Northeastern Illinois University Top Questions

I would tell myself to take your college education seriously. Any time that you take off from school, only prolongs you from reaching your goals. Work hard in your classes and go the extra mile; you get what you give. Take part in extracurricular activities such as school clubs; the friends you make and the experiences you gain from clubs will play a huge part in your development as a student. Be bold, take risks, and push yourself to do things you wouldn't normally do academically and personally. School is the best time to grow and become a bigger, stronger, and ultimately better you. Learn how to manage stress. Things can become quite hectic during midterms and finals, but just remember that if you put in the work, everything will be fine, and you will see the grades. Help a fellow classmate, aiding them in their academic sucess can be extremely rewarding. Lastly, I would say apply for scholarships. There are people who are willing to help students financially so they can acheive their goals, don't be afraid to ask for their help!

I came from a different country and studied at Northeastern with very little language skills. I wish I had taken more English courses in high school, so that I could have had an easier time in school. I also wish I had participated in more clubs at Northeastern, so I could have networked more. What you give to the school, you get back. Investing in the school is a good idea because it helps you out in the future in various ways.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to stop letting my fears get in the way of doing what I want to do. For a whole semester, I did not attend college because I was frightened; I did not know what field I wanted to go in and I was only focused on wht would earn me the most money instead of what would make me happiest. Playing it safe has its uses, but I would advise my past self to avoid taking it too far and to not be afraid of taking chances and living life. It is only through making mistakes and overcoming doubts that we learn how to live. I would also advise my younger self to not be so withdrawn; meeting new people and making new friends is a key part of college life. Refusing to do so out of mistrust and fear will not make college easy or fun. Being afraid to ask for help from the faculty of other students is a key to having a miserable college experience. You only get out of college what you try to achieve and the effort you put in.

KAREN! Study. This may sound cliche but you are a smart girl, with a little more effort you could acheive anything. College is expensive and you know you do not have money so work hard for scholarschips. Keep your head up when mom says you can not do someting. You know that is how she has always been but what do you do? Usually prove her wrong, so continue to do so. Can I let you in on a little secret? You know that boy you have been inlove with since freshman year? He will stay in your life but put yourself in front of him. Make choices for you, boys are dumb sometimes but do not let it affect you. You are going to have a beautiful little miracle and to be ready for him you can not give up on school! Besides prove everybody wrong, show them that you are not just the typical hispanic, who became pregnant at 18. At least you earned your diploma and have the ambition to keep moving forward with school. Let me just say as future Karen working is not fun, working at a regular job and not a career, of course.

My high school senior year and the following two years were a trial, a tribulation, a test. They were hard, frustrating, and unexpected. The past two years were suppose to be spent in college but I have not started yet. Nonetheless, I have learned and grown so much, especially in my senior year. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would stand back and remain silent. I do not want to tamper with my past, as much as I would like to, because I was being tested. I am going to be a better person and have a better life. I know now what I want to do with my life. For starters, I will be starting college this coming fall. My family has always cherished education. Starting in my senior year, I was getting an invaluable education; it would continue for two more years and will keep going. I may have needed some great advice in my senior year from my future self, but the truth is that she did not need it. She put me on the course to the life I am to live and to the person I am to become.

Life is what you make of it, weather hard or easy, but nothing worth having comes free. During your walk through life, there are going to be struggles, challenges, and stressors. Also, there are going to be happy moments, joyous occasions, successful breakthroughs, and breathtaking adventures. However, it is how you perceive and react to what you encounter, which will determine a positive or negative outcome for your situation. Never wish your experiences could have been different, or let obstacles stop you from achieving your goals. My advice to myself would be as the Nike tagline says: “Just do it!” Take all steps needed to pursue all of your dreams and a higher education. If you want recognition, growth, and success, do not sit around waiting on someone to direct you. As a tip for achieving your goals: evaluate the situation, discipline yourself, prepare in advance, and pray for courage and strength. Always take teacher's criticism as fuel to accomplish your life’s goals and dreams. College marks another phase of life, therefore take lots of notes and strive for greatness. It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.

The college search is serious business. If you want to go to a great college, you need to look for it and do your research. You've spent the last four years of your life working hard to get good grades to excell in college. However, it all goes to waste if that effort is not put towards finding a college and scholarships to pay for it. I left my college search until last minute, and I had to settle for less than what I believed I was capable of. Unlike high school where there was always the threat of a lower grade or someone constantly checking up on you. No one supervised me with my college plans, and so I let myself slack off. I know past me doesn't believe when people say he has the power to change the world, because it sounds cheesy. However, my failures and successes in college have taught me that my own efforts matter. Even when no one is telling you what to do, you should still do everything in your power to get yourself the best opportunities and improve yourself as a person.

Know what you want before starting any Major courses. If that means being a part time student and working part time for a few years while taking basic classes like English 101 and Art 101 then go for it. You will enjoy college more and save money by not taking classes for one major and then switching to another. The extra time and money you have will allow you to enjoy the college events, clubs and social life on campus. Just don't take too long, don't drop out of school. Get that degree before you get too old, you don't want to be pursuing your first B.S. when you're 27 and should be in a career job and house shopping. Don't play all those video games. Date that girl you wanted to.

I understand that high school is very stressful. You have incredible drive to get to college where life will magically become better. That is only half-truth. Life does get better when you get out of high school. College is a wonderful place of opportunity, self-discovery and freedom. However, with freedom, there comes a cost. My biggest advice to high school "Ellen" is to find self-love, confidence and gratitude because you can be your own worst enemy. When you leave home, you are leaving behind a built-in support system, which you currently resent because, well, you are a teenager. The fear and loneliness that comes with change is difficult to navigate. College is an easy place to become a recluse. You will find yourself desperately trying to control your life and hide your feelings. However, fight self-destructive urges, fake confidence, and it will eventually start to become real. You are a kind, quirky, intelligent person that people want to know! Force yourself to branch out and find that support system, so when you are having hard days, you have someone to reach out to...someone who will help stop you from getting in your own way.

Read, read, and read more. Nothing can make you feel happy, excited, and erudite as a good book. News, textbooks, magazines, novels, just read. Make up your mind, think fast, decide what you would like to be, and do it. Take the classes. Do not be undecided. Stay close to the ones you admire most, your role models. They can teach and help a lot from their experience. Call, talk and ask for help, for advice, for guidance. Do not think you know everything. Do not be a hypocrite, a selfish, or a greedy. Do not be lazy, banal, caustic, capricious, despotic, invidious, irascible, phlegmatic, naïve, or stubborn. Be punctual, meticulous, astute, perspicacious, harmonious, altruistic, funny, philanthropic, courageous, and lucid. Do not isolate, and do not hesitate to make friends, to talk to people, to work, to volunteer, and to interact. Do not waste 3 years after high school to raise the nephew, the sister can find a nanny. Do not marry or have kids at 21 years old, or when you are in school. Finish college, live your life, go out, have fun. You can find a husband any time, but you can never turn back the time.