Midwestern State University Top Questions

As a high school senior the thought of leaving all of my friends and family to go to a new place all alone scared me. If i could go back I would tell myself to relax, there are plenty of other student freshamn going through the exact same thing. Just reliaze that you're not alone; Making friends is easy, just be friendly and get out there. Have some fun with new people in new places. That is what i would tell myself.

The most beaultiful gift that one can give to themselves, is a proper education; without a doubt it is in essence the most vital thing in our society today that can help you get a good job or career in the future. It is important to realize that no one else will do the work for you, and regardless of how much you may complain in contemplate throwing in the towel, going to college affects no one but you in reality. It is not only an investement, but rather a commitment that you make to yourself and the academic goals you have set yourself to reach. College is nothing like high school; here, poor behavior, low academic standards, and various other aspects that a high school tends to let slide, is not tolerated at any university. As a student, you must remember that it is okay to have fun, but to remember what your priorities are, and to never forget why you decided to attend college. It will get tough, and the classes will challenge you, but as long as you apply, dedicate, and fully committ youtself to your studies you will do great, and excell in all your endevors.

There so many things I wish I would've known before I went off to college. If I went back in time to my high school self, I would tell myself two things that I would need to know about college. The first thing I would tell myself is that procrastination can affect in you in many ways. If you have an assignment that is due in a week, do not push it off to the side because I will get other assignments and quizzes that will pile up on you. You would also want to start on it the day you get it so you can have more time to do it instead of cramming yourself the night before it due and this concept applies to your studying habits as well. Another thing I would tell myself is to budget your money. If you can learn how to budget your money now, you can save yourself from going broke a lot and borrowing money from people that will put you in many debts. Those are two things that I really took from my first year of college.

I would tell myself to listen to my teachers and parents when they told me college would be alot harder and hold many more expectations. I would try and prepare myself for the longer classes and warn myself against packing my schedule too full.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior about college life, I would explain the importance of being early. Being early works well for everything such as filling out college applications and turning them in before the deadlines, showing up to class early to ensure that you get a good seat and know what's going on in the class, and getting homework done early so you don't have to worry about it later. All of these things work out best when they are done early. When making the transition, I would say make sure you have everything you need as far as supplies and books. The professors don't like it when you come to class unprepared. Another thing the professors don't like is when you don't show up to class. While some are ok with you missing a couple of days, others will drop you from the class without even thinking twice. Overall, the most important thing I would tell myself is show up to class. Not showing up to class will result in a failing grade.

Growing up with only my mother for support my whole life, she was very protective of me. This caused me not to experience much of anything life had to offer. However, since finding my way to Midwestern, I have sudden seen and experience the many joys and wonders that can come from meeting new people and trying new things like pool, volleyball, basketball, going to social events, etc. My university experience has up to now been a life-changing one and I want it to continue to surprise and amaze me. I am truly happy that I was give this chance to spread my wings and take on a new approach to how I see the world. I know my mom expects much from because she is the only one supporting me financial with what little she has, and it is for that reason I will full use of my chance here at Midwestern, doing all I can whenever I can to make myself a better person for her and myself.

I have really learned a lot from my college experience. I've gained a great deal of independence by being away from home, and I've been able to really learn to take care of myself and budget my money. I've made incredible friends who helped me through tough times, and learned that there are genuine people who will be there for you. I've met incredible people and professors that I hope to remain in contact with for years to come. I've had the opportunity to see lectures and art events that were inspiring and fascinating. I've learned to appreciate cultural diversity because of the large number of international Caribbean students attending my university. Most importantly, I've learned that I have a passion for the English language and for Sociology, and I've been able to embrace that passion with a wide selection of classes available to me. I've come to realize what I want to do with my life and been able to make plans for the future--I want to work for a publishing company, then own a bookstore after I retire. I've gained a passion for life and learning.

