Brigham Young University-Provo Top Questions

Immediately following graduation, I began preparation to serve a 2 year mission. There are many people in a similar situation, where they need to or choose to delay entrance into college for one reason or another. This dramatically shaped my college experience. If I were able to advise my high school self on how to better prepare for college life, there are three things about which I would instruct myself. I would tell myself to keep practicing skills such as math and writing, both of which suffered in my time away from school. This would have saved me several awful grades and repeated classes. I would tell myself to apply for college; there are several colleges that would have deferred my acceptance. Lastly, and in connection with this, I would have told myself to apply for as many scholarships as I could- there are so many scholarships specifically for high school seniors, and at least some of them could have been held by a school if I deferred. Knowing these things would have saved me so much trouble and time.

I know you’re just cruising along through high school. The schoolwork has really been easy up to this point. I know you’ve had a hard time with your family. I know they aren’t always the most helpful when it comes to your mental illness, just know that they love you, however mean they may seem. I hate to tell you this, but it is kind of a relief leaving them for college. Don’t let that freedom you feel keep you from contacting them, though. Believe it or not, they miss you, and you should miss them, too. They do love you. Also, don’t think that by leaving them you will leave behind your mental illness. This semester, I went through another severe bout of depression. Just don’t give up when that happens. I did for a few weeks, and it cost me my straight-A record. (And, for the record, two Bs are not as bad as you think). You are so much stronger than that. I also know you get so scared when it comes to social interaction, but if you reach out to people, they will help you. You can do this.

Dear High School Self,You’re doing great! Keep it up! You can do it! You can be the greatest New Testament professor ever known! In order to help you achieve this, here is some advice:Focus on school. You know you have a tendency to do just enough to get by but you also know that you are better than that! Do the best you can and impress your professors and peers with your scholarship.There are many sources of funding available. Find it. Use resources like campusdiscovery.com, chegg.com, cappex.com and many others to find scholarships that fit you. There are more opportunities than you think. You can do it!Lastly, have fun. Remember that the success you find in your schooling will bring happiness to you and your family. The hard work will indeed pay off. Keep it up.

If I could join the Doctor in his Tardis and go back in time, I would have a lot to tell myself. I would tell myself to stop procrastinating on scholarship applications. There are scholarships I missed since I never bothered to look at them since I was worried with tests. I would advise myself to take a break from school to benefit the future. Next I would tell myself not to over work myself, since this prevented me from doing clubs that offer scholarships. I would tell myself to make a list of what to pack for college, since I was moving the same year I needed to pack for college I forgot items I could have used in college and now they are in storage till I come back for them. Further on I would advise myself to stop worrying about everything. I over worried and did worse in classes I could do better in. I would tell myself that I am smart and I will do fine in the future if I have a brighter outlook. Also I would mention to never forget my friends, since they will be a great support in many unexpected ways.

There are two keys to a successful transition into college. First, keeping up in your classes. I recommend looking into counseling department courses for college study skills. Get in the habit now of reading assigned chapters before class lectures; keeping up in the reading is key to keeping up in college. Also, take it easy your first semester. Don’t take too many credits (15 is a good amount), and make sure you have at least one “for fun” class. You don’t want to get burnt out your first semester. The second key to a successful college transition is to not only study, but also relax. You won’t know much about things to do at first, so join a club or get a job. Do something where you can make friends who have been in college longer than you. They’re going to know about activities on and off campus. The “key ring,” to bring these two keys together is organization. Be sure to plan. Have a schedule. Set goals for each day, week, and even semester. Then make plans to meet your goals. As you set goals and make plans, you will be successful.

I would tell myself to not care what other people think about you. Often times people will judge other prematuraly and you need to learn not to care. Just be yourself! There are people who will like you for who you are! I would also tell myself to prepare for a lot of extremely hard work.

