Azusa Pacific University Top Questions

As a transfer student my first year at Azusa University has been great. I live on campus and experienced my first time living on my own. The apartments with other students gave the experience of true community and people of different races come together and support eachother as a huge family. The living areas gave me a chance to look at my own community back at home and how I can be a great neighbor and help bring my own community together. I love how the teachers and staff dont just show up and work, but they all have a huge heart in seeing each individual succeed in whatever the students dreams are. They are supportive and want more than to get us a degree, they want us each to exceed beyond college and a great career, but also to build leaders to go out and change the world. This was only my first semester and I feel like a different person, friends and family also say that I look different like I am a whole new person full of confidence with a glow on my face because of this school. Azusa is bulding me up to live my dreams.

I am currently in my first semester of college, so one might say I am less than qualified to comment on my "college experience" so far. However, I have to contest that it is we, the sometimes terrified and mostly overwhelmed, freshmen students, that truely grasp the value of attending college. Already, I see a change occuring in not only myself, but everyone around me. From puzzled looks in laundry rooms and introductory smiles to the shock and awe in fellow classmates as they realize they have made it out of their first exam alive,there is, I think, a bit of excitement in it all. An excitement that is attributed to the fact that, despite all the awkwardness and uncomfortability a student is exposed to freshmen year (or rather perhaps, because of it) , each student will undergo a drastic transformation that reveals a bit of who they truely are and may even give a sneak peak to who they will become. Let's face it, falling from the nest is a scary thing, but attending college is an amazing way to find your wings and learn to fly on your own.

Out of my college experience I have learned that it's important to build relationships and as much as college and going to college is about our education, another aspect that might or might not have been added is the atmosphere of the college life. It's important, but not necessary, to experience the college life with friends. It has been an amazing time while I've been here because it has taught me to stand on my own two feet.

My college experience , 30 years ago , gave to me my entire career. It facilitated my life in every way. I have been successful in my chosen profession; highly regarded by my peers in the profession for many years because of who I became (my nurse persona). I do not believe I would have acquired an equal education at any other college or university of that era. However, my education at APU did something else. It made me expect more from myself & from others in my field; a factor that does not leave me always feeling like the rest of the world is on the same page. At this stage of life now, & at my age, I am compelled to push myself to do more, to learn more, & to make a more meaningful impact on our society, which seems to have reached a turning point in so many ways. What happens in the next few years may have significant impact on the future of not only our humankind, but on this planet. That's why I have set my best intentions now upon completing graduate school & increasing my knowledge & ability to advance the profession in the direction it needs to move.

I've been at college for two months and even though it is a very short amount of time, I have learned a lot! I've learned that there is an amazing amount of young adults that are extremely passionate about Christ and living their lives through Him. From their example, I am wanting to become stronger in my faith. I have also learned that there is no time to waste in college. Every minute of the day you should be thinking of the next minute. Arranging what needs to be done. Procrastination is not an option in college! I've also realized that I am paying for my education so I have to take it to heart and seriously, so that my future is bright.

Over the past two years I have recieved an invaluable understanding of life, people, myself and the very issues that encircle us all. While sometimes I feel the finances are a significant burden, I am continually reminded of the value of my education in my day-to-day. I find I have become more aware of the world around me, I am able to eloquently discuss past and present events in areas such as politics, psychology, design and art. At the same time I have gained friends and a network of aquaintances that will last until the end of my life. These people, the experiences I have had, and the ideas I have learned, will remain with me. I am indebted to the school financially, but I feel I am indebted emotionally and mentally as well for I am a better person because of this fine institution.

APU gave me some of my best friends, my wife, and an excellent theological education that grounded me for my future pastoral career.

