Monique
Educaiton is key. My teenage years were tragic with the death of my mother. I did not have the money for school nor the will to study. I graduated from high school with a B average but went straight to work. I had an interest in nursing. At that young age, I have none of the self esteem that I needed to have to succeed.
If I were to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would remind myself of three important facts. I would remind myself that educaiton is the foundation of life and that I should go to college. I would also tell myself that determination combined with good study habits will always lead to great grades! Lastly, I would hug myself and declare that I deserved to succeed!
Emily
It has been valuable to attend because I received a new way of thinking, and also at Aquinas College I received a stronger relationship with God and close relationships with people there that I will never forget. My education that I received was amazing because the professors are what they teach, what you see is what you get at that college and it is very comforting to know that the professors care as much as they do.
Denise
College has re-affirmed my sense of purpose in what I want to do for the rest of my life. There is a goal in sight and a clear path--a definitive series of steps to take--in order to reach it. Attending college has honed not only my organizational skills and clarified the direction I must take to achieve my goals, it has exposed me to situations and people I would never have encountered otherwise. I feel my understanding of the world in general has deepened and my range of knowledge has expanded.
Amanda
The best advice I can offer rising college freshmen is to treat college as though it were your job. Take it seriously by being on time for lectures, being prepared for class, using integrity when making decisions, and treating classmates and professors with respect. I believe it is easy for freshmen to be swept up in the newfound independence college life offers and sometimes this can lead to poor decisions. My hope is for freshmen to remember that certain things cannot be erased, such as transcripts. It is so important to be diligent and make every effort to succeed. Post-college life can be difficult and employment is not guaranteed. The job market is so competitive that college students must do everything possible to stand above the rest; this includes not only getting good grades, but building rapport with professors who can offer much assistance in "the real world" with recommendations.
College is a wonderful experience and for some, the opportunity only comes once. Take advantage of this gift and do not take it for granted.