Western Governors University Top Questions

My college experience has giving me the knowledge to gain a step ahead in the work field. My education has provided me with useful life skills to perform my job duties and skills to also help my children with their schooling as well. I apply my people skills everyday in the job environment and am now able to communicate with peers and public at a professional level. My thinking skill are unbiased and critical in all areas. Being able to sustain in an on line education program has giving me time to also take care of my family and still find time to dedicate to my education. Though it has not been easy, I would not turn back now after all the dedication I have put into it faithfully. This has been worth every minute.

Attending college has kept me on my toes. When I'm actively learning I feel productive, important and smart. I am actively working towards goals and bettering myself and that gives me self confidence and motivation. It's like satisfying a craving or a need. Also, with an education I can do so much more to sell myself to potential employers. The saying 'an education opens doors' is very true. I have found myself using my education in very different ways from what I originally intended it to be used for. Some of those things are volunteer activities, scouts, helping out in my children's classrooms, communicating with people from different cultures, playing sports, even playing board games or games on TV. Currently, I'm a mother of two and a wife, I work full time, I attend college full time, I volunteer with my kids sports and still do my regular duties at home. By being able to juggle all of this I prove to myself that I should be able to accomplish anything and that is very empowering and rewarding.

The transition to college will consist of three elements: Blood, sweat, and tears. Consider cash as the currency that you will bleed profusely, and need to live. Energy as sweat for study sessions that will run through midnight, and tears in more settings than you will be able to imagine. Though your tears will be a natural occurrence behind closed doors, giving in is not an option in order to succeed. This will be the first time you will ever have to really push yourself to get something you?ve always desired and completely deserve. Expect patience from no one and kindness from everyone that way you can look forward to favorable outcomes. The battles within the financial aid office will be a test of your mental strength, have every bit of financial information you can get your hands on in order to not cause delay in registration (for sanity sake). Choose the major that you see yourself using after college. This will be a feat at first, but ultimately go for what makes you happy- while intertwining this with your major. Not only will you excel most in this area, but will forever be grateful for in the end.

I would tell myself to take my school work as serious as possible and to really look into universities before I commit myself to one. Also to look into majors of all different areas and not just commit to one without looking around.

First and foremost, do not drink!! You have no idea how poisonous alcohol is to your mind and your body! The choices you could make while drinking or thinking about drinking will be regretted many times over. School is a worthwhile and expensive proposition that is designed catapault you into your future and purpose, the path to real independence. Please, look toward the future!! You must work hard and do your best. Don't take this opportunity for granted. You will not graduate if you continue to drink! You will alienate many of your family members, especially your Dad. Drinking is an awful trick that will lead you far away from your goals, peace of mind, and even ultimate happiness. God gave you those brain cells to work for you, not to be drown and killed in a sea of alcohol. Please get help if you cannot quit by yourself. Stick with friends who do not drink. Make the most of your college experience and seek the Arts and knowledge. Reach your goals and add your power to the people who love life and want to make this Earth a betterplace. You are so worth it. Don't drink, PLEASE!!

The most important advice I would have given myself is to never get a student loan. To either get scholarships or work to save up money. Looking back I wish that I would have gone through school debt free. The second piece of advice I would give myself is to say focused. To seriously think about what you really want to do and try not to change your mind so much. Changing your mind and major will feel like a big waste of time and money. Although gaining any knowledge is valuable going into debt for classes that do not count towards a degree and career is not wise. The last thing I would tell myself is be willing to work hard...really hard! If you work hard and put your mind to it you can finish sooner than you think. Education is powerful and can transform you into a better person. Finishing college should just be the beginning to lifelong learning. Never give up!

I would tell myself that even though people thought I was crazy for just going to Norther Virginia Community College, that I was making the right desicion. That by staying home I meet people I would have never meet, did things I had never done, and discovered exactly what I wanted to do in life. Plus I can't live without my family. And I saved myself a lot of debt for in the future.

When I first entered college in 1995, It was my dream to fly corporate jets. Maybe because of my own stubborness or my inability to learn things quickly I was unable to accomplish. My mother and father really made the sacrifice to put me through school but I wasn't progressing fast enough to to justify continuing my dream to fly planes. I then started my coursework in electronics and discovered I really loved technology. I finished my associates degree in electronics but because I had to start working I was unable to finish my bachelors degree. Even though I still like electronics I want to do more but unfortunately because I lack a 4- year degree my other options are limited. The best advice I would give myself is to focus on the 4-year degree first and then if you still want to fly, you still would have that option. Also, I would tell myself not to be scared of the hard sciences that are related to technology like MATERIAL SCIENCE,CHEMISTRY,PHYSICS,etc. I now see my mistakes and I am trying to correct them.

Plan out you're classes. Know what you're going to take and why. Save money by only taking the classes you need. Think of it as a job while you're in class. You're training for the future and your grades will be your meal ticket for four years as you search for scholarships and loans. Make friends within your major as well as those in other majors. Apart from having good friends those connections can follow you through your career. Explore all aspects of college life. It is a once in a lifetime experience.

I would tell myself that completing my education is worth every dollar, every tear, every obstacle, and every insecurity. I would remind my younger self that I can't is not an acceptable answer when it comes to obtaining an education. I would encourage myself to take classes from a wide range of subjects. I would tell myself that learning is a process and can only be done with an open mind and willing heart. I would tell myself that fear can be defeated by knowledge. Asking questions of professors and getting involved with other students while in college will enhance learning. I would remind myself to stay organized. Work hard but take a little time here and there to have a little fun. Learning is a process, I would say, and it begins with you!