I received several benefits by obtaining a degree from MSU. I attended the institution right out of High School and dropped out 2 years later due to family circumstances and due to the lack of having a plan. When I re-entered 20+ years later, both deficiencies had been resolved and nothing was a deterrant to graduation. Sure, there were frustrating times as I struggled to juggle a family, a job, volunteer positions, and course work. Because of that struggle, I earned the greatest benefit to me: a sense of accomplishment! The pride I feel in graduating with a degree that is a perfect fit for me, Social Work, with an exceptional GPA (cum laude), cannot be diluted or taken away. That pride in my accomplishments not only extended to me, but to my husband and children as well. I believe my dedication helped spur my teenagers to realize the importance of their own education as well. My college experience was also valuable in that many more career opportunities are now open to me as a degreed and licensed Social Worker. I worked in the same field before graduation, and the monetary benefits to graduation/licensure were immediate and noticible!

The classes are more challenging. The classes sizes are not to big.

I am gettting a higher education and it has been valuable because with the higher education I am receiving, I am helping socity become a better place.

I have realized the need for further education. I did not achieve the level of education I desired and have realized the need to return to achieve my goal. I am enjoying the challenge of returning to college after a number of years in my career. I realize the importance of recieving the highest level of education you desire.

I am only a sophomore in college and I have already learned so many life lessons and have truly developed as a young woman. College athletics has taught me the importance of teamwork, hardwork, and how to be an affective leader. College has also taught me how necessary it is to act as a responsible adult. Balancing school, cross country, an after-school job, and maintaining a social life is quite a task, but I know that I am capable of doing it. All of these experiences have also helped me learn the value of independence. In college, it is up to me to make the right choices. It is up to me to follow the road to success. I am me. I am the decision maker of my future and a college degree is the path that will get to to where I want to be.

Oh, if I only knew then what I do now, how much better off I would be! College is a zero tolerance environment: Get assignments in, or get out. If I could go back and tell my high school self one thing to do differently, it would be to establish organized study habits before entering college. Study habits are the foundation for the college GPA. Having a weak foundation ensures a weak grade point average. If I had consistently practiced organized study habits in high school, I would definitely have had an advantage over my freshman peers. During my first college semester, I discovered that using note cards and study groups were my personal best study methods. If I had utilized these methods from the beginning of the semester, early grades in my classes would have been higher. Throughout my high school career, teachers constantly reminded us: ?College is the real deal. College professors won?t take late work, they won?t give curves, and they expect you to learn the material whether they lecture on it or not.? I was not sure those statements were completely factual until I started college. Now I know that they really are true!

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior, the number one advice I would give myself would be to fill out as many scholarship applications as possible. As I already have $14,000 in student loans for my first year of college. Another thing I would tell myself is to save my summer work money and not blow it on games, movies, and other activites. The last thing I would tell myself is to enjoy the last year in highschool as it will never come again.

High school in general is suppose to be a time of transition into begining of the real world upon completion. As most seniors in high school transition into the college application process brings with it thousands of questions and uncertainity. The one piece of advice I have learned with age is allow for life to take its course, dont be affraid of what tommorow holds. The future is bright and full of all kinds of opportunites for each one of us to pursue, so set high standards for yourself and stive high to achieve them. The world is your golden ticket so remember education is a privilage that we forget so often and be thankful for your opportunity to attend a higher instiuition. Take advatange of the extra activites your campus will offer and ulitilize the opportunites given to you.

If I was given the opportunity to go back in time to when I was a senior in high school there are two major things that I would tell myself. I would tell myself to take more dual enrollment classes and declared majors can be changed. At my high school they offered dual enrollment classes, which meant that I could take college courses for free and get college and high school credit at the same time. If I was given an opportunity to go back in time and give myself advice I would tell myself to take advantage of those classes since they are free. In high school, I was aware that people change their major several times once in college. I told myself that I would never change my major because I did not want to up taking extra classes because I couldn?t make up my mind. Now, I realize that changing my major was ok. With this opportunity, I would tell myself that it is okay to change your major because when you start to do what you were meant to do with the rest of your life you will realize it and you will love it.

