Central Michigan University Top Questions

I'm sure it would be a pleasure for everyone if we could go back in time and re-live a cjhapter of our lives. I know if I could go back to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely know what to expect from my first year at college. I think I would tell myself to be open to as many opportunities as possible. It's amazing how many opportunities there are in college. There are so many clubs and events to participate in. I wish I would have taken more advantage of them. I also would have told myself to go into my first year with an open mind. Its always good for students to break out of their shell and maybe try something new. With an open mind and a good attitude, anything is possible. Students have the ability to be anyone they want to be in college. Its a fresh start, and a place to take chances. College is a time to take advantage of new opportunities and branch out of your comfort zone! I wish I would have known that coming in to this great experience.

If I could tell go back in time, I would tell myself to work harder at my English homework and not put it off til the last minute like I did so many times first semester here at Central. I would also tell myself to get more invovled, maybe join the band or be apart of the drama department in someway. I would also tell myself to be careful with whatever I say and be more friendly and watch the way I act around people so that I don't come off as being rude or angry.

"Don't be afraid," I said. He looked up at me, his elevated right eyebrow embodying his skepticism. A bewildered smirk crawled shyly across his lips. I was familiar with the expression. It said I had no intention of slowing down or giving up - I made it a lot my senior year. In that moment, it didn't feel like I had time-travelled at all, and was merely looking at my reflection in some kind of perfect living mirror. "Afraid?" he asked. "Afraid of WHAT? If you and I are the same, then you know I wasn't scared of the 'College Experience!' What will I possibly be afraid of?" I had forgotten how sarcastic I was. His words were saturated with it - each one oozed. "When the ten-page papers begin to pile up," I began, "Don't be afraid. When campus gets dark and every building begins to look the same - don't be afraid. When your roommates come crashing inside only a few hours before a big exam - don't be afraid. When you feel homesick and realize your own bed is three hours away - don't be afraid." He cleared his throat. I walked away.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself, do not ever give up! I would also say, that good grades are very important, so keep up the good work! I would also make sure to tell myself that college is not always going to be easy and it is not always going to be the best thing ever. However, if you make it the thing ever, chances are, you will have that attitude and beleive it is! Always stay positive. A lot of things happen in life that bring you down and you can't let that stop you from your dream! DO NOT...EVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CANNOT GET YOUR DREAM! YOU MUST STAY POSITIVE!!! If you do not stay positive, nothing will go your way. Think of the negative things as bumps in the road, you just have to slowly coast over them with attention and patience. College is what you make of it, so make it amazing!

If I could go back and give myself advice as a high school senior, it would be to save your money for different college expenses. As a high school senior, I had two jobs and no financial responsibilities. All the money I made went to frivolous things, such as clothes, shoes, hair appointments, etc. My parents would tell me to save money for school, but of course I did not listen to them. Now that I am in college, I realize why my parents were telling me to save my money. Besides the room and board and tuition, college can be very costly. I have been paying over $300 a semester in books alone. There are also cost for being involved in different organizations. And if you want to do anything besides staying in your room on the weekend, it will cost money. I was unaware of all these cost going into college. If I had saved even half of what I made in high school, I would be living a little easier. Now I am truly living like a ?broke college student?.

Given the chance to go back in time to offer myself advice as a high school senior, the most important thing I would explain is the importance of becoming involved within the residence hall and campus community as soon as possible. Making those life long connections not only creates new relationships but it also allows you to feel more connected to the school and community. Being involved really showed me how to better mannage my time while still being able to keep up with my academic and social responsibilities. The one other thing I would stress to myself is the importance of taking advantage of opportunities both on and off campus. Take the chance to try new things, you're only in college once and Central offers a variety of events to try out. Go out and have a good time, that doesn't mean you have to drink either. Some of the best memories are the ones you make when completely alcohol free. Staying in all the time allows others to think they can take advantage of you, which is simply unfair. Most importantly, ENJOY your time in college! You'll never get these years back.

I would have told myself to try and search for more colleges. Spend more time trying to get all the information that I would need to decide which college to attend. Make sure you know all the facts. Go for more than one tour of the campus and study the maps of each one. And most importantly to spend a little more time looking for scholarships that will help affording the college I wish to attend. The more you recieve the better chance you have of being able to stay enrolled and complete your college education.

If I went back to senior year to counsel myself about college, I would stress three pieces of advice. The first would be to sweat the little stuff now and develop good study habits because you are going to need them on your own time in college, the land of no no-nonsense, required doctors notes and required reading. The second would be to keep an open mind to campus size, location, and housing. Attending a small high school should not set a limit on campus or living space size. Visiting colleges once or more than that is the only way to formulate your own opinion about the college including campus size amongst other things like academic programs The last piece of advise I would give myself is to find means of making money while attending school. Whether this involves putting saved money from the summer in a savings account or finding an on campus job in the summer time depends completely on the individual but it is of absolute importance to keep saving. Once at college adaptation happens undoubtedly, however taking it upon yourself to find the right college will ease and decrease undesirable changes needed to be made.

I would tell myself that while choosing to live in a dorm with strangers instead of your best friend will seem tough at times, it serves an important purpose. It is essential to make new friends in college, but keep the old. Try your best to form friendships with people in your residence hall, in classes, in any groups you may join. Focus on classes and doing your best, but it really won't be as hard as you think so don't stress out too much. Also, in high school you would never dream of going out and doing something at midnight on a Wednesday, but take the chance, it might lead to great things.

Dear Young Amanda, We haven't talked in awhile, and I realized that you need some advice as you get ready for college. First, be open! One of the best parts of college is getting to know new people and seeing the world from their point of view. There are people from all over the world right in your hall! So take the time to get to know them; see what others have to say. Second, do NOT be afraid of change. At first, college may seem overwhelming. You will be away from friends and family, adjusting to a new environment, and going to new classes. However, there is no need to worry! This experience is meant to change you and help you to become an independent adult. Just take a deep breath and have fun with it. Remember the importance of studying. How could I give advice without bringing up academics? With all the new activities, new responsibilities, and new boys, studying may fall to the wayside. It does for many college students, but don't let this happen to you. Remember your main purpose for being here! Keep everything balanced and you will be fine. Sincerely, Old Amanda