Louisiana Tech University Top Questions

Since enrolling in college, I have not regretted the long hours, financial strain, or the challenging course materials because of everything I have learned and gained in the past two years. College is valuable to me because every class I attend brings me one step closer to a comprehensive knowledge of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and my goals of becoming an inventor and engineer. Each day has made me a more competent, critically-thinking, confident, and innovative individual. I have learned to balance work, my courses, study time, and family responsibilities while absorbing invaluable knowledge. I have gained the ability to research, ask the right questions, and challenge myself to do more than is required by my professors, family, or community. More than anything, college has given me reason to hope that I will make a difference in the lives of those who will use my inventions. Being in college has reinforced the value I place on responsibility and accountability and has changed the way I look at my education, my future, and myself. College has taught me to maintain focus in the face of adversity and know that, no matter what, my goals are attainable and worth seeking.

The best experience I had during my college experience was the time I spent studying abroad. During the summer of 2009, I participated in a study abroad program in Costa Rica during which I lived with a local family who spoke very little English. Being in that situation where I was isolated from other English-speakers made me uncomfortable at first, but I quickly found it easy to adapt to the different culture and relate with the people around me. During my time with my host family, I gained a greater understanding and appreciation of their culture. Today, I feel comfortable speaking with and listening to people of different backgrounds than myself, and I know that I could effectively communicate with a wide-ranging group of people. I believe that my minor in Spanish is an asset, especially when speaking with the general public, due to the increasing number of native Spanish speakers living in the United States.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. I love college. Tech is a great school to attend because it is in my hometown and because it is in a small city so it is not to terribly big. It is valuable to attend school because I want to become a Kindergarten teacher and be an influence in young children's lives. If I did not go to school I could not fulfill my dreams of being a teacher. I also think it is important to attend because without a college education it is hard for people to have a good career in the future.

First: be brave. You have to be able to talk to different kinds of people and college is where you get your first taste of the real world. Also, realize that you are not the only person who doesn't know what to do and that asking for help is totally fine. Second: buy medicine ahead of the cold season. You will want to have the medicine in your room. You will not want to go to the store feeling horrible. Third: fill out FAFSA every year. No matter what, after your parents are done with their taxes, fill out the application with them on the phone. In Louisiana, this smooths all kinds of financial paperwork. Fourth: backpack. Bring your backpack out of the closet from high school and use it to carry books and other things for your classes. Fifth: don't get stuck in your room. If you have spent an entire day in one room, then you'll enjoy getting out. Doesn't matter that it's raining or snowing. Sixth: get involved. Participate in at least one group on campus. It connects you to other people, but don't sign up for every group.

I would tell myself not to worry about anything too much. College life wasn't as scary as it was made out to be by high school teachers. Classes aren't as hard as your imagination can make them, studying is the key to success in everything (trust me)! If you study hard you can't go wrong in your classes. Academically make sure you use the resources the school provides, like writing labs and tutors, those could be your answer to making that 4.0! Be social and join clubs or greek life , they are easy and quick ways to make friends. Allow yourself to be the person you want to be, college is a chance to start over fresh and be the person you want. Have a little more self-confidence and be a more out going, it never hurts to make friends. Last, but certainly not least, get out there and be active in on campus events like movie nights, special dinners, student government and sporting events are great ways to support your school and meet new people. Oh, and don't forget to just have fun!

As with everything in life, balance is the key to educational success. Hard work is vital, but not worth sacrificing your health. Do the best you can without harming yourself. Perfection is a beautiful thing, but it can?t happen all the time, and you need to accept that. Sometimes it is a good enough thing to have work completed, even if it?s not 110 percent every time. Try your best to get a handle on what you want to do with your life after college, but don?t commit to a career that you are unsure about. There is nothing wrong with working toward an undeclared major for the first couple of years; there are so many classes that are required, regardless of your major. And spreading yourself out will allow you to learn about what topics you really enjoy studying. Above all, remain focused and relaxed. Perseverance and a steady work load will keep you happy and in good standing.

I would tell myself to buckle down now! Stop chasing tail and study! If you just keep you grades up everything will work out on its own. You could have gotten that full ride from the Air Force if you could just keep your stuff together, if not the full ride you would have the out of state tuition waiver and you won't be in so much debt. The family may seem annoying right now but they're just trying to help out. You don't want to enlist, you have a lot of potential just actually apply yourself.

I would encourage myself to be even more involved in my first year of college to get to know more people. These connections that are established are essential to having a successful freshman year.

1) You're going to do fine making friends; people will accept you for who you are. 2) Study more than you're doing now. 3) Have a more open mind about things, but don't compromise your morals and beliefs.

The primary advice I would give myself is not to get caught up in the joy of being free from restrictions and warn others of this pitfall. While I did not make any mistakes that significantly altered my life, I have seen so many of my friends and fellow students go crazy when given the opportunity to live on their own. Whether their particular downfall be drinking, drugs, apathy towards school work, or just poor time management skills, so many students don't make it past their first semester or year because they cannot handle making their own choices. I can understand them though. For the past eighteen years of life, they have had their decisions made for them: when to be home, who to hang out with, when to do homework, etc. There is an immense feeling of freedom when you step onto campus and move into your own living space. However, with this freedom comes responsibility. So my primary advice to myself as a high school senior would be to avoid the Sirens of freedom calling to me and help others do the same.