University of Illinois at Springfield Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell her to strive to realize that she has all the potential in the world, and that hard work will always pay off. I would tell her to always respect herself and know her worth. I would tell her that adventure and experiences are always worth more than possessions. I would tell her to listen to her gut and not succumb to negative influences. I would tell her that drugs and alcohol are never worth it. I would tell her to be herself at all costs and that caring what other people think of her is a pointless battle that can never be won. I would tell her that she doesn't have to know her life's purpose as long as she breathes positivity into the world every day. I would tell her that God is real, and seeking a relationship with Him should always be the first and most important priority in her life. I would tell her that her less anxious, more loving and open future self will be so incredibly grateful to her if she takes this advice.

To pursue a field of study that your both passionate about and that will provide a sustainable living. Always have your resume updated should a new and possibly unforseen opportunity arrise. Don't be afraid to seek out other job opportunities after your employment in your first job.

If I could go back as a senior in high school I would have done every possible thing in my power to attend college as soon as I graduated from high school. Being a student at 46 years old, working a full time job with major responsibility is much harder than being 18-19 years old with only your acedemic studies on your mind. I now have not only my financial responsibility of college on my plate, but I have put two grown sons through college as well. If I would have attended college when I was young I would have a much better job than I do now and the financial struggles that I have had all of my life would surely have been alleviated due to a higher education. I did not realize that an affordable education was out there for me when I was 18, my parents did not encourage me to attend college. They did not have the money or means to send me, I have been a single parent for 15 years and I have made it a priority to find ways to give my sons an education that no one can take away.

If given the opportunity to speak to myself as I was a year ago, I'm positive that I would take a long time to give advice to my younger self. I would probably give advice on everything from what major to pick to what school I should attend. However, the most important piece of advice I would have for myself is to not get easily frustrated. Many freshman level classes seem pointless when you take them. Now that I am at the end of my first semester and reflecting on my classes I can see the things that I have learned, though they were not obvious at the time. Therefore, I would advise myself to simply follow along with the projects the professors assign, no matter how pointless they seem. Getting frustrated only makes completing work more difficult, as the project still has to be done and having a negative attitude only makes it harder to finish. Looking back on my first semester of college, getting easily frustrated is the biggest mistake that I have made. Had I been able to give myself this advice my first semester would have been much more enjoyable.

Each day begins with wishing I had chosen a path of definition and purpose rather than the closest to the finish line. Now in my thirties, I am rerouting my future in search of the fulfillment I previously overlooked. Preparing to exit the ranks of high school and begin anew I narrowly focused on where I thought I wanted to study instead of making the best of a program that already wanted me on campus. Further, when an 18 year old faces the decision of how to spend their professional life, chances are that will change over the course of his or her college career and when it does, change your curriculum to match this new found passion. Enjoy the journey and put the destination out of mind. Focus on short term objectives before reaching long term goals. After several years of watching the world pass me by, I accepted that simply finishing college is not enough; that each person must create his or her own opportunities and remain thirsty for knowledge throughout life, not just in a classroom.

If I were able to go back in time and speak to my younger self, I would say don’t sell yourself short. Stand up for yourself because no one else will. Start college directly after school, speak to counselors and fill out your fafsa. The fact that you are in foster care is a good factor for you. You will be able to get finical aid, loans and grants that will help pay for college. Study hard, make good grades, and decide on your major by studying the classifieds. The job market should be what makes your decision on choosing a major. A degree in a subject that you like, does not guarantee a job. Use the job market as a decision factor on your major, looking at areas with the greatest need. I would emphasize not having a child directly after high school. Although, it is not impossible going to college and having a child it makes advancing in school much harder and takes time away from the two things you want to devote your time to, school and your child. Both school and children need your undivided attention and you don’t want to miss a step.

Don't go to the that big school, skip that, and go to a school where you are a name not a number. You'll get more for your money, drink less, learn more, and be less depressed.

