Missouri Western State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to not spend all of my money on useless stuff. Save up that money to pay for books so you're not constantly worrying if you're even going to be able to afford them each semester. I would tell myself to pick up the slack and study for once because you'll need to later on. Apply for scholarships while you're still in school so you're not applying mid school year to cover the tab. Be proactive. Don't wait for tests to come up to study. Instead study while you go so you don't have to cram so much. Work on getting pre knowledge of the major you want to do so you have a little headstart and try to discover new possibilities with it.

Dont make boys the focus of your life, there are so many and you will find the right guy one day. When you get older you will be able to live as an adult so dont rush it and try to grow up too fast. FWI you will really need to know the stuff you will be learning in your economics class, so listen up. Your family is the most important and will be the only people who will be there by your side always. Love yourself.

If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself not to wait to go to college. I would advise myself of all the processes I've learned about going to college. My re-visited self would be better armed with knowledge of what the process of selecting classes, utilizing advisors, getting financial aid, applying for scholarships, and other facets of college that are necessary and beneficial. My future self would also be able to encourage my past self that I possess the abilities and skills necessary to succeed.

Apply for scholarships now! You'll need them later as to avoid the massive debt you're forced to take on otherwise.

Don't give up! There's a lot of confusion and termoil in your life and college, at times can feel like it's making everything worse, but hang in there. You are going to learn things that will not only (one day) make you a better teacher, but a better person. What more could you possibly ask for? Chin up and smile big!

Apply for more scholarships. In fact, apply for every scholarship you see because you are going to need them.

If I could go back in time and tell myself anything about college life, I would tell myself to stay more focused on my education and live my life to the fullest. You only have one life to live so live it up like each day is your last! Plus college is no joke! I f you want your degree you need to work hard, study even harder. I dream to one day become a Registered Nurse and I eill make the dream a reality with dedication and prayer. I know I am meant to succeed but success is not handed to you, you have to put work in. I was pretty lazy in high school. Very bright, but lazy. In college I knew i could not continue to be the way. I have a 2.94 GPA because of prayers being answered and work being done. It will all be worth it in the end!

The advice I would give myself is to learn to handle things on my own. In college, you gotta be very independent especially since you're a foster child. Had I known I was going to get completely kicked out by my foster mom, I would have definitely prepared myself way better.

Buy books online, and ask high school counselor more questions.

Dear myself, PAY ATTENTION! Stop doubting yourself! Focus more on education and less on makeup! Do NOT be intimidated to ask questions, and always accept assistance. Stop worrying about what other people may think – your future is more important. Sit in the front row so you can pay attention and actually see the chalk board! YOU are responsible for your own education. DO NOT take education for granted. Education is your tool for a successful future! Be a collector of knowledge, soak up as much information as you can absorb and you will bask in the warm embrace of success! You ARE intelligent and highly capable of being very successful. Knowledge is power! Knowledge will open up many doors of opportunity. You WILL surpass your own expectations. Refuse to allow negative emotions stumble you. Be brave and force yourself to move forward and closer to your goals and dreams. There will be many obstacles that attempt to thwart you off your educational journey. Stay focused and positive and you WILL overcome these adversities that try to block your achievements. Believe in yourself. Follow your dreams. NEVER give up. You CAN do it! Sincerely, Me (19 years in the future)

If I could go back and talk to myself during my senior year about college I would focus my priorities. During my senior year I did not do much of anything important. I hung out with my friends and just waited for time to go by, but I did not do anything to get ready to start college. I did not fill out scholarships, I didn't buy my books until the last minute, I didn't work out the tuition until the last minute... I waited last minute for a lot of things. Which lead to stress. I was stressed out, my parents were stressed out ther was lots of nagging from my parents. I would tell myself to take the time out to get what needs to be done, done. Then I could party. I wish I would have learned this earlier so maybe I could be more prepared and responsible for my first year.

