Brigham Young University-Hawaii Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Chelsi Kanani

Self, you need to work to earn money my friend Im very very sure you're gonna need it because right now there are lots of bills you have to pay, tuition, books, school supplies, housing, meal plans and everything else, and I know that you wouldn't have money for yourself, I know, I'm actually having that problem right now... Start reading about words in English, there are lots of words that you won't be able to understand it is better safe than sorry, you don't want people telling you things that you don't have a clue about, so, work on your vocabulary!!! Finally, learn to freakin cook it will really help you, I'm telling you. You may think that having a meal in the cafeteria for the rest of your college life would be awesome because you don't have to cook? well, that's a big mistake. Make sure that you can cook really good food, start saving some of your mom's specialties and recipes so that you won't have to get tired of eating whatever, because if you can cook anything you are definately golden!!!

Katherine

When I graduated High School I was not prepared mentaly for the rigors of University education. I had always done well in High School without working too hard, and had graduated with a 4.2 GPA thanks to AP courses. In my first years of Community College and Univesity I did similarly well, but toward the end of my program I had some serious helth problems that lead to a bout with depression that severly impacted my studies. At the time I felt hopeless and insecure. I felt that I was just going through the motions but still not progressing. If I could go back now and help my younger self I would tell myself to go back to the basics and figure out what is truly important to me. I would take some time to reflect on the bigger picture and how I can accomplish my goals. Even with all of the trials that I went through, I would not trade my troubles for someone else's, because they are what made me who I am today. I only feel ready now to go back to school because I know that I can overcome any obsticles I may face.

Ema

First, I would tell myself to relax but stay focused on my studies. In college I've learned that it is possible to get good grades and be social at the same time, and that having fun really should be a part of life. I would encourage students to venture out of their homestate; the rest of the world is so different and so much bigger than you could ever imagine. I'd also tell myself that hard work pays off, and it was good to keep a job during high school, even if it seemed difficult. I would encourage other students to also work through high school; college isn't cheap, but the experiences you'll create on your own is far worth any monetary value.

Jennifer

I would tell myself to do my best in classes and to join a sport and to practice as much as I can in order to become good, so that I can get scholorships and grants that will help me financially so that I wouldn't have to rely on the help of my parents for rent or food and I wouldn't have to stress about money and I would be able to concentrate better on my studies. I would tell myself to just focus on school. I would let myself know that there are so many opportunities out there and that I should take advantage of it. I would give myself a list of the classes I need to take in order to graduate and a list of books, so that I can be a head in my class and deduct stress in my life. I would tell myself to relax and enjoy school and to live in the moment. I would tell myself to not date until I am at the University of Brigham Young in Hawaii because that is where I will meet my husband and eternal companion.

Katelyn

In high school I had a bad attitude about thinking that high school was a waste of time. The advice I would give myself is do not think like that. Focus on the positive. Honestly speaking I am appreaciative of high school. Now that I look back, I got a really good education. I learned so much. Everything I did prepared me for what I do now. High school and college are basically the same thing. The only difference is in college they hold you to a higher standard. If I could go back I'd tell myself to have more positive attitude.

Sala

Keep on going! You were the one that wanted to graduate early, so just don't give up. I know it's hard to keep up with academics and social activities, but it'll pay off. Think of what we're doing--think of why we're doing it! You can do it. I believe in us.

Megan

Don't be afraid to be who you are! Yes college life can be scary, and the world can be scary, but take a leap of faith and hit it straight on! Have fun in college, definately work hard too, but make the work fun. Don't procrastinate anything! Make tons of friends! They will last a life time. Learn to be yourself, don't judge yourself to others, because you aren't them! And they aren't you! Study hard, it will make life a lot easier. Remember your family, religion and friends. They will be there for you no matter what. Listen in those boring college meetings, they don't come here for nothing. Talk to your councler, tell them what your dreams are, they will help you reach them. And last but not least, never let yourself get lower than you deserve. Work hard to reach your full potential!!

