Simpson College Top Questions

If I had the opportunity to travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are many things I would like to say. The biggest piece of advice I would share with myself would be to not get caught up in the idea that you have to spend every second with your friends senior year, instead, spend a lot of your time with your family. I say this because when you are at college you have ‘all the time in the world’ to hang out with your friends and experience new and exciting things. While creating these new memories here at Simpson College I wish I had more memories with my family to cherish, because when you are away from home you realize how important they are to you. I find myself wishing some nights I would have stayed home with my family instead of going out with my friends, because those friends that you spent 24/7 with in high school eventually go their separate ways and you are left with the people who have been there for you all along and love you unconditionally.

Do NOT choose a college based on your high school friends' choices. Don't be afraid to go to a college where you know NO ONE and start your own path!! You will meet the most amazing people of your life and make life-long friendships. Keep an open-mind! Once you look into Greek Life, give it a chance. You will realize that maybe the stigma associated with fraternities is just a myth. Instantly, you will have the "brothers" you didn't have growing up.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to be myself. I would tell myself that no matter when ANYONE tells me, I cannot succeed in the choices I have made. I will hear them out, but go ahead with my choices. I would say "Cindi go unafraid" you have the self esteem, the confidence, the intelligents and the courage to do whatever lies ahead. Do not weary over transition, it is fun, challenging and most of all rewarding . Cindi, be the best you can be and you will be a U.S. Army Soldier with a college degree.

Dear Charlie, Wow, look at you. You're a hard-working, dedicated, and optimistic young lady. I know you work extremely hard for everything you accomplish; sometimes it feels like it's a waste of your time, but don't give up. You're helping yourself in the long-run. Don't be afraid of college life; truthfully, you're going to love it. You're going to have the time of your life, but stay focused. Never give up your big dreams of getting out of small-town Iowa. You're going to make something of yourself; everyone you know is behind you and always will be. Stay the person you are; don't turn into one of those students who procrastinates and has to pull all-nighters. Keep your chin up when things go wrong in life, whether it's homework, roommates, dating, financial problems, or just life's little curveballs. Always swing for the fence and you'll be a champion to yourself and everyone around you. I'm proud of you.

I thought I knew everything. I felt I was smarter than my teachers, than all the football players and cheerleaders who I assumed knew nothing of substance. I felt college would be a waste of time, writing senseless papers, factoring equations that I would never use in the real world and memorizing significant dates in the civil war. But upon reaching college, I have actually learned how much I do not know. High school is all about keeping us out of trouble; I can’t remember a single thing of importance I gained there. In college however, I am taught to expand my mind and think for myself. I have barely dipped my toes into the vast knowledge I am capable of, and that is why college is so valuable to me. College is a mental “coming of age”, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to broaden and deepen my thinking.

When I came to Simpson I had not had a great senior year of high school, long story short I had lost my best friend. I was really nervous to start here and wasn't sure if I could make friends easily. Simpson definatly welcomes its students with open arms they had activites to get to know the students in your class. I made friends so easily and it picked up my spirits immensely. I have learned so much here and I actually like going to class. The teachers treat you with great respect and make class fun. I had decided my sophomore year of high school to go to Simpson, and if I could go back I wouldn't change my decision at all. Simpson is an amazing school, its not just a place to learn but a place to find yourself.

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. First, when I came to Simpson I felt instantly at home and I knew I could do accomplish anything here. Back in high school I did not fit in anywhere within the school and I felt invisible to some teachers and students. Here at Simpson it is impossible to feel that way with all of the different activities and friends I have made. One of the things I got out of Simpson was joining the Greek community. I wasn't interested in joining a sorority before coming to Simpson, but after going through recruitment I knew Greek life was for me. Simpson has also taught me great leadership skills and to have more self confidence within myself. The financial assistance offered at Simpson is fantastic. They have helped me find multiple loans to help pay for school. My parents are unable to help me afford college, so I have just the few scholarships and government loans to pay for Simpson. This 5,000 would be helpful to repay some of that loan money and I know it would help me a lot.

I have always loved to write; it is a great form of expression. Thus, at a young age I became intrigued with journalism. When, in high school, I had free space in my schedule, I spoke with my school's journalism teacher in hopes of being able to join the class. Once enrolled, I completely fell in love. The experience of seeing my work published was an overwhelming feeling. I have been granted the opportunity to continue this great experience of seeing my works published and read through writing for my school's newspaper, The Simpsonian. I still believe the hard work necessary to be a journalist, as well as the chance to write is the best and most rewarding part of journalism. This is what I have been able to experience first hand as a Simpson student. Simpson College has provided me with the opportunities to pursue my life-long dreams and goals of becoming a journalist through the amazing faculty and staff dedicated to educating myself as well as the student body.

