California Lutheran University Top Questions

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

Jessica

I think just not worrying too much about college. Senior year everything is stressful about college, but in the end it gets better. Everything works themselves out and everything isn't the end of the world.

Mollie

Go for it. Be brave. Many more doors will open for you than you'd expect.

Reka

I would tell myself not to worry about the small things that I am afraid of and that I should step out of my comfort zone more. Also, you have to be motivated to get involved and nothing will be handed to you. If you want to achieve your goals you have to work hard and be determined.

Jennifer

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say the following: "Jennifer, you need to get yourself together. You need to get your priorities straight and figure out what is more important to you. Friends or your education? I'm not saying you can't have them both, but you have to figure out which one is higher on your "totem pole". Don't let yourself get carried away and distracted from your college work, afterall that's why you're going to college right? Oh, and one more thing, STUDY! Study, study, study! I cannot say that enough! College is the real deal! You HAVE TO study! Use your time wisely! And last but not least, be true to yourself! Have some fun every now and then, meet new people, join clubs."

kelly

I would tell myself to choose Cal Lutheran from the start. I went to CSU Fullerton my freshman year and felt lost. I was just another face in the lecture hall to my professors but at Cal Lu I stand out and am getting much better grades. It is so nice when professors want you to succeed and work with you in order to do so. I would also tell myself to live on campus so I could get that experience of having a roommate.

roslynn

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say "go to a four year college and purely focus on your education." I would also tell myself for the first year of college stay on campus and do not get a job. I would want to give myself one year to learn how to manage going to school full-time without having to juggle a part-time job. I would explain to myself that it is much easier to attend college and graduate with a degree without having the responsibilities of raising children, working, and paying your mortgage and other household bills. That said, I would tell myself to make your life easier instead of harder.

YESENIA

As a high school senior, I would tell myself to allow myself to have an open mind. I would say dont be afraid to explore all of the opportunities that college will make available. I would be sure to push myself to be more involved in discussions, research projects, volunteer experience and internship opportunities that are offered. I will learn more from these opportunities because they will not serve as experience but will open up more insights into the career and what life has to offer. I would tell myself to not only study and take the material i learn in class for the test, but to apply it to real world scenarios on a more abstract level. I would tell myself to explore all my options and not be afraid to make wrong decisions as I will grow from them and learn what us important to me. Its important to enjoy all aspects of the college experience, work hard to get work done, but also take the time to enjoy the beauty life has to offer and most important, make sure that what you are studying is what you love as this will become you life

Anthony

I would tell myself to accept change and open my mind to new experiences. Be open and outgoing and you will be able to be a strong contributor to your new school. Accept that you are almost starting over as a freshman and look to find worthy upperclassmen to help guide you. Ask for help! All of the counselors and instructors are there to help you through college, it's not as easy as high school. Learn to make good decisions. Stay on track and strong and you will succeed. Most of all, don't get distressed or overwhelmed with college life. While you are technically an adult, there are a lot of resources to help you get through that first year.

Esmeralda

If I went back in time I would tell my high school senior self to take advantage and take summer classes at my local community college to get ahead. Therefore, I would have been done by now and not worry about tuiton and loans. In addition, I would of told myself to have told myself which UC's to apply to so I could have received more aid at my school. Lastly, I would have told myself to break up with my boyfriend at the time and enjoy my Senior year with friends because he ruined my last year. That is one thing I really do regret, letting a guy ruin my last year of high school.

Alexa

Given the opportunity to give myself advice in high school, I would tell myself to not let others impact what I want to do. College is a time to grow and try new things that interest you- not your parents, not your siblings or roommates. I would want to tell myself to not be afraid to do things on my own; it is okay if your roommate doesn’t want to join a club with you, you can do it by yourself and make new friends along the way. In addition, I would want to advise myself to take fun classes along with the ones required for my major. Although this education is preparing you for your future job, learning should be a fun experience, so take a surfing class along with accounting and business law. Finally, I wish I could tell myself to be who I want to be and not to let anyone get in the way of that. Whether it’s deciding what to wear or what to major in, make sure you are the one in charge of your decision.