Jamie

"Hey self! You're pretty pathetic sitting there waiting for your college acceptance and rejectance letters. We know you hate your high school classes, classmates, teachers, etc. so start mentally preparing yourself to be mindblown with the happiest most satisfying life you can't even imagine. You're going to be accepted to the school you've dreamed of since the first grade and you're going to thrive there! You'll even get a 4.0 your first semester! The losers in your 'circle of friends' all end up broken-up and unhappy because of the stupid decisions they made in high school. So self, keep your head up because you're doing everything you need to get yourself out of this crap town and you'll be reaping the rewards in paradise soon. And be sure to request room 121 in Hale 2 because that's where your best friend lives. You're welcome."

Cecilia

As a high school senior I thought I had my life plan completely figured out. I knew which university I wanted to attend, I knew what I wanted to study, and I thought I knew how to get there. What I didn’t know is that life is unpredictable, and things don’t always play out the way that you imagined they would. I got into the university that I had always wanted to, only to change my mind a year later and attend a different school completely that I had never imagined I’d want to go to. I wish I could tell my high school self that it is okay to have your plans change, and to expect that they almost always inevitably will. I would tell myself to create backup plans because in life we don’t always have control over our circumstances. Creating backup plans gives peace of mind and the ability to grow to our full potential. The final piece of advice I’d give myself is to apply for more scholarships. Receiving further education is expensive, and taking the time to apply to as many scholarships as you can is completely worth it.

Alecsa

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to have a job all throughout highschool. I worked odd jobs throughout the school year and I always had a summer job, but if I had a steady job I could have saved a lot more money. There are so many things you can do when you have availabilty of money. I also would have told myself to focus on what I was passionate about and to learn as much as possbible about things that put me in a flow and give me inspiration. I wish I had taken the time to get to know more people's stories and to learn everything I could about the world around me. I want to be aware of cultural diversity and different perspectives. I wish I had used all of my resources to understand the world around me and absorb more information. I hope that my knowledge can one day benefit myself, my future family, and my community surrounding me.

Rachel

Rachel, I know you are nervous about going to college but it is honestly not as scary as you think. Don't stress out about making friends here becasue there is always someone who you can talk to and is willing to be your friend. Also, all the drama going on in high school and all the snooty people will not matter after high school. You are entering an entirely new environment full of people who know nothing about you. Yes, you are going to miss your friends and family, but honestly the time flies by and in no time you will be back home. Rachel, the classes you take in college will also be more interesting because these are the classes that will help you do what you want to do. Yes they will require a ton of time, but it will be worth it. Lastly, do not go into a biology major, you're just going to waste your time becasue you will eventually change it and want to be a teacher. Be excited! Don't be sad you are leaving, be happy you have such a great opportunity! Do not take any day for granted.

Ali

I would tell my high school senior self to APPLY FOR MORE SCHOLARSHIPS. There are a lot of opportunities out there to receive help with your college education and the loan road is a rough road. I would also tell myself to stop worrying so much about what you want to be. Life will unfold itself whether you like it or not and you will discover what you want to be through your experiences. Just trust yourself, hold on, and remember who you are and what you stand for. Life is all about learning and enjoying the life you've been given!

Marissa

Do not be so dependent on other people. I wish I had learned how to make decisions on my own before college. My parents are no longer here to help me with everything, or to buy things for me. I wish I had made and followed a budget with my money while in high school. Money had probably quickly become my biggest stress and I think I might have been able to lessen it some what if I had learned to be better with money before. I would also tell myself to mentally prepare for the amount of responsibility that comes with moving out, that is something I think I didn't fully realize as a senior in high school. College is so fun! But it comes with a lot of growing up and reality checks as well. The last thing I would say is to savor every last moment you have with your family, your high school friends, and every silly little thing you can only do in high school. You miss those things more than you think when you're gone.

Hannah

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to enjoy what I have. Things really change once you move away from home. I would make sure that I knew to appreciate what I had around me and available to me. Being so close to loved ones is such a blessing. When ever you need something, friends and family are right there to help you. Living on your own both physically and finacially so far away from home can be continually stressful. College is tough and costs more money than I prepared for. If I could, I would also tell myself to work harder. If I had just taken that extra AP class or worked those extra hours at work, the time spent back then would have saved me money and stress now. I just wish that I had been more prepared after graduation for the amount of responsibility you are expected to handle in college.