Seeing where I am now, and all the things that I have experienced I would tell myself to just relax and try to enjoy as much as possible. I had this big idea in high school that college was going to be the hardest thing that I would ever have to do in my life. Don't get me wrong, it is very challenging. However, it is also very rewarding as well. I would remind myself not to get caught up in struggle of each semester and to take time out for myself. After all college life isn't all about acadimics. everyone needs their own personal time to wind down and enjoy themselves. This isn't to say forget about making good grades at all. I have over a 3.5 commulative GPA in my college career and have had plenty of fun along the way too. So the biggest thing I would tell myself in high school, or any high school student now, is to not get overwhelmed in the idea that college is this daunting task that only the smartest people make it through.

Note to younger self: 1. Do research and get answers you need about housing, hours, books, etc. WAY before deadline because something always comes up. 2. There's lots of money for school; it's just up to you to seek out scholarships and apply early to win the money. With luck, you CAN win enough to acquire a laptop, live semi- comfortably, and hopefully graduate debt-free. 3. Spend a lot of time looking at schools and considering majors; no time spent doing this is wasted, because you're setting the stage for your career & where you'll spend the next four years of your life. 4. Master time management: if you're working, going to school full time, and have any kind of social life, you'll be pressed for time- all the time. 5. Buy a camera! Make friends! Knowing people on campus makes life easier and can lead to unexpected opportunities. Go out! All study and no play make Jason a dull boy. Take one day during the weekend to get out , enjoy yourself, and make the type of memories you'll tell your kids about.

I would tell myself to think about what I want to do and not let the desires and needs of others influence the decisions I make regarding school. I went in thinking I knew what I wanted to do, but really it was the convenience that drew me to it. Now I know that I should follow my heart and do what feels right to me. I wasted more than a year in school because I thought I was doing what would help me have a better life. I'm thankful that I went through it though- because I now know that it was completely the wrong path for me. It helped me realize I'm not that person and what kind of person I truly am. I think the experience has helped me however, because now i know I am on the right path. But I sure would have liked to have known which was the right path when I was still in high school!

After I graduated from high school, I decided to go into the workforce for awhile before I went to college to figure out what I wanted to do, and to just take some time off from school. Almost a year later, and still no job, I am seeing that this was a big mistake. Due to the US economy being in the gutter at the moment, obviously it was impossible for someone of my age, education and stature to find any jobs. Anywhere. Period. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to just get it over with and apply for colleges and get in to one now while the time is right. Because I waited like I did, a few opportunities have disappeared. While it was nothing that seriously threatens my chances of getting into college, there were some money saving opportunities and some methods of simplifying this whole paperwork orgy that is getting into a college that I should have taken advantage of. But alas, the world still turns, and life goes on. All I can really do is hope for a better tomorrow.

Enjoy your senior year. Improve relationships with your friends while you can, and always keep up with them. No matter how far away they may be, there are always those high school friends to talk to. Don't be afraid to take chances and make memories that will last forever, no matter how far out of your comfort zone you may have to go to make them. Those are the memories that will be conversation starters and allow you to form bonds with new people that you meet. Being willing to try new things and bring yourself out of your shell is what will bring you closer to the people around you once you get to college. But above all else, remember who are and where you come from. Never let others influence you negatively and stand strong in your faith. Keep going after your dreams and make something out of yourself.

I would have told myself to get my grades up and focus more and do alot of research on what type of student I am and what is the best university choices for me. start of small i would have told myself. Do not worry about the going to school because it has the best football team or it has the bestre party life. Go to a school that suites your needs and that can help you reach your goal.

I would tell myself to make education my first priority, and not be so easily distracted. Looking back I see that the events that happened in my life were minor, unimportant. My focus was misplaced. I would ask myself, "Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, or 20 yrs? Then I would point to myself and say "I'm your future with no education. Life is hard. Give yourself the best chances you can. Make a change. Now."

