Wichita State University Top Questions

After experiencing my first year, I can define the seven deadly sins of college life. One: Procrastination. You are in control of your schedule, resulting in a hefty amount of down time. Some procrastination is expected but don't let homework pile up, wasted time can never be regained. Two: Laziness. Schedule classes later in the day to ensure attendance. Skipping class is tempting, but you're paying a hefty sum for education. Do it right the first time. Three: Financial Instability. Parents aren?t monitoring your spending. Sure new clothes and plasma televisions are alluring, limit yourself. Rent, gas, food and other bills are lurking. Four: Envy. Don?t waste time envying your peers, opportunities surround you. Find your own nitch. Five: Gluttony. Too much of anything is detrimental; including sleep, food, partying, etc. Remember, ?everything in moderation.? Six: Lack of Goals. Get an advisor to guide you with your major, class schedule, and tentative graduation and career plans. Seven: Intolerance. Everyone wants to believe they will like their roommate. Unfortunately, few develop friendships or even get along. Keep in mind this arrangement is only nine months. Make your college experience your own, but avoid these seven deadly sins.

Do not, I repeat, do not become room mates with your highschool friend, especially if she just started dating a creeper. I know that this isn't the most conventional bit of advice I can give, but it is really what most people tell you even though you hardly listen, at least I didn't. Your living conditions and the way you feel towards them can truly change the way you feel towards your college experience and there is no reason to ruin the first year just to room with someone you already know. It has it perks, yes: you don't have to worry about the awkward "get to know you" part or worry about or, depending on the friend, worrying about her coming home and throwing up all over the place or "borrowing" your things. BUT my main focus is that with friends, you have a preconcieved expectation from them, from how you live together and the time you spend together that, regardless on communication skills, can go unspoken of that can ruin the experience. Go pot luck. It will open your eyes and mind. And, you can always change rooms, you know?

Going back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior would be great. Advice I would give myself is to leave my job a week before school starts. I truly loved my job as a bank teller and worked six days a week while I took fourteen credit hours at WSU my first semester. As a freshman it's already hard to make a transition from high school to college life; working during that transition just made things overwhelming. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to focus and manage my time wisely. Working was a big factor towards my time management; I went to school then work and after that I was bone dry tired. When everything became a daily routine I started losing focus because I needed time to myself which I acquired during times I should have studied. I passed my first semester of college outstandingly with some last minute changes in my work schedule and focus. If I knew what I know now about college it would have made a huge difference, but now I know and I'm fully prepared for second semester. So second semester here I come!

I would do it all over again. I would take that extra hour to study for a test or double check my homework. It all adds up and could make you or break you. Receiving a C instead of a B makes a world of difference when your applying for schools and scholarships. So if I could go back to my senior year, thats what I would do...study harder and focus more on school work.

Don't let up and keep working hard on grades even senior year of high school. Also making the right friends is very important, they rub off on you so stay around succesful, thoughtful people.

Well first off I would have told myself to fill out my FAFSA earlier so i could have been clear on my finaical status earlier. Secondly I would have told myself to take the ACT more than one time and actually study for it because if you do bad on it you will have to take classes that do not count towards your degree. The final advice i would give my past self is to make sure you have good teachers and advisors because your paying to much money to be taking classes with teachers and advisors who do not care a thing for you.

If I could go back in time I would advise myself to be more prepared for classwork at the college level. The first mistake most incoming college freshmen make is assuming they will be able to put in the same amount of work as they did in high school and be still be able to earn a good grade. I went through this experience myself. During my first semester of college I earned Bs in a couple classes that I could have easily earned As in had I put in college level effort. You cannot take college for granted, it is the first major responsibility of your adult life.

College is very important and medical is your passion, start with a trade school because the classes are smaller and more hands on than a community college. Give more thought to applying early for scholarships and grants. Try to keep yourself focus and find work within your trade to give you more of an out look of what your doing. Never be afraid to ask for help. It will be scary at first but in the long run I know it will pay off.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid. I would say," life is short so live it to the fullest". Make sure you branch out , especially if you are interested in many different things. Don't stiffle yourself by hangout with just one type of crowd. You should emerse yourself in the different cultures and people on campus. Your studies are important, but so is having a social life. If you have the chance to travel or study abroad, do it. The time is now for no regrets.

meet as many people as possible but dont instantly trust all of them. listen to your instincts and take time to figure out who you really want to be hanging out with, and who you would benefit from avoiding. there are all kinds of people on a campus and no generalities really fit for every person. keep an open, alert mind. soak up all the information you can but form your own opinions with it.

