Western Oregon University Top Questions

Daniela, do not room with your best friend because you will end up hating each other. Most importantly, college is NOT like high school, you do the same academic work, but it is twice as hard. Also, make as many friends as you can, because you cannot make it through college alone. On the one hand, college can be an amazing experience, but only if you have friends to share that experience with you and when you use the resources that are offered to you. On the other hand college can be the worst nightmare you’ve ever had, only if you isolate yourself from the rest. In order for you to be a successful college student you have to bond with your professors, college mates, and most importantly participating in class discussion. One more thing, cramming is the worst thing a college student can do, so please learn to manage your time.

The advice I would give myself is to be open to any career path and do not be afraid to try new things. It really helps to join a club because it is an easy way to make friends that have the same interests as you. Especially for the first year of school. Also for the first two months of school you do not want to go home even if things start to get rough because the first couple of months of college is very crucial. Staying on campus will provide you with a good support group. It also allows one to be less dependent on one's family and more independent. The first year away from home can either make you or break you, it just depends on how you react to certain situations, so positivity is the key. Keep motivating yourself and stay focused on the goal ahead and if you happen to fall behind in a class always go and talk to your professor. This shows the professor that you are taking initiative and trying to fix the problem. Use your resources as much as possible because it really helps keep your grades up. Good luck!

Dont wait to start college it isnt as scary as you think.

I would have told myself to be social. I am not the most social person and I don't make friends very easily. I would have told myself that it is okay to go outside my comfort zone, and it will usually lead to good things. Don't get into the habit of staying in your room all the time, it's very antisocial. Study! It's not as easy as high school and I actually had to start studying when I got here.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college, I would tell myself that it's okay to go talk to your professors when you don't understand. In high school it was so easy for me to do that, but my first term, I was too scared to, but when I started to go see my professor it made everything so much easier, and the professors love when you see them. Plus if you see them, they'll remember you, and it can help boost your grade. Another thing I would tell myself is that you grow a lot in college and you won't stay friends with the people you were in high school. In fact, you hardly talk to them. Maybe you'll keep in touch with a couple, but you make so many more friends at your new school, but it's not a bad thing to make friends so don't feel bad! If they're your true friends, they'll always be around, and they should encourage you to make new friends. The new friendships you make could easily be your best friend that you'll have forever.

The first and most obvious thing I have learned is knowledge. Pure knowledge that I have aquired through the classroom. I can really get engaged in the classes here and the teachers are really there to help. Another thing I have learned is to be myself. No one is me, and should happy about that. I have so many more peers here then I did in my high school that I realized no one cares if I'm short, or not the best at this or that. I can be me, and that's a learning process right there.

Out of my college experience I've learned what I don't want to do with my life, and that's live how anyone else expects me to. I chose my original major and school based off my familys expectations, and after some time I've come to realize what genuinely interests me regardless of what I'm 'supposed' to do. Without my previous school experience, and realizing how unfulfilling it was, I was able to examine my priorities and now am planning to pursue an education that fully benefits my life and the life I hope to live. An education should enlighten your mind to new possiblities, not place your thoughts in a box you can't escape from.

There are many people today that live a life of mediocrity. In life there is not a more selfish thing that a person could do than to live a life of mediocrity. With an education people can gain the skills to change the world one person at a time. Let’s use an interpreter for an example. An interpreter has to go through school and become certified and all of that requires time and money but every day they are able to wake up and help break down the walls imposed by different languages and cultures. They are able to serve and help people live their lives the best that they can. None of that would be possible for the interpreter if they hadn’t taken the time and money to break out of the mindset of mediocrity and push to achieve more. In college there is so much that can be learned not just from an educational stand point but from a personal too. From attending college I have learned that there is more to life than just me and my goals. Attending college has brought awareness to mediocrity and how selfish it is.

I have gotten so much more than just academics here at WOU. The diverse background of instructiors as well as students have given me such a better understanding of our world now. Even though I did not agree with some of their views, it was really important to see what those views were and or why they thought that way. It really has blessed me in becoming a better person in this world! My education here at WOU as been nothing short of incredible! I'm very lucky to live here in the United States and be able to attend this school has given me so much more hope for this world. I can't wait for each day to see what I can learn next!

My college experience more than anything taught me the discipline of being organized and timely. I was a full time student and worked three part time jobs to pay my way through school. I was forced to be organized in all aspects of my life bacuase I was so limited in time. I got good at utilizing my down times and getting things done adhead of schedule. This has benifited me in my career, because not many people stay on top of their responsibilities. It gave me an edge over the competition in my field, simply because I was timely and respectful of others time as well.