The Evergreen State College Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work even harder on scholarship applications, and to make sure to get all A's in my classes. I would tell myself to enjoy the last year of high school, and to think ahead to next year at the same time, so I could prepare myself for the workload the next year. I am very proud of my accomplishments my senior year, and while I know there was room for improvement, I think that I still worked very hard and that i did a good job of preparing myself for college. To anyone who is a senior this year, I think that working hard to earn free money for school is the most important thing you can do, because it is a way to stay out of debt and to have a great, worry-free year of finances in college.

Lisa , you need to finish high school and go to college. Dropping out your senior year is not the answer. You come from a family that doesn?t value education. To break the cycle you have to go to college. Being labeled a special Ed student doesn?t lessen your chances of learning but enhances your creative nature. It?s out of your comfort zone that your learning will become priceless. To think you are the only one who feels scared and unsure is another misconception. Colleges are for learning and they have every support piece to nurture your growth.

"When your blue paint yourself green" a handy quote to remember when your feeling overwhelmed with college or life in general. There are followers and leaders in this world do a bit of each and then lead your way to your own dreams and don't look back. College peers are totally different then high school ones, socializing is easier and there are no cliques to worry about. Make sure to come out of your cage a little more because it will help college life more, meeting new people and communicating with professors. Do not be afraid to take risks because you will miss out on alot of things you will look back on and regret not doing.

Life has a funny way of making decisions for you and they are not always the ones you expect. Take advantage of every opportunity as it presents itself because you never know when that opportuntiy might be available again. School provides you a way to grow and enrich your life in so many ways. It isn't just laborious and something you have to do. Embrace it and go forward with a joy that you have the chance to experience the wealth and knowledge of so many learnered individuals. I always thought it would be simple to get back to my education but then kids happended and then work happened and then life in general happened and now, my kids are in college and I was still waiting for my chance to shine. I have decided to just make my own chance but I see so many young people who aren't understanding the gift their education is. If nothing else, see that value everyday and you will enjoy the journey so much more.

At that point in time, I would probably just reassure myself that everything would work out ok. I am a first generation college student and a person who has faced some pretty big challenges financially and emotionally. I was trying to find a safe place to sleep at that point in my life. If I had came back and told myself that things would work out fine and that I would end up an avid volunteer, I probably would not have believed it. I would not go back and try to change any point through my life. My struggles have assisted me in greater understanding of people and the struggle to survive. I have used my own life as an example of how, bad times can change and life is what you make of it, to inspire hope in others with similar struggles.

I would be telling myself to sit on my parents lap more about FAFSA. I also had a hard time at Community Colleges with buckling down and starting with school. I received a lot of W?s and now regret my behavior as it didn?t help me in the long run. School is important and the longer that I procrastinated in my schooling the harder it was for me to get through it. FAFSA though was a huge part that effected me being able to go to school. I just would want to tell myself not to waste what money was given to me for school.

If I could back to high school during my senior year, I would have focused more on developing lasting relationships with teachers and students. When I was in high school I focused a lot on my grades, which in turn paid off fairly well. I am not here to toot my own horn, however. I would remind myself that my education was way more important than the arbitrary letter grades that were handed out like left over Halloween candy. I would also take a step back from my day to day senior activities and remember to breathe, remember that although I may be ASB president, public relations for the GSA and Robotics club, not to mention all the scholarship things and various other organizations I was involved in?.I would remember that I am only human and that if I honestly intend to learn, I will prosper for longer than the sum of all my education to date.

Hey Girl, I wanted to let you know that the first week (maybe even the first year) of college will be scarey. All those hippies and older students... Well, try to make friends with some of them. I know they smell funny and talk about politics A LOT, but you might learn something and you might have fun. Don't be afraid to get involved in a student club and participate in a protest. Seriously. Remember that boys will be boys. They will be rude, mean and might not always consider your feelings. It's okay to break-off unhealthy relationships. The unknown isn't all that bad. In fact, the unknown is exactly what you need. Last but not least, try not to spend that first financial aid refund check with one trip to the mall. Sure, you need those really cute shoes, but you don't need a whole new wardrobe. It's much more important that you be able to afford toilet paper in 12 weeks so you don't have to steal it from the ladies room on campus. If you're really good, you might even be able to afford two-ply. Love always.

