year college you should start at a four year college. The advisement at Mesa Community College is awful, at least at the Main campus at Dodson and Southern. I have heard, but cannot confirm that the Red Mountain Campus is better at preparing people to go on to ASU, but I have no personal experience with that campus. Most of the teachers are good, some are very good, but the administration seems to want only one thing: to get as much of your Pell Grant and student loan money as it can. It will fail to advise you what subjects are required for a transfer until you are already a year or more into it. Teachers are given dictatorial control over grades. If for any reason a teacher doesn’t like you they can destroy your GPA and you have absolutely no recourse. If your goal is some kind of professional certificate (they have a good nursing school), or if you are content with a junior college degree, than this is the place for you; but not at all a choice for continuing on to a four year college.

I graduated high school at 17 years old. At the time I had my own job and apartment and supported myself. I met a guy at 18 years old who was very controlling and manipulitive though then I did not know it. I ended up getting married and having children by 19 years old. College was a dream I could not make happen. When my kids were old enough I went back for some courses and did well though I was never able to pursue my academic dreams. Until now. I am now 35 years old and free from this man. I would tell myself these things along with the many hardships I had to deal with because of the path I took. I would not be so quick to rush into things at such a young age when I was most vunerable. Now that I am older I realize the mistakes I have made and would have my younger self be the free being I am now and could have been then.

If i could go back to my senior year of high school i would tell myself a great many things that i know now. For one I would tell myself that i shouldn't have consumed every waking moment to studying and actually having fun and enjoying my last year in high school. I would also highly stress to myself that the importance of not putting off college applications and fanancial aid. These are two things I didn't do and regret now. I focused more on getting good grades and homework and studying that the year passed without me realizing it and i missed out on alot. I focused so much on that that college deadlines completely slipped my mind and I was unable to start college when i wanted to. I wish I could go back in time and fix those two main things but all I can do is learn from the mistakes and move forward.

If i was a high school senior again. The advise i would give myself about college life is. To take my schooling more serious and not getr so cought up in relationships that i would lose focus on my education. College life is great but we need to understand that it about the education and our future. I also understand that even so some college classes may seem hard. We should still step up and do the work thats before us because hard work pays off and will help us be better at the perfession we choose. Sometimes its hard to make such transitions but they are going to better us in the long run. Life is about transitions and we need to get used to it while were young because we will face many in a lifetime. So dont be afraid to better yourself while your young. Run into the harder tasks and know you will be better in the long run. There is always time for friends and fun, but dont make it your focus because friends and fun will not get your bills paid and the things you want in life. Take charge because its your life .

Talk to strangers. They might be your best friends one day.

Stay in school! You don't want to have to go back to school at the age of 37 to try to finish your education. Please do not get discouraged. You may find yourself struggling with classes or tempted by partying but stay focused. I would like you to reach out and ask for help if you need it. You are not alone and the only way that anyone else will know what you are feeling is for you to share what is happening in your life. Your mother and father are both alcoholics so please be aware that you are predisposed to this disease. If you find yourself in trouble, reach out and ask for help. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed. The most important thing that I can tell you is to always remember that you are loved. It may not always feel that way, but you are. You are a good person with a giving soul. Take advantage of that and find ways to serve those around you. Step out of your comfort zone and do not let fear decide your fate.

Follow your heart. Make you're own decisions. People come and go like the wind. They will enter you're life for what they like, stay because of who you are, and they leave for who you aren't. Learn from your mistakes. Don't blame anyone but yourself. Apply for more scholarships. It's gonna be tough. Have an open mind. "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono- the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"

Make sure you don't spend your extra finanical aid money.

If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior I would encourage myself to take more AP classes and really challenge myself. In highschool I did not have to study a lot because classes were relatively easy for me. The transition to college was challenging for me personally because I did not know how to "study", therefore I did not get as good of grades first semester as I planned to. I would also encourage myself to go on as many job shadows as possible to really figure out what I want to do with my career. Everyone told me I did not need to know what I intended to do as a career but once I got to college I quickly learned if you did not know what career field you wanted to enter you would be behind in your major if you changed later on in college. Lastly, I would tell myself to be open to new people and experiences when you get to college because it makes it so much more enjoyable.

Everything you do now will have an impact on your future. Do not take school for granted. The less you do now is the more you will have to do in the future. Seek guidance. Find someone that believes in you and can help direct you. You do not always know what is best for yourself, it is important to learn from those that have experience and that care about your future. Work hard. The harder you work in high school, the more opportunities you will create for yourself in the future. Education is the key to success in our society. You will have no assistance from your family in the future. You must lay a foundation for yourself now, you are your own keeper, you are your own support. No one will do it for you. You must take initiative and be motivated. No one can motivate you better than yourself. Realize that there is a place for you in this world, your dreams can and will materialize, but you are the master of your own destiny and you must make things happen. Do not take high school for granted, your future depends on you and you alone.

