Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

It is valuable to take time off after high school to experiment with a variety of jobs to explore your interests. Returning to school after growing up and gaining some life experience is so beneficial when it comes to selecting a valuable degree for a sustainable career.

It really wasn't long ago that I was a high school senior, but I think that I would tell myself to keep struggling and fighting to get into school and stay in school because there are ups and downs, but the path is absolutely worth it. You'll feel so incredibly lost and alone sometimes, but that is nothing compared to the joy of finaly understanding sp orbitals in chemistry or meeting your new best friends. You never feel any different either, until you look back at hownfar you've come. Every day feels like a battle of it's own, but all of the small victories add up, and one day you can look up and be proud of it. Lost or not, you'll find yourself, and you'll find your friends. You'll finally understand just how small you really are, but how loud you can speak when you need to be heard. Honestly, I have never felt this lost, but at home before. It's something that I wouldn't trade for the world, and going along for the ride is the best choice to make.

If I could go back in time and discuss college with myself as a high school senior, I would assure myself it would all be ok. As a senior I was very stressed, and concerned that I wouldn't find a school that fit me well. Having attended CSU for a semester I now know that yes, there is a place for me. The people in the theatre program are accepting and friendly, and all of them have a deep abiding love for theatre and the arts. The school body is diverse in race, sexuality, and gender, and many of them are also LGBTQA people. My high school self would have been reassured to know how easy it is for me to form friendships with the people here, and how accepting they are.

Sadly, you don't know anything you need to know and you need to become better prepared before you move away. College is exactly what you expected and not at all what you thought it would be, so you need to be ready to accept the following. Moving away is everything you always wanted including the freedom and independence however, you need to be prepared to miss your family and friends all the time. You will inevitably have at least one mental breakdown where you are cramming for a test or hurriedly finishing an assignment that you forgot was due in half an hour and it's acceptable to cry before gritting your teeth and finshing the homework with great flair. Procrastination is a terrible habit and you need to get rid of it now. There will be a day where you will be so exhausted that nobody will judge you when you procrastinate homework to get a nap. In short, you are in no way as prepared as you think you are and the truth is, that's okay. You'll do just fine.

Dear high school Teagan, I know you're very stressed right now, but I just want to let you know that everything is going to be okay. You're tentative about attending a state university, but trust me, it's the best decision you'll ever make. You're eager to get away from home, but you'll be grateful that you're only two hours away from mom's cooking when you've been eating dorm food for three months. You're going to make some incredible new friends, so don't cry too much when the old high school gang breaks apart for college. Your freshman year alone is going to hold some fantastic experiences; don't be afraid to try new things. I know that you have no idea what you want to do with your life, but you'll figure it out. There will be several people who want to help you in your transition in to college. Let them. No one ever said you had to do everything by yourself. Just take a step back and breathe. You're gonna be great, kid.

I would begin by telling myself that everything happens for a reason, even if it may sound extremely cliché. I know I would dissagree, but I would describe my current situation here at the university I am attending, and how I adjusted through the programs I am involved in. Although there are times that I might struggle here, I would tell myself that there is nothing to fear, because I can do so much more than I think. I would tell myself that; yes this isn't the ideal situation, and that I understand how I wanted to serve in the armed forces rather than attend college, but I the "future me" is here and he is doing great. Even though I would change my position towards college, I would tell myself to keep the same values. Because those values are the are substantial differences seperating me from the rest of the students attending; making me unique and extremely determined to make a change in this world that other students simply lack.

First off I would say to ignore your fears and doubts and allow yourself to break free from the expaectations that held you bound as a youth. Take the opportunity to explore new avenues and to truly develop into your own self. College is a great time learn about your passions, and what drives you. It is time to develop talents you have neglected. Be smart and find friends who are the type of person you want to be, who have drive, enthusiasm and a zest for life. Stay away form negative people who try to bring you down. Finally, take care of yourself. Don't get a job in the middle of the night at the expense of your needed sleep. Eat good food, and remain active. This first year of college can be very stressful, but it can also be one of the greatestgrowth opportunities that you will ever experience. Have fun, try not to stress too much, and you will do great.

Being a college junior this year I have a fair amount of experience as a college student. If I could go back in time and meet myself as a high school senior, I would have a lot of advice to give. The most important thing I would say to myself is, "Listen to your mom, she has great advice". If I would listen to advice given to me by myself why not listen to some given by my mom who has already been in my shoes before, and has been farther along then I am right now. Honestly, I feel like in today's society the advice of the parent(s) is not taken seriously, but think about this. We like to say that experience is the key. For me, my parents represent that experience. I wish I had known that earlier, and that is why if I could go back in time I would tell myself "Listen to your mom, she has great advice".

To high school me, College is tough and, despite what everyone says about classes being easy, you have to work hard or you'll find yourself playing catch-up and struggling later. So take that extra hour to read your book and review your notes before you watch Netflix. You'll thank yourself. I know you feel smothered by her now, but mom is going to become your best friend and confidant and her advice could've helped you through a lot freshman and sophomore year. She's seen so much more than you and you're a lot more like her than you think. So talk to her, I guarantee she can help you and sympathize with whatever you're going through. And lastly, the biggest piece of advice I can give is that its OK to make mistakes, because every mistake makes you stronger and is an opportunity to learn something new and better yourself. Some mistakes will make you feel more lost than others and when you find yourself feeling lost, remember "to find who you are, reflect on who you were."

When I left home in Ohio to go to school at Colorado State University, I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't know it would be so hard. If I could give my senior-year-self advice, it would be to be patient with changes. I came to CSU without knowing anyone, with an unkown learning disability, and with the drive to pursue veterinary school after I earned my undergraduate degree. But, life, as we all know, has a way of not going as planned. Last year, my drive took a hard left when I realized that veterinary school wasn't for me and I had been struggling from a learning disability called Irlen my entire life. When these realizations surfaced, it was difficult for me to accept, but once I did my life changed for the better. Now, I am majoring in Equine Science, Agricultural Business, and Interior Design with the hopes of one day designing sustainable equine centers, I have made life-long friends, and I am accommodated for my learning disability, which has allowed my GPA to rise from a 2.45 to a 2.75 in one semester. Patience is virtue.