Tabitha

Be outgoing. You're going to make plenty of friends in freshman year, but keep that outgoing personality throughout your entire college career. Don't get stuck in one friend group. Branch out. Attend every event campus offers, even if it sounds like you won't like it. Volunteer. Giving back to the community is one of the most gratifying things you can do when you start to feel alone away from home. Volunteering also helps you figure out what you really want to do in life. Do community service with different organizations. Make connections. Keep in touch with your high school professors, not just your university professors. Stop worrying about graduating in four years. Sometimes it takes a little longer to figure out what you actually want to do with your life, and that's okay. Not everyone is going to follow the "four year plan." Call your parents often. It's okay to admit that you miss them. They miss you even more. They love you a lot, and they are the best connection you can keep through college. They will keep you grounded, and focused. Lastly, have fun. Spread your wings and have some fun.

Roy

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would definitely push myself to not devote my life to sports, but rather spend more time studying in the library and getting involved with my schools student organizations. I would also tell myself to choose a higher caliber of friends who make better decisions and seek out those who would be a greater influence in my life. In preparation for college I would have to say get ready for more distractions and determine when you can party (because you will) and when is it not time to party. I would also recommend getting to class ten-minutes early and stay after class for ten-minutes and utilize that time to converse with the professor. Lastly, make the library your second home, keep your GPA as high as possible and apply for as many scholorships as you can because college is expensive!

Blanca

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 wouldn't know where to start. I would start by saying that choosing the right classes at a community college go a long way. To take general education classes that are interesting and will provide cultural knowdlege rather than just some to pass the time and earn the credit. I would also tell myself to associate with the right people, knowledgable, ambitious, eager to learn, kind, and funny. While I am focused on hard work I also will need some fun. Most importantly to make the right decisions, at all times, because things that happen in High School can affect you more than you know. In addition, I would tell myself to volunteer at random places simply to help and to learn from an array of people. I would also tell myself to join clubs and activities that I wouldn't normally take a part of. This would be for fun and self growth. And lastly, I would tell myself that internships go a long way and being kind to others does to.

GRECIA

If I were to go back to my senior year, I would most definitely tell myself: “ take as many classes as you can Ventura College.” I came to the United States at the beginning of my Junior year, so I had no idea what came next in my education. Since I am the first person in my family to ever go to college, my family could not give me any advice or guide me trough my education. Plus, there was a new language to learn, and because I was not fluent in English I had to take classes that did not even transfer, but were required to take any regular class– forget about the AP classes. When I was in my Senior year, I was fortunate to get involved in AVID. Thanks to AVID, I knew what classes to take when I transferred to Ventura Community College and earned my Associates degree and completed my transfer requirements in two years. I will forever be thankful. Take college classes, do community service, enroll more clubs, that and much more I would tell myself – but then, I had to work to support myself, so I had no time.

Malissa

If I could go back in time, I would have to tell myself to just remember to breathe. There were times this past year that I submerged myself in my studies too deep and I felt like I just could not get a break. I would tell myself not to get too involved in activities or sign up for too many classes or just certain classes because they all require so much and it would be more beneficial to spread the labor out over time. I would tell myself not to panic or worry about the little things because there is a bigger picture and life does in fact go on, even if you think you are absolutly done for and nothing will get better. It will get better, it always does. That part in the play you were hoping for will go to someone else but it will be ok because you get the role you wanted in the upciming musical. Do not question yourself or your abilities and stick with what you love because that is the thing that will help you through all the tough times ahead. Stick with it and don't you ever give up.

Jenessa

If I could go back and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school there are a lot of things I would say. I would tell myself to study for my Advanced Placement tests and to learn good study habits now, even if much studying isn't required. I regret not trying harder on those tests because getting a better score on them could have helped me in so many ways. I would also tell myself not to worry about how things are going in high school because in college no one cares about what high school was like. I would tell myself to throw caution to the wind and introduce myself to more people when I first got to college. Most importantly I would tell myself that I am proud of who I am and how mature I was in high school. I would say that it doesn't matter what people here think because you know who you are and what your dreams are so go after them and continue to be the best version of yourself that you can.