There is so much that I would like to tell my high-school-senior-self about college. I think what would have helped me the most is if I could have told myself to not let fear hold me back. It is scary moving away from home and family, but you have the chance to create a family at school. We've spent years dreaming about the day when we would get to choose what to do with our life - now we're there! Fear caused me to take two years off after high school. That got me nowhere and now I am a single mother, still going to school. Moving across the country and trying to make ends meet when a baby is depending on you is even scarier than going straight out of high school. I wish someone had been there to remind me that great things cannot happen to you if you don't take a risk first.

There are some things you just know are going to happen. You decide them long before they actually happen, and over time things fall into place. I always knew I was going to do amazing things in college. What I didn?t know was just how much.The best advice someone could have given me in senior year would have been to work hard and do my best. Then I?d have nodded and said ?Alright, I will,? and knowing myself, I?d have shrugged it off. But the best advice I could have given myself would have been to remember that all those dreams of fun and adventures with new friends, in new places? they would all come true.?Don?t screw up.? I?d tell myself. ?Go and do all those amazing things you know you?ll do? after you?ve taken care of the things you need to do. If you spend all your time on them, there?ll be none left to make sure you can keep doing them.? Then I?d have nodded and said ?Alright, I will,? and knowing myself, I?d have gone on to do amazing things.

You think you know what tomorrow is going to be like but everyday is a gift. Take everything that is offered to you and work very hard in every opportunity you are given. Life takes unexpected twists and turns and you never know where or when your path will become obscured and you will be forced to go in a direction that will not be of your choosing. It may take years to get back on track and those are years you will not be able to get back. Children are born and their needs are put first, opportunities fade, and you will find yourself waiting to fulfill your dreams. Don't let them go and work very hard to keep them alive. Stay focused and realize that it is never too late to realize a life goal. You can still make a difference when you have matured if you stay focused and remember the direction you have always wanted to travel.

The work is not as hard as I believed and is very interesting to learn more than high school classes and subjects, more freedom to think for self.

I hate the question "assume you could go back in time and blah blah blah". There is no such idea as going back in time. Things happen for a reason, everything is interconnected with the cosmos, and time is only a human made way to keep order. Answering this question would be against what I believe in. I will not do so.

Dear Ms/Mr. I

Although I would like to answer this question by saying i would tell myself not to take so much time off between highschool and college, I really feel that I'm getting more out of my education now then I could have then. So I would tell the high school me to save more money and build up my financial stability. To enjoy the time I spent in my home town (you never know what you have till it's gone. Mostly I would stress as important as college is, it is only one step in your overall education, don't waste the learning oppertunities tht present themselves every day in a much more subtle fashion.

To return to the past and talk to myself would be extremely helpful for my current life. I would tell myself that "maybe a couple more Advance Placement courses will do you good" or "take a business English course to help with beginning finances". I think having a better social life might have prepared me for college life; social life outside of class is best to maintain long-term friendships. "Keep up with the study habits, it will do you great in the next couple years." And quite possibly "take a college-prep writing course." An important piece of advice I would give myself would be: "Do not choose a specific school because you do not want to be a number and noticed. Choose a school that will allow you be noticed as an individual."

I wouldn't advise myself any differently, I might say "psst... Renewable Energy is the Future." or something like that.

So, high -school-Melanie, you want to go to college. Go, be courageous and adventurous. Explore opportunities. Apply to lots of different colleges. Don't underestimate yourself, and strive for excellence- it's not that hard. Make new friends, and don't be afraid to take risks. Don't let yourself be bound by old ideas like "I'm not good at ...." Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you will be working in your major for the next 30 years; just pick something you are interested in and study that. Experience college to the fullest: eat at the dining hall, go to the games, watch the movies they show in the lecture hall on Friday evenings. Go to the dorm mixers, and go to class! Work hard, and have fun; you can't imaging how rewarding college life is going to be. Good luck!

sign up for classes early so that you get into them. Look into independant studys. Take more trips and ride your bike more. Have fn and just RELAX!