Faith

If I were to tell my high school self-advice about college is that it will be an amazing time where you will learn about all different cultures and ways of life. Another thing I would tell myself is to change my French classes to Spanish. Being in Hawaii at one of the top schools for international students you get to meet people from all over the world. There are over 72 countries where students at Byu-Hawaii come from. I have learned to embrace your background and not be afraid to learn about other backgrounds as well. It is amazing how much you are alike and even though there is thousands of miles between the countries you are from we all have something that unites us together. Secondly, I would say change your French classes to Spanish. When I came to college I married someone with Mexican heritage. This opened my eyes to a whole world of experiences. It changed the way I looked at my Elementary Education major and helped and guided me into a minor in Spanish. Today I am working towards learning a new language and embracing this newly found culture and I am loving it.

Bradley

Continue to be focused on finishing your degree. It is too easy to stop working for your degree or change you cores of study over and over again. It is easier to pick something then stick with it to the end, later you can go back and get another degree. Friends will come and go, but these friends can be some of the best you will ever know. Make a pattern of studing and all other things you must do each week and keep to the schedule as best as you can, only deviate when you have a real emergencies or life changing event. Get to know your professors well. Talk to them after class., offer to buy them lunch. Ask them everything you can. You can learn alot in the classroom but you can learn even more outside of the classroom if you stay on purpose.

Rylan

If I could go back to when I was a high school senior and give myself one piece of advice it would be the simple quote, "Remember who you are." Of course there is the common things to say like study hard or take more AP classes however that only is half of the college experience. "Remember who you are", to me, means to persevere throughout all obstacles and to not let the trials of life change the true person inside. College is a time where you can be whoever you want to be, a social game that can cause you to alter your personality in order to fit in. It plays with your emotions and makes you question if you are good enough. My response to this epidemic is to just be you and everything will fall into place. You will make the college experience everything it was made to be because you can be happy with who you are. In reaction to this, you will feel more motivated and be more focused on your classes. We have a choice, to sway and mold yourself to the social "norms" or to stand tall and remember what makes you, you.

William

Many people jump into college expecting it to be a walk in the park towards your career path. The truth is, it opens up many doors and possibilities in life, but you yourself have to take action in seeking and achieving those great opportunities. Work hard now so that life could be easy later. You have to be willing to work from the ground up. It takes a lot of humility, diligence, consistancy and most important accountability to be successful in achieving your desires. Churchill said, "Success is when goes from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm". Don't let failure set you back when you do meet such trials. Allow yourself to benefit from such experiences in order to better your future. Planning and Time management will be vital towards your success in your career path. The better organized you are, the better prepared you will be for what lies ahead. It is important to enjoy your experience in college but remember to keep your priorities straight and values high. Always be happy and never content. However much you put into building your future, that you will receive, for you reap what you sow.

Brenon

The advice I would give my self would be to take my studies more serious. To pay better attention in class and apply my self. I would study more in the evenings. I would have read more books!

Cassidy

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self and tell her what I know now about college, I would tell her that its going to be hard but you can get through it. Spend alittle extra time on your studies and less at the beach. Teachers will understand that you have a learning disability so don't be affraid to let them know. Yes its going to be hard to juggle basketball and school but you can do it. There is a lot of help out there so don't be affaid to ask. Living on an island is hard. Espically when it takes hours just to get to target. But once you find the right friend group they will make all of that fun. Dont be affraid to branch out.

Camille

Just to live a little. Try out that dance club you were afraid to try. Eat in the cafeteria more and make more friends there. Do more math homework instead of relying on Mr. Leiataua's mercy. Don't take Debate class, take Creative Writing. Eat outside in the grass, because you can. Take naps when you get home from school. Don't work as much. Cut your hours. Go to the dumb football games with your friends. Kiss that boy you're second guessing, because, who cares?? You're only a senior in high school ONCE. Take advantage of it.

