University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Top Questions

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

Jessica

If I could go back in time I'd tell myself to stop stressing over the little obstacles and begin to cherish the time that I currently have with family. I'd let myself know that I'll be ten times busier than I thought I'd be and not be able to have the time I was expecting in order to talk to my family. I'd tell myself that even though my brother's stereo woke me up once again, that I should get up and dance with him instead of being grumpy with him the rest of the day. I'd tell myself how I should referee my brother and dad's sporadic wrestling matches instead of being annoyed that they knocked over all the laundry I just folded. I'd tell myself that even though it was frustrating when my mom talked while I was trying to do my homework, I should stop and listen to her stories because someday soon I'd give anything to hear her voice. As unbelievable as it is, I’d tell myself the annoying things my family did would be the things that I missed most.

Rachel

There is an overemphasis on end results of education and not enough emphasis on the learning process. Pressures from teachers manipulate students to focus on how well they are doing as a substitute for focusing on what they are doing. Students are caught up on results. Students begin to view school as an obligation, not an opportunity. As school becomes an obligation, school work becomes a task. As achievement combined with school work is stressed, the amount of genuine learning declines. Students who have put success out of their minds are more likely to be successful than the student who only looks for the correct answers. Due to stresses of society, students are under a significant amount of pressure to reach a higher level of achievement that may just be too high. Everyone falls short at some point in time; however modern society tends to construe minor flaws as huge failures. In addition to personally failing themselves, students believe that they are incompetent. Harm comes from paying too much attention to the end results rather than learning. If too much emphasis is placed on results students tend to think less about learning and more about the test outcomes.

Lance

Dear 17-year old, high school senior self, Don't change a thing about yourself. Don't try to act different. Don't assume college is a clean slate and you can become a new person. You're amazing the way you are now. You'll find that people appreciate you for who you really are and that acting out-of-character won't really get you anywhere. If for some reason people don't like you, then just realize they're missing out. Focus on finishing out this year strong. Enjoy high school while you can. Salvage these times with your buddies and make sure to say goodbye to the people you care about. Maybe ask that cute junior out...you're going to kick yourself for letting her get away. All-in-all, college will be a blast. Try not to party too much, otherwise your third semester will be pretty rough. Classes are tougher, but you can handle it bud; just study hard and pay attention. If you work hard enough, you can do anything! Best wishes, from your future self. P.S. The Packers win the Super Bowl next year, so make a bet with Ty.

Katrina

While in high school I didnt even think I had the option to make it into college. I am a first generation student and did not have much support. While looking back I wish that I would have thought about what career path interested me and maybe done some job shadows or just talked more with my advisor about it. Looking into a career would have helped me to take courses right away towards a major that I was interested in. The biggest advice I would give to myself though is to not hold back and try to get involved right from the begining. I would have hooked up with good friends before starting college.

Aubry

I did very well in high school and graduated with honors. One thing I would tell myself or anyone is to learn very good study skills. The thing that hurts me the most in college are poor study skills and has really brought my gpa down. I feel that I had a good amount of fun but also made sure I stayed on top of school more than my other friends and that has tought me to be more self disiplined in college.

michael

Just do it. Do your work, go to class and get your priorities straight. Don't ever under any surcumstances miss a class. You are paying for this so you better do it right. Ignore all other things that don't relate to school. Don't get depressed when your friends start killing themselves around you. Just do college nothing else.

Mickael

I would tell myself to be less dependent on my parents and to try to find a way to pay for college on my own because counting on parents to take care of my finances may not always be the best option. I would also tell myself to study more for tests like the ACT or the SAT because it can really be very beneficial in the long run. I would also advise myself to be more organized when starting college because college life can quicly become very hectic and very overwhelming. I would most importantly remind myself to be a more responsible individual and to be aware of my goals and that some sacrifice may be necessary to meet them.

Molly

Work hard, concentrate, college is different, the course work is tougher. Everything MATTERS.

Sara

I would tell myself to stop worrying about whether or not Oshkosh was "prestigious" enough. Oshkosh is sometimes known for being a school that a lot of people can be accepted to, and isn't very selective. My grades have always been really high, so I worried about how I would be perceived by going to Oshkosh. I shouldn't have been. The education I get here is wonderful, especially for the price it's at. Also, it has an absolutely wonderful program for Radio/TV/Film. Many different student-produced projects have won national awards, beating out some of the bigger schools around the nation that are known for film production. I would also tell myself not to worry about making friends. All I had to do was get involved in different organizations relating to my major right away, and I quickly made friends. Overall, a lot of little things that I was stressing about are now things that I see aren't something to stress over at all, and I wish I had just enjoyed the experience of my first time being in college a little bit more.

