Saginaw Valley State University Top Questions

Rachel, congratulations on working so hard in high school. You have a natural talent for learning and are a hard worker. Don't be nervous about college as you have what it takes to be successful in academics. My advice to you is to take a lot of time exploring all different career paths, as you can be successful in more than one area. Also, spend a semester in the dorms. I know that you want to save money, and want to get an apartment with a roommate instead; the one thing you will regret in college is being so focused on school and work that you forgot to form relationships. Spending some time in the dorms will help you overcome your social anxieties and you could gain friendships for life. Investing all your time in one person ends up hurting you. Again, congratulations on your schievements, be proud of them! Now make sure you take the time to enjoy life during this next journey.

Anxious, nervous, and fearful. Those are words I would use to describe myself when I was a high school senior thinking about starting college. Knowing what I know now about college and the transition to college I would definately have some words of wisdom if I could go back in time. First, I'd say, "Nicole, stop worrying SO much!" Life is no fun if you can not take a step back from school and work and really enjoy the world around you. As a high school senior I also worked full time. I would definatly not suggest that, even to myself! I would also tell myself, "college isn't as scary as it sounds and I can do anything I set my mind to....believe me, I know what i'm talking about!" I would also tell myself that microbiology sounds like a nightmare....but you'll do fine!

In high school you will come across many people, some will be friends who will give you nothing but good advice and others who will try and make you a failure in life. Do not let those who do not want you to succeed pull you down, you let those type of people go, trust me you don't need them. As a high school senior, that is your year to sore and experience. You will try many things that will not work or fit you and some things you will enjoy, take pride in those things you find interest in, they will help yopu in the long run. As your senior year pass, which it will fly by; remember those classes that you may hae failed or the ones you were not good in. Take those classes over. You might not like them but you will see that your freshman year will be much easier. Last but not least, look into your major and take as many of those classes as that you will be taking for your major. the classes will be a piece of cake for you, as well as your freshmen year.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself not to procrastinate. That is one of my worst habits and I have a hard time breaking it. I would tell myself not to stress too much over the homework. My first semester I stressed out more than i should have over homework. I would also tell myself to try to get involved more to meet new people.

Advice to 18-year-old Sarah: Be sure to take advantage of programs or information that help you explore different career paths and opportunities. Take people seriously when they ask you what you want to be when you grow up. It is great to have a love for something and want to make it your career, but you also have to be realistic about whether you can make a good living doing it. Don't take the easy way out. Work up to your potential and don't be afraid to struggle. Don't avoid the hard classes just because you are afraid to fail. If it isn't hard, you probably aren't learning anything. Take help when it is offered and ask for help when you need it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. "Other people have the same question, but are just afraid to ask" is a true statement. Get involved in sports or other activities. This helps build discipline, character, and the ability to work as a team. Although it is hard to believe, the world doesn't revolve around you. 18-year-old Sarah, life is too short so don't waste it.

Stop messing around in math class.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior there would be two pieces of advice I would give myself. The first piece of advice I would give myself would be to put everything in the past and start new because college is a new beginning. It is a new beginning with new people , home, and school. Getting used to the change at first is hard but later you realize it was the best choice you made for you and your future. The second piece of advice I would give myself is do not take the college life for granted just becasue you are away from home doesn't change who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing.

If I knew as a high school senior what I know now about college life I would have done several things differently. I would tell myself to be sure to put my academics first and study more. Instead of doing enough, I would have went above and beyond what was expected. I would have strived for a scholarship to prevent myself from acquiring student loan debt. I would have done more career planning and participated in several more academic activities. Also, i would have put more thought into what college i would attend and planned several campus visits. College becomes your life and the importance of academics and the time input needed to succeed only grows larger. I would tell myself to look at high school as an opportunity to jump-start my career, after all, knowledge is something that stays with you for a lifetime.

I would tell my self to stay focus, dont play around too much and continue on reaching my dreams without all the doubts

I would tell myself to try to participate in class more. In high school I would never speak up in class. I was mostly in AP classes, so there were only a few students in the class, so it wasn't hard to volunteer answers. Now in college there are more students and some professors require that I participate in class. I find it to be quite difficult because I never did it in high school, and I am very shy.