Ashlyn

I know that you are in your last year of highschool. Being a senior is all that you've dreamed it would be, but knowing what I know now about your future life in college, I have a little advice. When your teacher tells you that you get extra credit for finishing a project early, DO IT!! This seemingly small burden that it feels like right now will just continue to grow until you've waited until the night before the due date of the project. And let me tell you, college does not offer these simple pleasures. There is no "extra credit for doing your work," but rather a big fat grade to add into your GPA. That brings me to my next point, your GPA matters. Think for two seconds of a college that you wish to attend. Now think of your GPA. Those two factors play a big part in determining which college you want to attend. The things you do now truly do prepare you for college. Take a bigger work load, challenge yourself, and take advantage of the small opportunities you have as a senior in highschool to train you for college.

Rachel

Dear Rachel, First of all, dont give up. You know that education is important but you will find that it is also fun and exciting. Stop worrying about what you will do for the rest of your life and focous on the kind of person you want to be, that will determine your happiness more than anything else. The truth is you really dont have to figure out what you want to do, you have the ability to do many things, as you learn and grow you will find something that is right for you. There is a lot that life has to offer you, dont give up on it, although there will be really hard times, ther will be really good times as well. Be kind to people, you never know what kind of struggle they are in. Be a friend to every one but Make friends with the kind of people you want to be because you will become like your friends. work and study hard in your classes, but dont forget to enjoy the presence of the people around you. Be strong and have faith it will all work out :) Love, Rachel

Shane

Transitioning to college life is a challenging endeavor that requires careful preperation. If you have not yet learned to love learning, sincerely consider these observations, which I hope, will motivate you to invest your time, money, and whole-hearted effort into obtaining an education. Ponder these questions: Do the professionals you know have college backgrounds? In what ways have you seen the community where you reside give back? Do you hope to be able to provide for yourself and your family in the future? Education is the key that enables professionals to perform their jobs beyond their own aptitude, for communities to come together in causes often requiring financial backing, and for parents to providently provide for their families. College is the training grounds for obtaining the needed education to become agents capable of acting with competency. People with education run society and college is meant to prepare you to take your place in it. Carefully investigate the college that will empower you to be your best self. Becoming your best self is worth the investment of your time, money, and whole heart.

Julianne

Hello, Self! Your future self is telling you right now to have more confidence in yourself. RIGHT NOW. Speak up, get involved, stay focused and, most importantly, have fun and make memories. Your hard work now will lay an invaluable foundation for your college career - pay attention to the STEM classes! Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are a great way to understand the world around you so study up. Apply to your favorite colleges - don't pay attention to the cost right now. Finances will work themselves out. Be sure to pick a college where you'll love the location. Find balance between school. work, friends and personal time. Take your time on deciding your major, do not stress out, do not declare too early. Take your general classes and find your passion and your strengths. Most importantly, appreciate your time amongst students seeking a higher education, rely on them, teach them, love them. You'll never again have this opportunity to be in college, at this time, so take every advantage!

Paul

As a teenager in high school I was oblivious to the obstacles and struggles my parents endured for me. Only recently I learned my parent's history. My father was a poor farm boy from the Philippines. His father was a poor farmer as was his grandfather. The poverty in the Philippines was such that you could never escape the cycle of being poor. If your parents are poor, there is a high chance that you will be poor. However, my father knew the secret to success. Education was the answer. My father worked dilligently and graduated high school with honors. In college he worked even harder and, again, graduated with honors. Through the opportunities made available to him, he was able to bring our family to America. Although we are not rich, we are comfortable. I would tell my high school self to, first, be grateful for what I have and to be grateful to my parents. Secondly, I would tell myself that education is the key to success. Education opens doors. If I want success, it's not going to be handed to me, I have to stand up and take it. Lastly, family comes first, always.

Alicia

Even though you lost everything in the fire, don't spend money on things that you do not absolutely need. Remember that your grades are important; even when you don't understand anything, there's always someone willing to help you out. Not only can you make it to Hawaii, but you can achieve every dream you've ever had because everyone will tell you that you can't.