Justino

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior l I would have first told myself to finish strong grade wise because the way one finishes high school is how they start college. I remember a teacher telling me this my last semester of middle school going into high school and he could not have been more right, I started to slack at the end and had a hard time adjusting. His principle holds the exact same for any academic transistion. Also in addition to finishing strong, my other advice would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Many companies and scholarship foundations practically find you and say "apply for me." Unfortunately I was just not focused enough, did not manage my time well, and did not believe I was worthy. Now looking back on it, if I would have gotten a few more of those, I could be at the school I initially desired and not be in a hard economic situation. In conclusion, simply telling myself that in college a new world of fun will open to you, it's worth sacraficing a little fun right now would be my message.

Nick

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior transitioning to college would be to stay focused and to talk to as many people as possible while you are in college. Staying focused in college can be hard as you will be moving out and living on your own assumiing many new responsibilities. There are many distractions that can get you off track from your goal of getting a college degree like clubs and parties. You have to be responsible to stay away from distractions when you need to study or have homework to do. Also, while in college it is important to talk to as many people as possible because one, you can make new friends in the process. Two, you can meet people that can help you out in school if you have trouble in a certain class and offer advice of what teachers to take. Finally, once you graduate, you will already have those peoples numbers and therefore have connections for the rest of your life; not to mention the life long friends some of them will become. The best years of your life are in college. Use them wisely.

Brandon

Dear young Brandon, Whatever you do, apply for scholarships. It will be worth it in the future. You will spend less time worrying about Student Loans and fearing the worst. Also, take the time to research and throoughly find a school you will love- take campus tours, take the time to click around the website to research and take the time to speak to alumni about the college and see what they love. You never know what you will think about a school until you take a stroll around the campus. Apply to community colleges, you will always have the oppurtunity to transfer once you complete your two years and you will save a boatload of money! Take these words wisely young Brandon, because they will save you years later from being terrified for your future.

Sherise

Despite the many lessons I learned throughout my freshman year of college, I would like to share only a few to my younger self. I would not tell myself everything for one must experience the difficulties of college. Mistakes are what help you find your strengths and weaknesses and should be experienced. I would tell myself though, that the key to making the first year significant is recognizing and correcting your mistakes early. Furthermore, I would encourage myself to try new things that I have always wanted to try and some I have never even thought about. Because, then, you will find your true interests and ultimately, what will drive you to achieve your goals. I would advise myself to have fun and open up in meeting who would be my lifelong friends. Reminding myself that I am not the only one, my friends and I are here for each other to ease the college transition. But while you’re having fun, remember to reevaluate what is important. The main point of college is to find your future that you will enjoy and hopefully provide a better life that your parents have worked so hard to make possible.

Mariah

If you thought high school was a breeze and you didn't need to study, that is not the same in college. Make sure to find a way that helps you study and can retain that information. If you have any issues about material in classes, don't hesitate to talk to a TA, professor, counsellor, or anyone that can help you. Know your limitations and work on them so they don't become a hinderance to your future. Studying is important, but so is friendship. Don't isolate yourself and give yourself the opportunity to have some fun and to try new things.

Matt

With the knowledge I have now of the present, I would tell myself to prepare for college as much as possible. This includes saving money, getting a job, and doing as many scholarships as possible, because this school is financially burdening. The biggest advice I would have given myself, is to overly prepare for the AP tests. Passing those tests with high enough scores can result in earning college credit. I didn't understand in high school that passing four AP tests out of the seven I took would have saved me an entire semester of college, and that much more money. The debt that I will accrue in these four years will take me a while to pay off, and preparing for this financial injury in high school would have saved a lot of pain. I had plenty of time in high school to fill out scholarship, but now I have to do it in between class, sports, and a job. College is much more time consuming than high school.

Xiomara

If I was a high school senior who was transitioning into college, my advice to myself would to be to keep my future goals in mind, and ask myself if what I was doing was helping me get closer to my goals? Often, the transition is greater then one realizes at the moment, but looking back, there was more then just the transition of high school to college. I was growing up and it was happening quicker then I realized. By this I mean that I did not realize how many decisions I had to make for myself. Especially, when it came to how to finance my education. In my opinion this has been the most stressful part about being a college student. As a high school senior I had all these misconceptions about college life. I thought of college as a fun time. A time to experience what I thought I could not as high school student. I thought it was about fraternity and soroity parties. I was more about my social life then my education. Now I realize the value in education. It is an ivestment in my future and my future lifestyle.

