Carthage College Top Questions

Although the power of aging surely resides in the wisdom gained from past experiences, if given the chance there is always something we wish we could forewarn our past of, despite losing some wisdom our present self obtains. I am no exception to this generalization. Had I opportunity, I wold advise my high school self not to procrastinate on homework, not so much to acquire a higher academic standing but to further develop much needed study habits. Apropos my budgeting capabilities, I would emphasize the importance of quarters, as I would soon come to know that quarters would become my means of survival, and with out them I would not have clean clothes. Above all else, I would remind myself not to lose sight of the ones that I love or those who love me, as they are my support system, and just as dna would be without a sugar phosphate backbone, I too would be backbone-less.

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is to apply to as many scholarships as possible. If I would've done this I think I could've made my college experience a lot better. I picture myself and my family less stresses out about money, especially around the holiday times. One other thing I would tell my high school self is to listen to people who say 'we don't recommend that for college freshman'. Right now I am in a suite style residence hall where everyone is separated, this has caused me to not have a great community to be myself around. They told us that these residence halls weren't the greatest for freshman but I was convinced that I needed my own bathroom and my own space but I have come to realize that I would have liked to have a community and more friends than my own bathroom.

The transition is going to be far, far easier than you think it will be. You'll get to college and in three days time you'll be calling the dorm room your home -- your roommate and you are going to stay up extra late talking about your hopes and dreams for the future the fourth day in. By your second day, you will be spilling your secrets and life story out to your friends that you will be calling your family by the fifth day. Your anxieties about classes will dissipate by the first week and you’ll be joking with your professors by the first week. You will be held up by your peers, blown away by their capabilities, and end up calling your high school teachers after school to personally thank you for just how far they got you. You will learn things about yourself that you never knew were possible and you will worry less about the future when you realize that you are carving your own path. You will not just burn, you will ignite and flare in college. And you will never, ever go out.

I would tell myself to follow Frank's advice. As a senior in high school, I worked at a Chinese restaurant, as a waiter. One of our regular customers was a war veteran named Frank. He would always order the same meal, the same way. One of my last few days before the semester started, Frank came into the store, and sat down. We talked for a while (business was slow), and eventually he asked what my plan ws for school. I said "I'm going to study physics, and be the first in my family to get a degree. My parents wil be so proud!" After a moment of consideration, Frank said to me "Chris, don't go to school to make your parents proud. Go to school to make yourself proud." In my freshman year, I was constantly afraid of failing... Not quizzes or tests, but failing my parents' expectations. I think I would tell myself to forget what people wanted or expected me to do, and just do what made me happy. The only thing that counts, really, is feeling like you put forth your very best. Whatever we do in life, we should make ourselves proud.

Relaxing is one of the keys to every new situation that one encounters in life. I would tell my high school senior self that meeting new friends, new professors, and taking new classes is not as terrifying as my nerves made it out to be. I would say the ever popular phrase, “don’t be afraid to be yourself.” It is the only way you will find out where you fit in. One practical piece of advice for my high school senior self would be to apply for as many outside scholarships as possible, like this Campus Discovery scholarship. College tuition is one thing, but all the little things, such as books and meals are another; everything begins to add up. The last piece of advice I would give my high school senior self would be to believe in the abilities I have already acquired from high school. In high school, French and math were my favorite subjects; therefore, I am studying French and Finance in college. It is better to dive in, use what you already know, and what new knowledge you are acquiring to make the best of classes and prepare you the most for an aspiring career.

Dear Mike, USING CAPS LOCK IN YOUR ENGLISH PAPERS IS A BAD IDEA. Exclamation marks also don't help. Your cafeteria serves more hamburgers than McDonald's. Try to branch out once in a while. That's not Dance Dance Revolution in the next-door room. It takes two to tango and three to spread spicy news. Keep the personal...personal. When your roommate leaves a mess, be the bigger man and clean it up. You don't have to, but what if everyone thought that way? The only drug you need is caffeine, which comes in different forms, none of them intravenous. Group showers here are like the scene from Schindler's List, but it's not going to kill you to use them. Plus, dropping an Axe bomb is as overpowering as BO, and not a substitue for soap and water. Here's the bottom line: These four years aren't a cake-walk, but they're not a death march. Remember that movie where the kid's parents leave him at home? You can eat/drink/smoke/think anything and nothing you want to. College is whatever you make it. Make something great. Your Friend, Michael

The advice I would give to my high school self would be learn how to forgive because it impacts the way you see the world and yourself. You must be able to forgive yourself for your failures, because failing is a major part of learning. Without those moments of self doubt that arise after you fail you would not take the time to reflect on your actions and you would never notice how it impacted your life. In other words reflection is learning about yourself, your choices and how they affect yourself and others. Another aspect of forgiveness I would have wanted to know would be to forgive yourself the way you forgive others. We are always so quick to offer others forgiveness, but we rarely extend that same luxury to ourselves, instead we punish ourselves by dwelling on our failures when we should really be celebrating them as lessons learned. Without the failures we would never become the people we were meant to be.

