Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

Dear Anna, If I can go back to the past, I would tell my self to get involved more. I commute to college and socializing on campus can be a bit of a challenge. I have made four close friends and joined a club. However, I should have communicated more with my professors. They are understated resources. You need them for your internship, scholarship, fellowship, and graduate school applications. If you interact with professors, you not only get a reference but you also learn so much from them! Some professors can give you access to internships and scholarships. They have doctorate's in their degrees therefore feel free to ask away! That is why you are a student to ask and develop. Therefore, do not be shy and remember that most professors will love to schedule a meeting with you to talk about your homework and your aspirations. Sincerely, Anna Z.

If I were given the opportunity to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to do more research on colleges and make more visits. I did very few visits, and this is why I am at a community college. However, this has worked out in the end for me, as I will be transferring to SUNY ESF in the fall of 2012 for Wildlife Biology. If I had the opportunity, I would also tell myself to focus on sciences and take AP Biology. Had I done this, I would have been better prepared for college biology, and I think this would have been very beneficial to me in life.

I would have told myslef so much. First off i would have told myself of the importance of having a good credit and working to save money for school and how important that is. Then i would have let myslef know that its very important to have a great attendence both jobs and school look at both. This is what i would have told myslef if i went back in time.

There were so many things that what I wanted to do at your age now. Trust me, I know you better than you do! You did so many good things, but maybe we can do better things or the best thing. That's what I think now, it's to be a cardio surgen. You might think why would have this big change just in 3 years. You will serve your military service in the prison, and also serve the Lord as a missionary in Taichung, Taiwan. Your thoughts about life would change. But there's something that would not change, which is the "YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS" attitude. And after you thought about this in the future, you would think that being a doctor is a really nice way to help other people phisically. I am a missionary right now, I felt being able to help others is a really nice chance that we could see how the gospel change people's lives. Also being a doctor would offer you the change to see how your knowledge could benefit others lives. I know as a friend who had known ourselves for over twenty years. You can make it!

To apply early to schools, visit as many schools as possible so that you learn what you want, study for the ACT or take a prep course, talk to your guidance counselor about schools and scholarships. Going away to college isn't the end of the world and it is probably the best thing that you will ever do. Just try your best and participate in orientation activities which will help you meet people.

Rockland Community College is a great starting point for the beginning of the educational developing for the future. The institution I am currently enrolled in is relatively cheap, has the qualified professors collegium, and provides the variety of campus activities. Unlike many private universities and academies, community colleges do not cost a lot of money. The significant fact distinguishing this institution is that the quality education could be achieved at an affordable price. From my prospective, also the faculty in my college is dedicated enough to the profession, and the quality of education is worth of continuing education in the college. Moreover, in my opinion, the campus size is exactly right for the friendly, but, at the same time, diverse atmosphere. The pluralistic society within the college is amazing. Lots of variable clubs are annually arganized on campus. Different intercollegiate events and activities including athletics, performances, and college fairs are held in my institution. Generally, Rockland Community College became my first choice after I graduated from the high school, because that institution was able to provide career-oriented degrees and certificates. After successful completing of the Associate's degree, students have a great opportunity to earn credentials for immediate employment.

Stop and think about your future. Begin to think of where you think you want to spend the next several years of life, and what you wish to be doing. After you know what you want to do, get started planning out how you can best attain that goal. The important thing is to be realistic with yourself. Really look at your strengths and weaknesses, and if you think you just might not be capable of what you're hoping to do, get started thinking of what you can do. Shoot high, but don't procrastinate and shoot yourself in the foot. The main thing to keep in mind when heading to college is to figure out what you want to do - now - and get organized toward achieving that goal. It's easy to get left behind in the hustle and bustle that is getting admitted, registering for classes, getting financial aid, and learning what you're supposed to be doing. And remember, nothing is permanent. It's much better to be in a school you want to be in and switching your major than in a school you don't like due to getting overwhelmed trying to get in.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell my younger self to just be yourself when you get to college. Starting college is a lot like starting a new life. You get here and faced with new people, new classes and new experiences and the best thing to do is just be yourself no matter who that may be. If you are yourself you will make friends and you will succeed. There is only one you and people will accept you for who you are. Trying to fit in and trying to be someone you're not will only lead to stress. Trying to be somebody else is difficult, there is only one you and you cannot try and be somebody different. My only advice for the younger me is to just be yourself because if you do that everything else will just fll into place.

