Kirkwood Community College Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would telll myself to not to worry so much about college. It may be a big transition from being with family and living on your own, but you will get use to it and make new friends along the way. All you have to do is be open to all the new people around you and do not be shy to join in the fun because everyone is also experiencing the new transition, all you have to do is embrace it. Also I would advise myself to do as much extracurricular activities you make many new friends and you will enjoy yourself. You never know what you like if you do not try it out at all. Some big thing to remember is do all your school work before anything else so you do not fall behind and be responsible no one will be looking after you like they did in high school, but enjoy yourself at the same time. You have to have fun because, all work and no play makes you a very dull boy.

Apply to more colleges. Don't worry about your GPA being a 2.88 - there are plenty of colleges that would happily accept you, especially since you are a great writer and are a charismatic public speaker.

As I am a non-traditonal student, who after seventeen years has decided to go to college, I would tell my younger self to go to college right after high school. I would also tell myself that just a few years of hard work will make all the difference in the future. I would remind my younger self it's much easier, financially, to go to college when you live at home instead of waiting until you're an adult and paying all the bills yourself. Most important of all, I'd tell myself to have fun in college, meet new people, try new things, but make sure the schoolwork comes first.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to relax. As a high-school senior I was often stressed about what school I would go to and what I would study. I was convinced that I had to choose the right school immediately and that once I had, I couldn't change my mind. I also concentrated more on how good the school's writing department was, instead of how well the school itself would work for me. It wasn't until after graduation that I thought about what I personally needed, instead of what everyone else wanted for me. By relaxing and taking myself into consideration, and realizing that it was okay if I changed my mind later, I was able to figure out what school was best for me at the time.

Times is like a sword if one did not cut it , it will cut you. It is what makes us regret and wish we could get more time which we can not do, having time on your side helps build a better road towards the goal you intend to follow. If time was not on your side it will be very difficult to manage especially studying. At highschool it is very important to concentrate on time and plan what you want to major in , and let it be based on what your interested in. What i found very helpful is picturing myself 20 years later waking up to go to work, if you wake up to a job you think you love becuase of what your interested in then that is a start to what kind of career you might be wiling to seek. The 1st step is the most important, finiding the career that one can predict he or she will devote to and make him or her happy. Learning about different majors will help you narrow down what could possibly be the best future, anything is possible if time was on your side.

The one thing you need to know about college is that it is very different. Some days will be scary, whether it's not having any friends in class, not sure how to get your financial aid to pay for your books or just being stressed out by the amount of homework each class gives you, just know that you can do it. You may not feel it at times, but you are a strong, smart girl and in a few years all of this struggle will be worth it. When you are up on that stage, and that Diploma is put into your hands, that will be the moment that you will be completely happy because you did it. All the late night studying and taking advanced classes to look better on transcripts was all worth it just for that moment. If there is one thing you will learn without me telling you is that the harder you work, the more you will get out of it. I konw it sounds silly but it will be worth it. You can do anything through Him who gives you strength.

I would tell myself to be ready to work! I had no idea how much I would have to remember, and already know for a community college. I would tell myself to build up better organizatoin and study skills, so the shock of actually working for my grades wouldn't be so severe. I shouldn't have blown off my senior year with thoughts like "well I'm only going to Kirkwood, it's not going to be that hard." I should have really pushed myself, because while it is a coummunity college, its still college and its my future.

The advice I would give myself if I were about to go back and talk to myself as a highshool senior, I would tell myself to relax, don't stress so much. No need to blow things out of porportion, everything will be ok. My number one advice to myself would be that open up do not be afraid of things or people if someone doesn't like you, it's there lost, and if something does not work out it was not meant to be. Do not wait for someone to make the first move on a conversation, talk to them, be yourself. Also, get envoloved in more activites and organazations around the college. Do not be afraid if you do not know anyone that is going out for it too, you'll meet new people, your building character. Speak out about a problem when it first arises, don't wait till things blow way out of porportion to say something. Always listen to your heart, be true to yourself. Do not make company with people just because they are there and you are lonely, your true friends will come. Keep in touch with your friends.

The high school life is one that should be enjoyed. While getting ready for college is crucial, your life as part of the "youth" is temporary, and graduation marks the time in your life when that is ending and your transition begins. To cherish every minute of that last year is the most important advice. Those moments with your friends could be final. As soon as graduation hits, people start scattering, and only some of those people make it home during holidays and summers. The times spent at dances and dating and being naive are numbered. The teachers, the rules, the careless living, and the same friends are all going to change. So the best words of advice are, "keep your priorities straight, don't be stupid, but really enjoy yourself."

If I were able to go back in time, I would tell myself to be more open with my teachers. My biggest problem was not being able to effectively communicate with my teachers. I wouldn't ask questions becuase I was afraid that they would think I was dumb or didn't know what I was talking about. This put an enormous amount of pressure on me becuase I would always try to solve the problem on my own, instead of asking for help. Not asking questions and talking with my teachers was the biggest mistake that I made during high school, and I regret doing so. If I would have asked questions when I didn't understand something, it would have made things much easier and less stressful later on in school.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would set up a meeting and give my advice. The first thing that I would address would be that it is essential to stay on task right from the beginning of the semester. Every test, lab, quiz, etc is important and will affect your final grade. Also, don't get behind. If you study a little bit everyday come test time, cramming will not be necessary. Second, I would advise to apply for as many scholarships possible and that they are out there. Third, would be to not be afraid to ask for extra help. The teachers are there to help you succeed and if you ask they will do anything in their power to get you where you need to be to succeed in their class.

