North Central College Top Questions

I learn something new everyday at NCC. Living on campus has taught me a lot about what it is like to be independant, responsible, and also about the things that I need to change to become the person that I want to be. This experience has changed the way I think about the world and has opened me up to oppertunites I didn't even know existed.

Throughout every generation, there is bound to be fear. Fear of the unknown and of inexperience. Two things that if you allow them to, can determine your standing in life. I have thus far only taken three short semesters of schooling at a junior college in my hometown, but they have opened my eyes to a world of possibilities that I never allowed myself to fathom throughout my years in high school. I have learned so quickly what I want to do in life and where I want my passions to take me. I may not have the funds to get myself there right now but I believe in patience and faith. College has taught me that faith and heart can get you where you want to be, you just have to believe

My college experience has enabled me to participate in a wide variety of activities. I have been involved in volunteer programs, the orientation staff, and other activities on campus. I have met a diverse population of individuals, and have been exposed to a great center for higher education. I truly love North Central College, and feel that it has been valuable to attend, because it has prepared me for the future. Not only will I be able to exceed career-wise, but attending North Central has increased my confidence and the level of self-worth I have. This campus enriches individuals and makes all feel truly welcome. The level of faculty assistence and involvement is one of a kind. I have learned that a close-knit college community provides the ultimate experience.

As a young adult, the freedom of college life is something that must be respected. Working toward course goals and requirements can become monotonous and it is very easy to become distracted with surrounding opportunities or events that will prove to be much more interesting. Stay focused on the end prize. When work is completed, there will be plenty of time for celebration and fun and games. Plan your schedule accordingly to allow yourself time to work; time to relax; time with friends and family. Study in a group setting to glean additional information from classmates concerning the coursework. Be prepared to engage in discussions that further your knowldege and understanding of the topics in the course(s). When in doubt, or if coursework is difficult, do not hesitate to call upon a tutor to assist you in "getting it." There is never a "dumb" question; the one you ask may help others have a clearer understanding of the topic(s). Know your limits and know when to say no. Education is an opportunity to expand your world; revel in the experience and allow it to make you a stronger, positive force in society.

The one thing i would tell my self and wish someone told me is that, Without education you are nobody, you have to make sure you pursue your dreams and work on becoming the woman you deserve to be, life is always going to have ups and downs, but do not let that side track you from pursuing your education, it is the only thing that can change your circumstances, no excuses! you need to be the one to make a difference in your life, working constantly and living paid check to paid check isn't going to be good enough, you might think you can't afford college, and you don't wanna be in debt, but you just don't know how easy it is once you enroll and just have different scholorships to apply for, different grants are going to be available to you, your life will be better you will feel good about yourself knowing you are doing something for yourself and mostly for your kids one day, you want to set a good example for them. i love you and good luck with colleg.

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior the first thing I would do is put my arm around his shoulder and say "Lets find somewhere to sit.". I would tell him to be brave and not worry about not having the strength to go to college at eighteen. I would reassure him that everyone has to travel their own path and although by the time he reaches college and all his friends will be graduating, he will be much the wiser for his journey. I would tell him to not be afraid to fall on his face and live life as an adventure. Never be afraid to be an individual, to try to love without asking for anything in return. I would tell him to always be inquisitive because you willl then always live life starring wide-eyed at this wonderful world like the small child he once was. I would also tell him to kiss his mother and tell her he loves her everyday.

As a senior I had lots of ideas of what I would do and who I'd become in college, but life took me a different way when the economy crashed and took my college fund with it. If I could I would tell 18 year old self the benefits of going to community college. I'd originally thought I wouldn't be able to gain from the experience, but after a year I'd been able to explore some of my interests like art history and philosophy while saving myself from student loans and high interest rates. I was also able to gain work experience while going to school, being a part time manager at a local business gave me perspective as to how school was so necessary to my future, and how my own consumption was affecting the world around me. I learned about life outside of school. The biggest thing I would want to tell myself is to see college as more than a building of bricks and mortar, but a learning experience for you want to live your life. Its not about the college brand name, but the name you make for yourself in the world.

I would start to prepare for this new chapter called college by sitting down with my parents or guardians and discuss my plans for the next 2-4 years. I would also examine what my career goals are and the what the best way to reach those goals are. I sometimes wish that I would have taken the Junior College route to save a few thousand dollars of the money that has been devoted to a private school education. My main piece of advice would be to tell myself that it is never too early to start saving for school. At times it can be financially troublesome when students are away from home for the first time with spending money on the wrong items. Successfully managing a debit or credit card is essential to keeping your finances headed in the right direction.

As a high school senior, I spent most of my time preparing for my freshman year as a college student. However, one thing I would change would be the lack of effort I put into my senior year. I took easier classes than I usually do, and even though I did't actually blow off any classes, I got pretty lazy. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would tell myself to not take culinary arts, and take physics or biology. When I was in high school, I never thought that I would become a biochemistry major. I never particularly enjoyed science, but I always did well regardless. When my classes started here at NCC, my major was athletic training. Soon afterwards however, I decided that I wanted to be an eye-doctor. My best shot to get into graduate school for this profession was to switch my major to biochemistry. So, against everything I thought as a high school student, I will now be taking mostly science orientated classes. That extra experience I blew off in high school no doubt could of been helpful in getting me started on the right foot.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to start the year out strong. In high school a lot of the material that we learned was spoon fed to us. There was always an outline of the lesson printed out for us in the morning whether it was math or social science; it didn't matter. I came into my freshman year still having the same mentality and study habits that I had my senior year of high school. Turns out what works in high school, doesn't always carry over the same when you get to college. My grades for my first term were not horrible, but they sure weren't what I hoped they would be. Now that I've finally had a taste of the college life as far as education goes, I know what I need to do to achieve my goals for the terms to come.