Starting college is a first step on the long road of your life. It is different and new; and the unknown is often frightening. But don’t lose time being shy and scared to come out of your comfort zone. College is the time when you figure out who you are, what you want from life and how to get there. Don’t fade in the background waiting for something to happen. Make it happen. Be active, be engaged, be a leader. Don’t wait for your classmates to start talking to you first, they might be shy too. Take the initiative and make friends. Loyola has amazing resources for any interest and goal. Search for your own. Try as many as you can if you are not sure what you like. Don’t be afraid to ask for information and help, this is your school, everybody is here for you. Make your life at Loyola unique because it is a once in a life time experience. Make it count.

Attending college is valuable in more ways than just academics. I love my classes, teachers, and peers. Loyola requires a core which according to them is meant to make you a more well rounded person. By taking classes I wasn't planning on I found new interests and meet many inspiring people that I wouldn't have otherwise. On the other side of the spectrum, attending school so far away from home has made me a more dependent person. It has helped me manage my finances, time, eating habits, and more. Coming to college was probably the biggest step I have ever had to take and I feel like I have really grown up this past semester. Moving to a big city I had a whole new world to explore. I had to learn to rely on myself and not others to get around. It has also taught me that I have to work for things I want, like grades (where in high school they spoon fed you), I have to determine what I need versus what I want, and I am finally making my own decisions. In the end you learn chores and lesson your parents said were important.

What I have gotten out of my college experience so far is basically that if you put in a good amount of effort in your classes you will get good results. In high school i was lazy and it showed through my grades. When I was forced to go to a community college I told myself I AM going to do what I have to do in order to get out as quick as possible and move on to a 4-year college. Throughout my first semester I did what I had to do and it showed through my grades. I came out of the first semester with a 3.33 GPA which was highest GPA I earned since middle school. So from that I learned that what you put in is what you will get out.

I have only been at Loyola for one semester and I already feel like I have made it my home. The relationships I have built with people here will last me the rest of my life. The professors here are always welcoming and they want the students here to succeed. This school is preparing me for life. I can already tell that education that I am receiving here is an above average one. Just in my first semester here, I feel like I learned more than I did throughout my entire high school career. The difficulty level of the classes is appropriate and challenging for the students. Getting a degree here will not be an easy task for me, but all of the hardwork that I will put into it will be well worth it. Loyola will be a major factor in why I will get a job after graduation. Loyola has become my home away from home and it will continue to be just that for the rest of this year and the next three years of my life. I look forward to all it has to offer to me.

Attending university was extremely important because it allowed me to expand my pool of potential jobs and instead of looking through very limited options, it allowed me to expand my career possibilities. It also did something else in the process. It also taught me there WERE other possibilities. Before college, I had a very limited idea about how people fit into the greater world. I understood the basics, teachers teach and doctors, well doctor, but I did not understand that this whole crazy wide world is available for all of us to understand and contribute to. My professors provided me with different morsels of an entire feast and while I still have a great amount of information to soak up throughout my life, that feast made me want to explore and learn more. Students with completely different backgrounds became my family and I learned from them. I depended on them as much as they dependeded on me at times. There is a reason that job applications will accept credits in exchange for job experience. Ultimately, it is life experience. Even outside of the classrooms, there are always lessons to learn and the school environment is a catalyst for this exploration.