The only advice I can think of is: "For the love of God, Jamie, do not try to have a long distance relationship with a 16 year old pianist."

Students should really try to look outside the box for college. There is no need to limit oneself to their hometown college. It is important to feel like you are part of a community when you go to college. Your community is why you will feel comfortable and supported through the years. Alternative learning can be a great step in the right direction if you were unhappy at your traditional public school. The sense that you can be youself and more and not be limited by the people around you will be increased with the right community vibe. FInding the right college is really about finding the perfect balance between acedemics and community. Understand your learning style and find a school that appeals to that. You can find schools with small classes and less emphasis on grades and more emphasis on learning. After you find your new place in the world getting the most of your college experience is as simple as listening to your head and heart. If you feel uncomportable change your situation. And if you see a place where you could push yourself take advantage of the experience.

Start any requirements for admission and registration early and check on the progress often. Don't assume that everything is working out on it's own.

keep it real and dont let the small things get you down. keep your goal in sight and dont forget to keep your head up looking at your horizon. everyday counts and its never to late, you are ultimatly responsible for your life. as long as your happy things will work out for you even if you have to force a smile just do it.

The Evergreen State College is truly about the student. If the student only wants a minimal amount of work with a small amount of accountability, then the student will get that. This may sound very negative and defeating of the school, but if the student really wants to be pushed, really wants to succeed and to hold themselves accountable then the student will find the school amazingly productive to the student's education. The experimental academic system here can easily be used for easy credit and an easy degree, true. However, the school shines for those who want to truly hold themselves accountable for their education. If you or your child is self-motivated, ambitious, cares about their future and is interested in the liberal arts or the environmental sciences, then I truly believe there is no other school. At The Evergreen State College, the result truly is the work you put in.

Think about what four years means in your life, and that this shapes who you are going to be and where you may end up at the end. Be honest with yourself about what you want to do, and if you don't know what you want to do make sure that the people at the campus seem interesting, new, and friendly. Classes are definitely not the only place that you learn things in college, you want to meet people with varied backgrounds and interests so you can build yourself around great people. If you do know what you're into, see if you can email a professor and have a conversation with them about yourself. And if you did not enjoy high school, meaning your a smart person but you did average in high school, think about alternative styles of education. Like Evergreen, where there are no grades only narrative evaluations and programs rather than courses, I loved it!

Make sure that your student is ready. For me, taking a year off to travel helped me grow more than words can express. After that, I just knew which school was the right one for me. Also, don't pay too much for an undergraduate degree. Going to a reputable state school is often just as great a learning environment as any private school. The only difference is how much you owe when it's all over. Most students need a place to find themselves, so unless a student knows exactly what field they expect to work in, the expensive schools end up being a regret. To the students, I would just say "work hard"! If you give it your all, you will see results. Don't worry about the parties until finals are over. Get enough sleep, and eat your veggies!! It really does help.

Consider your goals in life, and research which colleges are best suited to help you acheive those goals. The primary reason students should be attending college is to help shape the rest of their lives, and this is manifested in multiple forms - in the information you learn, the relationships you form with peers and faculty, and the degree you will receive that will help you to build a career doing something you will be happy doing for the long-term. College should be an enjoyable experience, but responsibility is key for success. Balance between your studies and recreation, but always put your studies first. Whatever you do, apply yourself fully to the material being taught in all your classes. The old adage is true, that you get out of college what you put into it. You will become a more developed and intelligent person if you challenge yourself by fully absorbing new information, even if you don't care for it initially. Sometimes you will have to put extra effort into liking more difficult subject matter (and difficult professors/peers), but it is ultimately worth the effort. So apply yourself; you might surprise yourself.

Find the right college can be a real difficult task, but basically you want to find one that meets your needs academically. Then you can slowly discover little gems abou the college that really makes the school great. This can only come from spending quality time with faculty and students. Also, try to be as open as possible to meeting new people and exploring new things. This will make your stay as rewarding as possible. Know your priorities, because ultimately you're there to receive the best education you can. So make sure you get your money's worth.

