University of Indianapolis Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

William

Have some sort of an idea of a major, but always be open to changing your major. It is okay to change your mind!

Sharaya

I would let myself know that I need different study skills. I would notify myself of the website www.ratemyprofessor.com so that I can look into the professors that are available for each course. I would also have told myself that I should have done some shadowing for Occupational Therapy, so that I had that readily available for graduate school. Another topic that I wish I would have known ahead of time is registration for classes. I worried about that for no apparent reason. I thought I was not going to get into all of my classes. Now, I am on my last semester and find that that was the least of my worries. Lastly, I would let myself know that I would have hard times. I would miss my mother, have doubts of succeeding, and wonder why I am putting myself through this. I now know that the key is to keep my eye on the prize. Knowing that I am in college to be an OT someday is where my motivation comes from. I may have to go through rough times right now, but it will be worth it when I'm helping people as an OT.

Brandon

Your opportunities that are in front of you right now are endless. There are ways to get ahead and improve your chances right now. Remember that time is money. You've got to start working smart, dressing smart and make life happen instead of waiting for it to happen. First, you are determined and a hardworker. Don't settle for a simple minimum wage job. Don't make money for someone else. Use your enginuity to make money for yourself. Find ways that will make people want to give you their money. Diversify your portfolio of talents and income. Second, you have to dress smart. Ditch the t-shirt and move to a button down shirt. Decide to look like you are the future of business because you are. The way that people will see you will largely influence their willingness to associate with you and invest their time or money in you. Third, make life happen isntead of waiting for it to happen. Don't wait for the opportunity to present itself. Go out there and create the opportunity. The proactive approach will provide many open doors. Life is what you make it. Go out and make it happen.

Kendon

Focus more on scholarships! They are so important, especially for more expensive, private schools. Also the size of the school does matter quite a bit. People say small schools are better because you "aren't just a number," but unless you go to an incredibly small school, you really will be a number unless you make yourself outstanding, and that's okay, you will spend more time learning about yourself than wanting others to learn about you. Also, pick a major that is practical but double major in something you love, like English or philosophy. It will make life easier.

Stephanie

I would tell myself to try and get out of the dorm room. I have grown up for most of my life in the house. I was more of a indoor girl, but my parents tried to get me out more. As my senior year started, I became involved in athletics and had been on the girls track team for three years. I want to become fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. This also wants me to help others achieve the healthy style that they want. It will help be a better person overall.

Leeann

I would tell high school me to get out of my dorm room and go socialize. I have spent my entire college career working two jobs and taking 18 credit hours and as a result I have very little social life. I don't regret spending time making money and earning credits for my double major but I think it would have been beneficial to get in more networking and more sterotypical college socializing. Most of all I would also tell myself to apply for more scholarships like this one. I ran out of federal loan money for my senior year and now I'm scrambling for free money so I don't have to take out too many more loans in addition to my current $43,000 debt. I still have to make up a huge difference in loan money to finish my degree this year, over $8,000 to be exact. High school me should have been a lot more serious and agressively applied for any and all scholarships and she should have been more social butterfly and less fly on the wall.

Barry

If I could go back into time and give advice to my self when I was a high school senior I would give my self two pieces of advice. The first piece of advice would be to save money because college is really expensive. The second piece of advice would be to cherish the fun times in high school because going to college is like entering into the real world. College is an unbelievable opportunity but high school will never return and no one wants to regret pieces of there high school career. I would simply tell my self to enjoy life because it is meant to be enjoyed.

april

i would go back and tell myself that no matter what any one says to stay in school and go for your dreams

Andrew

If I had the opportunity to go back, I would have to begin by shaking my old self screaming that I need to learn to study. In highschool I think I spent all of two days in a month studying, and that was during finals. College does not allow for that type of attitude whatsoever, and I was simply not prepared. While the overall transition of moving in, and meeting new people was tricky, the most difficult adaptation I've had to make thus far has been to teach myself how to properly learn. My first semester served as the test bed for this process, and caused my GPA to suffer a bit, and while I've got it down quite well now, some great opportunity was wasted. To my past self: just sit down and at least act like the material isn't coming easy, you are going to need to know how to read a textbook and retain the content very, very soon.