I attended a very liberal thinking high school, yet very competetive when it came to academics. By attending Missouri Western I have grown up, and learned so much about life. I have changed as a person, and realized what is truly important in life (my family). MWSU is extremely segregated compared to my high school, but I learned from other students that compared to their high school it is extremely diverse. Attending college is valuable to me because I am seeing and living "real life. " My parents are not here to help shelter me, and I now see that not everyone is as opened minded as they were in high school. The real world is out there and at the end of the day, you always have your family. Even friends come and go, but not your family. My college experience has made me appreciate everything more. Since I pay for my college, each class means more to me than the kids who are going to college via the goverenment. I would relive my first year of college again and agian if I could. I learned so much, had good expereiences, and made so many friends

I have gotten to know many good people as well as learn many research techniques that will help me to achieve my future career goals. I have learned that professors are people too and are not perfect either. Even they have not gotten fantastic grades in all their undergraduate classes. This helps me to see that it is okay to mess up, as long as we learn from our mistakes and try harder there is nothing that is going to stop us. Research techniques learned have also helpled me realize this as well. I cannot tell you how many times I have messed up my lab work and had to restart it feeling like i was pretty dumb. However, my professor was a good sport about it giving advice on what I should remember the next time I do any kind of research.

My college experience has brought many new views of the world and has aided me in becoming my own person. It has taught me how to be out in the world on my own and survive. My priorities have changed for the better as I have realized what I want to be for the rest of my life. Sometimes I look back at my childhood and see how my life use to be, but then see who I am now. It is hard to be positive at times, but I know I am a very fortunate person. My life is nothing compared to many others who do not have the ability to attend college. Being in college reminds me of this, but it also reminds me that anything is possible. It is possible for me to be a sex crimes detective and it is possible for me to make a difference in peoples' lives. With these possibilities come the effort and will to meet them. My college experience is none like any other student. I have found new meaning in life and in myself. No matter what happens after school one thing is for sure, I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What I got out my college experince is that you have to study hard and stay focus at all time. I Also got to meet different type of people in learned about their life . I Also gotten that getting involve on campus is very important because you can use it later in the workforces. Its has been valuable to attend becaause it help me to reach my goal in becoming a Nurse and its a good experience.

I have learned more about myself. I have learned what I can and can't do and how to move around obstacles that I face. I realized that measuring out and balancing everything I would like to do is easy when I priotize. I have been able to learn from my Proffessors and actively take a part in my education by applying what I learn to life. I also have been rewarded by taking a part of the community and seeing the results that stem from that work. There are no words really to cover everything that I am learning and have learned because the lessons just keep coming.

I have gained important skills and knowledge that will assist me in my job field. I have also gained skills from my extra curricular activities that have made me a better person and will assist me in networking when it comes time to find a job.

If I had the opportunity to give myself advice I would have little to say. The only advice I would give would be to go out more often and have more fun. High school is a once in a lifetime experience so enjoy it while it lasts. Plus socializing in high school makes it easier to make new friends and to get involved in college. I would remind myself though that academics and grades are important and those things will help but without social connections in a small town, scholarships are hard to achieve. A good balance between school and fun is important. I would encourage myself to keep working hard but to also take the time to step out of my comfort zone and to make more friends.

Going back in time I would find the me of two years ago playing video games and putting off whatever homework assignment had been given earlier that day. I would itch to walk up and turn that game off. I would give the advice that a parent or teacher should have given me. I should work harder, finish every assignment. Do the assignment when it was received not the night before. I should fill out more scholarships and work even harder to make the money that my foster-family couldn't afford to give to me. I would look straight in my eyes and tell myself that I was worth it. I was worth the struggle and that being the first in my family to go to college was something amazing. I would tell myself that I have a right to be proud that that even though no one noticed at that time that in the future, someone would. I would tell myself that I could, that I can and that I will make something amazing out of myself.

If i could go back in time i would tell my younger self to get more prepared, take more pride in the work im doing in highschool because the good grades could help me in my future(college). I would also say to start applying a little early to colleges so I have everything situated when the time really comes.

