Northeastern Illinois University Top Questions

I am a returning student and I have realized that I can succeed. My first time in college I did not do good at all, and ended up leaving due to family issues. This time I have been VERY successful; I have a 3.87 GPA at the local community college and raised my cumulative gpa from 1.37 to 2.84. I have learned a lot about myself and my abilities. Even though my life is much fuller, I schedule my time much better and get everything accomplished I need to , including homework, work, school, housekeeping. My first attempt at college, I don't think that I was doing it for the right reasons- I felt like I was expected to go. At this point in my life, I know myself better and I feel my chosen career path, Social Work, is my calling. Also, I have met an instructor that has been a mentor to me, encouraging me and helping me with letters of recommendation and transfer school advice. I think that if I had not taken a chance at going back to school, I would always wonder "what if'. Now I know what "what if" is!

My college experience started a week after i graduated from high school. I graduated a year early from high school and didn't really have a break between transitioning from high school to collge life. I joined a program called Proyecto 'Pa Lante which was intended to help students succeed in college, the same way the AVID program helped prepare me for college. Through entering in the program I had to be interviewed which in my opinion helped me prepare for job interviews. I succeeded at my interview and was even offered to take free classes over the summer in a program called Summer Transition Program(STP). This program offered two free classes at three credit hours each for entering college freshman. I learned alot about myself as well as college through this experience and am glad i took the opportunity. I learned the things arounf my school so i dont get lost and i learned that college work is more serious than high school. We had a tutor and counselor helping us every step of the way. The program lasted about two months. Now i am in need of money for the following semester.

Out of my college experience I have received the opportunity to work with various people from all walks in life. I have met students, who have returned after a very long absence to complete their education, even though at some of their ages they did not need to. Their persistence has inspired and encouraged me to continue my education no matter what challenges I may face in life. It is so valuable to attend a university in this day and age in order to have a job and be able to support yourself and your family in the future that it has become my initiative to help other younger students make the right choice in life and continue their education at any college or university.

I've been in college for ten years. I believe there are two reasons for this. One: I have a tendency to underestimate myself by a lot and often. I am terrified of failure and thus I was preoccupied with choosing something that I knew I would excel at which led me to quit something that I felt was too hard. Two: I changed it because I thought a different major might make me more money after I graduated. I decided to change my approach and study something that actually interests me and not worry so much about what I'm going to "do with" my degree. As a chemistry major I know I will face academic challenges and I am finally excited to face them head-on. I'm also interested to see where my degree will take me, rather than going into it knowing where I'm going. What I know for certain is that college degree is the ticket to a better future, even if it takes awhile. This entire experience (and it's really not over yet!) has taught me how to view myself more positively in order be successful and achieve my goals.

I have gotten something extremely valuable from this university so far. It has given me a piece of mind knowing that my tuition bill will not be 50,000, but that I am still getting an education worthy of that price. It also gives me piece of mind knowing that I have people who care about me and where I go after college so that I will not have to struggle. I have wonderful teachers there to guide me and to teach me the ways of my craft. Teaching is not something one should take lightly as a career. One has to dedicate themselves to it and give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} because those students who enter your classroom doors deserve nothing less. I know that when I graduate from here I will be graduating with a degree I can be proud of and that I know I have worked myself to the bone for. More than that, I will have companions with we who have been through these same trials and together we have come out strong. I will take these caretakers and friends and treasure them always because they have shaped who I have become, so thank you Northeastern Illinois University.

This is my first year in college and I expected it to be easier. I was not eligible for finacial aid and I must pay everything out of my own pocket. Being in this situation has made me realize that going to college is very important. It it really hard finding a good paying job without a degree and many tend to put you down. Also being in college is a great experience and gives you a good idea of what is the real world. You have more responsibilities and less safety in terms of not as much extra credit if you miss assignments or class. We must take the opportunity we have of going to college and not take it for granted.

One thing I believe that I have gotten out out of my college experience so far is that I have learned that 'I can do this'. I didn't choose to further my education until I was twenty-six, so when I first returned, I was very apprehensive. Going to college at this age has been very rewarding. The teachers that I have worked with so far have been very understanding and helpful, and they all show and interest in seeing their students succeed. College has so far been very exciting and I can't wait to continue to further my education!

As to the elapse of my sole experience of the college community setting, I have encounter myself brimming jubilant of the universe and essence of the nature relayed to me in all class settings. He who is I, have come to endure a widely select set populace of peculiar instructors and their diverse approaches to infest our mind with the cultivating artifacts that craft our intelligence; in result, empowering each individuals' self-being in the classroom eggshell. Furthermore, I love to announce that my college savvy has catalyzed a further fostering for a longing rapaciousness chiefly in spite of my educational enlightenment. The yonder more I come at an approach of advancing not my level of success, but yet to mature my being in value; I become self-satisfied. With all the wisdom I have attained from the teachings of my educators of the community college setting, regardless of the setting location, I entail to sprawl my seeds of “vou” and convey my train of teaching amongst Earth. (vou=greek for intellect).