My college experience has been similar to a rollercoaster ride. I have had many highs and some lows. I have gained much knowledge as well as many friends from my experience here. I have learned many important values. I have learned how to work with others, how to be a responsible adult, and how to set my priorities in order. This school allows its students to make mistakes so that they can learn from them. They care immensely and offer a great amount of help in social issues as well as academic issues. I am only half way through my college experience and I have learned so much, I can barely imagine all the knowledge I will have achieved once graduation day has come.

So far I have learned a lot from my professors that are/were professionals in their field and the field I am interested in. Professors are, more than not, willing to help their students out in order for them to succeed. The other thing I love about this school is that it is located so close to downtown Chicago-- it even has a campus in Water Tower place which is the heart of the city. It is magnificient.

Through my first semester at Loyola University Chicago, I have gained a sense of responsibility and independence. I see the consequences of my actions more clearly now that I have truly been left to fend for myself and make many important social and academic decisions. The financial aspect of college has shown me this most clearly, as I am working to pay for, if not all, a majority of my college expenses. From tuition to housing to meal plans to books, I have come to take on a large part of that financial burden. Especially with a twin attending the same university, I have come to see that I must take responsibility for my education and help my family to pay for my experience at Loyola University Chicago. I must say that I cannot envision myself at any school other than LUC, making the experience, regardless of price, an extremely valuable and memorable one.

Doing well in college gives me a sense of accomplishment that nothing else can provide me with. Last semester I achieved A's in all of my classes and I was so proud of myself, as was my family. When I do well, it gives me the confidence that I am able to do even better the next semester! I am at a two year community college, which has been a wonderful experience, but I am eager to apply to Rutgers New Brunswick to continue my education. College is so valuable because it not only provides you with a degree which will get you started in a career, but college also fills you with confidence. I work as a waitress at a nearby pizza shop, do my best in school, and I am also able to keep a great relationship with my family who is very supportive and helps me in every way they can.

So far, during my first semester of college i have gained information to expand my skills as a learning student. I am majoring in engineering and Intro to engineering and design taught me how to be like an engineer. We worked in teams, built projects, learned how to make 3D models, and wrote in a notebook for gathering information on your project. The notebook was specifically used for writing down frustrations that other classmates could use to see what went wrong with the project. Sociology taught me the social problems in the world and the different classes that were affected. College is very valuable in my opinion. It's a way to gather more information that you didn't obtain in highschool and further your major. You get to take a huge array of classes for the fun of it or to really get an insight on what your major looks like. Attending college gets you a headstart on job opportunities and completes your resume for the perfect job your seeking.

I have gotten a new perspective. I suffer from a sever anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder that has for many years prevented me from even driving or having friends, and also from going out of the house. I decided I needed a college degree and have begun to overcome my disorder with the motivation and experience I have gotten from college. I have learned through college and my experiences there that lots of people have different problems, but these problems can be solved.

More than anything, my experience in college has brought me new experiences with new, interesting people. These people have brought enrichment and interest to my learning experiences, making them more than classes and papers. This experience has been and is a journey of knowledge and enlightenment. My college is about as diverse as they come. Walking across campus, one will hear laugages from all over the world, and one will see people from all walks of life: study abroad students, local students, older students wishing to further their education. There is no such thing as an outsider at Santa Monica College.

Loyola University has been my dream school since I began attending High School. Going into Loyola I was scared, because it is a private, big school. However, through out my first year at Loyola, I learned the value of education, the value of the effort the professors put in to teaching students, and how much of their personal time they devote to student's needs. I also learned what partnership and teamwork means; without it, it is hard to move forward, because we all need some push or help from others in order for us to achieve our goals. Another thing I have learned is how to train myself, or how I was trained and am still being trained at my school. Getting homeworks and papers done on time, participating and not feeling shy. Public speaking has been a fear of mine, and after attending Loyola, I have learned how to make a step forward and forget the feeling of fear, therefore now, I am more open, and always willing to share my opinion and contribute to the class. It was greatly valuable to attend, because I have learned so much from my professors, as well as from my peers.