Kainalu

Kainalu Barino, everything you will decide for yourself is right. You were right in going to the University of Hawaii at Manoa before transferring to Brigham Young University- Hawaii. Your experiences at University of Hawaii will help you gain a deeper appreciation for life and religion. The University of Hawaii is a great school, very good academically but remember, that needs to be paired with what you will come to learn after attending Brigham Young University; it needs to be paired with the righteous goals in life. Brigham Young University will help you understand the need to learn how to serve. You didn't know this before but BYU-H's motto is, "Enter to learn, go forth to serve". You will play around and squander your parents' money while attending UH-Manoa, but that will prove beneficial in hindsight. When you feel guilty, and when you had your fun, you will decide to serve a full-time Mormon mission and will preach the gospel in Japan. From that experience, you will learn what it really means to love yourself and those around you. You learn lessons that will make you great, and you will love education more afterwards.

ezra

The biggest piece of advice I could give myself, would be to make absolutely sure that you become a professional at writing papers before you come to college. I wrote more papers in my first semester of college than I did in all my high-school years combined. Being able to write an intelligent and orderly paper will be the difference in making, or breaking your college GPA. Not only should you learn to write well, but always go the extra step with all of your homework, because in college that extra step will not only be expected of you, but sometimes required.

Nathan

I would tell my younger self to get out of my comfort zone. Breaking out of my comfort zone helped me not only enjoy my college experince a whole lot more but I also felt more productive with using my time to study. Meeting new people helped me looking forward to each day positively. I would also tell my younger self to prioritze your time. Its always good to have fun, but make sure you always take care of your studies and school work first that way you don't have to stay up late nights working on essays and projects. Lastly I would tell my younger self to be involved with campus activities such as events and service projects. Participating in these activities will help you find out what it is that you want to do for a career. Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way at college, never pass up something that you will regret later.

Jay

If I could go back in time and talk to myselfas a high school senior I think I would have two items of advice that I would give now that I have been in college. I would tell myself to work hard in the summer to make and save money so that I can pay my way through school because taking out loans is not a very good option and locks us down financially for a long period of time. So work hard and save money to be able to pay your way through school would be my first advice, and I think my second advice would be to really focus and school and make it a priority. The harder you study and the more important your studies are to you, the more success you will have and the more fulfilling studying at college will be.

Haley

Definitely expect the unexpected. The many "college-life," stories your friends and family tell you was nothing like your college life so far. Your expectation was to have a lot of fun in college and avoid the library as much as possible, but over your past semesters you realized how important your performance and excelleration were at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. You should have started college with an open mind because the experiences you expected to gain either didn't happen or happened and ended up regretting those decisions. Open mindedness was vital to have when you first attended a private university and is now in your current position as a full-time student. With that open mindedness you could have met your life long friends quicker and learned the business mind faster. Now, that you are open minded, be sure to fully grasp the concept of it in your future schooling, interviews, and ultimately workforce. Make the transition to college your learning experience and communicate yourself as much as you can to others to show them the unexpected.

Alexandria

You are about to embark on a wonderful journey to further your education, and as you do so your life will change in multiple ways. My advice to you would be to stay calm and enjoy the journey. You will figure everything out sooner or later. Enjoy the process of changing and becoming the person you want to become. You have left home and no one is responsible for you but you. You are going to have to work hard and that will help you grow. Don’t be so caught up in picking the major everyone else wants you to pick, find what you are passionate about. Become engaged in learning and not just cramming to pass a test. College is a privilege, denied to many don’t take for granted the opportunity you have to learn. Remember that college isn’t just about hitting the library. Get out and meet people, because they will be just as much a part of your experience as anything. Join clubs and get involved, this could lead you to many opportunities you won’t find in the classroom. Lastly, Don’t ever stop believing that you can change the world.

Lindsey

Although it wasn't too long ago, looking back on my transition from high school to college feels like looking at a different world. I was so focused on things that I can say now mattered so little, and I thought little of what mattered most. If I could tell my transitional self anything, it would be to slow down and think of people instead of things. Think about who you're going to meet, not what clothes you'll meet them in. Think about how much money you're spending, not the new shiny things you'll have. Think about the advice your parents, people who have done this before, can give you, not the independence you've longed for. There are so many things you're going to learn, so many friends and teachers to meet, and none of it relies on the newest generation of Mac laptops or infinity scarves or fishtail braids. What really ends up meaning the most is the kind of person you've become over the last 18 years, and how that person makes their world a better place. Don't worry about what is to come, but who you are to be.