So, for starters, go to bed on time. You might need to work late some nights, but hop into bed the moment you reach the dorm. You might think you can wake up at anytime if it is important enough, but that is not the case. You need your sleep. Something you can do to help that is to stay off games and the Internet as much as possible. It might be a fun way to pass the time, but it is also addicting and will become a major distraction from your schoolwork and friends, not to mention sleep schedule. Limit your Internet use to just what you need to do for classes, and you will stay on top of things. Also, if the professor gives you a long-term assignment, find out how you need to do it and start on it as soon as possible. If you start putting it off, you will keep putting it off, and you will never get it done and take a big hit to your grades. There is more I could say, but those are the big three pointers I would give you that will make starting college a significantly better experience.

Many high school students pride themselves in the ability to ace exams without much studying. Even after having taken many AP classes in high school, a series of college exams taught me that I needed to study and prepare much more for my college exams in order to get medical school worthy grades. I learned that the point of studying is not just to get a high grade on an exam, but rather to learn and retain information permanently rather than just during that testing period. So if I could give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself to start practicing and make a habit of real learning while the material was simpler. That means to prepare by studying the lecture material before class, participating during class, doing my homework soon after class while the material was still fresh in mind, then reviewing it before my exams, and review my exams after they were corrected. That may sound like a lot, but that process significantly reduces the study time not only before each exam, but it is especially effective in reducing study time before final exams since the material was actually learned, not just memorized.

Mike, you are graduating. Congratulation Now, what are you going to do? You have choices: 1. Enlist in the military 2. Find a small job and wait and see 3. Go to college Going to military is a secure job. You get paid regular. It can be cangerous or it could be boring. There is a future if you enlist for life. You can probably get a job and make a living. This is not a secure future. If you can get a scholarship and go to a 2 year college you would be building for thr future. I know you like to work on small engins and your work is good. You need to learn more about small engines and there maintainence. You can do part time work and build up a repatation for good work. You could work for a dealer a few years and build a clent base as well as save money for your own shop. Going to college means work and liltle money or free time, But looking to the future. Prepare for the future to go forward

Dear High School Self, Despite the tempting example your close friends are setting by leaving school early, stay committed until the very end. It is imperative to practice discipline while in your relatively controlled environment because in college, you will have so much freedom. Countless freshmen throw time management out the window since their parents cannot directly monitor their activities. For example, I knew several classmates who would socialize until 5 a.m. on Saturday nights, only to remember the following afternoon that an essay was due by Monday morning. If you can instill a broad sense of discipline in yourself, you will be greatly prepared to excel after high school. Secondly, you will soon be meeting individuals from all over the country. Your social experience at college will be most satisfying if you can learn to communicate comfortably with people of copious personality types. Therefore, during your matches on our high school’s golf team, strike up conversations with your opponents and pretend that they are a future pair of college students you may encounter. I believe you will find your social skills immensely enhanced. Best of luck as you complete your final year of high school! Sincerely,Jeremy

Coming into college is a huge transition and you need to prepare yourself in every way. It is an exciting time in your life but you need to focus on what you are mainly here for… your education. It is also very important to get involved within the campus and interact with your peers and administration. The best advice I would give is to be great at time management. You cannot say yes to every organization. Create time in your day to have fun, study, and relax. Being an independent college student is a step towards your future. This quality to be organized with your time will help you become a student, business employer, leader, and human being in general. Set personal deadlines, make to-do lists, make use of your down time, concentrate on one thing at a time, and avoid procrastination. By doing all of these actions, you will be able to award yourself in a good manner. Time management involves the act of arranging, scheduling, organizing, and budgeting the very minutes individuals use to complete their daily tasks. You will find freedom from deadline pressure and from stress in general while in your college years.

I would take time to talk to college students to see what classes are like and what people are like. I would study harder, like I do now. I would take as many AP classes as I could handle and study hard for the tests so that I could get college credit and classes waved. I have had some, but I would do more. I would study more about majors. They have you study about careers, but it would be good to study majors and what kinds of classes the college you want to go to requires. I took a year to work and it would have been nice to start college a little earlier, so I would pay more attention to the scholarships that they talk about at school.