Don't have too many expectatoin, good or bad. College is what you make of it., so find a place that feels right to you and offers what you're interested- not the place that necessarily is most prestigious or gave you the best financial aid. If you find a place that is conducive to your happiness, you will be able to make the most of it. Take a variety of classes, use lessons from class and outside of class to synthesize your own education. No one decides if your education was valuable or not except for you.

My advice is to take your time with you decison; college will affect every aspect of your life after gradution, and even while you're in school. Look into every possible thing you can, talk to people who attend, visit to get a feel for the campus and make sure it's what you want. Also remember that college is like a job; take it seriously, don't screw around too much (but also enjoy your environment) and it will all pay off in the end.

I would say visit all the colleges you are thinking of and try to spend some time at each. I didn't realize how much location would impact my life. I really regret not chosing a bigger city. Also interact with many of the people there and try to get a feel for the campus climate. It can be very loney going to a school with people who dont agree with you or respect your values. These elements can be as important as academic ones.

Research each college thoroughly. Visit the campus at least three times, watch how students interact with each other. Interact with them, too! Eat at thier cafeteria, walk around thier grounds, explore thier forest, and go window shopping in the local area. Get a feel for the placement of things and think about how suited it would be to your lifestyle, or how you could change your lifestyle to be succesful there. Look at two colleges, at least, and keep an open mind about traditional and non-traditional methods of teaching and learning that they provide. If a college is rated top in the nation for a selected feild, there is a good reason, and try to discover that reason on your own by doing reasearch and asking questions. Don't follow what the media says about any institution. Every college has bad aspects and good aspects. Remember, your child is an adult now and can make decisions for themselves. It is up to them to stay away from the bad social aspects that one can find on any college campus. If drugs are an issue, select substance free housing.

you have to want to be where you are. if you dont like your classes you wont go, you wont do your work, you wont get your credits. if you dont want to be at the school you choose find a new one. it is the place you meet or dont meet people who are like you or are interested in the same things. if you make the wronge choice its ok you can transfer just dont drop out find the place that fits. if you cant afford 4 years at the one you really want then do 2 years at a local cheaper school and transfer to the one you really want. make it worth the money and make sure it is what the student wants and not the parents!

The book Colleges That Change Lives!

A college experience is for most a once in a life time chance, so choose carefully and take your time when deciding on the right school, it is a good choice to visit the school and get a feeling for the city around the school if the chance is given. I know many students who have come here to my school in the northwest to find the evironment and weather around here depresses them to the point that they cannot focus on their studies. It is important to know these factors before hand, there is nothing worse than wasting several thousand dollars to find that the surround environment of the school you attend is to much to handle. Know your school and you will know if it is right for you.

Choose a college that feels right. Don't overly concern yourself with the perceptions of others, the prestige of the name, or what people tell you. What's most important is that it feels right TO YOU, the student. If you're not comfortable there you won't be working to the full extent of your ability. Each college has positives and negatives. If you're somewhere you feel safe and happy, you will find and embrace the positives and be able to ignore the negatives. Visit the campus, watch the students, explore the classes, talk to professors. This is one of the biggest decisions of your life! When you're in classes, remember you get out of college what you put in to it. If you slack off and do the bare minimum, you'll be unhappy and wasting your and your parents' money; you'll also deeply regret it. If you strive to do your best, do the reading, participate in discussions, make friends and form study groups, your college experience will be not only academically enlightening but emotionally as well. You will grow incredibly, find strengths within yourself, and always look back on these years with fondness.

Choose the college that inspires a deep desire to be active (academically, socially, and most importantly, in your own personal growth as a human being). This is the college that holds your future's most rewarding experiences.

VISIT! There is no romance, no adventure worthy of spening one or more years in a place where you find yourself miserable.

Choose the school that you feel is best. Don't simply choose a school because you think it will be economically advantageous.

Since I am a transfer student, make sure you love EVERYTHING about the campus before you decide to live there. Environment is really important.

Visit many many colleges to get the full experience.

FInding the right college is a difficult task. You must go to the college before you decide to attend. It is the most important step in chosing your college. If you feel comfortable on campus, with the people who work at the school and attend the school, it will be a good fit for the student. Making the most of the college experience is incrediby individual. You will learn that there is a balance you must achieve between your academic work and your time spent outside the school. Being independent in that way can be overwhelming. When you balance academics with fun, you will make the most out of your experience at college. Its supposed to be fun but make the most of your time!