Dannielle

If I could go back in time and have a conversation with myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry too much about what career you want to go into. You will change your mind so many times that it isn't even worth it to stress over your future career. Take the time to research every career out there and take classes from different subjects to see if you are really interested in that field. College is supposed to be a time to find out who you really are and where your interests lie. Don't try to rush into a career field because it will only cause unhappiness in the future. Also, I would tell myself that it's important to get out there in the world and gain some valuable experience. Volunteer at the animal shelter or at the local library. Not only will you get experience, but you will also meet some great people as well. At the end of the day, have fun at college. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to achieve perfect grades. Just have fun with the college experience and live life to the fullest.

Samantha

To my high school self, Really, you should have gone on college visits despite your busy and hectic schedule. If going to UIndy is your only choice, because it really ended up being it, definitely stay out late and get the silly extra curriculars out of the way. Don't be afraid to get out of your social circle. Oh, and the Asian friends you will have? Two girls, to be exact. Drop them nicely. They WILL be annoying and make you feel out of place and have really low self-esteem about your future. Keep your head up and do what you have to do. You know where you belong--don't let your mind talk you out of it. Your future is there. Keep going.

Sa'Vonn

STRIVE: First off, I would remind myself of the struggles I have already been through not yet mentioning the ones to come. I would tell myself that things don't get easier transitiong into college, so seeing how hard my life is right now I might want to strive just a little harder if I want a stable college life experience. I would tell myself, "do a little better in school and study alot more", so that I can get better scholarship opportunities and not be put on a waiting list just to get into my first semester of college. I would let me know that if I don't want to have to watch my mother work 12 hours a day slaving at a factory then I will definitely do what ever it takes to get this education because it's breaking my heart watching her do this. The only way I am going to be able to assist my mother is if I graduate from college and get a degree, so I have to start college off the right way. If I had known what was on the line, the outcome of my present would have been different.

Rachael

Supposing that I could go backin time, I would have to tell my high school self not to freak out as much. Due to what everyone had told me in high school, I had always assumed I would get to college and be buried under this massive load of impossibly hard work. Thankfully, that never happened. Also, I would tell my former self that I should apply for more scholarships because my dad was going to lose his job in November. Ironic thing was, that happened to my sister and my mother as well.

Hannah

I'd tell myself to take chances. To try new things and new experiences because those are really what matter. Enjoy yourself and if you're not, change something. I'd also tell myself to JUST DO IT. Be persistent and accomplish what you know you need to in order to be successful. College is a great journey that only lasts so long and once it's over all you've got is memories. People move on and things change. Change is what makes life and college years so great, but at the same time very sad. People you thought would be there forever fade away, but memories of those people are everlasting. I's also tell myself to stop being so dang stubborn! Lighten up a little, have fun, and break some rules for goodness sakes. It's not going to matter to much in the end and if it does, well, it had to have been worth it. Although this all sounds like fun and games, make sure you actually obtain information and practical education for real life.

Joelle

If I could go back to my high school self, I would try to convince myself to not let other people influence decisions. This is an important time in your life; don't let others take that away. Go to college. Go to a university. Make new friends. It's much easier, not to mention cheaper, when you're young than to wait until you have a family of your own and other responsibilities.

Kyran

Keep up the good work. It may seem annoying now, but you made a great decision in not taking the easy route for senior year. All of these advanced class will really help in college. Make sure you are really paying attention and learning because it will pay off. You should definitely start saving and spending money wisely right now. You are going to want things and want to do things, and it's going to cost you money. Be prepared to have fun. There are definitely a lot of things to do. Also, be ready to make new friends. I know you have a hard time doing that, but you are going to get lonely so get ready to have to open up to people and create new bonds. Don't get too clingy to your boyfriend, be ready to venture out on your own. Most importantly, be ready to stay focused. This will probably be one of the most important years of your life; you won't want to mess up!

elizabeth

The best advice that I would tell myself is to plan ahead and to not leave everything to the last minute. Also i would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships because paying tutition is very difficult. I would really do my "homework" on all colleges because right not i am paying for delaware county community college the same that i would pay for West Chester University . lastly, I would tell myself to learn how to manage my time . College work is different and than high school work, College work is very time consuming, it requires your full attention.