Amanda

I would say to myself, "Hold on!" It wasn't the easiest road to get to where I am at but it was definitly worth it. Be grateful for the challenges that come because many good things and doors have opened because of it. Stay positive and be yourself. Find the good in other and always be ready to help others. It will come back to you.

daniel

I should be more involve in the different activities of the school; example; clubs, sports, etc. also study hard since the beginning of the year; try to do the extra mile; and make more friends.

Kevan

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would have told my self many things. First I would tell him that I am a lot smarter than I believed and was capable of doing much more. I would explain that I was not going to spend my life in Arizona so shouldn't worry so much about the drama with my friends and family. I would have told him to focus on his interests rather than entertainment. I also would have demonstrated the joy of learning and that it is ok to fail. I would explain that the better I am now the better I will be later so don't worry about not being the best right now just simply keep striving to improve. I would tell him to ignore the negativity he would encounter and learn to forgive and love people around him. If I could have just done that I feel my life would have been very different. I would have helped more people and learned more things. Although reflecting upon what I could have done is nice I must recognize that I can apply those lessons now.

KallyRae

The world is a big place. You belong in it! The world needs you to make a difference in it! Believe in yourself. You do not have to have strait A's. Work hard! Be true to yourself. Chose a major where you can use your talents to improve the lives of those around you. Try different classes to see what you might be good at. When you chose your major be true to it, and work hard. You are diligent and will work hard on everything you do, however learn to have fun, and to take a break every now and again. Learn to laugh at yourself. Live the Spirit of Aloha. Breath. It will all work out in the end.

Annette

Alright, I have two things to share: First, whatever you do, save all the money you can! :) College is full of adventures but in order to perform well and stay out of debt as much as possible, you want to be able to set aside some money for fun as well as school. Which brings up my another point- In order to get the most out of college you have to be able to know how to balance having fun and staying focused on school work. You will perform the best with both of these in your schedule so don't stay indoors studying all the time! ;) College is an adventure so treat it like one! It's not meant to be scary or nerve-racking, all you're doing is becoming an adult and learning how to act like one. So "have fun, take chances, make mistakes and get messy!" as Ms. Frizzle would always say. Go have a blast and be wise with your spending!

Justin

Its all about the j-curve, just like in the business world having an accurate understanding of what investments in time/money will pay the biggest dividends is true when it comes to college. Going into college I started without a strategy and attended classes because that is what was expected of me. I spent so much wasted effort on areas of my college experience that provided little academic, social, or future economic benefit. Education should be all about your learning; I have now found that key to my experience has been identifying a strategy and focussing my efforts on experiences and opportunities that will really be impactful. This doesn't always mean the courses on the traditional map or even courses at all, it has meant for me starting businesses, finding mentors in the offices of my professors, and building lifelong friendships with individuals who inspire me and are having a positive impact on the world. My advice is develop a strategy and don't attend college or classes just because you are expected to, it is never too early to plan where you want to end up develop the skills and experience needed to get there.

Brittney

Wake up Brittney and look around you. What are you doing with your life? You want to be a Neo Natal Nurse right? Then what your doing right now, do you think that it's going to help you achieve this? Lets face the facts if you really want a fighting chance in life, in pursuing a good career and doing what you really want to do then you need to get on the ball of things and start getting your grades together. You need to start putting together a plan instead of thinking that it's just High School. High School is the stepping stone in the real world. If you don't take that step and do well then your going to fall on your face and it's going to be so much harder to get back up and make it to the top. Look at the world around you, read the newspaper, watch the news, absord in whats really going on out there and get yourself ready for it. Your education is number one in your life if you want to become a nurse. Education is the only way to get there.