Going back in time, I would first tell myself to get a second job. While this would not help my transition, I have discovered that resume building is quite important and this would jump start my resume more than the single summer job I had senior year. I would then proceed to tell myself to get involved more. Maybe I should have volunteered more, been involved in more school events, and have been more social all around. I was a very shy student, rarely ever talking in class, and I want to tell myself to be bolder, speak up more, and try harder to make an impression upon my teachers. “They are some of the best connections you will ever make, so establishing good relationships with teachers in the classroom will help you in the future.” I would end with telling myself that while I learned all of these things my freshman year, it would have been much easier if I had practiced being social in high school. College is all about self-stimulation and you no longer have long-term friends to go with you everywhere. “Try to get a jump-start on your life. It’s worth it."

If I was able to talk to myself as a high school senior and provide advice about college, I would suggest that I take advantage of every opportunity possible. Looking back, I feel as though the entire expereince went by in a flash. I had a wonderful college expereince, both socially and academically, yet I feel as though there were more opportunities that I could have taken advantage of. Even though I was involved in various campus orginizations, I would suggest that I take on even more. College was a wonderful time to explore my potential and define my individuality. I wish I had take a more active role in this exploration and stepped farther out of my comfort zone.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, a couple major pieces of advice I would give myself is: you do not know exactly what you want to do until you have had some experience in the area and also not to get caught up in all of my friends going to four years schools and universities because community college is a great place to start. The two sort of go hand in hand actually. I was so sure that I knew what I wanted to do with my life going into college, and not long after arriving at college I realized I had no idea. So I was going to a four year school paying a lot of money, but I wasn't even entirely sure what I wanted to do. On top of that, all of my friends were going to four year schools, so I was afraid to be the only one going to community college when ultimately that would have been best for me. I eventually spent a semester at community college in between my freshman and junior school years, which helped me significantly.

GO TO COLLEGE! Seriously, Lindsey, this is the best advice that I have for you. You have a 3.6 GPA, a brain and the drive. I know, you think it’s not for you because you want to travel and you are scared about the money aspect. But there are ways to pay for it and you will need to go. You are now 25 and struggling to get your AS in Nursing. If you just go now, you will be done by now. And you can study abroad to get the travel out of you. Lindsey, I promise you, just apply and go to a four-year immediately after high school. Also, major in Biology. Eventually, you will want to be a nurse so getting your bachelors in nursing will be a faster track to getting your bachelors in nursing. The best advice that I can give you after my journey, is to go to college after high school and have that whole college experience.

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Sometimes the biggest school or the school furthest from home is not the best option. You will get homesick. The ability to go home if you really need to provides comfort I did not think I needed. Smaller classes truly are the better choice for you can connect with other students in your class a lot easier. Get to know your professors for they can help you in so many ways and can lend an ear if you ever need someone to listen. The biggest of all, listen to mom! She truly knows what she is talking about. Yes the nagging can get annoying but she is trying to help limit the debit you will have. The more you fight or ignore the sooner she will let you figure it out on your own and by then it might be too late. Nothing is more horrible than learning you can not go back to college because you cannot afford it. Last but not least, have fun. College will be the best time of your life so enjoy every minute. Make mistakes and learn from them; and always try for nothing was ever achieved by giving up.

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school self I would tell myself to not be afraid to take chances. I should dedicate my time to more extra curricular activities and be more involved. New people and new experiences may seem scary at first, but if you don’t go for it or try something new, you will never know what could have happened. Life isn’t set in stone and everything can change.

I am a strong believer in learning from past mistakes, so even now as a returning adult student, there are very few things I would change if I could in my academic and personal choices. One thing, however, comes to mind. I would advice my younger self to always sit at the head of the class. It is virtually impossible to lose focus or go unnoticed by your professors when sitting directly in front of them. No matter the level of difficulty the course might be, I've found it very hard not to excell from the front row. Always sit up front!

