Tips from previous KAP Seniors about college, careers and life after high school

Transitioning from high school to life after high school is a JOURNEY. Life as you know it changes all around you and so many emotions come along with it! From collection applications, to graduation day, to your last summer before you start college, further your education, or start your career – it is a lot to hold! While this time in your life is so exciting, we know it comes with a lot of challenges. Today we have 3 previous KAP seniors sharing a glimpse into their college experience providing you with their favorite tips and advice that helped them through this new life change!

Kayla

Class of 2020 | Sophomore at UW-Madison as a Kinesiology major and Athletic Healthcare certificate on the Pre-PT track!!

Do you have any tips for applying and selecting your college? Choose somewhere that feels like home! Everyone says it but it’s true! Also, don’t just pick somewhere for the name! Consider if they are strong in your particular program or major!

What did you bring to college that you cannot live without? Pictures of my family and friends 🙂

Do you have any dorms tips? (i.e socializing, cooking, packing) Knock on your neighbors dorms during welcome week! That’s how I met all my apartment roomies for this year! Also-BOX FANS! My dorm was pretty stuffy so just having some air movement and noise at night was nice! 

Do you have advice for dealing with homesickness? Homesickness is so real, but FaceTime is the best invention ever! I FaceTime at least two loved ones a day no joke and it helps with homesickness and missing family and friends so much!

What is something you wish you would’ve known as a freshman in college? To not stress about midterms so much! It’s just like tests from high school but with a scary name! 

Any other advice or words of encouragement for soon to be college students? Taking a walk with a friend when you’re stressed is underrated! I discovered this in the last few weeks last semester but it was honestly one of the best ways I found to cope with stress and I plan to use it so much more this semester

Jessica

Class of 2018 | Recent College Graduate from Belmont University & recently retired college athlete!

Do you have any tips for applying and selecting your college? When touring campuses, ask yourself “Is this university the one for me, even if I didn’t have ___?” That blank could be sports, sorority intention, location, etc. Go somewhere you don’t need any extra factors to still say yes!

What did you bring to college that you cannot live without? A 10-ft charger! Such a simple luxury and beyond helpful when living in the dorms! 

Do you have any dorms tips? (i.e socializing, cooking, packing) If you have a meal plan, take advantage of the cafeteria! Be creative with your meals and enjoy people preparing meals for you while you can! 

Do you have advice for dealing with homesickness? Homesickness is so real and so hard. But continue to push yourself to embrace this new chapter, dive into your new friends, and know your family & hometown friends will always be there! The busier you keep yourself, the less homesick you’ll feel!

What is something you wish you would’ve known as a freshman in college? You are not expected to have anything figured out right now. This is a year of growth, maturity, and fun! Embrace every moment and don’t worry about the future just yet. 

Any other advice or words of encouragement for soon to be college students? Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Your professors want you to succeed, so don’t hesitate to email them or contact tutoring services when you need some extra help. Also, they tend to respect you as a student a little more when they realize you are a proactive communicator which is always a bonus!

Anika

Class of 2020 | Sophomore at University of Washington in Seattle as Neuroscience major!

Do you have any tips for applying and selecting your college? You will end up at the perfect college for you at some point! If it isn’t the one you originally choose, colleges make it really simple for you to transfer and get to the place that is best suited for you 🙂

What did you bring to college that you cannot live without? Airpods! For studying, riding the bus, or walking to class they are by far the thing i most valued on an everyday basis

Do you have any dorms tips? (i.e socializing, cooking, packing) Try to say yes to as many things as possible in your first few month! That’s how i made a bunch of great friends and found things that i really loved to do 🙂

Do you have advice for dealing with homesickness? As an out of state student across the country, i often felt homesick but a quick facetime and doing fun activities with friends helped to alleviate that feeling 🙂

What is something you wish you would’ve known as a freshman in college? Nobody else knows what they are doing either. Everyone is just winging it 

Any other advice or words of encouragement for soon to be college students? Don’t be too hard on yourselves!!