Concordia University-Texas Top Questions

I went to college right out of high school. Since I had been in Japan for most of my life, when we moved to the US it was very difficult for me to fit in. I was at 3 different high schools. I went to college and finally felt like could fit in and I stayed there for 4 years and enjoyed the whole experience. It became not only where I made friends but also a family. I later went back to school for my masters and was able to use my international experiene and look at Globalization in education and study at the University of Pretoria. I feel all students need to be able to study abroad and get experience outside of their norm. I plan to continue with my doctorate and look at how we can international college campuses in the US so that students can be ready to global citizens.

While in college I have learned responsibilty that I do not believe I could have recieved anywhere else. They always say that experience is the best teacher and it has proven to be very true. I have also learned about independence. I no longer have my parents here to help me when things get tough. College not only teaches you book smarts, but it also teaches you valuable life lessons that may not always be offered elsewhere. When I began college, I did not think that I would have learned all these other things along with the school work. Because of my experiences in college I feel that I will be more prepared for when I graduate college. Not only will I have a degree that I worked extrememly hard for, but I will also have the experience that I need to be successful in life.

There will be times when you feel burnt out and want to surrender. You are going to wonder whether or not investing so much money is at times even worth it. And, at times the pressure will bring you to tears. Before you begin packing clothes, a desk lamp, febreze, and a loud alarm clock for your first year of college, pack a yearbook and write a letter of encouragement to yourself. I did this before I began my sophomore year and it has made a significant difference in my sophmore year in comparison to freshman year. Transitioning to this new way of living is often very hard and a great challenge for many freshman. But, if a positive mindset is reinforced with memories of people you love and times you enjoyed, along with a note to yourself that tells you to keep moving forward and stay focused, then huge progress is developed. Overall, my advice to you is to never give up. Remember that its ok to sit on your bed to relax with a warm up of Ramon noodles. Stay strong, and know it can only get better if you fight the surrender away and keep moving forward.

If I could go back to last spring and talk to my high school self about the transition to college life, I?d have lots of advice to give myself. First, I?d tell myself to be more outgoing. Don?t be afraid to show my true self and just get out there and become friends with as many people as possible. With that, I?d also tell myself be careful about trusting people too quickly, you?ve only known them a few weeks, let them prove that they deserve your trust. I?d also tell myself to try and find someone that I can turn to no matter what is happening and trust this person to be there for me. I?d tell myself that if someone seems manipulative or like they are only going to bring me down and distract me from what is important, school and God, then they are not worth another minute of my time and get away from them before they bring me down. Most importantly, I?d tell myself that no matter what happens or what trouble I get in that God loves me and to turn to him whenever things get tough.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I actually wouldn't tell myself anything because nothing I could say would make a difference.. I already knew that school would be a challage when it comes to the social aspects of it and the presentations because of my social phobia. The cost of college was an issue then and it is still an issue now. The only thing that i would on needed is the passion to make my dreams comes true and lucky I had already had that. So as I stated before there is no advice I would of given myself.

I would tell myself not to be worried about anything after college. Let college happen and then worry about post-grad stuff after you finish.

?I'm going to Concordia University no matter what it takes? I argued as my parents listed all of the negatives of me attending college far from home. They placed the most concern on the eminent bill that I would be receiving from the private institution. What they did not understand was that my life goals and dreams were going to be made or broken on my attendance of that school. I spent many nights teary eyed at the fact that I knew what I was meant to do in life, but my family would not support me. In the end my parents gave in , but it was hard to convince them. My advice for future college students would be to work hard and set goals early in high school that will make your dreams come true. One of the major things that will determine this will be the college you attend, so be sure that you are satisfied in the quality of the education that you will be receiving there. Don't hesitate to question the status quo; in the end you are the one that has to live with your career choice for the rest of your life.

Don't take a year off to find yourself, just barrel into your classes and buckle down because education and research is your calling -- this is where you belong. You do not need a car, put that money towards your education. Avoid the mundane tasks of everyday life and jobs that consume your self-concept. Read more, read everything and write down everything that inspires you. Take your art classes, make sure you have that expressive outlet. If you have no other disposable income, afford a gym membership to keep your body healthy and in turn your mind focused. Look into Region 20 and know what you have to do to have a beginning career to support your mind's thirst for knowledge. Don't talk to school counselors, figure out for yourself what you need to do because you know yourself and what you want more than an administrator.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the spare time I had back then and use it for hanging out with my friends and family more, instead of wasting it away on facebook or tv. Even when I am home over breaks now, I am still kept bus with homework nd do not get to spend as much quality time with them as I would like to. As for the transition, I would tell myself to ask more questions. I rushed and chose my school very quickly without ever even touring any colleges. Also, I should have asked current college kids how they felt about the college they attended, instead of trusting the college websites.

I would definately pursue attenting college right after graduation.