Christa

It's perfectly okay to be afraid. It's the scariest thing you've done yet, but you'll get through it. This school has offered you not only the educational experience you've always wanted, but some of the best friends you could ever ask for. You'll change and grow in so many wonderful ways, that any fear you harbor will quickly fade to a memory. You'll learn about who you are, what makes you tick, and become stronger and more independent than you thought possible. Yes, these things are scary, and rightfully so, but it's all part of growing up. You'll be ready to grow once you get here. Try not to worry. It's okay to cry, to be uncertain of the future. But trust yourself, love yourself, and hold your head confidently high. You will dazzle, you will be happy, and you will be successful. Waste no more time hating yourself and keep working hard as you always have. Don't ever let anyone else dictate your worth or what you can or cannot do. Only you have the power to decide those things. You will be fine.

Isabella

If I could go back in time to my high school senior year, this is the advice I would give myself about transitioning into college: get involved on campus, don’t be scared to make new friends, and don’t expect to be best friends with your roommate. To get involved on campus, join a few clubs that interest you, go to sporting events, go to talks around campus, join an intramural team, and try to get a job on campus. For making new friends, wander the halls and the campus, hang out in your dorm’s common area, and go to activities in your dorm put on by the RAs. Going into college, I was expecting to be best friends with my roommate, but that isn’t how it turned out to be. Go into college wanting to be civil with your roommate, and if you end up being friends, that’s great! But mostly work on being able to live together. Get to know each other first before deciding on being friends. That will be difficult to do, but it will make things much easier. Doing all of these things will make your transition into college stress-free.

Camille

College is a transition. Ups and downs are sure to occur. To prepare for college, I would advise myself to get involved, care about academics, and take care of myself. Firstly, get involved in both social and school related activities to pave the way for a smoother transition. Form healthy relationships with reliable and trustworthy people. Having true friends will provide you with someone to talk to, and to empathize with on rough days. Secondly, remember that you are in college to receive an education. Take time to study everyday. If you dedicate time and energy to your studies , you will set yourself up for success. Talk to faculty. Whether to clarify an assignment, discuss a grade, or to chat. Faculty is there to support you, so take advantage of their wisdom and assistance. Lastly, make an effort to eat healthy and exercise. There are healthy options, you just need to pay attention to what your eating and not eat too many of those cookies. Find some form of exercise that you enjoy! Working out will help you maintain your weight, de- stress, and re- energize. Also, sleep, it's worth it. Just remember have fun, but study!

Dominique

I would tell myself not to be afraid, and that it is ok to go out and find yourself. I would tell myself that there is so much out there in th world to see, and by going to college it can help me find out who I am, and who I am meant to be. In high school I didn't imagine that I would be able to actually pursue my dream of completing college and getting my bachelor's degree. If I could go back in time and tell my young high school self what to do, it would be to just jump and do it. I was so afraid of what college life would be like, and I feel like thats the main thing that I would tell myself. Don't be afraid and I'm a lot smarter than I think I am.

Samantha

When I was a high school senior I wish I could have told myself to get in contact with my program director, Dave, instead of only listening to a general advisor while signing up for classes. I didn’t know exactly which program I should be in, but I knew what I wanted to do. Knowing Dave as I do now, I know he would have made sure I was taking my classes in the right order and kept me from taking classes I didn’t need. During my first semester of college I unnecessarily took a 5 credit hour Calculus class and a total of only 12 hours. I knew I would struggle with Calculus, but I didn’t trust my gut and I ended up in a situation where I couldn’t drop that class without losing my financial aid but the grade I was earning would seriously damage my GPA. It took hard work to get past that mistake, but I managed to earn a 3.70 and graduate from the honors program before transferring schools. Now, I tell every senior I know that it’s important to get to know your program’s faculty advisor!