To start applying for scholarships as soon, and as often as you can. I would also say that you shouldn't worry about it, you'll meet some great friends and have some great memories, that will definitely balance out the bad days and add to your pile of good things.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that college takes a lot of responsibility. I would tell myself that it doesn’t really matter where all your friends are going to school. I would say that you need to make your decision for you and know one else. I would also tell myself that I would need to completely dedicate myself to my studies. When I was a senior in high school I thought that college would be fun and full of parties. Over the past three years I have learned how important college is to me and my family.

I am a mother of four who was a stay at home mom. Although I have owned a business and ran many different charitable fundraising events, I was not challenging myself mentally. Cerebrally, I was feeling a little stagnant. My college experience at this stage of my life has changed all of that. My goal in returning to school after 22 years was to earn a degree in order to be able to return to the job market armed with the necessary tools required for the career of my choice. Although my original intentions to attend the university were a means to the end, I have discovered that it has become so much more than that. I returned to school last summer (2010) and a new world opened for me, a world where I am acquiring knowledge that I have found pertinent and valuable to my everyday life. I have made numerous life-long friends and have been able to positively touch the lives of many young people. I'm empowered with a new level of esteem and respect for myself. These traits and my school accomplishments will only help my children (2, 7, 12, & 17) in their academic careers.

The college experience, for me, has been a long road. I have managed to learn a great deal about the reasons for the courses I had no idea why I "had to take" when I was much younger. Now I understand the need for interdisciplinary studies, learning the basics of a different field allows you to see your own field of study from a slightly altered perspective. It breeds better understanding and greater ability to solve more complex problems. Overall, I have learned to be a more well rounded student, and I apply the knowledge I have gained to my daily experiences. I hope to impart the same love for learning to my daughter so that she can be enriched by a more open mind.

My college experience has been an exciting ride of discovery and learning. College has allowed me to interact with a wide variety of people who have a variety of views. I have had to find ways to work with them to get assignments done while not treading too heavily on their feelings nor letting them tread on mine. I have also come to realize that there is more and more truth to the saying, "Knowledge is power," as you go through college. My time management, responsibility, and work ethics have all improved. If nothing else, the experience has opened my eyes to new ideas about education. I am more excited to go to school now than I was in high school and I want to learn. Apart from academics, my college experience has helped me grow as an individual. I have been able to become the person I want to be and have met amazing people who I will know for the rest of my life. College has made me want to do everything in my ability to become a more well informed world citizen so that I can help make this world a better place in any way possible.

I have not been here long, at college. It is a very big change from where I came from and what I can say I take most out of this experience is growing up. I am an adult now and I am seeing and living life now on my own two feet. For that I am very grateful.

The last time I was in college the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction" was a hit, as was the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations", Frank Sinatra's "Stranger's in the Night" was the romantic dance of choice. Bell bottoms and miniskirts were in, as was Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots are made for Walking. We banned the bra, marched for civil rights, protested the war in Viernam and partied at Woodstock. We reared our children, BBQd in our backyards, kept house and some of us had careers, butred our spouses and lived our life; but the idea of aging gracefully does not mean you have to age in place. Just because you are older and may have accomplished one career it is not to late to start another . The next years are the most productive years and you can be of significant service to others..

If I could go back to Amy at 17, I would tell her many, many things. The most important lesson I learned about college is don?t believe the ?hype? of leaving home. Try community college for a semester or two before spending $20,000 more per year at a school away from home. Making the transition from living at home to being on your own will NOT be easy. As much as you want to get away from parental control and sibling rivalry, the first time alone is challenging. Don?t be so interested in determining your major and complete college experience in the first semester. Allow yourself to be a little undecided. Another thing I would have encouraged Teen Amy to do would be to take a year off. Try working a real job and supporting yourself on minimum wage. A few months of ?real world? experience would have increased my interest in getting college right the first time. My first attempt at college was less than successful. After experiencing life without education, I learned the most important lesson. I knew I could never achieve the professional goals I had set for myself without a college degree.

I would advise myself not to rush off to a big four year institution. I would advise myself to attend a two year college first just to get a feel of college life. I would tell myself to use all available resources and not to waste any time when it comes to studying and filling out paperwork, such as FAFSA application. I would tell myself to reahc out to other people for help if you find that you need it and to not allow yourself to get distracted from the point of going to college and earning a degree.

