University of Idaho Top Questions

Take general courses that are required to graduate! In the beginning I started by taking courses I thought would be "fun" and it has taken me a long time to graduate. I have over 100 credits and still have a year left before graduation! I would tell the student to take it slowly at first as far as credits. There are myriad of adjustments to make beyond high school such as learning to live on your own and with roommates. There are bills to pay, parties to attend, friends to make and so many more lessons. Learning to balance all of these new experiences while also keeping up with your coursework takes the work of a true circus master! Personally, I would tell myself to keep going no matter what. I got pregnant after my second year of college and dropped out. I thought I wouldn't have been able to do it. I could have made it work. Instead I am now in my mid-thirties with three children working hard to earn my degree. Don't ever give up! Next spring I will finally graduate and become a high school history teacher. Never stop learning!

Dear high school self, I am writing to inform you about what is coming in the your future. It is not going to happen as you expect; going from high school graduation, to that summer job at camp, and to college at Rocky Mountain College. I am afraid to say you will be diagnosed with leukemia before you graduate high school. The cancer will get bad enough that you will have to put college on the back burner and move away from home for several months to receive treatment. Do not worry, you will get through the treatment and begin taking college classes online. Unfortunately the college you originally plan to attend will not have online classes. This means you will move your focus to the University of Idaho. After that year you will take classes from several local colleges and transfer the credits to U of I. It will not be easy. You will still have medical things happening and this will make you feel out of place, but it does get better. You may even attend Rocky Mountain College after all. Sincerely, future self

I would advise myself to stay in state and go to Eastern Washington University or Washington State University, because it would have been cheaper. I would advise myself to have gotten my FAFSA done right away and got more involved with national meit societies. I definitely would have taken the SAT again, and applied early for financial aid for the University of Alaska. I would not have played soccer, but ran track and field, because I had a sprinting talent. I would have done my best in wrestling, and I would have went to the doctor during the cross country season and healed properly, instead of trying to run on a broken ankle and losing my varsity spot. I would have never eaten school lunch, and perhaps became more involved with leadership classes. The last advice would be to enjoy the last year of childhood, because it will end and never come back.

My college experience is different from most, because not only did my father pass away my sophomore year, but my uncle and two grandparents also passed away all in the same year. Therefore, my advise would be to keep in touch with everyone, even though you have moved away. Academics and social life are both very important in college success, but you can not forget about other important aspacts of your life. College is where you grow and change into a mature adult; however, do not forget what you stand for and that life is not all about your future career. The transition from high school to college was an easy transition for me, because I had my father to talk to about everything. The transition after losing him was not so easy, but I have been doing better academically and all around as a whole now. I not only focus on my academics, but also my social life, spirtuality, hobbies, keep in touch with old friends and family, etc.. Overall not only have I grown an incredible amount academically, but also have grown in so many other ways that have formed the strong, driven woman that I am today.

If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self anything, it would definitely be to study regularly for science classes. I would tell myself to not be afraid to ask questions during class, and to get a routine down as soon as possible once college started. I would tell myself that studying at home is a bad idea because of distractions, and instead I should study at the library. I would also tell myself to not be afraid of trying to make friends. Everyone is new. Everyone wants to find a good group of friends. Most people are very friendly and willing to give you a chance.

Cassie, relax. Don't burn yourself out by doing the most work you think you can possibly do. College is more than just work; it is learning to balance your life. Soon you will have to balance school and clubs with being a good wife and mother. The college world can be quite tough and you may want to quit so you’ll have more time with your family but when you reflect on their future you’ll want to be able to provide for them and give them stability. The classes you take are important but the experience you gain is what your future will rely on. In college you may be one of five hundred students. The small classrooms you thrived in won’t always be an option but you can build that atmosphere if you choose. It will take effort, but the relationships you make now can help you find your future career. Take my advice and smile more, learn to be a leader, and have confidence in yourself. Most importantly, find your passion and do it because it’s what you want to do not because it’s what you think is expected of you.

My advice to myself would be to make sure to have enough money to go to college. It is better to know that the fees are paid for that year. Have a back-up plan if you cannot attend the next semester and do not freak out if that happens. That will be one of the worries off the list, also you will be more focus on your classes. Slow down on growing up to fast, there is all the time in the world to enjoy life to its fullest. Get in habit of having first your assignments done then go off with your friends. If knowing you have a week to do an assignment, finish it early. That way you have more time for other big assignments or enjoy a time off school. Show up to study groups, even if you do not need to at times. But socializing is not bad, also you get a review of the material. Also get good night sleep, the next morning will be a breeze and it won’t be stressful. Remember to eat well too, having a healthy body and mind keeps you focus. One last thing, breathe.

Knowing what I know now and assuming I had the ability to visit with my high school senior self, I would tell her to not be afraid. I would tell her that leaving the only home she has known to go to school ten hours away in a town she had never been to would be scary, but only for a short time. I would tell her she would enjoy college more than any day in high school, that she would take classes that she really would have an interest in, that she would learn and experience more than she had ever imagined. I would tell her that it would be ok to talk, get to know, and make new friends with new people, that others would accept and love her like others couldn’t before. I would tell her to try new and frightening things, that she would learn to run a sheep farm while her manager had surgery and that she would even learn how to handle large birds of prey such as hawks, owls, and eagles by volunteering at a club for a separate college nearby. I would tell her she will finally love being me.

I would have told myself to join the Army right out of high school instead of waiting until I wasted thousands of dollars, countless hours, and eventually dropped out of college. The Army made me grow up, and instilled in me the values and tools that I am using now to succeed in college. In addition to that, the benefits were great, and I have made friends all over the world that I consider my family. Being 18 does not mean you know what to do with the rest of your life, nor does being a legal adult mean that you are mature enough to make those kinds of major decisions. The Army was a blessing because it helped me determine my course of study. Oh, yeah, and I would have told myself to dump the boyfriend; he would only break my heart!

I would go back and tell myself to be more prepared for classes. I did not think that classes would be much different, but you have to dedicate yourself and put in time after the class. I would go back and tell myself to be more responsible because the teachers do not care if you turn something in or not. I would have told myself to complete every assignment and when I get the chance to do extra credit that i need to take that opportunity. When a teacher gives you an opportunity to excel you need to take that opportunity. One more thing i would have told myself is that i need to be more involved with the university and more involved in clubs. I would have told myself to get out there and take every opportunity that is given to excel in life.