I have been emersed in so much diversity here in Albany Park. The school's setting in the city makes it a wonderful experience that I would not trade for anything. Northeastern's motto is "Learn in the city, lead in the world." This motto holds true for the fact that gaining experince in Chicago helps one preapre for a world that is getting connected to every country faster and faster. I would not give up my learning experice here for anything.

Once senior year came in high school, I was both excited and nervous knowing that I would soon be beginning a new chapter of my life. Because of that it was important for me to pick colleges that were student and educated oriented. While I enjoyed my social life, I felt it was more important to look back and share my stories with others about obtaining my education rather than my social life. The college I chose to attend reminded me of high school in a way, and I believe that helped me adjust to the college life better and have a better experience while doing so. My major in college was Elementary Education, with that also came the notion of Diversity. When I decided to become an educator, I knew that I had to understand how to accomodate diverse students and situations. With being a diverse college not only was I being taught Diversity, I was also shown how to excel in a diverse community and world as well.

It's December, 1968, and I am graduating. All I want to do is get OUT of the educational system . . . but wait! I hear a voice, and it's getting louder now. And it's talking to me . . . oh, no, it IS me!! "Go to college while you are young. Don't put it off, for you are only fooling yourself. You will never realize your potential without a college education. You have a 3.8 GPA, and any college would LOVE to have you as a student. Don't waste these years. "Look at me. I am in my fifties now. It took me until now to realize what I threw away more than thirty years ago. I'm unemployed and trying to find scholarships now to finish college. Don't let this happen to you! You have your whole life ahead of you - make it a good one!"

If I could go back, I would definitely tell myself three things: quickly learn to be independent, pick a major that is realistic and study ten times more than you did in high school. The first thing every college freshman should understand is that Mom and Dad will not be on campus to help. We definitely have to learn to be independent and this was something that was a complete shock to me. I quickly learned that I had to grow up and take care of myself. The second thing that I wish I would have thought more about was my major. If I could go back, I would tell myself to really think about what major is realistic. I started out majoring in Fashion Design, but changed my major to Marketing after realizing I had more opportunity in business. I wasted a lot of time and money. The last, and main, thing I would tell myself is to study more than I did in high school. High school was easy for me, so I didn't really study much. I wish I would have known college would be much different because it began to show up in my grades.

What would I say to myself if I could travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior? I would tell myself that life without further education is a practice in futility. I would let myself know that, without utilizing my mother's generosity and attending college straight out of high school, I will be stuck in a dead end retail job with no hopes of improving my life. I will struggle to pay bills, struggle to keep my head above water and struggle to find the money I need to finish school. I would tell myself that I will spend hour upon hour researching scholarships in order to prevent having to take out loans in order to finish college. Ultimately, I would tell myself, though I feel like more school is not what I am interested in straight out of high school, it is the best thing I can do for myself and for my future.

If could go back in time and talk to myself in the past, the first thing that i would say is that there is nothing to worry about college that having english as a second language does not mean that college will be hard. I would explain to my self that I am taking english classes that are really helping me to learn english and that in college I have many people who are willing to help me if I have problems writing an essay or in any english assigment. Another thing that i would like to tell myself is that in college is really easy to make friends because there are really good people who are really friendly. Last but no least I would tell myself that college teachers are not mean like many people say I would explain to myself that college teachers are people who want the best for their students.

I did not have a guide in high school it would be nice to talk to my self. The fact was that being a Latino back in 1985 meant that not much was expected. Trade school was a popular option. I recently took a college class called CHEMESTRY thru Society. The professor was my age 44. He describe his experiences thru life as he push forward to achieve his goal. He mentions times when he did not money for food as he push on for his PHD in Canada and how cold it was. He told stories about one of his first jobs as a teacher in a private school. He discovered a container with a crystallize chemical on a metal lid cover. He informs the dean of the school that he had about two sticks of dynamite. How his father encourage him to follow his passion. I wanted to be a Chemist in high school!!!!! I was seeing my life. I had no guidance, no father, no expectation. I am a Mechanical Drafter making Engineer decision with out being paid or able to find a better job because of the degree! I would share my Chemistry college professor story!!!!!!!!!!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myslef alot of advise. Most importantly I would encourage myself to spend wisely. Most high school seniors are blind to the fact that attending a post-secondary school is much more expensive than they expect. Most students are caught by complete surpise when they take a look at the price of textbooks. Personally, being in debt can be very stressful and to not having to worry about making tuition payments on time.

I SHOLD OF GONE STRAIT TO NORTHEASTERN BECAUSE THE CLASS AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IS REALLY WELCOME. SHOULD OF APPLY MORE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. JUSS KEEP WORKING HARD EACH DAY.

Now that I am in college I regret that I did not do a few things differently between high shool and college. If I could go back I would tell myself to just generally work a lot harder. In high school I did not really have a good attitude about school. I figured that things would just generally work out so I did not really need to worry too much. It turned out that I was wrong. I would have gone back and told myself to get my head in school and participate a lot more. I would tell myself that when applying for colleges do not just apply to only a few. It left me with very few options. I would have told myself to not base it on money because I would be able to figure something out in the end. I would say do not just apply to schools that are not just close to home but also far away. I would tell myself to keep my head in what I was doing and not finish to just get it over with because it is a sticky process.

