College of DuPage Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to my senior self I would remind myself to stay focused. It is very easy to get side tracked in the hustle and bustle of graduation and summer and the excitement of going away to college. As a high school senior I was still very confused at what I wanted and I realize now that that is ok. I chose to stay home for two years because i was unsure of what I wanted to do and my financial situattion did not extend to a university. I would tell myself not to worry. You can't know exactly what you want to do until you take some classes and see what it is like and if you enjoy the field you originally chose. It is ok to be confused, that is what general education classes are for. I would tell myself that staying home is the best choice and not to down grade it, I ended up much better off. Now I can proudly say Northern Illinois University here I come!

First, I would acknowledge myself for being strong and making it thus far considering the statistics of individuals finishing school in the first place. I would tell myself to keep on my toes about education because it is very important to maintain the highest gpa one can achieve. It makes things so much easier if you?re going attempt to earn grants and scholarships and enter organizations that will help you down the road in life or if you want to go to graduate school. Your school records seem to really follow you in life when I comes to a lot of things. I would also tell myself to become a social sponge and soak up the various cultures that surround the campus and areas around the campus. Having an understanding people of different cultures will really help once you?re out in the real world. Just be an honest and open person while doing your absolute best in college will provide good grades, a great college experience, and a good foundation to build a great successful life off of.

I would be incline to say that the decision you make as a high school senior will ultimately have major cause and effect as a college student. To use everyday to prepare for the next day. As a college student and throughout life with something new be prepared to ask questions. If you do not understand ask questions until you understand. Remember with scholarships and grants the early bird gets the worm. The one of the most important things that you can take away from transition is deadlines. In college and the transition remember to be independent and self sufficent. Always keep in mind to take advantage of all resources that you have access to and help is always just a phone call away. The best advice that I would give is to prepare for change and embrace new things with a open mind. Your college experience is only as good as you make it.

I would tell myself that things are going to be okay. I would tell myself that not having any money to pay for college will not hold you back. Not knowing what you want to do right now will not ruin your life. You will be okay. You will do well. I would tell myself to try harder in school because the teachers, the kids, the parents might not be worth it, but you are. Rebeling in high school might seem like a good idea right now, but in the long run it won't do anything for you. I would tell myself to try and be the best I can be. Even though you're parents are divorced, and you feel along and helpless, you're not. There are people out there that believe in you and know that you can succeed. I would tell myslelf to believe in yourself and stop being so angry. You can't keep blaming your mom and dad for all your problems. You need to start planning ahead for the future. The only way you can pay for college is to get scholarship so get to studying!

I would tell myself to look into every scholarship out there, because even though they take time and sometimes the amount is not great every scholarship counts. I did not learn that until after I got into five schools with no way of affording them without going into a deep hole of dept! Yes, College of Dupage is a great choice to save money, and I do not regret my decision in attending the institution as a freshman, but if I want to experience the college lifestyle I need to apply for every scholarship available.

I have learned a few guidelines to be a successful student as well as a happy person. First, make friends with everyone. Smile every time you enter a room, say hello, and try to meet everyone on the first day. Remember everyone's name. Don't talk at people, get them to talk about themselves. Listen to them. This is your community, love them. They will love you. Second, everything you do for the first time will suck. Start new things without fear, and keep doing them until you don't suck. This is how you become good. A good motto I've heard: Fail Harder. Third, never apologize or be ashamed of the things you like. Being strange is how new trends are started. Being the same is how old trends die. Fourth, throw great parties. Invite everyone. Be a good host, since you already know everyone, introduce people. Fifth, people will steal ideas from you. Don't be angry, be flattered. It means you have good ideas. Sixth, get things done. Anyone can start a project, but perfectionists and lazy people can never finish. Nothing is perfect, so finish and move on to the next project.

I would tell myself to begin filling out college applications as soon as my junior year of high school. Next, I would schedule campus visits to see what campus life was like and how the students are. I would tell my senior self to fill out as many scholarships as I could, making it a full-time job, to take the pressure off myself in paying a full tuition. Encouraging myself to keep good grades will also help with scholarship aid. More advice I would give myself is to work hard all the way up to graduation. The college transition was the hardest part for me. I would engourage myself to build long, lasting friendships and be around the right people. Keep your head straight and let nothing get in the way of your career goals. Study hard and that will lead to success. People will try to bring you down, but it is your job to shove them aside and focus on education. Life doesn't give handouts, you have to earn your way. In conclusion, I would say to be actively involved in college groups and get a campus job because someone could be a reference.

Get involved in school- it makes all the difference. Even if none of the clubs look appealing, the people in the oasis lounge seem a bit odd, and getting a job in the library caf? seems too daunting, just hope for the best and put yourself out there. You will meet people from every walk of life who will open your eyes to the world more than you ever thought possible from a home-town community college. In short, you will love going to school.

If I could go back in time and was able to talk to myself as a high school senior I would have definitely told myself to not slack off even a little bit. Most high school seniors go into that year thinking that since they have already been accepted into the university of their choice that they don't have to try as hard for the remainder of that year. What they are not aware of is if their grades slip significantly then the college can choose to not accept them. Another scenario is that the student won't be as eligible for scholarship money as they would have been if they had kept up the hard work an continued to push themselves until the year was completely over with. I would have also told myself to apply for as many scholarships as I could because that's just more chances that an individual has to receive free money.

Having a sibling that is in highschool, I find myself telling her the things that I would have told myself. If I could back I would initially say that highschool is important. The grades you make, the sports, and activities you get involved in all play a part in how you interact in college, and sometimes even what school you choose. Most of my issues came around junior year when I became nervous about coming to ''the end''. I would simply tell myself that it is ''the end''of highschool, but the beginning of a new stage of my life, one that will stick with me and really mold me to the person that I want to be. Lastly I would point out that it does not matter whether I decide to go out of state, a junior college first (or only), or a big university. The only thing that matters is if I am happy because I am going to school for me and no one else. I would reiterate that what works for some, may not work for others. I would have set and researched more and mapped out a plan that I was confident with.