Faith

Stop pretending that you don’t care, and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Community college is the perfect place for you, so there is no reason to be disappointed or prejudiced. You’re saving thousands of dollars; you’re going to meet incredible students and faculty, alike; you’re going to win an essay contest and act in some brilliant plays; you are going to learn so much. The only way to experience this, however, is to commit to this school. Do not waste your first year using unfortunate registration dates as an excuse. Fill out the paperwork, and become an actual member of the Honors Society; you will have so many more opportunities. Go to club meetings between classes. They have free food. Speak to your professors during office hours, as many of them will become your mentors and friends. Ask for help when you need it. Take literature classes. Join the theatre department. Psychology seems a more stable career path, but it isn't your passion. Finally, I know moving out sounds like a good idea, but you’re better off staying at home and saving your money. You’ll need it when you transfer to UCLA!

Daniel

I would tell myself not to be so careless. In high school I had no direction and absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life and I wasn't much interested in finding that direction. Now I do. This past I year I discovered what I want my direction in life to be and I've never been so sure of myself. Becoming a funeral director is such an amazing avenue to help people and give them closure. Actually, I wouldn't tell myself to stop being careless, I'd just introduce him to the funeral industry. That would have solved a lot more problems much quicker.

stella

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to work very hard once I get to college. College is going to be very hard if you don't motivate yourself to work hard and study. Do your best to remain focused because you have no one but yourself to push to you to get your work done and go to all your classes. It is tempting to just skip class or an assignment but you gain nothing from doing that. Enjoy your college years as much as you can, and major in a topic that really pulls your interest. It will get hard at times and you might want to just call it quits, but that satisfying feeling you get when you accomplish something is worth it all. Good luck.

Christina

If I had to talk to my high school senior self, I would tell her to not be afraid to meet new people. Go and talk to people who are different from you. They will really give you a different perspective on life. I would also say that doubting who you are is normal and can be very beneficial. College is the place to find yourself and develop who you really are. You might find that you are different than what you thought you were. And that's ok! College is also when you find out what you are good at and what you want to do for the rest of your life. Once you find out what you wanna do, try to be involved in it immediately. Internships gain connections that can help in the long run. Do well academically, and don't slack off. But remember to have a good time! Get involved in clubs and activities; go to sporting events and cheer your team on. Spend time with your friends and remember that most people say that this is the best time of their lives. Cherish the good times you will have.

Crystal

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to wait. Education is very important and the longer you wait the harder it is to go back. I received my GED in 2005 when I was seventeen and here I am twenty-four just now trying to go back. Money will be tight and you will have to learn how to manage your time, but it is the best thing I could have done. I have such a great support system and if I would have known then how supportive they would have been for me, I would have started a long time ago. My advice is to work hard, manage your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You will have fun and you will do great!

Corey

Transitioning to college was drastically harder than I thought. Once you step foot away from high school, it hits you like a brick wall. The pondering question then becomes: "What am I going to do with my life?". To say the least, I wish I would have put substantially more thought into this question. I ended up going to Edison State College, a community college in Fort Myers in Florida. I am a resident from Wisconsin, so this was quite the move. The best advice I would give myself is not to base my college decison on location, but rather on education itself. I finally realized that the best thing for my future is to get my education done is Wisconsin, and then live wherever I want later in life. One of the hardest decisions of my life was leaving my friends and my favorite state in order to transfer and achieve my education up in Wisconsin. The biggest lesson I learned and would advice to any senior in high school is to plan for the future, not the present. With that being said, I promise to myself that I will put forward my best effort in Wisconsin.

Adreanna

Adreanna, I am you in the future. I am going through college and have some advice. Get a job and start looking into some more financial aid. Tuition goes up every year and a private institution can burn a hole in your pocket. You don't want big numbers roaming over your head every semester so do some serious financial aid searches right now and the years to follow. All of the work you have done thus far will pay off. You will remain focused despite the shift in terms of the work load. It won't be as easy as high school so start working on those procrastination habits of yours. Other than that, remain the open minded individual that you are and continue to work hard.