If I could go back and give my high-school-senior-self some advice, I’d say three things. First and foremost, I would advise myself to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. I would stress identifying a specialized area to focus on, and put all of my energy into realizing that goal. I would encourage myself to hold fast to my integrity and character – the ability to engage in the goal I set, even after the initial excitement is gone.Second, I would tell myself the importance of vigilant work ethic. Work load and critical thinking at the university level are considerably more demanding than high school. I would tell myself to whole-heartedly commit to being industrious – fall in love with working.And last, I would remind myself to always give what I can to others. Throughout my life, up to this point, I’ve had times of fortune and times of want, but the times that have made my life most worth while were the times I gave myself to someone else. I would invite myself to consider the first two suggestions as a means to be most effective in this last pointer – live to give.

I would tell myself to start taking school seriously. I would develop study habits and start trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I would say that I have to be more humble and learn to ask for help and seek advice because back then I was on top of the world. I would get a daily schedule together so that I could be used to waking and going to bed at certain times to keep myself up physically. Also figure out how to manage time because before I had a lot of time, almost too much, and now I have none it seems.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what i know now about college life I would say that i should take my classes more seriouly, and try to put out my best effort. I would make sure to apply to all the colleges and write the essays for them within the deadline. I would also be very appreciative to my parents and treat them very respectfully and take their advice to heart and not write them off like most teenagers do. I would try to visit the colleges I am interested in and if they had a program that gave you the chance to stay for a couple weeks on campus before classes started I would do that. I just think that a lot of high school seniors take the opportuntity to go to college for granted. I think that we should be very greatful and try to make the most of every moment.

First of all, don't fear the science classes. You can do them. I know it's hard to pick a major and decide what you'll do for the rest of your life so let me save you three years of floundering through various majors. You like animals and although you may not have realized it yet, you are very caring. You should look into various professions that involve working with animals, such as veterinary school. If you try changing careers later it is much more difficult. As a backup plan, you can go into nursing because you will make a darn fine nurse...like your future self!

If I could back and talk to my high school self I would've slapped the bleep out of myself for not doing all of this sooner. I am 33 years old with a 1 1/2 year old son and trying to go to school, work and raise him is NOT EASY! I would have told myself to buckle down more on the homework front, pay attention more, do extra credit work and to STAY IN SCHOOL! I skipped out alot of school and ended up missing so much that I had a choice to get my HSED or retake my entire senior year. I opted for the HSED program and I regret no graduating with my class. I want to say to my past self that life isn't easy but it is what you make of it. The harder you work the more you will achieve in the long run.

Josh, as you are about to make the transition to college I would like to give you a few words of advice. I know that you think it will all be easy; to get a job, study, and support yourself during that time, but don't forget to make life easier for yourself. There are scholarships you can apply for only at your age. Do them! Although you will be able to make it through school without them, life will be so much easier for you when you have that extra help. Also, learn to study and read. You think that college will be a lot like high school. Where you go to class, take the tests, and you'll just know everything and pass it easily. In college it is different. A lot more of the work will be on your own plate. Get into those habits now, not later. This again will help you be ready and excited for college. Overall though, don't be scared of what will come. You will adjust to the changes quickly enough. Don't stress. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Just keep your head up and go.

Choosing to live off-campus your first semester away from home is a mistake. You miss so many opportunities to meet new people and make friends that are in your exact same position. You'll spend your entire college career regretting it as you watch other groups of friends that have been together since freshman year. Working graveyards -- choosing work over sleep, study, and class, too -- is a terrible idea if you want to maintain good grades. Statistics will always be the worst class ever. But, with hard work and a good tutor, you can pass it.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would definetly tell myself to take the Academy of Finance classes instead of culinary. I would also tell myself to take the classes I was originally supposed to take instead of taking the easy way out and drop down to the lower level classes. I would also tell myself to focus more instead of goofing off, and to also make sure I go to school right after high school instead of waiting six months.

