Upper Iowa University Top Questions

Considering I graduated from high school twenty-one years ago, I would tell myself, knowing what I know now, to take that leap of Faith, and not to be scared or intimidated. I was so fearful of school, in general. I did not get good grades in high school, but not because I was not smart, because I really did not have that drive, or desire that a lot of people have. I was very shy, intimidated easily, and really did not think that people cared about what I had to say, or that what I was going to say was going to be accepted. I have extreme anxiety in classroom situations, and I think going to school online has given me that confidence that I know I have. Even though everything you write can be seen by everyone in your class, I have received wonderful feedback from what I have written. I now have a 4.0 GPA and I never, in a million years, thought I would ever say that.

If I could go back and give advice to myself, I would encourage going to college earlier. I didn't start college classes until I was 25. I don't mind having an unusual college experience (online courses while working full-time), but if I had gotten my degree earlier I could have entered the military as an officer. I had no idea what kind of career I wanted until eight years after I graduated high school when I started taking classes. I would reassure myself that it's okay to be unsure of a career path because I could explore my interests while taking classes for my associate's degree. I would tell myself it's okay to have student loans for a little while because the job I get after my degree will be able to pay for it. Most importantly, I would tell myself to have confidence in my academics.

College life is extremely different then what I thought it was going to be. First, do not be afraid of change. Your family will always be there, you do not have to see them everyday or live within a hour from them. Second, change your whole outlook on studying! It will not work for you in college. You need to have a social life, but with limits. I need to make sure I workout because it will relieve a lot of stress dealing with homework etc. Do not work fulltime as you do now, you want a life. Apply for more scholarships then what you had. You need to be focused on your overall career goal not just the moment. Make sure you make friends even if you are a commuter, they will help you with studying and notes if you miss class. Also, make sure you stand out to your professors. They can give awards to deserving students. Volunteer more and get involved with more extra-curricular activites. Lastly, enjoy your experience. Do not get caught up just academically, there is more to college then then just learning in your classes.

If I could go back and tell my "high school self," what the transition what like I would tell her not to scared, there are a lot of people on staff that are their to guide you through and on to the right track, you do not have to feel like you are alone just because you're not close to your family. I would say to get involved, there are a lot of great and fun programs to help you meet people and keep you from getting homesick as well as to help with homework if need be. I would also tell myself to go to Upper Iowa University.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. That is what I would tell myself if I could go back in time. One of the things I have learned in my first two months of college is that sometimes you just have to buckle down and ask someone for help. It isn't the easiest thing to do, I know from experience. You don't want to, because you're supposed to be a college student, a grown-up capable of making your own decisions. That you're supposed to have all the answers and you know what to do when something unexpected happens. It doesn't always work like that though, we are all only human, we don't always have the answers to everything, even as an adult. We'll never have all the answers to everything, that's why it's so important to learn to ask for help. Learning to ask for help is a learning experience just like everything else. At some point in your life you're going to need to ask for help, it's just part of being human. We have to learn to accept that we are flawed humans.

The advice that I would give my high school self would be to sit down and pay attention in class. The opportunity available will affect the rest of my life. Nearly ten years after high school I just finished my Bachelor’s. I could’ve done so much more in a far less amount of time by actually focusing on school and athletics to give myself the best chance to succeed in life. Although I was able to obtain my Bachelor’s and am in pursuit of a MBA, the results would have been much different had I fully applied myself in high school to be the best student possible and live up to the potential that I’ve proven I have based on my drive and determination.

I would tell myself to get better grades so i can get a bigger scholarship my UIU. I would say to never give up on paying for college. To get a job and save money for college. Go visit the campus more then once.

The first time I went to college I got nothing out of it and really screwed myself by not attending class and being lazy. Six years later, I am getting good grades and pushing myself to be a better person academically. I look forward to graduating and becoming an Upper Iowa Alumni.

I only took one semester and failed my classes..... sounds bad huh? But after the semester was over i went to work at a farm 70 hrs a week for 8.00/hr then in a palletizing company.. I met allot of people that asked why im not in school and working there with them when i have a great opportunity (they only spoke spanish some didnt even no how to read) to be someone with a great career... During the time that i have been away from college I have realized that i have taken everything that my mom has done for me for granted. So i would like another Chance to actually do my best in school so that i wont have to work at a low paying job. So i have decided that I would like be an elementary teacher to motivate and push young students to future success. I know that this isn't about my college experience but i really didnt have one because i made a mistake and let a great opportunity get past me. Thanks for the opportunity

I've haven't really expreienced the "college experience" because of the type of situation I've been in for the last 3 years. My mother passed away 3 years ago and I had to step up and help my father take care of my younger brother. So I haven't really experienced college like I wish I could. But attending college was something I knew I was going to do since I was 12. What really motivated me was seeing my older brother make the wrong decisions and take the wrong path and I knew I didn't want to live like him but not just him but also seeing my family suffer. Half of my cousins have children already and haven't even graduated high school yet. So I want to be the one in my family to succeed and go far. I want to be a good role model for my younger brother and make my mother proud.

