Western Michigan University Top Questions

Make sure you fill the boxes you're bringing on move in day all of the way full. The less boxes the better. Be honest on the survey if you're going in blind (roommate). Always make school your first priority, you're paying a lot of money to be here. Make the most of it and learn everything you can. These are going to be the best of years of your life. Have fun but be smart.

Going back to my senior year in high school, I would have done many things different that would alter my life choices. I would of gave myself advice to apply to more colleges, research about them, and visit all the ones I was interested in. I had a very hard time adjusting to college because I dont drink and I believe if I would have chose a smaller college or started out with a community college I could of been more comfortable. Westerns nickname is Wastern and that is a big red flag that students should know about before attending. I am most likely going to transfer schools because I am very unhappy at Western and I dont want my unhappiness to affect my education.

Speak up and learn to communicate better at a young age, being shy won't get you anywhere. Join local activities to meet people and become more social. Grades are a big part of school, but meeting people and socializing are also really important. Once you get out in the real world it's going to be more about who you know rather than what you've done in school. Besides opening up, I would tell myself to stay the same person. People change, but the person that I am now is the person that I definitely wanted to grow up to be. I am proud of my ability to stand outside of a crowd rather than following one and I wouldn't want to be any other way.

The advice I would give myself is to make the most of time. I would take the time to be able to work my schedule to where I can do homework and hobbies without stressing out. I would spread my schedule where I am able to take the class that advances me instead of classes that are just fillers. I would take advantage of the services that are provided instead of waiting until it is the last minutes and I am running out of options.

Although it may sound cheesy, every freshman should attend an orientation session, which are offered year round. Freshman should be aware of dorm room policies and procedures, as well as, student conduct codes, which are the bylaws of the university which describe academic policies, what is expected as far as student conduct. WHAT TO BRING FOR ORIENTATION Orientation registration confirmation and parking pass Your Bronco-Net ID and Password (remember your new password if you changed it) If you have taken the ACT/SAT multiple times, please bring a student copy of these records. Comfortable shoes (you will be walking a lot) Overnight personal items Pillow and blanket A change of comfortable clothes (remember to dress for the weather) An alarm clock - no wake-up service is available A fan - to help you stay cool during the summer nights A few pocket sized snacks - in case you get hungry between meals A lot of energy and Bronco Pride

During my senior year of high school, I was going to my community college full-time and did not spend nearly enough time researching schools, scholarship opportunities, and the actual program I was looking into. I decided based on a small hobby that I wanted to go into Audio Production. Unfortunately, I did not realize that the school I was looking at made the program more artsy than technical and that there were other schools that would have allowed me to finish that program much sooner. Also, I visited a school that had 48,000 students and automatically assumed I wanted a school with only 3,000. After attending a small Christian school for about a month, I realized I was not happy with the program or school or living in dorms. As a Christian, the experience was definitely worth it and impacted my life greatly, so if I could go back, I would not just tell myself to skip right to Western, but I would advise myself to set aside a lot more time to figure out exactly what I wanted in a college, a specific program, and the living/social arrangements.

As an international student, I have experienced several educational systems. Most of our High School courses, especially the science courses, are considered Advanced placement courses in the United States. But due to the difference in the educational system, they are not recognized. If I had known, I would have taken the A-Level examination in addition to the SAT and SAT II since it is internationally recognized and would have prevented me from repeating certain courses. Make more friends that you can trust, they can be a source of joy during down moments. There is one thing I would never change; living on-campus during high school. Living on campus during high school was exactly the preparation I needed for college. I don't suffer from homesickness as I used to in high school. It also taught me to live independently, form good study habits and use resources wisely. For anyone out there, If you ever have the oppportunity to live away from home during high school, try it. It makes the college transition much easier.

College is a good way to become someone better in your life. Witout collage their is a high possibility that you will be working a minimum wage job. One of the best ways to get through college is to plan ahead. The easiest way to finish college fast and with no inturuptions is by being safe and not having any children while ur in college and if you want to get married make sure its when you graduate from College and when you have a steady paying job that you know can pay for a child and for yourself. Never trust anyone outside of your home with getting you to school on time because you never know when that person is not going to show up or be their on time. The only one you can trust to move you in the right direction is yourself. Please make sure to plan ahead and to not let any little bump get in the way of you and your future.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have a lot of advice to give. Most importantly, I would tell myself to study, study, study. In college, that is a must. I would also tell myself to do your homework. In college, your professors dont check to see if you come to class every day. They dont check to see if you've done your homework every night. You have to be independent. You eithere do it or you dont. There are no make-ups and you cant just get away with turning work in the next day. When it's due, it's due. Also, good advice would be to get to know people on campus. Join as many organizations as you can handle and make new friends. And most importantly, I would advise myself to take advantage of the student resourses on campus. Speak to your advisor, go to the library, computer labs, writing centers, etc. They are there just for the students and they are a huge help. The college transition is a lot easier when you dont have to go into it blinded.

If I were to go back in time and talk to my self as a highschool senior, I would stress the importance of dedication. Whether you show dedication at work, in your community or academics, this is necessary for success. I would tell myself never to be discouraged when things appear to not be working in my favor and that success is not easily earned. The importance of hard work, perseverance, patience and commitment will grant you achievement.