Mariah

Dear high school me, Don't be so afraid. I know that college is sometimes scary to think about. But don't worry about it! You'll make friends, just be yourself and everyone will love you. Don't let others get you down. Get out there! Experience new things. Don't be afraid to try something different. You'll be a lot happier with yourself if you make friends with the girls in your hall. The first week there, go knock on everyone's door and meet people. It'll be the best thing you ever do. Also, classes are hard, and you will need to study. Don't procrastinate like you do in high school. You know you're smart, use that to your advantage. Have fun in class, make friends, but also make sure to pay attention. Your GPA will thank you for that later. Study hard and do the best you can on your exams. They're hell, that's for sure, but they sure are passable and you can do it. Love, Your college self P.s. Don't take anthropology, you won't like it at all :)

Tamara

Having the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior would be something that would have benefited me in where I am now. The best advice I would give to myself is to pick one major/profession and go with just that. Then, contact different colleges that offer that degree/program and see which college best suits my goals. I went into college unsure of how things worked and what I really wanted to do. I've changed my major and currently working towards an associates degree in RN but had I known what i just found out about my current school's RN program then I would have been farther along in the process to becoming an RN than where I am now. Having known from the start exactly where and what I wanted to do would have helped me. Getting out of high school I didn't have the adequate knowledge to make me realize that being an RN is where my heart and future lies. I know that anything is possible when you set your mind to it and that my own future is what I make it

Margaret

The advice I would give myself would be to join as many clubs and organizations as possible. Get involved!This helps to make friends and connect with your campus and its resources. It helps with the homesickness as well. I would tell myself that it is different from high school because you can not wait to the last minute to prepare. You need to give yourself time and study a lot. I would also say that you should talk to your professors when you have questions or problems. They are very approachable and it is nice for them to be able to put a name to a face. It is alright to be undecided, I know I worried a lot because I wasn't sure what to major in but you have got time. I would advise myself to take classes in what interests me and then see what sticks. Overall I would just stress the importance of getting involved and keeping busy so that you can start to transition and get into the swing of things easier. Now as a senior I have joined clubs and orgs and they have significantly changed my college experience in a positive way.

Nicole

That is an interesting question especially since I am currently a student mentor to incoming freshman. My whole purpose is to help students make the transition from high school to college. I would tell my younger self not be so hard on yourself. Enjoy this time in your life because it goes by so fast. I would then emphasize the importance of reaching out to other students, faculty, and counselors. You need a strong support system to get through this tranistion. Reaching out and becoming part of somehting that is bigger than you will help you to invest in other people as well as yourself. Finally, I would say never give...keep going after your dream, it is never too late to be what you want to be.

alexander

The advice that I would tell myself is to slow down and take this last year of high school and enjoy it. Even though as a senior in high school you are ready to leave and experience the "new life" of college it’s important to just slow down, take in the memories and try to grow even stronger as an individual, but more importantly as an adult. Another advice I would give myself as a senior in high school is to prepare mentally for college and all tasks involved. Getting prepared for a different lifestyle is have the battle when you’re in a new environment; time management, study skills and all of the things your teacher as told you up to this point is important to capitalize on those skills. Having a strong work ethic a pond entering college will only help you succeed in school and in life. The last bit of advice I would tell myself is to always think, "Would mom and dad be proud of me?" Because at school you are an adult and there is going to be choices you are going to have make that may impact how you live at school.

Avery

Don't room with Jake. There's some truth in the words of those who warn you against rooming with your best friend. You know how annoying Jake can be, and let me tell you, it's not something you'll grow numb to. You'll still see him and you'll make new friends. Just make sure you meet everyone on your floor right away. Despite obnoxious first impressions and nearly constant blaring music, there are actually a few pleasant people who will be on your floor that are quite sociable. Namely the guys next door and across the hall. Be wary of the blonde girl you meet who is...animated to say the least, she's fun but can be a bit too much. Just always try to meet new people and you'll be content with your friends. As for your classes, don't freak out about them, you'll do fine. Although if you want to save yourself some unnecessary stress over you grade in calc, make sure you don't miss the clandestine problem on the third test. It's wedged way up at the top of the second page. Otherwise have fun! You will.

