Central Connecticut State University Top Questions

Dear 12th Grade Me, By the time you?ll get to college, you?ll be well adjusted to living on your own and supporting yourself, trust me. You?ll be just fine with leaving home , because after basic training and tech school, college will be excellent. I know you hate the idea of enlisting now, but two years later, you'll like it and be proud. It?s not so much that you?ll be a completely different person; you?ll just grow up a bit in the five months you spend living 2,000 miles away from home. Also, you won?t miss high school. I understand you?re afraid of losing this perfect place you?ve gotten to with your friends this school here, but you won?t lose the friends that count, I promise. Facebook, Instant messenger and cell phones will let you stay in contact with your closest friends, and college breaks will have you seeing plenty of them, even as you all grow up. I?m not saying that you?ll be done growing up, or that some parts of college won?t be challenging, but just know that you?re up to the task.

Get started as soon as you can, so that you don't get on a waiting list, and get good housing. It worked for me. Also do as much as you can scholarshipwise because money matters.

As a high school senior my number one priority would have been to get as many scholarships because as a young african american male it's been a struggle coming from a poor background. I would have focused more on my grades seeing as merit scholarships are awarded to high school students with higher GPA's. Considering my parents went through a divorce at a young age, it was difficult focusing on academic responsibilities while trying to help my mother financially because I had to sacrifice school at times to work more so I could help provide for my family. So if i could go back in time i would be more determined to get straight A's, because it opens opportunities and college wouldn't be such a struggle to pay for now.

I would tell myself that college is worth the time and effort. Without the benefit of a higher education, I will have to struggle to stay employed and to keep a roof over my families head. I would also tell myself that , I will only get out of college what I put into it, so I need to work hard in order to get the rewards at the end. I would tell myself to make sure that I chose classes wisely. Don't just choose classes because they are easy and you can receive a higher grade. This could only serve to hurt me in the end. Choose classes that will both challenge and stimulate my mind. Finally, I would tell myself to enjoy the entire college experience. Get as much out of my college years as I can because those experiences will last an entire lifetime.

Knowing what I know now, I would go back in time and tell myself just to relax. All of the teachers are making it more of a big deal than it has to be. It's just a different school. I would also tell myself about how you are in charge of yourself. No one else can make you study or do your homework, but, you. I also would tell myself not to worry about making friends. You always seem to find someone that is like you, or likes something that you do. Even at eight in the morning on a monday you can find someone. I would stress that, you don't have to hang out with the same people everyday, you can even avoid the people you don't like. It's not like high school where you are stuck with the same people for eight hours a day for five days a week. At most, you'll see your classmates about two times a week. College itself is not scary, its the change that is however. That's the last piece of advice I would give myself before my time ran out.

Entering into college I was overwhelmed. I thought about how difficult the work would be and how in the world I would make friends. I didnt know how I would be able to live with a complete stranger or how I could go for months with out my dad's fabulous Italian home cooked meals. I have just finished my first semester at CCSU and have realized I was afraid for nothing. I stressed myself out for no reason what so ever. I go to at the most three classes a day and I am a full-time student. I do my work as it is assigned so it doesnt build up. Making friends was easy with all the activities around campus. My roomate turned out to be very respectful and a great companion to eat with in the cafe where the food is not as bad as anticipated (although I do go home once in a while for family dinners!). The advice I would give myself would be to take a step back and look at all the great things in life, chill out, don't stress and realize college is going to be a great ride.

Knowing what i know now about college life i wouldn't have been so stressed out about the first day of college because in comparison to high school it was actually much easier. Alot more people are around to help you move in and want everyone to be involved. Before i arrived i wish i had researched more out about the campus and about their activities and decide which i wanted to be involved with. I would also try to meet more people during that transition period of moving in. Also in my preparation for college i would bring more sanitary items because as a freshman your living quarters might not be very pleasant. Everything else however turned out just fine and in the end its an experience i can't turn back and really change. Truthfully im happy with the way my first semester went; it was exciting and new, just how i expected it. I made great friends and learned new things and don't regret anything. I am one of few who didn't get involved with drugs or alcohol for the entire semester and am proud of that so really theres not much i would change.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the best advice I would give myself about college life and making the transition would be to talk to as many people as possible to get advice and ask them to share their own college experiences. I would tell myself to meet with the school counselor/college advisor as much as possible and ask a lot of questions regarding what students find to be the hardest transition vs the easiest transition. I would tell myself to talk to friends who have older siblings that have already gone off to college and get their take on their experiences. People will share great information and tell you what they would have done differently if they are asked. Knowledge is power, so the more information you have, the easier the transition as you head off to college. I would also tell myself to have an open mind and be willing to accept change as a positive thing. Going to college is setting the foundation to a great future filled with great posibilities!!

Start off at this school, don't transfer and live at school. I would also say that clubs and living on campus is a very important part of college and that I should not pass these things up.

I would stress the importance of taking things one day at a time. It's important to space classes out so that in a given semester at least one or two classes are less demanding than the others. I would also stress the importance of taking as many credits as possible without overloading.