Walking into college that first day WOW! I get to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior. The first thing I would talk about would be study habits. Your mom is really right when she says to study and manage your time wisely. I never did this in high school but, I see the need for it now. Studying every night the material that is given in class is of the utmost importance. Slacking just does not cut it at all. Only the most studious will survive in this college life. All of those tips they gave you in high school of different ways to study that you thought you wouln't need like using index cards and acronyms. Well guess what, they rain supreme over college life. Here no one tells you to study or how to study. Thats right you have to know it already! Manageing your time is another important aspect of your new life. Waiting tell the last minute just won't make it. You might want to get a calander and write down everything you need to do. Remember, you are planning your future, your life starts now!

Ann, I know school has been a struggle for you, in many ways, and I also know you don?t have any classes you like. I know you don?t (never did) have an art teacher and this is really the only interest you have right now. YOU deserve and need a break from the school thing right now, but I want you to know college isn?t like high school. For one thing, YOU have choices of the classes you can take. Don?t believe it is too hard for you! If YOU work hard ,YOU can do it! YOU don?t have to wait so long to go back, once YOU do, YOU will feel differently about yourself in many ways! It will be challenging, but so rewarding! YOU will accomplish much and will gain knowledge about yourself. YOU have a strong work ethic and this will take you far. YOU don?t need to be afraid, there are people going to school who are just as intimidated by the whole college experience. YOU will help each other through this. YOU will meet many interesting people. YOU can and WILL get your Bachelor?s Degree!

I would tell myself to try harder to get involved in things so that when you go out into the college world you have more to share with friends you meet along the way. You need to study harder because college requires more time and effort than high school did. You need to try harder to find money because you miss out on so much when you live at home because you cannot afford to live on campus. You may not agree with that but there is so much more to college than just going to class and doing the bare minum. Apply for everything you can so that life would be easier and you have more time for school and not just work all the time. Lastly i would tell myself that putting yourself out there is never bad and that friends you make in college are ones you have for the rest of your life so don't turn down oppurtunities to better those relationships and even though finances may not be available don't let that stop you.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing the things I know now about college I would tell myself to not worry. Everyone makes college seem like a big burden. I feel the only thing about college that is hard is paying to attend school. Also with me knowing about all the scholarship opportunities out here I would have told myself to work much harder in school because good grades leads you to a better chance in getting scholarship money. I would have told myself that all the school shopping that I was getting ready to do I really didn't need to because all I really need is my basic stuff like my computer, clothes, food, and school supplies. Maybe some food appliances but that's about it.

If I could give myself advice on making the transition to college, I would tell myself not to worry so much. The professors are not mean and they really want you to do well. It does not take that long to walk to class and even if you are late, it is not a huge deal. Do not be afraid to ask for help. There are thousands of people on campus. Surely, one of them can fix your problem. I would also tell myself to be wary of the campus food. It may taste good for cafeteria food, but it is fattening. The fitness center is your friend even if the treadmill makes your legs feel weird. The final thing I would tell myself would be to be bold and try new things. College is more than just school; it is a place of discovery and should be treated as such.

Colllege is a time to find your individual self. Do not be so tied up in academics that the social aspects get forgotten. Take the summers to do something you have never done before. Take the semesters at school to meet new people, to get involved with campus organizations, and to start discovering what you want in life. Who do you want to be?

I would tell myself to start applying to colleges sooner.

Apply yourslef to your studies. High school isnt solely meant to be social but to foster and equip you for higher education. Learn when their is time to have fun and when time requires you to dig deep. Knowledge truly is power. People value minds over anything. Fill yours with all you can!

Stay focused on what is important. Keep your mind stayed on those things which will propel you to the next level. Each level will bring you closer to living out your dreams and goals and if you don't nurture, and give them what they need to grow, success will take longer or things will take another course. Apply yourself wholly to your education because when you get college you will see how much better you could have done in high school and that is a regret you can't take back. What you do now determines your future in college. Your grades and community successes play a big role so give much to receive much. A social life may seem important but take care of first things. The fun part is coming, but later on you'll see a social isn't much without a good paycheck anyway, so prioritize and take care of whats important right now which is your education. Knowledge has power beyond what you can imagine. So get as much as you can while you can!

