Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Top Questions

Before you begin your college career learn to be responsible for both yourself and your grades. No one is going to baby you through your classes and your grades should be important to you if you want to graduate. Not being focused will lead you to flunking your classes

I would say that college is merely just a continuation of high school. So do not be afraid of it. The transition is not as hard as you think. Yes, the first few months of it will be hard. Trust me, I've cried a few times. But eventually you will adjust. A lot of freshmans go to college thinking, "Oh no parents! I can party all the time". This is most definitely the wrong mentality to take with you to college. Although I said college is merely just a continuation of high school, the effort you put forth in high school you must put forth triple that in college. My dean, Dr John Nicklow, always told me,"For every hour you spend in class, you must spend two hours out of class studying". Also do not get discouraged if your grades you receive in college, look nothing like the ones you received in high school. Take that as a learning lesson and work harder next time. Another thing I would recommend is get to know your professors and utilize them. Its their job to help you. After all you are paying their salary. And strive for the best.

When I graduated from high school I gave my little sisters who were entering 8th grade the following advice: "Study hard, your grades really matter, you have to have good grades to get into a good college, and I wish I had paid attention from the very beginning, so study hard and make As and Bs." Now that I am in college, I see the other reasons that students really should apply themselves throughout life, the knowledge you gain is always building upon prior knowledge and prior experience. The more you apply yourself in high school, the better you will do in college, it is not simply starting over. I would also advice myself that it is important to pick a school where you fit in, and to visit the campus multiple times before making a final decision. I would advice myself to see what support network I will have at school and make sure it is adequate. I would also scope out the job market in the area long before the semester begins as it may be too late to find a suitable job once you arrive on campus.

Wow. If only I could go back in time and tell myself what I know now. Things could have been much easier for me. By my forth year in high school I just wanted to get out and go into the "real world". I thought everything was going to fall so easily into place. All I cared about was being the girl everybody liked and creating the perfect "senior moments". I kept those same habits into my first year of college not knowing that in just one year none of that was going to matter anymore. It took one too many bad decisions, and one D plus later to realize I squandering away my potential and thats when the "real world" finally hit me. My life had nothing to do with being popular or going out and making sure everybody liked me. At that point all I want is a second chance. At 20 years old, 3 years after graduation, I understand that I am responsible for every decision in my life, and to take it seriously. I can't help thinking that with the knowledge I gained I would have much less struggle trying to create my career.

First off, I believe it would be quite dangerous for anyone to go back in time and try to give theirselves advice for the future. The experiences I have gone through in my life have shaped me to be a very serious student with goals for reaching self-actualization. I waited awhile after highschool before attending college and that taught me the value of a good education. I realized that without earning a degree, I could not move ahead financially, emotionally, and intelligently in life. But, if I was really forced to give myself at least one piece of advice, it would be this: "Ask as many questions as you can to everyone you see, who has already succeeded educationally." I found as I have progressed with my current education I have come across many confusing and complicated obstacles. My immediate family never attempted to recieve a degree as high as I am trying to undertake. I believe that if I looked for more knowledgeable support earlier on in my life I would be already able to say, "I have made a major positive difference."

I would tell myself to go out and make friends. There are a lot of people at Southern Illinois University and though most are very different from the friends you grew up with, they are still friendly people. When your roommate goes out to meet new people, join him. Hang out with the people on your hall, since they are your neighbors, they are the most accessible people on the campus to hangout with. Sooner or later you will want to meet new people, so it is best to start right away, because if you wait you will not meet as many people. Do not allow your social life to make you forget your academics. You used certain skills to succeed academically in high school and you should continue to use them. Minimize your procrastination because you do not know what will come up. You do not want to have procrastinated on an assignment, so you need to finish it when something exciting for you to do with your friends pops up. Lastly, if you try to have fun you will, so go ahead and enjoy the college life.

Going back in time with the knowlegde I know have about college life I would have told myself to work harder academically. Coming from a high school with very poor instruction and lack of motivation from teachers I would have pushed my self to work harder independently in mathmatics. I would have told myself to get a tutor and go further then college algebra, maybe take a physics course so I wouldnt struggle now in my physics courses. I would tell myself to surround myself with proactive people instead of being around people who were were always fighting and getting into trouble. I would have also advised myself to be more involved in the community, providing service to the many people who were in need in my community. I would have also become a mentor to younger girls in my community. I would also advise myself to research college majors and occupations that I may have been interested in before coming to college. In making the transition to college I would have advised myself to visit the campus before moving on campus, and get to know my first dorm roomate before move in day.

Dear Allison, I know you're stressed with all of the decisions you have to make in the near future, but please don't worry. You'll make the best decision of your life in choosing to attend SIUC. You'll end up joining the marching band, although you've had your doubts. The lifelong friends you'll make, however, is worth the time commitment. I know you're also worried about your college academics, but you've always been a determined student, and you won't let yourself down. Just remember, this is the time to take chances and go for your goals. You'll have doubts to whether accounting is right for you, so don't be afraid to explore other options. You've always been the girl who can figure it out herself - and I still admire that! However, don't forget to take time to relax! And during your sophomore year when the opportunity arises to go to Death Valley with your geology class, don't hesitate! It will be the best decision you've made in college yet, and an experience you'll never forget! With much love, Your future self, Allison

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get out of the room more. Socialize with the people on your floor. Not only will you make friends and have fun through the school year, but you?ll also get better grades and make the Dean?s list as well by having a GPA of above 3.5. Sign up for some classes that others are already in on your floor so you can participate in study groups, share notes and have some discussions in order to attain higher grades. By doing this your first year at college won?t be as stressed and you won?t be left all by yourself you?ll have more friends which makes for a better academic experience.

If I can go back in time and give myself advice about college, the biggest advice I will tell is to keep working hard in school because it will pay off in the long run. Also get a part time job because sometimes financial aid is not enough and books costs. Also don?t bring too much to your dorm rooms because over time in school you?re going to buy and collect a lot. Another big piece of advice , learn how to plan, this way you can know what you have to do and what?s not really important. By doing that you want be stressed out when trying to complete work, have plan "B". Also it's good to learn about the school and its resource so when you arrive you can know where to go for help. When you come to school try to get involved in programs and clubs because in the long run they can be a big help to you when you need something, it?s good for networking. Lastly, stress is a lot and it can create health problems, don?t work too hard that you get sick, it?s okay to relax.