Northland College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Chance

I experienced a much different path from most high school seniors begin the journey of leaving home and attending college. I spent two years after graduation playing junior hockey away from home before deciding to come to Northland College. Looking back now, I wish I could give my high school self one significant piece of advice; your family is always the one constant in your life, stay close to them. It is an exciting thing to be able to leave home and start a life of independence, but the realization that you are now on your own is a scary epiphany. One thing I can promise every college freshman is that at some point you will hit a rough patch where you feel alone and scared. When this time comes around remember that your family will always be there for you, even though you are now an independent adult, your grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters still care about you and your well-being. A little advice in your first experiences alone can go a long way. If you are lucky, your grandma might send you a care package filled with those cookies you loved as a kid!

Talyn

Everything your teachers in high school told you was a lie, especially what your English teacher told your class one day. You know what he said, that the professors in college don't care about you or whether or not you fail? That thing that nagged at you in the back of your head despite telling yourself that he was full of it because if it was true you couldn't fathom how you could possibly survive such a dramatic change without some inkling that the people in this large and unfamiliar institution would stop and offer you their hand should you find yourself completely overwhelmed by all of the new obligations you have to balance on your shoulders? He lied. Don't worry, don't sweat it. You, who cries from being publicly embarrassed. You, who still doesn't have their driver's license because the thought of hitting someone with a car terrifies you into a state of near-paralysis. These people, these wonderful college professors...they'll help you. They want to see you achieve. They'll fight tooth and nail for you... You just have to meet them half way. Speak up, is all they ask.

Molly

In high school, I didn't have guidance to help me decide where to go to school or what to go to school for. As a first generation college student, my parents were nonexistent in the college decision making process and I was left to do everything, guessing as I went along. All of my decisions were 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} my decisions. I didn't even know the difference between a loan and a grant (eventually, I figured it out)! Ultimately, the advice that I would give to my high school self would be to take chances. To go out and say 'yes' to things, to everything. Make yourself vulnerable and put yourself into awkward and uncomfortable situations in order to find the deepest certainties about yourself. Take 3 semesters of Ojibwe, experience different cultures, drop out of college, have a child, and then go back with a force. This is the advice I would give to my high school self because these are a few things that I did do during 'college life' and I wouldn't change any of it. I wouldn't change the bad, or the best, or anything.

Darius

Well going back to highschool the advice i would give myself would be to work hard. Hard work is the key to succes and in highschool i lacked this with my studies, now in college i have learned this and have worked very hard making it to my third year in college. In college i wish i would have got that studying was more important then just being a sports fanatic and hanging with friends, which i learned my first year at university. Another thing i would have told myself was take it all in the eperience of highschool because you never get that back and i took it for granted a little bit going through the motions some days not paying attention in class. I have learned from these things now but wish i could have told my self then.

Haley

I would tell myself to save more money and work more during my senior year. Freshman year was probably the most expensive year thus far, and I did not have the money to afford the transition. Being so far away from home, it would have been more convenient to be more financially independent. It all worked out in the end, but it would have been nice to be prepared for. I also would have told myself to make more time for my family and high school friends. Being so far away, I miss out on a lot of the things that the people that live close to home get to do. I miss out on family events as well. I would love to be able to spend more time with them now, but it is so hard being so far away.

Zachary

Don't get overly stressed about your work load, thinking that you have to pick between grades and a social life. Stay focused and get your work done for your classes, and time will open up to make friends. Get plenty of sleep. Don't stay up all night watching movies or playing video games, but don't lose sleep burning the midnight oil to write a paper that's due the next day. Begin working on large projects the day they are assigned, so that you are not pulling a ten page essay of fluff out of thin air the night before it has to be turned in. Above all else, don't be a shut-in. There are plenty of fun things to do and people to meet around campus, so don't spend your freshmen year in your dorm room with the door closed. That's no way to live, and certainly not how you want to remember your college experience. These are the years of your prime, so enjoy them.

Hannah

You need to work hard and do all your readings for classes. Get involved in more clubs and be more outgoing. Never give up on what you need to succeed. Follow your heart and your dreams and you will do fine.

Desi

Stay focused like you always do , and learn to relax every once in awhile. School comes first and that is laways important, but its OK to have fun on theweends, have movie nights with friends and go out to dinner. Oh and start dancing right away, you'll miss it but will get back into it like nothing has changed.

