Drexel University Top Questions

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

Shauna

Dear High School Self, Make new friends. Don't worry so much about holding on to old ones. People grow up, people change, and people move on. The friends that matter will stick around. You're moving to a new city full of new people so go out and mingle! However, don't forget to stay up late and study for that exam that you need to get an A on. Please please please don't stop going to the gym, you don't want to gain that freshman fifteen. When it comes to choosing an internship, don't just pick the one that pays the most. Think about your interests and where you will be able to get the most experience. Don't be shy. You're not alone, ever. There is always someone out there ready to talk and be your friend, you just need to give him or her a chance. Finally, have fun! Once your 5 years of undergraduate are over then you need to be ready to become an adult. But don't think that far ahead, live in the moment!

Hannah

If I could go back and have a conversation with my high school self, I would mainly tell myself two things; work harder and open up more. I wish I had done more in high school, like participated in more clubs and sports and also worked towards scholarships because now I know how beneficial those are. I was a shy person in high school and thankfully had friends who helped me open up some, but as all high school seniors experience, not all of your friends go the same direction after graduation. This was a hard transition. Looking back now, I would tell myself not to be so worried about fitting in and to always be myself. I would remind myself daily that I am under no obligation to make sense to anyone or fit anyone else's mold. Lastly, my dad has always told me to "step up to the plate, Hannah" and I would have made that my motto... It sure is now!

Diana

Assuming I would go back in time, I would tell myself to not be so narrow minded. In high school I was set on physical therapy and that was that. I am attending graduate school for occupational therapy, and if I were more open to other ideas and suggestions I may have educated myself on other avenues. I do not regret my past, but I would tell myself to not be so stubborn. In high school it is easy to stick to one idea and believe you know all. This thinking is in opposition once you are let loose out of high school. There are so many carrers and some of those you may not have to go to school for as long or need nearly as much training.

Melissa

Tak a deep breath. Before coming to college, I was inwardly petrified by the future. Despite what people told me, I felt like I was the only one of my peers who was significatnly struggling with the age-old question: "What do you want to do with your life?" Since the 5th grade all I could talk about was getting out of my small-time hometown, and my chance had arrived yet I was convinced I would be wasting it. You'll never get anywhere in life if you don't step outside your comfort zone. High-school-Melissa, it was definitely worth it.

Jacquelyn

There is one specific thing that I would love to go back and tell my high school self, which is to follow my gut or, more so, my dreams. I originally applied to all business schools, believing that was the most practical plan. I knew fashion was my ultimate passion much earlier on but did not take the idea of it seriously enough, so I took the only other route I could somewhat see myself doing, business. However, after multiple open houses, visits, and accepted students days, I was convinced of my unhappiness and boredom. Even my mom picked up on it when she was impressed with one of the schools' stock market labs and I stared blankly. I finally came to terms that if I want to be successful, which is determined through passion and happiness, I needed to pursue my dreams. This is when I discovered Drexel and learned of their Design and Merchandising program, the perfect combination of business and fashion. I now attend and study what feels like a hobby, not work. I wish I could go back and tell myself that if I do the research and put in the time, dreams can be reality.

Kerry

The advice I would give myself is to put myself out there and not be so shy. I think being shy has caused me to miss out on oppurtunities that I could have benefited from. I think putting yourself out there is important and I wish I knew that as a high school senior. Being in college I have learned that the worst thing that can happen if you put yourself out there is being told no. If you are told no then you pick yourself back up and start all over again. I think my college life would be a lot different if I didn't shy away from so many oppurtunities.

Jerome

Dear Self, You are going to come across many obstacles that will distract you in the near future. Whatever you do, stay focused on your school work. This part of your life is so simple yet, so critical. It is simple because you only have to go to school, do your work, and you will be able to have whatever your heart desires. The reason this part of life will be critical is because you can possibly save yourself thousands of dollars by getting good grades which could possibly lead to a full scholarship. This way once you graduate your money will be free to spend on whatever you want instead of paying back student loans for the rest of your life. Drexel is very expensive and if we do what we need to do now, we can eliminate that problem. I also suggest that you either do some volunteer work or take on a leadership role during your senior year. It will be highly desirable and knowledgeable for your future. Adopt the phrase, "don't make excuses, make a way." This will allow you to always stay focused. Our success and happiness will come if you do these things.

