West Chester University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to study everything as deeply as possible. In college every class you take covers a wide range of subjects and material. For instance you might take a psychology course and come out learning about the human body or even how people learn to read and speak. Putting a few hours into a class is worth the knowlege you will receive in the end. I would also tell myself to keep in contact with teachers from high school. These teachers know you more are willing to spend more time with you then a busy professor who teaches 6 classes a day. Last I would remind myself that their are so many options to choose from as a career and not to worry about the perfect career path yet. There are so many options you have not yet explored in order to choose wisely.

I would tell myself not to worry about fitting in. The best way to do that was to just be myself. Don't dwell on the relationships you have to leave behind because you're going to make other friendships that are just as valuable as the ones at home. Don't forget to spend time with your family before you leave. They want to know how things are going - even if they don't ask - so volunteer information to them. Call your mom! She misses you more than she will tell you when you leave. Make your sisters come visit you because they miss you too. Brag about your good grades to Dad because he is so proud when you do well. Cultivate YOUR interests. Not anyone else's. Don't be afraid to try something new, even if it doesnt work out. Don't do anything you wouldn't want to tell your mom about afterwards. Strive to be the best you can but don't forget to have fun on the side! Don't be afraid - it is the beginning of the best years of your life.

Go out and join a lot of clubs and be active in things other than studying all the time and do not worry about everything especially getting good enough grades, because if you study the two hours to every hour of class time you should be fine just like your teachers suggested you should. Take classes that interest you and would be helpful to your daily life because the ones that you will do best in will be the ones that you have interest in , even having a good professor helps because if the professor can not inspire you then how would they expect you to do work for them.

I would go back and tell myself to be as open-minded as possible about the transition from high school to college. In college you want to be involved in as many extra curricular activites as you can because it provides the opportunity to meet people and develop friendships. The most important piece of advice I would go back and give myself would be to just follow your heart and make smart choices that are going to benefit your life down the road after college. Do your best to try and keep your stress level down by planning and preparing for tests and finals far in advance. Also just because people around you are drinking does not mean you have to drink to fit in at parties. Most importantly have fun in a safe manner. Do not forget to call your mother. She misses you more than you think.

Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today! When you receive all your class syllabi, plan ahead! Look at the dates when assignments are due, and get them completed ahead of time. Do not wait until the last minute. There's no need to get overwhelmed, just take it week by week. College is not that difficult if you work each and every day, even Friday. Make a schedule and color code each class. When the assignment is to read something, go to the library immediately and read what they ask you to read! Take notes on what you read and reflect on the material, so you can go into class prepared to ask relevant questions. Ask questions! Take advantage of your professors. It?s their jobs to be in service to you, not the other way around. Walk up to your professor after class and introduce yourself. Make yourself stand out in some way. Go to every class! Most importantly, have fun! You don?t need to work 24/7, but you need to prioritize what needs to be done. Schedule in time for relaxation and socializing, just remember why you?re in school, to learn.

GET INVOLVED, GET INVOLVED, and GET INVOLVED! I would tell myself to step out of my comfort zone and explore programs, speeches, and conferences that help me become a better leader and build a great newtorks with friends, faculty, and professionals at my school. Many times in life great opportunites may not come with what you know but with who you know and the only way to get to know great inspirational leaders on your campus is to get involved and step out of your comfort zone. These opportunities can lead to great things such as scholarships and jobs in the career you choose. I would also tell myself to always prioritize and always keep academics first and never let myself get influenced into making a decision that can affect my college career or grades in a negative manner. I would also tell myslef to always stand up for any cause I believe in because as a wise person said, "" If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." Lastly, I would tell myself to work hard, be dedicated, and be persistant because you can be anything you want with if you NEVER GIVE UP.