Kari

If I could go back in time, I would want myself to know that you find out who you really are when you leave your comfort zone. There is a world that you don't even know exists and you shouldn't worry about feeling out of place in any way. You need to worry less and let go to experience life. I'd also tell myself that it's okay to find out that you're very different from your friends and family back home. You are very different and special and that is why you will succeed.

Kristi

If I were able to travel back in time to talk to my high school self, I would reasure myself that I was making the right choices and that everything I had done brought me to my perfect school. I would then tell myself that I needed to apply for more scholorships to help ease the financial burden colleges often place on students and families.

Charlotte

Stop worrying so dang much, everything will work out! You do not need to spend so much time worrying about finances or which classes to take or what you are going to major in. You will not get anywhere by fretting about this or that, and you will see that whether you worry or not finances and career decisions will fall into place of their own accord. Spend more time enjoying where you are than stressing about where you will end up. If you don't, you might miss an opportunity to go out and have an experience that could help you actively work out passions and desires you're not even aware you might have! A big part of college is about learning and experiencing and saying "yes" to (safe) new opportunities, about being open to suggestion, and about experiencing a variety of new and different people in your life where you may not have had the chance before. So stop worrying, know it is okay to be who you are, accept that everything will work out if you let it, and try to let every single day be a day you experience to the fullest, bad or good.

Jasmine

Little one: By far, the most difficult thing you will deal with in college is communication. You were a quiet person throughout high school, but you will grow and learn to talk with people on a different level sooner than you think. Do not be hesitant to speak up about interpersonal problems you encounter; if these issues are left alone, they WILL come back and trouble you far worse than before. This applies to everyone: your future roommates and residence hall neighbors (especially), co-workers, student association members, every new friend you make... You’ll find that your fellow Northlanders are more open-minded and empathetic than any old high school student. If you have a problem, I guarantee it can be solved by simply talking with them. No more of this passive compliance of yours. These are real-world problems that you cannot avoid by taking the bus home. Northland College is your new home, and it’s where your new family is. So talk with them. Ask them questions, tell them stories, laugh with them. Life will be easier when you speak up.

Josh

If I could go back in time and talk to my self in high school about college, the first thing I would tell my self would be not to stress on about how hard it will be. For me college was a step up from high school but it was not as big as a step as I thought it would be. While I was in high school I was thinking that college was a lot harder than high school and I didn't really think that I was ready for college. I would also tell my self that I will make new friends and that I will still be in contact with my friends from back home. I also thought that I would be home sick a lot, but I got involved with sports and was traveling a lot for competition so I was busy and didn’t have time to be home sick, also my new friends and team mates helped me not to be home sick. My first year of college is not over yet and I still have a lot to learn but it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Courtney

Dear Senior Self, College is only a pain if you make it that way. No matter what else gets in your way learning something new is always fun and helpful in it's own way. Everything is an experience and everything is a lesson. As time goes forward, people leave and parties get boring but you will always have your smarts to keep you going. College gives you the openess and freedom to figure out what you want to do. And not for others but what YOU want to do. Always do it for YOU. Also, it isn't a race, take your time. Study yes, but do no study, stress, and drive yourself insane to a point you do not want to go to class. Be patient and enjoy the time and people you meet. Get to know the teachers and classmates even if it is just for once semester and you may never see them. It is the experience and memories that help to make it all worth while.

Ryan

At the time, I was incredibly dedicated to becoming an actor, which in retrospect was not actually what I wanted to do. I really love to write, and my writing has always tended to lay out a plan, kind of like a screenplay. So after two years of not fitting in with the acting life, I stepped back and found that writing was my true passion. I also found that although writing would make one heck of a career, it would be hard to just write because of the lack of income. So at the end of my sophmore year, I thought long and hard about my other more practical interests, and what came to mind was being out in nature, and trees, so naturally I began to look for schools with both an forestry and writing department, and so I landed at Northland College, and could not be happier. So In conclusion, I think that my path would be different had I chosen writing and natural resources when I was a senior, and I learned alot about myself during my time trying to act, so I might simply support my younger self, becuase he would become a happy me.