Hannah

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid to take more college classes. My high school offered many courses that were college credit, which was great because many students do not get the opportunity to take classes for college credit. My senior year I only took one college class because it was required for my diploma. I wish I would have taken more because a.) The class was a lot cheaper and b.) All those classes would transfer over to my college transcript. I would tell myself to not be afraid of a challenge and take more college courses while I had the chance, because it would help me once I got to college. Since I can’t go back and tell myself in real life, it is important to tell the current high school students to take the opportunity of having college courses in the high school.

Julianne

With your drive to graduate and your fear of dropping out of college and moving back home, go to the school you really want to go to. I know mom doesn't approve but that will motivate you to try even harder. You're not one that minds fitting in or not but that will change when you go to UIndy. There are students here that are athletes and students here from the top of thier class, or students that are very religious, and you are none of those. There are few students like you and you will find yourself in the party scene a lot because that is the only way you can relate to people. However you will make many friends of different nationalities and are presented with great job opportunities here and that is why you chose here in the first place. The small class size makes the professors accessible which you enjoy. No matter what, once you graduate you will be happy that you attended college and you have a bright future ahead of yourself so focus on the goal ahead and don't become discouraged.

Anthony

On a personal level, I'd advise myself not to make certain choices that led to regret. As a college student, I'd tell myself to not procrastinate as much as I did. I'd certainly have a higher GPA following this. I would guide myself to becoming a physical therapist, instead of living in uncertainty. Lastly, I would tell myself that living in depression is not the answer. That I will eventually find a way to happiness. Hurting those I love eventually hurt my future. If I left anything out, I would at least have new advice to follow.

Cassandra

Save your money and stock up for the winter. The major road that runs by your school will be under construction and there will be days where you won't want to deal with it. Try your hardest in school and apply for A LOT of scholarships and grants. You will need all the financial help you can get, but it's worth it. The transition is easy. You'll make great, new friends so don't worry about the ones you're leaving. Your teachers will also be great. And always remember: be the bigger person. Be an adult.

Danielle

if i was able to go back to high school and talk to my self as a senior i would tell myself to work harder for what i want. i would also say that you need to find a college to go to instead of saying everything will be fine and g to community college. i would have also have asked more questions to help prepare me for the work load that i would be taken on in college.

Jocelyn

I would tell myself to look into getting assessed by an Autism specialist to make getting the paperwork for the special accomadations easier.

sarah

Dear Self, 1. College is a time to make mistakes! So go out and do it. Try new things even if they sound weird or unusual. Join clubs, intramurals, and organizations that have nothing to do with your major but seem interesting and fun. 2. A time wasted with wonderful people – isn’t really wasted time. Meet new people and spend countless hours talking about nature, life, hopes, movies or whatever you want. Some of the most memorial times you will have will be sitting in the lobby of the dorm or cafeteria meeting new people and laughing about new things! 3. Study hard and Play hard! Learn to review things daily so that you don't have to study so much when the test comes and you have more time to play in and out of the dorm room. 4. Don't take things to seriously. Be kind to yourself. It is okay to earn a C on a test or paper. It is okay kiss a boy you don't really see in your future. You don't have to worry or fuss over it. Be kind and enjoy this time in your life! Love, Your Future Self

Amanda

Don't just settle for what your parents want. You have to make the decision of what you want to do, where you want to go, etc. It's your life, and your parents aren't living it for you. You have to want to do this. Also, apply everywhere, even if you know you don't want to go there. You may change your mind later on and transfer. It's easier if they have your application in from earlier.

Leslie

If I were to meet my 18 year old self right now, I would probably freak out. After the initial shock i would sit her down and explain to her that if she doesnt look for more options, she is going to be very upset with her life when she is in her senior year of college. Make good choices and work hard, because you never know what could happen. I would also tell her to take a break after graudation and get your head together other wise you're going to be burnt out before you realize it. But most of all...all work and no play will make u go insane, so make sure that you have balance in your life. And remember you have to pay for all of this, so make it worth it!