Many people go to college simply to further their education, acquire impressive credentials for their resume, or discover what it is they want to accomplish with the rest of their lives. I had a good bit of time between the end of high school and the beginning of college attendence where I was able to think a lot about my future career goals. Because of this, I started college with a much fuller knowledge of what I wanted to get out of college than most people. Instead of spending much of my time sampling different classes to discover where my passions and future career may lay, I've been able to specifically choose which classes I wanted to take to get me closer to fulfilling my dreams. I have found my so-far short college career to be very valuable in preparing me for the things which, I know, lie ahead of me. I have found college to be a great place for experimentation of ideas and formation of values. I have found college to be the fueling stop at which I must linger for a while before I can soar off to change the world.

Kevin you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Football is not going to be a career option for you in the future. Your ACL Ligament is not going to withstand the test of time. Ohhh more thing you should consider is applying for as many grants or scholarships as possible because if you rely on student loans to pay for your college thaere is a chance your out standing loans will end up in default status and you will have to pay them back. They federal student loans do not go away. They follow you where ever you go.

Although I am not currently a college student, yet, If I could go back and improve some things my senior year I would have studied twice as much and twice as hard. I would Have been much more responsible. I would have chosen my "friends" wisely. I would have made my education my priority in life. I would have followed in my own path without the influence of other poeples plans to fit my own. I would have applied to more than 1 school. I would have volunteered and been a part of more community service. I would have taken my actions much more seriously and always had school work ahead on every aspect of my life. I would have been more physically active. I would not have put others before myself. I would have tried to better communicate with my parents. I would have taken graduation much more seriously. Instead of being reserved I would have tried to stand out in a positive way. Lastly if I could go back in time I would, but I can't. And that is why I want to make the best of my college experience.

Football is not everything young man, and niether are girls, both of these will come and go. Your mind however is one thing that can never be taken away if you feed and take care with it. Knowledge is power; the more you collect, the greater you become and more secure you will be. Focus on the prize ahead of you, and ignore the distractions that life will certainly bring in front of you. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and know that you are going to fail, those opportunities will grant you the joy of increasing your faith. Seek the Lord, our God in all you do, and dont do what you like, Like what you do. The lord has put a blue print of life before you, it is called a bible, read it, know it, and believe it. Finally, in all that you do, know two things, no one can take your joy from you, you have to give it away willingly. Second, when you do find the woman you love, remember that a succesful marriage isnt finding the right person, it's being the right person. Take it from someone who knows, you.

High school senior year was fun, but difficult at the same time. A typical high school senior would be making the most of their last year, and also filling out college applications and battling senioritis. If I had the opportunity to go back in time and give myself some advice, I would use my experiences that I have gained while I was at college. I would tell myself to work harder and make better choices. I would not waste precious time. For example, choosing the right college would have been so much easier if I just listened to God. He was telling me specifically to attend the school that I?m attending now. The school kept sending me letters and gave me more time to decide whether I was going to attend in the fall or not. I was stubborn and wanted to receive acceptance from a prestigious school so I can make my family proud. Thankfully through God?s will, He gave me the amazing opportunity to attend a school that I can receive an education and to serve others as well. My school is a place that I can seek growth in myself in the next four years.

I would tell myself not to worry about living on my own; it?s not as hard as I think. You?ll meet a lot of nice fun people, but some of them aren?t what they seem. So watch your back. And college isn?t as scary as you think, even though you were home schooled your whole life, you?ll fit in just fine! Try the new things you?ve been wanting to do and don?t let people tell you that you can never accomplish what you?ve set your mind too. Knowing what you want in life is a good thing, but don?t look down on others because they don?t know what they want. If anything, help them find something they have a passion for and support them. You may find love in college, and its ok to take a chance on someone. Just make sure you listen to what your heart is telling you and act on that. Don?t lose sight of your goals along the way. Everything is going to be just fine and you know that, now believe it and in your self!