If I could give my 17 year old self one piece of advice, I would tell myself to relax. All the problems that I thought were the end of the world (not qualifying for need-based aid, not getting the dorm that I wanted, not going to school with any of my friends) turned out to be awesome, amazing things. I lived in a great place with an awesome roommate, and I made some fantastic friends that I love so much. The problems and stressers that occur when applying for college all tend to be pretty insignificant in the long run. As long as you chose and attend a college that you love and fit well in, everything else will fall into place.

If I could go back in time to high school and tell senior me what I know now about college life, I'd tell myself to appreciate the little things and get ready for the biggest transition of your life. College is not a joke, it's a serious time in your life you should not take for granted. I'd tell myself to apply for more scholarships and make sure I am devoted to school, devoted to pursuing my life goals and devoted to following my dreams. I would tell myself to job search a head of time, not only when I get to college because it's not easy. And last but not least, I'd tell myself work hard but enjoy the best days of your life because in a blink of an eye you are going to be a senior in college and soon facing the real world beyond what you think you already are.

As a college freshman I would want to go back in time and let my high school self in on some tips and tricks for college. The first thing I would tell myself is to pack seasonally! Being a girl, I have a large wardrobe I thought could fit in to my college dorm room. I was sadly mistaken. Secondly, I wold tell myself to go to every class and get to know my professors. Stopping by before or after class to introduce yourself can go a long way in their eyes. Knowing when their office hours are to seek out help and ask questions can be very beneficial in the long run. If your professor knows who you are and knows that you are a hardworking student, it could sway their mind when grading papers or homework. Thirdly, I would tell myself to pick which classes I take carefully. I am not an early riser so taking an early morning class and telling myself it's just like high school might not be the best idea. With just these three tips, my high school self would have done a much better job as a first year college student.

College takes a lot of your time and really have to focus on school. If I could go back as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take as much advance courses that would be transferable over to the college that I wanted to go to. That way, I can get some of the general ed classes out of the way and wouldn't have to worry about those once I get to college. Also, if I would have known what I really wanted to study, I could of get ahead while in high school.

I would tell myself to sign up for as many scholarship oppurtunities as possible, even if I don't think I will get them. A lot of scholarships are easy to sign up for. I would tell myself to join the soccer and track teams at my new college. I would tell myself to contact the coaches at the college and find out if there are any scholarship oppurtunities for me. I would tell myself to join an ultimate frisbee club in order to meet new people and have fun.

I would give myself the advice to not be afraid to be myself. In college, people are constantly trying to get you to change who you are to become more like them. The pressure is immense because the desire for friends and to fit in is important. Although thankfully finding friends has never been difficult for me, I was still worried about who my friends were going to be. I was thankfully blessed to have friends that would do anything for me and are great influences on me. The encouragement that I would make great friends and not conform to the people around me would have given me a better attitude going into college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I should always remember to relax and not get overwhelmed. I would tell myself that the college life is all about balance. During my senior year of high school I coasted through my classes and my tests because I was comfortable and able to function on a set schedule, but in college I was overwhelmed at first. I worried about forgetting a class since my schedule was spread out, or I worried about how tough everyone had said my classes would be. It was a shock at first, but I became used to it and I remembered that I could handle it. When I go back and talk to myself in high school, I would remind myself of exactly that. I would tell myself that it is alright to mess up in college as long as I remember to relax and that I am capable of handling tough situations.

You're going to have to learn to do a lot of things on your own that you aren't used to doing. Little things, like setting up your own hamper or buying amenities at Target. At first, you'll begin to feel a sense of competence and independence, but then you'll start to feel overwhelmed by all of the adult responsibilities that are suddenly dropped on you. Mom and Dad aren't going to be waiting at home to help you with the tasks and challenges at hand. Now is a time to develop your work ethic and accountability. And that's going to require some work and effort on your part. They always say that college is the best time of your life, but they don't tell you that many people, myself included, feel alone as we enter early adulthood. More alone than I've ever felt. But on the other side of that coin, the newfound independence is strangely exhilarating. You're nearing your peak years, and you're here to have a strange and wonderful adventure with a bunch of other kids who all want the same thing. Go with your head held high.

If you think that you are already prepared as a college student, think again. I did not think the transition would be that difficult, but it really was. My senior year I kind of slacked off a bit, and this did not help me at all transitioning to college. My study skills decreased after obtaining this lazy mentality, and my tests in college reflected that. So if I were to go back to high school, I would keep up my study skills, and try to prepare myself as best I could. This would include reading books on college, and how to get a jump start on my freshman year, instead of falling behind right away.