Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

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

Cai

If I had the ability to travel back and time and confront myself as a high school senior, I would remind myself why I wanted to attend college in a different state. I would encourage myself to not let the size of the school overwhelm me. The willingness to try new things, explore options and embrace change are key elements to being successful. I would tell myself that in order to feel like more than just a face in the crowd I need to break out of my comfort zone and pursue my interests in regards to joining a club or organization. I would tell myself not to stress over being undeclared, but rather embrace all the different possibilities. I would remind myself to maintain a balance in regards to time dedicated to schoolwork, my job, and building new relationships with the people I meet. Overall, I would advise myself to throw caution to the wind and never take for granted the opportunities that college presents.

Kaitlyn

I would tell myself to work on better study habits. College is hard and requires lots of work and time to learn the material. I never studied in high school for test because i ususally got A's. I dont think that is a smart choice because i never learned how to study or what works for me. Now i am struggling with figuring out how i learn best. Time management also goes into that. Homework wasn't that important in high school and i did everything last minute as im sure everyone else does, but i am finding out that doesnt quite work out so well in the grown up world.

tyler

Hello Tyler! I am cotacting you to give you some advice from the future regarding your college experience. The main points I want to stress are make sure to stay focused on school, do not worry about the social life, and make sure you utilize all of the opportunities CSU has to offer. When I say stay focused on school, I mean always try to get a 4.0 GPA. Don't set your goals short and reach for the stars! know that if you set your mind to it, you know that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Through all that process focusing on school, don't worry about social life. I know sometimes it can be hard to not see your family and not having many friends to start. Just be yourself and making friends and keeping in touch with loved ones will be easy. The last thing I wanted to point out is utilize all of the help you can get at CSU. This means take advantage of their free tutoring programs, office hours with your teachers, and fun sports that can help relieve you of stress. Good uck!!

Tifani

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschooler, I would tell myself to slow down, love more, be happy, worry less, and study harder! Slow down, because you have your whole life ahead of you to do whatever you want! Love more, because everyone loves friendly people, and when you are guineinly nice to people they feel that, and they are nice back. Be happy, because you have so much to worry about when you are older and actually have bills, and real world problems! You are a kid, HAVE FUN! Worry less, like preiously said, you have your whole life to worry, as long as you are keeping track of what you need done, and what is already done, you should be good. Last, but not least, study harder, a lot of your high school education actually helps in college. Also if you find your studying groove in high school, you will not have to find that groove in college, where it is a lot harder to do. If I could go back in time those are for sure things that I would tell myself!

Zane

High School was a great time for me. I was two time homecoming court, nearly sporting the crown for homecoming king. I had tons of friends, the only problem was that I was empty. It was all based around social norms and who knew who. My grades were garbage, and it has put a damper on my families income. I work full time trying to support myself, and I know if I had tried hard enough in high school, well, I could have been valedictorian. Grades did not matter to me then until the real world hit me. My parents got a divorce, and I had to start sustaining myself. I was a good for nothing boy, and now I am a man. If I was a man back then, I would assuredly be in my senior year of college by now, failing several advanced placement exams. It didn't matter then, but it matters now. A whole lot.

Nohely

I am now a freshman in college and I realized the transition is not half as bad as I believed it would be. The school is big there are about 28 thousand students, yet I feel like I fit in. I have only been on campus 3weeks, but I have learned that in high school I needed to focus on applying to scholarships rather than taking three AP courses and working 30 hours a week. My time was not spent wisely. I did apply to a school that was out of my price range, because of it I now must focus my attention on applying to scholarships in order to stay in the school I have fallen in love with. I have realized no one is no longer there to hold my hand and tell me what to do, if I need anything I must look for it myself. I am in charge of my own success. I have a lot of people rooting for me. I am officially incharge of my life. I can only tell myself remember your goals, dreams, and assperations. I will be graduating in May 2016 from Colorado State University.

Francesca

I would tell myself not to mess around when I get to college. I understood logically that my grades are important but it was not emphasized how important that very first semester is. I would also tell myself to open my mind a little bit more.

Ashley

It might not seem like it, but the choices you make now affect the rest of your life. We’ll all be working for a long time; having a job you love is essential to happiness.Waiting too long to find mine was a huge mistake. I chose an easy employable major. I thought I’d be happy doing anything that paid well. Trust me, this doesn’t work. Unless you fit into a predefined category, you have to investigate many different options to find the right fit. Start looking now and you’ll be much better off. I set myself back a couple years by wasting this opportunity. Follow your whims. Talk with students and professors who share your interests. Discover what your interests and hobbies are. Join different clubs and organizations so you can explore and meet people who will be helpful after your college experience!

Destinii

Most students in school are told to dream big. Children learn they can be whatever they want to be as long as they put their mind to it. Make a plan, follow through with it. The sad thing is that plans do not always work out. When I was a senior in high school two years ago, I was just getting over a two-year depression. I was discovering that I wanted to go places. I was accepted into my dream school. I had plans to complete a BFA in English with an emphasis in creative writing by the time I was 21. Unfortunately, I held my hopes high and they were knocked to the ground when my brother went through some trouble with the law. For the sake of his mental health, I gave up going to school for two years. If I could go back in time and talk to myself in my senior year, I would tell myself to relax. Expect the unexpected and don’t beat yourself up when events don’t happen right when you want them to. Breathe. Good things really do happen to those who wait.

Nicole

This question presents a little bit different for me, as an adult returning to school. I’m 31 years old now, and just beginning my college career in the fall. I dropped out of high school my senior year. I did get my GED several years later; however, I missed so many important milestones. All of my school friends went onto college in the late 1990’s, and I’ve worked minimum wage jobs since. Now I am trying to balance my family, paying bills, and starting school full time… without any financial assistance from my family. So, needless to say, my strongest suggestion would be to just stick it out. If I could go back in time today, I would say to take advantage of your youth, there are so many more options. Now don’t get me wrong; I love my life today. I’m a mother, and have the opportunity to return to school—albeit a little late. It’s just a little tricky trying to balance everything. I guess the bottom line, is no regrets. I can’t change the past; I can only control what I do today, in preparation for what lies ahead.