If I could go back in time, talk to myself as a high school senior, and advise myself about college life and making transitions, I would be very detailed with outlined notes, graphs, and pictorial diagrams. I would first inform myself of the learning style that I learn best from. I didn?t realize that I am a kinesthetic learner until my second attempt at college. That information would have helped make studying in high school a lot easier for me. I would tell myself to stock up on flash cards and colored pens and draw relevant diagrams and write important notes on the flashcards to help me learn the vast amount of knowledge that will be practically thrown at me when I get to college. I would also advise myself on finding ways to stay as stress free as possible and to remember to distress whenever I get overwhelmed. I would also advise myself not to relax too much because getting good grades in college is my Job and if I get a head start early on my career and life goals, I can be ahead of the game when I am in my twenties.

I would tell the younger version of myself that in your undergraduate years the most important things are personal and career development. It becomes increasingly more difficult to change directions in your career as you get older because responsibilities increase and time can become more scarce. As a child your vision of career opportunities are severely limited and you can never know how many opportunities are really out there. Take an inventory of who you are: what makes you who you are, what you were successful at that you were passionate about; not just what you were successful at that you didn't truly enjoy. When you get into college it is easy to limit yourself to the safe things, but it is possible that becoming a designer who is passionate about aesthetics, colors, and organization is the direction you should go because you used to organize and redesign your bedroom all the time as a child. Business may be the safe, broad option but it limits who you were meant to be. Pray for direction, take a personality test, research multiple career fields, inventory your life, and follow your true passion. Be who God created you to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself knowing about the 'college experience' I would tell myself to always stay focused and motivated in whatever area of study I was drawn too or interested in. Before making any decisions on my major of choice, I would tell myself to do adequate research on each area of interest, to ensure that I have proberly taken into consideration what my options and possible outcome of each major would be. I would also research job listings that I was interested in, to inquire about what the educational requirements would be for a particular job. Lastly, I would tell myself to take the adequite time needed to complete each class with a high grade.

That its okay to be scared and nervous but that everything will turn out in the end. Also to start saving for college! But mostly, to really enjoy the experiences of moving out of the house and living in a dorm, and getting to know the different people who attend the same college as me.

Be prepared and visit the school to be able to experience the whol college atmosphere. This will help with both the decision making on which college to go to as well as if you will be comfortable at that school later on. Being comfortable may have a lot to do with your desicion as well as determining which school is the right one for you. Living on campus is an entirely different experience than going away for a week from your family. It is entirely living on your own, which is an entirely new experience.

I realize that those who cling to high school experiences (e.g. popularity) do not do so well in university. High school is over. Get over it too. I would have spent more time reading classic works in high school and in my free time as well. Do really well on the SAT. Take it multiple times. Do a lot of community service. A LOT. Don't freak out about what you want to do with your life. You still have a lot of time. Most people change their majors in college anyways (and they often change their majors several times as well). Don't think that college is all freedom and fun. It's a lot of hard work. It is fun, and you do get a lot of freedom, but these will make it very easy to be distracted from the real reason of going to school: school.

I would warn myself about how difficult it is to be focus and determined in college, especially with the many distractions it brings with living on campus. I would stress how important it is to do well in the SAT's, and convince myself that it is easier now to put time into studying for that exam. Also I would persuade myself to think about what colleges will fit my needs and wants, as far as location, degree, program, teachers etc. I would reconcile with my bad attitude towards college and convince me that it is far better to look forward now and see how important it is to settle into college and not away from it. I would recommend counseling for how to deal with college requirements for mandatory courses. Finally, I would definately place confidence in acquiring Financial Aid early, and with my new higher SAT scores, I would recommend that I find a school willing to give me academic scholarships that would pay most of my way.

Here is a little advice I would give myself as an incoming college freshman: It can be intimidating to enter a new class full of people that look older than you, but there is nothing to be afraid of. Don't be afraid to speak up in class; ask questions and participate. It is great to hear what other students have to say, so go ahead and ask those thought provoking questions. Do not be ashamed of community college. Some students look down on themselves for not going straight to a prestigious 4-year university. Going to community college is a smart decision because you can save money, complete quality general education courses, and you can try out classes that interest you. I ended up changing my major while in community college. I love all of the arts (Fine art was my previous major), but I found that my true passion is music performance. I did not have to worry about "wasting money" on classes that were unrelated to my major, and I discovered by trial, the major I will pursue at a university. Lastly, have fun. Enjoy every bit of college. It is a privilege so treasure it!

