Iowa Wesleyan University Top Questions

If I could go back to when I was a senior in high school preparing for the college life I would tell myself to study more than I did, to not procrastinate as much as I did, and to keep an open mind. College is a lot different than high school but I think it's better in a good way, I also think that sometimes in high school when the teachers told you that they were preparing you for college that they really weren't preparing you for what was to come. College has really changed my life and opened my eyes to a whole new world that I didn't know existed and could be so exciting. One last thing I would go back to tell myself is to not stress out over everything because if you stress too much then you will get nothing good out of the wonderful experiences ahead.

I have learned alot about myself at the college that I am attending. I have learned to push myself to new levels of work. When I felt like I could not complete a task, I kept on pushing myself to do better. The next thing I knew I completed what I wanted and got the results that I wanted. This goes with the rest of life. When you want somethng bad enough you will do whatever it takes in order to get the results you want. It took me until college to figure that out, but now that I know that, I know that I can succeed at college and with the career of choice.

I believe that the most valuable experience that I have gotten out of attending Iowa Wesleyan is the friendships I have obtained. I strongly believe that it doesn't matter what college you attend whether at a big university or small private college, the frienships you develope will be forever lasting. My education is my number one priority, and just like many other students around the world who find themselves in the same financial position know that it is very difficult to pursue your dreams and career goals if the money is not there. Nothing is impossible, with hardwork and dedication you can make things happen, but just being aware that everything has a price , and it will all pay off in the end.

I would love to have the opportunity to go back and have a little chat with myself during my senior year at Fairfield High School back in 1994. I would have been 16 years younger and not as mature and wise as I am today. I would have two things to discuss with myself. Take all of my classes in high school seriously. I know I was a B average student. It would not have taken too much more effort to be an A student. The next talk with myself would be about waiting to start a family. If I knew 16 years ago that I would be going back to college at age 34, I would not have dreamed I would have a husband, three children and a home to take care of. It would have been so much easier to focus on my college career only instead of waiting to try and juggle three things at once. It makes life a huge challenge. It is wonderful to have a family, don't get me wrong. I wish I would have made different choices about my college career and family years ago. It would have made life much easier.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would say have fun. You are only a college student once. I would advise myself to stay on campus in the dorms my freshmen year. I believe living in the dorms is one part of college life I didn't get to experience. If I would have lived on campus my freshmen year, I could have still had my boyfriend and participated in more activities. I would also advise myself to get involved as much as possible. My freshmen year I was active in a soriety and participated in a couple of activies a week. Now, that I am out of my soriety, married, and starting a family I hardly ever go to extracurricular activities. I would suggest staying involved and making long lasting friends. Don't get me wrong, I love the life I currently have, but I have missed out on part of college life that many experience.

You will be lonely. It is difficult to find friends who have the same goals and beliefs that you do because you believe in "Serious Fun" meaning you do not enjoy getting slobering drunk and skipping class. You are a good student who has amazing potential and great goals. Don't give up. Keep pushing to be your best and make friends with your professors, they will be the people that can help you the most. You will struggle financially because dad was unemployed for so long, but don't let it worry you to the point where you forget about your personal health. Take every good opportunity you get, the money needed will find a way. Call home often and stay close to those who make you feel your best. Chin up.

As a college Student and young Professional Woman I am proud to be able to say that I have learned more than I ever thought I would learn in the Five years I have been a college Student. However, looking back now I am able to join the number of people who often wish they knew back then what I know now. Therefore the advice that I would give myself about the transition from high school life to College is that you are responsible for yourself. Although teachers take daily attendace, nobody is forcing you to attend college and I am only sitting in that seat each day because I choose to so it is my responsibilty to attend class on time and get the work done. Although I have encountered many caring professors nobody is able to carry you through this rewarding process but yourself. Expanding on my advice I would also enlighten myself on how important it is to stay true to the values my parents worked so hard to instill in me and not to follow the crowd. Just because it seems like everyones doing something not everybody is and its not always right.

If I could return to my former-self and offer advice, I'd tell me to be more extroverted and less self-centered. The life before you (me) is mixed up, unpredictible and heart-wrenching at times, so be flexible, be centered in God, and don't try to control things that are out of your control. I would also suggest that through the hard times, the times when your (my) heart is breaking, rely on your friends and allow yourself time to grieve and cry. And as a voice of encouragement, you (I) am very resilient and will make it through. Listen to God, listen to Mom, and everything will work out. Don't worry about loosing the friends you (I) had in high school, because the ones in the college world are more honest, more open, more compassionate, and will teach you far great things than those you've grown up with. And home, no matter how small and insignificant it seems now, will always be home. You will return there many times. Use it to refocus, reconnect, and plan your attack. Good luck, and God's speed. P.S. be nicer to Mom and Dad.

Take a break before starting back to school. Don't attend a community college, start out at a private college like Berry or ITT Tech. Go as far as you can why you still have the time. It will be too hard to work a full time job and go to school full time. Take advantage of the free time that you have.

Mandy, I know this isn't how you planned it, getting your GED when everyone else you know is graduating... but hey, not everything goes exactly as planned. You can still be ANYTHING you want and don't let anyone tell you differently. It'll be hard, don't get me wrong, but it's worht it. Remember what your goals are and stay focused. You'll had plenty of time to have fun when you're done with college and less worries about financing those excursions. It won't be easy, getting use to going to classes, and time management will be something you'll need to work on. But by the time you've been in school awhile you'll get the hang of it. Do your best, and since you didn't learn it in high school, learn how to study. Even if your best gets you a B in the class, you tried and gave it 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Lastly, don't be afraid to fail. Nobodies perfect, as we're both aware, and it's not the end of the world. At the time it may feel like it, but I promise, you'll live! Love- Me