First and foremost..Calm Down! While the college application process and the idea of college itself may be intimidating, they?re nothing to lose sleep over. As graduation approaches, find that balance between enjoying your last months as a high-school student and preparing for your first months at a university. By the way, when I say A university, I mean one. Narrow down that list of colleges that you?re considering by making campus visits. You can read pamphlets and talk to alumni, but the only way to know if a school is right for YOU is to experience it firsthand. And no matter where you choose to go, don?t worry about declaring a major freshman year. Many first-year students enter college undecided. Give yourself time to be certain of your choice. If you take the time to find the school that's right for you, I promise you?ll love it. College is an opportunity for an education and independence that go beyond any of your past experiences. It only happens once, so make the most of it! (And I swear, living in a 12x16 room with another person isn?t as bad as it seems).

If time travel was possible, a piece of advice I would give myself as a high school senior would concern the use of leisure time in college. Being independent and away from home, it is very easy to get too comfortable and slack off on responsibilities like studying and completing homework. While I have experienced an overall lesser work load thus far, the trade-off in college is that one must have responsibility with time management and enforce self-control, less be subjected to late nights, unnecessary stress, and the possibility of not meeting one?s full potential. ?Completing those assignments at the last minute may be working for you now,? I would tell myself, ?but I?ve come to realize that most college courses do not allow nearly as much room for procrastination, or redemption?. I have learned in college that when it comes to classes, everything counts. Never should a student attempt to simply coast through a class and only work hard when grades are suffering; sometimes, there is simply no such thing as a ?second chance?. From the very beginning, one must be on top of their work, at all times, and not let deadlines slip by.

The transition to college from high school has tremendisously impacted my previous notion that I would be able to slide through freshman year. After experiencing the first semester of my college career, I've realized that I should have listened to my high school teachers more and paid attention to their efforts to prepare me as not only a student but an aggressive individual as far as conducting school business is concerned. In high school I had a terrible tendency to rely on my teachers to push me further but now realize that I must motivate myself in order to succeed. In conclusion, if I could travel back to senior year, my first semester of college would have been less stressful and I would have been more focussed on the necessary objectives at hand.

Enjoy the college experience but make sure that you attend all of your classes and absorb as much of the education they are offering. Later in life, those facts and information will come in handy and you will regret not being there. If you find that your passions have changed, do not hesitate to change your major and take classes that you will enjoy. You are talking about your future and the rest of your life. You felt that you wanted to go into the business and accounting but did not act on it when you were younger. You are now returning to school to pursue your interests after having two children and being married for 14 years. You are fulfilling your dream, it is just going to take you a little longer since you are doing it along with so many other activities.

I am a non-traditional student returning after raising my family. In my 20s I did not complete my degree in teaching. I am now returning to school in my 50s, very serious about my getting my degree, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and going on for my Master's in Social Work and family counseling. If I could go back in time knowing what I know now, I would have completed my degree in my 20s and had a 30-year career with financial security in my retirement years. Of course, we have autonomy and no one can tell another person how to live life. The wisdom gained from mistakes and curves in the road of my life have built my character and made me stronger.

I would select a major/minor that best suits my passion in life and would know that it's fine to explore different options if I hadn't previously selected my major. I would be sure to develop a four to five year plan that maps out my academic goals and would leave time for extracurricular activities such as athletic sports, music, social clubs, etc. I would devise a realistic plan each semester or two with my academic advisor to make certain that I am meeting my goals. I'd be specific when scheduling study time as it aids in the development of time management, which is crucial to college life and beyond. I would definitely aim high, keeping in mind that maintaining a high GPA will open a plethora of doors for future career successes as well as financial assistance. I would enjoy class breaks, but also utilize them to get ahead in enrolled courses. I'd steer away from procrastination, toxic friends and family, extended social interaction, and substance abuse. I would choose the school that best suits my integrity and keep in close contact with my advisors and professors.

Allow the student to chose where they would be most comfortable. Take a tour of the surrounding area, not just the campus.