Even though, I have only been attending college for one semester I have met many amazing people and have had the privilege to be thought by people who have the highest degree in their study. I have become very motivated when it comes to my studies because I have realized that without education it is difficult to succeed nowadays. It has been valuable to attend college because I have been given the opportunity to be independent and to experience life on my own. The transition from living at home to going off to college has thought me to appreciate my family but to also be grateful for the opportunity to live and learn on my own. I have learned that life is not as easy as I had imagines and that I am going to have to do my very best in order to stand out and be able to get the career of my dreams.

Being in the college environment I haev been in, it has exposed me to the different dreams others around me have. Dreams that I know someday they can call reality. Not only have I met people from all over the United States, but from all over the world studying at my school. We all aim for the one simple goal: of an easier future and a stable job that our parents probably could not have had. We are all thriving in the "together" aspect, but yet we flow into our own diverse paths. Taking CORE classes at a liberal arts colleg has allowed for me to dream beyond anything my grandparents could ever imagine. I hear from professors that studied at Yale University and dream someday working with colleagues that can be proud of where they came from. This education is something I thank my parents for setting me forth with; their drive to raise my in a striving faith-orientated journey that has always lead me to ask "Why is the sky blue?" and for them to answer "because of its particles that reflect back to us-your parents."

Loyola University Chicago has provided me with a high quality education. Professors at Loyola take academics beyond writing papers and taking tests. They offer students real life experience in the field they teach because most of the professors have the highest degree in their field. Therefore, I have learned more than what a textbook can dictate. For example, my management professor did not just teach what was in the textbook. He emphasized the importance of understanding employees' diverse backgrounds and various conflicts. I also learned that a manager needs to do more than simply giving orders. In order to be an effective manager one should also be an effective leader. A manager should be able to maintain status quo in a company, but should not be afraid to take risks and lead the company in a new direction if the status quo has not been maximizing the productivity desired. My management class had a major impact on me. I learned what may seem like common sense to many. However, few practice this common sense. Practicing what my professor taught me will distinguish me from other potential managers. My experience in this class reflects the academic nature Loyola offers.

College so far has been the defining experience in my life. University education not only broadens and enhances academic life: it makes a person more well rounded spiritually, emotionally, and morally. The time I put in now in my university will not be wasted, college is teaching me to grow and mature as a self sustaining individual with a degree that will allow me to be professionally and finiancially secure in the future.

I started school in fall of 2010, and have worked very hard since then to pass my classes. I have studied late into the night, woken up early and driven 45 minutes to school in order to get this experience, and it has definitely been worth it. This past semester I have seen my grammar, and writing skills improve, as well as my problem solving skills. I have aced math tests, not because I knew the material, but because I paid attention to the life skills that professors teach in class. I am more motivated to do better in life because I am surrounded by people who are moving up, as opposed to working with and knowing people who are comfortable in the slums. School has been valuable to me in so many ways, it would be impossible to list them all out in just two hundred words, but in short, it has made me a better, more focused person. I know what I want out of life, and what I want to avoid, and my college experience has made that possible.

With my current college experiece i am gaining valuable knowledge in the medical field that will allow me to better help patients. Each morning I wake up and get ready for classes it makes me smile because I am going to school for a career that I love. Attending a college allows me to learn and grow as an individual, I have always loved helping people and the medical field is a perfect fit for me and my love of helping people to improve there health...

I have gained new knowledge to the importance of hard work. I am also developing alot better people skills because of living in a dorm and having to deal with living with other people. I'm going to school in a great city and I feel blessed to have a lot of options at my fingertips because of it. Mostly, I'm finding out who I really am, and the sorts of things that I am really interested in.

I have learned how to live on my own and that there is more to life than just academics. I have discovered a whole diverse community that I was not exposed to in my hometown. I have also learned invaluble skills such as time management and the importance of staying healthy. Making friends is also extremely important because they keep you sane and help you learn how to have fun and find things you truly enjoy doing. I needed to finally gain my independence, and going to college has given me all the independence I wanted and more.