I would tell myself to keep focused and not to become lazy. I would say that college isn't as easy of a transition as I thought it would be, especially moving away from everyone you've ever known. I would say that breezing through senior year was both a blessing and a hardship because it will make you think that college will be this easy, and it's not. I would also say that you need to keep your family close because they will be the ones who are always going to be there for you during the hard times, and it becomes easy to take advantage of that. Overall, I would just want to let myself know that hardwork will always pay off in the end and to be strong through it all because all of the long nights and tons of homework eventually end and lead to something better that you can say you've earned for yourself.

I would tell myself to work hard and not to let a guy bring me down or destroy my grades. I would tell myself that my future self took 6 years to get to where I am but I have improved greatly in school. My yonger self would need to know how finical issues will happen and that a big dissappointment that i have is quitting track and taking so long to finish school. Its extremly hard to really know what i would tell myself. I have made many mistakes since i started college and had to pay for them. Know I am working hard to better my life but it would have been much easier in earlier years.

Relax Cydney, don’t be afraid. It’s your final semester of High school and last summer at home before college. In four months I am on my own and values I learned will be tested. At college, I will work with the faculty and learn about my major and job prospects. My grades are okay, but I have to push hard, refine my study habits, and balance between studying, social life, community service, and extracurricular activities. I will use the career center and learn about overseas studies and the benefits of a Masters and graduate degree. I will save my earnings from Baskin Robbins to help pay for clothes, shoes, and things I will take to college. I will earn as many scholarships as possible, file my FAFSA, apply for grants, and take on work study to help pay my tuition. I hear partying is the number one past time at colleges, but I will be disciplined, and make sure that drugs, sex, and alcohol are not part of my college life. Kids will look at me like I am crazy, but I will be proud that I chose to remain drug-free and in control of my destiny.

I attended college the semester after I graduated high school and ended up leaving 2 months after I arrived. As a senior in high school, I had no clue what to expect and was under the misconception that going to college was a way of gaining independence. Now I understand college is so much more than that. If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her, “One day you will be the mother of a wonderful little boy and he will change everything. The selfishness will cease and your love for him will outweigh every other emotion. The only way to give him the life he deserves is by gaining an education. Four years may seem like a long time, but in the end it doesn’t compare to the amazing years you will spend benefitting from your education. Making the transition is hard, but you are strong enough to do it. . The next four years will pass either way, so why not make them useful and further your education. Set yourself up for success so later in life you have time to enjoy the amazing moments that life is destined to bring your way.”

Your AP teachers are going to tell you that college is extremely difficult, and that is why AP is so difficult. Don't believe it. AP classes are actually more difficult than college classes, so don't stress too much about that. However, you also shouldn't slack off. Practice writing papers and active reading skills, because you are going to be using that a lot. You will write so may papers. A ridiculous amount of papers. But if you can learn how to set up a good paper, you will always be able to get your essays done in less than two hours, so pay attention in AP Literature and Composition. Build good sleeping patterns, it's extremely important. Stop worrying about your weight, it'll stress you out a lot and you won't concentrate on school, and the last half of your senior year will be very very important. Your weight doesn't matter at all, your time will be better spent learning writing and studying skills. Apply for lots of scholarships. Seriously, as many as you can. You're really going to need them. Work over the summer if possible. Trust me, money is definitely important.

Be careful about your health, and even though you get sick do your best to stay on top of things.

If I were to go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to not be afraid to talk to people I don't know on campus. In order to meet new people and make new friends on campus, you have to get out of your comfort zone a bit. Even just saying hello to the person waiting next to you in line and starting a conversation could be the beginning of a great friendship you would have never had otherwise. Also, even though there is more free time in college, be sure to utilize your time wisely. If you have a gap in your schedule in between classes, finish up your homework during that time so you have more time during the evenings to socialize with your friends. One last thing that is very important to being a successful college student is to ask questions. Even if the question seems stupid, it will save you a lot of trouble by just asking instead of always wondering what the answer to that question is.

I would tell myself to take the time to fill out more scholarships. I can see now how important monetary aid is in one's education and I would have told myself to take them more seriously. I also would have told my high school self that finding a school that has a very good social life is imperative. When students leave it is very difficult to make the connections with friends or with other class members.