It's easy to get caught up in things, whether it be social life or academics, but try to balance life. I promise it will be okay if you try your best. Leaving Mom and Dad will be hard at first but the abundance of friends you'll make and people you'll meet will take away that longing to be with people who love you. You'll learn a lot of others will need you in their life and they'll love you too. I can't believe how much progress you have made since High School and I'm so proud you're finally reaching your potentials and you're NOT SCARED. There are going to be people of different ethnities you'll meet and it'll be an excellent experience for you. Don't be scared and reach out to them, they are scared too. Live life and stop thinking ten years down the road, for goodness sakes you'll give yourself wrinkles. You can do it! The future is bright.

If I could go back to high school knowing what I know now I would have taken more AP classes or even taking college classes at local colleges. These would have better prepared me for college. My school did not have a lot of AP classes so I would have pused to have them add more classes. Also I would learn better study habits. In High school I did not have to study that hard to get good grades. When I made it to college I stuggled to learn study skills that really helped me achieve high grades. I would have liked to take more science classes since there is such a difference in each class. I would have liked to form study groups in high school so it would have made it easier when it came to studying in groups. I would have told myself to stay closer to home instead of deciding to go 300 miles away for my first semester of college. I am really close to my family and being this far away made it very hard.

Remember that these are possibly the best years of my life. The time in my life that I prepare for the REAL WORLD., but also experience this time to the fullest. The biggest advice would be to do whatever I could to apply for ever scholarship that I could and save every dollar I could because with housing , books and college there is never enough money! College is an investment in your future but it is very expensive. Having to take out student loans is not something that I wanted to do, however I had no choice. If I had to do it again I would explore every resource to get more financial help with my education, life is hard enough when you get out of college as it is, let alone being in debt from the start of our career.

To really do your research and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each school before choosing one. Once you are in school really work on time managament skills and don't overwhelm yourself, but still get involved enough to meet friends. Take everyday as a new experience.

To take more credits during the summer before my first year of college.

I would say not to let money or sports make the decision for you because I did that and now I am going through a lot to try and transfer.

Perhaps the most useful advice I received during my college application process was this - start early. My high school didn't put focus on college until the senior year, but by then, many of the available scholarships for the next year are already being given out, and it is a much more competitive acceptance process. My parents and I began the college search at the beginning of my junior year. We looked online at all of the local colleges, filtering out the options by tuition, majors of study, and available scholarships. By the end of my junior year, I had narrowed down the list to my top 3 or 4 choices, and took the ACT test for the first time. Before my senior year, I took campus tours and finally settled on my choice of university. While my classmates were doing all of their searching during senior year, I was already set and accepted, and had five or six scholarships. That left me time to enjoy what remained of my high school experience, and make plans for college. I feel I was better prepared for the lifestyle change and freedom that awaited me.

Take the time to comb over different campus's and cities. College is a wonderful adventure; these are going to be some of the most important and exciting year's in a student's life and when they find a college that fits them, make absolutely sure they hold on tight, and love every minute of it.

Go where you feel you are going to be comfortable, and make sure the decision is your choice. Don't let someone else choose for you. Also, put your classwork above all else; once it's done, there will be plenty of time for fun. Lastly, GET INVOLVED!!

Do not force you children to go to the University that you want them to, when chosing a univesity everyone is different and they need to feel at home and feel comfortable. It is a time consuming task to chose but it is well worth it to let them chose for themselves.

Look for the things you want in a school first go off wat do you want to do in life that most important

As an older student, my biggest piece of advice would be to really commit yourself to your studies. Do whatever it takes to finish on time and don't take those breaks that can easily turn into years away from the classroom! Never rule out the little local college either. It has provided me with such a great opportunity to attend a respected University without having to uproot my life and spend many times the amount of money for that degree. Never be afraid to be yourself and do what makes you happy and certainly do not worry about being an outsider. So many students will be surrounding you that you will surely be able to find others that share the same hobbies and interests as you do. I have no doubt in my mind that you will only get as much out of the experience as you allow yourself to receive. College will open up so many doors to your future, but only you can walk through them. So, what does your future hold?