Apply for every scholarship you can. Look a little more into where you want to go, dream big and work hard. You can achieve anything you want as long as you're willing to put work into getting there. Shoot for the stars and dream of going beyond.

I would jump at the opportunity to give my high school self some college advice. After finding myself I would say, “College will come quicker than you think, so act like time matters! Here are five important tips to remember: 1) Video games are a waste of time. They may be fun, but they provide no satisfying reward or memories. People provide the real memories. 2) Start learning about scholarships now – they are a much better way to fund college than loans. 3) Learn to enjoy learning, and learn to study difficult topics. These go hand-in-hand because enjoying the process makes difficult things much easier to learn. 4) Start thinking about what you want to do as a career now, and that will save you lots of time and effort in “exploratory” college classes. 5) Remember that your choices now and in college will determine the type of person you’ll be later. Decide now: will you be honest? Will you be dependable, hard working, and have discipline? If you make these decisions now, you won’t have to agonize over the answer every time you’re tempted to be less than your best."

Figure out a plan and stick with it! Shoot for the stars, and if you have to, pick yourself up again after a fall! At least you'll have that much distance behind you in the future. Plan out a schedule; and no matter what anybody else says, don't changeit! There isn't enough time to juggle and shuffle classes, don't be indecisive in such matters. When there's less than a month untill school starts, have a for sure way of paying for tuition and books, not to mention all the food expenses. What I'm trying get at is that you'll need a job, a good steady job. Work at it like there's no tomorrw, for once you're out there, you are on your own. Which means you'll be responsible and accountable for all the actions that you make, and all the actions you don't make, if you know what I mean. Don't lose time messing around with trivial matters when there are assignments to be completed, and work to be done!

Grades really matter in senior year. You should have listened to your instincts at the beginning and dropped that Calculus class you knew was going to be a struggle, because failing the class cost you a really good scholarship. And your social life? It's not going to magically materialize when you get to college! Talk to lots of people and try to get to know them better! You're going to need better social skills when you head off on your own. And you will survive without Mom's cooking. It's easier than you think.

Save your money! And focus on the most important things in life. Your priorities will change as you get older so you want to be prepared for anything.

I would tell myself that it is very important to study and learn as much as you can because it doesn't get any easier in college. You need a good education in order to get a good job. Study hard and don't party all the time.

Well I have not attended college yet, I will in the fall, but I would have told my high school senior self to get a job and start saving up money for college. It is becoming a stressful thing to deal with, especially with tuition due just around the corner.

I would tell myself not to stress out and worry so much about things that were out of my control. I would tell myself to enjoy the journey and to enjoy spending time with my family and friends and teachers, as everyone will soon move into different paths and things won't be the same as they are now. I would also tell myself to keep an open mind and not to resist change, but to embrace it, and to learn from it.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior and give myself advice about college, I will tell myself to not allow anyone to make my decision for me, and that the little things in high school will no longer matter. One of the hardest things about moving away to college was leaving behind my friends and family, but as I have moved here I have learned that the world is so much bigger. There are so many opportunities in this world and if we take hold of them we can accomplish anything. It is important to follow your dreams, even if they are big ones, and don't let anyone tell you that can't. Also, don't be scared to go out of your box and try something new. Taking the step into college can be scary, but once you get here, and if you allow it to, so many doors of opportunity will open to you. So don't be scared, and know that the things that go on in high school are so small when compared to what lies ahead.

You don't know everything. Living on your own is a completely new experience, and mom and dad aren't there anymore to bail you out when you make mistakes that before were seemingly harmless. Money runs out fast, be so careful with it. Nothing is more important than your academics, even though you burned yourself out already don't give up when you start college. The classes are going to be so hard, you can no longer get away with not studying for a test on occasion. Never ever ever say the words "I'll do my homework later." Do it right away, get it done, and then move onto other activities if you want. Eat healthy, exercise regularly. It will make you happier and you'll be able to perform better in all aspects. Not everything has to be perfect, learn to love and accept life for its flaws as well as its perfections. Learn from everything, and most of all, never give up. You can always turn your life around, no matter how lost you may feel. Depend on God, always, He will never forget you so be sure to never forget Him.