Every student should do major research on the school of their choice and make sure it is the right one for you! It is no fun having to transfer. Get out there and be social and always have an open mind. Don't pick a school just because your best friend is going there!

To Parents, I say: allow your student to make their own decision. Provide guidance when asked, but never TELL them what to do. They are going into the real world, and the real world does not include parents...very often. Students- do your research. Make sure you know what you want to do and where you want to do it because not knowing gets expensive. If you don't know what you want to do, don't declare a major and stick to general studies until you do know what you want to do. Also, be yourselves. No one likes fake people, and I can guarantee that there will be people who want to be friends with the real you.

Go with your gut, if it seems too good to be true then it probably is, if it seems like a bad deal then it probably is too.

Don't stress too much about it. Chances are, there are many colleges and universities that you'll fit into just fine. Explore the idea of going to a big school with large classes or a small school with small classes. Visit as many schools as possible. Go sit in on some classes. Talk to the professors there. Talk to some random students. Ask your friends where they visited and what is going through their mind as to how they're choosing a school that's right. Consider how active you want to be at your school with clubs and extracurricular activities; look at a list of what's offered. Spend the night with a friend who goes to college and ask them what should be considered.

The college you choose to go to is something you will reflect on for years to come. While a party environment can be fun and the rigor of a program is important, realize that cost can be a major issue. Students can get mired in so many things if they focus on the wrong aspects of their education while at school. I have many friends who have transferred from that ritzy or party school to Missouri Western because they grew out of that phase of their lives and realized they needed to actually pass classes, they got swallowed up in the system of a big college, or they simply couldn't continue to pay to go to the college they were at before. It's difficult to weigh all three components when looking at a college (rigor, cost, and social life), but in order to truly fit in the place you or your child chooses to call home for four years it is necessary. Keep in mind the degree at a major institution won't mean a bigger paycheck, your son or daughter can't party his or her entire life, and loans can cripple a student's future.

Find out exactly what it takes to acheive the degree you're seeking and ask past students for advice.

Advice that I can give to anyone going to college is to find the right place that fits you. You need to be able to make friends with other students and talk to your professors. Finding a place you feel comfortable at is very important. If you have any trouble, don't hesitate to ask anyone for help, because there are people there to help you. During class, don't think that you have to do your work and get out. Take time to meet new people that might be your friend after school. If you have these things, you should have a good time at college.

Searching for the right college should be taken seriously. Take tours of colleges, apply for any scholarships, and consider each of the following: am I looking for a large university or a smaller college with more intimate class sizes and more one-on-one time with professors, how much am I willing to pay for college and how much can I afford, do I want to live closer to home in case of an emergency or am I willing to take a leap and explore other parts of the world? Also, does the program offer what I desire to study and is there high job placement from that school and in that field? After you have made your decision, make the most of college by attending freshman siminars and activities. There is no doubt you will make friends quickly and find common interests. Preplan your schedule ahead of time for the full time you will attend college. Each semester, compare your schedule with your advisor's so you can stay on schedule and graduate on time. Make friends with your professors/advisors; they are willing to guide you while you are in school as well as when you graduate.

Be sure to take more then one visit. Show up on a day when its not visitors week o you see the tru University. Also as students not just your tour guide.

I knew from the first moment I looked at MO West that i wanted to be a student there. That was when i was a freshmen in High School. I am in my second year at MO West and I love being there. I would sayif you really want to be at a school work extra hard to impress that school. But do applie at other colleges it is not good just to appliy at one. I applied at three got acepted to all three but i got the one i wanted because i worked for it. Don't force your kid to go somewhere they don't like because they most likly will not make it. They need to feel at home so there is less perssure when doing home work and other activties. They will make friends no matter where they chose to go but do let it be the students chooce in where they go.

