Carthage College Top Questions

As I look back to my senior year of high school, I can remeber how eager I was to make the next step to college. I was gettiong good graddes, having a blast as a captain on the varsity softball team, and picked where I wanted to go for college. Knowing what I know now about college life there is some advice I would like to give myself. One thing would be to have good communication between you and your roommate. My roommate and I did not get along so well, which I strongley believe has to do with the lack of communication between eachother. If we would of just talked about our problems I believe my rooming situation for my freshman year would have gone a lot better. I would have also told myslef to save up more money then I had planned. Books, food, and other living expenses really add up, and I was not as prepared as I should of been.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first say nice job. It was wise to take college credit classes during high school. I would try and explain to myself and I needed to become more open in the term of friends. I would also suggest trying new things and moving outside of my comfort zone at school instead of waiting until I moved into the dorms. It was a hard transition between living at home and living on my own. I would tell myself to get away from home more before senior year and to become more independent. Living on my own was a big change and becoming independent before I left would have helped out more. My final comment to myself would be to have fun while it last because college is not just a breeze. You need to work for it and paying for yourself is a challenge. Enjoy you free time and don't just let it go by.

Matt, this is your college-self writing to you. I'm only a Sophomore, but I feel as if I have grown wiser in the last two years. I want to share a few of these insights with you before you come to college. First off, you're going to want to take advantage of your newfound freedom and try new things. It's perfectly normal to want to experience new things as long as you do them in moderation. There's nothing to be gained by drinking excessively at a party or staying up into the early hours of the morning playing video games (hint, hint). Also, when building relationships with people, ask yourself if knowing them is helping you to grow or taking away from who you are. College is a privilege; your studies must always be a high priority. C all mom and dad regularly, they love and miss you. Take the time to get to know and love and respect yourself. FInally, remember that life is a journey, not a race, and that each moment along the way is to be cherished and embraced. As an afterthought, people love your cowboy hat. Keep wearing it.

Make as many friends as you can. Do not simply allow yourself to have many acquaintances that you can casually wave to in passing. I understand there are people you will not get along with and people that seem, well, just plain weird. But having actual relationships that go deeper than a "Hello, how are you?", with different kinds of people can do a whole lot of good for you. First of all, you are going to be a more well rounded individual. You will not be stuck with the same old blonde, ditzy, and party girl friends that you hang around with. It will also come back to you in the future. I guarantee that at some point you will be in contact with some people from your high school, whether it be connected to your career or a different relation. As the old saying goes, "It's not what you know, it's who you know". What I am trying to say is do not limit yourself to a particular group of friends. Get to know as many people as you can! It will do a whole lot of good for you as a person.

I would tell myself to be more involved in activities. I would also say that some things are not perfect, but everything will work out in the end, and to take prof. advice on some things. Also use the all the available resources that the school has to offer. I would also tell myself that the first semester is hard, but it does get better. Also, get as much sleep as you possibly can because some nights you wont get much, and others you will. I would also tell myself how important it is to make friends and make sure that they are good friends, and to think before you speak, in class and out of class, because you never know if you will regret what you say later. And to stay on top of homework and reading assignments because once you get behind, chances are you will not be able to catch up, and though you may try it will be very difficult, whereas if you stay on top of everything then you will do better in the class and have more free time. Lastly I would tell myself to enjoy college and have fun.

I would have looked for more scholarships. I was a good student but I needed to be less involved with my school work and get more involved with the school.

First off, I would say "breathe". Although it may be stressful and confusing, it is a great time of your life to branch out and experience new things. One thing to realize is that everyone is in the same situation, going through the same process and sharing the same thoughts and concerns. You may feel you will never be able to make friends, find a major you enjoy, or end the feeling of homesickness, but it will all workout. There is such a strong support group you will find at school, through professors, advisors, and friends, and everyone is there and eager to help. Once orientation ends and classes start you will see that you made it and can stand on your own, feeling confident about the new beginning and time of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd encourage myself to try harder in high school. I slacked off my senior year because I knew I'd graduate no matter how bad my grades were. The consequence of this was that I didn't make it to the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my graduate class. If I were to go back and talk to myself, I would push myself to make it to the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} because I could have gotten more grants and scholarships for college and not owe the school any loans. This is the biggest reget I have of my high school years.

The first move in my life was from my home to college. During this time I was very nervous and at times home sick. I have since moved on and no longer become home sick like I did when I was a freshman. Looking back, I wish would have involved myself more with the orientation activities to break myself out of my shell that had formed throughout high school. I would give myself advice such as, "It's ok to be home sick, but this isn't the end of the world and others are going through the same thing you are." Also I wish I would have brought more pictures of old friends. Keeping in contact more with old friends, helped me to overcome my home sickeness and meet new and exciting people.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would emphatically tell myself to get involved on campus, study hard, and do everything I need to do to stay in college and finish my degree. I would explain how scholarships can ease the burden of student loans and college tuition, so keep applying for them. I would clarify the details of student loans and how they affect my future. Leaving school is not an option. Trying to finish a degree when I have 5 active children and a full-time job is much harder than being a full-time student at 18-20 years old. Don't let friends or relationships sidetrack you from achieving your goals. Connect yourself with successful people and find a mentor to guide and encourage you when things get tough. Network with people in all areas of your intended field. Don't burn your bridges - you never know when those people may be able to help you in your endevours. In conclusion, have fun and enjoy the once in a lifetime experience.