vincent

expect the unexpected, be ready for anything and everything throw your way,be aware of your surroundings, keep an open mind to the people and things you see, don't set yourself up to fail, make the experience an enjoyable one,get your studies but also have fun, like meeting new and interesting people

NIle

Stay strong buddy. Don't let other people influence you to do things you know are stupid. So far you have done a good job. Stay passionate about everything you love and hold dear. Give everything 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} even in the roughest times, because in reality, its only a short periode of time and you have all your life ahead of you. Take things seriously but remember to take it easy if your feeling stressed. So far, its about the experiences you have in college that really matter. The grades... Don't fail anything. probably won't happen, but don't let yourself slip, you're smart. A's are nice but they don't make the world go round. You're going to have some tought cross country races. You're young still stay strong and run smart man. Your love for running will keep you going. You will run faster than you have ever dreamed. I have found this to be a good saying to myself lately. "Don't live to run. Run to live." This doesn't just apply to cross country but just about everything. Be patient, and be yourself.

yesenia

Knowing what I know now about college life, and making the transition, from high school to college. The advice I would give myself would be to start applying to colleges as soon as possible, to allow myself to do plenty of research, on different colleges that I might be interested in. By stating my college search early, I can assure myself of what colleges I like and seem the best for me, and also to eliminate those that I don't like. Make sure that you try every possibility you have , so that you can earn yourself some money or maybe all. It is highly important to focus in school and make sure you earn outstanding grades, just in case you don't qualify for financial aid that way you have a back up plan such as scholarships and grants that may end up paying your whole eduaction. That is I mean about "make sure you try every possibility you have to save money." Also, never get a loan if you're not sure if you qualify for financial aid or scholarships and grants. Always have in mind that loans should always be your last source never your top choice.

Cassandra

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to focus more on school work and basketball. Also not to take things for granted and save every penny that I had for it would be needed. Getting help from teachers as well as family is cruicial when picking the right college to attend. Make sure you register as quickly as possible for scholarships and visit the colleges before deciding it is the one for you.

Leah

Dear Self: Expect the unexpected. Yes, this is a common saying and you are already advised to do this, but now I am telling you to take it to a deeper level. I know that you do not have as much insight now as you will in the future, but dig deep and find the inner peace within yourself. This inner peace will guide you through your first semester with a much more leveled mindset. Be confident, and don't you dare bother to care what others think of you. Do not expect to fit in. Do not expect that previous friends will stay your friends (and yes, that includes your current boyfriend. You should just end it now, by the way). Do not expect people to be there for you when you need them most (OK, besides your parents). Do not expect things to work out and line up perfectly. And please calm down about the scholarships and feeling that you always have to be perfect. But most importantly: always remember that this too shall pass (it already has, for me, at least), and always take time out of your week to do some yoga. Love, your Future Self.

shirelee

My advice to myself would be to read as much books as possible, welcome all extra work outside of school, get invlove in as much community activities, always be prepare for all classes by going over your lesson the day or night before, ask lots of questions, never be ashamed to ask for help when you are in need, pick your friends consciously those that have to same mind set as you. There are a many more advices i can give myself but the one advice that sums it all up will be to "do whatever it takes" to be the number one student in the class room.

Melissa

If I had the chance to give myself advice about what I know now in college life and the transition, I would choose to tell myself "live the day you have". There is no need to give myself advise when each experience, that lead to success or failure, has brought me to where I am now. What works best for me in my life now as a college student, I had to learn along the way. There would be less to value if the processes of finding our answers to our anxious life questions were just given to us rather then living our questions to our answers. I have discovered that as I have lived my way into my answers, the answers bring me to the next level of asking new life questions. As I make my way through the questions, I begin to understand more of the world around me. But I have only procured this comprehension with development over time. This little bit of advise would encourage me to continue to use the skills I have and take each day as a gift.

eric

I would build a strong foundation in my academic life, for example studing assiduously in Maths, English to name a few, so that I can improve my writing skills, vocabulary, to facilitate my transition into the courses I would be taking in College. Furthermore, I would plan and use my time wisely for example, cutting down on some unecessary activities like partying with friends, and rather engage in community service related to my career of choice to develop and improve my skills. Additionally, I would engage in other extra curricular activities for example, leadership training workshops, to assist me develop leadership skills that will enable me to take on leadership roles when I get to college. I believe by so doing, I will broaden my horizon and to prepare to take on leadership roles in nursing. Additionally, I believe working and interacting with different people will help me to embrace diversity and learn how to relate to different people which is an essential recipe for a good team work. Finally, I will spend wisely, and save whatever money that I have towards buying study materials needed to make my studies possible knowing that college education is expensive to attend.