Well, I would let myself know that college is a challenge, but a fun one if I am up for it. I would also suggest to myself to start reading a lot of things, some of which I may have little or no interest in to get in the hang of reading a lot of material for classes. I would also suggest learning money management skills and truly suggest learning how to stick with things; because college can be fun but it is not a "bird course." Also I would suggest learning how to make sound decisions, choosing whether or not to study for a test or go to a social is a hard decision that only that person can make. I would also suggest going home as little as possible and speaking to parents only twice a week to help with the transition of living on your own.

I would advise myself not stress over the small things. When worried about something that is not so important it could really disrupt what is actually important, like studying for a test or remembering to help out a friend. When a so-called "disaster" happens just think of the long term effects and always know that things could be a lot worse.

Some advice I would give myself as a high school senior about to attend a college would be to go into college with an open mind and the motivation to make friends and work hard. College is different than high school, for most students, because they may feel peer pressure to join a fraternity or a sorority or they may just chose the wrong friends all together. The friends you make at college influence you more than in high school because you are on your own in college and you live with people your age instead of your parents which make rules. Pre college students should learn to be motivated to get involved in clubs and extra-curricular activities because not only will you meet new people, but you will be boosting your resume. Get involved right away, meaning the first semester of college because it will allow you to fit in and feel more at ease with your environment and surroundings.

If I could go back in time to advise my former high school self I would tell myself that my success in college is solely up to me. I would tell my former self to apply for more scholarships and choose my school wisely. I would also tell myself that being diligent in my school work and avoiding procrastination can be the difference between an A and a B. I would have told myself that my main goal was to graduate and I would have to find a balance between school work, a job, and social obilgations. I would also tell myself that college is not always an easy route and sometimes there are going to be late nights and early morning but in the end it's worth the challenge.

To prepare myself for college, I would listen more to family and friends about time management, being responsible, and knowing my priorities. It's unnerving leaving your comfort zone and beginning a new path, but it's exciting too. It's important to learn how to seperate laundry and which cycle to clean them on. Also need to listen carefully and take good notes in class, no hand holding here. You are responsible for your choices, so make wise ones. College is awesome but its not a huge party. It requires quality time put into my studies and retaining a decient GPA to succeed. Hard work and a good work ethic will set me up to succeed, while still enjoying my college experience.

My oh my, if only i could have known some of the things I knew now, so many things would be different. I wish someone had been in my ear constantly telling me these important things. The first advice i would give myself would be to do everything for me that in the end would be in my best interested. That doesn?t mean to totally disregard my parents and other authority that assisted me in this process but to go with my heart and to do things that will better myself in the long run. I also would remind myself to stay strong and be focused on the finish line even though many people say to cruise during your senior year. In addition I would tell myself to start trying to be little more independent and mature. To be more conscience about my time management and the thing I did outside of school. And finally, I would tell myself to cherish the time you have in high school, and don?t take for granted the little things because you can never get these days back!

One of the things that I would say to myself is to research the colleges you are interested in before you apply to them. I only applied to Pennsylvania colleges and I only applied to the popular ones. I wish I had taken a little bit of time out of my junior year of high school to do my homework on colleges. Honestly, because I was lazy and I waited so late to apply to colleges, I didn't put my full potential into my application process and I didn't get into a lot of the colleges that I wanted. Sad to say, but I settled for West Chester University, which is unacceptable and something I didn?t plan on either. Another thing would be scholarships. I would tell myself to apply to every one that I qualified for. With scholarships, I was also lazy and naive to the fact that you have to work hard for them, they are not just given to you. I didn't apply for one scholarship during my senior year and I truly regretted it.

In high school I believed that college was just like high school: there are teachers, homework, tests, and classmates, but I have learned that it is so much more than that. College is about learning to be independent and manage your time well, it?s becoming involved and not just sitting on the side lines and most of all it?s about making the decisions that are best for you, if you do these things you will surely have fun and survive college. A big issue many freshmen have is that they don?t know how to manage their time well; this can turn into a bad habit. You need to manage your own schedule now, inculding when to eat, do homework, sleep and then socialize. I would tell myself to become involved. College is a whole new opportunity to have your voice heard, if you feel strong about an issue then do something about it, voice your opinion, change what you don?t like. Finally, I would remind myself to always keep my morals in mind. Don't think that because you survived high school pressures that you will be fine in college, because here it?s even harder.

