Creighton University Top Questions

Finding out that I can achieve goals if I apply myself to the task.

College. It is a funny word, isn't it? I have always looked at it and imagined the two l?s as pillars in front of some grand building. Well, so you know, the college you chose does not have any colonial style buildings like you imagined; instead it uses art deco style. Even if the buildings at your college do not have any pillars, keep some in your life. I suggest making Passion one of those pillars. If, well, when, because you will get involved on campus, make sure you get involved in areas you are passionate about. Otherwise your involvement will drain you instead of invigorate you. I also suggest making Play a pillar. Try to get outside and go for a run, or learn a new sport like tennis. Just make sure you take some time in the week to do something healthy, fun and relaxing. The last pillar is obvious, Study. This is the central pillar of college. You may not realize this, but high school was relatively easy. You will work harder in college. Studying needs to become part of your every day routine. Hopefully, these pillars will help support you in your college life.

I had always had extremly high hopes for what college and what it would bring. When I was a high school senior, I visited and applied to school solely based on academic reputation. Because i had taken many AP classes and high-end business classes, I wanted a college that would both satisfy my mother and myself at the same time. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to spend more time looking at schools and the area that it was located in. Because of money, I only applied to a few schools and I did not apply to some of the schools I wish I had. Prospective students should know to always follow their dreams and apply to a school even if it seems out of their reach, so that they do not regret not doing so later. When I was coming into college, I thought the transition to almost complete independence would not be too bad, as i had been doing things myself for many years. However, I realize now that it was out of both fear and guilt that I did so. I would tell myself to stay focused on grades and studying.

Kendra, remember when Mr. Johnson would test us on biology material that we barely spent any time on? Remember when Mrs. Kohlhepp would load on the chemistry homework, even during the summer? Basically, they indirectly walked us through the experience of a college course. Much of your learning and success will depend on the effort and time that you put into a class. College can be a focus of service and self-growth. Bring balance into your college life with inter-campus activities. This is where you meet friends who share the same interests. Participate in activities that are out of your comfort zone. You may discover things that you never thought you were capable of doing or enjoying. Taking wise risks can turn out to be smart decisions. These memories become the pride and joy of your college experience. You attend college to pursue your passion for Physical Therapy. College will help you discover who you are by experiences big, small, good or bad. These steps will place you on a path that will not only help you live your life to the fullest, but also help others live fulfilling lives because of the person you find in college.

Knowing what you know now, go back and talk to yourself as a high school senior. What advice would you give. As I sit at the Student Center of Creighton University, I cannot help but wonder how I got here. In the constant rush of busy students, it is easy to forget the past four years of high school. I was taught at a young age that entering a good college was the primary goal of my life. I attended a College Prep school whose aim was to help me along my way to higher education. Many years of high school were full of AP classes and SAT Prep. Now that I have finally reached college, it is easy to reflect back. My advice to my high school senior self would not be to study harder, ace the SAT, or even to take different classes. My advice is do not rush to go to an unknown glamorous place, get away from home, or live off ramen noodles. My only advice is to understand the opportunities that will be given to me and to understand that the world is only beginning to show it?s light.

I would tell myself three things. You want to major in Anthropology, only have one credit card, and make sure you apply for financial aid.

Dude ok heres what you should do...Take a very good look at the choices you are going to apply for. Will weather be a factor for you? If over the course of your time at school you decide to choose a different major, will they have ones that interest you? Also, will the tuition be a burden after your four years of schooling? Think about all those things as you take a look at colleges. This a very big leap from high school and you damn well better be prepared for it. Last question, if you decide to go to the mainland, are you ready to make that transition from a rock in the middle of the ocean to land of new things?

I found that the study habits that I developed throughout high school are more important in college than the academics disciplines I learned. Thus, I would encourage my high school self to stregnthen my study habits. For example, it is definitely nice to have a solid chemistry foundation of the basic concepts, however, without the refined ability to write detailed observations during a chemistry lab or discern relevant information from lectures, the material would be difficult to master. In addition, college introduces an enormous amount of new responsibilities and freedom. The well developed study habits are vital in balancing the responsibilites on top of the freedoms, all while maintaining high grades, and, most of all, enjoying college. The study habits I developed in high school helped me finish my first college semester with a 3.89 grade point average and was recognized as a Freshman Scholar at Creighton University. My success was largely due to my ability to take notes efficiently, organize myself, and manage my time for my work-study program, homework, extracurriculars, sleep, and free time. Thus, I would tell my high school self to refine these skills further for even more success in college.

College is a huge transition for every student and it is important to realize that no matter how confident you are, at some point you will struggle with the major changes occuring in your life. However, becoming involved in intramural sports, student organizations, volunteering, or finding a job on campus is a great way to meet new people and branch out. Many students have so much free time when they enter college that they don't know how to use it effectively. Becoming involved allows students to feel as though they are apart of something and meet new people. The busier a students are, the less likely they are to focus on the negative aspects of college or how homesick they might be. Getting involved and making friends will help students to feel at home almost immediately. Students will find it is very difficult to make a close group of friends sitting in the dorm, but by making a conscious effort to get involved and meet people, they will have an easier time transitioning into this new phase of their life. If the student makes a genuine effort at becoming involved, everything else will fall into place.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself when I was a senior in high school I would tell myself not to be too worried about the transition. I would tell myself that college is not as scary or as hard as it seems and to work on organizing my time better. I would also encourage myself to focus more on my studies and to apply for scholarships and financial aid early on and not put it off. My major downfall of my senior year was that I was so scared and so worried about what would happen after I graduated that I did not plan for what good was to come ahead. I want to tell myself that I should not focus on the fact that I do not have enough money for college but focus more on how to get the money. There are so many things that I worried about before I graduated that I know now are just small fears of going on to bigger and better things. I wish I had that insight back then but I?m glad I have it now.