Concordia University-Portland Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would stress starting college passionate for your degree and being prepared to give as much dedication as possible. I had too many distractions during my first couple years in college. I volunteered a lot, worked, lived at home with family, and a couple years later was engaged and planned a wedding within a 10 month span, which took an excess amount of time from my studies. I would also tell myself to quit procrastinating and get steady in that. I would strongly encourage myself to maintain a strong connection to my support systems; christianity (God), family, church and a few close friends. Also, to continue volunteering at church but not too many hours a week so you don't get burned out and want to just quit everything on you plate. Another bit of advice would be to not expect perfection from yourself for all facets of life and not doubt what feels right inside, but press on with the passion for the goodwill in your heart.

Do not assume that you are unable to accomplish a higher education degree. In addition to being the first member in your family to attend college, you will also (one day) earn your doctorate of education (EDD) degree from Concordia University. You will be an instructor at Concordia University and Rogue Community College.

The advice I would give myself would be to not worry about the little things. When your in high school everything seems like the end of the world, but it's not. It's just the beginning, and thats the amazing part. Whatever happens throughout high school eventually doesn't matter. I would tell myself to not be concerned with the judgment of other people, how many friends I have, or how many school dances I get asked to. Because when you get to college, all of those things become irrelevant. High school doesn't define who you are or who you're going too be. Everything that ever happened in high school is forgotten and in the past. I met amazing new people and have created a family at my new home. The great thing about college is you get to find yourself and try anything and everything you want too. It's the most exciting, hardest, scariest, and best rollercoaster I have ever been on. The last piece of advice would to myself would be to live in the moment and know that there are great things on the path ahead.

As a high school senior I wish I would have spent more time searching for scholarships and thinking about what career I really wanted to end up doing. I would tell myself that college is too expensive to waste time taking classes that do not count towards your degree. I would also tell myself not to choose a school based on a boyfriend or the easiest option. Instead, choose a school based on price, location, and how well the school is rated for the specific program you want to complete.

I would tell my self to apply for more scholarships.

I would advise myself to watch how I spend my money and make sure I read all my books for all my classes because there might be pop quizzes. Prorastination is your enemy, always start on homework and project early on. Lastly, I would also advise myself to not forget about God for he will help me get through this bumpy road in life. I spent very little time with God (like reading the bible and daily chapels) and I regetted that. God has been there with me every step of the way and will continue after college life.

I would tell myself to stay in school and hardwork until the last final exam. I don't want to slack off when I know I'll be graduating soon. I would still turn in all my assignments because it will look good for colleges.

One of the greatest values of attending my school is the free counseling service they offer. Within a few months of each other, my best friend was killed, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I got laid off from my job and ended up loosing my apartment. I tried as hard as I could to hold everything together, but with the added stress of transferring to a new school, I needed help sorting through everything that had been going on in my life. I called my schools counseling department and they set me up with an appointment right away. I saw my counselor for a term and was able to slowly work through the events that had seemed to paralyze me before. The free counseling I received help me have a clearer mind, be able to focus more on my studies and safely go through the grieving process of having to lose someone so dear to my heart. I would not have had the resources to get the help I needed if it wasn’t for Concordia.

Knowledge, this world is continually changing, and with knowledge, one continues to grow and learn with the world. One learns to fine-tune their social skills, they develop and refine studying tools, and lifelong friends are established. College experience has shown me, I am smart and, it showed me I am capable of learning, not just memorizing, but also actually learning things. With the knowledge I have learned, I am more able to reach out and help others, I can teach and demonstrate to my students what they need to learn. Along with the knowledge also comes age and experience, a wisdom you might say. There are many aspects to the value of attending college, as mentioned above college and the courses taken allow someone to grow, if there is no growth, then there is stagnation. When I think of stagnation, I envision this pond with slim, mold, algae, and a horrible stench; I do not want to be like that pond. Continuing my education opens more doors and different avenues for me to travel, should I choose to do so.

I have always been a hard worker, but college encourages you to take more control of your life both academically and socially. Learning does not stop happening once you graduate, and there have been many occassions in which my professors have learned something from their students. Concordia is dedicated to teaching their graduates to become life-long learners, to go beyond what is required of them, to push limits and break barriers in order to discover a greater truth. Learning is also not limited to the classroom - outside the classroom has also provided many opportunities to expand what we know through community service projects and school-sponsored social gatherings. It has definitely made a difference to my life after graduation knowing that I will continue to learn about the world around me, explore new opportunities, and pursue my dreams of being a leader that will transform society.