Just because your parents are not there to harp on you to get your homework done, doesn't mean you have to wait until the last minute to do it. Procrastination is one of the worst things that can happen, yet almost every college student is diseased with it. It doesn't make you any less cool to be prepared and on time with your homework submissions. Eating and sleeping properly is also crucial to a good education and a college student's health and attitude. Who likes to party with someone who is grumpy? Self discipline helps you free up your time, so you can enjoy the rest of your college experience.

If i could go back in time, I would tell myself not to work so hard and that i should just focus in school. I shouldn't taken two part time job and got distracted from school. Even though I did very good through out high school and get mostly A's and B's, I regret it now more than ever that I focus too much on how much money I got in my pocket rather than my grades. But then again, college was very expensive and it was also a time in my life where I learned to became very independent. I need the money to pay for my gas, food, insurance, rents, tuitions fees, and books. The only way for me to be able to keep going is to be able to work so I can have enough money to go to school and support myself. Even if I can tell myself that I shouldnt work so much and should just go to school, I dont think that I will be able to go to school without going to work. There is no other options for me to choose even if i wanted to.

If I were able to go back in time to talk to myself about college, the first advice I would provide is that you just have to buckle down. You really do, because some people think that they can get by with not studying for an exam or final like how they did in high school. It doesn't work like that in college. Next advice would be to get involved with the what the university provides. Join some clubs and participate in a dance, an assembly, or just some extracurricuar activities! Being in college is much different from high school, because in high school we're all so use to teachers assigning homework and telling us due dates; however, in college, most classes are self-paced. Whether or not you do your homework is up to you, because come time to the exam if you studied and did your homework, then ace that test. Although, if you decided to wait until the very last minute, then you're most likely not going to do so well, statistics depicts that. Well, that is the advice I would give myself if I were able to go back in time.

The first thing I would say to myself is don't stress so much. Sometimes you miss the important things because you are too busy intimidating yourself with the future. As long as you choose a career that you have a passion for and can find a major that will get you within that career, everything will be a lot easier after that. If you feel as if there is another place where you could be happier, there is. Keep in touch with your loved ones. They will always lend you much needed support. Introduce yourself to professors, students, college staff and eventually everything starts to work out!

I would try and convince myself to make the decision on what major I wanted to go into and then spend a little time with that major to make sure that it was what I wanted to, so I don't change my major serveral times and end up paying for classes that I never needed to take. I would also say to ask the people that know you the best for advice on how you should go about doing things. Also, asking those with lots of experience in applying for schools and scholarships is a good way to help you know where to begin.

As a high school senior, I was constantly concerned. I worried over my grades, where I wanted to attend college, and especially money. Pressure to make high grades overwhelmed me, because I needed scholarships. The thought of filling out the FAFSA application was intimidating, and I wondered if I would be given enough financial help to afford college without numerous student loans. I wasted so much time worrying over everything, that I didn't even enjoy my senior year; I felt relieved when the year was over. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to worry so much; everything will work out in the end. My parents helped me fill out the FAFSA form, I graduated as a valedictorian, and I confidently chose and applied to the university I now attend. I didn't recieve all the scholarships I would have liked, and I do have student loans already, but eventually, I will pay off the debt I owe for my education. Worrying cost me the enjoyment of my senior year, and if I had it to do over again, I would stop myself from ruining the year by living a slightly more carefree life.

A college degree is important to have these days. It is hard to find a high paying job that you will enjoy the rest of yourlife without a college degree. College is an exciting time in your life. Not only do you learn many things in the classrooms but you discover things about yourself and life. Dont be in a hurry to grow up and start a family, enjoy it because it will be gone before you know it (you dont get summers off or extended winter breaks from work only school). College is where you will meet the friends that you will want to keep in touch with forever. You meet so many new people and find out which are the ones that will be there for you when ever you need them. College can be stressful and consume a good amount of your time but stick with it, everything will work out in the long run. You may think that quiting school and working full time is a good way to go but you will make a lot more money in the long run if you stick out and complete you degree.

I would tell myself to save money! Every little bit helps, even if it is the spare change in your pocket. I would also encourage myself to take the time to figure out what I want to do and to use as much time as I need to prepare for it. College straight out of high school works for some people, but for people like me, it is a much more valuable experience if you aren't rushed through the process.

