Southern Utah University Top Questions

Dear High School Me, College is one of the most rewarding and difficult things you will ever do. If you want to succeed and make the most of your college experience you need to adopt this motto now: Work hard, play hard! During the week you need to: Kill yourself studying, go to bed on time, eat nutritious meals, and exercise daily. On the weekend study when needed, but take time to have a lot of fun! Make Sunday your day of rest; the one day a week that is completely stress free and homework free, and this will be your lifesavor. Do not be afraid to ask questions; you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. You are not a bad test taker, so stop making excuses. You just put in the time and study! Two hours is not long enough, make ten hours your minimun study time per test and you will be successful in whatever you do. Do not limit yourself. Finally, remember what Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away." P.S. Buy snow tires before you crash your mom's nice car in the snow!

As a high school senior I was not well versed with the many job opportunities and career paths available with a college education. Gymnastics had been my passion my whole life and I planned to continue with the sport in college. Although I loved doing gymnastics, it did not give me the chance in high school to branch out and learn more things about the world. With little knowledge of degree paths in college, I decided to stay with what I knew; exercise. I highly enjoyed my undergraduate and graduate studies in Exercise Science and Sports Performance respectively. However, as I looked to future job opportunites within this field, I realized that it wasn't my true passion. After searching and running my mind through all the possibilities of careers available, I decided that accounting would be something that I could see myself doing the rest of my life; therefore, I have decided to go back to school. As a high shool student I would have told myself to make sure that the degree path I chose was my passion, to make positive connections with others, and to enjoy each step along the way because it goes by fast.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to start my college career right away. I would want to attend school without the hardship of being a single parent and an untraditional student. I would advise myself to make more friends when first starting every semester of school. I would also tell myself to open up more in class to the professors and my fellow classmates, to make the connections with people that would be life long friends and collegues. I would also tell myself that no matter what happened along the way to keep trying and make the most of what is put in front of you. I would advise myself to let others in to my little world and help me when I am in need and be there to encourage me when I need it the most. Most of all I would tell myself to work hard and stay focused on what is important to me.

I would tell myself to not take as many hard classes the first semester because it will already be overwhelming being away from your family and freinds. And you need to be open to making new freinds and not only hangout with the few, if any, that you moved away with. College is a time to remember, so make sure you are having the time of your life and don't get too stressed about school.

I would tell myself to get started looking for scholarships sooner as well as pick a college sooner. I would also say to get more volunteer hours in and get a job over the summer to help get more money for any school supplies that are needed. Also, don't pack so much stuff when you're getting ready to move down. I would say to spend more time with your friends so you could say goodbye, even though it isn't forever, it's still really hard to not have them here. I would say a few things about my family as well. Let dad think he's right more often so there would be less fighting before I leave. Don't sweat the little things and tell mom and dad that you love them every day because it's really hard to not have them there when you need help.

I would tell myself that I struggle in the future because of the decision I made to NOT focus on school. That I am married with a beautiful 9 year old daughter but stuggle each day to support them. That I live from paycheck to paycheck with no progression in the career that I am in. That I sometimes feel overwhelmed and inadequate of being a supporter, husband, father and student. That school is the key to a better future for us and his future family. I would plead, beg, and cry to him, to focus on his studies. I would let him know that the people who he thinks are his friends are no longer a part of his life in the future. That everyhting our parents have told us about education is true.

I wanted to start by saying first off, I spent the first half of my high school senior year concussed and recoverying at home from a moderate concussion I got while playing varsity football. I was recoverying at home for about a month until I was able to come back to school, but it was still a recoverying process for me. I was still experiencing concussion symptoms, or post-concussion symptoms, by the time I returned to school. I couldn't play football anymore so I was sidelined for the rest of my senior season. After winter break was over, I was getting better and finally catching up in all of my classes. By May 2013, I graduated with honors and as Valedictorian. It was one dramatic and traumatizing school year for me but I made it, and now I'm in college at Southern Utah University. So what advice would I give to my high-school-concussed-senior-self about college life? Well, I would say, "take your studying very seriously; be patient with the learning process, learn from your quiz, exam, and homework mistakes; and save up as much money as you can for bills, food, and rent."