Sarah

Sarah, College is scary. Making new friends, living in dorms, living away from family--all is difficult. But remember, this is your opportunity to really come out of your shell and shed your current perspectives and experience new things. Don't be shy! Be confident, be friendly, be outgoing. Really focus on learning what makes you happy. Only by focusing on yourself, will you learn to work well with others, move forward in your life, and develop realistic life goals. And that's the ultimate point of college--to learn how to think critically, learn how to learn, and learn how to develop goals and then work toward those goals. But despite all that, remember to have fun and cherish the memories you make. Your experiences and friends will remain with you for the rest of your life. Love, Sarah

Ashley

As a college freshman, I would have told my high school self to ENJOY this time. After this year all your friends will move off, change, and lose contact. Enjoy not having homework, stress about money, or maintaining good grades to keep your scholarships to keep yourself in school. I would also tell myself not to stress over that boy; he may be moving off and we may be going through rough patches, but it all works out in the end. I would tell myself to never take anything for granted and to make the best out of every moment. These are the days you look back on. The last thing i would tell myself is to be confident and stop being shy. If you open up to more people you will have more friends and enjoy life so much more. If you just take a look in the mirror you will see you are beautiful in your own way.

Elizabeth

I would not change a thing I did. I feel my college transition went extremely smoothly and I felt at home right away. I am very happy with my college choice and am happy that I ended up where I am. Overall I am very happy with my college choice and I am happy with the transition from home to college life.

Taylor

I would tell myself that college is more of a personal learning experience instead of an intellectual experience. I have learned much more about myself than I did in the classroom. College is so fun and you need to grab every chance you get. Stay calm under pressure, call home often, keep your friends close, and don't stress over the future. It comes daily and you go through something new everyday.

Joel

If I could return to myself in the past, I would have informed myself to save up more money for college and to take hold of any and every opportunity available that is in the best interest of my studies. I would also suggest that I should keep hold of old ties and connections for possible future work or studies.

Taylor

I would tell myself to work on my time management skills, to not procrastinate, learn to spell better, practice learning new words and meanings, get involved more in the community, study more, make more contacts for later in life, stay focused on school and not boys, learn more about what is going on in the world, and so much more.

Anthony

The first piece of advice would certainly be to follow the patch that I have already taken. It certainly has its ups and downs, but experiencing the education and social networks that I have brought me to a place that I feel is where I should be. Respecting the environment is not a simple thing to understand, and much harder to do in practice. Contradictions to theory are always surrounding, so be sure to act deliberately and with passion. There are some people who you will wish not to work with, but look for the underlying benefits they may bring to the group. Some members will frustrate you, but they may in fact be helping to maintain other group members' sanity; and therefore are critical to the groups function. College is a time to be selfish. Not in a way that is detrimental to others, but in a way that brings you opportunities for personal growth so that you may help others later. Take those opportunities knowing that any experience you have can be used for the development of your personal philosophy and ethic.

Taren

Listen to my teachers more! They often reminded the class that materials covered in highschool would follow us to highschool. Listen to my parents more! They always told me that education was the key, and that in life you can never get enough education. Education is the key to opening many doors in life! Listen to my guidance counselors more. Guidance counselors focused on directing my path for the future. Believe in my self more! Believe that I can achieve and succeed. College is different from high school. It takes hard work, dedication, and will power. It will not be easy, nothing worth having ever is. Stepping up to the challenge, and overcoming the challenges will make you the best student. List your priorities! What is important, and what isn't. Never leave class with unanswered questions, and always ask questions. Study hard, repetition is the key! Keep your on the prize! Who cares that your a freshman again, starting at the bottom again. Before long you will be a senior again with a world of opportunities!