Cheyenne

Past self, you should make sure you'll be able to pay for you schooling ahead of time. Don't rely on your parents to be able to pay things for you, and if you plan on getting extra loans, be sure somebody is willing to cosign for you, so you don't have to have a meltdown between semesters trying to figure out how you're going to come up with the substantial amount of money you need to pay for the rest of the year.

Cameron

Cameron it's me, I am you, I know this is odd but just bear with me. When you start out for college you should fill out the FAFSA right away, it can really help to alleviate a lot of stress later on and make things easier for everyone later on. Also, stay at UW-Fox for another year, you have a great base there and a lot of good contacts that you get along with, it's a wonderful fit for you and you have more flexibility there than you will at UW-O. Stay involved with all the clubs your in now, and talk with Susan about the performing industry as soon as you get there, stay involved with everything, fight through the difficult times and don't give up on your hopes and dreams, find a talent agent right away and be smart. And remember, you are unique :-D

Michael

Stick to a schedule and have discipline and motivation while attending classes. Things don't always work out the first time, but perseverance and a solid work ethic will accomplish a lot.

Rachel

If I could back to my senior year or even to high school period. I would have definitely taken my education more serious. In high school i rarely made it to school and almost didn't graduate. My circumstances were unfortunate when i was in high school. I was forced to choose between getting my education or working a full time job to support myself. My junior year I almost dropped out because of I was working 40 hours a week so I was getting home too late and wouldn't make it to school. Then I spoke to a counselor, came to my senses. So even though it was difficult I still pushed through. Although i was on my own I still wish I would have made better choices with my education. I was satisfied with barely passing each class when I know i could have done better.

Stevie

Get involved in as many things as possible, that you can handle. Don't get involved to the point where your studies are interfered. Take the time to do every reading outside of class and go to every class.

Andrea

My advice to myself as a high school senior would be to have fun, enjoy your senior year, and don't get so stressed out about school. You are striving to be the perfect 4.0 student but that just is not necessary in having a full life. It is important to do good in school but there are also lessons outside of school that you need to learn. Also, you should really be volunteering more because volunteer work is so instrumental in growing as a person. Positivity is the key to living a happy and full life. You should keep working hard so you can pay for college but money is not the most important thing in the world. Being a good daughter, friend, and Christian will always be more important than being rich. If you just start looking at things in a more positive light and stop sweating the small things, your life will get so much better. Enjoy every second of your senior year-go to all the football games and all the dances- because you will never get your senior year back!

Michael

Don't get caught up in the masses who are just going to school, getting good grades and hoping that it will all work out. You have to differentiate yourself if you truly want to be successful. Dream big. You have two circles in life, your income circle and dreams/goals circle. You have two options, shrink your dreams/goals cirlce to fit what your income is or find a way to grow your income circle to fit your dreams. Don't sacrifice your dreams and goals. You can impact the world don't let youself or anyone else tell you differently. You can have anything you want in life as long as you help enough people get what they want. The only difference between you and Bill Gates or other successfull people is thought process. Success is a skill set, learn it. Read books. Finally, your thoughts expand out into the world, whether you think you can or you can't - you're right.

Heather

Try to relax more. Save as much money as you can! Don't spend it on frivilous things, you'll need it in the future. Don't allow the extra work overwhelm you, just focus on getting it done and allow yourself to relax afterword.

Danielle

My best advice would be to take high school seriously. I was not a student who had to work hard to get good grades. When I came to college it took me more time to figure out what study habits were fit my ability to learn. I would also encourage students who are taking advanced classes to take the tests that will give them college credits, it advances you from the other incoming freshmen and will allow to schedule classes earlier than their peers. Another piece of advice would be to set goals and plans for what you wish to achieve in college: what program you are aiming for, what clubs/sports you want to be involved in, if you want to volunteer, option of studying abroad. By setting goals, it will make you more focused and able to achieve them. Also, have back-up options for majors if things change. It will save time and stress. So the moral of the story: be organized, plan ahead and set achievable goals. And be flexible with change.

