Metropolitan State University Top Questions

Try as many different types of classes as you can. Don't shoot solely for an associates of liberal arts. You need to start on what you love right away and because I know you don't know what you love yet, I need you to try as many things as you can. Especially computer programming. You're going to love it.

I would tell myself to continue and finish and what ever cost, because it is so much harder to return as an older student. I would also tell myself to enjoy the journey as well as studying and doing my best.

Hey Luke, you may think that this is silly but listen. Learn as much as you can about the career you're interested in. Ask as many questions as possible, and participate in as many extracurricular activites as possible. Go to class, and make sure that you and your academic advisor are on the same page. Most of all listen to yourself, don't let others talk you into or out of something that you know you can or can't do. You may be distracted by potential relationships, but don't let them distract you so much that your studies begin to suffer. You're a smart person, and don't let others think they know more than you, remember they're new that this college thing too. One more thing, explore yourself in the arts more, people actually think you're funny and you can make them laugh. Good luck, and if you're ever in a tight spot remember mom, and dad will always be there for you.

I would tell my high school self to figure out my degree before I went to college. Luckily I am still on track, but along the way I have taken a few generals that have not helped me work towards my degree. I would tell myself to not take "fun" classes and concentrate on what I actually need to save myself time and money for tuition.

Don't go to a college just because your best friends or boyfriend is going there. Don't worry where everyone else is going, go to a school that fits you and only you. Your high school friends won't be your college friends and your college friends won't be your friends as an adult - accept that. Allow yourself to grow up. Don't party and drink like an idiot all 4 years, you will regret the educational opportunities you had and wasted. No one cares how cool you were in high school, when you get to college. And no one cares how cool you were in college when you're a working adult. There is an amazing world outside of those 4 walls of high school. The drama you have in high school and the petty things you worry about mean nothing in the real world. Be brave. Be yourself. Figure out who you are. Figure out what you stand for and believe in. Don't go with the crowd. People will remember you for being different and unique. Family comes first. Don't get a credit card. Don't drink or do drugs.

Hey bud, it's your senior year and you have come along way, hang in there. I understand the pressure you're going through having to make life changing decisions and career choices. Don't worry, there have been others that have gone through what you are going through and you're not alone. First off, I want to say what ever you desire most and are passionate about is usually a huge clue to what you are going to do with your life. Despite what people will think or what the circumstances will arise, know that anything is possible. Here is what you can do for yourself: set forth some goals, write them down, and find creative and tangible ways to reach those goals. Next, find a network of like minded students and professors that will support you. This will help hold you accountable and give you ground to stand on. They will also assist you with making it towards your goal. Find out what resources are out there for you. The realitiy is there is so much out there and few find time to seek them out. Finally, enjoy every moment along the way. It is worth it.

In my senior year, I was doing what I could just to make it through the day. I didnt have family or friends, teachers or counselors who cared about me or my situation. I did what I had to do just to eat. If I could go back, I would like to find one staff at any of the five schools I attended in my senior year, to make sure I was doing what I had to do to get into college. I would tell myself to leave the girls alone. The ultimate advice I would give myself is to always be in the present. To make sure not to stress over anything and to amke decisions in the present nature of things.

I would tell meyself to take advantage of the student support services in college and look for availiable scholarships.

Always be confident in yourself and spare some time for fun and of course studying!

What I have gotten from the college experience is a greater understanding of how the "real world" works. I figured out, the hard way, that no one is going to be there to hold your hand and make sure that you succeed in life. That I have to go out and better myself and want to succeed. I have to have the will and desire to learn and better myself as an individual. The college experience has also taught me to be resourceful and be more assertive. No one is going to hand you anything so I want to make sure that I use what I have and gain friends that will help me become better prepared for my future. College has been valuable to attend because it better prepares you for the world. I have gained knowledge and experienced things that I probably never would have experienced with just a high school diploma. Most of all college is valuable because, lets face it, we all like money and in this economy the more education you have the more money you will make. That is what I have gotten out of being in college but there is more to learn.

My college experience started out very slow. I only took one or two classes for the first few semesters. It was difficult maintaining good grades while working and volunteering at my church but I did it. It was very rewarding that I was presented with such a difficult task, that many are presented, and I met that challenge. Now that I attend school full time I feel that my education is even more rewarding with every class that I take. My time is fully consumed by school work and studying and, though I never imagined myself being this way, I love every minute of it. I love to learn and I love to be surrounded by others that value education. Ever since entering college I've been pushed to reach my full potential as a student by incredible professors. It has been such an incredible experience that it makes me want to be a part of the educational experience. I want to be a teacher that changes students' lives and gives them a passion for learning the way that I've been given that passion by many incredible educators.