I have learned how to be prepared for my life after college. I have built on skills necessary, not only in my field of work, but also in my personal life, such as time management and prioritization. College has provided me with the ability to meet different people from different backgrounds, who have taught me something new every day.

I have meet new people, travel to different places, learned extrodanary facts, and experience so much.

When I entered college as a freshman, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I "grew" up - a child psychologist. However, had it not been for the numerous new opportunities I experienced and the diverse groups of students I encountered, I do not think I would be the person that I am today. While volunteering in the pediatric emergency room at the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University during my sophomore year, I was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. I had never been a volunteer in the emergency room before so this experience changed my life - I knew my passion was in nursing when I saw how empathetic the nurses were and the positive impact they had on their patients. Likewise, had it not been for the Jesuit requirements at Loyola, I would never have been exposed to certain disciplines, such as philosophy and the arts. I never thought I would enjoy the subject of philosophy, but after taking a few classes for my Loyola core requirements, I realized I actually wanted to minor in philosophy! These experiences have truly shaped me into the person I am today, something I am forever grateful for.

During my first year of college, I chose to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale which is five hours away. Aside from being homesick, I learned it was a great challenge of responsibility. Being so far away from home encouraged me to gain some independence and of coure, responsibility. Personally, thats a life long gift and I'm glad that I chose to take that route while attending my first year of college. Being inside of the classroom, however, has been most valuable. The first day of walking inside of a college classroom is a little unpredictable. The social aspect is what intrigues me the most. Its great to have that social relationship with instructors as well as fellow peers. As cliché as it may sound, the true value of college is the fact that each student has a shot of becoming a more well rounded individual. Thats has become my reason for attending college and encouraging anyone else to attend as well!!!

The location and oppurtunities that my school has offered me has made me prepared enough to expand my mind to its utmost level and skills. The values rubbed off on me will stay with me throughout my proffesional life,

Attending Loyola University has proven valuable in both the long term and the short term. Always under the impression that I would become a doctor one day, my recent transition to a pre-law track was no easy decision. Loyola has provided me with the reassurance that I can major in any of its programs and expect to suceed. The teachers are available and willing to provide their expertise and share with their students the resources they have obtained through their own experinces. They have already taught me so much and many have mentored me both through discussion and lessons I have recieved in class. Not only has Loyola benefitted me by helping me solidify my direction in the future it really carries through on its promise to turn us into sucessful individuals by increasing our knowledge of the world and make informed choices. The required CORE and UNIV classes have helped us learn to utilize the resources the location of the school offers us and to prepare to interact in a professional and respectful manner that will continue to land us and help us form connections that we may one day pass on as our teachers do for us.

I have a taken on more responsibilities which have affected my curricular and personal life, this has enabled me to manage myself more efficently. Also, i have learned a lot about the City of Chicago, its rich heritage and culture really bring out the beauty of it. The diverse nature of the University is representative of the population of the city that surrounds it, which has helped me become a more educated and accepting person.

I have learned a lot of valuable information about my field of study. I feel that in my science courses the teachers have excelled at explaining and teaching new information. It has been valuable to attend this university because it has taught me a lot about myself and my expectations in life. I have realized I want to be a nurse and have found a passion for it at this university.

So far, my college experience has been incredible. I have taken classes with great professors who are masters of their fields. They have given me knowledge and advice that I would have never been able to attain on my own. In addition to skilled professors, I have met great friends who encourage me to me to be the best I can be academically, professionally, socially and spiritually. Both the professors and friends that I have come to know challenge me to think outside of the box and always have an open mind. I have also been given once in a life time opportunities throughout my college career that I am thankful for. My sophmore year, I was able to travel to Mexico with one of my social work classes to work with women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. This spring, I will be traveling to New Orleans with my sorority and Habitat forHumanity to help rebuild houses that were destroyed by Hurrican Katrina in 2005. These experiences, along with future ones unknown to me at this time, are priceless. I am so grateful for everything that college has given me.

