Rockford University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Rockford University know before they start?

Xerxes

I would tell myself to not worry so much about athletics and put more into grades. I also would tell myself to take up architecture. I would say do more scholarship and try hard on the Act practices.

Wendy

Visit as many colleges as you can. During those college visits ask questions to current students, advisors, and financial aid counselors. Ask the financial aid counselor what scholarships are available for that college. Ask the advisors what majors are available to those schools and what the coursework are like in the majors of what you are interested in. Ask current students what it is like to be a student at that college. Also, be sure to stay overnight in a dorm room, so you know what that experience is like.

Elizabeth

Something I would tell myself is to really do well on the ACT, because many schools give scholarships off of that one score. Also, I would have done cross country during high school so that I would have had time to build up my speed. Mostly, I would tell myself to really focus on my classes and to study more so I could get better grades. The other two things I would have told myself is to apply for as many scholarships I could qualify for and to really research which college I wanted to attend and do visits. Taking more time to do those things could have really helped me do better in school and have a better college experience (along with a better high school experience)

Mladen

The advice I would give myself would be to join more clubs and organizations instead of just playing sports and waiting until college to do so. These would have helped me not only in gaining more scholarship aid from my current school, but also to learn much more. I would also tell myself to be interested in what other people were planning to do after high school because I had never set a goal for myself and perhaps other people's plans could have influenced me.

Lindsay

Apply to more colleges! You will have no choice in your college decision because you only applied to expensive schools, and you did not get sufficient financial aid. You need to start your college applications early or else you will be working on them the night that they are due. Also, apply to more scholarships! You won't be able to go to your top choice university without them. Be more confident in yourself at your college interview. Know that you can achieve your dream through hard work and dedication to that goal.

Christina

At Rockford College, I have learned what it means to be sensitive to other people's feelings as well as express my view and take a stand. I have blossomed into a real leader at Rockford College, getting to know as many new faces as I can and getting involved with volunteer activities within the school for the community. I have made many life-long friends, and learned that my teachers actually care a lot about my well-being. My professors also care a lot about the subjects they teach and if I need help at any time, I can ask and they will offer up times for help. The teachers and other staff at Rockford College want everyone to succeed and know that sometimes, life gets in the way of being able to pay the bills. They help in every way they can, making me realize that people can always make things work, they just have to try.

Sheila

Since I have completed my bachelors degree, I feel very confident about myself. I now believe I can accomplish things I have never thought I would be able to do. My degree has helped me advanced my career. I am now back in college pursuing my MSW and hope to advance my career even further. My college experience has been very enlightening and empowering. I would advise anyone to at least attempt to get a degree in something, it would be worth their while to invest in their education. I started by taking a few classes and eventhough it took me awhile I complete my dreams. When I decided to go for my masters my son who at the time was 29 years old with a 5y/old and they both were living with me. Well, my son had some legal problems and went to jail. I had to raise my grandson on my own and I had problems with a baby sister. I persevered and I am currently in school eventhough I had to take a year off. I love being in college and learning about something I am passionate about.

Kathleen

Education is not just an expense or a means to an end. Education is a life-long adventure and the knowledge aquired from an education is valuable and priceless. The act of learning and gaining knowledge through an education is a fruitful and infinitely valuable investment. Just as we all need exercise, good food and nutrients for our body; education provides nutrition to our minds which unlocks infinite potential. I like to think of education as an infinitely vast artists canvas with no limit to the size or amount of space for which to paint. You start out with a blank canvas and with each piece of knowledge you aquire there is place of the canvas that is filled. There are no boundaries and there is always a place for each piece of knowledge. The painting's value is priceless for it is the most beautiful thing ever painted and can not be reproduced exactly the same every time, like a snowflake or a fingerprint. My experience at Rockford College is a valuable piece of artwork and I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful place!

Katelyn

Dear Seventeen, Start saving quarters now; doing laundry at college is not cheap. This, I know, is about all I can tell you, because your attention span this year mirrors that of a puppy. You are so excited to finally get out of that tiny town and prove yourself to the world that you simply don't have time to let any advice sink in. But I'm not worried about you: you'll remember all of that advice when you need to, and you'll be alright. I suppose I could warn you now from making the mistakes you will make, or tell you about all the great things you will do, or get you ready for the changes ahead, but I wouldn't dare... because you will learn some of Life's best lessons through all of those. You'll come to realize soon that I wouldn't change a moment of my life anyway. Know that God has a knack for revealing truth in change, Katie, and you have a knack for listening to your heart. So keep listening. I can't wait to see you here. Love, Me

Brittany

I would tell myself to better set up my financial aid so that I would not have to take out as many loans for school. When I was a senior I was overwhelmed with the school applications and did not have a plan for financial aid. I just planned on it coming with the school that I chose. I found out that getting financial aid took a lot more work than just applying for school and I should have done more preparation for having it.