Reminiscing back on a calm collective day in May of 2006, I vividly see how my graduation day played out. It was a day of true acknowlegments for all seniors, parents, and teachers of Cheney High. Today, I say with a hint of fragility "I was only eighteen, just eighteen". The exasperation that I felt on that day had my mind racing with many questions such as, "What happens next?", "What if I fail?", "Who can I look to for support?", and "Will I be able to find a job afterwards?". It has been a little over three years now, and I still have the same intense feelings, but only in the form of passion and concerns towards the major I am pursueing. Given a chance to converse with myself as a senior about college life and making the transition, I would explain that these questions are normal and give the standard answers about what to do, but with an emphasis on that what determines your outcome in life is all about action and reaction. It's all about using the doors that are open to you, so that you can create new doors for others.

I would tell myself not to ever give up on my dreams no matter what obstacles I have to over come because in the end of it, it will be all worth it.

Knowing what i know now about Wichita State University i would have encouraged myself not to fail at my first choice of college in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Oral Roberts. But if i did have to go there, I would just tell myself to be there to help and encourage those who are depressed and upset. I would try and see the best even though it would be hard. Because i'm not a drinker, drug user or party person, but that's what this school revolves around. I would just tell myself, go focus on what you're there for, your education.

First off I would tell myself that working 45 hours a week and attending school simply does not work. There is not enough time for school, nor anything else in my life. Next, I would tell myself that I need to spend more time at the library and student centers so I won't fall behind in class. These resources help me keep caught up with my class no matter how lost I may get sometimes. It also helped me review and fix homework that I wasn't sure if I did correctly.

I would tell myself to relax. Entering college is not as scary as it seems. There are always people to help you with everything you need from money questions to where your classes are. Even though college is different than high school drastically you're not alone. Never be afraid to ask a question because somebody else probably has that same question.

To work hard and dont play with the future.

Even if I could go back to my senior year in high school nothing, no words of advice; or even flashing neon signs, could begin to prepare me for the death of my best friend. The girl who had been closer than a sister is no longer with me. That was the deciding factor to stay at Wichita State. Attending Wichita State, though, has given me the opportunity to pursue the career I am passionate about through a wonderful department. However, I would have told myself to save money, because college books are a lot more expensive than high school books! Also, I would have advised myself to take advantage of every scholarship opportunity.

"Don't panic. Everyone is in the same boat you are. Literally. Once you get to the dorm to move all of your stuff in, which I'm telling you now, you brought way too much stuff- so consider yourself warned, everyone is going to have the same questions you do. Oh, don't forget to look up the room numbers for your classes, because believe it or not, there are more than one kickboxing class at 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday's and Thursdays. I know you plan on focusing on your studies, and having the social aspect of college fill the spaces between studying, but I can tell you right now that that is not going to be the case once you realize how easy your classes are. Stay focused, and make wise decisions, otherwise you'll be paying for your new found mentality with next years grade card. Other than that don't forget how to have fun, embrace campus life and make sure you call mom for more quarters. The change machine is always broken, and you'll need to wash your favorite jeans for when you go dancing!"

I am almost 35 years old and I have two teenagers and a two year old and I would have to say my advice to myself would be the same I give to my teenagers. Please, please, please don't wait to go to college. It is much harder now as an adult to take care of older and younger children while studying. The only positive thing about waiting is that I do value education more now than I did when I was in high school and I enjoy working hard to see that A at the end of each semester. If I had to do it all over again I would not have waited so long even if I would not have done as well when I was younger. I believe it is important to keep educating oneself and now that I have discovered this I will always stay in school even if it is just for fun. I believe my children see how hard I work and that they are proud of me for not giving up on my dream of becoming a teacher.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior I would have told myself to read more. Reading allows you to become more knowledgeable and diversifies your learning experiences. The college enviornment is built around reading. Students must read textbooks/assigned readings in order to succeed at a high level and to graduate with a Masters degree. I believe that if i had read a lot more as a senior in high school, college would not be as stressful and it may become more fun.

Looking back, I realize how high school teachers always pushed us students to take challenging courses to make college class work seem less extensive. I wish I would've pushed myself further in high school, not just for the sake of time and reducing the credits I need, but also for my own intellectual benefit. In high school, the cost of college wasn't really spoken of either; I was unaware of how costly a college education really is considering none of my family has ever gone to college. I wish I would've set money aside or plugged myself in with resources providing scholarships at an earlier time.

I would tell myself not to stress out and that college is a great experience. College is all about learning, but in a different way. Instead of spending the majority of time in class, most of all studies are done on your own. This really isn't that bad if you manage your time correctly. With good planning you have time to make new friends, work out, and have fun. Also I would tell myself teachers at Wichita State care about you as a person, and don't look at you as just another student in the crowd. Lastly, I would tell myself to look more fiercely into scholarship opportunities and to ask WSU financial advisors every two weeks about scholarships, and that any amount of money helps.

