Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

If I could go back in time I would encourrage myself to look into every degree, not just engineering because that is what my father wanted. He was so proud that I got into engineering that I didnt want to say no. I wish I would have considered all my options and not just went along with what sounded good at the time. I would tell my introvert high school self to branch out and get as many lie experiences as possible, after all, how can you be expected to make a life determining decision such as what degree to pick with no experiece? I would tell myself to work harder in college, its not for partyinh, its for learning. The last thing I would tell myself is to not tak things for granted. In high school I fought a lot with my parents, no they live out of state and I barely get to see them. I wish I would have spent more time cherishing them than rebelling and chosing my temporary friends over my permament family. If I could go back, I know I would have an easier life now than I do.

DO: -find hole in the wall restaurants near campus -get a planner/organizer/calendar and fill it out with dates on the syllabi as soon as you get them - invest in a quality alarm clock -keep an open door if you live in the dorms -take advantage of all the "free" stuff on campus -let people help you (homesickness, homework, friend drama, etc) -explore the library, the best study spots are hidden - keep in touch with friends the old fashioned way (snail mail) -keep an extra set of batteries in your backpack (for calculator, iclicker etc) -start finding/talking to people about being roommates for the next school year in November -go to office hours, no matter how uneasy it makes you feel DON'T: -sweat the little things -buy all your textbooks from the bookstore (Amazon, Chegg, etc are typically much cheaper) -stay inside your comfort zone -be so focused on studying that you don't make friends -be afraid to ask random students for directions/where a building or room is

Dear Donovan, You probably won't believe me but this is your future self telling you what to do. To prove it to you, you have a signed, or what seemed to be signed picture of Olympian Shawn Johnson under magazines on your bookcase. Now that I have tried to prove it to you here is some advice. When you register for senior classes try and take some more difficult courses that will prepare you for college. You'll do decent your first semester, but you could prepare better. When baseball comes around do whatver you can so your team doesn't get upset at home by a thirty-two seed to end your baseball career. Whenever you see Garrett Middleton try and talk with him because as tough as it sounds he'll be involved in a farming accident and you'll never get the chance again. Also, when it's basketball season make sure to let Cait Haynes, your trainer, know that you care for her because in college you'll recieve news that she had committed suicide because of a bully. Please keep all of this in mind. Your Future Self, Donovan Kattner

I would not tell myself to do anything differently. By going to school out of state, I realized how important my home, my family, and my life in Oregon is to me. That is why I have decided to transfer back home. Without going away for school, I may have realized the priority these things have in my life, but I do not think to the same extent. It isn't without trying new things that progress can be made within yourself, and I strongly belive that everything you experience makes you who you are and a better person. Therefore, I think that it is important for students to have an idea of what they want, but not be afraid if it doesn't work out or if your priorities change. Live every experience to the fullest and you will grow as a person while learning more about yourself. Giving advice to my high school self is essencially the same as giving me advice now because I will be starting over next year. But, I still would not do anything differently and I hope that I can use my experiences to grow even more in the following year.

Figure out a way to cope with stress. Figure out how to effectively study for every subject. Get used to not having time for a nap. Or any sleep, really. Embrace and savor homemade meals. Take every chance you get to let someone know how much you care about them.

College seems like another world;it feels like a continuos hotel visit, but not for a vacation. Homework will feel overwhelming and you'll probably get frustrated with your choice of classes, but remember your passion for science and biology. Making new friends has never been more complicated and you're going to meet a lot of new people every day. The friends you make in your dorm are going to be friends you'll have for the next 4 years, if not longer, so treat them kindly. You'll miss your dogs, but never as much as you miss home cooking. Mom is going to call every day, she just misses you. Give her a break and try not to give her such a hard time. Life is going to be different now, but you're ready for it and all you have to do is take a deep breath and prepare for the amazing life you have ahead of you.

I would advise myself to visit more schools and push to talk to students in my application major. I am the oldest child in my family and a first-generation student, so I didn't realize that that was something I should have done. Doing this allows you to get a better feel for the campus and what you will encounter as a student there and also allows you to get a sense for the types of classes you would take and the kinds of professors you will encounter. For example, my school has a notoriously challenging chemistry department, and since I had to take two years of chemistry for my major this was important for me to know. Having this information may have changed my final decision. As a first-generation student, I was also so overwhelmed by the number of schools I could apply to that hearing about the way curriculum progressed and the way professors taught would probably have helped me hone in on the absolute best school for me. To that point, I also would probably tell myself to go and sit in on a few classes to observe the professor and the class's culture.

Assuming that I could go back and talk to myself in high school is something that I wish that I could do often as it would have helped me to realize that school can be an enriching experience. I would tell myself that school does not have to continue to be as it is in highschool. This is in regards to their being less judgment in college from your peers, because a sense of community is developed. I would give the advice that living on your own or with friends brings a liberation that needs care. You will need to surround yourself with a suppotive environment consisting of friends and family or it will be hard to keep up with your studies with the social pressures of drinking or drugs. I would tell myself that the transition will be better if you get involved in a school activity or an organization because it will be easier to make friends. Also I would say that college is an enriching experience were you will learn about what interests you in this world. Lastly putting in the effort from the beginning will bring you down a road with more opportunites to acheive.

I would definitely tell myself to talk to new people more. I came into college with my best friend so that sort of closed me off from meeting new people because I already had someone to hang out with. If I could go back in time and start college again, I would put myself out there more and make an effort to make a lot of new friends. It is scary for me to do that but the people at my school are so friendly and open to making friends that it would not be a big deal like I would make it out to be. I am happy that I joined a sorority though so I would tell myself that going through recruitment was a good idea!

The advice I would give myself is dont just jump into a major explore your options and find what fits you best.