Lewis University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and speak with the timid, shy high school senior I once was, there are a number of things I'd like to tell myself. For starters, I would tell myself to really get involved with my school. I spent most days of my first two years of college working and thus, really missed out on a lot of the great things my school had to offer and overall, on a good part of college experience. In addition, I would tell myself to enjoy the upoming years to the best of my ability. This time is meant to be the best time of your life and I truly wish I could tell myself to relax and enjoy it. I spent too much of my first couple years worrying about money and trying to make everything perfect instead of just taking in the experience and appreciating the college lifestyle. Finally, I would tell my high school self to dedicate yourself to everything you feel passionate about. If there is something out there that you feel strongly about, put your whole heart into it and don't be afraid of what others may think of you.

I would've given myself more wholesome advice such as: to remain in school until I've completed ALL my education. I do realize now how important it is to get an education and to stay on top of the game. I do have Cosmetologist license and I really wanted Fashion to be my foundation but I could'nt get into the college that I could afford that had a dormitory and I could'nt afford to live off campus. I wanted to work and that's all that was on my mind at the time but now I wish I would have applied for college when all my classmates were doing so, I did graduate with honors and probably by now my education would've paid off. I don't reqret making some of those decisions because alot of them help me to be the person that I am today. So now I'm looking forward to a bright future and to help make my daughter and myself life more comfortable

College is not like high school. You cannot just procrastinate until the last minute. You need time to learn your material outside of the classroom if you want to succeed. It's also a good idea to form a study group. You'll find that studying is a lot easier with people that want to do well. Also, look at scholorships. I know mom and dad gave you this talk already, but believe me if you start right now, you wouldn't be having the problems we have now. Don't get me wrong we're doing well, but we could be doing better. I want to tell you that going to a two year college was the best decision I ever made. It is a lot cheaper and the classes are small, so you have a better chance at succeeding. When it comes to auditioning for the college shows, make a repotoire book. You can find a ton of songs in the campus library. Take dance classes as well, they REALLY help. I know that you want to be a Broadway performer, but seriously start thinking about other routes you can take. Finally, make each moment last a lifetime.

I would tell myself to make more time for studying; your friends will always be there when you are done with your homework. To be more prepared for classes and test and to get ahead of my work to have more time to study. It's okay to reach out to your teachers and ask them for help or just for clarification on an assignment. Get involved in activities on campus! There is a lot to choose from and will help you expand your comfort zone and be more comfortable approaching other people. Be proud of being a library regular and take your friends with you, everyone could use some study time. Keep working hard, if not harder, because you're training for your future and by putting in the time now, it will pay off later.

Knowing what I know now about the college transition, there is one piece of important advice I would like to let my high school senior self know — the value of balance. Upon entering Lewis University, unlike many incoming freshmen, I was not interested in partying or a typical social life. I was intent on academic success — of sleepless nights studying and perfect term papers. Yet as a junior now looking back, I realize that while all of my hard work and good grades have not gone to waste, I may have passed up on some memorable moments meeting new people. College is indeed a time for budding adults to transform into independent men and women preparing for the workforce, but it is also one in which students can expand their social horizons and learn about the beauty of cultural diversity. Had I told myself more about the value of balance at the university level, I think I would have found sooner that happy medium I am still aiming towards now — to maintain a sense of stability between performing well in my courses and building those friendships, communal experiences, and college memories that will last me a lifetime.

As a high school senior, I was absent-minded and careless; from where I went to high school, we called this "senioritis". Senioritis was a state of laziness used to describe high school seniors who just wanted to do the absolute minimum before graduation. I was an ignorant high school senior because I did not realize how much it would reflect in my college career, but I was also scared of the change. If I could go back in time to speak with myself, I would tell myself to get my act together. I would tell myself of how my impression of college was wrong because it is not about all the parties. Being in college is something you do for your own sake, and unlike high school, there is no leniency. I would also give myself some words of encouragement; look myself in the eye and say that I have always been a strong person, that there is no reason for that to stop. I would tell the earlier version of me to believe in herself and not be scared because she was made to succeed.

If I could have went back in time to give myself advice when I graduated highschool here is what I would have told myself. I would have said Renea I have come from your future to warn you not to get married and have children after you get out of school. You need to stay in school and get an education. Study and learn about the law and stride to become a lawyer. Get yourself established first before you think about getting envolved with any relationships. Stay away from abusive men and when you have children make them your first priority. Take care of them and always protect them form abuse. If you get caught in a sistuation with your children that you feel you cannot get out of do whatever it takes to leave. take the advice and counsel of people who know what they are talking about, don't get mad and think that people are jealous of you when they are looking out for your best interest. Take the incentive to go look for a battered womens shelter and know that staying is not the only option. If you refuse to listen you will lose everything important.

I would say reconsider rooming with a friend. Although it has been fun I feel that it put our relationship through unneeded hardships. I believe that our friendship would be stronger today if we did not live in the same room. I would also say make sure to take advantage to the weekends. Even if I do not have homework it is still a huge help to get ahead or get some studying done over the weekend. Make sure to time manage and do not wait till the last minute to complete the homework. In college there is a lot more free time so try to fill it with productive things ie. working out, studying, working. If possible try and get an on compus job as soon as possible. They fill fast and it is much needed to have extra money during the school year.

If I could go back and tell myself as a high school senior about the college process I would say to take it seriously. I believe I based my decsion on which university to attend for all the wrong reasons. I should have put less attention on soccer and more focus on what school would be best for my education. I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships and to bust my butt getting good grades. If I could I would tell myself to not waste anytime applying and challenge myself to apply for the tougher schools. I am happy with the way things turned out but if I could I would have told myself these helpful little hints.

Every freshman who comes to Lewis should most importantly know to stay social and simply have fun. Many times freshmen coming into Lewis may feel intimidated at suddenly being in college with so many new people, classes, experiences, and of course free time. However, in order to meet people and have a positive and enjoyable college experience, all one simply has to do is get involved and be friendly. It is incredibly easy and fun to meet new people through campus by joining some new clubs, activities, or athletics. Doing so will help people meet new students and possibly even form life-lasting friendships throughout that students' college career. In addition to making these acquaintances, balancing that social life with hard academic work is important. Being able to know when to relax and sleep (as well as when to crack down and finish that assignment or study for that exam) is key to succeeding in school.