As a high school senior I was already very academically focused, but I did not have a broad classroom atmosphere experience because I was educated at home through grade 12. The first piece of advice I would give to myself would be to make a strong effort to get to know my professors as people and mentors, not as lecturers and graders of my work. I am learning that in the future they may be able to help me get an exceptional job or give me wise advice about what the best place may be for me in the workplace based on my performance in their classes. The second tip I would give myself would be to not be afraid to study with my fellow students and learn from their study habits. That can be one of the best ways to improve study habits. However, it can also be detrimental to rely on other students to determine how I study. It is important to study independently, but it is also essential to find out success strategies that may not have been obvious to me.

Work hard now and play later.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time as a high school senior, I would for sure tell myself "mari you have to stay focus" . After that I would then not only question myself I would also talk to my own self and say "what is it that I enjoy doing on a daily basis for the rest of my entire life?" With that on my mind I would then start to realize and continue to ask myself " do I want a regular minimum paying job or do I want a career?" Further more, another step and action I would do is actually take school alot more serious and take the time to do research on financial aid majors. Also take my whole knowledged and take use of it. Then I would try my best on everything and never give up on anything with out actually figuring out how to do it , no matter how hard and stressful it would get, I would try ten times harder until I achive to get done what ever it is that I have to get done.

Make sure you get as involved as possible. Make the most of your college years beacuse they will go fast. Always put your studies first, but try new things as often as you can. This is the time to learn about yourself and discover a new side of you that no one has ever seen!

The first thing I would tell myself is, don't make a hasty decision in picking a major. I chose a major because I didn't know what else to do and ruined my GPA because of it. I would have done better by just taking regular education classes until I decided what to do. I would have also told myself to do more research in special programs such as studying abroad and so forth. Also, I would have told myself to start working on my career early on, doing more internships and cooperative education throughout college.

If I could go back to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to focus and try hard to earn good grades now, because your study habits now will follow you through college. And you want to do well in college to be sucessful in life!

Looking back, if I could talk to myself in high school, the first thing I would say is to hang in there. Everything that I was told by friends and family about college, especially WSU is true. I enjoy college much more than high school, I like the freedom and block schedule. However, there are some things that I would do differently. I would tell myself to work harder to raise my ACT score. By me seniour year I knew where I wanted to go and I worked very hard to keep my GPA up, and even imprve it. I did not know how influencial ACT scores are to scholarship money. I would tell myself to work harder to get more scholarship/grant money. Antother thing that I would say is, take advantage of the small school which I attended and try to make more friends, and stay in touch with them. It is much harder to meet and make friends in college. One last thing I advise myself is to stay in the dorms. I think that it would have helped me to meet more people and have more of the 'college experience.'

Stay up on any and all math that is being taught.

Transitioning from high school to college is a challenge. Learning from your peers and professors creates an understanding of the various obstacles that you may face in developing your career. From having your bills paid in high school, to making your own decisions on what is the smart way to live financially. You can still have fun but know that with life comes learning experiences. You can't have regrets, you just have to learn from your mistakes. Focus on succeeding and getting the best grades you can. College will help you grow, it is a fundamental of life. It is an adventure. It is an experience that everyone should be given a chance to enjoy. Don't give up when things get too hard, strive harder. When they try to get you down, strive harder. Don't let someone tell you "YOU CAN'T." Life is about learning and making mistakes to learn from. Education is SUCCESS!!!

Remember to relax and have fun. Make sure that you have some balance there. Work a job if you need to, spend sufficient time hitting the books, and always take time to network and make friends. Some of people you meet during your first couple years of college will become life-long friends! Studying well and making good grades is important but the most important things you'll learn will be from the life experiences outside of the classroom. Lastly, use your first couple of semesters to come up with an academic plan. Meaning, explore your options first. Know what topics you enjoy learning about and which ones you do not like as much. Pick a degree in which you can see yourself having a career in upon graduating and stick with it!

The best advice I could possibly give myself would be to take advantage of the opportunities the university offers. Immerse yourself in the college and take the time to research and familiarize yourself with the financial aid, scholarships, clubs and organizations the univeristy offers, as well as those available within your specific college. Getting involved with organizations is an invaluable experience that can be used as a resume builder as well as a networking opportunity. Networking is something that is consistently underrated that is essential to becoming successful. In todays market place many jobs come from word of mouth or a contact putting in a good word. Working hard to become involved and fostering those relationships are something that should be done from the moment you step onto campus, and for the rest of your life.

