Northwest Missouri State University Top Questions

My advice back then would be to take my future more serious, understand how to manage my time, save money, learn out to deal with stress when it comes to big projects and tests, and most of all prepare myself for college and then my career. College is a roller coaster of stress, time management, money, careers, education, and it continues. If I would have been dealt these cards before I entered as a freshman, I think I would have had my eyes open a little wider and maybe had a better experience and a better understanding of my future and career. Northwest Missouri State University has taught me so much since I have been here and I am not done learning yet, my future and career are still in my path and that path is getting very short and it is both exciting and stressful! Thank you for your time :)

Looking back my best advice to anyone that is about to be a first time freshmen is that the first semester is more about finding your niche than racing to get finished. Its going to take three to five years to graduate and a few extra classes your first semester arent going to make that much difference; take 12 to 15 credits at first and use the extra time to meet people. Go to the functions and parties you're invited to, take your roomate, and say yes to every opportunity. Eventually you will find your interests and your niche, build lifelong friendships and may even find the someone to spend your life with. You are guarranteed to have more fun and be more happy which will affect your grades in a positive way.

Don't make decisions on who you want to be and what you want to be too hasty. Life is about learning as you go and developing into the person you are meant to be through life experiences. There is always time to live life, so take it. Don't let the timelines of others control your life. If there is a challenge in front of you take it. You will never regret the risk, you may regret the missed opportunity. And, if you mess up..there is always tomorrow to fix what was done today. Find out who you want to be. Enter college ready to find opportunities, not ready to start your career. Study hard and play hard! As long as you keep up with your classwork, enjoy all the other collegiate experiences to the fullist. Managing multiple facets of life is the key to life long happiness. Success won't find you, you need to find success. Use college as your springboard to gain diversity through others, establish connections for the future and find out who you are and the talents your possess. Use those talents, and you will inevitably impact the future!

If I could go back in time to give college advise to myself as a senior, I would say to apply to as many scholarships and grants as possible and start applying as soon as possible. The more scholarships and grants that you earn, the less money you have to take out in loans. I would also advise myself to go on as many tours as I can and to not be afraid to ask questions. Its better to get aquainted with the school of your choosing before you actually move on to the campus because that way you wont feel so overwhelmed once you get there. I've found that the more stressed out you are the more you mess up. Another thing I would tell myself would be to make use of the tutors and the help that the campus provides you academic wise.

If I could go back in time and give tips on college life to myself, I would say that there are at least three things I needed to know. Number one is I will be a commuter student and don' t plan on getting to class on time when there is a blizzard warning and the University is still holding classes. Believe it or not "our" car is not exactly a snow mobile and it takes longer to drive, so expect to wake up early. The second tip I would give is that although the tuition is being paid, there are other bills to pay that build up far more than you thought they would. Gas, food, and getting into football games will build up and you will know the true meaning of being a broke college student. The third and final tip is that the professors are not academic ninjas; they do not seek to destroy your grades. You will be fine, just take a deep breath and have fun with the time you have left in highschool with your old friends before you make some new ones!

I would have to say, that I would tell myself to go out and be very vocal around the people living in my residence hall in order to form close bonds and make friends .

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college life and making the transition..

The advice I would give myself would be to keep following the path I was on with a few changes. Since about sophomore year in high school I was thinking about college and I began taking dual credit classes my Junior and Senior years. I entered into Upward Bound Freshman year and that gave me a few more credits in which to put under my belt, as well as the experience of college life. One change I would make would be to study more; I never was big on studying, which has led to a slight downfall of my G.P.A.. The second change would be to become more social. The final change would be to become independent earlier. Commuting saves money, but it lacks the true experience of being independent that is needed in the real world.

As a senior in high school I was offered the opportunity to play basketball here at Northwest. With much persuasion from my basketball coach and parents I commited and signed in October before my senior season, without looking into any other colleges. I am not satisfied with the basketball program or my decision, and am planning to transfer to UNO in my hometown. If I could go back and give myself advice at that time, I would have told myself not to jump into the contract and at least wait until later in my senior year to make my college decision. I would have told myself to not let others make the most important decision of your life for you even if they are the ones that you trust the most. No one knows what you want except for yourself. I have finally realized this and wish that there was some way I actually could go back in time and give myself this advice. I would tell myself that everyone will respect you and your decision no matter what you choose, so don't be afraid of judgment from anyone, but do what you know will make you the happiest.