Be yourself and work hard.

As important as a social life may seem, always remember to keep your homework and academics as a priority. I have seen too many students regetting their laziness as they come and go from the university because of academic failures. I have seen too many students who have done horribly academically, look at their friends who have stayed on track and been successful. It only makes them wish they had been as focused as those people as well. At the same time, I have seen the most academically successful students who have learned how to create time for a social life. Time management is extrememly important. If you use every opportunity you have to study and do homework while other people are busy with classes or homework as well, it is easy to know that you are not the only one out there that has work. Keeping this in mind, it makes your free time much more enjoyable and appreciated. This all comes down to time management and being productive whenever possible. Not only will you find that others are in the same boat as well, but you'll find a sense of maturity and accomplishment as well as success!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, I would have made a completely different decision. It turns out college isn't about going to the best school or the crazy parties, but college is a time to establish a future for yourself. It isn't just a quick decision, choosing the right college should take some thought and research depending on which direction you want to take. The people you meet in college become your closest friends so don't just befriend the most popular party goers. Keep youself grounded with a specific goal in mind, and everything else, including all your friends, will fall into place. Also, avoiding failure at all costs may be the greatest failure of all, so if you want to do something, go through with it!

I would honestly tell myself not to worry as much as I did, but also be more prepared for the many different experiences that I have already had here during just my first semester. I would tell myself to practice my instrument a lot more than I did back then and also to anticipate having a few hard talks with my parents as they learn to let go and give me room to make my own choices. But I would definitely tell myself that it would be hard work, hard but really worth the effort in the end, especially when you do better in classes than you thought you would have. Another thing is the great friends I would make over the course of one semester that would change a little how I look at friendship.

August 2006 finally hit and I was an official senior. The many years of being the under classmen has faded away and I was now the top dog on campus. If being a senior wasn't enough, I had a GPA of 3.2; I was also on the Dance team, involved in the Christian club, Captain of the girls throwing team for track and field, and ASB (associated student body) President. I honestly had it made. I thought school was the easiest and greatest thing and I really enjoyed being there. I knew college was the next step for me! I entered college with a high school mentality thinking it would come so natural. Unfortunately, it didn't. I realized real quick college was much harder then high school and in order to succeed, the work had to be done! If I could go back and tell myself one thing in high school it would be, ?don't expect college to be the same but believe the complete opposite. It's a new battle field, with greater risk and more responsibility. Some of the same weapons but new strategies! And when won, a reward worth the fight!'

Apply to more colleges. What if you got into Stanford? also, join a D-group. And don't do Young Life. Get involved more at Cornerstone Bible Church.

If I were able to go back and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell me that I don't have to have all the answers going into college. I don't have to know exactly what I want to do or what I expect out of the college experience, and it's okay to be nervous. I would remind myself that college is not only for learning, but discovering oneself and how one will make an impact on the world. I'd say, "The more outgoing you are, the more fun you will have. It is the days where I just sit in my room on the computer that are the most boring." I would also tell myself to spend my money more wisely. Don't eat out as much, and find cheap or free things to do on and around campus. There are tons of places to hike or go running, and you can always play a pick up game of soccer or frisbee. Mostly, I'd make sure that high school me would stop worrying and enjoy the last of her high school days, because once they are gone, they're never coming back.

If I was going to give myself advice about college as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not procrastinate and do my homework right when it is assigned. It is not a good idea to procrastinate because then you lose sleep. If you wait until the last minute to do your homework, you lose sleep and then are tired the next day. Procrastination is a problem that faces most college students. It is difficult to not procrastinate, especially if you live on campus. On the other hand, if you live on campus, you can find accountability partners with the people that you live with. These accountability partners will help you to not procrastinate and do your homework early or before it's due. In conclusion, the advice I would give myself would be to not procrastinate and find people to help me be accountable for doing my work.

