Des Moines Area Community College Top Questions

Dear High School Me, You can do this. Applying is daunting, and the testing is rigorous, but it pays off. Get a good ACT score, it is worth it to study. Take more dual credit classes, the credits will transfer to college and you will have less credits to pay for. Breathe. You don't need to stress yourself too much, everything will work out. There is a lot of pressure, but getting worked up won't change anything. Stop worrying about money. You are 16 years old, you can worry about finances later. Remember that you are limited, but do not let that limit where you see yourself. Remember how far you've come. You've picked yourself up and built what you have, do not waste it. Study. Work hard. Remember to have fun. Remember that you are the only obstacle in your way. Go forth and know that you are worth every bit of credit you give yourself, and let the colleges you apply to know that as well. You are everything that you make of yourself. Make something wonderful. -Your Future Self

If I could go back in time and give myself advice while in high school I'd talk about a few things. First, I would start by telling myself to take more advanced classes. This would allow my to have college credits in advance. Secondly, I would encourage myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible (the sooner the better). I regret not taking advantage of AP classes in high school because I could have saved money. I also wish I would have participated more in school events and leadership roles. Another piece of advice I would give to myself is to volunteer. I should have takenaction in my community and mada difference. I neededo get involved in my community and do good for other people. I can't go back in time, but I can change today to ensure a more hopeful tomorrow.

Self, I know that you’re busy having a great time staying out late with your friends and making memories—as you should! Make as many beautiful memories as you can. While you can. Time passes and then it’s gone, leaving only your memories and an older you. I know that you’re scared. Scared about the future and making decisions now that could haunt you for the rest of your life. Choices used to be easy: chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla? Now the choices are harder: there are millions of jobs, where do you seeing yourself working in ten years? I just want you to know that even though you’re responsible for your own decisions, you don’t have to make them alone. You have your classmates, family, and big friendly organizations to help you make informed selections. Only you have the power; and therefore, the responsibility to take control of your own life. There are plenty of people who will help when you ask, so don’t hesitate to make the tough decisions. Those are the decisions that will make the best and most significant transformations in your life.

I have met a lot interesting people and seen a lot of neat things that I would not have gotten to see if I had gone somewhere else or if I had not gone to college at all. It has taught how to start being an adult and how to live on my own. I will carry these life lessons with me throughout my life and pass them on to my future children.

I'm walking down each hallway to each class, hearing the bell ring, and then strudding home. Next thing I know, I'm having a snack, watching tv, and then I do my homework for the day. Plain and simple, reflecting back on myself as a high school senior, I had it easy! I would tell myself to realize that if I want things to happen, I myself have to make it happen. Usually, from elementary school, you know which middle school you're assigned to; from middle school, you know which high school you are assigned to. But after high school, the place you go from there is in your hands. There isn't a definate school that you'll be attending, no one is going to be there to TELL you which classes to pick, there isn't going to be a schedule ready for you, and the time you go to school won't be consistant. So prepare yourself to make your own decisions, because for the first time in 13 years, nothing will be set in stone for you. Without the work of your own hand, you will not be able to move forward. Remember that!

If I was having a heart to heart talk with the 18 year old Lillie and knowing what I have been through these past years I would say, "Lillie buckle down and take adulthood serious. Don't abuse your education and get the absolute best grades you can get because if you do that you may be able to get an academic scholarship. Don't take these next years lightly and go wholeheartedly at your mission for a degree. That degree will help you have an easier financial life. Without a college degree you often get stuck at minimum wage and that is very hard to live on. When you go off to college don't start partying because you consider yourself grown now. You may not realize it but if you don't apply yourself it will show in your grades. You no longer have nobody waking you when you are late for school. If you miss now, so what! You are grown. No more mama and teachers to try to keep you on the right path. Lastly, Lillie don't let nobody start you a credit file. Establish yourself before you worry about credit it will wait. "

I would tell myself to go to Indiana Wesleyan and don't worry about the cost. College is worth the money... You moved to Oak Park, Illinois to enrich your education. Follow through with your goal.

If I could go back now, I would tell myself to work much harder than I did in high school. I would tell myself that growing up and going to college is not as fightening as it may seem. I know now that leaving my friends and going our seperate ways is not the end of the world. I would make sure to tell myself that it will be much easier to keep my grades up now rather than trying to build them back up later on.

First and foremost I would tell myself to stop worrying and stressing about what I was going to study. You're supposed to do that during the first two years of college. Class-wise the transition to college wasn't hard. It was more the shift of responsibility. I no longer had teachers making sure I got my homework done and turned in. I didn't have my parents waking me up, making sure I made it to class on time. For advice, I would just tell myself to not let that much freedom get control of me. Make sure I managed my time wisely. Also, I would tell myself about creating stronger study habits. High school was so easy for me, I never had to study. I never really learned how. That part of college was a big hit for me to take. So much more of your grade is based on tests. The homework doesn't really matter. I would have made sure I started developing good study habits early on in high school so it would come more naturally in college. The most important piece of advice I could give myself, however, would be to save money.

Well, if i had the chance to go back and tell myself something it would probably be to not take college for granted. I am 25 years old and have finally started to work on a bachelor's degree and I take classes with kids that are coming right from high school. I see them still in the high school mentality, so I would tell myself that college isn't just a way to get a better, higher paying job, it's also a place to discover yourself. A place where you can do or try anything and not be afraid to fail, to just try something once and do it without thinking about failure, because those are the moments that can open your future up and give you a broader scope on life and expand your ability to be an asset to this world and to your family and yourself. These are the days that people who have felt like they have squandered their youth look back on and wish they had a chance to do again. These are the days to test yourself the most and always say yes to something new and expand your horizons.