I have gotten quite a bit out of my college experience. Coming from a city of 51,000, I figured that the change to a small town setting would give me a lot of information about myself as a person. I moved from that big town to Fayette, which has a population a little more than 1,000. Being in such a small place really forced me to open up and get over my shy demeanor. I started talking with people at random and gained a lot of friendships that I know will last beyond my college years. With the campus being as small as it is, I was also able to get involved in a lot of extra-cirriculars. Choir, drama club, wellness committee, etc had my complete involvement. The unique two-at-a-time program really helped me balance my school work and all the extra student involvement that I wanted to do. I've learned a lot about myself and my abilities to balance different things in life. Overall, attending this school has given me extra confidence in my abilities for my future.

When I was a senior I purchased a new car using money from my savings. Little did I know how fast that savings would deplete when I left home and attended college. I would certainly tell myself that the car I already had was very reliable and there was no sense in purchasing a new one before attending college. I would also make myself commit to playing the sport that I loved. Once you enter the workforce, the time you have for your hobbies and passions other than your career is little to none. I would have loved to play volleyball in college but my desire to gradute in as short of a time as possible put graduation as a higher priority.

First off, seek out scholarships to help pay for school. Secondly, buckle down and do the hard work now, so you can reap the rewards of hard work later! Avoid people and things that will interfere with your goals and dreams. Believe in yourself. Don't be afraid to fall on your face trying; at least you tried. Get back up, dust yourself off and try again. Don't listen to 'naysayers'. Your dreams are yours, and it doesn't matter if someone else doesn't dream like you do. Take your work seriously. Success only comes from hard work. If it wasn't hard, it probably would not be worth much! There will be plenty of time to 'play' later. You will be so much wiser in the future than you are now. Listen to people who have gone before you, and obtain whatever wisdom and knowledge you can from them!

I am an adult returning to school, if had to do it over I would find a way to go after high school. Yes, you are tried of school but college is not high school., hopefully you know what you want to be so this makes taking classes easier because you have a dream to live. Going to school when you work full-time, raising children, and school is really tough. Set goals and stay focus. Do things outside your comfort level. Have an open mind to learn. Sometimes those general education classes information will come in handle when you least expect it.

I would tell myself to allow time for my career dreams to develop. When you're young, sometimes you don't know what you want until you've lived a little. When you decide on your path, take the time to study and understand everything you're learning. Enjoy the time you have making new friends and meeting new teachers. They may become life-long advocates for you later on down the road.

I would definately read about the degree program and find out the rewards and benefits from that degree, to see if it is really something of interest. I would shadow people on the job to get a feel of the job first, so that I can see if it really is what I wanted to study. I would also solicit campuses abroad , considering we are moving in a more globalized world, understanding other peoples cultures and ideologies is very important, and sometimes the schools and campuses in the United States will not give you the openeness and expansion that you may need. Being diverse is very important, so I would want to learn more about diversity and the accredidation of the schools and programs before making any decisions.

There I am a senior, ready to take on the world with my paintbrush and acrylics. Each stroke of paint on the canvas is going towards my future as an Art Teacher, and all the hard work I will do to get there. Yes, it would seem that I have all the tools necessary towards a successful career. However, I have forgotten about what it is I am concealing underneath the paint and pastels. I'm a senior without a base of which to create my artwork on. The base is essential, for what is a painting without its canvas or surface? Although I have the tools and talent to be an Art Teacher, I don't realize that I need to remember my own needs. As a freshman college student, I learned that I would have to make new friends or have none; that I really didn't appreciate my family as much as I should have; and that it was hard to be the only member of my religion and standards on campus. I had nothing to paint on. Now, I wish I could go back and tell myself to not forget what's important besides a career.

Try hard and get the good grades! Its all worth it in the end!

Be prepared spend more time studying and more time involved with athletics, make sure you are out going and have fun!

make sure that you find the right fit for you. you must visit enough colleges to realize which one will best fit your personality and fit with all the things you like to do. make sure that it has the right academic program also.

Look for a college that has either your major or at least something you wanna do in life sometimes people go to college and get interested in to something they didnt expect.

College is a time to focus on learning the skills you will need to carry out in you career. It is important to remember that you will be using the knowledge you have gained from your college experience for the rest of your life so make the mmost of it and focus on your acedemic performance rather than partying..

Please make sure that the campus life of a selected college is right for you before jumping right into a decision, take your time and think it through a good amount.

I have seen alot of different types of learners since I started my college process in 1976. I believe a learner should find a college that not only fits their schedule but offers quality learning experinces along the way. They should check class size and if pproffessors use only a lecture format and no discussion and/hands on experiences.