Madeline

Tour school with family, not friends.

stephanie

Advice, Ill say " no procrastination !" That is the biggest concern I think anyone should have. As a senior you have to be on top of things. I wouldn't wait till the last minute to do things. A senior should have the college they want to attend set and stone. Also, grades are always important as well, from freshmen year you should have been doing decent in your academics. Of course when you do well in the begining it gives you some slack in the end as a senior. Study, study, study, it is most important, and in college it becomes a habit and thats basically what you do. When you stay on top of things you dont fall behind. The best way to learn is with the class, dont be a "procrastinatior."

Mariah

Be prepared to make the important connections you need for yourself, such as in the business office, with financial aid, students and professors. Think throughly about what you are bringing with you as dorm space and storage might be iffy, you really do not need as much stuff as you think you do. Be prapered for the organising the responsibilities of finances, work, studying and social time. You need to define and keep the right balance of these aspects for a healthy life style. Get to know the curriculum and academic expectations of the school so you know what is coming your way. Take all aspects, including dorms, academcis, local area, of a school into account when applying in order to find the perfect fit. Be excited for an awesome experience but not afraid to rely on old connections from home as well as new connections at shcool for support if life gets rough.

Jesse

I would have gone to community college for the first 2 years to save money.

Peter

Looking back, advice I would have wanted as a high school senior would be a few things. First, that the myth that you can't take classes that go towards your major until your junior year no matter what. In my school, Northland College, and at at least a few other colleges in the nation there are very efficient, progressive programs for meeting your liberal arts requirements. In my first semester of freshmen year here alone, I had four classes which fulfilled half of all my liberal arts requirements, and two of those went towards my major! I am so excited to say after this year I will be more than 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the way done with completing my liberal arts requirements! Another myth: that Private colleges are always more expensive. My advice is if you find one that's of interest to you, but see a big price tag, don't despair. Call the admissions office and ask about their financial aid options. There are many exceptions if you look harder and don't "judge a book by it's cover". College is not just a next step, but a life-changing experience which you can succeed in!

Krystal

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior about to enter the college network, is push foward with what you want and dont let distractions get the best of you. Dont have shiny object syndrome. College is one of the most nessicary parts of life in today's world. You can go anywhere and everywhere with a college degree, saying you did research in the feild you want to go into, that there are job avalabilities. Work hard, read all your material, be the first one in class sitting in the front row and the last one to leave. Go above and beyond what you "supposed" to do. College is fun, you meet so many new people from so many differnt backgrounds. You will take with you what you learn in the next four years around with you our entire life. You will have a life that most dream and wish to have. Just as every cheesey slogan on the television where its always grand and pretty flowers and pretty girls if you were to use their product. If you use the college product, you will truthfully get all of those things. Good luck!

Amy

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself that college is not as scary as it may seem to be when you are a senior and are making the transition. And living away from home might be a little hard in the beginning, but if you can manage your money very well you should be fine. College may throw many different things at you, but it is important to remain yourself and not let people change the way you do things. School work is more important than hanging out with your friends every night. It might seem like an okay idea to go and hang out with your friends and do homework while with them, but you need to also give yourself space from everyone else to do a good job on your homework because your friends could be distracting you from actually learning what you need to know. And meditation can be a magical thing with all of the school work you will get in college--ever since I started this semester I have been more relaxed and more focused on what is important in life.

Mariah

If I were to return to my pre-college self, I would appreciate knowledge about the detailed workings of the school. Knowing the right amount of clothes and dishes to have based on meals and meal plans as well as room size and kitchen availability woud have been helpful. Aslo, a review of academic programs and class interests is a great way to see if the school fits a person academically. Infromtion about community outside of the campus, meaning shops available and integration of regional commitments, would have given me a bit more peace of mind. Transitioning into a dorm living envronment will go well as long as one is willing to connect with their roommate, neighbors, and resident life staff. Overall, the advice I would give is to find out as much as possilbe about daily life at the school and wait excitedly for the rest because its going to be awesome!!

Brandon

The main thing I would tell myself is that it really isn't different. The only difference is that you're away from your parents, and you become surrounded by people from all over the world. College life is what you make of it. You're given the opportunity to make decisions every day to help dictate what you get out of college. I would also tell myself to not worry about classes too much. There is some attention needed toward classes, but there also is plenty of time to relax and have some fun.