So, you?ve picked a college, you?ve visited the campus, you?ve signed the papers, and now you?re going. I know you?re excited and you?re scared. I understand. I want to give you some advice, tell you how to act, but I can only say so much. You?re going to hate your roommate. Hold out on switching, a much better one will come along. You?re going to join a sorority (crazy, huh?). Don?t be crushed when your top choice doesn?t take you, the women who give you a bid will end up being your family. Take all those classes you want to take, you?ll enjoy them. Video production? Go for it! I wish I could tell you more, spell out your whole first year for you, help you avoid the mistakes you will eventually make. I won?t do that, though. Every mistake you make in the future helps guide you to where I am today. Trust your instincts, explore while you can, and enjoy yourself! The worst thing you can do is be afraid of your own decisions and allow others to make them for you. I believe in you.

If I could go back in time and be a high school senior there are a lot of things I would do differently. For starters, I would take school more seriously. How well you do in high school will affect how you will do in college. College professors will not accept excuses that the high school teachers did. Those papers that I did in High School that I thought were long (3 pages long) ended up being triple the size when college started. Instead of worrying about getting finished with my senior year and taking the easy way out, I wish I would have taken AP classes so that I would have had some college credits to help me. College comes as a shock if you are not prepared it sure did for me. I wish I would have taken high school more seriously so that I could have enjoyed my first year of college instead of worrying about it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what i know now about college life and making the transition, I would explain how different and difficult the school work is compared to that of being in high school. The work load for each class is not determined by what you do in other classes, as it is in high school. Professors don't sympathize for you in the event of missing class, and it is all up to you on how well you choose to do. I would tell myself that I must know that I will need to work ten times harder as I did in high school to achieve those grades. It is also important to know that your GPA matters more in college than it ever did in high school because you need to be able to obtain a good GPA to maintain in your major. The school work and homework is harder, as well, in that during class you must have the capability to pay attention to the professor as they are lecturing, as well as take notes. All of these things would have been extremely useful.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely give myself the advice to go into college with a fresh attitude and an open mind. Above all, I would remind myself to stay true to my own beliefs and morals, but be willing to try some things that I normally wouldn't try. Most importantly, I would tell myself that I shouldnt expect to go to college and make tons of new friends if I don't try to do so. New friends wont come to you, you have to find them. I would tell myself to get as involved as possible because thats the only way you can truly enjoy your college experience. Lastly, its clearly going to be tempting to have fun as much as possible, but in the end, youre going to college to make a future for yourself.

As a recent high school graduate, I have noticed the differences between high school and college. At a glance, college appears to be completely different than high school. Looking closely however, there are many similarities between high school and college. I think the best advice I could give myself on the transition from high school to college is to look for the similarities. One similarity is that both communities wish that their students are academically successful, as well hope their students participate in school functions. Professors are just as deciated to students success as high school teachers. If I showed professors that I was willing to work for my grade, they would help me in every way possible. Distractions are eminent in college, but ultimately I am there to learn to become a successful professional. And the most important advice to be myself. I would not have been able to meet such amazing people and partake in such great opportunities if I had put up a security blanket my first semester. I needed to go out of my comfort zone and try something new.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would be my new best friend. I would first tell myself to not choose a school solely on its cost. Money was a big issue for me, but I wish I had gone to my number one choice regardless of its price. Going to a college where YOU are the happiest will make every aspect of college life all the more exciting and easy! Do not choose a college based on where your friends are going or where your parents want you to go. Go where YOU want to go! I would also tell myself to research different careers and then pick a major based on the careers that interest me most. Too many students go into college without a major or one they are not serious about. This causes students to end up attending college longer or even worse ending up in a career they hate. Take your major seriously. Your major now determines your career, which in return determines what your life will entail for the next 40 years!