When looking for the right college, the most important thing is that you would be comfortable there. This can mean a variety of things though, such as you being able to comfortably afford to go there, or that the programs there are the kind that you would like to get involved with. College is not going to help you if you're going to a school you cannot afford, because then you'll merely worry about paying for it instead of thie things you are there to learn. Conversely, going to a college you can afford, but with a program you don't want to be in is not going to help either, as you won't be happy there. The college perfect for you is the one where you want to be involved with the specific program and it isn't too taxing on your bank account either. With those things in mind, you can have a better college experience.

I think two of the most important things to consider when picking a college is the town that the college is located in and the size of the college. I went to a small school and I wanted go somewhere bigger but I didn't want to feel like a sheep among the flock so I picked a school that was about 5000 students. Location is key, you don't want to be in an area that you are uncomfortable and you don't want to be in a school that has too many or too few student for what the incoming student is looking for. You can get an education anywhere but your surroundings usually determine how well you will do.

Apply to as many colleges as possible. The more options you have the better off you will be. Choose your friends wisely.

Make sure that you both research the cost and the intended major of the student. The bill for college attendance seems to increase each year, so take that into consideration. Also, be sure to consider local community colleges first. You may be able to attend one in your area for cheap, then transfer to a bigger university. If community college isn't for you, look at colleges and universities in your state. You'll save so much money. Plus you'll be close enough to your famliy to where you'll be able to visit on weekends and catch a ride home with someone you know. Get involved in activites too. When you graduate, employers will look at activities you've participated in as a student. Just make sure you enjoy your college years, and don't party too much, or else you WILL find your GPA getting low, and you'll eventually get kicked out of college. Once your GPA gets low, it takes LOTS of hard work to get it back up.

Make sure you visit numerous colleges before you decide where you want to send you child. It is important to get the experience of campus life before you actually start attending school. Make sure to schedule a campus visit and sit-in on a class to see if you think you will like those professors and that school.

FInding the right college have several challenges, the first is does it have the right program to fit your needs, academicaly, socialiy, and personally? The next is the location of the city, is it in the right location, where you can accesss everything you need, and does the campus have everything I need? And does the atmostphere of the campus fit what you would like? After you enter college always have in mind you can help change something or serve in a place where you there are needs to make the campus a better place. College is what you make it, so you can maximize all that it has to offer to make yourself successful.

Make sure you know a lot about the student life. What the campus is like on the weekends - if it's a suitcase college, if there are a lot of extra curricular activities to get involved with, if there is good school spirit, etc. You want to make sure you can ENJOY your time at college.

I would stray away from the state universities and large schools and find one that fits your personality, and a place where your voice can be heard. Many times high school graduates want to go to the largest most fun school, and when they go they usually end up leaving that school after 2 years. Our school is small in comparisson to other universities but we each have a voice here and have a family atmosphere built unlike many large universities. I would also suggest to deffinitly have a plan set in mind. There is nothing worse then paying for un needed classes and many students do that because they are un sure of what they want to do. Talk with counsulors, parents and friends and find out what you really are interested in.

Look at your options and find what fits you best!

The only way to get a true sense of a school is to spend time there, and talk to upperclassmen. Encourage your kids to get involved in extracurriculars. Outside activities with fellow students can form relationships necessary to succeed in school. Talk to the students and see what they think of the school, and the people that attend it. The best opinion will come from the students themselves, and they will be the most honest.

First of all, see if the school has accredidation. This is important because when you graduate, your degree will have some weight or meaning in helping you get a job. Second, look at their requirements. See if you have everything it takes and more to get accepted. Also see what kinds of courses they offer. That lets you know what kind of students they accept. I said that to say that their course outline tells you if they accept underachievers or go-getters. Always take a tour of the school when it is in session to see how you will fit into the campus life there. You don't want to go during a break or in the summer because you won't know if you mend good with the student boody or what kind of atmosphere to expect. The worst thing to do is to start the semester and not be happy. It will mess up your whole semester, it you last a whole semster. Brochures don't tell you the half. Most importantly, consider the price. Students loans and financial aid follow you to the ends of the earth.