As a senior in high school, I found the process of preparing for the next level of my education to be quite stressful. I was never one to jump the gun without knowing the ramifications of my decisions. The fear of not knowing exactly what I wanted to do in life kept me from attending college my first year out of high school and had me questioning my future. I have attended Northwest Missouri State University for approximately a year now. In doing so, I have been able to gain some very valuable insight from my experiences here. If I were allowed to speak with myself as a senior in high school, I would just share two pieces of wisdom. First, I would suggest a more optimistic outlook on our educational future. I wouldn?t be able to stress enough, how important education is in our lives. The second piece of wisdom I would share with myself is the aspect of college as a shaping tool. I would assure myself that even though I was uncertain about my aspirations in life at this point in time, college would undoubtedly provide the means for us to find out who we are.

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR MAJOR IS AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AS YOUR CAREER, BEFORE YOU PICK A SCHOOL

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself not to spread myself so thin. College is so full of opportunities, and it's impossible to take everything in at once and stay sane. Moderation is key when experiencing new situations. I would tell myself to go out more, be more social, meet new people. It's easier to make friends at the beginning of school than it is after about a year, when people have settled. I would tell myself not to allow myself to become stressed about the classes and the work. It can seem daunting at first, but if completed methodically and thoughtfully I would save myself a lot of sleepless nights. Finally, I would tell myself to savor everything. College really is the best part of a person's life, and because of this, it's easy for the four or so years to slip by almost instantly, without a second thought. No matter how hard things may be or how stressful life may seem, college is something many people will only experience once. It's too special a time to agonize over the little things and miss the big picture.

Picking a college is not about pleasing your parents, especially if a parent is basing their opinion on keeping costs down. It is about finding a college with a good curriculum in your area of interest. It is about finding a college in a location that is comfortable to live with. It is a chance to expand your horizons as well as your mind.

i WOULD DO NOTHING DIFFERENT EXCEPT MAYBE PLAY SPORTS, BUT GOING AWAY FROM HOME AND LEARNING IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. I HAVE MADE A TONE OF FRIENDS.

I would have told myself to take more college credit courses online before starting college.

Pick a school that is right for you. Don't pick a school to go to just because you have a lot of friends from high school. You can easily make new friends in school. Make sure to get active in campus activites and get out there and have some fun. The more you get out there the better your college experience will be. Focus on your studies as well. When looking for a new career businesses will look at your grades in college.

Wisdom comes with experience. Make sure you hear everyone out before you make a decision, but don't necessarily believe everyone who proposes an idea to you.

Hey there, self. You're doing really well this year. And I know this whole "college" thing is kind of stressing you out, but I'm going to let you in on a couple secrets. To start off, don't worry about picking a major right away. Enroll in some general education courses at first if you want. It will give you a chance to dabble into the different areas of study available. You've got nothing to lose--after all, you've got to have them to graduate anyway! Also, don't stress yourself out about what you are going to grow up to be some day. If you remain open-minded, optimistic, and treat yourself well, the right path will appear; I know it! And besides, you're not in this thing alone! There will be so many opportunities for you to talk to knowledgeable staff and faculty, even older students, if you ever have a single doubt. Finally, make sure you let people become your friend, especially that roommate of yours! You guys will really help each other in that first year! Good luck, love. I'm dying to see where your life leads you! Love, Skye

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would tell myself to manage my time better and not to procrastinate. I would also tell myself to save up more of my money.

Do not go home every weekend. The first week make an effort to know the people living around you, in your classes etc. Go out with friends! Use your time wisley, sign up for many activites, and study hard!

I would first start out by telling myself that I need to begin preparing myself for the responsibilities of being on my own. There will be no parents to help me manage my finances or to remind me to pay my bills. Next, I would advise myself to practice better study habits to prepare myself for the harder, more time-consuming classes that I will be taking in the future. I will need to study the subject material every single day rather than just the night before the test like I did for high school exams. Lastly, I would tell myself to enjoy the last few months with the friends that I grew up with. I need to appreciate my family and friends because they are going to support me through all the struggles of adjusting to college life. At the same time, I need to come out of my shell and be open to meeting new people and starting new friendships.

My advice is to visit many colleges and weigh your options to find a university where you can feel "at home." Find a university that both the student and parents feel comfortable and safe. Choose a university that you will be proud to support and attend. I believe that students should get involved on campus to experience college life to the fullest. Students should have a social life while maintaining focus on studies. Althought having fun is important to get the college experience, students should keep in mind that they are there to further their education and better their life. Parents should visit their child on family weekends and homecoming to show that they support their child.

The only advice to parents I would give is to be open to everything your child may or may not want to do or visit. Try your best to give them every opportunity. To students, I would say take every oppportunity available. Go with your guy instinct, it's always right.