Greg

If I could go back I would like to tell myself to take school seriously. I wasted time after highschool and it took a long time to repair the damage I did to my grades, so I could get into a good college. I wish I could have been more focused on what was important in life, getting an education. It has taken years away from my life that could have been spent getting an education and a real job. I wish I could have saved my money so I didn't have to work full while I try to stay on top of school. And ulitmatly I wish I could have seen that it would have been better to leave home to start my schooling on my own, and leave behind my old life and friends that i wasted so much time with.

Brenna

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself not to sweat the small stuff, to enjoy life, and life is sometimes difficult but you will get through it. I would also advise myself to go to bed earlier and sleep in when you can, because someday you will miss being able to get enough sleep!

Alexis

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself everything I now tell my younger sister. I would tell myself to enjoy every minute at home with family because once you leave, you will miss them more than anything and it will never be the same again. I would tell myself not too worry about what everyone else thinks beacuse in college, those people simply will not matter anymore. We will all go different directions and grow in different ways. I would tell myself to work as hard as possible to get good grades and have good study habits because in college it only gets harder. The most important thing I would tell myself or anyone to strengthen a relationship with that person closest too you becasue you will want and need them more than anything when you are miles away and feel like everything is changing. You will want and need someone there that knows you to help you through the transition. And lastly I would say never settle for less. If you have a dream, go for it. You can do anything you set your mind too do.

Thomas

I would'nt advise myself to do anything. My plan was to attend this school since middle school and I made it happen. I would have advised myself to save every penny I could, but with those spent pennies, I made memories with friends growing up I wouldn't change for the world.

Timothy

I would have told myself to do all of my homework and to try my best in my classes. Looking back it seems that it may not have been important to get a great GPA as I was accepted into this college anyways, but I see that the importance of working hard in highschool is the formation of good study habits that would benefit anyone who makes the transition from high school to college life. I would have taught myself that it's not about cramming last minute and just doing the required coursework to get by but rather a consistent, diligent effort to learn the material presented in class. In high school it seems that you only need to get good grades to get into college and actually learning the material isn't important. I would teach myself that in college the material being presented isn't just for a degree, it's knowledge for life. Sitting in classes with future doctors and chemists, you don't want to see someone who simply learns the information to pass the test and then forgets. You want them to be knowlegeable to be able to help in their respective fields. Learn.

anissa

If I were able to go back in time and tell myself what I know now I would tell myself to be better prepared to apply for funding such as scholarships and grants and to work more hours to save for university. I would tell myself to study harder and to care more about my grade 12 year more than what I did. I would advise myself to be prepared for a "culture shock" in that university is much different from high school in all dynamics. I would tell myself to appreciate my family more and to not take them for granted and to be prepared to live on my own without family right there with me by my side.

Siniva

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to finish school as soon as possible. I would tell myself that I need to finish because now I am a 49 year old mother of 7 and I'm trying to go back to school. It's harder now to finish than when I had the chance when I was younger. I need to be able to provide for my family in case of emergencies. I'd tell myself to not give up on school and to press forward. Don't let the kids or family hold you back and let them be a motivation. Once you start college make sure you finish right away and consecutively. Education will help you and your family to strive in the future. That is just a little bit of what I'd tell myself if I went back in time.

Sarah

I would have told myself two important things. 1) to save money and 2) to apply for as many scholarships as possible. You will never regret the time and effort you spent trying to save money and apply for scholarships. As far as the transition goes, I wish I would have been more social in high school. It's a lot easier to transition and make new friends in college if you practiced being outgoing in high school.

Bright

Should I be afforded the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advice myself to practice, learn, and acquire the skills of self-discipline, self-reliance, and provident living. I will tell myself: "College life can be very distracting, there are a lot of things clamoring for your attention. It is so easy to be carried away into unfruitful paths and become out of touch with reality. It takes self discipline to be able to set your priorities right and determine what is worth your attention. Most of your failures will come not because your have focused on the wrong things at the expense of the right, but rather because you have focused on important things at the expense of the most important. Learn to prioritize; determine what is worth your time and attention. College life is demanding, emotionally, financially, and otherwise. It requires all the maturity you can muster. Learn to be responsible for yourself; learn to save; learn to give, givers never lack. Cultivate a positive attitude and learn to be alone, your grandest revelations will come as you are on your own, pondering."