North Central College Top Questions

If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell myself that it is okay to excel. Since I have attended college, I have discovered how much I love learning and doing well in school. It is a passion that I suffocated for so many years because of the remarks people made to me about my good grades. I was a self conscious high school student who just wanted to fit in and not be known as the nerdy girl who actually did all of the assigned work. I stopped performing as well in all areas of school so that I could be like the majority of the other students. Looking back, I deeply regret that choice. I have always loved learning, but for far too many years, I hid my desire to learn from others. Now that I no longer do that, I am much happier and I am performing to my highest potential in school. I have also realized to what extent my love for learning is and how it has matured over the years. I don't know if I would listen, but this is definitely something I want my former self to know.

Emily, you need to be extremely open in the college choosing/transitioning process. Look at colleges you wouldn't normally look at, go on as many tours as possible, but don't apply to too many schools. Keep it narrowd down. Make the right decision based on what you learn. I know you don't know what you want to do, but thats ok. The first term is all about finding a way to get involved and make friends, so focus on that first and worry about choosing a major later. You'll just stress yourself out more than you need. But still put yourself out there even if its scary--you won't regret it. The most important part about transitioning is patience. You're not going to make friends right away, and you're going to have a rough time at first--and it's ok. It'll take a little time but you'll figure everything out just be patient. Things get easier when you just go with the flow, one day at a time. And if it gets too hard, mom and dad are just a phone call away.

Just take a moment to breathe and relax - everything will work out fine. Yes, at the beginning the transition can be very overwhelming: you're living in a whole new environment, possibly away from your parents and relatives for the first time, and may not initially know anyone or where anything is. But the college knows this! That's why colleges have first-year orientation programs and introductory courses to acclimate you with college life. That's why you might have welcome picnics or retreats, or go to an event with your orientation group, such as the first football game of the season. Not all colleges offer this, but if it's important to you, you can find a college that does. Although you may never believe it at first (I sure didn't!) college will eventually become your home away from home, and at some point, you will likely find yourself not wanting to leave it. So just relax, be yourself, and be willing to accept some changes. At college, you may find the people, passions, and/or professions that could forever change your life.

If i was to take this chance again of going back and giving myelf advice would be making sure I am prepared. I would take any summer courses in math, english, and writing and taking time to work on my basketball skills as well. I also would tell myself that scholarships are needed if you want to attend a private school and not have to worry about all the loans that I took out just to fund my freshman and sophmore year. It is very expensive and anybody that is willing to help you recieve free money by writing an essay or answering some questions is only good for you in the long run. I would aslo say to myself to atleast have an idea of what you want to study before you make your transiton then you will be able to make clear decisons and not as many mistakes with choosing a major and changing it three or four times before you choose exactly what you want your degree to be in. I would also say that you have to enjoy yourself and take every opportunity that comes your way.

My undergraduate college experience resulted in immense personal and professional growth. As a first generation college student, I not only improved myself through higher education, but opened the door to the importance and reality of a college education for the rest of my family. While previous generations of my family never had the opportunity to attend college, I am confident that all future generations will aggressively seek higher education. As the first college graduate in the family, I have set even higher goals for myself and am currently enrolled in graduate school to become the first Phd!

I entered college with only a hint of an idea for a future but now within my second year I am following two passions towards psychology and musical theatre that I developed early on in my college journey. The opportunities available for my two studies has allowed to me both focus on the things I love while still pursuing other likes. North Central has been the best transition from high school days of sitting through class waiting for the bells to enjoying what I study.

There are many things that make college worth attending. One of the most obvious is that it makes a person able to enter the real world with your best foot forward. In college classes I have learned a lot by taking business and law classes , such as knowing about contracts. It also helps with practicing with working with a group. Taking the law classes also helped me more fully understand what I need to do, if I decide that I want to become a judge in the court system. Also by the end of college you have become frriends , and therefore made connections with people that might be useful in the future with business opprotunities. During college I have also realized the importance of time management.

My college experience so far is wonderful. I have learned alot with the smaller classes that North Central has to offer. The teachers and staff are all very helpful. Everyone is so close knit it's great. My class is the biggest class North Central has ever had which is approximately 3000 students. There are free tutors available to help with anything you might need with class work. The Dyson center is a medical office the school provides for free. It is very convienient and helps alot.

Hoping to get alot of experience when I attend college. I plan on going for Medical Administrative Assistant. It will help me get a good job and be able to provide for me and my family in the future. I also love to learn new things and feel that this would be a good new experience for me!

I have learned so much throughout one year of college. Knowing how to manage time and having the right mind set to getting school work done has been the main focus out of this year. It was valuable to attend a private school because the teachers really focus on the student's schoolwork more in depth which makes the students work harder for a better grade. It has been a challenge to get the right kind of paper written for the professors and just adjusting to other people's rules has become a huge lesson I have learned. Knowing how to manage time wisely made all the students become more responsible and be able to become more independent. In the future it is going to be so helpful when I start a job and learn to work with many different people and how to manage with their ideas. Also, it was good to attend this college because it was helpful to learn to start a life on my own and not always depend of my family or parents all the time.