Go into a different field. Make sure you graduate with a job in mind so you don't have to pay lots of money and can get grants.

Don't worry about the classes being too hard, going to class and doing well in school is the easiest part of college. The hardest part is dealing with roommates. Don't let anyone talk you out of doing what you know is right. A lot of older girls are going to put you down, but doin't listen to them; they are not more mature than you just ecause they are older. Remember that you are smart and that you make good decisions. Making a bad decision is ok, just make your own choices because that is how you will learn to grow up and be an adult. Don't be afraid to try new things, just figure it out as you go. Nobody is suddenly prepared to be independent, so it is ok that you don't know how to do everything yet. Just remember to stick up for yourself and don't let your older roommates push you around. They don't know any more than you do.

I would tell my high school self to take high school more serously, and learn as much as possible. I would tell myself to take concurrent enrollement college courses and get my Associates Degree in high school, college is way more expensive!

My name is Julian Serrano and I am you. You are now a high school senior and think you are ready for college but let me give you some advice. In college you are going to think it’s okay to cut class when you want to, put friends and activities before work and homework assignments. When things get closer to deadlines you’re going to rush it. You then will end up missing important information, realize that the time you spent away from work or assignments cost you in the long run. By rushing your work your grades will suffer. All this can be avoided if you do one thing: make school one of your top priorities. You will see that those days you wanted to miss were worth going to, the friends you wanted to hang out with will still be around another day. The more time you give yourself on your work will result in better conclusions. Now what I told you I’ve found true but it’s up to you on whether you heed my advice. Work hard now and reap the rewards of a successful and disciplined future.

I have experienced college life for the past two years and I have come to realize that senior year is meant to be the most pivotal and hardest year in high school. It was not meant to slack off and skip class, joke around, or to welcome “senioritis.” At this life-changing year you should start looking at scholarships since Junior year! Prepare yourself for difficult decisions and sleepless nights. I know college is a new mysterious idea for you and the entire family, but please ask for help. Don’t feel ashamed about community college; maybe that is the best choice so embrace it. Talk to professors about where they went for their education, you’ll be surprised how many went to local junior colleges. An education can be attained at any cost.About the drama, you have managed to avoid it for three years so don’t let anyone else bring that stress to you. You are going to be fine, I promise. Please, just don’t break down in tears over stress there are so many options for you. Finally, appreciate yourself and all you do. Don't be afraid of change and hey, Scholarships!

Stop worrying about everything! You are going to do just fine. College is great! You are going to make so many new friends and learn so much more than you did in high school. I would just give you one piece of advice, and that would be to apply for every single scholarship you possibly can. College is expensive, and with your dad leaving, the family just doesn't have the money to help fund your tuition right now. So get on it! Write essays til your hands fall off. Education is so important and the only way you will be able to afford it is if you find a way to pay for it yourself. Work hard now so you can play hard latter. Thats all I have to tell you. You will do great.

I would tell my high school senior self to really enjoy your last year of high school while it lasted. It may have not been the best high school experience out there, but may as well make the most of it. Another thing is to really look at the scholarships out there and apply for as many of them as you can! You can never know unless you give it a try and there really isn't anything to lose is there?

I would just make sure that I knew that life would change dramatically, but for the better. I was scared to leave my family and go to the next level of education. Everyone told me how hard college was, but in reality, it isn't any different than going from the junior high to the high school. It is not as scary as everyone makes it sound. The next biggest surprise for me was the difference in ages. It seems like in college everyone is way older than me. I would tell my high school self to learn to make friends with older people and to just be friendly to everyone and I'll be just fine. Don't be scared, you can easily handle this!!

if i could go back in time and give myself some advice about college it would be, to apply for ass many scholarships as posible and to stay to date with your college work because, everithing will pile up and you'll loose your head. look for scholarships because you may think you have enough for that year and you will be surprised with the book and material prices. live like a college student not like a graduate .

