Valparaiso University Top Questions

My college experience has taught me many things about myself and about the future me I will become. I am having the time of my life and I am very involved here on campus. Nothing will ever replace my times here. Going to college is valuable for more than just an education. You really grow as a person and learn so much about yourself you never know you could. You also learn skills on how to better associate with other people and how to act professionally. I have learned so much in my freshman year alone that I can only imagine what else I will learn in my college experience. Nothing will ever replace the things I learn here or the times I share with everyone around me. The relationships made in college stick with you for the rest of your life and the education is looked at strongly. If I had not gone to college, I would be so limited as to what I could do with my life and I would not have learned how to be with others or be an independent individual.

The transition to my college life was not an easy task. Nevertheless, I did confront it knowing that this transition was for my own good. I have always known that college is my to becoming successful in life. There are hardly any well paying jobs in todays society where only a high school diploma is accepted. Yet, this was my first time moving away from my home in order to live in a completly different environment with a different group of people. Now that I look back to when I started this journey, I realize the mistake I made. Thus, if I were to return to my senior year in high school, the advice I would give myself is to relax and not be afraid of change.

I would tell myself to not be so afraid. The transition was relatively smooth for me and I fit in well here at Valparaiso. However, I would tell myself not to be afraid to try to make friends and talk to more people. I did not really have too much trouble making friends, but I do not really talk to anyone outside of that group. While this is not too much of a problem for me given my personality, I feel I could be having a better time if I knew more people as friends. Also, I would tell myself to get involved more in campus activities. This is a good way to get key life experience and is something I feel I have not done well thus far in my college life.

I would tell myself to keep having fun and not worry so much about what other people think about you. In high school I was involved in every possible activity, and I was constantly trying to please people. When searching for a college to attend, I was trying to find one that pleased both my parents and myself. Luckly, the one I chose happened to be perfect for both of us. To return to my point of constantly trying to please people, I would tell my past self that it doesn't matter how my senior prom looks because after it is done, it will be in the past and it won't matter anymore. That is true about everything that I tried to make perfect. Also, I would inform myself that at college people don't care about who you were friends with in high school or how involved you were. I know this sounds cliche, but it is true, and it won't make sense until you actually experience it. The main point of my talk would be to just have fun and enjoy all my high school friends.

I would tell myself as a high school senior to be prepared to study hard and learn more in the next two years than you could possibly imagine. The amount of growth you experience within your first year in a nursing program is tremendous. Ivy Tech Community College will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Look into the vocational that allows you to take college courses while in college or just take night class or courses on the weekends, this would definitely help jump start your freshman year of college as well as taking less time to get into the nurisng program. Don't be surprised that you will be one of the youngest people in the nursing program, it is a compliment, and you worked hard to get there. Don't be afraid to believe in yourself, you will be a competent nurse, and Ivy Tech Community College will make sure of that.

Get involved in clubs and activities right away. It's a great way to meet people. Take advantage of every academic and extracurricular opportunity to enhance your resume and/or build your portfolio. Don't be afraid to ask your professors questions or make an appointment to see them. Never miss a class. Participate in class. Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities.

Kathleen, looking back on my life as a high school senior I would have always thought it was so hard just to graduate and move on in life. After graduating I have come to relize that my thoughts were right trying to finish high school was a struggle but I have succeeded and proven everyone wrong. I have graduated early and i have accomplished my high school goals. Now as i enter the real world where "who you hung out with or what high school team you were on" does not matter , what matters now is Where are you going in life?, What are you going to do?, Have you applied to colleges yet?. My advice would be "Do what you are passionate about", do not listen to other in telling you what do. It is your life and you are the one that has to live with your occupation and deal with the choices you make and learn from your mistakes as they come at you. Also i would tell myself that the would is at my finger tips and i have my whole life a head of me to figure out what is right for me to do

I would tell myself that college does not come easy. It requires hours of hard work and dedication in order to be successful.

The first thing I would do different starts at the very beginning, before even choosing a college or university and completing the extensive application process. Now that I am fully aware of how much of an effect SAT and ACT scores have on one's qualification for certain universities, I would definitely try my absolute hardest to get a good score and not brush off the exam as if it were insignificant. I would have also started looking into universities my junior year of high school so that I would be aware of the aplication deadlines and the requirements needed in order to be accepted into my prefered school. I found myself completing everything last minute when I was applying for college, so that is also something I would encourage prospective college students to do. Stay on top of your applications, deadlines, and scholarship information so that you are the one choosing the University you want to attend, not just winding up "stuck" at one.

One of the first things that I would tell myself would be to break out of my shell early. College is a place to define yourself. You should become more open and outspoken. No more sitting aside and being a wallflower. I would tell myself to be talkative and outgoing early in college rather than waiting towards the end. Another bit of advice that I would tell myself would be to keep working hard and not slacking off. There are a lot of distractions in college that weren't around in high school and one needs to learn to keep them in check. As the tough classes start to come during sophomore year, you need to stay focused and keep your grades up. There is always time for fun, but only when work is done. The most important thing that I would tell myself would be to join Phi Kappa Psi. It was one of the best decisions in my life because I've made so many friends that I will keep forever. These friends will become a great group to help support you throughout college and even after. Phi Psi will give you the best memories of your life.