The advice I would give myself is to take more time to pick the right school. Focus on what u really want to do and choose the school that offers your major. Set aside some time for yourself to develop a study pattern because when going to college it will help. Stay focus and content on your goals, so that you can achieve them and have fun doing it.

To follow my dremas. Never to give up on things that can be accomplished. Work hard because it all pays on the end. Education is most important thing in our life.

I would stress the importance of choosing a major that will be of use, throughout your entire adult life. The transition from high school to college is often a rocky one. Therefore, a great deal of thought needs to go into exactly what goals should be set. The most important long term goal is the selection of a major, with the short term goal being what types of classes that one plans to initially enroll. Contained within this decision, is whether one wants to major in subjects that have interested them throughout grade school and high school. Another consideration is whether one chooses a major in regards to the monetary compensation that comes with the studying of a specific major. This perhaps is the one decision that will shape an individual's life more than any other. Herein lies the dilemna involved in making the decision to attend college, along with the monumental choice of what subject to study. The transition between high school and college is the ladder between childhood and adulthood. This is why the decision at this relatively young point in life will have ramifications throughout the life of an individual.

I would tell myself so many things that at the time seemed common sense but that I ultimately forgot. I'd tell myself not to worry about the little things and to look at the bigger picture of what the ultimate goal of my college experience was. I'd say that there are several reasons why I'm going to college and that is to graduate and grow as a person. To take care of myself physically and mentally. I wouldn't tell myself to be ridiculously cautious because then there's also no room for mistakes, leaving no room for learning and growth. I'd tell myself that it's okay to say no and to take time out for myself. But ultimately, I'd also tell myself to enjoy the ride and the experience because it truely is a once in a lifetime experience.

I would first tell myself to choose my major carefully. I started out as a vocal performance major, and while I love music, it's really not a practical major. I also started out at a really expensive school. I would tell myself to at least start at a less expensive school for my general education courses. Spending thousands of dollars for a math or english course really doesn't make sense, and I didn't know that when I was in High School. I would also tell myself that a lot of the work in college happens at home. You have to study. I didn't have to study in High School and expected the same in college. That really wasn't the case. I would tell myself not to work too much, as well. I picked up a lot of side jobs to try to pay for school and it made it really difficult for me to have a social life or complete my schoolwork. I did a lot of my assignments the night before they were due, hyped up on Mountain Dew to stay awake.

As a senior, I would prepare myself as much as possible in order to make a transition to college life. The transition from highschool to college involves a lot of responsibility and along with this comes the ability to be independent in a lot more areas. In order to prepare myself to enter a whole new level or stage of the educational process, I would get involved in educatonal programs specifically geared towards preparing high school students for college. Preparation for college can also be made by interacting with teachers and peers who have the college experience already. A College advisor would also be a good resource for future prospective college students to take advantage of. College advisors provide a lot of basic and informative knowledge in order to help prepare students who are making the transition from high school to college.

In high school I thought I would be able to breeze through life as I did through grammar and high school. Academics always came very easy to me and I did minimal work. If I could go back and give myself any advice, it would be to be more responsible with school work and take it more seriously. College is no joke, and when a professor says a paper is due in two weeks, that paper is due in TWO WEEKS, and there may not be another reminder about it. I would also tell myself to take on harder academic courses and Advanced Placement (AP) classes so that I would have college-credit courses under my belt before even entering a university setting. By doing this I would be that much closer to graduation, and receiving financial may have been simpler. But things happen for a reason, and I am enjoying my college experience. Even if I had to learn the hard way, the point is that I learned.

I would tell myself to really examine and reflect on what direction I want to take with my life. In high school, I was more worried about high school, and not necessarily college. Everything was moving so fast that it was hard for me to grasp the idea that this education is going to be the foundation for the career I choose. I would also tell myself that it is not going to be easy, but that it is definitely vital and an incredible experience.

Do not put off what can be done today for tomorrow. Always keep in mind, while it's GREAT to do for others, you have to do for yourself first before you can help others. Take every opportunity that crosses your path because you never know how it can benifit you. Find a balance between life, school, friends, work and family. Figure out a Plan B for life and work it out to the T, if possible.

The transition from high school to college is scary yet necessary for everybody who wants to have a better life and more options to choose from. We are forced to make choices everyday, but sometimes the wrong choice can turn into a mistake for which you may pay your entire life. College is certainly a choice... your choice. If you make the right choice and go to college, you are ready for the transition I mentioned. You just critically assessed your options, wisely predicted the outcomes, and responsibly made a decision. What you need to do now is to strengthen these skills by studying hard. Be ambitious and creative, which will allow you to grow your intellect in extraordinary ways. The new knowledge will make you more valuable in your professional and personal life because intelligence is highly priced and demanded but impossible to buy. Moreover, you will realize that sometimes the right choice can turn into a reward that will benefit you for your entire life.

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