Norfolk State University Top Questions

I would tell myself to prepare for every aspect of college: the good and the bad. Love your friends and family unconditionally because you never know when they'll be gone. Treat you body with respect because just like an elephant, it never forgets. Study! Even if you were the top student at your school, you are not to good to study and do your work.

If I can go back and give my self advice I would had said apply for scholarships and grants, because college is very expensive. The scholarships are worth your time to fill out because they will benefit you from applying for loans to pay off school. Another thing I would had told my self don't take the year off from school , it really put you behind. I was suppose to be looking forward to graduate in 2014, but now 2015.

I would tell myself...heard that old adage, “if you don’t go to college now, you’ll regret it later? – it’s true!” Why? Because, you will start working in October 1982-1987; in 1988 you will get a great job with UPS! However, 16-yrs. later, 2004 you will get laid off; 2001 you will decide to go back to school, but not unchallenged! In 2002 your Grandmother will pass away; in 2003-2004 your Mother will have back and hip replacement surgeries. In addition, your Father will have Cataract surgery in both eyes; in 2005 your Sister will be diagnosed with Liver failure; from 2004-2006 you will need to take time off from school to care for your parents; however, 2008 will be the most difficult year for your family: In January & February your Uncle & Sister will pass away; in May you’ll be found with a tumor in your stomach the size of a melon; July-August you will have major surgery and will be diagnosed with Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer and on September 18th you’ll start 6-cycles of Chemotherapy; 2009-2011 you’ll be in Junior College wishing you had your BA!

I was the first person to go to college out of my family, and didn’t have any type of idea of what to expect. If I could tell my highschool self anything it would be that I definitely had it easy in highschool. I can remember my precalculus teacher use to walk around the class room and give us answers to our test. Back then I thought that it was cool, but when I arrived to college and took precalculus there as well I realized how that had hampered me. That was only one of many learning experiences for me with transitioning. I live in Connecticut and attended college in Virginia at Norfolk State University. When I was applying to school I had two words on my mind “get away”. Now I would ask my highschool self am I sure I want to go so far with my family being my biggest support system. My family went through a lot with picking me up, and paying different ways for me to visit home and go back to school so I wouldn’t become homesick. I know at times expenses became stressful for them I was so many miles away.

As a high school senior I would tell myself everything that I know has hindered me in college. In college if you miss one class, you may fall behind for a whole week. Everything that I thought as 'taking the easy way out' only made it difficult to succeed in college. Choosing not to do your reading, or missing class won't get you far at all. It takes real work, time and dedication to be successful. I would also let myself know that sometimes you fall, everyone does it. It's okay. Everyone makes mistakes, but what's important is to learn from those mistakes and use it as a stepping stone to what you know WILL help you. Sometimes you may read so much that all the words seem to blur together, and the context seems to just bounce off your brain instead of being absorbed into it, but taking care of that first step is always difficult. With time it gets easier and you start to breeze through the readings. Those small steps of doing what you found so difficult to do in highschool, will very much be what forms the future.

The advice I would give my highschool self would be to join a sport and try getting recruited by colleges for scholarships work hard in school and try to get free money where ever possible. It wil definitely help out

I have learned independence, perserverance and good study habits. Attending college has opened my eyes to the reality that I must grow up and become self sufficient. This experience has taught me in the short time I have been here, I must make my own success. People skills are also a part of what I am learning at NSU, since I was a minority in my high school. Adjusting to this school where there are more people of my race is a challenging and eye opening experience. Diversity, tolerance and networking will be valuable tools I 'll take with me. All of these things together with the can do attitude that being challenged by my professors has given me are valuable and timeless.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons I learned in my college experience is how to be self motivated. In college, no one is going to look out for you, and it is therefore a sink or swim arena. This one principle that has given me more personal growth than any snippet of knowledge in the courses I have attended. Through strife I have gained the power to depend upon myself and myself alone. With it, the world is my oyster. I intend to find a pearl.

College has been a very valuable experience so far because I had the opportunity to learn about the impact the goals I set can have on my overall college eduaction. I was taught how to create goals and maintane them. Also, college has taught me how to become a very organized person. I am in online school so the depth of my education is my responsibility. This has helped me discover a few things about myself such as my priorities, strengths and weaknesses. I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to be a college student at this time and it has made me appreciate the direction my life is headed as a single mother.

I have learned how it important it is to have a college education and why it is also very important to have a college degree in my area of study. I've also had the chance to meet with many diversed individuals and explore some other cultures and lifestyles. It is valuable to attend college because the over all experience is well worth it once you get into your field. The chance to go above and beyond, to higher education is an wonderful experience. The quality of the knowledge you endure is so amazing!!