What I know now about college life and making the transition to what I knew before, as a high school senior, would to know in order to make progress it takes a process. College is all about learning and I seem to learn so much about myself as I go on. I would say be ready to work hard, have a schedule because time management is key in College. Also in order to do well in life it takes time and patience. Strength is needed, you need will power in order to do anything in life. In college so much is expected of you, as I high school senior I didn't really pay that any mind. Professors expect you to work hard because their not going to give you a good grade if it's not deserved. Everything in life has to be earned you have to work hard for what you want it takes your full devotion, which I didn't know when I was in high school. Last but not least I would tell myself you have to expect excellence in order to obtain it, that's something I learned while attending West Chester University.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to stay focused and committed to doing well in school and good things will come to you.

Do everything you thing you want to and you'll never have anything to regret.

I would have changed a lot. The first thing I would have changed was my study habits. It is so much harder in college to keep up than in highschool. I would have also taken atvantage of the financial opportunites that I missed out on. I would also have told myslef to be open to as many experiences as I could in high school. Finally I would have told myself to be more open around people and to not be so shy. I feel like all these things together would have changed my college experience in a positive manner.

Do whatever you feel is right in anything you do. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, because they are wrong. If you make the best effort, you will most definitely succeed.

Don't even think about living in the dorms! Commuting is much cheaper and much more pleasant. Don't worry so much about the workload; it's not as bad as you think. Don't be afraid to go to your teachers for advice or help. They're always more than glad to help out students (I think they're addicted to that warm and fuzzy feeling). Go ahead and talk to the other students in your classes, and don't be shy about setting up study groups. Don't procrastinate on your schoolwork; it makes life a lot easier in the long run.

I would advise myself to read more than I have ever read before. Why reading? Because every subject from grade school to a higher educationlevel requires, at least, average reading skills. For example, I'm sure that in a Calculus a student will be presented with word problems, so in order to succeed in that class, one should be able to read. While going through life, I have discovered that everything in life is connected to reading. I have also noticed that is not possible for grade school teachers to cover every subject in its fullest, so this is where extra curricular reading activities would aid in covering that which couldn't be covered. In addition, now that I see how imperative reading is, I make it a priority to purchase a book, outside of my class required readings, that is revelatory to each class in order to give me some sort of leverage or head start in my perspective classes. I'd also like to add that at times I enjoy dazzling the professors with the little bit of brilliance that I have. So, again, my advise to myself would be to read more than ever!

I would have definately saved more money up and planned ahead, unlike a lot of my classmates my parents can't help me pay for school.

Cassie, You're really good at choosing the right school for you. In the future, you will love West Chester and love doing Marching Band, Multiple Choirs, Tau Beta Sigma (the national honorary band service sorority), all your new friends, and everything that West Chester brought to you. Stay positive throughout the experience because, trust me, sometimes it gets really rough, but you can do it. Don't take anything too personally. Sometimes things happen for reasons that you don't understand right now, but eventually will, and I don't want to spoil the surprise for you. Also, don't be afraid to try something new, or approach new people. Don't be so shy. My only real advise is this. Don't turn in papers, forms, applications late. Make sure you're on time or early for everything, especially forms such as FAFSA and other forms needed for monetary issues. Yes, money will be tight sometimes, but you have a lot of really good friends that help you along the way. You'll be alright. For a final thought, Cassie, loosen up and have fun! I know you'll enjoy college, because I enjoy it! Love forever, Cassie.