There are many things I would tell myself in high school if I knew what I know now about college. I would first tell myself to apply for ANY scholarships you possibly can because even though your family is financially stable at the moment, things can change and the economy is never a sure thing. I would also remind myself to not worry about men and dating; figure out who YOU are at the moment, because you will have plenty of time to meet new people to be interested in. Next, I would say, talk to anyone and everyone about classes and majors you are thinking about taking and meet your professors the first day of class. I would tell myself to expirience life but keep your morals and high standards for yourself. Also, even though you do not need to read one chapter in the text books in high school to pass, you MUST read the text books in college; most of your work is done outside the classroom. And last, I would tell myself to have no fear and meet as many people as you can, because you never know which ones are going to change your life.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior after knowing what I know now I would not have given up so easily. That college is very important and that there are ways to pay for it. I'm 23 years old and I'm just now getting started with college. I would have told myself not to get caught up in other things that are not important and to really focus on my future because time is short and it goes by fast and before you know your almost 25 years old with no goals in life working full time at a place that makes little to no money wishing you could go back in time to have done things a whole lot differently. Making the transition from high school to college can be very exciting and if your willing to give it your all and work hard for the things you want and the life you want for yourself then you will succeed. Having people around you who are supportive and are encouraging is a big help you can do anything you set your mind to so don't give up.

College is an exciting, new experience! Get ready to leave behind high school and everything you identified with there, and take the time to really find yourself in college. Don't stress about finances, it will all come along and you will be where you are meant to be. Even if you think the college isn't right for you once you get there, wait it out a year, then you can always transfer. Don't care about what others think. Your family, friends, acquaintances, peers, and new college classmates have no effect on you. Prepare to focus on yourself. College is all about you, finding who you are, where you are supposed to be, then finally using that to get where you are meant to be. While focusing on yourself, don't be selfish, and know the difference between them. Prepare to have a wonderful freshman year, where everyone there is just as nervous and excited as you are, and look forward to where this new road takes you.

If I could go back in time with what I know now about college, there is so much I would tell myself as a high school senior. The biggest one, would be telling myself to talk to actualy students at the college, not just the tour guide because I believe I would have been able to get a clearer picture of campus life. I would also tell myself that the transition is hard, and to be prepared to be lonely. It is hard making friends and even harder when you are far from home. I would also tell myself to stay strong and stick to my morals. It is very easy to do things just to fit in, but if you are not true to yourself and what you believe you are not going to feel good about yourself at the end of the day. Lastly, I would tell myself not to give up. It is so easy to just want to pack up and go home, but by giving up you're throwing away so much opportunity. The initial struggle is what is going to make what you get out of your college experience so amazing and memorable.

There is plenty of trivial advice I can give to my High School self like be quiet in the morning, you aren?t the only one in your room anymore, or it is better to do papers days rather than hours before they are due. This information would have helped me look a lot less like a fool. Still it would not have helped the countless hours I spent stressing about my major, worrying about making friends, and rethinking the idea of being 2,000 miles away from the comfort of home. The best advice I can give myself is to relax. Yes, it may take you a year of music classes and a semester being undeclared to figure out you want to be a Sociology major. Yes, you may feel left out and alone sometimes, but you?ll end up making friends that really understand you. And yes, there may be some situations that you don?t know how to handle and all you want is your mommy or daddy to come and make everything better again, but you will figure it out. Just relax and don?t be afraid to mess up every once in a while.

Get involved right away. Do not be afraid of diving in to a club that seems interesting, even if you don't know anyone who will be in that club. More than likely there will be others who don't know anyone else as well. The main idea is to go and get involved. Make time to spend with others and be willing to put aside homework to create a memory. Be aware that the professors will not spoon-feed you what to believe; you need to learn to back up your own set of beliefs and give a reason for why you believe what you believe. Professors also love to hear the students talk and discuss, so make sure you come to class ready to discuss the reading. Most importantly, be open and willing to talk to people you don't know. Everyone is really friendly and you will make friends in the places you least expect it.