Make the effort to figure out what intreset you and how you learn. Talk to a councler or make a list of things you want in a college. If you know what you want then picking a college can be easier. Once there, make an effort to get connected with avaliable on campus extra-curricular options. You may be busy but it will enrich your college experience. Take advantage of any facilities or equipment the college may provide and don't be afraid of asking questions to professors.

Make sure to know your type of personality and choose a college with a similar personality. Ask/ find out what the predominate student-body mind-set is at a potential college. You won't want to go to a mostly liberal school if you're very conservative.

When you walk onto your colleges campus, you will know it. The college selection process is much less about the numbers that are published in the viewbook, or the way a college describes itself. When you have found the RIGHT college, the vibe in the air will feel right. When you have found the place that clicks with your ideas- visit. A campus visit is absolutely essential. Take the tour, but also sit down with the academic advising people. they will be able to better represent where the collective midset of the college is, and are often vaguely fun. Once you've decided though, charge forward at full steam- go!

Don't look at what kind of "prestige" the school has. Stanford ratings don't reveal anything about whether the faculty have worked in the field prior to teaching at all. How the faculty interact the the students is the key to the student's performance. Also, their interest in their community outside of academics is a great insight. If you see a lot of student involvement in religious groups, low-income assistance groups, etc, during your visit to a campus, it means the students are satisfied and are helping others because they are happy with their lives. I chose my school for one program and was lucky that when I changed my major I was at a school that I could flip-flop as much as I wanted and be happy with all of the courses. Variety is the space of life!

Finding the right college is about knowing how you learn best and knowing who you are, and making the most of your college experience is all about staying positive and proactive. I chose my college because I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I knew I wanted interdisciplinary learning. This college gives me an amazing amount of academic freedom-- I have created my own classes, added elements to different classes, and done an amazing amount of extra projects on the side with the encouragement of my inspiring faculty members. And even though I'm a mathematics major, it's a holistic approach to mathematics: I've learned an incredible amount about philosophy, history, and science to put all of my mathematics knowledge into proper perspective. But no matter what your institution is like, making the most of your education is about being a positive and proactive person. Talk to your professors outside of class, form study groups and friendships and connections with classmates. Don't be afraid to try out new activities or learn a new subject. Approach college as you would approach life-- with zeal and love-- and you will have an amazing college experience.

I would give this advise... look deep into yourself, spend as much time as possible delving into your heart and soul, seek out what it is that truely makes you happy! Ignore money, expectations placed on you, the outside world; look inside yourself for what really matters. I went to a community college then tranferred to Evergreen after 3 years there; I had no idea I could have come this far, but I did! I looked inside myself and realized...I have passion, drive, love and a creative spirit that needs a positive environment in which to grow. If you realize that you havea wide variety of interests, and cannot seem to focus on one or two to get your "major" in, do not worry, I am in that exact boat, which is why Evergreen is so fantastic, they help you put it all together into a uniquely YOU degree without majors or minors! There is somethng for everyone. When looking into what college to go to, or what classes/majors to take...focus on what makes you happy, run with that!! "Live the life you love, Love the life you live!" -Irish Proverb

Location, proce, subject material, social settings, faculty to student ratio. Those are all very important things and Evergreen has the best to offer for all the above.

Finding a college that fits you just right is very important. One major suggestion that I would make for parents and/or students looking into colleges for the future would be to make sure you visit the campus. It is so important to see the type of scenery that will be surrounding you for most of the year. Another suggestion I would make is to talk to many people at each of the campuses to see how they feel about it. Make sure you ask them about the worst thing on the campus, the best thing on the campus, and the thing they would most want to improve. It's important that you get many people's perspectives. As for making the most of the college experience? I would say go into your first year (or every year) with a very open mind, willing to hear others opinions and ideas. However, don't ever do anything you don't want to do. Once you find the college for you you'll know it. It'll feel right walking through the hallways rushing to get to class, or eating in the cafeteria with a bunch of others. You'll just know.