Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

If I could go back and plant any seed of knowledge into my high school senior self, it would be this: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. I have long been a chronic procrastinator, it runs in the family. It has never been an issue for me since I do get my work done and I do do good work; however, there is a certain level of stress involved with procrastination. If it becomes an issue then your stress levels are going to go up and up and up until there is nowhere else to go. I would tell myself to plan ahead. If you know you have a project due in three weeks then get a little done every week. It is a simple idea that I think a lot of students could benefit from. I would also tell my past self to be more open. In college you can become a completely different person. The possibilities are endless. If there is an opportunity to try something new then you need to take it. Seize the opportunity. Go see the school plays. Go watch the hip-hop dance competition. The people you meet might become a huge part of your life.

Although your high school career had ended, your college career had just begun. Remember that college will be a lot better than high school because the students at college are more mature, friendly, and took their effort and pride into the work they do to reach the goals they dreamed of. They will be your bestest friends if you were to meet them. I would advise going to a community college that offers transfer credits to the college you wanted to go to. It will be fininically and acamedically wise because you can take care of the general education classes and take the fun classes later, and the tutiton at a community college is very reasonable and be the less burden on student loans. Now, remember that having a college degree and education doesn't guaratee you a great job or career, you still have to make more hard work and persist through the hardships, but I know that you are smart, intelligent, wise, educated, and you can do anything as long you believe in yourself.

My most important piece of advice would be to trust yourself. Don't ever second guess yourself. Every single class you thought you wouldn't be able to handle, you will be. Don't let the "Advanced Placement" and "Dual Credit" descriptions make you uneasy because you will ace each and every one of those classes. Some of the people around you will try and get you to relax and not worry about school so much, but don't listen to them. If you want to succeed, keep doing what you have been doing since your first day of school. Just don't forget to have some room for friends and famiy, or the stress will get to be too much. Big changes will be coming and it will seem absolutely daunting, but you're strong enough and smart enough to get through these obstacles. Surround yourself with the right kind of support and keep your head up high. The only one who can get you to where you want to be is you. It's okay to be scared as long as you don't let your fears prohibit you from flourishing.

If I could go back in time I would tell and remind myself not to go to community college first go ahead and explore the Chicagoland area and be confident. The only reason why I did go to community college first was because I would be able to work and get my education at the same time , but I let my axciety get the best of me and wanted to please my parents by sticking with my original plan going to community college for two years then tranfering to SIU Carbondale where my mom graduated from. I would also remind myself to stay focused and to not care what everyone else thought.

My advice would be to stay away from procrastination as it can very quckly become a habit and prevent you from performing to your full potential. Because of the heavier workload in college, it is important to spread out study time and establish a paced learning method. It is also important to balance your life and get the total college experience. Whether working a part time job, volunteering on campus, or involving yourself in clubs, becoming active in your college community is a crucial part of life on campus. Some of the most helpful resources you will find are right on campus. Do not be afraid to talk to your professors and ask for help on assignments. Upper classmen who have already experienced life on campus may help to deter you from making the mistakes they made. They can offer advice and encouragement as you transition from high school to college. Finally, enjoy your time as a high school senior because senior year is gone in the blink of an eye and you will never experience anything quite like high school again.

Always read your syallabus. Don't just rad it in the beginning of the semester and expect your teachers to remind you what's due. You have to rely on yourself for that. Start studying. I know that you passed K through 12 pretty flawlessly without studying a single night but this is where that ends. You will need to study because there is so much more expected of you. On that note, do the required reading. Your classes won't go over it as much in college and you will fail tests if you do not read. Procrastination will get you nowhere. The essays are going to require a lot more research than you're used to doing and trying to do it all in a couple hours is not going to be easy and just cause unnesscessary stress. Take the assignments slowly. Go to class. You will fail a class you deserve an A in if you don't attend. There is a lot more to life than being loved and in a relationship. Don't stay wiht someone because you think no one else will love you. End it fast and move on with your life.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would tell him that everyone who told you that highschool is the best time of your life, is a liar. College life is so much more satisfying. Life during college actually requires your attention. During college, the choices are your own. So if you make a mistake, its okay. You are just learning how to make choices that suit your way of doing things. I would also advice myself to not stress over social problems in high school. I would tell myself that once graduation comes, none of the problems I had would matter, so just focus on yourself and to let everything else dissapear because once you graduate your own acedemic repuation is all that will matter. Not what everyone else had to say about you.

Assuming that I were able to go back in time and advise my high school self about college, I would tell myself to prepare more so financially for what is to come. College, as I have learned, is very easy to manage as long as you stay on top of your work. By being at a school such as Columbia, it is easy to avoid parties and what not due to it being a dry campus. However, by living in the city, saving money, paying for college, and buying necessities can sometimes be a challenge. The transition from high school to college, for a student such as myself, happens to be very smooth and simple. However, i'd advise my younger self to save money, gather as many scholarships as possible, and use each minute wisely for networking as well as for projects once I begin school.

If I could go back in time the advice I would give myself wouldve been, going off to school after high school. I wish I never took any time off to work or rest. I am now 22 about to enroll in the spring semester to Columbia on campus, I am very excited and nervous at the same time! I decided to stop with the excuses and just go. I realize not having an education or any degree has been very crucial financial wise. I am desperate to do better learn, educate myself , and become something great!

I would tell myself: Don’t to stress out too much and enjoy your time as a freshman. It will go by so quickly and you’ll be a junior before you know it. I know things will get rough because you’re in a new city, but you’re strong enough to get through it. Make sure you eat healthy and stay in shape like you’re used to. Not having tennis and guard each year is going to slow you down a little, but please do not worry if you gain weight. It’s not the end of the world. You are a young and talented writer. Don’t sell yourself short. Challenge your skills and make sure you are doing work you will be proud of yourself for doing. You might want to keep a few of your essays for a portfolio in the future. Please gain the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and go with your gut sometimes. Don’t try to fit in with everyone around you. Find people that fit in with you. All in all, just don’t give up on yourself. I promise you’ll make it out alive.