Mary

Do what makes you happy. Choose the school that you absolutely know you will love. Do not feel pressured to follow the normal path. It is ok to step outside and do something different. Take the time to figure out what it is that you want to do with your life. Don't chose a major or profession that will make you the most money, but chose the major that you know will make you feel the most fulfilled. At the end of the day it is not about how much money you have in your pocket or how much knowledge you have in your head, it is about your ability to use that knowledge to make a difference and an impact on the world. People have always told me that college is the time to have fun and let loose, partly that is true, but colllege is also about finding out who you are and beginning to determine who you want to be in the world and how you want to be remembered.

Margaret

I have already learned so much, I feel like I am living in a new way. I have become far more consious of the impact of my decisions both environmentaly and socially. I know theses lessons are going to stay with me troughout my life. I hope to use what I have learned at school to become the best in my feild of work, and to change the lives of all the people I work with.

kendra

It has been valuable to attend college because I am on my way to applying for the nursing program. I want to be a nurse in a Neonatal unit to try and save the babies that could not be saved of mine. I lost my twins almost three years ago and I have developed a passion to want to save other babies lives. I am determined to pass the classes to the best of my ability and when I do not think I have learned all I can, I will retake the class to maximize my knowledge.

Emily

The biggest and greatest thing I have gained from going to school has been meeting a new, diverse group of people. Through this experience, I have not only learned much about these people but also how to learn with these people, a skill I will take with me for the rest of my life.

Alyssia

I have taken may things away from college so far, but really this has been a chance for me to really get to know myself, while being with really great people. And i think if i would have never attened Northland i would be in a very unhappy place in my life. So manly college is soo valueabale not only because you get to discover who you are as an idivual, but also get an education.

Alison

I believe Colorado Technical University provides all the Necessary skills training/schooling that I am going to need for my career choice of Surgical Technologist. I do have to take some pre-reqs, but they all co-inside with my career. The teachers are there to help you succeed and aren't there to make your life miserable. They are all very approachable and treat you like an individual. This is valuable to me because I don't have 4 years to waste, and am getting my career goal done in a 2 year accelerated program. The school works with you and guides you in the right direction and has shown me that it is never to late to start/change a career. I, like most people don't have much time to waste. I want to jump right into my career when I graduate with my AS of Surgical Technology and many of their graduates have had job offers before they even graduate. There is always someone there willing to listen and answer any questions you may have. I believe this is the school for many people that know what they want and where they want to be.

Kelsey

By going to Northland College I learned how to put on a play in a small college while balancing classwork as a full-time student. Northland doesn't have much of a theatre program, it is all student run and the theatre is kind of crummy so putting on a play is always an achievement. Sure, I learned about biology and history and how to manage my time and my social life (which includes learning how to fence), but it is a most amazing thing to put on a play with only the help of other students. It is an opportunity one would not have in a big college because there are so many other people that could probably direct and special teachers to teach you in a large college. Directing a play was valuable for me because it helped me with time and people management, and it got me to really enjoy my classwork when I didn't have a play going on because things were far less hectic. Finally by going to college away from home I learned how to be independent slowly instead of immediately being thrown to the wolves, I mean society.

Andrew

I have gotten a sense of independence and reliablity along with a (so far) good education. I have learned more about human interactions because of living in a more diverse community. It has been valuble to attend college because I now have a better view of how the world works and how to help make the world a better place starting from my community and with myself. I am more self sufficient, a more educated person, and am able to make better decisions every day.

William

I have learned how to interact with professionals and the college as a whole. I also found my place in working for the college on the board of trustees and make the changes necessary for a school to survive in these tough times. By acting on the board I have brought changes to this school to make us thrive and better suited for the students who come here.

Ashley

From what I have already learned from only one semester in college, I have learned and experienced that you can not always put things off to the last minute if you are really serious about getting work done in school. I have learned that if I want to make the most out of my college time, I need to put more things forward to being important, and to also let a lot of things go that are simply holding me back. Even through all of the hardships thus far, I wouldnt take back anything that happened so far in college because it has been valuable for me in life because it taught me on how to prepare for what is to come in future years of schooling, and I feel like I am more prepared for more of these situations, so when they occure I will be able to handle them in a better manner than how they were handled from the very start of the year. And the overall college experience is showing me how to gain responsibility for the world outside school, and to be able to survive on my own without parential help.