I would tell myself to be much more involved in school activities. I ran track but I should've joined some of the numerous clubs that were offered at my high school. I also would tell myself to take everything much more seriously. I did very well in school, I graduated in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class, but I never really studied because I felt like if I could just get by then that would be fine. I know now that if I applied myself more then things would be much easier for me as far as paying for school is concerned.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would not give myself any advice. I have made many mistakes since graduating high school and I am continuing to pay for them. However, I am wiser now and a better person. Had I somehow bypassed all the mistakes I made I might not be the person I am today. Sure, I may have went to college right after graduation and finished. Today I would be working in my career and enjoying the comfort of a steady income. However, having to struggle the way I have will make earning my degree much sweeter. I will appreciate the things I will have in the future much more. I believe the hard life lessons I have learned by not going to school right away and putting all my efforts towards finishing in my early twenties is much more valuable the degree itself or the good job that will hopefully come with it. I am a great student now at twenty eight and I love going to school. Some things we cannot be told. We have to learn the hard way.

When the economy crashed in 2009 I was laid off from my job with the City of Seattle due to budget cuts. It was then that I realized that there was no such thing as job security without a college education. At the same time my oldest daughter was in her senior year of high school. She was contemplating getting a job after graduation or furthering her education. Being in the position I was in with no job or college education I made an agreement with her, if she would go to school after graduation so would I. I am now in my last year of earning an Associate’s degree in Business. My daughter earned a certificate as an IT specialist and after interning at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center she was hired. My second oldest daughter is a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University, while my third oldest daughter is in the running start program. They tell me I am their inspiration but in reality the truth is they are my inspiration. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting I am going to get my C.P.A. certification and begin my career in the Accounting field.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to be afraid. Going into college, I was terrified of making new friends, of living with a roommate, and being away from my family. Now, I would tell my high-school self that life in college is awesome. It's easy to make friends, and living with a roommate is great. I would also tell myself that I would like Carthage so much that I wouldn't like going home over vacations. I'm not sure my younger self would believe me, though. Most importantly, I would tell myself to be whoever you want to be. College is a time where you can totally remake yourself, and that's one of the best things about it. People won't judge you if you want to be unique. The more unique you are, the better! I would also tell myself to bring a lot of microwave food, but that's another matter entirely!

Dear high school Madison I know going to college seems like a scary thing, and it really is. I'm not going to lie; it's down right terrifying. Terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. You are going to make great friends that you will have forever. They will be there to help you through all of the hard times ahead and you them. I know you're worried about your high school friends, but they will always be there. Sometimes you will miss them so much it feels like your heart is about to burst from it's seems, but you will get through it. During breaks you will always see them and it will be like you never left, so don't fret. As for the schoolwork, it's much harder than high school, so pay attention for goodness sakes! If you need help, never be afraid to ask. That's what people are there for. Lastly, do not, I repeat, DO NOT be afraid to be yourself. People will accept you for who you are, which is ridiculously weird, and they are too, so everything works out. Sincerely, college Madison

Make sure that you have all the credits to graduate and this place can get you out in 4 years.

I would tell myself to prepare to become more independent. There is no one here to hold your hand to make sure that you go to bed on time, do your homework, eat healthy, or even go to class. You're going to have to be ready to take responsibility for yourself and take your first steps as a grown up. This is the first phase into being a true adult and it needs to be taken very, very seriously. Mommy and Daddy aren't here to coddle you anymore; it's time to grow up and take care of yourself.

My high school self would have greatly benefitted from this advice: “Don’t allow your fear of failure or the unknown stop you from even trying. If you are not locked into your degree yet, don’t worry. Use your first courses to explore the things that interest you. They will help bring clarity to the direction you should take. The importance is that you explore! Explore your mind, explore things that scare you, explore the various opportunities available in the world… they ARE within your reach! You may not use the lessons learned from every class in your future, but there is a purpose for every class you take… look for it! You are spending a lot of money on your education, so absorb as much as you can from every class and every teacher you meet… exploit them for their knowledge! Your opinion matters and you should share it with others… you will always learn more by actively participating rather than passively observing. Lastly, your college years are limited but tuition bills will seem like they are not. If you put forth the effort to grow personally, as well as academically, the value will far exceed the cost.”

Do not worry! Do not be sad! The transition from highschool to college can be scary and uncertian. Highschool is familar; the friends, family, even the city you grew up in. You have spent your whole life with some of the same poeple in the same surroundings and it can be frightening to jump into a whole new environment with new people and new even harder classes! Do not worry! Do not be Sad! Even though you will be leaving these comforts you will easily find new comforts of the same sort in college! You and your family will be as close as you were while living at home. College can be hectic but creating good study habits and organizational skills are VERY helpful! You may see college as a place to create a whole new you because no one knows you. DON'T! Be yourself and new and amazing friends will find you! The transition between highschool and college can be hard and stressful but the grass is much greener on this side; College life!

