Kent State University at Kent Top Questions

Transitioning to college is often times hard for students, but it is important to be true to your self. As a senior in high school, I would go back, dream big, and help others in need. Kent State University provides resources to start your own on campus business or non-profit organization. After spending the past three summers in the Dominican Republic, I would established a business to sell the art that is unique to that area. There is a big trend in purchasing fair trade products, so I would have sold fair trade coffee, chocolate, and snacks which all profits would have benefited the people of the Dominican Republic. I really enjoy volunteering, so I would have created my own volunteer group that could serve as an example to the students at Kent State University. College students cannot only serve in their local communities, but I have also volunteered in New Orleans and the Dominican Republic. I have learned a great deal about myself through serving others, and I would want to encourage other students along the way by creating resources for them to do so.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the number one thing I would talk to myself about is making sure I have a solid way to pay for college. I would give myself tips, such as applying for for as many scholarships as possible, finding a job that would be accessible while engaged with my college studies; and if or when I need to take out a loan for school, to make sure I had a good credit score so that I could achieve a higher chance of of being awarded the loan money. I would also tell myself to have a couple of plans in mind of how to pay off any loans I would have taken out during my college career. The second most important piece of advice I would give myself would be to start off with a strong G.P.A.. The better that I do academically, the more finacial help and oppotunities the school would give me.

Knowing what I know now, I would have told myself as a high school senior to apply for more schoalrships ahead of time. I would also make sure that I would work more during the summer before college started so that I would have more money to pay for books. During high school I would have volunteered more in and out of school so that I may have more experience to apply to my resume. I would also advise myself to participate in other extra curricular activities such as sports and clubs.

Just have fun when you get there. Don't be afraid to approach new people and make friends, everyone there is looking to meet new people. Now is your chance to make some life long friends. Check out some of the school sponsored events and go out and have a good time. You're bound to make some good friends if you're willing to put yourself out there.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself many things. I would have told myself to pick a school because you want to go there not because its close to home, or friends. College is a once in a lifetime experience, so study hard, stay focused and take advantage of the great opportunity. I am very happy I chose Kent State, but I do sometimes wish I had gone to a school in the south where its warm more than two months of the school year. I would have told myself to take advantage of all of the wonderful educational programs Kent offers such as Supplemental Instruction, and free tutoring. I would have also told myself not to look at the dollar signs behind a college. College in general is expensive, I would have rather have gone to a college that was more expensive but farther from home, and a bit more of an adventure. This is what I would have told myself as a High school senior. It's what I will tell my younger sisters, and my children as well.

If I were to give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would have a lot to say after my experiences in college. I would have told myself to look at more schools and take trips to check out more campuses to get a good feel of the environment of each school. While I was checking out campuses I would also advise myself to talk to current students and ask them about their experiences. I feel like I should have applied for more scholarships as well. I applied for a lot, but college has turned out to be much more expensive than I originally thought. I would also tell myself to take more college classes that my high school offered at a discounted price. These pieces of advice would have allowed me to choose a better school to avoid an expensive transfer, and would have enabled me to more easily pay for my education.

Do as much research on-line as possible. Talk to graduates of the schools you are considering to find out what they thought of thier experience. Find a school that has a wide variety of majors. There is a good chance that your mind will change along the way. Look at the required classes for the majors you are considering to make sure you fully understand what the major really involves. It is easy to get the wrong impression about what a major would entale from the media make sure you have a clear understanding of what you will be studying within that major. Talk to people in the field you are considering to find out what thier impression of the school is. Find out if the major or majors you are considering can only be aquired as a full time student or if the need should arise can you attend part time and still complete your major. Don't give up! It will be worth it!

After transferring from a different university, I would tell my high school self to follow my heart. Although I went with what SEEMED right at my first school and major, I now discovered that I should've stuck with my instinct to try something new, different, and more enticing to me. While I learned this valuable information as an exchange student (which was the year after I graduated high school), If i hadn't been so lucky, I would've told myself to focus on my education and career. Looking at other younger students in my major, I can see them getting caught up in the 'college life'. Being a few years older, I feel like I have my priorities straight and have been fortunate enough to learn more about life and the importance of a good education. I am very grateful that I learned these lessons abroad and if I hadn't, would tell myself that the party life isn't worth the hassle. I've seen too many people fail out of my program and to me, being educated and successful are the only things someone can truly rely on nowadays to have a prosperous life.

During my time at college, I have learned that study habits will get you very impressive grades. I also learned that many scholarships will start at a 3.0 and require many extracurricular activities and community service. In high school, I did many activities but my grades started to become more impressive during my junior year. By that time, it was too late to reach the GPA that I was aiming to graduate with and I was not qualified to apply for certain scholarships. Eventually, I had to take out loans which will have to be paid in the future. If I had the chance to go back to talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself to put more of an emphasis on studying and doing more volunteer work not only to appy for scholarships, But to become a better person and help others in the community.

As a Wisconsin resident, moving 7 hours to Ohio was an incredible transition for me. I was extremely nervous seeing as how I knew no one at my new school. I had a lot of apprehensions about putting myself in a completely new environment. Knowing what I know now, I would not have not held back as much my freshman year of college. There are so many opportunities to get involved and thought these opportunities, you can often meet so many people. Although I did meet many new people my first year, I wish I would have not been as apprehensive about going out there and getting involved through volunteer work and other charity work. Getting involved is a huge part of what makes college such a rewarding experience; and since I have recognized this after my first year at the University, I am seizing more and more opportunities to get involved and meet new people. Freshman year at a university is always very challenging. However, the biggest lesson for me was that the more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes to call your new school your home.