The advice i would give to anyone trying to find the right college is this, look for one that isn't going to very stressful to you. If you go to a college that is always hectic then you are less likely to retain what you learn or focus on what is really important, your grades. A college that isn't stressful provides an environment that supports learning and helps an individual reach thier goals with out struggeling to do so. It also makes for a fun learning experience.

Let your children decide where they wish to attend college. Do not force them to stay near home or go to a certain size or religious based school. They will have a better experience with where they want to go. Even if it means they have to pay for tuition and take out loans.

I advise students to take walking tours on several different campuses, and at some point on one of the tours a sense of "this is home" will be felt. It is important for a student to make the decision between colleges with minimal help from parents because the student, not the parents, will be spending the next four years there. A student should also consider the career path he or she wishes to pursue and make sure the college chosen has a strong program for that particular field. Likewise, it is somewhat necessary for a student to consider the town and community surrounding the college. Students should think about on-campus and off-campus employment and whether or not a car will be needed. Finally, a student must be willing to put in enough effort and strive to be successful or he or she should not bother wasting time and money to attend a university.

Finding the right college for you is to first make sure it is an accredible college. Then you would want to know does it have your major and/or how well they teach it at the school. For most people money is the issue and location, but you should make sure you go to a college were you can find a job upon graduating.

First of all, partake in several campus visits and tours. I recommend that if possible, take a university guided tour as well as a tour given by a student not hired by the university. Then just simply follow your heart. Attend the school that feels most comfortable to you. Education should be your main priorty, but you also need to feel included and welcome in order to do well academically. Research extra-curricular activites offered by the university and make a list of the options you are interested in. I highly recommend joining some kind of organization. Several students take their first semester and focus only on classes and academics, then in their second semester, they will join other organizations or get a job; this is beneficial for those students who need a longer adaptation period in a new environment. It also gives them the opportunity to weigh their free time. Good luck!

When you are at that time in life when you come to the decision of finding the right college to attend, make sure you visit the campuses of each one that you are deciding on. Making a campus visit helps a lot. It not only allows you to see the campus and its students in an actual day, it allows you to see the surrounding area to which the school is located. If you have friends or know people that attend that school ask them on their opinion. Insight in a student already attending can make a difference as well. Whatever you decide, make sure it is at the best interest of yourself and what will help you in the future. While in college one thing you can do to make the most out of your experience is to get involved on campus. Join a club, organization, sorority/fraternity, just get involved. Getting involved on campus gives you teh opportunity to meet new people with your own interest and allows you to stay busy. In the end, college is suppose to be the time your life. You only get out of it, as much as you put in to it!

It is probably best to pick somehthing that is far enought away form home that you feel seperated but close enought that you can always go home if you need too. When you get to college you want to make sure that you get envolved with at least one organization, it is a GREAT way to meet new people that will become life long friends.

My advice would be to make sure that you are prepared for college. College is an amazing period in a person's life, but you have to be prepared to study and make the most out of the time you have. Many students falter in college because they are too busy with the parties and being away from home, it all means freedom to them. College can provide so many opportunities for your future, you just have to have the self discipline and drive to obtain them.

I know that deciding what college is right for you seems so hard to do. There are so many colleges and they all look perfect. The key is to find a college that is a perfect match for you. Do you like small classes? Would you want to live in a large city or in a smaller town? Think of college as a place you will be living and learning for the next four years. Important advice I would give is not to look for colleges just around home, look state wide, or maybe out of state. I went to a college where no one from my high school went, but it forced me to make friends with new people from all over. My final point, which will be hard for parents to swallow, but college is so much more than fending. Remember not to limit yourself my setting a price on your education. If you find the college you want that is right for you, price shouldn't hold you back. There is always ways to get funding for things you want.

Pick a school that best suits your personality and will help your with what you want to accomplish in life. College may be one of the hardest times but enjoy it because it really is the best years of your life. Join clubs, activities or sports to better your self-accomplishments and networking.

When it comes to choosing a college, much of the advice I can give is obvious; look at the school's academic record, the size of the college, the school's location, how much financial aid the school provides, etc. These are all very important. But one thing I really suggest is that you take a campus visit while class is in session. This way you can see how professors interact with students, what classes are like, and even talk to the students about why they chose that school or what campus life is like. Once you've selected the right college and have settled in, get involved. Try any activity that looks interesting or you think may help you with classes. Once you find something you really enjoy, stick with it. Also, get to know some upperclassmen in your department/major. This way, you will have someone you can go to for advice about classes or homework, organizations in that department, or just little questions you might have about getting around on campus. The biggest thing I can say about your college experience is that you'll get out what you put into it.

