Roosevelt University Top Questions

I would tell myself that peer pressure does not matter and what matters more is how well I do academically. I would tell myself to ask more questions because there is no such thing as a wrong question. I would also advice myself that a good gpa is not everything because what matters more is whether or not you graduate because when you have a college degree you have a much better chance of getting a highly paid job. When I was in college, I worked full-time and took evening classes. It was not easy, yet I managed to maintain an excellent gpa as well as an excellent reputation at work. I always had a positive attitude and kept moving on which is got me so far. I have my mother and sister to thank, because they are excellent role models. We immigrated to this country in 1996, all we had was 6 suitcases, but now my sister has an accounting degree from UIC, I have two associate degrees from Harper and taken many classes at UIC and Roosevelt University. My mother, sister and I did odd jobs to make ends meet and lived from paycheck to paycheck.

When you get to college, don't just sit in your room all the time. I know it's a scary experience, but go out there and start getting to know your classmates! I'm not in any way saying to become best friends with everyone you meet, and you don't even have to like all of them, but AT LEAST GET TO KNOW THEM, and respect them for the work that they are doing. If you spend all of your time in the dorm room pining for your high school friends or wishing you knew more people or that your family was closer, then you're going to miss out on the opportunity to make new lasting friendships that you'll carry with you throughout your life.

The advice I would give myself is I would go into college as soon as I graduate high school. I would tell myself that I should care more about myself and my studies. I would get the best possible grades and participate in as much activities as possible. I would tell myself not to quit when things get to tough because the outcome would be great for my future.

If I had a chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would scream to myself that Education is the key. It took me almost five years after my high school career ended to know that not only did I want to return to school, but that I wanted to return to school to become a teacher. I truly believe that Education is the one tool that can make a difference in someones life. It is the one thing that can fulfill ones life. With out an Education life is so limited. Having an Education is something that no one can ever take away from you and it is something that is never ending. If I were to go back I would enforce this mentality into my Eighteen year old mind. Pointing out that all the classes I once deemed as silly and unnecessary are indeed very necessary. My hope is to be not only a life long Educator but a life long learner.

I would tell myself to seek as much help as possible or available. Being the first person in my family to attend college, I faced many difficulties because no one in my household knew about the process of applying to colleges or for financial aid. I would tell myself not to be ashamed or embarassed to seek help. Staying quiet and trying to do everything by myself was a very stressful period for me. Don't let pride get in the way. Lots of people need help and that is why there are resources available. Trying to do everything yourself can lead to mistakes, whether small or large, they affect and prolong the process and increase stress. Ask teachers, friends, go on the internet and look for help. Applying to colleges and for financial aid is stressful enough and trying to do everything by yourself only makes the experience worse. When you seek help, the experience becomes less stressful and you even begin to enjoy it because it doesn't fell like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. As with any other major decision in life, we need to seek help, resources and advice.

There are many things i would do diferently in my senior year of high school. One of the main things i would do differently as a senior in high school would be to take scholarship opportunities more serious. I found later that i needed scholarships and i didnt put enough energy into learning about different grants and scholarships that were available to me. Another thing i would do differently as a senior in high school is not put all my eggs in one basket. I regret not exploring other schools. By putting all my hopes on one school i closed off alot of great opportunities.

If

There comes a time in someones life when you have to start caring about something. That time is not far off the horizon, in fact the time may be nearer than you'd hoped. I know that you have the passion and the desire necessary to succeed but you need to invest in the discipline and the effort that you would so obviously ignore. Know who you are in this world and keep steadfast to that knowledge and you won't falter too easily!

I would advise myself of the following. First of all, study as much as possible. There will be times when you want to go out to bars or to party, but you need to find a balance between academics and a social life. It is important in college that you make friends and most of those friends will be there for a long time, but you need to able to tell them when you can hang out with them and when you cannot. It is okay to find out new experiences with friends, but it is also equally important to find out new experiences by yourself. It might feel weird, but you might find people that like the same thing as you. When you begin to live on your own, you may want to not stay in contact with the family, but you should. Your family, especially your parents, are going to be there for you no matter what.

I think that I would tell myself that no matter what, pick a plan and stick with it. When I was younger I was trying to prove to people that I didn't need school to be successful. I shouldn't have stayed out of school for so long because it is what I was excpected of me. I guess that is what happens when your a head strong teenager and fight with anyone. I would also tell myself to listen to you heart and go because ultimatly, its for you anyway. The last thing that I would tell myself is that there is no sure things in life. Your life takes roads to other things all the time. I was suppose to be training as a musican. I have found another passion in my life that forfills me more then even music did. So, keep your eyes open for other things. It might just change your life!