Jane, the most important thing I can tell you to do is to save your money! You think you will be fine with your small savings account, but it will be gone after your first year. You need to save the money you are earning right now, and not spend it on clothes and things you don't really need. If you save it, you will have more money to pay for tuition and housing, and you will not regret it! You also should apply for all the high school scholarships you can. Also, don't worry about boys or the friends you have now. You will meet many new and fun people. Just remember to be yourself, and have fun! And don't worry about what people think of you, because it won't matter at all in a year. The biggest things I have learned to college, that I would tell myself in high school is that I need to save my money, and spend wisely. It doesn't matter what people think of me, as long as I have good friends and a good family. Have fun, study hard, and be ready to meet new, amazing people!

First I would be talking to myself as a high school freshman.... Lace, hang in there, slow it down a notch and relax because you may not know it now but you can do anything you put your mind to and by staying in school and continueing your education through college you won't have to age your soul faster than your years and put yourself through unspeakable changes. Do this for yourself, you'll really dig it and it's not as difficult then where you are now because if you don't you are going to find yourself an old woman who relized she had potential in making a difference and because she had wasted alot of valuable time spent locked away in her own stupidity that she found herself dreading that time would run out before accomplishing her goals. And Lace trust me, nothing feels more wonderful then to know deep inside that you did it and you are worth it, because nothing can feel so awful in knowing of wasted time.

The main thing I would focus on would be to not procrastinate. College has a larger homework load, so it is necessary to prioritize your time because it is a lot easier to get all your homework done, so you can have time to relax and you don't have to stress about it. When you get homework done early you can have time to revise it and make sure that it is well done instead of quickly finishing it and turning it in right before the deadline. Not procrastinating also helps with the necessary need to get more sleep. When you receive more sleep it is then easier to focus in class and to focus while doing homework. College is expensive and you can't live off your parents your whole life, so learning to prioritize your time will help when you have to work while going to college and still be able to keep good grades. I also think it is important to have time to just relax and have fun with your friends every once in awhile because our bodies and brains need a break, so work your hardest, but have fun and enjoy the experience.

I would tell myself not to just breeze through this last year and to make it count. Getting into a good college is not as easy as getting into high school. A high GPA will open up many doors that will contribute to my success. Stay focused on school and a career and not boys!

Dear Self, I am writing you this letter and sending it back to September of 2008. You are a senior at Mountain View High School. I know you are excited to graduate. You are working on your application to BYU. Don't worry, you don't get in the first time you apply, but try again and don't give up. Remember that you are smart no matter what your GPA says. Remember that you are unique no matter what people tell you. Remember, you can do anything. College life is different. Yes, it is hard, but it is worth it. There are a lot of people. A lot of competition. Don't let it go to your head. Keep your focus in your heart. Do the things that you are passionate about. Forget the status quo and follow your instincts. Nobody knows you like you know yourself. You know what is best. Remember to counsel with the people you love. They can give you insights that you would never imagine. Remember to love and be loved. Don't be afraid. Fear will be your barrier. Knock down the barrier and let people see you becuase you are great.

First off, I would advise myself to take my high school course load more seriously. I passed all the AP/IB tests, but I didn't get the grades that could have gotten me better scholarships. Secondly, I would advise myself to learn better time management, I thought it was hard in high school, it only gets harder in college with all that goes on. Thirdly, I would have encouraged myself to make more of an effort to meet new people, in high school I generally stuck with my closest friends, that doesn't work so well in college where everyone is a new face. Fourth, I would tell myself to get a better idea of what I want to do with my life before getting to college, it would really help in not wasting any time or classes at the university. Lastly, I would tell myself to NOT WORRY, college is fun. :)

Practice now (while in high school) to stay focused and work hard in school because it will become a habit and the transition into college won't be as challenging to pick up the college pace.