Samantha

If I was allowed to go back to high school I would tell myself to not be so worried about what other people think about me. I wish I had more self-confidence. Stemming from my low self-esteem and desire to fit in I went to tanning beds. Little did I know when I was 19 I was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Since my surgery I have thankfully been cancer free. I wish I could have been more comfortable and confident in my own skin instead of tanning just to fit in. I wish I would have realized the impact such decisions could make on my life. I would tell myself to be proud of who I am and confident in myself. Relying on other people’s opinions of you does not make you happy. My desire to be beautiful by tanning, to fit in, could have killed me. Sadly it took being diagnosed with melanoma at such a young age to realize this. I could have prevented myself from ever having to go through the horribleness of being told “you have cancer”.

Joshua

Instantly I could tell myself two areas in which i would improve my highschool self. First of all, I would say how much being involved in a school can open up opportunities and connections with others. In highschool I slowly decline in my involvment and chose to work. I would go back in a heart beat to be part of something bigger than myself. Next I would tell myself to take school more seriously. In Highschool I never really tried and received decent grades (3.1GPA). I came to college feeling overwhelmed by some students with how much knowledge they have gathered from High school. I beleive combining those two areas I could of been more prepared and succesful at the start of my collegiate career. I have needed to put an extreme amount of library hours and study courses to obtain my goals within my collegiate career. I started with a 2.2 GPA and each semester raised my GPA and currenlty hoping to get Deans List again in the Fall 2011 semester. Finally, having more knowledge and being highly involved has open many opportunites and leadership experiences I never could be thought possible before.

Samantha

The biggest piece of advice I would give myself if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior would be to stick to my gut feelings. I had orginally started off as an Education major when I applied to Delaware County Community College. I ended up changing my major twice (Medical Assisant & Physical Therapy) and then finally decided to go back to Education. I would tell myself that even though the future courses and requirements seem overwhelming to stick with it. There is no sense in being in a major in which I do not feel passionate about. Sure, money is an important factor when picking a career, but I want to be happy. I will be happy being in the Education field working with students and guiding them through their school career. I love the feeling I get when I help others out. To sum everything up, when I start second guessing myself, stop and take a breath. It may be overwhelming and a little bit scary, but this is the major I was intended to be a part of.

Olivia

The advice that I would give myself is to not be afraid. Do not be afraid, and do not hold back. Experience life, make new friends, and keep yourself busy. In the long run you will be happier knowing that you spent less time worrying about insignificant things that cannot be changed anyways. Try to branch out. Be yourself and be happy. Do not ever give up on something you want. Nothing can stop you.

Bee

My advise that I would give to my high school self is that there are so much more to know than just high school knowledge. In college I learned so much yet there is still so much to know and learn and especially if I still have another 2-3 years to go. You couldn't imagine what they have. Anything you seek they have it, anything you want they have it. College is a very tremendous place to be. Though it is a lot of hardwork and a lot of studying, but it all pays off in the end. Now I know what college has to offer and teach, I regret nothing. When I first attended my first year of college as an Undergraduate student, I know I made the right choice. My advise to my high school self is, "Stare into life, and to never stop dreaming" -Bee.

alex

Stay focused on the school schedule and you will be fine. Use the library and resources available to get a better understanding of the course material. Meet with your advisor and let them know what your difficulties are and they will be glad to find you help. HAVE FUN

mitchell

My middle school and high school had been trying to instill the importance of keeping a calender/journal to keep your assignments and deadlines in order; this is very important. You need to remember you are on your own with keeping on task and getting work turned in on time. Another thing to be prepared for is a roommate. While fun to hang out and make new friends, it is a new experience to wake up next to a total stranger and it is helpful to be prepared to have an open mind. My advice would be to get involved in as many activities as your studies can allow. It helps to get out of your dorm and meet people but not at the cost of your grades. Use this as a chance to start becoming independant.

Leah

If I had to turn back time and give myself advice, I would cover many aspects of college. I would first tell myself to study a lot more than I did in high school. In college, an overall class grade usually consists of only a few exams instead of multiple little assignments like in high school, so starting off with a good exam score will benefit your overall grade. I would also tell myself to be prepared for distractions. Students are awake all hours of the night and play music, watch tv, and talk loudly so it may disturb both studying time and sleeping habits. So, a college student needs to learn how to work around the environmental settings they are in. Lastly, I would make sure to tell myself to make friends. It is hard to get through college without friends. You are able to study in groups, learn where various people are from and who their friends are and it is also nice to establish life long friendships.

Katherine

I would tell myself to enjoy life while I can before I have to worry so much about paying for school!!!

