Dakota State University Top Questions

If there's one thing that life teaches you it is that experience is the best teacher. Even though my college going friends told me a lot of things of what to expect from college it was experiencing it first hand that taught me most. In many ways I was prepared to handle the challenges I met - and in many ways I was not. If I were to go back in time I would instruct my younger self to not hesitate going out of his comfort-zone to get things done. And the advice isn't just for studies. Coming out of your proverbial "shell" and meeting new people, approaching teachers to talk about a personal problem you might be having, reaching out to everyone you're aquainted with and working together to solve new problems - that's what college is all about. While High-school offers a more competitive environment - an environment that prefers individual skills to that of working in a team college is almost completely the opposite. Teamwork is no longer an optional perk that's good to have. It is a necessity. And above all I would tell my younger self to give everoyne a chance.

My high school year was packed. I felt the need to do absolutely everything, including sports, music, and academic clubs and community life. One thing I tell senior's now from my high school is to breathe and to focus on what you feel is most important. I wish that I could go back and really focus on my major in college now and maybe realize that doing everything is not necessary. Swamping oneself with continuous activities is only a distraction from the most important goal. My goal is psychology and possibly a minor in respiratory care and while sports and music was a enormous part of my life for high school I realize now that my focus has to be on my major. High schoolers are packed with activities and my biggest regret was taking on activities I did not need to do which distracted me from my biggest goal.

SUMMER! Don't hesitate to continue your education! I say this from experience: having a child DOES NOT have to hinder your education. Do you want him to grow up seeing you struggle? Do you want him to think of college as unobtainable? Help him see why this is the best avenue for him. Change your life now so you don't have to work so hard when you're my age. Life is a journey; do you want to enjoy it or fight it every step of the way? You are such a smart person, take your brightness and run with it! You can be anything you want to be, you just have to grab on, hold tight and enjoy the journey. The consequences if you don't take this chance? Well, first of all, it will only be longer until you are reaping the benefits of a stable job. Secondly, at thirty-one with three kids, it's much harder to stay focused and on track when it comes to furthering your education. I know you can do this! Be the best you can be; all you have to gain is SUCCESS!

Don't be afraid to jump right in and try new things. You might get overwhelmed at times, but that's ok. Go out and meet new people, they will help you to discover yourself. Work hard, learn as much as you can as fast as you can. Make your dreams come true.

I would tell myself to relax and be ready to focus on what’s important. The transition from high school to college is as easy as just about any other transition in life. It’s a little uncomfortable and kind of awkward at first, but after a while you get a routine you find a few friends and you start to enjoy yourself, but that doesn’t happen until you stop worrying about every little thing, that the smallest thing going wrong means the end of your college career or just life in general. Take each day as it comes and meet your problems with calm and reserve and sort your problems out accordingly. When a new problem comes along take a deep breath and gather yourself together. Secondly be ready to work hard and focus don’t think that it’s the easy life now you need to work just as hard as before it’s just that now nobody is going to be breathing down your neck. That can be nice but at times but it can be a bit of a hindrance at others. Don’t waste your time and don’t take the easy way out.

I would have tried to build the courage to take some college courses my senior year of high school instead of sitting back and taking the easy way out. I would have tried to get the grades I now know that I am able to get to raise my GPA higher. I also would have told myself to start looking for scholarships because I ran out of time and probably could have applied for alot more then what I did. All in all do not be lazy your senior year, take you education seriously.

Knowing what i know about life, If i could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school,I would tell myself not to drop out. I would tell myself that just because you are having a baby does not mean you can't finsih school. I would tell myself how hard it was to complete school later and the only help I will have is my amazing mother, who will be there for me no matter what.

Keep striving to do your best, never lose focus on what is important to you. The transition will be difficult at times and the homework will catch you off guard. However, being yourself in college will give you a whole new experience. No one cares what clothes you wear, when you wear make-up or don't wear make-up. They also don't care that you are overly silly or hyper. You don't need to impress anyone anymore, college is where you can let go of self-doubt and focus on relationships and what you want to do for the rest of your life. The best part is, there is no rush, slow down and enjoy the ride you just signed up for.

Never give up! Goals are achievable! Work hard!

Dear highschool me, Your bestfriends are no longer your backbone, you need to become more independent and responsible. Growing up is fun, soak up the little things. You will meet people that are from all different backgrounds and their stories will make your old issues look tiny. Your dad will miss you even though you think he won't, and you'll miss him too. You're about to realize how great you've actually had it and you will become more comfortable in your skin, I promise. The people that have surrounded you in school for so many years now will no longer matter, and what they said about your hair or your clothes will all be forgotten. You get a chance to get to know who you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. Be excited. Ask questions. Stop dying your hair and wearing so much makeup. Explore. Dream. Be humble, and be kind and always keep an open mind.