My college experience has been invaluable to me and my family because it taught all of us the value of a degree. I was fortunate that right after high school, my parents found a way to help me attend my first year at Loyola. However, financial aid dried up and I was forced to go to work and to try and pursue my degree on a part time basis. I was not as successful then and soon marriage, children and relatives were more important than a degree. However, the husband that was once important has since moved on and the children are getting ready for college themselves and my degree was still incomplete. I decided to go back to Loyola to pursue my dream of becoming a licensed Actuary. I now have another 1 1/2 years under my belt, all with straight A's, and my children couldn't be prouder of me. They have seen the sacrifices I've made and the lengths I've gone to for this degree and it has left an indelible impression on their characters. I know they will learn from my mistakes and get their degree first.

I chose my college because it fit me perfectly. Loyola was in a city and its campus was not too big nor too small. It felt right for me to be there. Although I wonder if I should have picked a different college, I do not regret my decision at all. Out of my college experience, I made some life long friends and experienced such a diverse college life. I learned so much from other people about their cultural heritages and different ways of life. I feel that is one of the most important things to learn--other cultures different from your own. Loyola and the city of Chicago is extremely diverse and that gives students the opportunity to open up their minds and learn something new everyday. My freshman year of college was full of learning--not only from my classes and professors, but from other students, roommates, and classmates. Going outside your norm and exposing yourself to a a different environment gives you more insight on life and more opportunity to learn and I feel that you cannot get an experience like that unless you attend college.

This college experience has definitey taught me to be independent in a healthy way. Even though I am only a freshman and have completed one semester., I feel as if I have learned the most last semester than I have ever learned throughout my high school career. When I first started college, I was stubborn and wanted to prove to my family that I could be independent. I had too much pride in my abilities and plugged into every club I could. It was a great way to meet new people, but it put a great strain on my health and grades. I refused to ask for help, and strived to do everything on my own. After a rocky start at my college experience, I've realized that being independent and a successful college student doesn't call for someone to be alone. It calls for a person to strive for excellence to the best of their abilities, yet can ask for help when needed. I have been able to make "grown-up" decisions of who to stick close to and what my priorities were. I learned that my family was in fact my greatest support system.

From my college experience, thus far, I have learned a broad array of course matter that I previously have not been exposed to. From classes like the philosophy of ethics to the sociology of sex and gender, I have gained knowledge of moral and societal issues. Most importantly, I have learned about my spirituality and my inner person as a whole. From my freshmen seminar course, I was taught to reflect on daily experiences and activities, and the affect they have on me. I have become a more conscious person of injustice in our world, both in my own area, but also in third world countries, like Africa and South America. I have become motivated to do my part in society and help in any relief efforts I can, even in such small contribution as spending a Saturday in a soup kitchen or a hospital delivering flowers to patients. Since the time I have been at Loyola, I have gained a much greater sense of the world around me, but also of myself and how I can strengthen as both a moral and intellectual person.

Looking into colleges during my high school experience was a crucial time in my life. I remember mentally going over my choices over and over again. I feel like I made the right choice in the school I selected; however, I wish some of the preparation from transitioning from high school to college, I would have done a little differently. I wish that I had applied for more scholarships to help the financial aid process be easier. When I think about the debt I am putting in to put myself to college, sometimes it seems very overwhelming. Another thing I would of focused on my during my first semester was getting more involved with activities, as this semester I am and I find in doing so, I am enjoying myself a little bit more. Besides those two factors, I feel that I am doing a good job in my college experience to be a great one.

Be careful of underestimating the cost of college. Considering my own means I shouldn't have attended private college because I will be coming out with a lot of debt, and I basically paying for it all on my own. Seriously consider attending a school that has a good study abroad program and plan well and early. I hope to be able to study abroad still, but it can be tricky to select the right program. Expand your horizons. Never be afraid to try something new. And don't expect to remain friends with everyone you meet the first week freshman year. Just have fun and study hard. Enjoy life!