Hello younger me. Right now, work is your top priority. You are a responsible and conscientious young woman. You care for others, and give frreely of yourself. These are admirable qualities. However, there will soon come a time in your life when you will realize that you have neglected yourself through your selflessness. Don't worry, these times will come with their own challenges, but you will grow so much! Growth is never easy, but the ends do justify the means. 'When you are ready, remember this: everything you do should be for yourself. You must make your own decisions and take responsibility for the course you have chosen for youself. As I have always said, trust your heart and even if you go astray you can always find your way back. Greet every challenge as an opportuinity to achieve greatness. And don't be afraid to ask for help. Although you are usually the one others come to for help, there is so much love and support in your world. Others will feel important if you let them help you and show you that you are loved.

Knowing what I now know about college I would advise my past high school senior self to get involved more, to stop being so shy and put myself out there. I would advice her to get involved in clubs. Most importantly I would advice her to take risk and get into those AP classes. I would tell her to get her head in the game and stop worrying about other people and strive for more than her best. I would tell her that being the new girl on your senior year should not matter that much that all she needs to focus on is going a hundred and ten percent with everything and the friends will come sooner or later. The best advice she would ever need as that no matter what she did and no matter what she strived for God will always be by her side through every up and down.

Eric, life started yesterday. Potential fills your soul, as ambition inhabits your deepest crevices, yet you don't look within? You feel as though everything will come in time, and it will, but that which becomes your future will only be a consequent of your decisions and will to act. Yes, right now life is tough, but only through courage and perseverance will you find the light that leads you astray the darkness of home, school, and confusion. You’re not alone; though Dad is cold, he secretly bleeds hope, and cries prosperity for you. Insecurities, hate, doubt, and complacency must be shaken. You see that the world is cold... so be that fire of warmth; you know that life is a challenge, so take strategic steps that'll allow you to conquer anything; And pain is inevitable, so dry all tears of self-pity and make past nightmares new understandings. Stay motivated to achieve and become more; Do it for Mom, Kameron, Grandpa, yourself. Tomorrow life will still be difficult, and you will manage as usual, but I ask a favor. Before every nights fall, set a goal to accomplish in your tomorrows. It’s time....life started yesterday.

I should have saved money for school and prepare for the college life. I know that I am a hardworking student that is determined to reach her goals in life. So, have some motivation in myself and never give up!

If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now about college life and the transition into college life is to not mess around in high school and take it seriously. Even though I did take high school serious I could take it more seriously by studying more for test, taking more helpful notes, and by paying attention more in classes that I had trouble in. I could have also challenged myself more in high school to prepare myself for college. The next words of advice I would give myself to help me prepare for college is to decide what I wanted to do in college before my high school career. That way I could have planed my classes better to get into the programs to help me learn more about what I wanted to do before I went off to college. My last piece of advice I would give myself is to get a job early in my high school career so I can pay as much as I could of my own money instead of borrowing money. That's how i would help get ready for college if i could go back in time.

I don't know what i'd say if I could travel back in time and sit in front of my incredibly shy high school self. I know he'd be nervous; number one at the fact that some crazy guy pulled him aside saying he was from the future, and number two because he would be about to leave home to start the first day of the rest of his life. I know he'd be scared - not at the fact that i was there with ominous advice, but because he'd be preparing to set out into the world alone. I don't think i'd warn him not to sleep in his car that first night because he was too scared to stay in the dorm, just like I don't think i'd tell him not to join that fraternity that'd make his grades tank his second semester. In fact, I don't think i'd tell him anything at all. That quirky kid seems to have a way of screwing up just the right way that makes everything else turn out alright. Truth be told, maybe I should ask some advice from him.

The advice I would give myself as a High School senior would be if your taking an AP class than give yourself a full shot at receiving college credit and take the AP exam! Also, I would say have as much fun as you can. Work hard to get good grades, and challenge yourself with advanced level courses but always go to and participate in the the extracurricular activites. High school is an excellent place to set the foundation for your study habits, your friend choice, and your work ethic. Choosing correctly in all three of those is incredibly important for not only your success in high school but also your success in high education later on. I would also council to experiement with different ideas as much as you can to determine what you want to do with your career. You could save alot of time, effort and money later on if you are able to accomplish some of the courses needed in your desired carreer path while still in high school. In summary my words of advice would be work when it's time to work and play when it's time to play:)

Take a deep breath, you're almost there! College is going to seem like the scariest transition you have made thus far, but when you get there, just take it one step at a time. Don't worry about getting lost, asking people to help you will not be the worst thing in the world. Make sure you work as hard as you possibly can. Expand your horizons and venture to places you normally would avoid, and don't be afraid to make friends along the way. You don't work much now, but it's important to keep yourself busy when you don't have class or homework! Leave lots of time to study and sleep though, because you definitely don't sleep enough right now! Keep your chin up and always remember that you are going to school for something you really enjoy, so it will be very worth it for you in the end. Put as much effort as you can into your projects so that you have quality work for your portfolio when you are searching for jobs. Stay positive and you will be very successful!