There have been so many new and different people that I have met. There are people from around where I come from, but also from further away, like Germany, Ireland, and Malaysia, and it is great to get to know people that come from such different backgrounds. The classes are more challenging and give me a broader view of the world. Taking liberal arts courses makes me feel secure that even if for any reason my current major doesn't work out, I at least have a better idea of other things I like and that I could go into!

Life is hard. College is hard. There will be disapointments and times where things do not go as you planned but you will get through them and be better for it. If it were not hard it would not be worth it. Do not focus on these hard times just try to be happy. You will like it here. You belong here and it will not be long before you call this place home. You are stronger than you know and even when it seems like you cannot go on you will find a way. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not capable of doing something because you can do almost anything. The most important advice I can give is to remain true to yourself. Do not let others try to change who you are and what you stand for. You know what makes you happy and what you should be doing with your life so always remember that, even beyond college.

Believe it or not, I would actually listen to my mother! Dear High School Senior Adam, I STRONGLY feel that you should take more difficul classes this year. Take those AP classes that you think will be so hard and a waste of time. They will help you next year! I know that your high school doesn't require you to take semester exams since you haven't missed any days. I also know that you mother will still make you take them if you don't have an A in that class. But instead of just showing up for the test, you should try really hard on them and do your best. Study for them! And, here's a thought......even take the tests in the classes that you have A's in just for practice! Doing these things, Adam, will make the transition to college a whole lot easier, and your Freshman year won't be quite so tough. So don't get "senioritis" like so many of your friends do their Senior year, and challenge yourself! You really won't regret it.

I would tell myself that I needed to be more open to relationships in high school because I was really just thrown into the college world not knowing what to expect for a love life. I would really get to know some of the professors in the programs in which I would like to pursue before I came here so that I would feel a little bit more comfortable in the classroom setting. I truly believe that I made the best decision to take the college level courses throughout high school because they really prepared me for the class work required in college. I

I think that the one thing I would have told myself is be prepared to be even more busy than you are now and get involved. I say this because when I was a senior in high school I applied for nearly every scholarship I could along with menatally prepared myself for the fact that high school and college are two different levels of education. I am the oldest of of 5 other siblings all ages ranging from 4 to 16 and I wanted to be the best role model I could for them so when I was not working on school work for high school I was working for scholarships to show that responsablity to my siblings. I also knew that I "had" and "wanted" to get involved on campus to make a difference not only on the Simpson Campus but for me as a person t improve my skills so I could be the best I could when I enter the work force after my graduation in may of 2012.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school as a senior, I would tell myself that the transition between high school and college isn't as scary as it's made out to be. I would inform myself that as long as I am able to keep a healthy balance between my social life and school work, I will get the most benefit out of my education at Simpson. Also, I would like to tell myself that finding the right friends and making good aquaintances with professors will help me succeed throughout my college career. It is important to remember to have reachable goals, be organized, and have fun!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to make the right decision and go to Simpson right away. I picked the wrong college my Freshman year and had to miss out on a whole year's worth of opportunites because of that. I made friends at the school I initially chose, but we never really clicked as well as I do with my friends at my current college. Picking the right college is one of the most important decisions in your life and I would definetly make sure I did not screw up twice. I would also say to walk into college free of all the sterotypes I learned in high-school. Not all frat guys just want "some" and you may even find one you really like. Sorority girls are not snobs and you would have learned that a lot quicker had you just let go of all the things you think you know. I would end by telling myself to relax, getting drunk is not the end of the world, and missing a couple sessions of class is alright. It's part of the experience. Have fun kid.

If I could go back in time and I was a high school senior, I would tell myself that the transition is not going to be that bad. Making friends is the easiest part so don't worry about knowing everyone before you go. The main thing that you need to worry about is the change of habits from high school into college. Everyone says that it is way different but when it comes to spending more time actually reading your book and studying twice as much as in the class room, they are telling the truth. I would tell myself not to overexaggerate the move and everything will work out just fine. Also, one more thing that I would tell myself would be not to be nervous the first week of school and just go out and join all of the activites that you want to because everyone wants you to be there and they are all in the same boat you are or they have been there before. And last of all, this is the best time of your life, just enjoy it from the beginning.

