Valparaiso University Top Questions

If I went back in time and knew what I know now, I would advise myself not to room with my current roomate. I would advise myself to hold off on taking spanish first semester because it's clear I needed time to brush up. The most important thing I would advise is to enjoy the time I have before I start college, and sign loans, and pack away my childhood to start my young adulthood. College has been a great experience so far, and I have high hopes that it will only get better. I will cling to these next 3 1/2 years because my time will be up soon, and I will start a whole new journey in life.

I actually never made it to my senior year in High School. If I could go back to my sophmore year, I would tell myself that even though I was a young mother, I could finish High School with honors and get into a very nice college.

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and get a job. I am constantly worried about my expenses and whether or not I will be able to pay everything off.

This time of the year (early October) I have found myself thinking a lot about where I was just a year ago. I was frantically trying to fit myself into a hundred different scenarios at all of the top tier schools in the country. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that everything really does work out. In the end, it does not matter the "brand name" of your school, it matters if your school gets you. Yes, a lot of college is what you make it, but in the end you want a school that understands you as a student and offers opportunities for bettering yourself intellectually and as a global citizen. Well, it turns out that that's what colleges are all about! They have to "get" you AND your polar opposite that lives accross the hall. I like to tell my friends in the throws of the application process that although it may seem impersonal now, colleges devote massive amounts of time and energy into understanding you as a person, not just as a student. Remember that when you are accepted you really are more than a common app ID number.

After living the college life for just three semesters, there is endless advice I would give myself as a high school senior if I could go back in time. However, my advice could be categorized into two key aspects; organization and setting goals. Adjusting to college life would not have been possible for me if not for careful planning. The key to managing any busy schedule is organization. The same concept applies to college and everything that comes along with it. I would tell myself that I would be faced with countless assignments, events, social gatherings, and numerous other obligations that all require time and effort. Organization is a powerful tool to ensure that every requirement is appropriately dealt with. However, organization is redundant if there is a lack of direction and purpose. Goal setting illustrates exactly what should be accomplished by a set time. Goals need organization in order to be executed properly, and organization depends on goals to produce a map to success. Setting goals and committing to organization are co-dependent upon each other.The transition to college life can be challenging, but with the right step forward, it can be an extremely successful experience.

If I went back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to allow worrying and stress to hinder my actions. Even when a choice seems impossible, such as choosing a college, I've realized that everything always seems to work out alright. No matter where you go to school you will have likes and dislikes. The challenge is to not let such petty things and worries inhibit you from making your college experience your own. Stressing and worrying only impede your ability to perform, and often times make you less productive. However, if you are not overcome by stress and worry, you can actively pursue a solution to your problems, and ultimately become a better person from it.

My college experience has helped me gain independence and the interpersonal communication skills necessary to be successful in my career. College not only teaches you the academic knowledge necessary to flourish, but helps you become a well rounded individual who is able to make connections between multiple disciplines and analyze varying situations. In today’s ever changing world it is even more crucial to be able to take meaning for everything you learn and apply that knowledge to situations as they arise. College has helped me be flexible in my career, and see many areas where my expertise can be useful for the betterment of a project. I feel strongly that education will help me further my career by giving me options for advancement. With knowledge comes opportunity, which is why I am pursuing my masters degree to progress my career. An advanced degree will enable me to have an even broader depth of knowledge with which to draw upon. College is vital to survival in a competitive market and will prove one of the most valuable assets I possess

The first thing I have gotten out of my college experience was learning that it is sometimes quite difficult to discover what you want for your life. When I first came to Valparaiso University as a freshman, I thought I desired to become a civil engineer one day; however, that turned out not to be the case at all several semesters down the road when I happily decided to change to my current majors of Mathematics and Chinese Japanese Studies. I learned that sometimes you have to dig deeper within yourself in order to answer the big questions of who you are and what you want from your life. The one, other big thing I learned from my college experience thus far is that I have to work extremely hard when pursuing the things I desire for the future. For example, I had to file and work through a ton of paperwork in order to obtain the chance to study abroad in Japan this Spring semester. However, that patience and determination to get all of that completed allowed me the rare opportunity to do just that. These lessons and others that I have learned make my college experience worthwhile.

By attending my 2 year community college I have experience some of the best professors, who are loving and caring and also who wants to see their students succeed in the future. I always thought it would be different from a university because we don't have as many sports as a university but yet we still have different organizations for students to understand others and also become as one. Eventhough, I couldn't afford to go to the university of my dreams I knew I had to continue my education for my family and I. So I just have to thank Guilford Community College for working with me and letting me know no matter what I go through I can and will better my future. No matter how hard I may still struggle to pay my tutition I'm going to still press hard to finish my education. This college experience have been the best decision for me so far, letting me be able to explore life but not letting me forget what I want in life and what I will do to make sure my future and goals are met. So never judge a book by its cover.

Before I ever stepped foot on to a College campus, I was repeatedly told that this experience will be the best experience you will ever have. Of course, myself being 19 years of age thought they had no idea what they were talking about. Now I sit here about to embark on another adventure into Graduate school. It makes me look back and say they were right. I thought they meant that it was all about the education but now I see they mean the whole experience. The education, friends, activities, and fun. They mold you into who you are today. I thank Valparaiso University for everything they have given me. Not just for the amazing education but for all the cultural experiences, professors, and friends that I have now. It was the best 4 years of my life and I would do it all over again if I had the chance. It is not all about the education for a school. It is what they offer in activities and faculty that truly make this an amazing adventure for you to learn who you truly are. That is what they gave me and I thank them.