Thea

Thea, check it out! I have a time a machine! I knew you would love that. I’m here to give you some important advice. I know, you’re me, and you probably won’t take it, but there will be decisions you have to make soon. What to major in. Where to live. What to wear. Whether to date your roommate or not. How much time to spend working instead of going to class. The list is long but my time here is short, so I have a single principle for you, to remember when you’re faced with any choice, that will build your confidence, reputation, enthusiasm for life, general likeability, and, choice by choice, your ultimate success: ask Nine-Year-Old Thea. You knew who you were and what you wanted when you were that bug-poking, T-Rex-tee-shirt-wearing, rock-carving, wheelie-popping explorer. If you’re ever in doubt about anything (and you will be, all the time, for years), find a tree, touch the bark, listen to the leaves, close your eyes, and ask Nine-Year-Old Thea what she wants. Never forget that you’re the guardian of her dreams.

Ann

I would tell myself to make a list of my dreams and place them in my journal for safe keeping. I would tell myself to look at that list a couple of times per term, in order to keep things in perspective. When a student , especially one fresh out of high school, travels to a whole new set of surroundings, that student starts to feel a mix of emotions. The student is excited for the new adventure, eager to start the new term, but has a fear of failure. Although I was pretty accepting in the beginning, a partial melancoly feeling came over me. Leaving my past life and everyone and everything I hold dear, was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. I feared that I wasn't going to do well, especially while embarking in the competitve business field. I kept pushing myself to never give up on whatever was thrown at me. I now know that keeping things in perspective is imperative, because it is so easy for someone to lose sight of their purpose.

Letitia

I wish I would have taken more AP and CLEP courses

Victoria

I would tell myself to live life to the fullest and enjoy this time of freedom as much as possible. That is very similar to what I tell myself every day, except for the fact that I have a little bit less time to myself these days. I would have told myself to be a little less stressed back then, because everything is going to work out fine in the end. That's also something I need to constantly remind myself these days, but I'm figuring things out more and more each day and growing to learn that I'm in control of my own success and happiness. I would tell myself not to stress too much and to enjoy the ride. Transitioning into the college lifestyle may not have been a walk in the park, but there is no one key piece of information that I would have given myself. Any mistakes I've made during the transition period were made for a reason; to learn from them! In fact, I strongly believe the common saying Heraclitus once said, "Nothing is constant but change." So I still need to remind myself that it's ok to make mistakes.

Jennifer

If I could go back in time to give my high school self advice about college life, I would tell my teen self to hang onto the excited feeling that motivates and inspires me, and to let go of the fear of failure that holds me back. The greatest thing about college life is the feeling that we are all in it together. Fellow students are willing to work together with you and most professors really want you to be excited to learn and to get the most out of their class that you can. Fear is the one thing that holds many of us back from stepping out of our comfort zone and taking a risk. I have found that the risk is minimal and the reward is tremendous when it comes to taking college classes. The feeling of belonging that I have experienced is something I could never have guessed before I began. Support and encouragement are the most abundant resources from both fellow students and professors. So, I would tell myself to take a deep breath and jump into the unknown because the rewards are almost immeasurable.

McKinley

I would tell myself to do more research into different industries, and into myself, because going into college, I had no concrete idea about what I wanted to do in life, which is why I chose Drexel and its co-op program. I selected a major which had the potential to make me a lot of money, but I was not good at it and I hated it. I did so poorly, I was excused from the university. I fought to come back and switched majors, which was a great decision; However, because of my first term freshman year, I am still playing catch up, and both my academic and financial situations were greatly, negatively impacted. It would be beneficial if I could erase that first year from history, but I am unable to do that, therefore I work even harder to succeed because of what I learned from falling down. I always have to get back up, which is what I will continue to do.