Take more notes, get more involved, and have more fun.

I would give myself advice about how to better manage my time in high school. I stayed home on weekends during high school so that I could study and I did very well in classes to keep my grades up, I would still do that if I went back in time but I would also tell myself to have fun and enjoy every day of life because it goes by so fast and these are the best years of our life so I want to enjoy them by having fun my way not drinking but having the time of my life with my best friends. College is a time to meet new people and be involved in the community and the campus, life is what you make of it so might as well make it what you want. College is tough but it is not impossible just set out a time everyday to study and to do homework and make sure that you are prepared for class everyday and that school comes before sports. College helps get ready for jobs and working so study hard to get the job of my dreams while still being active on campus.

I would tell myself that Simpson College is a great college to apply for. Simpson has great administative workers that will work with you to find financial aid if you need it, set up payment plans to pay for school, and help you throughout the years that you're there. The professors are very hands on and very accessible, so whenever you need them or have a question about homework, there ready and willing to help with anything. They really want their students to perform well and to understand the material they're teaching. Simpson also provides may activities to keep students occupied and to help form a better college community. It's a great place to come to if you don't like the 300 people lecture classes.

My advice would be to stay focused. Focused on what you want in life, in the future. College is that transition point, full of ups and downs, but it is the bridge to a successful future. College life can make or break you, but it is what you make of it that really matters.

Look at all your options. You may think you don't want to go to a certain type of school or that you can't afford it. Visit anyway. You may find that you love it or that they will make it possible for you to go there. Also, don't believe everything they tell you when you visit. The admissions people sugar-coat a lot of things about the school, making it sound better than it is. Plus, they may tell you great things, but they never have to work with you again so they can say whatever they want. Stay with a student if possible at your top picks and ask them to tell you the truth about the school. Most of all, don't let fear paralyze or overwhelm you. It's a difficult, complicated, and confusing process, but you can do it. Never settle and know that you can successfully make the leap to college.

Don't just pick the college that your friends are attending, pick the one that you want to attend. You will be happier in the long run knowing that you picked that college that you wanted instead of someone else. Also, enjoy your college experience.

While attending Simpson College I was employed on-campus as a Resident Assistant, Academic Resource Coordinator, Tutor, Supplemental Instruction Leader, Orientation Leader, and a Seminar Assistant. These positions gave me experience getting students acclimated to college life. Having this experience, I would advise parents to talk with their children about what their the student is looking for in a college and what they are hoping to accomplish from it. For example, when I was trying to find the right college for myself proximity from my home, the size of campus and classes, and academics were the most important factors in determining this. After this decision has been made and it's time to move to college it is important for parents to make sure that they keep in touch with their children yet maintain an appropriate distance. It is important to know that your parents care about how you are doing. For the students, the most important piece of advice that I can give for making the most of your college experience is to GET INVOLVED. College is a place for you to explore who you are, who you want to become, and to meet lots of wonderful people.

Visit more than one school and don't rely solely on brochures and word-of-mouth. Admissions counselors are paid to convince people to enroll at their campus. It is really important for the student and the parent to visit the campus to make sure it seems like the right fit. Parents should not pressure their son or daughter into making a decision he/she is uncomfortable with. The most beneficial experience for me was being able to spend the night on campus to get to know the campus and some of the students better. I found talking with actual students that attend the institution to find out what their favorite and least favorite aspects of campus life are. In order to make the most of the college experience, GET INVOLVED!!! It is impossible to stress how important that is. It not only allows you to meet new people, but it takes the initial feelings of homesickness away from the student. Meeting new people and making new friends is crucial to the college experience. Be willing to try new things and step out of your comfort level. College is about spreading your wings and finding out who you truly are.

The student's opinion is the most important factor in finding the right college for him/her. The parents are involved in this process to help their children think through this decision, for the potential school options are endless, and therefore, should be discussed and pondered thoroughly. Parental opinions are important but should be set aside so that the student has a chance to find what he/she really wants and the parents have a chance to witness the discovery. Analyzing the pros and cons of each school's characteristics is extremely beneficial in helping the student find his/her understanding of what he/she wants in his/her path to come. Communicating this understanding with one's parents is also very beneficial. The student's self-analyzation and communication about his/her thoughts empowers the student to independently pick his/her path for the first time in his/her life. This communication offers the parents a chance to see the young man or woman developing inside which helps the parent to continue letting go of the teen age "parent" role in their child's life which altogether is a win win for both the student and the parent.