Angelica

If I were to go back in time as a high school senior, I would give myself a lot of advice. During my time at Moorpark College, I spent the first year exploring majors, rather than completing my CORE requirements and choosing my major once I transferred. I would advise myself to spend my two years at Moorpark College completing my general education requirements because now that I have switched majors multiple times I have taken courses that I did not necessarily have to take. I would also tell my high school senior self to not worry so much about college acceptances. I spent months dwelling on rejection letters rather than being proud of my accomplishments. Getting accepted into a university should be a prideful moment in any student's life and there are far too many pressures put on students to try and get into the more popular universities. During high school, I had no knowledge of California Lutheran University's existence, yet now, I am proud to say I will be a graduate of the university in just a little over a year. The transition from high school to college is one I wish I could redo.

Janine

Hello Janine, Well, here we are. The back in time question that we have been wondering about since 8th grade. Take this advice and don't forget it. Things will go a lot smoother. Make things easier for yourself! Here, I'll make a list for you: -Don't procrastinate! I know how much you love to do that especially for math. Do the work on time! -Ask when you need help! Don't be so hard-headed and ask the teacher for help. Especially for math! It helps a lot. The teachers care as long as you care. -Never quit. When things seem impossible just slap yourself in the face and tell yourself that nothing is impossible. Nothing. You got into a univeristy, see? -Don't completely rely on your friends. Believe in yourself. I know that sounds cruel but this is around the time where your friends leave or stay. Not just because of the distance of wherever their school may be but of how much they really value you as a friend. Don't get heartbroken or hurt because of some "friends" decisions. You will find more. Don't stress. You'll be okay. I promise. Janine

Heather

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and save money. I was so focused on the here and now that I did not save money for college and I did not apply for scholarships. I would also tell myself to take more advanced placement courses so I would not have to pay for the general education classes that I had to take at the community college. Another thing I would tell my high school self is to visit more colleges and get teh "college experience" sooner rather than later. I went away to college for a semester and I realized how home sick I was. If I went away earlier it probably would have made the transistion smoother.

Elliott

I would tell myself to really focus on my football career, I had so much talent I couldve gone to any school in the country I know it deep in my heart. I would not go out with my freinds, I would dedicate more time in the library studying to get perfect grades so that I could have had a full scholarship to play for my dream school U.S.C Trojans. I would tell myself every day to train, lift weights, and not let my nother down. I wish I couldnt write about what I coulda done in the past, and just do it, but you giys are asking me for this response, and thats what I would do I would be more applied, more dedicated to everthing that I did in Highschool. Elliott Reyes #91 I still Play football for CAl Lutheran University I will never Lose hope of my dreams Please help me be succesfull I am 23 years old, and I am on my own Please help me I am maxed out on student Loans and Financial aid.

stella

If I were to go back in time and advise myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to enjoy my last year as much as I possibly can because once you leave you can't go back and you will regret not doing more. I would also say to work very hard in college even if a course seems like an easy A, put in as much effort into that class so you walk out knowing as much as you can about that class. Also it is okay to ask for help! Don't be afraid to ask your teachers, friends, or fellow students for help because it will benefit you. Lastly, I would advise myself to not get stressed about school. I know it is difficult and too much at times but the feeling of accomplishment is going to be all worth it in the end. There are going to be times where you may feel like giving up but don't. As Winston Churchill said “When you are going through hell, keep on going. Never never never give up."

Courtney

I would tell my past self to be open and have an amazing time in college. Also, to stay true to yourself and hold your ground. Furthermore, I would tell her to not be too trustworthy because you are meeting new people and to try and form close friends that you can trust. The classes are hard, but if youwork hard and get to know the professors it will pay off.

Jonna

Grades was something I was not concerned with. Advanced classes were in my agenda, but the grades nor the effert seemed to be there. I was never informed on the importance of G.P.A. With that being said, I did just enough to get by. I never really tried to see how smart I actually was. Now that I am twenty four years of age, I know more infrmation about education than I could imagine. I am one of the firsts to graduate with a college degree in my family and I should have known this then. If I could go back and speak to me in my present form, I wouldn't say a thing. I would sit down, take me thorugh all the steps and let myself figure it out by doing. Hands on is best for lesson learners.