Leshe

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, the advice I would give would be to not take a year off, no matter how tired I was from cancer treatment, or at least work during that time off to have money for college. Also, I would advise to just go to Japan and not worry about if I would like the college in Japan that accepted me or if I would have problems with jobs and money there because it will hurt deeply if you don’t go. I, your future self, regret those two choices the most because even though I am at a great school doing the things I love, I still feel that twinge of pain of not studying abroad and not having the proper finances to attend college comfortably. Also, Arcadia University is a bad alternative to the school in Japan, just don’t consider it. It will ruin you.

Brett

I believe that the most effective way to express my knowledge about this topic is to use a comparison. College is akin to many of the progressive paths you will encounter throughout life, perhaps the most relevant being your career path. Who would have thought your part-time job at Cracker Barrel could be used as a life lesson? The difficult transition from high school to college is going to hit you like a ton of bricks. You will soon discover that cramming 15 minutes before an exam is not going to cut it anymore. Similarly, the changeover from waiter to project engineering intern will open your eyes to the ‘real world,’ along with all the challenges it presents. Much like a career, a direct correlation between the amount of effort you put forth versus your level of success exists in the classroom. You need to put in the hours if you intend on setting yourself apart from the pack, just as an employee motivated to receive a promotion may work overtime. However, do not forget to make time for yourself as well. I am sure even the most motivated employee has attended their fair share of happy hours.

Sarah

1. Stop stressing out so much, it will all work out. If you just keep working hard like you are, everything will eventually calm down and you will be where you are supposed to be. 2. Do your research. If you are so concerned with the rank of your college, look up what it will take to get into the college of your dreams. 3. With that being said, don't go to a college just for its prestige. Go to the college that you will benefit from most. What has the most to offer you personally? What combines all your interests and requirements? You will spend the next four years of your life there. Think about it. 4. Don't be afraid to go for it once you get to college. Try new things. You aren't the kind of person that gets themselves into trouble. So in your case, you need to break out of your shell. Make new friends. Join a club or two. 5. Find friends that complement your personality. You don't drink or do drugs. You want to do well. So find people to hang around that share that. 6. Remember that plans change.

julia

I worked very hard in high school to get where I am, but I would tell myself to go above and beyond and take a more wholistic approach. I created a plan for college, that wasn't concrete--big mistake. I should have better budgeted paying for tuition, applied to more scholarships, and determined living situations ahead of time. It took me three years into my college career to get on track with the "plan" I created for myself. I wish I could tell myself to be more detail oriented so I could be in a more stable place right now.

Michael

Michael. You should quit taking life in strides and begin to decide where you would like to see yourself in the future. The things one does define who they become. Very rarely are there any second chances in life, so "carpe diem." Not only will discipline and focus help you decide what you want to do, but it will ease your transition from high school to college. College is a different than high school on many levels. Others are no longer responsible for your welfare and being. Others do not sit you at the dining room table and make sure you complete your homework. Others do not wake you up in the morning and get you out the door for class. You must learn to operate on your own. On the other hand, emancipation is a sweet freedom. There is no more curfew. Your friends can crash on your couch without you asking for permission. But most importantly, you will begin to form your own professional networks, identify mentors, and learn yourself better than you ever have before.

Julienne

I'm going to tell myself to keep pushing and never give up nor matter what.

Minnie

A Note from the future: Hello Minnie, You don't know me but I am you in the future . I am writing this letter to you now at the 30 and I want to help you to be as successful as possible for your future education. First, stop being a procrastinator! At 30 we are still procrastinating in grad school. We could be so much better if we did not procrasitnate. Please get better at this if you can. Second, don't worry about not knowing what you want to major in or feeling the pressure of going immedialtey into grad school after college. Life experiences will help you to be so much more successful and have more to add to your discussions when you do eventually go to grad school. Not knowing what to major in will help you to determine what your best at through exposure to other opportunities. Lastly, I know that the advice I gave is easier said than done considering the source (LOL) we do tend to stress over everything but one of the best things I've learned is that we will be a success no matter what. It's our destiny. Good luck!

