Grinnell College Top Questions

Young Jay, first of all, cut your hair. Second of all, enjoy the ever-living hell out of your college experience. Trust me, it will be one of the best stages of your life, and certainly THE best so far. However, I want you to take full advantage of the opportunities before you, and to not make the same mistakes I did. Now, I know you are really interested in medical school after taking that anatomy class in high school, but don't let that overpower your other interests. In your efforts to cover all of your premed requirements, make sure to save some time for journalism, creative fiction, and poetry. Believe you me, you'll regret not taking more classes in those subjects later. Also, make sure you stick with soccer. I know playing a varsity sport in college is tough, but you will make friends that will last a lifetime. Plus, you stay in shape! Not only that, but the soccer alumni network will be there for you when you graduate. Oh, and you know how that long distance relationship seems like a good idea? It's not. Follow this advice, and you'll surely go far.

Dear Olivia, Don't complain about the homework, and don't procrastinate on that essay. Take advantage of the free time you still have, because next year you will wish had that much time on weekends. Develop good study habits now, because they will be important next year when classes are harder. Devote a couple days to applying for scholarships, because college classes are stressful enough without having to worry about paying for them. Trust me, that awesome event you are missing because you have to work is a much better use of your time than hanging around the house checking Facebook every five minutes, "recuperating" from your week at school. You will need the extra time later. I know college seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. Be prepared, it is so much more work, but also so much more interesting than you expect. Sincerely, Your Future Self

If I could advise myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that not everyone has the same ideologies as I do and that crucial factor is something I need to accept. Going to college was a culture shock of sorts, in both a political and social sense. Going from one extreme to the other is difficult, but just know that you will be able to find a happy medium and, because of your background, you have the ability to take everything with a grain of salt and actually think for yourself. You will realize that you DO have your own ideas; you're not a sponge, impressionable by whoever is around you at the time. You are your own person and you have no reason to be worried about who you are now or who you will become. Just accept life and you'll do fine.

College is way different then highschool. There is so much free time because you only have four classes, but the workload is so big that there is never enough time. Procrastination sometimes helps, but not to study. Finding good study methods is important, and the only way to do that is to find out what kind of study habits work best for you. It is important to study at least a week before anything. Also, you teach yourself and just go into the classroom to practice what you learned. Time management is important and random naps during the day help you get through the week. More importantly do the work and always ask for help, even if it is for the smallest thing. Trust me it will pile up if you let it.

Students are clique-ish here. If you aren't the type to find a group and stick with it, life can be hard here. Don't be in a huge rush to get straight A's, join 10 groups, and find a significant other by the end of your first semester. That's not what college is about! Just enjoy yourself and relax.

Get involved and don't be afraid to be yourself! You will find the right niche for what you like and who you are if you just try.

I would first tell myself that I am ready and can do anything I put my mind too. I would be sure to tell myself that deciding a major is not a first priority, and to concentrate on getting good grades in general studies classes for at least the freshman year. I would remind myself to remeber who I am as a person, but also advise that change is not always bad. College is a time to learn, but not only in the classroom. It is also a time to find yourself, to grow in yourself, to grow in your beliefs, to meet new people, and to mature. College is about furthering my knowledge in whatever it is I chose I want to study, college is my choice. I would also advise to get involved. The more involved you are the more experiences you can have and the more diverse people you can meet. Being involved also means time managment. It is important to enjoy yourself in and out of the class, but the number one goal is to do well in my studies, so be sure to allocate plenty of time for homework and study.

Of all the habits I learned in college that I could have learned in high school, getting enough sleep would have had the greatest impact on my transition to college life. I got to college knowing what I wanted and how to get it, and because I worked hard I achieved what I deemed to be success, but at the cost of my health. I slept on average four hours a night, and I didn't realize until I fell into depression that it would be a problem in any way. If I could, I would tell my past self to remember that sleep is as important as food. A person is as debilitated from sleeplessness as from hunger, and the long-term effects are also comparable. I would tell myself to prioritize being a person over being a good student; in fact, doing so would make me a better student because I would be more involved in interactive learning, more curious and better able to problem-solve. College isn't about memorization or the production of papers, and I am not a machine. I am a body that can produce great results, but I need proper nourishment first.

When I first came to UTA, I was a carefree spoiled teenager who had never faced challanges in life. I belonged to an educated family from a small town in my home country, I wasn't used to the struggle for existence theory. But college teaches hard and ever lasting lessons of life to almost everyone. By the time first semester ended, I had already learnt a few of my share. First was not to procrastinate, you would have to pay the price ultimately. I had tried procrastinating the homework/ assisgnments for two courses and messed them up. Second more important lesson was to stay careful with of funds, as only you are responsible for them in the end. I spent a lot of money on useless things like shopping and I faced a huge financial crunch that taught me to be economic. Third and most important, take responsibility of your own actions and their consequences because college is the begining of real life and there is nobody else to blame. I would conclude by saying that I learned to struggle and not give up, stay positive, happy and alert for the opportunities that might knock my door just once!

The most valuable thing I have gained from my college experience is something I never could have gotten from all the guidebooks, rankings and campus visits that dominated by senior year: perspective. As a first generation college student, my college decision was entirely my own, a position both exhilarating and daunting. Though there are times when I doubt my decision and regret that I did not have more guidance last year, I am extremely proud to be where I am today. Grinnell has engaged me intellectually, socially and culturally, and I now realize that all the guidance—all the things I have ever needed to learn about myself—can be found here, on this tiny campus surrounded by miles of corn. It seems silly to say, but after only one semester Grinnell has already changed who I am, and I am excited to see who I will become after just four short years here.