Form good study habits now! It is easy to slide by in high school especially when you go to such a small one, but it will pay off immensely in college. Don't merely do the bare minimum requirements; know the materials that are expected of you and be able to apply them. Ask questions! Even if it seems like an obvious one. Don't just seek to get straight A's, seek to gain knowledge and become learned and wiser. A grade is just a letter and won't mean a whole lot in the future, but the knowledge you acquire will stay with you forever and you will benefit from it for the rest of your life. When you do get into college, plan ahead. As soon as you sign up for your classes, print out all of your syllabi and shedule assignments and test dates into your planner BEFORE the class even begins. Do your readings before each class period so you won't be lost in the dicussion that day. It becomes very easy to get behind and discouraged so stay on top of things magage your time wisely!

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, I would listen intently to all the advice my teachers gave me. I would study hard and be a serious contributer as a student in the classroom. There would be less time spent socializing and more time developing great study habits that would carry me into college. I would research colleges to attend and be resourceful in finding means to afford college without placing heavy burdens on my mother. If only I could go back and be a better person to many whom I took for granted or just downright mean to, I would love to take those moments back and make all the wrong that I have done to make right. I would be helpful to those who were less fortunate than myself and not be so caught up in my vanity. I would be more considerate of my mother who struggled to care for my brothers and I by taking school seriously and making her proud. I would do more to serve my family and those around me, instead of myself . I would have loved to have Jesus in my life then rather than later.

The best advice I could give to myself is to be prepared and to focus on my high school academic school year. When you are prepared, you will work two-four years before college to save money for the cost of books, room and board and meal plans. If you follow this rule, you will alleviate some of your stress, which at that point, you will find yourself more focused in your school work. As a senior you should set a standard for yourself by developing your knowledge and skills in school. You develop this knowledge by studying, seeking help from your counselors/teachers, taking college prep classes and being prepared for the ACT and SAT's. If you stay on this level, this will help you transition smoothly, which in turn, will lead you to success.

If I were to go back in time and prepare myself for the transition into college, I would have developed better study habits. In high school, it was easy to get away with not reading the chapters out of the book before class. I didn't feel like there was a ton of effort needed on that part in order to do well. Now that I am at a competitive university where a big part of learning is up to your individual study, it is easy to fall behind and sometimes to not be able to catch back up. Overall, there is a higher demand of time devoted to studying if you hope to succeed. I would also adivse myself to make use of the TAs that are available to you. Typically, there are at least 2 for each class and they are more than willing to help you succeed. That is what they are there for. Don't be afraid to ask for help if something in particular does't make sense and needs to be clarified. It is a good way to get some one-on-one help. Last of all, work hard and do your best.

Dear High School Self, College is hard, I'm not going to lie. It's not like high school, but you don't need to be afraid. Just be prepared It will take you a while to get used to college life, but you'll adjust. Don't get frustrated. Just remember that most adjustments take time. Another bit of advice I have for you is to get involved. Make friends with your dorm-mates. Attend activities. Participate in service projects. Have fun! This is an important time in your life, and you will be making life-long friends while at college. The biggest bit of advice I have for you, though, is to stay organized. Write assignments down. Check the class syllabuses often. Plan ahead. And if you need help, ask for it! You are pretty much on your own now, proving that you can make it without your parents' help. And you can do it, because you're smart enough and strong enough. This university accepted you as a student, knowing that you could rise to the challenge, so don't be afraid to spread your wings and fly! Love, Your College Self

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I needed to be outgoing and not afraid of what other people thought of me. I think this hindered many of my relationships in college. I also would tell myself that teachers are there to help and that I should meet them and talk with them so they knew me better. Lastly, I would tell myself that I should trust my gut. I made my decision for a major before my freshman year and that major was all wrong for me. I should have taken the time to really explore what classes interested me and what I was good at. Then I could have avoided changing my major and taking a long time to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Listen to your gut, even if others tell you it is dumb.

