Ivy Tech Community College-Kokomo Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Rodney

Dear past me, Listen. The road you are about to go down is one of hard work, heartach, late nights, worries, fun times, and stories that start with " all we had was this case of beer.....". Through all these things you will come out a better person with great stories. So embrace this time coming up. Take that yoga class, try that Indian food, stay up late, embrace all that these years will give you, take it in, becasue the older you get the harder it is to make those mistakes and embrace lifes fullness. And the most important advice I can give you is, dont buy the all the books on the class list, you will only need about half of them.

Brittany

The best advice I could give to my high school self would be to not be a chicken, so to speak. Don't be afraid of college - it's not as hard as you think it's going to be. Just do the work, show up for class, and you'll do fine - just like you do now. Believe it or not, math won't be that hard either - you'll do better in that subject than you ever did in high school, provided you do what you're supposed to. And if you're invited to the Honors program, don't shun the opportunity like you did when Mr. Sorensen wanted you to sign up for AP English (which you probably would have done just fine in, by the way - and you still could've taken Mythology). It'll be fun and worthwhile - and yes, you are capable of meeting their expectations. You just have to put forth the effort, and you can do anything.

Jessica

If I could meet myself during high school I would have encouraged me to take study more in science and math. I also would have told myself to save up all that graduation money for college books.

Jennifer

The first thing I would do is tell myself not to ever lose my self-confidence. I would encourage myself to strive forward and try to worry less, because after all of the worrying the results rarely ever change. I would try to make myself understand that just because you don't understand a subject, like math for instance, doesn't mean that you aren't stupid, or the teachers can't teach. I need to find alternate ways of learning, perhaps sit down and write out what was right and wrong with my day. Eventually being able to see these written results and know that there is a pattern, and that if I were to follow the pattern, I would finally understand why it is that certain things do not come as easily as others. In the long run, by taking more time and focusing with what is right and wrong with myself, I would ultimately become a better person in the end. A person that has no fear of accountability and is responsible , a person that is ready for the challenges of college. Ultimately in the end becoming an independant adult with a very promising future.

Jennifer

Make sure to study. You need to learn every thing you can. Don't give up, if you need help.. ask. That's what the teacher is there for.

Jason

The first peice of advice i would give myself is to take high school more seriously. Grades do matter, and although high school was fun it has made somethings more difficult by not making the grades i should have. I would also tell myself to keep in better touch with my friends. One lesson you learn is best friends are hard to come by and you should stick with the ones you have always had. The last peice of advice i would give myself is to remember to have fun everyonce in a while life is short and we have to enjoy it every now and then.

Linda

Hi, Linda, You've really done well in high school; in fact, you are graduating with honors (and graduating early!) But, wait! Don't quit yet! Yes, you are tired of school at the moment. And, yes, you have "other" big plans for your life. And, no, you don't think you will regret not going straight on to college. But, sit down for a moment, and let me tell you a few things... Whether you go to college or not right now, you will soon be 21, then 30, then 40. Time passes very quickly. Responsibilities start adding up in your life. Family responsibilities. Job responsibilities. And, there will be times when you will go looking for a job. And, you will not be able to check the box next to "college education". Time and again you will have to settle for much less than what you could have been earning...or doing. And, sooner or later, you will know that you made a mistake. That you allowed a precious time in your life to pass you by, and a golden opportunity will be gone. So, please hear my advice to you. Go to college...NOW. With love, Linda

Heather

I would give myself the advice that I wish I could've known about back then. My mother died a year after I graduated and left me some money to go to college. I couldn't get through it because I was so depressed. My advice would be to wait a few more years (Like I have been doing) and start again. I would also advise to use the money from scholarships and Pell Grants only to buy school supplies and things I really need to get through life and college and not waste it on things I don't need like other electronic gadgets. It would be nice, yes, to have those things and I wish I didn't waste the money my mother left me to get what I did but I would advise myself not to do that again.

Bradley

Do it! Go to school and take it head on. Don't give up. Don't quit. You will make it. If you stick with it you will be so glad that you did.

Virginia

I woud tell myself, Don't wait!! Don't think you will have time in the future!! It is better to go straight in to college after high school instead of going years down the road and forgetting almost everything. Study hard everyday take the time to read, practice math problems. I would also tell myself to be more involved in community work, organizations. Look at all options for picking a school, do your research. Make good grades so you can apply for scholarships, they really do help. When doing that process you will save yourself money in the long run because you will have help with your tuition, books, materials without paying the rest of your life on college loans. Dream Big!!!! Set your goals!!!! Finish till the end dont give up.

Arelia

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would tell myself the most important thing I needed to hear at that time. I would advise myself that I can succeed in college and that I am worth all the extra effort that needs tobe put in. I would actually make myself fill out more application and try hard for what I really wanted. I would also tell myself to be more out going. I encourage myself to talk to more people and take part in more organizations. I would encourage myself because I know now I can do it.

Evelyn

You need to study more. You will need to experience as much of college life as you can. It will be so much easier, if you do it right after high school instead of waiting 20 years. Get involved in as many things as you can. Everything that you learn at college and the next few years will be so important to the course your life will take. I know it seems that you will have time to go to college but life rushes by and before you know it 20 years has went by and you have not done all of things that you wanted to accomplish. Be determined and set higher goals for yourselve, you can SUCCEED at anything you set your mind to. Don't allow anything to stand in your way.

Haeli

I waited several years after high school to start college because back in high school, my friends and social life were more important to me. Looking back on the decision to wait there were pros and cons. If I were to go back and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself that attending college takes a lot of maturity and discipline. You must be ready to focus on being an adult and making a career for yourself if you want to be successful in college. You should be absolutely positive you are ready to make that kind of commitment. As a high school senior, most students think that college is all about the parties and people you meet. That is true, but only to those who are not taking college life seriously. You do meet a lot of new people, but if you are really focused on your education, the parties are nonexistent. You do not have much free time during the semester if you want to make good grades and show your future employers that you are dedicated. My best advice would be to make sure you are ready to make that commitment to your future.

Amy

I would tell myself to take a variety of general education classes to get an overview of what interests me. I would not rush into a major. I would also tell myself to get involved in student government and other activities to meet people and have a study support system. I would suggest asking at least two questions in class each time, and using critical thinking to make the most of the learning experience. Finally, I would tell myself that I can reach the goals that I set for myself, using perseverance, patience, and a balanced approach to my life.