Northeastern Illinois University Top Questions

Assuming that today is the year 2017; one year after graduating from NEIU. Also, assuming some brilliant person figured out how to build a time machine. I would jump into that time machine and send myself back to my senior year of high school. I would look in the mirror, pat myself on the back, and say “keep up the good work, this will soon pay off.” I would tell myself to cherish the moments I have with my friends because although we might tell each other we will always keep in touch that will not likely happen once college starts. I would encourage myself to be more talkative in class. Enough with being the shy girl in class, shy people get lost in the crowd. I will tell myself to talk as much as I can with my teachers, share my goals of becoming an educator and that way they could help me along the way. I could almost picture myself going out for lunch with my friends to Taco Burrito King. I’d snatch the money away from my own hands and put that money back in my pocket and say “save this! Make your own lunch instead!”

I know it's tough to focus on those dual credit classes you're taking, but it's worth it to study at night for algebra instead of watch the same movies for the 10th time. Pay attention to what your teachers are trying to tell you; that's how you'll learn to study later on. Don't be afraid to take risks or those obscure classes. They'll probably be precursors to courses you'll take in college. Go further in your studies than the minimum of what is required of you. I know it may not seem "cool" to be reviewing flashcards in the library at lunch, but do it anyway, because settling for a got anyone a Suma Cum Laude diploma. Plus, it's so much harder to actually study than you once thought. Gone are the days of skimming a chapter before a quiz. College is real. College is hard. But college is worth it. Suck it up, read your notes, and be great.

The advise I would give my high school self is to always stay determined and positive. This would be benefitial because everyone has a goal, and looking forward and staying positive will get you to where you want to be. College is not as nerve wrecking as what people make it sound, so worrying about what each day would be like would only make you more stressed out. Staying on top of all your work and balancing your activities will make your life so much more easier because everything is getting done, and before you know it you will have time to do the things you want and relax. Lastly, choose your classes carefully. Make time for yourself because there is so much time you have before you graduate, and this involves having patience.

If i had the opportunity to go back and time and talk to myself as a senior. I would tell myself that the things you think are important now, wont matter when you are out of high school. Your popularity won't matter down the road. The heartaches you think you have now are nothing and wont matter either. Use your time wisely to improve your knowlege. Your education is the most important thing. When you are 22 and have a 1 year old daughter the only thing that will matter is that you have a good paying job to take care of your daughter. Sports are fun and excerise is good for you, but its not the only thing that matters. Go to college and dont worry about your boyfriend, he seems important now but down the road he won't even cross your mind. He's not worth your heartache and tears. You will soon realize what I am saying to you. Soak up all the knowlege you can. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for, and you will go far in life.

I have come up with four pieces of advice I have learned througout college, that I would tell myself as a high school senior. My most important one is making the right decision. There will be plenty of influences and easy resources to steer away from school work and academic focus, but a constant reminder of what you are in school for should be more than enough to keep you focused. Another piece of advice is be organized. This is a very important one because it brings makes the rest of my advices flow and more natural. When organized, you will have time to do school work, keep up with important events and school functions, and be prepared for the unexpected. An agenda really helps to keep this advice in check. This also makes my thrid piece of advice for me quite simple; be timely. Create a schedule that includes class time, study time, eating time, work time, sleep timeand any other activities that should take up your time. Lastly, be resourceful. Iniciate a relationship with teachers, your adviser and academic clubs to better facilitate your college experience. All these are piece of advice from college Carlos, to senior Carlos.

If I could say one thing to myself when I was in high school, I would say "Slow down. Enjoy life." The prime of our lives should never be spent banging out heads against the desk. During my first semester in college I took 15 credits of very academic courses because I felt like it was the only way to get where I wanted to go. Two of those classes were online. It was way too much to handle during my very first semester. I didn't have the work ethic or the responsibility. I was too absorbed in my social life to be able to focus. In short, I still had a high school mindset. It took 2 years of incredibly hard work to get my GPA back up. I became stressed and depression set in. I was nearly kicked out of Sierra College. Then, I started to relax. I took nights off from homework to hang out with old friends. Miraculously, my work improved. It seems that once you slow down and see what you're missing, everything else gets easier. This semester I am taking my first semester classes over but this time, I'm ready.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as when I was a senior I will tell myself to focus more in math. Studying in college now my hardest course is math. I tend to not pay attention as much as I should have in high school. Also i will become a better note taker. In high school I took notes but was careless because the teacher gave me a little more attention. The transition from high school to college has been a journey but just like i will tell myself in high school never give up, accomplish every goal and stay involve will still apply for college.

Dear Chris, You are now a junior at Northeastern, well done. It has taken you along time to get to this point, but I wouldn't change too much. I suggest you take the same route I took, but be more dedicated to your studies, and get through community college in only 2 years instead of 7. Continue to devote time to family, but also make time for your studies. Stay close to home and attend CLC and Northeastern, you will see later that those are great choices and you get the opportunity to spend as much time with dad before he passes. Try a few different classes and dabble in some different endevours, but ultimately realize that your love lies with kids; pursue your degree in education and get through college so we can finally teach and mold some young minds. On days when you don't feel like going to class, remind yourself that that is unacceptable. On days you feel like giving up or dropping out, think of what dad would say. In the end whatever you do is your choice, but do what you love. And either way our family will be proud of us. Chris.

Cara, You are about to embark on an extremely fun, tumultous and life changing road. It will seem like you are unsure of what to do at times...but I STRONGLY encourage you to stick it out and stay in school. It will never be as achievable as it is now to finish your degree. Yes, you will be experiencing things you have never experienced. Relationships, independence and financial stress; but hold true to your goal of finishing school. Don't fret over what Major to choose. Follow your heart and believe in your gifts and trust that you have something that the world needs. If you make mistakes and fall completely down on your face...get up and carry on. Making a mistake here may feel like the end of the world, but believe me it is no where near as hard and as painful as the mistakes you will make when you drop out of school "for awhile" to live with your boyfriend. Choosing another person other than yourself will derail you for the next twenty years! Please trust me when I tell you, you are valuable and the world needs you!

I never had any guidance when I was a high school senior. I would go back and tell myself to be sure to take placement tests and to do my best at studying. I would prepare better for entering college and apply for good schools and extra scholarships. I would also reassure myself that I can do it and that I wll do great no matter what!