I grew up very poor. I always thought that going to college was not part of my future. I believed raising children and working low paying jobs was the only choice I had. I always did really well in school. I just did not have the right people pushing me in the right direction. For many years I believed the lie. I worked very hard and still did not have enough money to take care of my three boys. I decided that the only way to break the chain in my family was to go back to school. I would tell myself as a high school senior that it does not matter where you came from. You can go to college and make a diffrence. You are very bright and motivated, you can do it! I really want to make a diffrence for other children. That's why decided to become a teacher. I want to tell students the words I did not tell myself!

The most important thing is to continue your education. You do not have to know exactly what you want to do with your life. There is a chance that as you grow and learn, your goals may change. That is OK. As you select a college, make sure you visit the campus, and talk to students and faculty. Make sure you are comfortable in the environment. Look at where you will be living. Go into this new stage of your life with an open mind... open to learning as much as you can absorb, and and siezing as many opportunities as possible. You are going to be busy. You are young, you can handle it. Never give up. If you need help, ask for help. If you are uncomfortable, express yourself. Get to know your professors and other students. Be assertive. Make sure you make your classes priority one, but also make sure you have a social network from which you can draw emotional and personal support should you need it. Take advantage of the resources that are available at your school. Work hard, and don't get behind. ATTEND CLASS.

college doesnt happen to you, you happen to college. Go and become who you want to be.

To the senior version of me- As you go off to APU in the Fall, keep a few things in mind. First, while you are going with your good friends, those are not the the people you need to spend the most time with. Go meet new people. Get involved. Don't waste your time with your old friends - they will always be there. Make new friends and truly get to know the people you live near. Secondly, try new things. Go on the outdoor adventure trips, try an intermural sport, go out for a choir. Just get involved in something. Lastly, enjoy your freshman year. It goes by quickly, so take advantage of every opportunity. Don't go to bed at 10 at night...go out and have fun! You only live in the dorms once, so take advantage of it. Get to know your neighbors. Be kind to your roommate. Don't worry about academics - you will do well no matter what. Just enjoy meeting new people and discovering more about yourself through them.

First of all, don't stress so much. You're going to the exact University you're supposed to be at even though you're not sure. Also, don't be so hasty and restless to get out of your hometown. You are so blessed, and once you get to APU, you're going to be more homesick than you expected. It's going to be the hardest change you've ever undergone, but it is completely worth every tear, and lonely and discontent moment. You will grow and mature into a young woman that you would not recognize if you were to see her now! You're walk with Christ will flourish, and you will have to really learn what it means to make your faith your own. College is not without its challenges, in fact, it's full of them, but every single one of those challenges will be so influential and essential to who you become. Hold on tight Mandy-even if you were told the incredible things that were going to occur at APU, you would'nt believe them!

I would tell myself to seek more scholarship opportunities and to be more serious about pursuing internship opportunities so that I could grow professionally and be prepared for the working world. I would tell myself to be more concerned about what I really wanted to pursue after college and not to get a job just to have one, but to find something that I was truely passionate about. I would tell myself to try more new things and not be so afraid to think outside of what I was comfortable with. Consider art as a field that I could potentially be interested in and not limit myself to what I felt I already knew. If I could go back I would have gone to a four-year university straight through so I could grow with my classmates and to join social or academic groups to develop deeper relationships rather than just surface ones. I would tell myself to never forget how blessed I am because of what the Lord has done in my life and will do in my life.

I would tell myself to be ready for the hardest years of your life. College is all about find out who you are and that takes time, effort, sweat and tears. But, I would also make sure to tell myself it will all be worth it in the end, to keep going and "Plus Est en Vous"-you got more in you than you think.

