Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Top Questions

Don't wait until you are 41.

You are idealistic and in search of being good enough for others! Forget it! No matter how hard you try most individuals are not playing the game of life by the same rules you are. Your desire to be chosen and more important than most anything to someone is ill-fated. Do as well as you can in everything you do because you know that is the right thing to do! Measure your success in terms of how much of a positive difference you make in others' lives. Engage in a full-bellied laugh at least once per day! While it is your mission to help and heal others, it is not your mission to lose any part of yourself in the process. Love to your fullest but readily accept that love does not heal or change anyone or anything that is unwilling to be healed or changed. It is okay to let go and let God! God has chosen you and you are His first choice! Understand that sense of humor isn't about being funny - do not take yourself and life too seriously! Find humor in chaos! Remember, too much of a good thing is still too much!

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go straight to college. I have learned from life experiences that waiting until you have a family and a career is a much harder transition back into the school atmosphere than if I would have went straight to college after high school. It is hard to juggle kids, a husband, and a career while still trying to keep your grades up and find time to sleep. Finding time to study for exams and complete projects is a hard task. Being an adult with so many responsibilities is a struggle and it doesn't leave much time to completely dedicate yourself to one particular aspect of your life. You are not able to give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} to your family, your career, or your schooling. After a while, you start to feel like you are drowning in a pool of books and exams. Don't hesitate, continue on the path of going to college like you planned and don't let a relationship steer you off of what you know in your soul is right.

Dearest Nicole, Remember that going to colelge is meant to be fun. However, remember also that your family will not always be able to help you. College is a big deal, and being the first in your family to ever attend is important. Show them what you can do. Make everyone know that you want this. Rely on Christ to give you strength. Your biggest struggle will be finances, but do not let that control you. God will provide what you need in due time. Always.

If I could go back and give myself advice about college, I would not tell myself anything. So far, my college career has been amazing and I would not want to change anything about it. I believe that college has really shaped me into the man I am today. Living away from home and having to make decisions completely on my own has molded me into the person I am today. If I already knew the twists and turns that college would throw at me, I do not think I would turn out to be the same person I am today. If I had to turn back time and go through college again, I would want to experience everything like it was the first time again. When you deal with adversity in life, that is when you find out who you really are and I would not trade any of those experiences, good or bad.

The first thing I would say to myself if I had the chance would be to not get married. I know my past self would laugh, and think it would be crazy to get married and not go to college. I’d have to try to explain that it does happen, and that dropping out before you’ve even started is a terrible idea. Waiting until your marriage has fallen apart to go back also is a terrible idea, and you shouldn’t do that either. So many things have changed, and at this point you have no money, and because you financial aid goes off of your previous year’s earnings you won’t have any money to go to school on if you choose to go as soon as you split. Just go to school as soon as high school is over, and everything will go a lot more smoothly.

Dear Senior Self, College is upon you. You're kind of a clueless cat, but that's not really a huge problem. So many of us are. As you go to college, I want you to remember a few main things: A) Once you choose where you're going, go there. Make the most of it. B) Be friends with people who are like you enough for you to get along well, but also that will stretch you and challenge you to be the best you that you can be. C) Stop spending so much time not wanting to do homework and do it. D) Find a way to exercise. E) Be involved, but don't stretch yourself too thin. F) Have a lovely time; become a stronger you. G) Don't be afraid of failure or of trying.

Dear Allison, stop wasting away your life attending parties. Although Justin has all the connections, he is not good for you. Sundays may be your only day to sleep in, but wake up anyways and go to church. Crack open your bible and read it for once. God has to offer a lot more guidance then you may think at this point. Take psychology and advanced biology for a college credit because it will be money well spent and two less classes you have to take in school. Go ahead and search for a school to play volleyball at, but only attend the one that will allow you to play and complete the nursing curriculum. Indiana Wesleyan University is your best option. Your busy schedule will keep you out of trouble. Always remember that Mom and Dad love you unconditionally and God loves you even more than they do. Good luck.

Hello self, I know that you have questions and uncertainties about college, especially because God has led you to IWU, which is far from your beloved home. But dont forget Phillippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." It will save you from a lot of worry and burnout. Keep your mind open to new opportunities to grow and your heart open to new friends. Find ways to spend time with them, even if that means just doing homework together. You will find that they will be what keeps you sane so treat them well. Be yourself. You will also meet people that will disappoint and use you, dont let them suck you into their problems. As for your choice of study, God has that all under control so dont worry. Never stop watching and listening for what He will reveal. Please dont procrastinate and stay organized; keep that agenda on your person and program important events into your phone. Take every opprotunity to make your art as awesome as possible, but be honest with yourself. Your art professors will be wise and amazing so spend time with them. Everything will be worth it.

I would tell myself, not to take the road less traveled.