Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Top Questions

If I couldgo back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give three pieces of advice. First, I would tell myself to pray about my decision. I would pray that God would reveal to me where I would best fit. I believe that prayer should be the first step in considering colleges. The second piece of advice I would give myself would be to make the decision that is best for me. Doing what other people want you to do will usually not be beneficial to you. It is okay to listen to the opinions of others, but ultimately the decision is yours. Finally, I would say that college is very different than high school. Although many people told me this, I never really understood what they meant. Now, after being in college for a semester, I understand what everyone was trying to tell me. In high school, everything is spoon-fed to you, but in college you have to feed yourself. If you dont put forth effort you will not learn. I believe that effort is the key to success in college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about making the transition to college life, I would discuss three things, finding the course of study necessary for the desired career, viewing the transition as ?continuing to attend school?, and finally; having a written financial plan to achieve the entire degree. Building the goal of attaining the career one is training for into the college years through apprenticeship, volunteering, summer jobs, and job placement through the college are the best practices. Continuing to live at home may provide a continued support system and security during the transition to college. Underage consumption of alcohol and student loan debt are two major areas of concern. Many freshmen make choices that affect them adversely because of lack of supervision and mature advice. Finding out what money is available, whether it?s earned, parents contribute it, or grants and scholarships will be awarded, must be assessed? Understanding FAFSA and having a basic financial budget for the full degree term will ease financial stress. Parents, counselors and college orientations can all be avenues of help when implementing these steps. Have a plan, and let college be about learning.

If I could go back in time and talk to my past self as a college freshman now I would tell myself to not wait. What I would mean by this is do not put off finding scholarship money or applying for colleges. I would tell my past self to calm down and get everything done so I could enjoy the rest of my senior year and giggle at the others that are rushing to get that last application in or the last letter of recommendation. I would tell my senior self to keep working hard and keep those grades up like I was doing. I had a fantastic senior year and there is not much that I would change because I am at a great college that will help my get my degree and a great start on life.

When I was in high school, the only thing I could think of was getting out. I did not think how hard it would be when I got out. I was divorced with two girls by time I was 21 years old. I had no child support and was working a lot to support them. I never thought I had the money or the intellegence to go back to school so I strugled to raise my children with little time to enjoy them while they were little. Now, I'm 46, single, and raising 3 grandchildren. I would tell myself that the intellegence will come when I graduate from college...The funds will come with determination and prayers. I can do this!

I had a child while I was in school, so I would probably try to convince myself to go to college earlier. I thought working and raising my children was hard back then, but the older the children get, the more sports events, scouts and other extracuricular activities just seem to get more and more time consuming.

I have no regrets about my acedemic experience and would do the same way again. If I decide to get another degree, I will most definitely will consider Indiana Wesleyan University again.

I would tell myself, as a high school senior, to enjoy my friends more because you really lose track of them once you go your seperate ways. I would also tell myself to apply for every scholarship imaginable because the debts do not go away and they just keep getting bigger and bigger with the more and more loans you obtain. But at the same time, to not be afraid of the price tags associated with different schools because once you get a job they will be paid back, whether it takes you five or twenty years to pay it back. I would also probably tell myself to go where I want to go, not necessarily where it is expected that I go, to not be afraid to strike out on my own, make my own mistakes and gain more life lessons through it all.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school and give myself advice for college, there would be two main things I would tell myself. One of them is to make sure I learn how to study correctly. I did not have to study very much in high school and I did not think I would have to study too much in college either. However, I have realized that studying is very important and in order for me to pass my classes, I need to study more often than just an hour before the test and to try using different ways to study if the one I am trying to use does not work for that class. The other thing I would tell myself, is to become more involved in activities. Being involved in campus clubs or taking part in an even on campus is a great way to meet people, relieve stress, and just to take a break from the everyday monotony. College is not just about moving forward academically, it is also about becoming the person you want to be and making friends that support and love you for who you are.

I feel as though I have handled the academic transition well, but not as much the social. Going to a very Christian school, and not being overly religious, I have shut myself off to making friends at my university because I am not nearly as spiritiual or religious as other people. Most people think God is the focus over academics, and I disagree, making me very different from most students which lead me to avoiding potential friendships. I wish I had instead of being closed off to everyone, searched for friendships with people similar to me so that I would have a better social life and feel more connected ot the university. While I have good friends at other schools, I do not at my own and I wish that was different.

Stay focused and do not procrastinate. Procrastination creates unnecessary stress which can deteriorate my confidence. I would need that confidence and boldness in order to present my art projects in the best way possible because that is what teachers are looking for. The art professors are looking for creativity and content, so do not give up on your art classes in high school. Ask questions and talk with your professors, they don't bite. Be friendly, encouraging, and positive; others will always gravitate towards those kind of people. No matter how difficult it gets, remain positive and push through. Perseverence is key with graphic design. When the going gets tough, just get tougher and someone will take notice. Be strong and work hard til the end because it will most definitely pay off.