Start Scholarship applications as soon as you can because it is so hard for upper middle class children to get govermental financial aid. Also be prepared for life changing events and to have a different outlook on life when you enter a college campus, because it is a totally different scene than highschool. There is definitely more independence is college, professors leave you, the student, responsible for your work, they dont keep reminding you when work is due like in highschool, they give you a due date for the assignment and expect you to hand in the assignment on time. Everything on college campuses is so exspensive from food to books, nothing is cheap, so save as much money has you possibly can while you can. Also the sooner you learn to manage a financial budget the better off you will be because that what living the college life is all about. Most people may seem like all they have is fun, but that is the people who don't care about their education. Those who endure hardships in education and work their way through them are the ones who want to suceed and in the end will suceed.

I would tell myself to get it all done the first go round and to be more focused.

I joined the Air Force right out of high school since there was no money for me to go to school. My mother recently graduated college after putting it off for many years to raise myself and my two younger brothers. My father and mother were struggling a little bit with her loans and I did not want that for myself. I learned that the military offered programs to help with education so I signed up as soon as I could. After joining the military I put off school due to conflicting work schedules and deployments to Iraq then decided to get out to pursue my education. Here I am doing that now, along with school loans. The military pays for some but not all of my school. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to worry about the loan issue and get on with my education. That is exactly what I am doing now 9 years later. I could have already been done with school by now if I did that initially.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to begin setting up productive study habits in preparation for college. I think study habits are tremendously important to college success. I lacked healthy study habits in high school, and I am convinced that I could have graduated with a much higher high school GPA if I had been more focused. Now that I've set up productive study habits, I'm doing really well in college. I am in a difficult science major and I have a 3.667 GPA! I am also an Honors Program student. Healthy and productive study habits have certainly helped me succeed in college.

Victor Kiam once said, ?Procrastination is opportunity?s natural assassin?. Now I would like to think I was pretty well prepared for college by the end high school. I partook in a few IB classes, took a concurrent Algebra class with my current college and still managed to pass the exams with enough to points to give me college credit while balancing a fast food job and rehearsal for plays, along with a few other extracurricular activities. However, when I actually think back my classes were fairly tough and I probably would have done better on my exams had I spent more time focusing on actual studies than having a good time with friends and sitting around at home playing games, hoping I would pass that history test the next day. So I would tell myself this, ?You need to stop wasting time for mediocre grades when you know you can do much better. Having a good time will only last so long when an education will you get you farther than any video game ever will. You can never afford to miss a question a test because you never know how many of the other ones you got right.?

I would tell myself that I am the one responsible for my education. Do not procrastinate about submitting the fafsa and if it needs changes make them as soon as you know. Otherwise you end up paying tuition cost in full and then are reimbursed the cost later off your finantial aid. So submit the fafsa and scholorships early. Make sure you have all the corect records and information and keep up with it, the government will only give you your pin so many times before they make you get a new one, which takes up more time. If you have questions call the school and ask if they can't answer they will help find someone that does, and if you don't understand say so.

My goal when I was a high school senior was to join the armed forces as an enlisted soldier, and then get out and go to college, and then join the armed forces as an officer. This track has taken me close to 15 years to complete, so my advice to myself as a high school senior would be to go to college first, skip the enlisted route and join the armed forces as an officer. Other advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to be more active in school activites and the community, because it makes you a more mature person and it makes you a candidate for numerous scholarships, Winning these scholarships will cut down the financial debt you would undertake as a student who isn't lucky enough to have the finances to pay for the college expenses you will undoubtedly incur.