This is a loaded question. I would start by telling myself to stay local and major in Elementary Education. To live on campus to get the whole college experience. To enjoy every moment of college life. Don't be afraid to take chances and to live life to it's fullest. Life is to short to waste it worrying about whats to come after graduation. Be friendly and make lots of new friends and remember to stay in touch with old friends. Value people for they are put in your life for a reason learn from them and enjoy the time you have with them. Don't have so much fun that you forget why you are in college keep your studies a priority.

My high school was not very informative, so I would tell myself that there are opportunities to take college credits during high school. I would have rather taken the college credit classes instead of taking off half the day to do nothing. In addition, I would have attended college immediately following high school instead of waiting. I could be making much more money now and saving for my childrens college instead of paying for my own. I have done well in college so I do not feel that is an issue. I just needed to get started earlier, so I could make more progress in the world. My children will have better opportunities with what I know now.

If I were able to talk to myself as a high school senior I would do a couple things different. First, I'd explain to myself how important school is for my future and not to let anything get in the way of it. I'd make sure that I thanked my parents for providing for me and my education. I'd then tell myself that I should goto college for teaching except this time, NOT to change my major. The transition to college was prefectly smooth and actually really fun. If I had to give myself adivce it'd be, not to let anything or anyone tell me my dreams aren't attainable. I'd make sure that I understand that completeing my teaching degree not only will benefit me, but my wonderful husband and future children. It is extremely important that I reach my goal, for myself and my family, and I wish I'd known this back then. The biggest piece of information I'd give myself is, no matter what....follow your dreams even if it means taking risks, you can't steal second and keep your foot on first.

I would tell myself not to move to Pennsylvania before finishing my degree.

What I know or have learned about college today, I would have told high school version of me is that college life is great. I would have told myself what I was doing is wrong or punch myself for being a stubborn person I am at that time. But if I were to give an enlighten advise to myself is to tell him, that life is like taking a taxi or even walking, because you never know the outcome of life, if you didn't take that pathway. I know I sound cache saying this, but the destination is not what you seek, but it is the journey to your goal what makes it the best, the people that we meet, the obstacles that you face. It's experience that we face today or have witness can be a foundation of what is to come, either good or bad. What is best is that we need to learn from it and hope we can still change before we regret. So if I were to go back and face me, I wouldn't have told him anything. Instead buy him a car so he didn't have to walk home.

Take what educational opportunities come your way and build on that. Not all Nobel Prize winners come from afluent parents that can afford to place you in the school of your choice. If starting with a community college is all you have, then start with that. If you are following your path correctly, it won't be long before somebody notices you and new opportunities will come your way. While working in the direction of a higher education you will be meeting new people every day. With every new person that comes into your life, new opportunities and ideas come with that person to bring you along to a higher life with new tools and mechinisms that you didn't have before. Stay focused that you are worth every bit of what you want and never allow youself to be convinced otherwise.

If I could go back and look myself in the eye when I was 18 and just out of high school I would tell myself how important education is and why its necessary. I would explain the difficulties of trying to accomplish a college education with a wife and teenage children and stress how much easier it is to go through the collegiate process as a young person with less responsibilities. I would advise myself to not take a year off and get right after the educational process. I would also want the youger "me" to understand the limits of income and job stability that come with the lack of a collegiate education and to think about what a quality retirement will mean someday, even though most 18 yeart olds do not consider this at that age. As an 18 year old, fresh out of high school, I didn't appreciate that I would some day have these things to consider so I would make every attempt at conveying that message. I would also tell myself to get a hair cut, that mullet is looking pretty bad now!

I know you are coming to the end of your high school years and the last thing on your mind is more school. But going to college can be very exciting. You will be learning skills for a successful life. You might think four more years of school seems like an eternity. Trust me it's not. College life is full of new challenges and a great place to meet new friends. It is a time to grow and develop your individuality. I encourage you to persue a higher education at this time in your life. It is so much easier to continue your education while you are fresh out of high school. Not all colleges are the same so take some time to find the right college for you. Many colleges have tours that allow you to meet some of the students or professors. It's really easier than you might think. Your freshman year might be a bit scary at first , but there are people there to help you every step of the way. Getting started is always the hard part but once you do, it will be very rewarding.

One does not start out their high school and college journey truly expecting that each decision, big or little, will affect how they will progress through their early college and career life. Knowing this, I would take each decision and analyze it asking myself "How will this affect my goals?" I am now turning thirty and starting over what I could have completed 8 years ago. Even through I would not change my life or wish to start over; however, I do feel that I should have not taken for granted that life does not end up like you want if you do not put forth effort and time to meet career goals. In other words, my advice to myself ten years ago would be to remain confident during each challenge, to not give-up on my goals as each experience will make you stronger, commit time to your studies, and to trust your heart in the degree choice you want to conquer for your life-time career.

I would tell myself to start school earlier and not to wait 17 years later.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I was going to change careers. I would also prepare myself for the hard work that was going to lie ahead. I would talk about the importance of not being a slacker, but rather the importance of giving my all and doing my best in everything. I know that when I was in high school, I did not do my best all the time, which along the way has made me work harder now for my dreams. I would say all this to myself, and hope that I would listen. I would give warnings about picking the right friends, and the right people to study with, for they make a very big impact in college life.

Be persistent and reach your goals. There will ber plenty of challenges along the way, but none too great to reach.

I would tell my senior self to work on getting more scholarship money so I aren't left with expensive loans to pay off. Also I would tell my senior self to work hard but also to enjoy my last year of high school.