Sara

I would tell myself, take that Spanish class because you will not have to take it again in the long run. Work hard because it will all be worth it in the end. Keep those eight hour study habits and keep taking your classes serious, and do not get caught up in the social aspect, it is not worth it. College will be so much different you will enjoy it so much more. Keep your head up and do not worry about friends right now, you will have plenty of change in the near future. Buckle down and grasp as much as you can now it will help, but do not limit your options and be open to new ideas and study skills, train yourself for the upcoming and start practicing now.

Lauren

My college experience so far has taught me first how to live on my own and be responsible 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} solely for myself. I have had to learn to live with another human, unrelated to me, and sort through problems that occasionally arise. Attending college has also helped me to get closer to my goal of earning a pharmacy degree as well as play college softball. I have learned a whole new level of what it means to work hard which has taught me discipline as well. I have been put in unsheltered situations and had to reason through them to make the correct decisions which has also made me a stronger and overall better person.

Kayla

My college experience has made me feel more at home then I had back in my home town. Everyone there is so friendly, and open, as well as willing to accept new people. Plus, the school is small and open which has been a good experience for me.

Taylre

My college experience has allowed me to grown not only as an individual, but also as a student and a well developed leader and mentor for others. By attending my university, I have been able to volunteer in many admireable organizations such as; College Mentors for Kids where we mentor at risk youth showing them the benefits of higher education, and also Peer Exchange where we are mentors and friends for peers at our university with a disorder on the Austism Spectrum. I have also been blessed to now be a Resident Assistant for the 2010-2011 academic school year where I will be able to mentor young women as well as my peers at my university as well as help introduce and inforce my universities values and rules. My overall standing as a high achieving student has led to my academic success and to my ability to give back to my community and to the university that I attend. I believe that by attending a university that is committed to Service for Education, I have been able to appreciate the education I have been blessed with and share that education with others as well.

Samantha

I have learned how important it is to adjust from high school work to college work. In college, the workload increases as well as the amount in one time. The teachers don't baby you about getting your homework in on time or attend classes as much as possible. In college, you are responsible for your own actions, and forces you to mature and prepare for the real life after school.

Shelby

I have gotten out of school that you need to stay focused and want to do it. Your parents aren't making you go to school, you have to want it and go for it. You are the one that makes yourself get out of bed in the morning, finish that 5 page paper, and go to class every day. There is no doubt about it that it's hard and will be hard but you need to do it to make yourself happy. It has shown me how short life is and how much time flies. It has also shown me that I can do whatever I put my mind too.

Courtney

College has greatly changed my life; from the relationships I have built with my instructors to the people I've met on campus who share my interests. Through my education I have found a career path that I can be passionate about and I've learned the skills I need to be successful in that career. I've learned to challenge myself and to respect the opinions of others. I've learned to speak up in a crowd and to hold my ground in a debate. My fellow students have taught me valuable lessons, such as how to negotiate with my professors and how to cram 100 vocabulary words into my brain. On campus, I've met my future mentors, my future co-workers, and future world leaders. To say that my college experience has been invaluable would be a vast understatment.

Jennifer

College at the University of Indianapolis has been a whirlwind experience. I have learned so many things and grown as a young adult here. Being on my own for the first time had the biggest impact on me. I learned how to take care of myself and learned what it took to make sure I was setting myself up for success. The challenge for me was finding a balance between academics, sports, and my social life. The difficulty of academics forced me focus alot of my attention on my grades. With this, I learned time management and how to develop study strategies that fit me best. Despite the difficutly of academics, it pushes me to reach my highest potential. I value the academics at the university because it will set me up for many opportunities in my future. Meeting so many new people has been the most exciting part of my college experience. Overall, I have enjoyed my experience at the university and what it offers me academically, socially, and in extracurricular activities.

Bianca

I've gotten a majority of my life changing epiphanies in college. I learned how to maintain bills, buy cars, study, and push myself harder than ever to make my future bright. I also have had to pay for college and i know the value of my education dollar wise and futuristically. College is the final step toward making something for ones self. College is the gateway to a new world of opportunities and growth experiences. Without college I know I wont be where I've planned on being my whole life. I've learned how to stay healthy physically and psychologically because I played college volleyball and ran track. Being a colligate student athlete is completely different from just being a student athlete. More responsibilities are encorperated with being a colligate student athlete and it requires a lot of patience and persistence.