College life is not about partying. College is about focusing on your school work because now you are having to pay to continue your education and you want to make the grades to stay in school and qualify for special honors such as the deans list or even receive scholarships to help pay for your education. You are going to want to strive to do as best you can in all your classes, you should strive to receive a 4.0 GPA not just passing your classes. If you succeed in obtaining a 4.0, you will be motivated to keep it that way and to stay concentrated on classes. You do not want be distracted by some of the new things you will encounter at college, because you are away from your parents and on your own making your own decisions without your parents guidance or rules. You have to become responsible for yourself and your well being. You do not want to be distracted so much that you end up being put on academic probation or even getting expelled. You can still have fun at college just be sure that you maintain your focus on school above everything.

High school was thought to be a time of discovering yourself. I wish I could have warned myself that the process exceeds high school by several years. Not until you're out on your own and truelly forced to make decisions do you begin to recognize who you are, and even then it's a long process. As a girl a common theme of my senior year was wanting to get to college where guys were mature! As much as I'd hoped that there was some kind of magical time between high school graduation and the first day on campus it has not occured. Boys are still as silly as ever. And last but easily the single most important thing I would have beat into my thick head my senior year, is that I can make all the plans I want to for my life but I won't be completely satisfied until I give God control of my future. Allowing Him to take control removes so many of the burdens of college. I am able to focus on my education and trust Him to provide the way and work out the details.

Study more, and ask for more help.

Start looking early, into both colleges and financial aid. The best way to enjoy your college experience is to get everything situated early so that you can make the most of the time you have. Don't think that you won't be able to succeed academically unless you don't have a social life. The best thing to do in order to keep sane is to find a proper balance of studying and having fun. Never over exert yourself and never procrastinate.

Every school parties - get used to it. Let your parenting take it course and see if your child can fly on their own. Don't call everyday. If your child calls you everyday, something must be wrong. They know the difference between right and wrong so trust them to make adult decisions because they are your little adults now :)

If you're about to enter college, first of all, welcome to a new chapter of your life. The experiences and lessons you learn over the next four years or so are not going to be limited to a classroom, and keep that in mind when choosing your school. The right college for you is the place you feel at home on your first visit, the place where the student knows he or she will be able to start off their lives on their own. Your new "home" may not be the same as your best friend's because everyone has their own future, and that's where your college is meant to take you. Choose your school simply off of where you know your going to be able to recieve the best education possible for yourself. For some, a smaller school with a more personal setting will set them farther in life than an ivy league university would. Don't make your decision off of what rankings and society's preconcieved ideas tell you, for the decision is too important to be based off anything but your own needs. Good luck in finding your new home!

Find some place that you can get out from under your parents roof but close enough to go home every now and again. Also find something affordable and a place that you think you would enjoy. If you don't balance fun with study you wont find a good place anywhere and will suffer through your college career.

I think when finding and picking the college that will best fit the student is to keep mind of the degree they are wanting to get. Don't go to a college just because it is cool or your friends are going there, go because it will best benefit you in the long run. Look at the campus before deciding and try and get a current students perspective of the overall campus. The main thing is how it will work out for the student in the long run. I came to Midwestern strictly for the Radiology program knowing no one. I left everyone I was close to back home which isn't far away but still I knew no one. In return I have made amazing new friends and working for a great career too.

The best advice I could give any parent or student is visit the colleges they want to attend. A person can not truly judge a college based off pictures or the website. A personal visit will tell a person so much more as to whether they believe that college is a good choice for them. Fill out schlarships and apply for financial aid. As for the student, in order to make the most of the college experience I would say to keep this in mind. "Work hard and play hard." College isn't just about going to class and getting good grades, but it is also about the experience you receive outside of the classroom that will make an impact on your life. Parents, make your child live in the dorm their freshman year. Living in the dorms are part of the college experience. Most students will not want to live in the dorm, but this is the time where they will be able to meet the most people and make so many college memories. My last bit of advice would be to get involved with your school and community--clubs, organizations, recreational sports, and volunteer work. Study hard!!

Finding the right college for you is about finding one that is convenient in location as well as the schooling that it provides. You would want to make sure that the major you are interested in is offered at the school. Location is important, if you are a parent you would like one close to home so you are still able to be with your family as much as possible. As a student, choosing a location that you feel is right for you whether it is far from home or located within the same town that you grew up. Choosing the right college will make your learning experience as pleasurable as possible with all of the conveniences for you.