Jennifer

The one piece of advice I would give to myself as a high school senior would be to attend a college or university that is not in a different state. Looking back this is one choice I have made in which I have doubt. I never had the opportunity to live in another state; even temporarily during my college years. I feel that attending college in another state would have afforded me the opportunity to experience living elsewhere while still having the opportunity to come “home”. It would have provided me with the perspective needed to make a more informed decision as to the type of community in which I wanted to raise a family. I am very happy with the life I have today but I feel that not having experienced living in another area has hampered my ability to make informed decisions about the best community in which to raise my family. In retrospect I’m not sure if I would have been mature enough to handle moving to another state and attending college but if I were to do it would be the one thing I would like to do differently.

Eric

If I were capable to talk to my past self as a senior in high school, I would have to tell him to keep his head up. No matter how tough the road gets through college, just keep your goals ahead of you and strive to be the best in all that you attempt. I would say to not let the little things get in the way of the bigger picture. I would look my younger self in the eye and ask him, what’s a few more years of education to set yourself up for a lifetime of success and a better way of life. I would encourage him so he wouldn’t have a doubt in his mind that he couldn’t achieve greatness in anything that he tries.

Sarah

Stay organized. Keep your coursework for each course separated and use a planner to mark down due dates. You, or your parents, are paying a ridiculous amount of money for this school, make sure you get what you paid for. You wouldn’t order thousands of dollars of merchandise online and never open the boxes once delivered, would you? No. So go to class, even if attendance is not apart o your grade, and yes even if all of the power point lectures are online. Also READ the textbooks. Again you paid a ridiculous amount for these books, so use them. Use the resources your school provides. The writing center, office hours, tutoring, the gym, etc., are all resource that will help you succeed. Don’t be lazy and not take advantage of these opportunities, they will all make your life easier. Exercise is your friend. Even if that just means walking three times a week, it will make a huge difference on your mental state and it is important to take care of your body. Now the most important thing to be successful in college is to get enough sleep. I cannot stress this enough. Make this a priority.

Patrick

Start your college and scholarship applications early. It will make your life a lot easier and give you a lot more power over your options. Be ready and open to meet and interact with new kinds of people, both good and bad, and the unique experiences that come with them. Everyone is probably as lost as you are - they're usually just hiding it, like you'll want to - so allowing yourself to ask for help whenever you need it is a smart choice to take pride in. Communicating with your professors and advisors whenever you need help is also a great way to start forming better relationships with them. Learn how to study and work with groups, you can't expect and don't want to do everything by yourself. Eliminate boredom and distraction however you can from your classes and your work, being more engaged with help you retain information and feel more satisfied with the way you spend your time. Last piece of advice: you'll mess up eventually, maybe more than once. Everyone does. Just pick yourself back up and try again as soon as you can.

Christopher

The advice that I would give is to learn to work hard. College is a place where classes become very challenging while at the same time you must become more self reliant. When you get to college you are on your own to make sure all of your responsibilities are handled. This includes both homework for class as well as personal concerns such as your finances. While still in high school it would be extremely beneficial to begin preparing yourself for these new challenges. The key to tackling these challenges is to be able to focus and work until these tasks are finished. This requires a level of discipline that many high school students haven't needed. Therefore the best way to be prepared for college is to start practicing early. By learning to work hard in high school a student can greatly improve their chances of suceeding in college. Because of this, my advice to myself as a high school senior would be to learn to work hard.

Iesha

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to keep pushing forward no matter how hard it is. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would really encourage myself to do better in my grades. I would tell myself that my grades now makes a difference on what school I will get accepted into. I would tell myself I can't keep doing what I am doing by failing tests, not doing homework, and missing important assignments, because it will hurt me in the future. Also, by pulling my grades up now I can do myself a huge favor my making things a lot easier in the future when I am in college. Lastly, I would tell myself this is my second chance to make things right because I will have a child sooner than I expect and I need to excel in my education for my child. I would want myself to know that my future relies on today's actions.