Gaby

Girl, you are not even going to believe all the changes you'll have to endure, like how much you really will miss Mom and the cats, how jealous you really will be with your boyfriend going to Madison, and how shy you'll become. People always say dorms are small, but you have such a great time getting to know everyone. Well, because of working so much and either going home each weekend for more work or to Madison to see Travis, that didn't exactly happen. Talk to people, befriend anyone, don't be so scared! Everyone's nervous, everyone's a bit lonely, it's ok. But what's not ok is letting your roommate walk all over you. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT let her boyfriend stay over 3 days a week just because she's your best friend and she's lonely when you're at work. She sees him every single weekend, she needs to get out there and make friends too! I know it is so hard for you to break out of your shell, but it's necessary. Also, you actually have to study! A LOT! You can do it.

Nicole

It has been a real learning experience. I have learned the big responsiblity it is to get an education. With out the education I see no future for me. I have learned alot and how studying is so important. I have a had some ups and downs in my life but since I have started with school it has shown me how important my education can be. It has shown me were I can go and where I want to be in the next few years. Taking care of animals is my life and learning more about them makes me understand the quality of life and that they need someone like me to be there for them when they need help. Thank you.

Stephanie

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. It has tought me what the real world entails and how hard it is to support yourself without your parent's help. It showed me time management and how to be productive and gave me a reality check as to what needs to be done in order to have a successful future and career. It takes a lot of hard work and determination and the "slacking off" I did in high school is over. I have learned to mature and become an individual with goals. Attending college is valued to me because if I would have not attended I would not have been shown what it takes to get the results you want in life.

megan

I have met so many new friends and friends that I can see myself being friends with for a lifetime. I have gone out of my comfort zone by doing things I normally wouldn't do (sports, clubs.) It has been valuable to attend because I have learned how to work smart in school and use my time wisely.

Amanda

In the year and a half I have attended college I have learned many things. Before college I felt like I could never pick one thing that I wanted to be for the rest of my life because there were just so many choices. As I listened to all of my fellow classmates exchange there future dream jobs, I thought to myself that I was falling behind and that the time that everyone tells you, you have so much of is gone and I still have no idea what I'm going to be. When I came to college with a chosen major that I wasn't entirely sure about, I realized that it's not about signing your life away and dedicating yourself to one thing for your entire life, it's about the experience and the mistakes you make along the way. College has taught me about oppurtunities and that even with a declared major, that doesn't necessarily mean it is what I will end up doing. In fact a major is more of a goal that is set to motivate a person to finish their education; because with education all things are possible.

Eric

I have opened myself up to new people and new experiences. College has made me more friendly and outgoing, it has also made me more independent. With the course load falling all on your shoulders it is up to you to make a study program that works for you. No one is there making sure you study and get your work done , it's up to you and that has lead to me becoming more independent as well as more task oriented. It has also made me develop time management skills. With social and acadamic lives clashing it requires a person to develop time management skills quickly otherwise one may lose either social aspects of their life or fail in academic ascpects of their life.

Kristina

What I have gotten out of my college experience thus far is a renewed love of learning, through wonderful professors and a diverse curriculum.

Rachel

My college experience has opened my eyes to a world I did not know existed. Because of my experience at UW-Oshkosh, I am aware of a diverse world that exists all around me. I have been exposed to different races, religions, backgrounds, and sexual orientation that I was ignorant to before I began college here. By being involved in several clubs and organizations, I have become extremely close friends with people that I never would have thought I would be friends with. This experience has made me a better person. I am more aware of issues that are occurring all the time. My career goal is to be a counselor, and attending college here has prepared me for the issues and people that I will encounter when I enter graduate school and the work force. It has made me much more accepting and empathetic to what people who are unlike me face every day.

Laurel

I have gotten so much out of my college experience. I have learned to be more outspoken and not as shy. I am naturally an introvert and I have been able to come out of my comfort zone. I have been able to meet many people that have different backgrounds than me. Since, I went to a small, private high school; I did not get the chance to experience the different cultures. Ultimately I have gotten to learn new things and feed off of other people?s ideas. It is amazing how people think differently and how you can learn so much from other people. I knew that you do learn from other people but, I think you get the chance to do that more in college. It was valuable to me because I would not have learned the things I have learned. I would not have overcome being shy and fear of speaking in front of people. I believe the people I met helped me push through and continue on my journey to becoming a nurse.