Rachel

The transition from high school to college life is difficult, but exciting. College requires more dicipline and more independent study. I have learned to organize my time and balance classroom time and studying with my social life. I have learned to focus on my goals and not only live for today, but see my future tomorrow. I understand that I must work hard now to achieve my career goals for the future. College has been a great experience for me. I have gained more independence, but am still living very close to my family. This has been great! It has been an exciting fun time and I know that it will be an experience I will never forget and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am very happy I have chose this path for my life and have chosen the University of Indianapolis to obtain my education.

Chelsea

If I could go back in time, I would tell my Senior self to change my naive way of thinking and buckle down on my academics. I went to a High School where my cohorts were very materialistic. Each day I tried to mold my views and my appearance to fit in with a clique that I would never belong to. I wasted valuable time obesseing over fitting in instead of thinking what I wanted to do with my future, planning for college, applying for scholarships, etc. This is a struggle that many girls face. They worry about the "now" and never the future. I truely wish I could tell that insecure girl to be true to herself do whats best for her, and forget about how peers percieve her.

Wendy

A a senior in high school you have so many opportunities. If you're not sure what degree you want to pursue get enrolled anyway, meet with your advisor and see what interests you. Choose a school close to home and live at home. If your parents can not pay for college than get a part-time job and pay for your school as you go . Get on-line and see if there are any grants you qualify for but don't go into debt! The less financial problems you have the more time you can concentrate on your school work. Make it a point to look up and smile! Make time to do some volunteer work you'll feel so proud of yourself when you're done. Don't be so hard on yourself when you make mistakes but look at it as a learning experience. Love life and be thankful for all God has given you!!!

Gabbie

What wouldn't I tell myself? I have learned so much about myself, as well as my values after just one short semester at the University of Indianapolis, but if I had to chose just one thing it is actually something quite silly: Do not room with some one that you are friends with. This is something that a number of people told me to be careful of when I started looking at colleges, and it was also one of those things that I just had to try for myself. Me and my stubborness. Rooming with a friend from highschool made my first semester at UIndy more difficult than it should have been. There were quite a few conflicts that could have easily been avoided, but we let our friendship get in the way. I should have known right from the get go, listen to the people that have been there and done that. They know what they are talking about; yes, even more than my stubbornness.

Domonique

I would give myself advice to learn more study skills, spend more time studying, focus on my grades and not rushing to get out of school. It don't start when you are a senior it starts when you start learning. Taking everything my teachers ha told me and putting it to use in college. Getting more involved in college programs they could be a big help. Fill out all types of scholarships. Ask questions about any and everything. Just expect the unexpected. Prepare yourself for it don't prepare yourself to go to college just to get away from your mother, father, or just to live that college party life go in it knowing that you are going to have to use what you learned in college and learn x2 on top of what you already know. Fill out applications early so you will have options dont wait till deadline stay on top of things and you will get the best out of it. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS EXPECT GREAT THINGS.

Nicole

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be open to all opportunities that come my way in college and all other aspects of life. College is a time to improve yourself and to get to know the real you. It is where you develop the personality and work ethic that will stick with you throughout the rest of your life. Some other advice I would give myself is to be involved with as many clubs and activities as possible, both on and off campus. If you get too stressed, however, then eliminate some of the extra-curricular activities. Also, be prepared for class. Take the initiative to read the first chapter of each textbook for the first day of class. Get in the habit of setting aside time for studying no matter what your friend or roommate is doing. You are in charge of your education and what you put into it is what you will get out of it. Be a sponge and soak it all in everyday for the next four years of your life.

Scott

I would say that taking tests like the SAT more than once is very important. Also, AP classes are very important because they prepare you well for college courses. I would recommend getting a job during your last couple of years of high school and save as much money as possible for college. I would also recommend to apply for as many scholarships as you can. I would say that reading is a huge focus in college and you had better be ready for a huge increase in reading assignments. Writing papers in college is also a huge aspect that was not focused on in high school as much so definately do your very best in your english classes because i think those were the most "blown off" classes in high school when they should not have been. Also take elective classes in high school that relate to your major, kind of like the AP classes. The most important thing is to prepare yourself for a huge amount of stress and stay away from potentialy stressfull situations and drugs and alcohol because you will just go off the deep end fast. College is much harder, and faster. BE READY!