To begin, I would tell myself to become my math teacher's best student and go to every after school help session offered. I?d dedicate at least an hour out of each of my days to fill out for early registration for the colleges of my choice. This would help me avoid any application fee and also give me a head start during advanced enrollment or opportunities which be offered to me. In addition, I?d apply for any and every scholarship I could to avoid me from needed additional financial assistance and loans. Aside from that, , I will lay down the major things to avoid once I get in college. The main thing I would let myself know is how much trouble the parties are. This is what can make my higher learning go down the drain. Don't get me wrong it?s good to have a social life & be active on campus but make sure it's positive. Too much fun is no good, remember why I?m there. Use my resources wisely and remember office hours are set up for a reason. Lastly, don?t let others bring me down. Always stay focused and dedicated.

I would advise parents to help their children be open to new experiences. I was shy as a freshman and was often nervous to attend meetings and club activities, however, my grandmother always pushed me to meet people and make friends because she knew that without that extra push I may end up studying in my dorm room alone. It's really helpful when parents want their children to succeed and live lives of their own, rather than just study and go home on the weekends. I would advise students to go to meetings and learn about clubs before deciding they did not want to join. A club may not have a cool name, but could wind up being a blast where you meet your best friend or future spouse. College is a wonderful experience, but you have to put yourself out there in order to truly experience it and grow as an individual. Do not just focus on academics, but don't just focus on partying either. After all, college is meant to prepare you for the future and a career.

my best advice is to find a college that best fits YOU, and whay you want to major in, not where your best friend or bf/gf is going. Also, when you find a college you like, visit it as much as possible, go on the tours, stay over night in one of the programs, do what ever the shool offers to better get to know the area, the people, the professors and the school. Lastly, if you end up with a group of people that you thought was your friends, and it turns out to be otherwise, be yourself and do what is best for you, do not follow or go along with what this group of people are saying just to fit in, be true to yourself and find a new group of friends. That is what college is about. Oh, and have fun!

Let the student that will be attending the school go where they chose. It is there experience and they have to feel comfortable as to where they will be learning and where there memories will be made.

Visit and make sure your child feels comfortable in the atmosphere.

The only way you're going to be able to find the right college is by visiting! I knew right as soon as I walked around campus that I was meant to go to WCU. Visit the campus, go on the tour, talk to people that already go there. You'll know when you find the right college.

visit the college before applying or deciding to go

Do not base your decision on one detail of college like sports, your friends, academics, and secnery. It is very important to enjoy everything about your college campus because at anytime, the one part you like may change!

Combining others' advice with your own dreams is a great way to maximize your college experience. Prospective students should consult anyone in their lives who can give insight into where they should consider. In my case, my entire family had input on my choice. I have seven older siblings, most of whom suggested that I attend an ivy league school. They advised me that attending an ivy league school, any of which are well known for producing doctors, lawyers, and other businesspeople, would give me an advantage in my career. My parents, knowing I was planning to major in performing arts, advised me to attend a smaller school so I would get more individual attention. I took both advice in considering which school was right for me. I chose my school because it is well known in my area for producing music educators, and it has a small, intimate environment. Now, I feel that I will have the same advantage in my field when I graduate as I may have had if I had attended an ivy league school to become a businesswoman. By taking advice into consideration, I picked the best place for me and have a bright future.

if it feels right then it probably is

Go with your heart and not with the cost. Never put a dollar sign on your education.

Chose the school that is best for you! Know the surrounding area also!

Visit the school! Just because books rave about a specific college, doesn't mean it is right for you. You yourself have to imerse yourself into the school and see if it really fits you. Its all about how you fit into the school. If you dont see yourself living, learning, and socializing at a school, dont settle; keep searching! Find a school that you love!

If I could provide advice to future students about finding the right college, I would tell them to find the school that offers what they are looking for academically and socially, while making sure it is financially feasible. A campus visit is crucial to help decide if the campus feels right. Without knowing anything about West Chester, I knew it was the school for me just based on a campus visit. It only helped that it was perfect for what I wanted to major in and that it was very affordable at the same time. In terms of making the most of the college experience, I would definitely say get involved in something. That is the absolute best way to meet people on campus and form relationships with fellow students. I have met some of my best friends in college through organizations in which I actively participate.