I would tell myself to make good use of my time and not waste time trying to complete my general education, plan to be done in two years. I wish I would have known that Communications was a good degree for me to persue so that I would not have needed to change my major. I would have recommended prerequisite courses in my junior year, immediately upon transferring from the junior college I attended.

Stop stressing out Rachelle! Everything is going to be fine. God has a plan for you life and everything is going to work out. But make sure you work hard and learn as much as you can. Your high school is a great one and prepares you for college very well. Everything that you are learning will help you in some way, whether in college or just in life. Being super active in forensics, theater, church, and tutoring is all worth it. Plus, you know you wouldn't get all your work done if you weren't busy :)Study for the ACT a lot before you take it the first time. You can get better scholarships with a good GPA and ACT score rather than just with a good GPA. Plus you won't have to pay to take it again.Just keep being positive because everything will work out if you work hard and want it enough.God bless you. I can't wait for you to see all the great things God has in store for you. There will be some hard times, especially financial. Hold your head up high, everything will work out.Sincerely,Yourself, Rachelle

I wouldn't give myself any advice. I've made mistakes and I've made good decisions. I'm comfortable with how I am currently, good and bad. I would rather have myself work through things on my own. Thats how I learned and that is how I would have my high school self learn.

I would say, "Take your foreign language and math classes in your first year. They may be boring or hard, but you'll remember the information better and won't have a crunch when you near graduation".

Learn to make a schedule and schedule time for yourself. Don't let school or football overwhelm you. You have choices. Take the time to invest into others. You will remember relationships more than academia. Get to know your professors. They aren't scary and out to get you. They are human and can become friends or like aunts, uncles, grandparents to you. Figure out what you personally believe or think about myriad topics. Don't just float along. Having an opinion is ok. But be flexible and open. Make your faith and beliefs and thoughts and opinions your own. Break up with Emily now. Learn how to effectively read a book. There will be many and they are full of amazing information. Be smart but stay up late and go out; enjoy yourself. These will be some of the greatest years of your life - make the most of them!

I would tell myself to find a job, internship, volunteer work, scholarship, or internship directed towards my major or at least something to do over the summer to gain more experiences with the future and to use for resumes. I would also tell myself not to get so discouraged when things go wrong, but not to be overconfident that things will go right. Do not procrastinate; do homework right when it is given to avoid forgetting the assignment and pulling all-nighters detrimental to health. Study harder each semester because classes get tougher as time progresses. Get to know people within your major from freshmen to seniors and do not be afraid to ask for advice and opinions from the seniors. Keep in contact with professors, as well, because they can actually help. Take advantage of all the academic help you can get. Amidst it all, try to have room in your schedule for a job because you really need the money to help the family.

I would tell myself to prioritize my time better. Although less time is spent in class in college and I have more independence I have to have self-discipline to continue accelerating academically. Also, as a freshman it was hard to adjust to on-campus housing and having randomly selected roommate. As I am an only child I would tell myself to try and be more accepting of others and maybe try living with someone with a completely different lifestyle than myself to get used to it. It was difficult to live with a person with completely opposite sleeping habits than myself. Sleep is also an important thing to give priority to. Though it may seem that you can catch up on sleep later and function on a couple hours of rest, it is unrealistic and in the long run leads to an unproductive day.

Seeing as I graduated high school at the end of my junior year, I would have to go back and give my self advice when I was a junior. I would tell myself to relax; everything is going to work out. I would tell myself that the people I was going to meet when I finally got to APU are some of the most amazing people I would have met in my life thus far. I would tell myself to be myself at all times; do not try to be someone else, because everyone has something different and special to offer to every relationship. I would tell myself to always love; no matter what happens, love. Be flexible and firm; things are not always going to turn out the way you plan, so plan on going with the flow; do not stress unnecessarily. I would tell myself to remember where I came from, to stay faithful to my family, and above all else, remain faithful to my God. After all, He is the one who has brought you this far.