I believe the most important thing I have gotten out of my college experience thus far has been a sense of accomplishment. As a returning student at 27 years old, I had been successful in other aspects of my life, but did not feel fulfilled educationally, knowing I should, and could, have a Bachelor's degree. I've worked full-time for the past year and a half while taking a full course-load and maintaining a respectable GPA, above 3.3. I am proud of myself and feel a sense of accomplishment I had never felt before. Working and going to school takes a lot of my time, but taking on both at the same time makes me feel like I can really take on the world.

I HAVE FOUND THIS DECISION I HAVE MADE, TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION AT AGE 46, TO BE A VERY REWARDING AND REFRESHING EXPERIENCE. I ATTENDED COLLEGE AT EIGHTEEN, FRESH OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF LEARNING THEN. I KNEW I WAS MISSING SOMETHING. I JOINED THE MILITARY, AND STAYED IN THE AIR FORCE FOR TEN YEARS ON ACTIVE DUTY. WHEN I WAS HONORABLY DISHARGED, I WENT ON TO MARRY AND HAVE CHILDREN, AND DIVORCE, AND RAISE MY KIDS BY MYSELF, AND WORK AT VERY REWARDING JOBS FOR THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS. WHEN I WAS LAID-OFF IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, DUE TO THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, I DECIDED IT WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO FINISH MY DEGREE. I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, BUT I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH MY CHOICE, AND CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HIGH GRADES. MY 4.0 FEELS MUCH BETTER THAN UNEMPLOYMENT DID. I EXPECT TO GO FAR! FSCJ HAS PROVIDED ME WITH THE CONFIDENCE I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS I HAVE SET FOR MYSELF. I HOPE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR MY DAUGHTERS, AND I HOPE TO REAP THE BENEFITS FROM APPLYING MYSELF IN A POSITIVE WAY.

One of the most rewarding things that I have gotten out of attending Metro State is becoming an educated person. Just learning new things or things I thought I knew is very exciting to me. I have been able to have a very different relationship with my kids around education. I have two high school age kids and its so rewarding to be able to support and encourage them to pursue college. I also emphasis don't just get by, do your very best. So with four kids going back to school at my age. I would put a lot of value on the impact it's had on my whole family. Prayerfully I will be able to aquire a decent job, at a liveable wage when I graduate. I feel smarter, i am beginning to eat better. I have always loved to read. Now I am reading things that can be beneficial to my future and not just for pleasure. I am very excited about my future and the fact that I had the courage to come back to school after over 15 years of procrastination.

It was more about the volume and varity of the knowledge. I can't guarantee that all I learned will get me a better job but it will give me the opportunity to apply to a wider variety of positions. Not something you could do at a trade school or an apprecticeship.

As I sit here and reflect on the goals I hope to achieve as a student, I must first look back on what I already accomplished. I have always set short-term and long-term goals for myself. Some of them have been obtainable while others are so far out of reach that I have put them in a laughable category. I always knew what I wanted to do with my life. The path there has been the hard part. In order to achieve my goals it would have been easier to stay on the straight and narrow path. Fortunately, I took the path with many curves. I say fortunately because there has always a lesson to be learned for every obstacle I came across. The first goal I hope to achieve will be to find out who I am now, compared to whom I once was. My life has changed so much since I enrolled at Metropolitan State University two years ago. At that time my family was growing. The responsibilities were nowhere near as difficult as they are now.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is hard work will pay off. It took consistency, determination, and self-discipline to succeed, which have been taken with me as I continue my growth educationally and professionally. It has been valuable for me to complete my undergraduate as well as continue graduate school to achieve my goals professionally.

Dear Julie, This is your future self, so listen up. I know what I am talking about. You are very excited to get out and see the world but I must warn you, college is harder than you think! Stick with it and study hard. It truly will pay off in the future. Most importantly, don't give up. The beginning can be rough. Believe, you finally find a spot that you love and fit in. Try everything new that comes your way. Speak up! Your voice is very important even if others make you feel that it is not. When you don't understand something, say that you don't get it. You may feel stupid for a moment, but that is when you actually begin to learn. Be proud of yourself. Discover who you are and love yourself. Oh yeah, and try not to eat too many Ramen Noodles, or years later you will get sick every time you smell them. Good luck, you will be great! Love, Your Future Self Love, Your Future Self

Save as much money as possible to put towards things like books, you don't need the pretty folders or matching dishes. You want to get by with as little debt as possible so you are not stuck in with it forever. It is ok to be yourself, in high school you may not have experience peer preasure but if you get into the wrong group of friends in college they could lead you on a path you don't want to go on. It is ok if you don't go out drinking, if you feel it is best to stay home with a movie or to study then do it. They are not your firends if they think that is lame and try to guilt you into doing something they don't want you to do. It will only hurt you in the end, they don't care about what is best for you. It is ok to be you, and it will take time to figure out who that you is, but don't let you be a product of someone else.