I would tell myself as a high school senior to talk with my family more. Coming out of high school I thought I was ready to take care of myself without anyone's help. I realize now that I was cruel for avoiding my family and their help, that I needed them and always will. Staying focused and doing well academically are certainly important, but these things do not show character. I have always been a good student and received good marks, but outside of that I was nothing of a person. I neither knew how to love nor how to let myself be loved by those who truly cared. As a result I was more alone than even I myself knew. Who would have guessed it? I was an ?A? student yet underneath it all was just my own self-centered being. Therefore I would tell myself not to take the love and support of my family for granted. Work hard and do your best academically, but remember, no matter where that takes you, you will always need your family.

It hasn't been very long since I've graduated high school; a little over one year to be exact. I was always the fast-paced, "can't wait til I'm outta here" girl in high school. Since freshman year, I had anticipated graduating an entire year early just so I can get a head start in beginning my dream of becoming a pediatrician. I ended up graduating a semester early because I didn't have enough credits. As I began my experience in Loyola University, I realized I didn't want to be a pediatrician. I don't know what changed my mind. It may be from the variety of classes I was taking. I developed an interest in history, ethics, biology; such a wide range of subjects. If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to take it easy and have fun. Stop worrying about the future for a second, and enjoy the time left that I have. I'd tell myself to stay that extra semester and rekindle bonds with friends and not to worry if my plans don't work out. High school only comes around once.

I would advise myself to get involved around campus during my first semester at school and make friends from a variety of different social groups. My freshmen year, I met and maintained a lot of my friendships through parties and going to bars, and I regret not learning to become a social person other than with alcohol right when I came to school. I would also advise myself to embrace the freshmen dorm experience, and to explore classes that seemed interesting to me rather than trying to complete my degree right away. I would have also advised myself to take later classes so I would be able to maintain a freshman social life (no one goes to bed before midnight) and not be too tired for class at the same time. I would also advise myself to get a weekend job so I would be able to have appropriate spending money without depleting my savings account.

College is amazing. The fears that every high school senior has going on this new adventure are so incredibly numerous, but they are also, for the most part, pointless. There is no doubt that in college everyone has a group to fit in with. Everyone has an activity they want to participate in. Everyone doubts their class decisions and eventually everyone figures out what they want to do. Of course, there are those few fears that you will find to be of concern, but what you must remember is that there are so many other people going through the same thing. So, don't stress too much. Asking questions and getting advice are key. Don't be afraid to approach an RA or advisor. College is a place where you can finally really be yourself. You can discover who you are and act on that. Join every club you think sounds interesting. Have fun, tons of fun. Meet new people and do new things. Just don't lose sight of the academics. Don't be afraid to make this transition. Go at it with an open mind and you'll find that it's an amazing experience.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be many things I would tell myself. First of all I would tell myself that you need to work on time management, as well as increase your study habits. I would have told myself to fill out many more scholarship applications, because the stress that goes along with struggling to pay for college tuition just to keep going here from semester to semester, is completely unneccessary. I would encourage myself to work on my social skills, as well as leadership. There is no reason that I should not be able to go up to someone and just talk to them, however I'm still shy and carried it over from high school. Most importantly of all, I would tell myself to value all family and friends at home, because you don't realize how much you miss them until you are actually away.

If I could go back in time, one way I would prepare myself is to load up on AP courses. Being a forensics major requires many specified courses and to have taken AP chem would have been a huge step in the door for what college is like. Having taken a few AP courses, I learned how valuable it is not only to try and get a few credit hours while in high school, but also use high school as the initial learning process for such introductory courses so that when college rolls around Chem 101 and 102 are simply review. One of the hardest things about college is learning the professors here do not grade as simple as in high school. I wish I has mentally prepared myself and learned initally the key tools to studying and note taking that are such valuable resources used everyday in class.