I would say that you should decide first what kind of community you would like to be in. I personally do not like big adn crouded areas so I chose a small school in a smaller area of town. Then I would look at these school based off of their credibility. You want to look at a school that has a good percentage of placement of the students after they graduate in either jobs or graduate schools. I would also strongly recomend touring the school because I think that is when you really know if you like the school. Once you are at a school I would recomend being slightly involved in the school in going to some events and to make friends with the people you are living with. My suite mate from my freshman year is now my best friend at school.

Be curious, adaptable and open-minded. Attempt to have a clear picture of your goals, both personally and professionally. The stronger connection you can make between school and your career, the less stressful and more successful you will be.

Both parents and students need to take time to consider all of their options including what type of job they're pursuing, before they start college. Some high schools offer vocational training, which can help when deciding on what to major in at school. Also, students, when picking the right college, choose one that fits you and consider the scholarships, grants and FAFSA EARLY! It may feel like a lot of work, but it helps make things a lot cheaper! Find out what is expected of you by most professors and consider what type of help (Tutors/study groups) is available at school. Both parents and students, consider the local schools in your area, especially the junior and community colleges and what's required of transfer students at the current school you may be interested in. Sometimes it's best to start with a 2- year college since it can provide an associates degree, something you can fall back on, just in case the University doesn't work out. Community college is a good investment because you can live at home, (since some colleges have everything in walking distance), you can keep your car and have home cooked meals daily!!!

Take your time and do your research. One size does not fit all and will make all the difference in the academic experience. Visit the campus several times. Make sure it feels like it fits you. An uncomfortable marginalizing campus environment will absolutly deminish your ability to live, learn, and grow in a healthy and challenging manner.

The college should be selected soley on basis of what the student is looking for in a school. The primary focus should be on if the school offers the degree program of interest or if undecided offers a variety of degree programs. Also, a school that offers special programs or housing situations based on honors designation or type of degree provides a network of people who will be helpful during the college process. This type housing is huge benefit to a school and student. Other important consideration should be on the cost of the college and availibility of financial aid. Never chose a school because of who else is attending or because it offers a very active social calendar. You don't need to pay to go to college if you are only using it to bump up your social calendar. It is a waste of effort on the professor's part and to the other students to have to attend with a student who is not serious about their degree goals.

Don't be afraid to talk to current students at the schools you are interested in, in fact, do it. The admissions offices which high school students coorespond with are designed to pull you in. If you want facts about the important things (what your life will be like outside of the 16 hours of classes you have every week) then you have to talk to the people who know, the people who are going through that now. It's scary to talk to "cool college kids," or at least it was for me, but it's one of those things you just have to do. College students understand what you are going through, how do you think they got to where they are now? They know what is important to incoming freshman because just a few years ago, they were the new kids, fresh out of high school. In order to know what goes on when classes aren't in session, you have to talk openly about your concerns with the people who know best. The admissions offices know the stats, but when they are gone for the day, it's the students who remain and know the reality.

Learn to embrace change. You may not end up at your dream college- it's okay. Choose to learn anyway. Or, maybe you do get into the perfect school, but...your roommate sucks or you decide to change your major. Don't freak out. Embrace change - you'll be surprised how much the EXPERIENCE of college will teach you. It's worth the student loans, I promise. :)

For parents and students looking for the perfect college, I would tell them to take your time on your pick. It is a life changing decision. I would tell the student not to stress out over applications. Remember the school isn't choosing you, you are choosing the school. Also, step out of your boundries a little. This might be your only time to live in an enviornment that you might not usually live in. This will help you to learn about others, which in the end will make you more tolerant. To make the most out of your college experience, I believe that there are three things that you must do. The first is to study and get help if you need it. Take advantage of study groups, tutors, and question sessions. The second thing you must do is become active. Sign-up for clubs or intermurals. These will give you a break from the books and will allow you to make friends. The last piece of advice I would give is get sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, you will not be able to perform at your highest level in class and other activites.

I think having a son /daughter attend a college in the same area for the first two years of college as their home is the best advice. I went away as a freshman, and didn't have a bit of sense. It was party time. There was too much freedom with too little guidance or discipline.