John Carroll University Top Questions

My college experience has been very rewarding and different. I have learned a lot, and not only about academics, but also about myself and the world around me. It showed me that anything is possible and the world is full of chances to achieve beyond anyones imagination as long as you work hard.

My college experience thus far has really helped me to findout what kind of person I truly am. When you are put in a situation where there is noone there to tell you what you should or should not do you are really able to find out what kind of person you are. Theey say the definition of character is how you act when noone is watching and I believe that is true especially in college, because noone is watching. I found out that I have a strong character and can make decisions on my own. The value of that lesson alone has made my first year of college a great experience for me. I cannot wait to see what my next three years have to offer in terms of growth and development as a person so I can become someone of exceptional character outside of college in society.

My college experience taught me how to be more independent and to find out things by myself. Throughout my high school schooling I have always had my parents are my sisters so going to college gave me the chance to find out what I could do on my own. I have also learned how to better my time management skills which helps with juggling extracurriculars, a job, classes, and homework. Responsibility is another big quality that I got out of my college experience because I have to keep job and get certain paperwork in for my programming board position. Throughout highschool the advisors usually walked you step for step but in college it is your job so you have to do it yourself. Living on campus has helped me live in a community with people I have never met before. I have made some really good friends that will probably stay friends after college. Finding a strong group of people that will help me whenever I need it or someone to just laugh with during stressful times is a great thing that makes the college experience well worth it.

I would tell myself to get more involved in campus activities. Even though it is hard for me to step out of my box and be outgoing since I am naturally a shy person, I would have benefitted more if I would have started getting involved early. I will definitely use this information for graduate school and in the workplace in the future. Also I would tell myself to work harder. While I am not displeased with my grades because they are necessarily "bad", I know if I were to only put in slightly more effort, I could have done better. I am proving that this semester by working hard and hoping to get all As.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior I would aware myself of alot of bumps in the road ahead. I would make more study time and less play time. I would encourage myself to engage in more school functions and clubs that could possible make myself more well round in a variety of feilds. I would insist apon not being so late for school so much because it brings apon bad habbits for the future, for when it really matters. I would tell myself that I have one more year to bring up my grades to get into the best college I possible can the first time around and not a two years after gradution.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would say these 3 things: Make sure you figure out financial aid awards first while choosing a school, make sure you know what you want to study is a good choice to transition into a lifestyle, and get involved - start your own club. With these three things in mind I would be able to choose a school that would have both excellence in academia as well as financial aid award benefits that match estimated need. Choosing what I would want to study and seeing myself in that future tense I would know where and with whom I'd like to associate with and create a change in that field instead of floating around for 2 years until you have to declare a major. I would do more soul searching and take interactive tests to find out my strong points before hand. Lastly I would start my own club with something I love and that the school may not have, like chess. Chess teaches the art of strategy and that what you do with your time is important. If you put effort in you get results.

If I could go back in time, there are a few pieces of advice that I would give myself. First of all, I would pay better attention in my math course because it would have greatly helped me in my college math class. In addition, I would have worked harder on my writing assignments. These papers would have been good practice for the numerous papers I have to write in college. Also, I would have told myself to get more involved right away in school. I would have liked to join the clubs and extracurricular activities right at the beginning of the semester. I probably would have had an easier time meeting new people and making connections for my future. I feel that if I would have made these choices, my first semester in college would have been a little easier for me.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself that college is the time to really figure out what you enjoy doing. It is a time to learn how you do on your own and what pursuits in life you are passionate about. While it is always important to keep those who support you in mind, it is still your life for you to decide what you would like to pursue. Also, some of the more difficult things turn out to be the more rewarding. As we are in an economic recession, it is also very important to make practical choices. For example, perhaps you love philosophy it may be difficult to find a job with that degree. As such, be sure to pair it with a field of study that will give you a future. Most importantly, this opportunity is a gift that only happens once so be sure to climb every mountain, explore every option, and take chances (based on logic and reason).

i would tell myself that no matter how fun life seemed to be without an education isnt worth it. once your old enough to understand that you couldnt get anywhere with out proper education its sometimes too late to act on it.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would first tell myself to charish every day you have with your high school friends now because things do change when you get into high school. I would tell myself that you are going to be feel the worst homesickness that you ever felt in the first two weeks of college, but it will all get better and in fact that homesickenss will make you a stronger and more independent person. I woudl tell myself to go out and talk to everyone you can in the orientation activites. I would also tell myself to get really close with your floormates because that is definitly your family when your in college. I would tell myself that the work load is going to be hard at first but just take a deep breath and you will get through it one assignment at a time. The most important thing I would tell myself is to keep on smiling and alwyas be true to yourself. Thank you.