I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships at the beginning of senior year. Also, learn how to live with different people that are not necessarily people you would pick to live with. I would say to save as much money as I can and to apply for jobs around the college that I want to attend, becasue they are not easy to get when everyone else wants the same thing. Learn how to do things on my own, especially how to manage time and money.

Some of the most important beliefs, objects, and plans that you have at the age of 18 may suddently seem not so important afterall. Follow your passion, do what makes you happy; don't settle on a major or a University to please someone else because in the end, you are the one that has to live with the end result. Get to know your professors on an individual level, they may hold the key to your future success (grad school, employment, etc). Make the effort to meet new friends; ones that are worthy of your time and energy...some of these will become life-long friendships. Look around; enjoy the small details of college life. The scenery and dynamics will change after graduation when you join the workforce. Be free! Remember to live, laugh, and love! Don't take yourself too seriously. Work hard, and make time to love yourself...you deserve it!

Don't try and rush to get things done in college. It is okay to take a little longer to finish everything. Save up money and try to stay out of debt so that you won't be stressed about money.

Don't stress so much. College was everything and more than I ever magined, so just enjoy your high school life and know that life is going to be great. :) But keep studying hard, don't give up because you're bored of school. It really will help you if you stick to your studies and work hard. Maybe take some extra classes too. I know you took lots of AP classes, but really, you know you could have done more. And apply for more schoalrships! Stop being lazy! Enjoy life and live so you won't regret anything.

After only one year in college, my whole perspective of life changed. College was nothing like I expected. It ended up being much more than I was hoping for. During my senior year of high school, I was anxious to escape the boundaries that had been set for me while living at home. Little did I know that after a year away, I would end up missing the life of my young teenage years. The person I am now would advise the 18 year old me to enjoy life to the fullest and prepare for things to change unexpectedly. The path I set for myself is not the path that I am on now. Being away from home and learning to support myself financially has helped me grow up and experience the choice of working through the summer. I have learned so much in only one year in the real world. The most important thing I have learned is that we must be willing to let go of the life we have expected, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Don’t be afraid of the sudden turns in your course, instead, embrace it.

I would tell my self never to give up. Life is hard and going to college away from home for the first time can be a big challenge. I would also tell myself to save up. College is worth everything but it is expensive to go. Loans are never fun to have to pay back.

Even though High School has been great don't be worried about college. It is a wonderful experience where you meet tons of new friends and learn so many new things. Don't stress about little things and take the ACT a little more seriously so you can get a better score, but don't sweat that either. Basically just calm down. It will all work out and be great.

Breathe. It's not so bad. I know you're having trouble deciding a major and career path, but I promise that eventually, your passion will fall into place and you'll be exactly where you're meant to be. You're going to take some time jumping from school to school and major to major, but you're not going to regret that for a second. These transitions you have ahead of you are the prerequisites for your real education, which, trust me, is incredible. College is not what your high school teachers exaggerate to you. Sure, you're going to get addicted to coffee and four hours of sleep will become customary, but that's part of the magic. The magic is being able to wake up every day after those four hours of sleep and truly know in your heart that what you're doing is for the good of your own amazing future. I don't think you're feeling that right now. So when you get there, I think you'll finally see that that future I've got in mind for us is worth every second of it.

I would tell myself dont wait until you are in your thirtys to try and go back to school. Go into nusing as soon as you graduate from High school. Because you can have your degree a lot sooner and a better life for yourself. Don't wait to go to college. Getting a degree that you can use will make your life a lot better. You will have a better career and make more money. And set your life in the direction you in the end would want it to go. Dont wait and mess your life up by making the wrong decisions. Do it right the first time. That way you wont be stuggling through life and working job after job with no way to make it up the latter. Listen to me when I say its harder on yourself if you wait.

