Illinois Wesleyan University Top Questions

Nick, I know you have no idea what the next four years of your life will be like. Will I have friends? Can I afford college? I know, because I've experienced college life firsthand. Don't be too set in our ways, you will be exposed to kids from the city that have never heard of the FFA, kids that listen to different music, and kids that have never seen snow. However, they're just as scared as you are. Of course they all have the same questions, and once you realise that you can start learning more about them and yourself. The classes will take more work, the food won't taste as good as Mom's, the new world you're about to see is scary at first. However, when I come back from class every day I can set my books down and smile. This is my second home, this is my future, and I'm ready to experience the next act in the play of life.

If I could somehow go back in time and advise myself as a high school senior, the most important advice I would give myself is to enhance my study habits. In high school. it is not uncommon that many students slack off when it comes to studying. Many students "cram" or simply fail to study at all. However, this type of habit will surely hurt you in college, especially your first year. College level work is very time consuming and rigorous. It is wise to study a little material from each of your classes everyday while in your last year of high school so that you can prepare yourself for college level work. In college, there is a lot more reading and outside homework that has to be completed in order to excel in your classes. If you read a little or study a little material each day while still in high school, you will not have to worry about being frustrated when your first forty page reading assignment or college level test is announced. Practicing healthy study habits in high school is the best way to excel in college.

Go out and meeting people. Spend less time in your room and more time with friends. Do your homework. Do your homework sooner, rather than later. Just because the cafeteria is buffet-style does not mean that you need to eat everything. Smile more. Worry less. Don't be so afraid.

This is a fresh start so take advantage of it, and don't try to change who you are to fit in. Just be you. Also, don't let things at home hold you back.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself a few things in preparation for the transition into college life. I would tell myself that although the transition may be intimidating, the opportunities that arise from attending college are invaluable. The friendships and learning opportunities available in college are what shapes a person to be who they are once they enter the "real world." I would also remind myself to be prepared for the workload that comes with college, and although that also can seem intimidating, the rewards that come from hard work are irreplaceable. Keeping an open mind would be best, as well, seeing as you're immersed into an environment filled with diversity and people who will express themselves and find themselves on their own terms, just as you're able to do once you begin your schooling experience.

If I could go back in time and talk with myself about college life and the transition between living at home and moving away to school, I would reassure myself that college would work out wonderfully if I worked hard to keep everything in moderation. My best advice would be to get involved in campus life and get to know professors right away because they are much more important than local parties. Going out and socializing is a critical aspect of college, but in retrospect what I treasure most were the classes I attended. My memories of Illinois Wesleyan are marked by the challenging pursuit to further my understanding of the humanities and the arts. I learned to be a critical thinker and examine all provided information before making a decision. Before entering college, I was worried about not feeling enough like an adult. I was pleasantly surprised by my personal and intellectual growth over my four years at Illinois Wesleyan. My fears about being inadequate and unadult were conquered one at a time as I matured, faced adult decisions, and developed a strong work ethic. College is a personal adventure and a privilege one should not take for granted!

First and foremost, know yourself. If you know yourself, you will be better able to make the decisions that are the best for you. Knowing who you is a big part of finding the right school for you. There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a university like student population, size of the campus, academics, faculty, and so on. If you know what's right for you, then it makes choosing a college a little bit easier and a little less overwhelming. Another important thing about the college search process is make sure that you are in constant communication with someone that you trust, whether it be a parent, or a counselor, or a friend. That way, you have someone in your corner to help you make tough decisions about choosing your school.

To parents and students, it is important to remember that there is more than one "right" college out there for each person. If you have done your research, visited the schools, and narrowed it down to 2 or 3 schools, chances are, you will be very happy at whichever one you pick. You will hear a lot of people tell you that college is really great, and some of the best years of your life. That is certainly true, but you have to make the effort to make college the best years of your life. Get to know people early on! If your school does not have an orenitation for incoming students, put yourself out there and walk around your dorm meeting people. Talk to the people that sit beside you in class. One of my biggest regrets is being too shy during my first couple of weeks or freshmen year. Meet people, find an activity you love to do, and let loose a little; it is ok to be a little crazy. Finally, go to class! It is so much easier to keep up with the material if you just get out of bed, and make an appearance.

I have told every high school senior who is looking at schools the same thing: visit the schools on your list. Don't just read about them online or in the pamphlets they send you in the mail. You need to get a feel for what it's like to be on that campus and see if it's somewhere you could see yourself living, working, learning, and thriving for four long years! After all, you spend a majority of your time outside of the classroom. Visiting also gives you a good indication of what the students on that campus are like and if you will be comfortable with them in a classroom and social setting. In my personal experience, visiting Ilinois Wesleyan was the deciding factor in attending. I originally didn't even want to visit or apply there, but my mom forced me to stop by on our way to visit Bradley, and by the time we were driving away, I knew that my college plans had changed and that Illinois Wesleyan was the best place for me.

It's a combination of comfort and academics.