Current Scholar Information.

Current Scholars' advice for incoming freshmen:
What you need to know before you go!

"Be prepared to make a major transition! Wherever you go, your studies have to come first, but, especially if you go far away from home your new friends will be your biggest support system. Freshman year is all about adjustment, so don't freak out!"

"As a freshmen 4 years of college seems forever, but it goes by so quick. Just remember to take the time to enjoy the experience. Believe me, you will never forget it."

"My name is Ashley Tsosie-Mahieu and I am a member of the Navajo Nation. I am currently attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but I spent my first year of college at the University of Arizona in Tucson. My advice to incoming freshman is to make friends with people in your classes! It will be VERY beneficial for those days you sleep-in or are sick, etc. Also, don't be afraid to make friends with your professors or TAs. They are usually friendly people and they are very helpful."

"LEARN TO HAVE GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT!!!"

"I think the most important thing to know is that you will adjust. At first, things seem to be changing so fast that it seems impossible to get use to them. It may be slow or overnight, but it does happen."

"Before coming to college you need to know that things are going to be different and you need to keep an open mind about every situation and everyone."

"Learn to love learning on your own, then you will find it a joy and a blessing to be learning at college."

"The transition from high school to college should be one of excitement and great joy. As a junior at the University of Oklahoma, I can tell you a couple of things to expect that are quite different from the high school setting. The first major difference you will probably notice in the college setting is a greater diversity of students whether it be by race, ethnicity, religion, age, etc. In high schools, it is common for the student body to divide into small niches that carry labels like jocks, druggies, Goths, nerds, etc. College is a time where you not only excel academically, but also learn to liberate your mind from yourself to build a diverse network of friends that defines the college community. The second thing you will notice in the university setting is the great amount of free time and freedom granted to the student. Often students will be in class around fifteen hours a week, which is significantly less than in high school. With greater amount of free time and freedom, it is easy to get off track and go wild. Just remember to be disciplined by keeping up with your studies everyday, and there will be plenty of time to socialize and have fun. I hope your college experience is a good one and I wish all of you success in the future."

"College is a challenge and deep commitment with insurmountable experiences. When you decide on pursuing your education at the college or university of your choice, visit and get to know people so that you'll be more confident in the place you'll grow up in for 4 years. Find out about all the resources in the area (i.e. bus, coffee shop and even Wal-Mart). Be open minded to the other majors they offer, you never know they might be a second major or minor. Join organizations because in the long run community events and occasions are helpful in healing the homesickness and cultural shock. Take time out to find the different bookstores in the area so that you could save as much money as possible. If you have a cell phone, store the campus security, a dean and a reliable friend. Remember to request for an absentee ballot EARLY (1 month). Never underestimate your abilities and character as a student and never forget your reason for being in higher education. Overall have fun and make memories."

"There are a few simple ideas you need to know before leaving for college. First, college is based on a more flexible schedule, meaning students do not spend their days in a continuous six hour day in classes like high school. Some days, a student may just have one class or even no classes scheduled. Unlike high school, college is more of a democratic environment, where most universities have no dress codes, teachers actually respect the students and their cognitive reasoning, and showing up to class lies in the hands of the student, not the professor. As far as fashion goes in college, anything contemporary is in; however, do not wear shirts with previous high school affiliations around campus. College is a stage of life, so obliterate everything from high school and unify with the college body by wearing clothing with colors and mascots that represent the university. College is a relatively easy transition from high school. Within a month, many new students fabricate networks of friends, making college much more adaptable. Look at college as an opportunity to achieve and as a positive component of life, and you will succeed."

"College is the best idea I have ever had. It has changed my life in many different ways, which are all for the better."

"I would advise everyone not to get discouraged if they changed their career choice several times. It is a common thing in college to change career choices and it is not an indication of being unstable, but growing up."

"Success in college and in life takes determination, dedication and desire! It's worth the work!"

"Before college, you need to know how to be open minded and understand that college is a whole new ballgame. You will be competing with people of a different caliber than before. Do not be discouraged if you do not perform as you have in high school, just learn how to adapt and work really hard to achieve how you wish."

"You can never have too many contacts! Be polite to everyone ... no matter what! It'll pay off. Make as many friends as you can."

"Remember to balance your time between class work and extracurricular activities."

"College is completely different than high school. You spend less time in class, but you have to study a lot more! You have to take care of yourself and be responsible for yourself. You get less personal attention from professors and they do not remind you of long term assignments. You have a lot more free time, but you will need to use it wisely."

"Be aware that things will be very different from high school and that you will experience hard times at college. Freedom and independence are wonderful new things, but you must remember how hard you worked to get to college and realize that work will only increase. Remember to have fun, study hard and always remember where you came from be it the reservation, inner city, trust land, or the bingo hall. Stay strong and good luck!"

"The most important thing you need to have is drive, a drive to succeed, to learn and to grow."

"Be confident and open to new things. College is about experience and learning. Have fun and work hard!"

"You need to be prepared to study, study, study for every class you take in college."

"Flexibility and communication is very important as your expectations of school may be different than what you originally expected. Always keep communications open with school faculty and family as they are both there to see that you succeed in your goals."

"What you need to know before you go to college: Well the top five things I feel you should know before going to college is save your pennies because you never know when you'll need it to put in gas or get something to eat. Buying an umbrella early is always good to do because you never know when it will rain; the weather channel is not always 100% true. When it comes time for finals... RELAX and just buy some M&M's to get through the week of exams and writing papers. When writing papers save it on your hard drive and send it to your email because the feeling of almost completing a paper is great but if it does not save it's ok to scream, just breathe and get in the habit of saving your work after every paragraph. Lastly, be open when you meet knew people because having an open mind and personality will benefit you when it comes down to having a study partner. :0)"

"You have a lot more freedom than you did in high school, so just remember that the purpose of being at college is to get a good education!"

"While in college meeting people and having new experiences is important, but also remember to work hard and not to forget your family, community and Tribe because they are your support when you need them."

"Your education is your own responsibility. The most important thing that I wouldn't have thought meant very much was to attend class. It's not like high school; in college when you miss more than a certain amount of days listed for each class then it starts to take away a letter grade every absence thereafter. If you attend class regularly you will at least pass, but your education is your own responsibility."

"Conduct yourself as if your parents or guardians are physically there with you during your educational career because that might be the only way you get things done!"

"Take as many college credit classes as you can before you start going to college. It helps take the load off when you do start college."

"It's not as scary as it seems, everyone else around you is feeling the same way, too."

Thomasina G. Blackwater
Navajo
University of Arizona

"What you need to know before you go to college: Look into programs that will help you focus and make that transition from high school into college."

Trisha Samuels
Spokane
Whitworth College

"Something you need to know before entering college is that you are not only there to further your education but to also make life long memories. Take a study break and go make new friends."