I would tell myself to take more risks and get more out of my high school education. Because Bingham High School had so many students I felt lost in the crowd there and never tried to stand out because I felt content where I was at. I was in a lot of organizations and clubs but in very few did I hold leadership positions. If I had tried for those positions then I would have been better prepared to be a leader here at SUU. I took the AP and Concurrent Enrollment courses but should have taken more to even more so prepare me for college. I would have been even further into my Associates Degree and would be that much closer to my major, Speech and Language Pathology. Lastly, I would tell myself that 'You are Great.' Sometimes I feel like I need to do EVERYTHING in order to be an accomplished student, but I don't. I have worked hard through my education and extra-curricular activities and when I am content with myself I do better and can accomplish anything.

I think the most important thing that I would advise myself is to learn how to budget. I never really cared about money or finances in high school, and when I worked and got paid I would spend all of the money rather than saving it. After spending a semester in college I realize that that habit that I had formed is a terrible one. I have had to save every penny that I have made while working, and when buying groceries I buy the very minimum, because I know that I have to pay for tuition now. Had I have saved my money through high school, I would not be in the financial crunch that I am in now, and I would not need to stress as much about it.

Assuming I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to be myself. Don't worry about what others think or tell you to do. Do things for you. Work hard in all that you do. Study hard and apply yourself. What you do really does make a difference. Don't let others define you. You are a unique, amazing individual. You can do amazing things with your life if you apply yourself. Remember that when you are making decisions about your life. You can make a difference, no matter what you think!

Ashley, College life will be an exciting time for you. It will not be easy because you will have to push hard and study hard to succeed. However, your hard work will be worth it. I suggest you start saving every penny so that you don"t have to worry about money while you are there or at least you won't worry about it as much. You will make great friends, so you should never worry that you won't fit in. They will help you through the difficult times. However, understand that the school will not support you fully despite your success and you will have to go it alone a lot, but that does not mean that anything you do is done in vain. Everything you have done has and will make you a better person. As well as it will make you a happier and stronger person that is ready to make the world a little better place. So no matter what will come, pick yourself up, wipe the dirt of your pants, and continue forward with faith that it will be a beautiful tommorrow. Sincerely, Yourself

My college experience was so much more than what I learned and the knowledge that I gained in the classroom, it was an exploration and discovery of myself as a student and as a person. The classes, professors and people that surrounded me helped train my brain how to think. I loved gaining new information but the actual lectures and information attained in the classroom are not the things that I will necessarily remember. It is the methods by which to gain access to information, the habit of seeking and acquiring that information, and the friendships with fellow students, advisors and professors that have and will continue to benefit me throughout my life. I don't believe that I could have gained the experience, knowledge, or relationships that I did in college in any other way or in any other setting. I consider my college experience a priceless gift that I am beyond grateful to have received.

I love learning and getting to know new people. College is an opportunity for me to learn about the world aroud me. I enjoy the in depth conversations that I get to have in my classes. I also enjoy going to as many social activities as posible as a way to get to know new people.

My college experience has been completely life changing and mind altering. You get life thrust at you so fast once you've moved out of your parents house. All of a sudden you have bills and a car payment to make on time. College is the greatest way to make a transition to that. I love my college to say the least. I've had a great time here and will continue to for the next four years and the four years after college in vet school. Not only does college teach you what you need to complete your major and go into the working world, it teaches you how to depend on yourself and be who you were meant to be instead of listening to your parents wants. Its been valuable for me to attend because I found myself here and who I want to be for the rest of my life. I've made great friends and learned life lessons. I hope everyone could have such a good experience at their college, but if not..... Come to SUU and come hang out with me.

One thing that I will definatly take away from my college experience is the sense of freedom. It is just a good feeling to know that you can make your own decisions, make mistakes and learn from them, and make some new friends in the process. I am so glad that my parents made me live in an apartment. I got to experience having roommates and all the things that can happen when you live with them. Also, going to college has been valuable to me because I can use my education to get me where I want to be in life. I want to have a good career doing something that I love and be able to enjoy doing it for a long time. I am so glad that I made the choice to attend college.