I would tell my self to make sure that you priorties life outside of class and join study groups so that it is easier to do the work and figure out what and who you want to be so that the time it takes to finish isn't forever. Take time for the little things so that the big things don't seem so big and do the big assignments in chuncks so that it doesn't feel overwelming. Trust yourself because you are your best judge and worst critic, find a teacher that you trust and talk with the advisors because they also want to see you suceed. Last but not least enjoy yourself because the memories you make will stay with you and you never want to say the you regret anything.

I would have started college after I got out of the Army in 1980 instead of waiting 20 years to start.

The first thing I would tell myself is to stick with it. This is actually my second time to college because the first time I just was not into the college scene. I think it is important to understand the importance of higher education no matter what the obstacles are that we nee to jump through. I would also tell myself that it does not matter what my highschool friends think because at the end of the day it is my future and my education that counts, no one else's will matter in a few years. I also think it is important to remind seniors on the importance of the college they choose, they do not need to neccessarily know their intended majors but if you go to the right school with the propper tools and advisors, anything is possible and they will help you along your path.

IIf I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself the following things: 1. Don't be so high-strung. 2. Work less and focus more on my college education. 3. Be more involved in extra curricular activities at school and carry on more leadership roles. 4. Explore more and go out of my comfort zone when taking the general courses. 5. Study, study, study. 6. If you pass a pre-requisite with flying colors, don't think you'll pass the upper-level class as easily. 7. Get to know your professors. 8. Form study groups. 9. Don't miss class. Make it your monies worth. 10. Network with other students on your campus and on other campus. 11. Don't rush yourself through by taking five classes a semester just so you reach graduation sooner. Trust me, you'd rather be learning than working a 9 to 5 job. 12. Enjoy yourself and have fun.

If I were to talk to my past self, I would tell her that she is a strong and amazing woman and that she can do whatever she set her mind to. I would let her know that just because she doesn't have much money and our parents don't either, doesn't mean she can't get into college. There are financial aid packages avaialable, grants, schollarships and loans. It is so easy to get into school and well worth it and there are people dedicated to helping you succede. College is different than high school, eventhough it seems like another 4 years doesn't mean that's all it is. It is a 4 year package that will set you up for the rest of your life. It will make you feel that sense of satisfaction that work alone cannot accomplish. Also, don't worry about what anyone else thinks, because this is for you and you alone. Your abilities and disabilities are both strengths wether you know it or not, so just take the chance and do it. It's not as hard as you think and the people there are amazing.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to take as many Post-Secondary Education classes as possible. I have no regrets about the classes that I took while in high school; I loved the education I received and I really prepared myself during my senior year for college. But had I taken it to the next level and taken advantage of obtaining college credits while in high school I could be much farther along in my career. Though this may seem like good advise, I am, at the same time, very happy that I stayed in my high school. However, beyond this one piece of advise, I have nothing else to offer to my adolescent self. I am very satisfied with the work that I accomplished and the lots of extra-curricular activities that I was able to participate in during my years in high school.

This is an interesting question because my son is getting ready for college and I am finding myself holding my tongue because I know he isn't ready to listen, he thinks he knows it all but I will tell him this. You need to make some mistakes so you can learn how to get back up. You have to get up though, there is nothing to gain from failure if you wallow in it. You need to have fun but you also need to stay away from the sewer drain of drugs and drinking to excess. Keeping life in balance may be the hardest part of these college years but it is vital to your health and success. Always work harder than you think you can, this will always pay off. Pay attention to your gut instincts when it comes to who you spend time with. These may be your friends for life, don't waste your time on thugs. Invest youreslf in your education, you are worth it. Live passionately, it will inspire the world to do the same.

I didn't have any parent or teacher encourage me to go to college. I enrolled by myself as an adult and completed most of it after starting a family juggling evening and weekend classes with a full time job. If I could go back in time as a high school senior I would definitely say to get enrolled right away and get my college degree in 4 years rather than taking 15 years!!