Antonella

I have gotten so much out of my college experiences. I have actually attended two different colleges and plan on finally staying at my third one this fall. Since I started at my first school which was The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, I thought I had it all figured out. However, I found there was so many different types of people out there, so many talented people. I learned how to be open minded, because if your not you close yourself off to the amazing people, places, and things the world has to offer. I also learned how to be more independent. I started having to do things on my own like talk to people about things I was interested in applying for, speaking in front of others, etc. None of which are a big deal, but I think it was a step to help me become a more self sufficient person. I plan on attending West Virginia University in the fall and I believe that will only continue to help me become a more independent and intelligent person. College has worked wonders for me and I am so excited to be in school today.

Rachel

Attending a semester at a university allowed me to see what is important about my education. I've learned that going to college isn't about choosing the major that your parents want you to choose, or trying to get a career that will pay you more than your friends' jobs. It's more than just what your grades are or how many parties you attend. Education is more than pleasing your teachers and being the star of a sports team. It's about making friendships that will last for years. It's about choosing a course of study that you can feel good about, and one that can be useful to you. Most of all, going to college is about learning, whether it's in class or outside of classes. It's about getting to know yourself and preparing yourself for the opportunities will come and the decisions that you will face later in life. And, college is about having fun and learning to enjoy life, because life is too short to be confined to a classroom.

Sydney

My college experience is not your typical college student's experience, starting with the fact that I started living on-campus and taking a full load of courses at age sixteen through the Georgia Academy of Aviation, Mathematics, Engineering and Science at Middle Georgia College. Over the past four semesters there, I have taken 74 credit hours worth of courses, earned my A.S. in Physics, met hundreds of new people, eaten "the good, the bad, and the ugly" at the school's cafeteria, and dedicated countless hours to both schoolwork and extracurricular activities. All of my experience has not been enjoyable, for example, my Calculus-based Physics class where a good grade on a test is a C. Yet, if I could go back, knowing what I know now, and make the decision whether or not to go to college, I would still choose going to college. The value in my experience is not only in that degree or larger paycheck. The most valuable part of my experience has been discovering who I really am--without the familiarity of family and friends, but with the same decisions that I had to face when they were around.

Chad

I have learned alot more about managing a company than I had previously known about it. I had received some managerial training at my current job for about a year, and tying that into what I have learned from my coomunity college has given me a better understanding of how to be a beter manager and leader. I will leave my community college with an associates degree, but I plan on transfering to a university in Florida to keep my college career going and having a better chance at finding a more suiting higher paying job.

Carly

I wish everyone could have an opportunity to attend a college. This is not only a chance to become more educated, but living on campus has made me more responsible and organized. I am learning more about myself and what I really want in life. The first two months were difficult; being away from home and family, but I survived. I have learned to appreciate home cooked meals, my double bed, my family and other things that I took for granted. I have made so many new friends and I have also learned how to say no and make good choices. Not following the crowd, especially when you don't know alot of people, can be difficult. I now realize that my family taught me how to make wise choices, which is so important when you are on your own. As I attend classes that I never thought I would be interested in, the world opens up to me more and more. The professors are helpful and I have learned to introduce myself to them and ask for their help. They want you to suceed and they will do everything they can as long as you do your part.

Sarah

The college experience for me has been very rewarding. In high school I would study a small amount and I received pretty good grades (High Honors). When I attended college and put a little more effort in to studying the rewards were incredible! Now I felt like my studying was paying off, not only was I succeeding but I was learning and retaining the information handed to me. Not long after attending I was inducted into the Honors Program and other academic organizations. All of these rewards helped my self esteem and I felt independent for the first time in my life. Here I was, a small town girl, in a much larger place and no one knew the difference.

Phillip

Personally I feel like I have recieved direction both from students and faculty and staff on my campus. I came into college with no clue on what I wanted to do with my life. I am currently in my third year on campus and really have my heart set on grad school and entering the field of student affairs so I can have the privilage to give back to college students.

Robert

I would tell myself to get out and talk more with people. Get to know more people and do more stuff. College isn't just about the classes, it's also about the people. Don't spend all your time playin video games in your dorm get outside and play some real games. Be open minded. If someone doesn't believe the same way you do, find out why they believe what they do. Don't disagree just to disagree with people. Don't be afraid to try new things, you might like them. Just because something doesn't work out doesn't mean it's all your fault, look at the big picture. Everything happens for a reason, most of the time the reason isn't known until long after the event. And the final thing I would tell myself is to work hard and focus and nothing will keep you from achieving your dreams.