McKendree University Top Questions

Choose wisely Mary. College will be the most important decision of your life and sometimes the first school you want to go to is not always the best decision. You should make choices based on what you are comfortable with. Always remember size does matter, food does matter, grades do matter. It is important that you choose based on location too. Sometimes being too far from home is harder than it might seem. Even if you want to get away. Get good grades, senioritis is not the way to go ...don't give in! Think about the money too. You might get the same exact degree somewhere else for a lot less money. I know fencing is important to you, but if you really want to fence, follow your dreams. Be careful what you wish for. Make sure to pace yourself and keep up the good work. Things might get hazy in between and you might not know what to do. Just relax it will all be okay in the end I promise. Remember not to let your schooling get in the way of your education (Mark Twain). See you in the future, love you! -self

Take it one day at a time and its okay to change your mind on things. Don't get stressed out about the little stuff. Also, always remember that all of this is only for a short time, and it will be worth it in the end. These are also the memories you are going to remember for the rest of your life, so make the most of it. You're only and undergrad for the first time once.

Being a college student, there are three basic things that I would definitely tell myself as a high schooler if I could go back in time. The first, don't give up on anything! If you have the slightest bit of passion for something, persue it! Even if it gets very difficult, don't ever give up. The second, get involved! Being involved with your campus is such a a great way to expand as a person. You meet great people and you can make a difference in the way you view the world. The last, and possibly the most overlooked aspect when dealing with a transition, just be yourself! You can't spend your life dwelling on what others think of you. Being yourself is the best way to find happiness no matter what situation you're being put through in life.

Thinking back to my high school senior year, I would give myself plenty of advice in pursuing my college career. First and foremost, I would make sure my financial situation was secure. Today I owe money in the thousands of dollars to my university which is always growing. Because of this, I would look for as many scholarships as possible before attending college to make my education more affordable. I would also pursue a job relating to my major, which is environmental studies with a minor in global studies, before attending college. Attending some sort of internship beforehand would have been nice too. To broaden my college choices, I wish I was more involved in my high school and community along with trying my hardest to get the best grades possible. To wrap up my senior year advice, I would tell myself to get involved more with the school I want to attend to make the transition overall more comfortable.

Hello, Zach! I know this seems strange, but I am you - or you are me. I look at you and see what I was like my senior year. You have so many thoughts about where you want to go to school and what you want to do. You are nervous but excited at the same time. You choose McKendree University because of the campus, the program of study you want to pursue, and also because of the academic scholarships you obtained for your first year. I am so proud of you. As you move onto your freshman year, remember, there are a lot of changes that are coming. There will be noone there to remind you what time you need to get up, what papers you need for a certain class, filling the gas tank, and much more. On the other side of the spectrum, you are free! You can meet new people, find new things to do, explore the campus and the community, and become an adult. Remember, becoming an adult also involves being a good citizen, being responsible, and knowing the difference between right and wrong and when to say no. You will do great! I have faith.

The advie that I would give myself if I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about the transition into college life would be to keep my focus more on my studies, and assignments. When I was in high school, and even now in college I tend to stress, and worry a lot. I would tell myself to not procrastinate on assignments, because that causes you to stress even more. I would also tell myself to be more independent, instead of being so dependent on my parents. Having an idea of what you want to do for your career helps as well, because you can take classes that will transfer to a University that you are interested in. Also being positive, and enjoying every step that you take will make college life more easy going. Those are just a few of the many things I would tell myself.

Breathe. You're going to make friends. You'll get the grades. You'll make due with your roommate, and living in a dorm isn't really that bad. College is nothing to get freaked out about! This is a whole new chapter in your life that you get to write for yourself! You're in control now, and you're going to spend the next few years of your life learning all about what you love (and some things you don't), and becoming who you'll be for the rest of your life. Moving away from home is scary, but trust me, you'll love it. College classes are a lot harder than high school classes, so brace yourself, but it's nothing you can't handle. Oh, and don't forget to put down the books for a study break every so often. Senior year is something you'll never get back, and you're going to be going down your own path soon. Some of these people will never see you again, make memories and take advantage of all the home-cooked meals you can. Get ready, the fun's about to begin!

I would tell myself that being a carpenter, a home remodeler, and house painter too are great trades. I worked my whole life and now I am 53. I became worn and tired and sore as can be. I started three years ago studying law and have done very well. I'd tell my youthful self that college is wonderful and a way to learn a profession. It's a way of life and a way to succeed and work in the profession of your choice. You will become a teacher, a nurse, or even a physician. You might serve others greatly and earn a very good living. You see self, I worked very hard and it was very hard physical labor. I worked from six in the morning until three thirty in the afternoon. Sometimes I worked sunup to sundown, fourteen hours a day, only to go home exhausted and in pain . All I had was my toolbelt and my coveralls. Please go to college and earn your degree. The sky is the limit when you think of success. You can be a philosopher like Plato and Descartes, or Socrates and a musician, an artist or professor as well

I would tell the high school version of myself to not let the stress of my future overwhelm me. Choosing a college that fits one personally and financially can be a difficult task. I would suggest spending more time in prayer asking for guidance and courage as I make this life changing transition. Also, I suggest not being afraid to ask for help. Parents, teachers, and counselors are all there to help in anyway they can. I would advise myself to take advantage of that and to use every resource available to me. I would urge myself to never change who I am or what I believe in order to please others. It is important to stay true to oneself. College can be a trying time. I would advise not being timid but bold in making new friends. These friends will be with me for four years and it is important to find others I can confide in through my college experience. Be determind and never give up. It is important to get involved in areas I am interested in. This will help me decide what I want to do and who I want to be in the future.

When thinking of advice that I would give myself as a high school senior, several things come to mind. Some are academic, such as not losing focus and momentum when nearing the end, even though it may be more appealing to have a good time with friends instead of studying. Some are more social, like participating in more activities in which you are interested in, not being afraid of what others will think of you. Don’t let others define you. You are your own person, and nothing will ever stop you from achieving your dreams.