Find out what resources that the school offers and if they are free or how much they cost. Also find out if when they are doing advising for their major if they will be able to meet with their advisor at anytime in the school year rather than just at advising time, check out availability of professors. Also visit the campus if possible during a normal school day this way you can meet and talk to some of the current students at that college or university to see what they like. Also if the school offers a preview day go to it. At Midwestern State all of the leaders who are tour guides are current MSU students and not faculty members so they would be able to tell you what the college is like from their point of view rather than what administrators put down on a piece of paper, in a brochure, or on a website.

I would just tell them to find a place where the students feels they fit best. I would also tell the student to not worry about what everyone else thinks of where you go, find a place you enjoy and you think is the best for you!

Be open to every college you visit. Find one that best suits your personality and interests so you will feel like you are at home even if you are hundreds of miles away. Have fun and enjoy your time in college. It's the time of your life!

College isn't only about getting a degree, graduating, and getting a good job. Yes, those are very importabt aspects of the college experience, but not everything of what college should be about. College should be so much more than that! College is a life-changing experience. It really teaches you about every aspect of who you are! How do you manage time? How do you study? How financially responsible are you? Do you take care of yourself? Do you study enough? Do you make time for fun? There are so many questions you could ask yourself! I think that attending college answers all the questions you have about yourself. So, in the end, college is about finding out who you are. Your mom isn't there to hold your hand, and your professors aren't there to make sure you turn in your assignments. So just be prepared of what is to come. Make sure you know what activities your college choices have to offer! The education part is important, but you have to enjoy your campus life or that education will be even harder to get when you don't feel a part of your school! Good luck!

Research and visit schools before attending them. Also have your financial plans in order before attending.

Look for a school that is similar to the town you grew up in.

First and most importantly, I would say you need to vist the campus. Talk to the students in the programs you might want to be apart of. See if the size of the town suits your needs, some people prefer a large city others a more rual environment. Check for the essentials: mall, movies, bars, and other things to do when your not in school. Finally get a feeling for the people in the program you want to attend because yopu will be spending an incredible amount of time with them.

Many students and parents are convinced that bigger schools give a better education, but in reality it depends on the quality of the staff employed at the university. Granted, bigger school can afford to hire all doctorate professors, but in reality smaller schools can give just as good, if not a better quality of education. At a smaller school you get to know your professors especially in your specified area of study and that can be very beneficial in starting your career, also with smaller class sizes you get more individual attention to get help with something you might be having trouble with. In my opinion smaller schools are better, just the closeness of the department I am in and how much I have improved in my studies and abilities as a musician.

The biggest question on any highschool students mind: where should I go to college? My experience has been unique in that I am married to an Air Force Officer so I have been able to attend a variety of schools. I have attended a major state university, a small community college, and now a small state university. The best advice I can offer parents and students is that no matter where you choose to go, you must make the most of it, concentrate on your studies, and work on building friendships that will last a lifetime. When selecting a school, a student must consider what they want to be when they grow up, and find a school that has a program to support that dream. Selecting a college is not about how good the football team is or how big the parties are, it is about learning to make choices that will shape you as a person. Life is a continuous learning experience and college is simply a place where you are able to grow. Remember, in twenty years the school you attended will no longer matter, but the person that you are and the things you know will be.

The advice I would give about finding a right college is to make sure that the college has your major or something you are interested in because that is the most important thing . Also, students should consider their financial stituation they are in because you want to be able to experience the college life without worrying about financial problems. This is the time where a student will make the most mistakes, love life, and make their best friends for life. When a student leaves high school, it doesn't matter what happened then. College gives you a chance to start over and be who you are. The best advice I could give a student is to pick the college that suites you, your financial stability,distance from home, and teacher to student ratio. Those are the top four things I think you need to look at to pick the right college.