Seriously you have to do what makes sense to you. Do not let yourself be pressured into anything you are not into. You only get one college experience so you got to make it a fun and enjoyable one while still learning and getting your degree. I am happy I chose what I did and would do it all over again, that is what most people should feel in the junior year of college or else they chose the wrong thing.

I would let them know that most college students change their major at least three times while they're in college, so it is a good idea to find a college that is well-rounded and doesn't just specialize in one department. To find the right college, it is also helpful to actually visit the campus and get a feel for the school. Also, don't just pick a school because your friends are going there - college is designed to help young students branch out and learn about themselves as individuals. On that note, be sure that there are extra-cirricular activities and clubs that you are interested in and can possibly join. Not only are these a great way to make friends, but they also look stellar on your resume and help deepen your interest in the field.

Simpson is a great school where you learn a lot about yourself. In the first semester, the professors really make you feel at home and get you set on a track of success in completing your degree.

It should be up to the student and choose a college that just feels right. When you step on campus think to yourself, can I go to school here? It just felt right when I made my decsion.

Go with what you WANT, not with what you think you should want. Be open minded. Challenge yourself. Don't put yourself into a box from the very start - so you want to be a doctor or lawyer or whatever right NOW, but in four years that might change. Don't limit yourself, stay focused and look for new things and people to experience. Don't stress yourself out and just go with the flow - now's the time to let things happen to you. There is no pressure besides that which you inflict on yourself.

I would advise them to visit and ask questions. I would also advise them to look at all of their options and choose one that's right for them. I would advise students to get involved, whether it's intramurals or other activities. I did and that's how I met other people and I had fun doing it.

Take your time, find the school that fits you the best. Do not give in to peer pressure when selecting a school. Always go with the school you feel is the best one for you. Go with what your heart, gut, and head tell you. Parents, don't nag your kids. And kids, be patient with your parents, they are only trying to help you. Talk about college choices and respect each other's opinions.

Diving in to the college search is incredibly scary. Before a prospective student even begins to look at schools, they need to evaluate a couple of key decisions. I personally found the size of school to be one of the most important decisions. Larger schools offer more programs and options, but smaller schools tend to be more relational and allow students to get involved in multiple extracirriculars. Believe it or not once schools are narrowed down to size, they become increasingly similar. Whether looking at state universities or private colleges students need to look at the little things and keep their best interests in mind. They should weigh location, academic programs, extracirricular interests, living conditions, dining options, etc. Students must evaluate what is most important to them in a school. In addition, when visiting prospective colleges, the student must feel at HOME. The campus could potentially become exactly that. It should be comfortable and appeal on a level that cannot be explained. The search is exciting and can sometimes be a little frustrating, but in the end students find a new community--one that will shape their life over the course of next four years.

I chose a college based on the friendly feel. Sure it was a friendly feel, but it did not fit my interests, socially or academically. Choose on a school on academics and whether you will fit in. Think about what environment will help you become who you want to be.

You can never look at too many colleges. Overall, yes, the education you can recieve from a certain institution is quintessential; but social atmosphere greatly affects your everyday life and psyche. You must be in an environment you can learn in to pull everything you want to from the college experience. Along with this however, don't underestimate your ability to adapt and to grow from a bigger and more diverse environment. Especially this day in age, there is inescapably the need to branch out and understand our world.

Visit the college. If you don't already know someone who goes there, try to probe your student tour guide to see how they really feel about what's important to you. Coming to college does involve compromises but you should feel like you're just living in your second home rather than out of place.

My biggest piece of advice is to research the college and visit the college for themselves. Once you visit, you will know for sure if the college feels right or if it doesn't. Ask a lot of questions and ask non-biased students what it is that they dislike about the college and their favorite part about that college. After the student has decided on a college, I would reccomend living on campus. This way, the student will have many more chances to meet his or her peers and to get involved. Getting involved will enhance most student's experiences with college. A final piece of advice is to take time deciding on a major. Don't let anyone tell you what a "good" major is or a "bad" major. The one that has to live with that career and major is the student.

Find a place that feels like home. A place that you walk on to and know. If that never happens, find the place that works for you not a place where you work for them. It's your money, your education. Make the most of it!