My advise to my self would be to take time to make your choices in what you want to be when you grow up. Do not let your buddies talk you out of it, if you want to be a professional rodeo clown or a Doctor, try both maybe you will be both. There is not one right answer, make the best out of any learning expierence you get. It does not matter what you do, because if you just choose something because somebody else tells you to you will not be happy. So do whatever you want but be happy and do your best at whatever it is you choose to do with your life.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to take as many college level course my senior year that my high school offered. This would have saved me money and time that I am now currently having to take but with a heavy price tag. Also I would tell myself that I need to study more and not worry about working so much as I worked 40+ hours in high school but still managed to get a 3.83 G.P.A. I also wish that I would hav been more involved with my school than I was, since it would have helped me to this day.

From the future, this is you. College is not as easy as high school, as high school came easy and you didn't have to study; college is going to be different. Study and you will do well. It will be tempting to skip class sometimes, as the professors do not all take attendance, and nobody will notice if you are gone, but attend each class, as it will be yourself that you are ripping off. The professors are there to help you, but you have to help yourself before anyone can help you. Attend class and study. Go out and do the things that the Student Activities Council plans. There are really great events and talents to go see and great people to meet. Stay in the dorm freshman year, you meet many people that you will remain close to throughout the rest of college. Study, go to class, go out on campus, and spend some time in the dorm. That is the recipe for success.

The best advice I could give myself would be not be so worried about finishing quickly. Enjoy the time you have at college and take things slow. Its far too easy to try to grow up quickly but take your time to mature. College is supposed to be the best years of your life. Enjoy them, but do not lose focus on your overall goal, graduation.

Go to the grocery store once a week instead of eating out so much. Stay on task, have a calendar and know due dates. Get involved and ask about opportunities on campus.

Most high school students think about all the wrong things when they start to apply to colleges. They factor in where their significant other is going, where all their friends are going, the cheapest school, the closest school, or the furthest school. I think students should ask themselves one question: "Where would I go if I could go anywhere I wanted and nothing was an issue?" I think if students asked themselves that then they would end up where they want to be and feel satisfied with their decisions. I don't think students should worry about all the other "stuff" that goes along with picking a college, because in the end if I go to the school I want to and study exactly what I want to study then I know that I will be happy and it will all be worth it in the end. Now is the time to take chances, because the mistakes and risks we make when we are 18 don't have to affect the rest of our lives. So follow your heart now, because when you are 50 you don't want to wish you had it to do all over again.

With a professor for a father, education is viewed as necessary for success. In order to be successful not only in college, but in the real world it's important to take advantage of all of the opportunities college provides for you not only in the classroom. Participating in a study abroad program, internship, coop, community service and extracurricular activities makes college an experience and creates memories to last a lifetime. I'm not suggesting a student forget about the reason they're in school, to get an education, but I believe there is more to college than reading textbooks and attending class. Networking is an important skill to develop in college including the ability to meet a variety of people and sell yourself to their company. Know who you are and what you want to do with your life and if you don't know try a variety of different options until one feels right. College will be one of the most challenging but rewarding times in your life. It teaches you to rely on yourself but never be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly believe in yourself and remember to be thankful for the opportunities college provides.

Start taking summer classes as soon as you graduate, is the first thing I would tell myself if I could go back in time. Doing this will allow you to have a couple of classes under your belt by the time fall semester starts. It also gives you familiarity of the campus and experience in the college classroom. Don't be afraid to jump in there and ask questions, even though everything is new, this will help you gain confidence. I would highly recommend getting involved with an on campus organization as soon as possible. Not only will you have a good time and meet new people, you will be actively participating in a group that will enable you to gain vital skills necessary for life. I would attempt to decide on a major or an area of interest quickly because you need to set academic goals and make sure you are taking the courses required for your degree. Befriending some professors early on will ensure professional mentors who will be able to write recommendation letters. Take advantage of this short time period, because it will pass fast. Live your life to the fullest and be sure to have fun!

If I could go back to my senior year in high school, I would give myself the confidence to pursue any dream I've ever dreampt. Once you get in college, you often hear that your only focus should be academics and keeping your head in a book. After a year and a half of focusing nothing but on school books, I found I had left so many dreams unfulfilled. Now, I let myself venture out and experience life to its fullest. It may not always lead me down the path I had desired, however I never fail to walk away from an experience without learning something and bettering myself along the way. College is the intermission of life which should be lived with discovery and adventure.