If I were to go back in time to give my self some advice I would tell myself to enjoy college and to work hard to acheive my goals. Thats the one thing I did not do for myself when I first attended college right out of highschool. I did not set goals for myself. Goals are so very important because they keep you motivated, and on the correct track with your schooling. The transition from highschool to college can be dificult , but it can also be smooth if you use the resources that most colleges offer freshmen. My suggestion to all students who are graduating and heading off to collge is to work hard, manage your time wisely and enjoy the experiences that college can offer you. You will make great friendships and create memories that will last a life time.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a few things to say. First I would tell past self to study hard and learn helpful study skills. I would tell my past self to start taking better notes now so when he starts college he will know how to take fast and effective notes. I would tell him to learn how to set a schedule for studying and stick to it. I would tell my past self to take a college visit and meet with an advisor before going to college. Lastly I would tell him to plan study groups with friends.

I would give myself a lot of advice; there are a lot of things I would do differently. First of all, I would be much more active in my college search. I thought I wanted (and could) stay in high school so I put off my college search and just took the easy way out: going to the closest state university. What a bad decision. If I could do it over again, I would follow my dreams and look out of state, which is exactly what I am doing now that I have decided to transfer. Once I moved in with my roommate, we didn't spend a lot of time getting to know each other, though I wish we would have. We got close later in the semester, but the transition into college would have been much easier if we had developed a friendship and trust sooner rather than later. I would also tell myself to get to know my professors right away. Go in to their office hours the first or second weeks of school to just introduce yourself and get familiar with them. It'll be easier to approach them when you actually need help.

I would tell myself to get used to becoming more organized and learn to balance work and the school the best i could.

I know that it can be hard to get things done early, especially if you don't know exactly what you want to do but if you have any classes in mind you should sign up for them early. The longer you wait the more your choices narrow, and the longer you have to wait to take a class of choice. If you decide not to talk to an advisor about what classes you should take in whatever degree you pursue, you should know where to look for the requirements needed to either transfer or graduate. They have a degree audit link on the page that tells you exactly what you need for graduation, the classes you can choose to take to accomplish graduating, and your progress in your degree. Other than that just don't get discouraged if you don't know what you want to do or don't do things the way you want, especially the first two years because they're there to pretty much just get you used to the transition and explore your options.

Dear self, If only I could've warned you about college life, and prevented you from making some terrible mistakes, but then again you made some great accomplishments. First, make sure you eat food on your first day of classes, when your stomach talks and rumbles so the whole class can hear, you'll wish you had. Don't worry about getting around on campus, the staff and students are so friendly and kind they'll help you around when you can't find the new Benton hall. Never skip class, you do it once, you'll do it again, and breaking that habit was harder than quitting biting your nails. Don't leave your straightener on in your apartment, that counter top cost a pretty penny. The televesion shouldn't be a component of studying. Take Sociology classes, not Psychology, just isn't your strong suit. Don't get discouraged by your failures, improve yourself. Set goals I promise you will reach them, because I did. You can always do better. At the end of the day be happy where you are, because home might be where the heart is, but Kirkwood was a great place to grow.

Know what you want to study before your go to college and study everyday, it will make college so much easier.

Dear Me: I know going to college is exciting and I know you don't know what you want to do with your life, but you need to work harder, study more and realize that the things you have now won't always be there. I know it's hard when people leave your life, and it can be hard to focus but you need to know that things get better and that school is the most important thing, spend your time studying instead of worrying. I know this has been a short note, but you'll figure out the rest of college, I wouldn't want to give too much of it away, that's the beauty of life, 17 year-old me, every day is a new day to breathe new air into your lungs and take control of your life. Seize life by the throat and never look back. Much love, Pete

I worked very hard in High School to get good grades so that I would be eligible for scholarships. I also worked two jobs to save money for college because I am paying for my own college education. My parents make enough money that I don't qualify for grants, but not enough to pay for all of us to attend college. Making the choice to start at a community college was also a very wise decison. The smaller class sizes and the lower tuition have both been very beneficial to me. I took PSEO classes in High Shcool also, so that I had some of my college credits before I even began college. ALl of these things helped me to prepare for the transitoin very well. If there was any additoinal advice I could have given myself, it would have been to check into the university requirements better than I did. My guidance counselor told me that I didnt need a 4th year of foreign language and it is required by the University. I would have taken it in college, had I known.

Everyone tells you that the freshman year is the hardest, but they're wrong. The truth is, freshman year is easy. Your school is so busy trying to get you used to your first year away from home that they over-cushion the transition. When your freshman year is over, you come back expecting to know what you need to know to make it through to graduation. This time, you're wrong. Sophomore year is a whole other beast. I had to take medical leave for a breakdown during that year, and now have to work doubly hard to get back into school. My advice is: when freshman year is over, don't let your guard down. Use your friends and the staff at your school to make sure you stay healthy, both physically and mentally. This way, you can stay on the right path and not have to work so hard to get back on that path.

Ah, I have thought about this mant times! If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to study hard and keep my grades up. We don't realize how grades and GPA's can effect us long term, but I have found out it can come back to haunt you! I would have volunteered more and participated in more extracurricular activities. I would tell myself that hanging out with friends should come second to homework and studying and hanging out with the wrong crowd will never get your anywhere! In addition to studying harder, I would have told myself to take more college classes while in high school. I took one class, but if I would have taken more, it would have lightened my load in college. I would have also thought more about what I wanted to major in instead of blowing it off. If we could only go back in time and make ourselves unerstand how our actions will stick with us for a lot longer than what we can imagine!

Get involved and don't skip. Skipping puts you so far behind, and have a plan. Planning out the two years at Kirkwood would have saved me so much time and engery.