University of Southern Mississippi Top Questions

Listen high school self, college is harder than you think! Stop focusing so much on high school relationships and popularity. Do not alter your schedule in order to be in classes with your friends. Take the Honors and AP classes instead of settling for a remedial schedule. You need to start applying for scholarships now. Insead of going out and parting so much, study harder so you can pull up your GPA and those ACT scores. Oh yeah, give your english teacher a big hug; paying attention in her class actually pays off!

My advice to my high school self would be several things. First, God has a plan for your life and he is in control. Don't try to do everything your way, trust in him and he will guide you. Next, your friends and family will always be there for you, when you are down and life is beating you up turn to them and they can help guide you. Being yourself is the best thing you can be. You care for everyone around you and that is what makes you, you. Anyone that tells you that there is something wrong with that, they are wrong. Many people will try to drag you down with them but your faith, friends, family and love will be your guiding light. Finally, one day you will have a child and you will love that child with all of your heart. Set an example for her now and show her that love and determination will get you everything you will ever need. Money really doesn't buy happiness but true love is the greatest treasure in the world.

If I could back in time as a high school senior, I would have firmly agreed to attend University of Southern Mississippi in the Fall of 2007. This is a wonderful school that is full of spirit and caring professors. I would first advise myself to choose a roommate that likes to study at least part of the week. That has been my number 1 pet peive, roommates are crazy. I enjoy attending school and if I could go back in time, I would advise myself of saving money for rainy days. There are numerous shopping centers and restaurants to enjoy in the area. The last thing that I would advise myself of would be to worry about dating after college, it takes up too much of your time needed for homework. Money is a big issue and apartment life is not cheap so you must seek scholarship money like I am still doing in my senior year. Please pick me as your winner because I worked very hard to get where I am and have a bright future due to my college experience here at USM- GO Eagles Thanks Saydi

Thinking about it now, I would have told myself to wait a couple of years before attempting college. I attended a community college as soon as I graduated from a college-prep high school, and I simply was not ready for college life. My head was not focused on schooling, even though I had been preparing for college during my whole high school career. From the time I was a freshman in high school to my junior year, I maintained a 4.0, participated in many clubs, extracurriculars, and volunteer work. Then I lost my steam sometime during my senior year and got caught up in the freedom of being an "adult." I dropped out of college after one semester and tried to figure out what to do. Joining the army was what I decided to do. Since then, I have returned to school and am determined to graduate as a registered nurse. However, I want to note that I do not regret going to school the first time or stumbling through my first couple years of adulthood. I believe everything happens for a reason, that each life event a stepping stone to a fuller development of self.

In the little time that I have been in college, I have learned that I can be my own person. I do not need my parents' approval about everything that I do, and I do not need their opinions on every decision that I make. I have also learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to, with or without my friends' and family's encouragement.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. I have learned many new things, and made many new friends throughout my two years of college. It has been a valuable experience to me because I was always so shy in high school, and being in college has helped me come out of my shell and allowed me to open up, and it has also challenged my brain to help me learn and experience new things on the educational level.

I've taken many things so far from my college experience. The one thing that I have valued the most is time management. Before college I was always rushing to get places and get things done. I wasn't making enough time available to actually accomplish things I had set out to accomplish. I've have learned to plan enough time to prepare for future tasks or assignments, which helps me to focus on what I'm trying to do. This has also helped me be more organized in my day to day life and helps relieve some of the stress of being a student, and a working mother. Another thing I've valued from attending college is meeting new people and new personalities. I've learned to understand other people's cultures and life experiences. I then try to learn from them and possibly apply what they've learned to my own life. I'm glad I've been able to learn valuable things so far in my college experience and look forward to learning more.

I am grateful for every experience that I have gotten so far at The University of Southern Mississippi. This institution has allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds, other countries and people who have different views and opinions on life. Being from the same hometown where my University is located may not sound exciting but my college experience here is completely different from the experience of growing up in this city. In simply two years I have had countless experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life. From finding the right field of study for me to meeting fellow students who are interested in the same things I am and in other things has been wonderful. I couldn't have asked for more from my school (except maybe studying abroad, which I plan to do in the next two years since our school has amazing study abroad opportunities!)

So far, I have received my Associate's Degree in Health Information Management/Medical Billing and Coding. I have learned a lot, but am pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Systems/Management. I have enjoyed my college classes and am ready to be in the workforce, but believe that I would better serve my community with a Bachelor's Degree instead of just my Associate's Degree. I believe that it is valuable to attend because of the knowledge and help that I can share with my surrounding community. I believe that a well educated person, like myself, could help our small community and everybody would prosper from having a well run County Hospital.

If I had to choose one thing important that I received from my college experience that would have to be the knowledge of "myself." College was a time that I focused on who I was and who I wanted to become. This was a time that I answered questions such as: "Do I have the same religous views as my family?" "Am I really conservative or do I just say that I am because growing up in this area everyone was?" College was when I learned to take care of myself without the safety net of my family to help me. My degree was in music and though I may not have a career in music going to college gave me skills that I could have received no where else. I learned to communicate with people and be able to solve differences not through arguements, but through conversation. This was a time of "trial and error" where I was in a safe enough environment that if I failed then it was okay. That is how we discover who we really are; through "trial and error" and going to a school like this one allowed me to do just that.