California Lutheran University Top Questions

1. Learn to live without sleep 2. You will have to be able to say "no" to the many distractions college presents. For example: No, I don't drink; No, I need to study; No, I have practice in the morning 3. Be open to new ideas, this is the time to mold your own views and not purely mirror your parents views 4.. Learn to do laundry!!! 5. Know the value of a dollar 6. Avoid the "Freshman 15" by exercising, staying away from regular soda, and not overindulging 7. You will be homesick, but you have to wait it out. In no time, college will start to feel more like home than your parent's house does. 8. Work on your study skills, you'll need them 9. Apply for scholarships, college is really expensive!!!! 10. Have fun, don't stress, and take part in as many new things as possible

Although less then a year has gone by since I have been a high school senior, I feel that I would have some very valuable advice to myself. I would first tell myself to not be afraid to take a step back and analyze your life as it is moving so fast. Sometimes you need to really think about what you are doing, and how if you do everything with the right attitude, you ahve the power to effect both yourself and others in a positive way. I would tell myself to be grateful for current friendships, because they are very valuable, but also be prepared to make new friends, because in college, you will meet many new people who have common interests, and there is no way to know if you share interests with these people, unless you go out and meet them. Furthermore, I would remind myself that there is no substitute for hard work. Studying shouldnt be a weekly habit, but a daily one, In order to receive the grades that you are capable of. Yes, school feels like a juggling act with everything else that goes on, but with the proper balance, anything can be achieved.

Always have a back up plan no matter what. Even your parents will tell you one thing and do another, so be prepared for the worse situations and do your best no matter what.

I would tell myself to get out there more. By out there I do not mean socially, I mean in the world. I would tell myself to go to a school far away and really make each moment count. I think new experiences are really key in developing as an individual, which I learned from studying abroad this past semester. If I could do anything all over again I would go somewhere much cheaper and study abroad a lot more.

Emilie! Get up and have fun. In college you are going to regret that you didnt go out and meet new people. You need to learn those chrismatic skills. You also need to get yourself more involved with clubs and sfterschool activites and don't forget about those grades too just push through. In college you aren't going to have those opportunites to just go out and have fun, especially before an exam. Also dont forget to eat as much as you can, especially those goodies since you'll feel like your starving in college. Don't forget to tell mom and Dad that you love them too beause when you get to college you'll miss them and wish you didn't take them for granite. Now Emilie remember it is highschool, your senior year have fun! Oh yeah don't forget to pack toliet paper!

You are about to embark on huge new part of your life that will change you completely, and force you to find who you truely are. Don't give up your beliefs and values for anything, they are what will keep you strong and keep you honest and comfortable in your own skin. Your true friends will accept your values and embrace who you are. Don't be afraid of putting yourself out there and throwing aside your reservations and the shyness you've always hid behind, it will get you nowhere and I know its a comfort zone for you but doing things that make you uncomfortable often help you find parts of yourself you never new existed. Take advantage of everything you can because you will be given so many opportunities to do amazing things and if you don't do them now you may never have the chance again. You will never have a better time in your life to make something of yourself and have so many new experiences and friends. Don't let any of it slip away, there?s no reason to miss out on anything in this life changing time of your youth.

If I could back to high school and rethink my college career, I would have prepared myself better and chosen a college that I would feel comfortable at. I chose to go to California State University of Northridge because my soccer coach talked me into going there. After being away from home for half a year I realized that Northridge was the wrong choice for me. Now I am trying trying to go back home and go to my local University, which is California Lutheran University. I was not ready to be living on my own, and to not play soccer was probably even worse to me because i felt as if i were not doing anything. I think if I could go back in time, I would ask myself if I really liked being away from home or not and if Northridge was the best choice for me. Now I have the chance to come back home and go to a great school.

Matt, college is a whole new kind of adventure. Be prepared for professors to be harder on you because you are a first-year student. If anything, just prove to them you can handle the workload. DO NOT leave anything to do for the last minute. The least "all-nighters" you have, the better. College is all a test to see if you can roll with the punches. Take whatever your professors and peers throw at you and embrace it. Turn every challenge, whether it be a 12-page paper, a research project, or a group presentation, into an opportunity to make a name for yourself. Take pride in anything that can be associated with your name. Create an identity on campus and make yourself known. The last thing, do not be afraid to get involved. Attend events and support your school. Whatever interests you have as a student- your school will probably have a group devoted to just that subject; if not, find out how to start your own club. Stay active on campus. Although it seems cool to be in your dorm, soaking up the fun, the real core of the excitement is right outside on your campus.

In almost all the movies I have watched College is portrayed through students partying everyday; however, none of those prepare you for the amount of work that you will encounter, and the amount of time you need to spend in each class. The one advice I would give to myself is not ?judging a book by its cover?. I came into college thinking it was all about going out and having fun just like many movies have described it. Since I came in with that mentality it was difficult managing my time in the first few months, but I got back on track with the help of my advisors and teachers. This brings me to another advice, in high school everything is given to you from the materials to the help. However, in college you are now consider and adult and must learn to look for the resources because no one will know you are struggling unless you let them know. You are now a responsible adult and you should take advantage of all the resources school has to offer, because it is your time in money that is being used.

First off congratulations on making it to this point I know there were times when we thought this was not possible so congrats! Secondly knowing what I know about getting into school and maintaining my class work and sports I have some advise for the future: take advantage of your professors that?s what their there for, also plan ahead your financial situation, you don?t want to have to stress about where money is going to come from during finals week. Other then that have fun because this time flies by so enjoy all that you can!