When I was first going off to college I was terrified. I had no idea what it was going to be like or if I was going to be able to make a lot of friends. But once I got there it was completely different from what I'd anticipated. I studied hard and stayed caught up in work and things came pretty easy; it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it'd be, as long as I focused and did my work. I made tons of friends and even had time to have fun. So, probably the most important thing I've learned so far from my college experience is that I decide how difficult it's going to be; I can let it get to me, slack off, procrastinate and make it hard, OR , I can enjoy it and relax, doing my work, putting in study time, and make it easier. Things are only how I make them out to be.

I have loved my experience here at Southern Utah University. The city that it is located in, is not very big, but neither is small. This makes it a great place for a college students. The SUU campus is very large and well taken care off. There are constenstly events being held at the school and the teachers usually try to learn each of their student's names. It is a great starting college and I plan on graduating with at least my associates from here this year, maybe even more. I would refer SUU to anybody looking for a college to attend.

Attending Southern Utah Universtiy and living away from home has helped me to discover more about myself. I have been able to learn how to better manage my time, and for someone that was a chronic procrastinator, this was a huge accomplishment. It has also helped me to become more confident in my abilities. In high school, I was a good student, but I think that I relied too much on the help of my parents and teachers. Going away to a university has helped me to see that I am capable of doing amazing things on my own. My college experience has also been extremely beneficial for my education as well. The university that I am attending is small. This has allowed me to take classes that are smaller and allow me, as a student, more attention and time with a teacher. The more personal attention that this has provided has given me the chance to learn more than I think that I would in a class of 500. Attending college has also helped me to make goals and discover ways to accomplish them. I have loved my college experience and am excited to continue to learn and grow.

Out of the small time I have been attending college I have learned a lot. Not only in the classroom but outside of it too. I have learned that college teaches you a lot of self disipline and that you have to know how to control your own future. Its not all about partying and having fun, or going to the sports events, but it's about learning life lessons and knowing this for the future you will get a lot out of going to class but its what you make out of the time outside of class that will really determine your life after school.

I think the most important thing I've learned by attending Southern Utah University is that people different from me are interesting people. It sounds cliche, but I never paid attention to the people that were different than me in high school. I hung out with my group of friends and never ventured out of my comfort zone. In college, I have no choice. I came here alone without any of my friends. I have to open up to people different than me, otherwise I'm going to be in for a lonely 4 years. I've discovered that the people I once thought were mean, dorks, weird, (insert any descriptive word here), are, for the most part, very interesting and friendly people! My world has opened up as I've tried new things and made new friends. These skills I'm learning now would have been very useful in high school and will be invaluable in my future.

I have gained a well rounded knowledge in different areas. I have been able to now focus on my major and learn about animals and agriculture which has helped me see what is important for the United States to keep. I have been able to get a good knowledge with a small amount of tuition which has been very valuable to me.

College has been the place where I have matured and gotten the most comfortable in my own skin. In four years I became someone that I always wanted to be, but never knew that I could possibly become. I became very independent, and self-motivated. I was able to get out of my own comfort zone, and fight for what I believed in. I fought for an education, I strived to become the best student I could be. All the while I loved what I did. Math was a very hard major to pursue, and I succeeding in overcoming all my struggles. I made new friends (many life long), and I learned how to become a people person. Everything I learned in my four years of college I will take along with me in this game called life, and i plan to win.

Going into college, I was undecided on my major. Through the help of my awesome professors at the community college, I was able to realize that teaching middle school science is my calling. I have always been deeply involved in my community's Special Olympic Team and Peer Partner extracurricular; I have been assistant coaching since my freshman year of high school! I have also realized that even at the community college level, just because i am not paying $40,000 dollars a year, does not mean I do not get an equal experience. I am a Student Ambassador at the College of DuPage in Illinois where I have a great time volunteering in my community and giving perspective students an informative campus tour. I have not only gotten to know myself better while at college, but become proud of who i am and my future.

It has made me the person I am today. Everything I have learned from the greatest minds in history has transformed me as a person and set my path in life in order.