Michael

If I could go back to my senior year of high school and talk to myself I would advise myself to improve my studying skills, apply for scholarships, know what I wanted out of a university and stay focused because there will be distractions. I would improve my studying skills because in college there aren't tests every two weeks like in high school to support your grades. There are only midterms and finals depending on your teacher and if you?re not prepared for those exams you will fail. Another important thing I would do is apply for scholarships because college is expensive and if you can get any type of financial aid help it will help greatly. By knowing what you want from a university it will put you in a better position to be happy and succeed as well because you?re placed with all the tools you need in order to better yourself. Finally I would advise myself to make sure that I stay focused because with all the distractions in college it?s easy to lose focus on why you?re in school and that?s to get a education.

Meagan

If I could go back in time I would adivise myself to not give up when things become hard. I would tell myself this, because during the first semester of my freshman year of college I found out that my father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After I found this out I was completely devistated. My father was a man that I looked up to. He was a man that never got hurt. While he was dealing with the cancer I was playing softball, and it made me feel guilty that I could not be there for him. My grades began to suffer. Later in June he passed away, and my world had been turned upside down. I began my sophmore year with no phone calls from dad asking how my first day was, or asking how softball practice was. I soon became very sad and depressed. I went home for break and saw my grades, and at that point they were not good enough for me to get into PT school. At that moment I felt my life's dream slip away. From then on I have worked my hardest at getting the grades I know I deserve.

Alex

I would strongly encourage myself to develope a much better sense of discipline and work ethic. I would also tell myself to apply myself in all areas of life, as it really really matters how much someone applies theirself so close to such a huge transition in life. Really, I would have lived my senior year in a completely different manner than what I had, but I would want high schoolers of today to learn from mine and many other college students' regrets. I would want them to actually listen to all the cliches of applying for as many scholarships as possible. Most of all, though, I would want them to listen to the wise words of the experience-hardened veterans of life: live your life to the fullest. There are so many opportunities right in front of you to live, and those are the experiences that will help you in college and later in life. I want these youths to happen to life instead of it happening to them. That's exactly what I regret everyday that I work my full-time job trying to get back into college. No drive and no plans means an undesirable future.

Micah

I would not choose my college based upon a high school relationship that was not serious. I'm happy now though that I am where I am.

Tanikka

I would tell myself to work harder to get scholarships. I've paid about seven thousand for this year, but I could have easily gone for free if I would have worked harder to find more scholarships. I also would have told myself how to manage my time better. College is a whole new world when it comes to time management. I've gotten really good at being able to manage my time so I can still spend time with my friends and work on weekends. I would also tell myself that I can be a very responsable adult and that there is nothing to worry about. I would also remind myself of my love for music.

Cheryl

The advice I would give my self if I would have to go back in time wouldn't be any different. I am very happy and proud of my famiily and I wou,dn't of done it anyother way. I am more responsiple. and happy. My dream is to continue to finish college and graduate.

Kathryn

I would say, "Katie, college is the biggest transition you will ever go through in life. But it is also the most fun you have had yet! There will be times you may get lonely or wonder if you came to the right place but soon you will have made some relationships with people that will last your entire life. Schoolwork will be extremely difficult at times but just know that you are never alone. There is always someone awake with you and they will provide encouragement. Have a positive attitude. You will make many friends and have the best college experience of anyone you know. Live your life!"

Kara

Going away for college is probably the best decision you could ever make. It's hard knowing where to fit in at first, but you have to remember to be yourself around everybody, even if you don't feel comfortable. The greatest thing about college is that people tend to forget any bias they held in high school, and they learn how to accept people for their differences. Now is your time to be the decision maker, so be sure to make the right ones. It is time to be held accountable for yourself, so be sure your choices are ones that you would be proud to share with your children someday. Of course, this is your time to have fun, but you need to be smart about the fun. You cannot trust everybody, and there are no redos. Be there for your friends--always. You WILL need their help someday. These friends will become the family you never knew you had, so treat them with respect, and never be afraid to be the first to apologize. This is YOUR college experience, and you will get out of it what you put in. Make it worth it.