Heartland Community College Top Questions

Learn to just enjoy life, because within a blink of an eye it will all just be a distant memory. That is the advice I would have given myself two years ago during my senior year of high school. I would tell myself that there is such a bigger world out there offering so many opportunities, and that it's really not worth it to stress over the little things in life. I suffered from depression and anxiety, and senior year had been a really low point for me. Knowing what I know now about the realitie of life that I have gained through college experience, I would have told myself to focus on school and not to let anyone every tell you that you're not capable of living out your dreams. I used to live my life for other people, and now I finally am living it for myself. Life has so much to offer, and it's our right to take advantage of that. I would have told myself to be more involved at school, to jump at every opportunity that comes your way, and don't be afraid to let others see who you truly are.

Go to the school that you want to go to. Don't be afraid of debt. It will all work itself out in the end.

As a high school senior I was focused on becoming a full time firefighter/paramedic. I have achieved that goal but looking back I would tell myself to look beyond that. Look and see how much more of a difference you could make as a physician or advanced provider. I was always a good student but I did not take my grades too seriously. I would tell myself to strive for an A in every class. Take the time to study and earn your grade. It will make your life so much easier when you get older. I was very focused and achieved my goal but I am now I feel like I want to advance in medicine. I wish I could of told myself to strive for the top of the field and become a doctor. I would go for that now after all my life experience but I have a child and one more on the way and they are more important to me then becoming a physician. I would miss out on their life and to me it is not worth it. Thank you Gregory Fisher

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to "keep trying!" I would tell myself that "I know you have worked so hard to just be an averagestudent, but trust me, you find out your best qualities in college. You will learn to become independant and responsible, and you will actually get on the deans list for get a 4.0 gpa, twice! I know that sounds crazy because you are only getting B's and C's right now, but you will learn how to study in a way that you understand the material you are learning about. Also, life gets easier! I know that you have been through a lot these last few years, with moving after Katrina and dealing with the loss of two of your family members in the same year, but I promise, you become a much happier and stronger person because of everything you have been through! Don't give up!" I would tell myself this, but I would just pray that I would actually listen to myself.

I would tell myself to stay focused and remember what Grandpa always said, "You can do anything in life, and don't let anyone tell you can't . All goals are obtainable, it just depends on how high you want to reach." As a returning college student, I understand the importance of finishing college and obtaining a degree. I would also tell my Highschool Self that it is ok not to know exactly what to do with life, and that it is ok to go back to school later and learn a new career. I left school in 2001 to become a wife and mom. I eventually became a Police Officer. After my partner was killed in the line of duty, I worked for only two more years as an officer before the dangers of the job weighed too heavily for me to continue as a single mom. I have since worked sales related positions, and have been unhappy with those jobs. I want to help others have a better life. My current dream is to become a Radiation Therapist and work for a Children's Cancer Hospital such as St Jude's.

If I could go back in time and have a conversation with myself when I was a high school senior I would tellmyself to head directly towards a goal. Pick the field of study that interests you the most and take classes that are directed towards that major. Even if you cannot decided on a single area of interest, just pick one that you think you will really enjoy and go for it! It is better to have a direction to be heading in rather than have no sense of direction at all. If you discover that the direction you were heading in is the wrong direction just be optimistic and realize that if you did not take this route then you would have never known that it was the wrong one.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in High School I would tell myself to keep going. When I first graduated from high school I went to a local community college for one semester then took off a year and a half because of finanical issues and I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I would tell myself to keep going and get all of my general education classes out of the way first then I could decide what I wanted to major in if I was still unsure. I would tell myself to keep going and also to work hard. Some people may think that college is a time to party and have fun, but I believe that it is the begining to the rest of your live. In college you prepare for your carreer.

I would tell myself to not get distracted so much and to get involved in more activites. I would also tell myself to spend more time deciding on a school and to go to community college for the first 2 years because I spent alot of money learning how to be a college student instead of just being one.

I would have told myself to go straight to college and not to wait a year. As a senior transitioning to college you need to take it serious and attend classes on a regular bases. College is important and can take you places and you don't want to miss the opportunities of college.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would give myself alot of advice. First and most importantly I would say that college is not all about the so called "party" atmosphere as many claim it to be. It is a crucial part in your life that needs to be taken seriously. This is because once your mess up or fail a class for example, you don't have your parents behind you telling you every step you should take. College is basically put on the student and that is it. Secondly, I would tell myself to work hard during high school and save money for college. It is surely not cheap and sometimes you are left with seldom resources to help you financially. Lastly, I would tell myself is to put every ounce energy of effort into all of my studies. Finish all of your degrees when you are young, so you will have a lifetime of opportunites to succeed in.