The most important thing is to make sure that the school has what you are interested in studying. Check out all the majors and programs that they offer. It is also important to do an on-campus tour; to see the housing, meal plan, buildings, classrooms and housing that are located and given. Get involved with the school also!

Choosing the right college should not be based on their intended major/minor. I think college life and activities are what improves students lives on campus. When there are fun activities on campus and many people are participating in them, I believe that is the key to the college experience. College is not just about party and games but it does include learning.

The biggest thing is to start the process early and work often. The sooner you starting working towards your future the easier it will be once it is upon you. Start getting information in highschool for your top college choices and ask questions to find the one that is right for you. Once you do, you can get a better idea of what is required to get in to that particular school. Test scores and grades are always a very big importance so work hard on everything because it all makes a difference. Take the ACT test early and take it more than once. Studying for something like that can seem duanting, but it will only be beneficial in the end. Once you get in to the college, keep on top of things. Set up appointments with academic or financial aid advisors to plan your course at school. Once you're on the right path, stay on course and keep your goals in mind. Always looking for ways to improve and reach those goals will keep you focused and on the way to a successful future.

I would say that in order to find the right school one must visit campuses and get a feel for what the college is all about. Know which extracurricular activities you want to be involved in and see if the school offers them. I know that for me my sorority and being involved on campus has enriched my college experience and even though I live off campus now I still feel a close connection to campus. Also make sure you prepare yourself and know what you are getting into. Ask questions about financial aid, housing, and classes - there is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to your education. Make sure that the college you choose also has several good programs that you are interested in because many students have to transfer because they change their major. Make sure that you are not just going to a school that has one program that you don't really know about and are not sure if it's the right path for you. Just choose carefully because the school you choose will help to determine your future and how successful you are.

Go visit the colleges more than once, preferably in the winter because most of the students time spent at college is in the winter.

Find the college that seems right for you. If you have any instinct that it't not than don't choose that school. Making the most out of your college experience depends on the person. Go out and try new things like meals cooked by different cultures and go watch some football games and tailgate. College is where you could find a best friend and a life long buddy. Just have fun and keep things simple.

Parents need to let their child decide where to go to college because if the experience is bad they will blame the parent. Plus, the student will probably be more likely to succeed if they are in the environment they wanted to be in. Students need to listen to their parents advice but in the end it is their life and their decision. Explore as many options as you want and take tours it is the best way to really understand the people and the college experience you will receive. Look for ways to get involved in the university from the start it will help you make friends faster and easier. This will also make you feel more comfortable because you will have people to go to if you need help. Plus, you may find people that have you have a lot in common with. If you are going to live on campus go in blind. This will help you meet new people and most people lose high school friendships in college because they notice all the differences. College helps you discover who you really are and who you aren't, you have to make many choices. Good Luck!!

Honestly, SVSU is the only school I was allowed to attend. My dad wouldn't let me go any further away from home so it was the only college I applied to for that reason. I fortunately got very lucky because this school ended up having an amazing Social Work program and it ended up being the best place I could have gone. My advice to parents and students about finding the right college is do reasearch. Even though I lucked out, not everyone will be so lucky. Reasearch the campuses you are interested in, visit the campus, try and get to know what could possibly be your new surroundings. To the parents, this is where your child will be for the next few years of their lives, don't limit that...help make it amazing!

Take a tour and try and find the best school that is suited for you. College is a significant part of your life and if you don't enjoy your school your college experience will not be worthwhile.

Take your time in choosing a college. Make sure that you choose the college that best fits your needs. If you don't know what you want to go to school for choose a smaller cheaper college that will allow you to decide the direction that you would like to take with your education.

I encourage students to really think about their individual personality and educational needs. I thought I would love to go to a big, well-known university but after attending a smaller public university I know this was the right choice. I love that every day when I walk to my classes I see at least three people whom I recognize or am close friends with. Additionally, as I've gotten farther into my degree program I have come to appreciate the faculty at this small university. Whenever I have questions or concerns I can simply walk into my professor's office and he/she recognizes who I am and is sincerely interested in my personal issues. It's a great feeling to not just be another college kid in a huge lecture hall, but a unique person with goals.

