Purdue University-North Central Campus Top Questions

Look into your school BEFORE commiting! There is nothing more frustrating than running around campus like a chicken with your head cut off. Figure out how your school's system works, as far as contacting advisors, and setting up meetings to ensure success. You have to advocate for yourself! Check out your professor's ratings on RateMyProfessor.com to see what former students can offer you as far as who is will enrich your college career, versus blow it off. On day one of class, be overprepared. Be the nerd with sticky notes, and your planner out, ready to jot down important dates. Have highlighters, page markers, and an extra pencil for the kid who forgot one, on hand. Once you surpass syllabus day, find the time to meet your professors 1-on-1. Get to know them, and feel comfortable in asking them for help, because thats what they're there for. There is no time that you DON'T have homework. Time that you don't spend studying is time you are already putting yourself behind. It is always better to be one step ahead! Last but not least, set aside the time to overprepare!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say one thing. Relax. As the salutatorian of my senior class, I am naturally competitive in my schooling and want to be the best that I can be. I had the preconceived notion that college would be filled with classmates who only want to do well for themselves. That is not the case at all. With only one semester of college under my belt I already have great friends who are so helpful if I am ever struggling with understanding a concept. It is extremely comforting to know that I'm not in this college experience along. I would tell myselft that making friends comes easy as long as you stay true to yourself and keep your best interests at heart. I would also tell myself that I would be on track to graduate with a Bachelor's degree a year early, and that hard work really does pay off!

Thinking back to high school, it seems so far away. Though it were just last year, the amount of change I have gone through has been tremendous. Moving away from home, being in a place I have never been and learning how EXPENSIVE everything is has been tough. I would tell myself that it may seem hard at first and being away from home is a little depressing but it is all worth it and you will be glad that you came this far in life. I would advise myself to save up as much as I could because money goes quick when paying for everything. As for schooling, I would tell myself that it doesn't seem much different from high school but that doesn't mean slack off because the work load will sometimes catch you off-guard and you may not be ready for it because you have been slacking. However, the most important thing I would tell myself is to just live it up, being in college has and will make you so much stonger and independent and it will for sure give you the chance to find yourself away from everything you're used to.

All of what I would say to myself as a high school senior can be summed up in the words from Matthew 6:34. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Most high school seniors are so stressed about college and the changes that it will bring; however, I have found these cares to be largely and pointlessly exaggerated. I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my last moments as a high schooler without making myself sick with worry. I would urge myself to speak with people in the careers which interested me so that I could research and see if the career was indeed for me. This would have saved me from changing my college major three times! I would tell the high school me to use all of the resources available to me. So many staff members at universities are so helpful, but if you do not ask, you cannot receive this aid! They are paid to advise, assist, and carry some of the worrisome weight. I would assure high school me to smile because everything would work itself out, and indeed it has!

I would advise myself to study harder and try to make better grades. I would also advise myself to get more involved in extra activities while in high school.

My college experience has guided me to paths beyond education. I began this journey from the perspective of a mid thirty year old that was a high school drop out. I had little support in my circle but I knew this was a journey I desired to take. At that time it was more about righting my wrongs and personal goals that I felt I needed to complete me. As I went through each semester I learned my journey was no longer about who I was it was about who I am and who I strive to become. I am no longer weak minded or without merit. I can do anything and become anyone and nothing can stand in my way but me. I found my inner strength with each Teacher and each assignment, I never knew I was dyslexic and ADD, I was diagnosed my sophomore year of college at the age of 37. I had one instructor spend countless hours with me one semester to teach me different ways to focus and study she did this on her own because she saw something in me and in doing this I realized I had no limitations. That is Priceless.

My college experience so far has opened my eyes to the world around me. Apart from learning basic skills—writing, mathematics, etc.—I have learned more about individuals and the world as a whole. College has made me alter my convictions and gave me knowledge I would not have been able to attain otherwise. College has given me food for my mind that has enlightened me. Besides just learning what academia has to offer me, I have also formed new relationships with my peers and professors alike. College has also brought upon a new confidence and pride I never experienced before in my life. This life changing experience has been dearly valuable to me because it has made me a new person, a better person.

I have learned more than I ever thought I would. Not only that but the life experience i've gained here at PNC is remarkable and the friends i've made are incredible.

I haven't had much college experience yet because I am still in my first semester, but so far it has valued me in many ways. I am finally able to see into the real world and pick what I want to do with the rest of my life. It makes me feel like I value my education more because I am finally doing something important with my life and I am in complete control of it. I have the power to make my future the best that it can possibly be and it is extremely exciting. Everyday I look forward to coming home from class and doing my homework, or going to the library. I love all of my classes because I am actually learning about something I am interested in, so doing homework and getting all of my in class assignments done are never a hassle for me. The fact that I have more control over my future career gives me all the motivation in the world.

My college experience for my Bachelor degree from PNC has been valuable because graduating has allowed me to gain career skills in the Social Services and Disabilities fields where I was able to gain further compassion, improve upon leadership and case management skills while helping adults with life challenges seek out and gain a better quality of life in their communities. While returning to college at CSU Sacramento for my Masters, 11 years later, has allowed me to improve upon my self-esteem and self-doubts, the experience has also allowed me to learn from professors that are focused on educating their students with passion and understanding. Gaining improved knowledge in various theories and therapy techniques has been challenging for me, but having those professors at hand due to an open door policy, has proved to be supportive for me and has helped me improve the assignments in hopes for a better overall GPA. Attending college has been valuable to me to expand my knowledge in my career field with specific expertise that I wouldn't have obtained if I did not return to obtain my Masters, so I will always believe in the value of education.