I would advise my younger self to be more proactive in all areas of my life. I would tell myself to view my difficulties as challenges to overcome and to work harder on my areas of weakness. I would do more in my high school career, both academically and personally. I would advise myself to be ambitious, but not recklessly impulsive. Most of all, I would tell myself not to be overly concerned with other people’s thoughts about me. I believe the fear of what others might think about me has been one of my biggest downfalls and now that I have realized that, I am working on that area of weakness, in order to improve myself.

You are about to embark on just the beginning of a lifetime of growth and development. Within the first couple of weeks you are going to encounter several decisions and you will hear the voices of past teachers and your parents. The best thing you can do right now is take a deep breath and relax! First of all, take in your surroundings and be spontaneous. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to a stranger. I gaurantee you they will appreciate the fact you are reaching out towards them because they are feeling the same fear that you are. The best way to sink your roots into the college though is to get involved. There are several opportunities for clubs, organizations, greek life, and intramurals. Taking advantage of these opportunites on campus will help you network, stay busy and ultimately enrich your college experience. Second of all, communicate with your professors. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and keep the lines of communication open. Your professors will be able to help you find internships and jobs to set up your future career. Enjoy your experience and don't be afraid to ask for help from others!

College is so much different than high school. Dependency is something you will need to work on because in college you’re seen as an adult. Being an adult is not easy, you learn to become responsible and learn to adapt on being dependent on yourself during your first term in college. Books are super expensive, so I recommend you get a job during the summer so you have enough money saved up to pay for your books and or rent them. Try to see if the book is eligible to be rented, if not then buy a used one, saving a couple of dollars does make a difference. Another recommendation is to get familiar with the campus, know where the tutoring facilities are located, where admissions and records are, and last but not least the financial aid office. Make sure you apply to FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for free money that can cover your tuition and courses. It doesn't cost a thing, it's a quick application process. Last but not least don't procrastinate, teachers don't have time to feel sorry for your incomplete work trust me. Study hard and good luck!

Make a smart choice.

Get involved in clubs and organizations that are fun and actually mean something to you. Take as many AP classes as you can so you have time to take more classes that interest you once you're in college. Try to make friends with upperclassmen who know their way around campus and events better.

Changing from high school to college is an important transition. Some parts of life get harder and some are easier but the most important part is to not get discouraged and be strong. When I first came to college I was very excited to enter a new chapter in my life and still am; my life is unfolding in ways I didn't think were possible. But I have faced hardships in my freshman year and if I didn't stay strong and persevere, I don't think I would've gotten such a great GPA. Grades are very important in college so it's important to make sure you are there for the right reasons. Its easy to get side-tracked but focusing on your main goal is the best way to suceed in college.

If I were able to go back and talk to my high school self about the college life, I would start out by telling myself to not let the freedom to be so overpowering that you procrastinate and fall behind. You need to learn how to manage your time and balance your new freedom and your school work. Don't wait to do your work just because you have a long period of time between due dates, the date will come much faster that you expect. Try to spread your work out so you don't have a pile all at once because it's going to make you want to quite. Keep your head up and be confident in your work, share your opinions and stay strong in what you believe in. There are going to be people who will try to get you down.

Kristin, here are the dos and don'ts of college (learn them, live them, love them): DO buy a watch; time flies when you start getting busy with school activities, classes, and work, so you're going to need to keep a close eye on your availability. Trust me. DO buy a small rug, possibly two. Not only will they shield your poor feet from the chilling, rude awakening the tiled floor offers in the morning, but they will also collect all of the dirt and snow that your shoes track in during the winter. The puddles are not fun to deal with...especially if you wear socks a lot. So keep one around the door, at least; you'll thank me later. DON'T procrastinate. It may have worked in high school, but it's a whole new ball of wax in college. Deadlines will eat you alive. DON'T be shy; talk to people. They have a tendency to surprise you...and you just might meet that special someone. DON'T ignore your old friends; they may be busy with college, but you still need them, and they want you to be there when they need you, too.