I would tell them to explore all of their options, and that usually the best fit for college is usually not your first choice. Make sure you get all of the information that you can about the perspective colleges and/or universities they are applying to and to take visits, if possible, to all of them. To make the most of thier college experience, I would tell them to be open to new ideas and different ways of thinking. Take chances and do not be afraid to be yourself. Do not conform to the college norms like drinking and partying if they do not appeal to you. As well, always seek the truth about everything. If you do not agree with something, learn more about it outside of the classroom. Finally and most importantly, do not forget the values your parents taught you throughout your life, they will be critical to your success.

I think that students should be sure that the college they choose is the right college for them. If it feels like a place you could call home, you're probably right. Don't pick based on prestige or family pressure, pick the place that feels right for you. And once you get there - dive in and get as involved as possible!

When I was on the verge of entering college, I realized that I wanted to be happy with my education regardless of how much (or little) money I was going to make. I switched from a full-ride to an engineering school to paying at a small liberal arts college that was close to home. Now I'm in graduate school for English, and I couldn't be happier. Every eighteen year old is trying to find their way in the world. In the rare case that the college student in your life knows what they want, they are much better off finding the best school they can get into that is well-known for that field. If your student isn't 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure what they want to do, location, school size, and atmosphere should be their main considerations. What they do once they get where they are going means much more than where they go, in the long run.

Make sure you are ready for what you are getting yourself into. Dont expect too much or too little. Also dont take it in all at once. college is a huge experience and is way different than high school. It will either be the best time of your life or the worst, that just depends on how well you adjust to living on your own. Most people love it and get along well, when you get to college try to make friends, dont just sit in your dorm all day. College will change your life forever, let it.

I would advise prospective students and parents of those students to choose the college that they view that is best for them. Visit many of them and apply to any that interest you. Personally, I would choose a college that has a smaller student to teacher ratio so that you can have an easier interaction with the professor if you need help. I would also advise to go to a university that is smaller to medium sized so that it is small enough to get around but large enough to offer a large amount of programs and extra-curricular activities and clubs. Also, a college that has a great technology orientation is great as well. Especially if the college has Wi-Fi, it makes bringing a laptop from home so much easier and you can easily go anywhere on campus to work on homework and surf the web. All in all, it's what fits you best. If you like city life and large campuses, than a large campus with a large student body is probably for you. If you prefer suburban to rural life, with nearby access to shopping and activities, small to medium sized campuses are for you.

Choose the college that "fits" you. Don't just go to a big/small school because all of your friends are. If you know your major, I would advise asking several students in that college what it is like there and compare, compare, compare! Finding a program that fits your needs will also help. Once there, make sure your freshman year to GET INVOLVED. The farther you get into your major the hader it will be to do activities outside of the classroom; establish friends and good habits in the first year doing activities you love.

Do what you feel is right.

I would say go out and visit the campuses and see what is out there. Preferably, don't go straight to college. Live a little first to see what is out there. You will get a better perception of everything and understand where you fit within this mad equation we call life. You will be able to see what is suitable for your new aware self.

Be absolutely certain that your academic program at that university will be up to your standards. If it isn't, you won't have a totally satisfactory academic experience. Make sure that you feel comfortable in the environment and that you don't feel forced to head to any particular college because if you don't make the choice for yourself you won't be entirely happy.

Find a college or university that would be an easy transition. I feel the smaller the better. Don't drink to fit in, find the people who don't drink you'll be happier. Live on campus, its a good time. Go into dorms blind, you'll meet more people. And get involved!

In finding the right college, it is important to first figure out who you are as a person. Before making a decision, it is extremely important to know or at least have an idea as to what you might want to do as a career. Asking questions such as "What do I like to do for activities?" "Would I be more comfortable in a conservative or liberal environment?" and "Does this school offer many opportunities pertaining to my interest"? are important to consider when making the final choise. Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions that one will make. It should not be looked at as a place that is going to eliminate my social life, give me hours of homework, and wipe out my savings account. Rather, one should embrace the college experience as an opportunity to learn a great deal about academics, other types of people, and oneself. Becoming involved in college activities and being open to trying new things will only make the entire experience more worth while and valuable for future success in life.