Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

What should every freshman at Colorado State University-Fort Collins know before they start?

Dayne

My advice would be to stick to who you are and what you know. Throughout high school I was an avid athlete playing many sports and was extremely passionate about volleyball. My team mates were my best friends and I could relate easily to athletes like myself. However, in my transition to college I did not bother to join an athletic team and was consumed with other aspects of college leaving out what I knew best. In this, I lost what was one of the most important things to me, the simplicity of playing a sport and the underlying family a team can provide. I now miss the joy of being part of a team and doing something I love. So if I were to go back in time I would advise myself to choose a school where I could play volleyball, or get involved in athletics right off the get-go. I would tell my self to not give up what I love.

Marissa

I would tell myself to stay focused and not to get off track by partying and drinking too much. Most people get sidetracked easily in college because of a new freedom from their parents, but I need to not give into that population. Its better to get all the school work done and study hard for 4 years, and then the partying can come after I have received that diploma!

Christopher

I was very sucessful in high school . I took school very serious and tried to be the best in everything I did. I can always here my parents saying do good in high school because you might get some Scholarships to pay for your College. I would tell myself to cherish every moment in life, be the best you can be and to remember what ever you put into life you will get out. One other thing that my parents for all they did beacause i'm on my own now.

Marie

The advice that would give my self is that there is no wrong choice. I have transferred twice, this is my third school. While some may see this as a mistake and that I would regret the decisions I have made, I dont. The experiences that I have gained through transferring and experiencing different school envrionments have given me the chance to grow. There is a lot of pressure to choose the right school in high school. Even though I didn't know that I was going to transfer two times, I think that I made the best decision for me with the information that I had at that time. I have no regrets, but instead am thankful for what I have gone through. I hope that every person, every high school student, has the courage and confidence in themself to know that no matter what they know they have made the best decision for them with the information they have. So I would tell myself that no choice is the wrong choice, because it's about the experiences and growth that matter the most.

Heather

Put yourself out there right away. You have to go meet people, not wait for them to come to you. The longer you wait, the more cliques start to form, and the harder it is to find a close group of friends. Also, learn how to study in high school. You'll need it in college. And last, DO NOT DRINK DURING FINALS WEEK. It will break your grade.

Haley

College is all about what you make it. Of course there are certain limitations due to weather, environment, and occasionally prestige, but which college you choose really doesn't matter in the long run. The friends and memories you make in college will last a lifetime and it is absolutely one hundred percent up to you what those memories are. As for transitions, don't worry about them. Take everything as it comes and seize every opportunity that you can. Meet as many new people and try as many new things as possible, and eventually you'll start to settle into where you want to be. They say that high school is the best four years of your life. That's a lie.

Rachel

If I could go back to speak to myself as a high school senior there a few things that I would tell myself. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to really devote extra time to scholarship applications. Without enough financial aid, school is just that much harder. It is difficult to concentrate on doing well in classes when time must also be dedicated to applying for scholarships as well as a part or full time job. The other piece of advice I would give myself is to study! It is always a temptation, for many students I believe, to use the first exam in each class as a practice exam. It is easy to use the first exam to test the waters and then study harder for the next exams. However, in many college courses, if students do poorly on the first exam, it can greatly affect the final grade.

Amy

Look at all your opportunities for scholarships, grants, and financial aid. Try for everything no matter how remote a chance youe think you have and work hard for what you want. Life will take you many places but go with the flow and enjoy where it takes you. Your first year will be the hardest but after that it goes a lot smoother and classes become much more enjoyable. Do not feel out of place with the other freshmen because they are in the same boat as you.

Shayna

I would advise myself to get used to reading the textbooks actively. Reading is the most prominent part of most courses that college students take. I would also have allowed myself more free time, because college is stressful. Adolescents should have fun before they have to grow up!

Brandon

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give a few simple pieces of advice. First, start applying for as many scholarships as I could during my senior year because the college isn't free and financial aid won't cover all of its costs. Second, look forward to meeting, literally, tons of new people and that college is more than just an academic learning experience, it also an extremely valuable life experience. Third, get involved while in college, which means volunteer and join clubs that do things you love because all those experiences will be beneficial when an employer looks your resume. Fourth, find a job because for one, you need some extra spending money, and two, it is another way to meet people. Fifth, go home every once in awhile either on weekends or breaks and express gratitude to mom for helping you to get to where you are right now. Sixth, stay healthy and don't be afraid to go to campus health office. Finally, keep in mind our goal of becoming a personal trainer, it will help you through the rough times.