If I but had the chance to speak, as I am, to my high school self but once, letting him know what lies ahead, I would speak to him concerning honesty & integrity. In a constant world of comparing and competing… it seems too often we jeopardize the very precious person we have been so diligently giving our all to become. I would comfort myself, giving the counsel to calm down, take a deep breath, and to uphold my character. There is no greater success, nor source of success, than that of a man of moral worth. College was never about the grades. A job interview was never merely about the resume. But rather, it was about the man-be more. Maintain the grades, but do not be ‘possessed’ by the A’s; plan your life, stretch yourself, go for the scholarships, internships, and study abroad; seek advisement help, learn how to network, give service. Education is so much more than merely a ‘formal’ education. Regardless where his passions and ambitions might take him, a good man will lead a happy life. He will be successful… in whatever way he believes ‘success’ means to him. That is the life I want.

I would tell myself to work harder, and to start to be more responsible. I would say that in order to get good grades and to have a good chance of getting scholarships, I need to stop being so childish, and to realize that college is a big responsibility. Looking back, I know that if I worked a little harder, and put some effort into my senior year, and even treated my friends and family differently, I would have gotten at least 1 scholarship. Even though I feel like I am in a good place right now in my life, I feel that I could have succeeded even more in college if the decisions I made in highschool were different.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would definitely tell myself that college is for learning, not for having fun. It is important to enjoy yourself while there but the classes are not like high school courses, studying for them takes up your whole day. You need to go to bed early and stay on top of your course work, just focus on school. I would tell myself that college was going to be hard and being away from home would make it even harder. Everyone is capable of doing hard things in life. While in college you might feel like you are just wasting time and money but in a few years you will be thankful for the opportunity you had to be in school and all you accomplished. Just push through this and you will learn so many wonderful things about yourself that you never knew!

Hey Me! There really is no way to be fully prepared for everything you will go through at college. I could advise you about studying hard, but then you may just end up having horrible teachers which you aren't prepared for. I could advise you about making friends and study groups, but then you might have problems with your academic advisor or financial aid. There are a million things to prepare for in order to succeed at college, and trust me it is not worth the mental strain in trying to be perfectly prepared for every one. Let me just remind you that every time you had to take on more responsibility in your life you were not fully prepared, but you stepped up to the plate and succeeded at whatever responsibility you took on. This is no different. You will have greater responsibilty in college but you will step up to the plate just like you always have. Trust and engage yourself in whatever you do and you will succeed. This is more than just advice for college, this is advice for life.

At 1st you will feel out of place and maybe stressed out/homesick, but once you open your eyes to all college offers, you will love it! Set priorities and make study buddies; these people could become great friends. Talk to your teachers! You may need reference letters in the future and knowing your teachers will make that process much easier. For social life, find out what's going on (on- campus and off-campus)....aka make friends! There are plently of cheap/fun things to do, you just have to find them! Mainly, the fun happens when you have the right friends. Have lots of fun, but also remember that you want to do something with your education, so figure out a career as soon as possible!

If I had the ability to travel back in time to speak to myself as a high school senior with my current knowledge of college life and the transition it takes to be successful, I would advise myself to stay and keep focused on my high school classes with the goal of making and maintaining a 4.0 GPA or as close to it as possible; and to work hard to maintain that GPA throughout college. I would tell my younger self that this goal will allow for the maximum scholarships and honor programs that college has to offer, alleviating the need for school loans and the weight and stress of having to pay them back. I would also tell myself that this focus will lead me down a more financially secure path with better life options. Better options on, who to marry, where to live and raise a family, how to financially invest money, and what to invest those funds in towards retirement and my children’s educations. I would also let my younger self know that college life offers many opportunities to create and secure great friendships that can last a lifetime.

if i could back and talk to myself again i would tell myself to be more focused and actually do your research into what school your going as well as weighing out your options. the cost can be great and you may not always have help. you want to grow up so fast that you overlook all the major details. friends influence and can come in the way as well as relationships. take your time to focus and do your research and always do what heart tells you to.