Keep your time open to allow for spontanious adventures and activities. Do not put pressure on yourself to be the best student in the school but instead strive to be the best student that you can be. Keep positive relationships with faculty and staff. Friends you meet freshman year will not be there Junior year unless they truely care. Do not worry about this. It takes time to meet those that will truely stick by you. Everyone changes once they taste the freedom of college so choose who you spend that freedom with wisely. Call your mother more than once a month, you will miss her eventually. Do not over commit to organizations but instead find your true passion and run with it. Remember though that this passion might change and when that happens it is okay. Breathe often and smile lots. Don't wait until your Junior year to get a real coffee pot....trust me it will be better if you have it your freshman year.

What you learn in college take it seriously. Get classes where teachers are willing to help you step by step and build a relationship with the professors, you will need need allies when you graduate. Do not miss out on a big opportunity you could have, just because you are afriad of change, loosing a friendship, or even a relationship with a boyfriend/girlfriend. About relationships, do not worry about your love life right now, because it is a huge distraction. Alos, really try to undestand your finances, use your money wisely know what you are really spending it on. When it may come to an assignment or test, its very important to not freak out, relax really stay calm and maybe listen to some Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, classical, maybe some smooth jazz, etc, to calm your nerves. Really go to class, you are paying for, no slacking off and take Cornell notes. Cornell notes are an easy way to really understand what you learned that day in class, thanks to Walter Pauk. If you are moving out of your parents home, and getting a dorm or an apartment, call your family, let them kno how you feel.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get more involved during the first semester of freshaman year. First semester I was focused on trying to adjust to living with another person that I did not know and trying to get good grades. These were great goals to have, but I wish I would have been involved in more than one organization on campus. That way I would have met more people who share my interests in the beginning of the year and having new friends would have helped make the transition a bit easier for me. Overall, I wish I had been more involved at first, but now I am trying to make up for that.

If i could give my high school self any advice, it would be to put more time into studying and enforcing good sleeping habits. Studying and sleep are very important to a college student. If you don not get enough sleep, it is harder to focus and you could fall behind. I wish I had enforced a more strict study routine on myself so that I would not have to create one when I came to college.

As a high school student, I was more focused on working. As a Junior and Senior in high school I worked at a local grocery store anticipating the fact that paying for collage would be a heavy burden that will soon enough fall on my shoulders. What I had actually forgotten was to focus on actually discovering my major and being more involved in school as well as community. I knew that I wanted to go to college, however I did not know what major I wanted to pursue. Also, being more involved in school and giving back to the community would have helped me stay more on track of my academic achievements. I believe that being involved makes students more in check and more attentive to their academic achievement.

Don't allow anyone but yourself make the choice for you or alter your decision. Think about yourself academically, and think about not only what the college has to offer you, but what you have to offer the college. Socially, college is going to be the time of your life wherever you go, but you're paying for an education so your studies are the most important thing. Take the time to research your major and find out as much as possible about the program at the school you are looking at and compare it to other schools to see where you might best fit. Whatever you do, do not compromise your happiness for what you think your parents, friends, or significant other might want. This is your experience, your education, and one of the most important decisions you have faced up to this point in your life. You will know you have made the right choice when at the end of the day you have no regrets about your decision, you're happy, and most of all excited to start this new chapter in your life.

Get involved in as many things as possible early on. It is a great way to meet people and make friends that have similar intersts as you. Also, be open to trying new things and always keep an open mind. Take your class work seriously and always stay ahead of the curve when it comes to studying and doing homework. Take advantage of the help that the school offers regarding your school work.

Everyone has different experiences in high school and college but going back to tell yourself one thing would be important to everyone. Out of everything I know now I would pick to tell my high school self “Don’t slack”. I know this is short but I was a big slacker and would put things off until last minute, I did graduate a year earlier and was a very well rounded person but telling my younger inexperienced self to not slack would have improved my education and might have had an impact on myself today. Today i do not slack, today I do not do anything I did in my high school years, ergo, and I am a whole new person. However, if I could go back and tell me younger self one thing it would be not to slack.

Trust yourself. It could take time but you'll find your niche and place at college. You know what works for you, so keep doing it. Dont change who you are becuase youre afraid it wont be good enough in a new envrionment. Trust yourself and who you've become over the past 18 years and dont be afraid to pursue your dreams.

If I could go and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself so much. I would tell myself to be ready to do more work and never lose the syllabus that the teacher gives at the begining of the class because the teachers will not always warn you about assaignments that will be due. I'd tell myself not to be so shy and make friends. Last but not least i would tell myself to either get many scholarships or chosse a cheaper school that is more affordable.