Eastern Connecticut State University Top Questions

Don't be afraid to get out and try new things, and be outgoing. You only get one college career, don't waste it on guys. Go out and have fun with girl friends, and meet new people. Go to class everyday, no matter how sick you are. Even if you can't move, just go and sit there and listen. You'll never believe how much you could actually remember from that day. Don't drink a lot and make a fool out of yourself, casually meet people and be comfortable in social situations. These are the main things I would have told myself back when I was a high school senior. I had been with a boyfriend for about 2 years at that point and we went to the same college, so we stayed together. He basically consumed my life and made me miserable my first year. If I hadn't been with him, I would be out making a life for myself. I would be having fun, meeting new friends for the rest of my college life. Turns out, we broke up. But fortunately, I still managed to make friends and I love them to death.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to calm down and not cause myself so much stress over the college selection process. Second semester of senior year was filled with nights worrying about if I would get in and if I would be able to pay, along with hundreds of other thoughts. I ended up not being able to afford any of the colleges that I wanted to go to at the time, and yet everything still worked out. I would tell myself that no matter what situation I ended up in, I could make the best of it and be happy. I would say that through working hard and being open to new situations, regardless of the college I ended up at, I could be successful. Worrying about situations don't do any good, I can only try my best and then work with what I'm given.

If I could go back to my senior year, I'd tell myself not to worry. Not everyone chooses a major right away, so I should be less focused on finding one. I would tell myself to get a job as quickly as possible, because it would save a whole lot of trouble that's about to come up. I'd tell myself not to depend too much on family members because they are about to leave later that year anyway, so that's useless. Oh, and I would tell myself that Eastern is probably the best school for me since I still don't know what I want from life.

To think more about which college would suit me best. I need more surrounds, living in a city is a better choice for me, not a poor town in Willimantic.

Don't listen to what everyone says. When you go on college tours, keep in mind that the university is trying to sell itself. In all honesty, it probably isn't near as good of a university as they make it out to be. This is not saying to not go on college tortes. It's still very important to go on tours. It's just very important to take them with a grain of salt. When going on tours, ask the people who are students there if they enjoy going to school there. That is a very accurate way to get information, from the source its self, the students. The students will provide much more an honest opinion as to weather or not the school is awful or good. Make sure you do a lot or research before touring universities. This includes, researching school rankings, school population, price, etc. After this research is complete, ask yourself what type of college you want to go and where you can go. Take some time to really reflect on what you want out of a university. For example, ask yourself if you really want to go to a small school or not.

It all depends on how u feel at the school. Make sure you visit the school before you decide to go there. A visit can will help you decide if that school is right for you. You'll be able to see if you feel at home or not.

College is infact an experience and no matter how hard you prepare you will be thrown for a loop when those experiences hit you. Try to be prepared as possible and roll with the punches.

Go with what your gut says.

As a freshman entering college, one thing that everyone should remember is that no matter where you are or what you are doing, your experience will only be what you make of it. The best thing to do is to do your work as soon as you get out of class. When the information is fresh on your mind, it makes it a lot easier to get through it. Procrastination is never helpful in college because there is so much going on and it is easy to forget things. I would also suggest leaving your bedroom. Some people think that because they do not know anyone they have to stay in their rooms or on the phone with friends from home. The best way to meet people and make new friends is to get out of your room and show them your personality. As for parents, I would say to give your children as much space as possible but also be there for them when they need you, whether it be to vent about something or tell you how well/ bad they did on an assignment. Space from parents gives students a reason to grow and expand their horizons.

My advice to any student pursuing a higher education would be to participate in extra curricular activities. Playing on a sports team gave me the group of close knit friends that I had been searching for all my life. It doesn't matter what college you attend, as long as they have the major that you wish to pursue and it is affordable. It is up to you to make the most out of your college experience and the only way you can do that is to throw yourself into a club, a job, a sports team, the school paper, or some organization on campus. Extracurricular activities give you confidence, instant friends that believe in the same thing you do, and goals. If you don't like something about your campus, change it! As a student, you have that opportunity! Find your niche! I found mine in Track & Field and Cross-Country, and my teammates are now my best friends. I believe that in order to truly happy in college, you need to focus on other things besides the academics. Academics come first, but the social aspect of college is what you will remember for the rest of your life.