After graduating from college, I realized you never can be fully prepared to choose the perfect college. In life, you live and you learn; you change as you get older, and you will always want different things. Do what makes you happy. Choose a school based on many criteria, not just because your parents went there, your boyfriend or girlfriend is going there, or because they have great parties. You may pick the best college for you right now, but you may change your mind, and that's okay! You are allowed to make mistakes, and you are allowed to change your path. That is life. In college, do what makes you happy. Trust your gut, but do your research. If you are unhappy with your chosen major, switch! Even if you have to take a few more courses, you will be better off in the long run. Join an on-campus organization. You will make many friends, and gain experience in your interests. Plan ahead. Use a planner and practice good time management, believe me, it will catch up to you. But overall, do what makes you happy.

Apply to many school, even if you think you won't get in. Visit the campuses, involve friends and family in your discision. Go to activies, meet new people, and have fun. Make the most of your college experience, ou can only go threw this time in your life once.

Find a place that you will feel comfortable in. I'm very pressed for time, this survey took lots longer than I thought it would. So I would have a lot more to say, but I can't right now!

I recommend touring many different places before making your decision. I didn't tour any and just went with who gave me the best bang for my buck. I will never regret what I have went through but I always wish I made a better choice. Just because it is close to home is not a good reason to go to college either. Your child needs to be the one that is happy with the decision not the parent. I know that might be hard to come by but if you don't do that then your child could be miserable and give up on their dreams. If they do, you may never get a college graduate out of your child.

Schedule as many college visits as possible. Get a feel for the campus: the activities, the classes, dorm-life, etc. Ask as many questions as you can think of. Write down the pros and cons of each college you are considering. Narrow your list of choices until you feel you've found the right college for you. Don't allow your friends, significant other, parents, or anyone else to influence your decision. If you choose a college that suits you, you will be happy and enjoy your college experience. When you've finally kissed your parents good-bye, remember to be responsible. Stay involved on campus with organizations that interest you and may benefit you in the future,. If you are feeling stressed, homesick, lost, or depressed do NOT hesitate to find help. Most campuses have professionals who are waiting to talk with you. They are not there to judge you but to help you cope with the difficulties that come with college life. Go to your school's football game and cheer on your team. Attend a school production. Stay active; join an intramural team. Appreciate the freedom but don't forget to call home every now and then.

Don't base your decision on what's what your friends are doing or what seems right. Of the top schools you like, you need sit down and talk together (student and parent) about what strengths and weaknesses each school has. Be very detailed, and don't just focus on academics because college is a lot of fun too. Make sure your decision is career oriented as well because that is what college is all about. This is the job before your job.

Find a place you like, and try to follow the golden-mean.

Make sure you ask alot of questions and take more than one tour. Talk to some of your professors in the field of study that you want to go into and make sure you like them. Make sure you look at housing and how much books and everything is ging to cost. Make sure it is the right distance you want to be away from your family.

don't pressure your children into your profession. they will never be happy unless they choose what they want. Just because something has been sucessful for you doenst mean the same thing will happen to them. they need to want to do something, not see to themselves that "statistically" it is the best for them

Choose whatever feels right. I would highly reccommend getting away from home to gain independence but staying close enough to home that you stll have a little bit of comfort and a place to go! :)

None im speechless

do what's best for you

Don't pick a school that reminds you of home. Change it up to better ensure that you or your kid will be more culturally aware. Chose a safe, academically sound campus. Choose Northwest!

look at all the options and if you know the major look at resources and courses offered, what looks to be best for the students future and how much the student will learn for the price. also if it is an enviroment you want to be in. even though cost shouldn't matter it tends to so financial aid and scholarships should be a factor but not a main one when deciding a college to go to.

The advice that I would give the student is tour the campus before you pick. Because you might think you know because of pictures but once you get there it is different. Also to get the most out of college is join club/ groups that you want. By doing that not only will you meet new people but you will also find that you share a lot of the same things. Those people will make college feel like home. Also call home to mom or dad they would love to here from you. My advice to the parents is let your student pick the school because they know what they like and want. Also send them letters once in a while, it is always nice to get mail from home. A care package is the best maybe some cookies added in. It is just an idea!

My advice would be to visit alot of schools, and find the one that really fits who you are. Make sure it has everything you want in a communitiy as well as school, as well as social things. You will know when you find the school thats right for you.