It is a very important to not do what I did to find the correct college for you. I only applied to one school, and luckily I was accepted to this one school. I wanted to go there because it has a wonderful music education program, and I used to have piano competitions at this school when I was younger. I had always said I was going to go to West Chester when I get older, and that is the school that was the one school that I applied and got accepted to. It is crucial for the students to research many colleges, but if there is one school that a you have always had your heart set on, then it's important to "go" for that school. Don't let anyone try to force you to go to a school that your heart is not set on. To make the most out of your college experience, it is important to be in a major that you enjoy and want to pursue. Don't just take random classes to make your family happy. You must make yourself happy, and that means to be preparing for your career and future.

I think that it is most important for the student to go where he or she wants to. They need to be very clear about what they want. If that student wants a good education program, they shouldn't go to a school that is famous for sports or law. If they want to remain close to home, they shouldn't look at schools that are far away. A lot of times friends and family can try to convince you that what they want is what you want. It usually ends with students being unhappy. They may remain there or transfer, or change majors, all of which will cost a fair amount of additional money. I also believe that if a student is undecided, they should not enter a pricey school. They can continue their education at a community college and transfer when they have set goals in mind. Make the most of your time in school by learning as much as you can and by trying new things. It becomes much harder to try a new hobby once you've graduated and are working. Spend time with friends too, because that becomes harder post graduation.

Visiting the school will only give you an idea of what the campus looks like and not much else. That doesn't mean not to visit but take what you hear during the tour and what you see with a grain of salt. Talk to people that have gone to the school: many random students on the street would be willing to talk to a potential student and thier parent(s).

When choosing a college, I would majorly consider the type of environment you want to be around and the kinds of activities or organizations you would like to be involved in. Going to a college that has a strong program for your desired degree is a necessity; however, getting involved on campus is what really allows you to make the most of your college experience. There are always opportunities to meet new people, and when you get involved in an organization made up of people with your similar interests, you are bound to make friends that could potentially last forever. In my opinion, education is important; however, relationships are essential. Finding a college that will give you the education you need for your career goals but will also suit your needs for fellowship and friendships with peers is the best formula for ensuring the greatest college experience possible.

I would say find the right size school for yourself so you will not feel overwhelemed. Make sure you are not too far or too close to home. If you have a major in mind that you would like to study find a school that has a great program. Don't settle because you don't think you can't afford it.

To potential students: Visit the campus and make sure you walk around and feel comfortable in it, make sure it is the right size for you. Try to look at the different dorm rooms and make sure you would enjoy living inthem. Find out the female to male ratio, it will give you an idea of what your social life might be like. Find out if anyone you know is attending the same school and maybe room with them or just start to talk to them a little more, just to have someone to go out with during your first few days of school. BE SOCIAL. You can't avoid classes and exams, that's taken care of for you basically, but partying is not. Partying on the weekends is usually routine, so find the best fraternities and sororities on campus and and join on, or at least make friends. Most of all though, just have fun. To parents: Let your child have fun, you can't stop them anyway. Let them grow up and support them in any way necessary. They may be out on their own, but they will always need your support. Money makes our life easier

Visit the school you are thinking of attending. Talk to real students - not just administrators. They will truly be able to tell you what your life will be like there. See the surrounding area as well. Remember, you're probably not going to spend all your time at the school - make sure you like the area as well. Be careful freshman year - it's easy to get lost in your newfound freedom. Don't forget: you're there for an education. We all have a spell where we sleep through classes and go out partying every night. That's okay, but stay focused. Don't let your partying days get you to the point where you're failing school. As the saying goes, "All things in moderation". At the same time, don't forget that college is more than the classroom. Enjoy it - get out and do something. Make friends. You'll learn just as much outside the classroom as you will inside it. Be open to others experiences, cultures, and background. You'll learn so much about life in college - take advantage of it! Inside and outside the classroom, college helps you become an adult. Enjoy it!