Erin

Erin, I know you are ready for a new scene, a new life, and new people. However, that doesn't mean you should stop working hard, and shutting yourself out. Be yourself, be productive, read books, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime. keep swimming and practicing with Eric, even though he grind our gears like noone else he knows what he is talking about, and cares about you(side note: don't let them take your car to New York. It doesn't turn out too well). I know it will be hard, but try to save as much money as possible, because you may think you're ready, but being a broke college student is harder than you think. Spend as much time as possible with mom and dad because you will miss them more than you know. Be prepared for heartache and many tears, but it will make you stronger and smarter. And don't forget that I love you even though you're not perfect.

Samantha

I would tell myself to be open-minded and outgoing, that friends are around every corner and I would have to be willing to go outside of my comfort zone. I would also tell myself that no matter how hard it seems, it is all doable- classes, sports, work and extracurriculars. Getting involved is also a very good idea because there are so many clubs and organizations on campus, all full of great people. Studying abroad is also one of the best decisions you could make, not only because of the awesome places you will see, but because of the great lessons you will learn. Work hard, play hard.

Connor

I would tell myself to get more social, meet some new people. Coming into college I did not know anyone, and it would of been a great help if I had practiced talking to knew people while I was still at highschool. I also would of told myself to take those AP tests so I didn't have to repeat classes I already took.

Robin

Stay focused on our classes and finish. You will make it and you will be great. Don't be afraid to fail. It is so much easier to go to school now then to wait until you have a family, and a full time job. Listen to your Grandma, she is usually right. Even though is it hard to admit. You have potential, you know that you can finish college. Just stick with it!!

Kevlyn

If I could give my high school self one piece of advice regarding college, it would be this: breathe. When you enter college, a whole new world is suddenly thrust in your face and it can be incredibly overwhelming. Suddenly, you have to juggle your social life, and your workload and you sleep all on your own with little regulation. It’s hard to find a balance, and there were quite a few times when I felt ready to break down and cry. When this happened, I just had to remember to breathe. I had to remind myself that I could get through the schoolwork, I would find my social niche, and I could handle this new experience if I just took a moment to take a few deep breathes. I would tell my senior self to be sure to take a moment to find that inner peace that makes the world seem like a nicer place. Sometimes, you have to remember to slow down and breathe.

justin

The best advice I can give myself is to not close myself off, and find indidivuals who are positive to be around rather then loners and individuals upset with the world. College is hard and when you are going through a difficult transition its better to surround yourself with individuals to tell you its ohk to be who you are rather then those who tell you to hide it or run. Coming out in college especially mentally with class life wasn't the best choice I think, and maybe to stay on the books because yes true at the end of the day you only have yourself but if you cant support yourself then you have nothing.

Christopher

If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self about the preparations for college I would tell him this... College is another phase in your life. Do not forget about your loved ones at home, but conversely you cannot let them tie you down from meeting new people. When starting your first semester of college make sure you have all your books and notebooks, read before class, and don't be afraid to ask questions. When moving in meet your roommate and sit down to talk about how you all want to live; discuss such issues as cleaning your room, having guests over, and when your bed time usually is. Furthermore, know that just because you have a roommate and live with him does not mean that you have to be friends. In fact, try to make friends outside your residence hall because you tend to fight with the people you live with - just think about your brothers! My final advice for you is to be ambitions. Everyone that is coming into their first year of college is feeling nevrous and shy just like you, so get out, join clubs, and be involved!

Ratidzai

High school was a time of growth and development and college is only an extension of the process. If I could go back to my high-school self, I would tell myself a truth I have recently discovered: life is never stagnent, it is perpetually changing and there is little I can do to control that change. The fact is, I thought I would hang onto my high-school friends and that I would continue those friendships but because of the ever-chaning nature of life, it is impossible to hold onto the past and continue to move forward. I would remind myself that life does change and that all I can do is embrace the changes that occur. I never though I would lose so many friends or that I would be so different but all this has occured. I would remind myself that as my life changes, so does that of others. I would tell myself to expect the best from those changes and be prepared for them. I would tell myself that the changes should be embraced and the past cherished.