Northern Illinois University Top Questions

I do not think I spent enough time researching my career interests. I would tell myself to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and research different careers. I would utilize my high school guidance counselor more to help in my research. Also, I would say to take more college visits and explore my options at different colleges. This way, I could learn about different opportunities to develop the skills needed for a job in that industry. If I was more informed about the differences in my colleges of interest, I would have picked a college that better suited my academic needs. Since I did not receive any athletic or academic scholarships, I would tell myself to apply for several private scholarships during high school. I regret not applying for scholarships while in high school. Now, I have several student loans, housing, dining, and books that could have been be payed for by scholarships. Lastly, I do not think the minimal reading I did for my high school classes was enough to prepare me for college texts. So, I would tell myself to read more books and magazine articles in my free time during high school to help develop this skill.

As I recollect on my experience in college there is so much that I would love to communicate to my high school self. Considering the fact that I would like to pursue a career as a high school guidance counselor I plan to devote myself to assisting students. Being a mentor to myself would be a life changing experience for me. I would reassure myself that I made the right decision and that attending Northern Illinois University was a good path for me. I would stress the importance of getting involved early and establishing a solid GPA. I entered the university undecided which turned out to be a promising move for me. I had the ability to explore different majors and find what I truly have a passion for. Thus I found myself in the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences pursuing a BA in Sociology. I would also tell my high school self not to be afraid or discouraged during this transitioning stage. Explaining the procedures when filling out a FASFA, applying for grants and loans as well as registering for classes can be an overwhelming process. However with proper guidance it can be as stress free as possible.

I woud tell not only myself but others i know that are going to college to just stay focus. No matter how hard it starts to get just keep your head in the game it will all be worth it in the end. Don't start missing class or nothing make everyday count.

Seeing myself as a senior high school student and knowing about the college life. My advice I would give to myself would be don't wait years to go back to school. Once you graduate high school, start looking into colleges or universities that you might be interested in. There's is no successful future for you if you don't have any type of degree. You have so many oppertunities that can help change your life. There are so many chances and choices you can make so there shouldn't be no excuse for you not further your education. Be smart and do whatever you can to suceed.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give students alot of information that I did not get as a high school senior. I would tell them to get all of their college necessities such as applications, college essays, and financial aid information done early. I would tell them to think about what school they would think they would be the most happy at. Money aside, where could you see yourself starting the next four years of your life? Don't settle for a cheap college just because it will give you less loans. Overall, your academic performance really does become affected by your level of happiness. You are not going to perfom well at an institution that you are not happy at. I would stress to kids to make sure they attend their institution's orientation day. Visit the college as much a possible before your committ to really get a sense if it is going to be the right fit. The most important thing you can do while attending college is to get involved. It is so much easier to make friends if your involved. Good luck!

I never anticipated on all of the issues I'd experience as a college student, but If I could go back in time to myself as a high school senior, I would give Valeata much needed advice. First thing I would tell myself is everything that glitters is not gold. Just because something looks inticing, doesnt mean it is. I would tell myself that there will be obstacles I will face, but if I trust in God and myself at all times, things will get better. I'd tell myself that people will make you angry,but the right choice is to not act on anger but instead, act on forgiveness and love. When you forgive others, sometimes that makes them want to positively change. I would tell myself to always have the armor of God around me, because without it,I'm weak. I'd tell myself is to always be me. No matter what others do or say, I have to stand my ground and stay strong and remember why I came here. I would remind myself that most times,the people with the most victories in the end had to deal with much hardships in the beginning.

As a college student i would tell high school me to pay more attention. When you have an assignment take time to really understand what your doing. As a college student i am really struggling because i barely paid attention to what was happening in school. Don't worry about what other people are doing. Try and strive for the valedictorian spot. Don't just get by because you can. Soak up as much information you can. Really pay attention in math because i guarantee you it will come back to haunt you. Take summer classes to get you prepared for what's coming your way. I really want you to try as hard as you possibly can because future you is having the hardest time in collegebecause she didn't pay enough attention in high school. Talk to your counselors or teachers about college do whatever you can to get as much knowledge as possible.

If I could go back and tell myself what I know now, it would be to stop procrastinating so much and to live life a little more. There is so much more to life than what I had known back then. I would appreciate the little things in life and not worry so much about what people thought. I would have also taken high school a lot more seriously. I'd tell myself that I do not know everything, that there is so much more for me to learn.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not underestimate my abilities: just because you were in the 80th percentile in math in high school, doesn't mean that you still will be in community college. Of course, the experiences I had in that low level math class were amusing, but I was bored out of my mind. The second thing I would tell myself would be that it'll be tough to have no friends, but in my second semester, I'll meet someone amazing. I should try my best not to push him away. Then, I would tell myself not to take intro to Japanese until my second year: in that class, I met several great people and one of them is now a very close friend of mine. I'll tell myself that that friend introduces me to a wonderful series that will define my relationship with my dorm friends once I transition to Northern Illinois University. I would also tell myself to look for scholarships as much as I can, even if community college is relatively cheap (I would scare myself into doing so my telling me how much money I currently owe).

Looking back, I would choose to convince my high school self to explore everything and not give up. When I went to community college, I took the easy route and stopped working as hard as I should have. I didn't do the research I should have to help me make major decisions about my future. I would have told myself to try everything I could possibly consider an interest in and keep working as hard as I could.