Shanika

Knowing what i know now i would tell myself first to believe inyourself. At that time when i was in high school i was in a household with two parents who were addicts so you kinda of have that low self esteem about yourself and the things that you do. So i would sit down with me and tell myself, no matter what you can do and be anything you want in life, you are smart and beautiful person. Stay focused on your grades and do what you love to do, if you need the help do not be afraid to ask for the help. I would also tell myself to stay away people who are not like you, in high school its hard finding yourself so i hung around kids who skipped school and smoke weed. I would have told myself to stop then, because now that i am twenty-six years old it is harder for me know, i should have a career bynow. So i would definetly tell myself to stay away from thoughs crowds, and to always put GOD first in everything that you do, once you does those things you will suceed in life

John

HI John my name is John too. Im glad your taking the time out to learn from someone whos been where your at now. The most important thing I can tell you now is that time really flies once you graduate from high school. With that being said it is crucial that you attend college to further your education. Your a good looking guy too John so its also important to practice safe sex. Theres nothing wrong with having children but it will set you back. If I was you I would finish school get a degree and instead of a regular job get a career. Hey, your still young and you have plenty of options. Try and stay around positive poeple and things will work in your favor. last but not least keep away from drugs and alcohol these too will limit you and/or keep you from your dreams. You seem like a bright kid John ten years from now im going to want to meet you and see how far along youve came. Never give up life is tough but what dont kill you will make you stronger.

Thomas

Dear Thomas, Here are some tips to take into your freshman year. You are about to encounter some of the most amazing english teachers you'll ever meet. So stop have anxiety about those "poor" writing skills, you'll do just fine. You are also about to run into some of the hardest math classes you have ever expirenced. I know that your good at math and that your excited to learn about calculus for the first time. However, you should start learning some calculus now through some online videos. Trust me, you calculus is unlike any other math you've taken and having some knoledge prior to class will make the transition less harsh. You know that pain you feel in your legs when you play basketball but you haven't told anyone about. Those are shin splints. That will get worse unless you take a week or two off from playing basketball so your legs can heal. When you get on campus, you'll be walking way more that you think you will. That will put more wear and tear on your legs than you think so go see a doctor immediately to prevent serious injury. Sincerly, Thomas

Pilar

Many students go into college without knowing how life changing it can be and have no clue until they begin. The advice I would give myself knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition is to be responsibe, manage & use your time wisely, and never give up. The first advice is to be responsible because professors aren't behind you asking, "Why isn't your research paper/ project turned in?". Once you're in college the professors consider you adults and don't ask for explanations. If you miss class it's on you and professors say, "You paid for the class so you decide whether you want to make your money worth!" A second piece of advice is to manage and use your time wisely because you will have to juggle more than one class and have due dates for assignments that are close. Buy a planner to keep track of all class assignments/ due dates. Lastly never give up because through college you'll have alot of work and at the end it will be very rewarding. Always remember that staying persistent with keeping up with your studies will lead you to succeed.

Trey

If I could go back in time as a high school senior and give myself some pieces of advice about college life and the transition to college I would tell myself to explore any and all that the campus has to offer. Go to new student events and sign up for clubs and activities to get involved in. This is one of the best things I could do for myself. There is no telling what a person will like until they try it. About transitioning to college life I would say go to the places you like to be such as the gym to meet possible friends that might share the same interests as you. Yes meeting people in your dorm or at orientations is good too but they may not share the same interests that you have. It's more common to find the right friends in the places that you like to be at.

Georgia

To most high school students, college is the most exciting, nerve wrecking, and life changing experience. You are forced to live with people who are completely different from yourself, maybe in personality, in looks, or even in religion, but you learn that none of that actually matters. You learn to communicate and deal with those you may have never dealt with in your life before, you learn to compromise with others, and you learn to find yourself and what is best for you in the process. Life is no longer served to you on a silver platter, you are an individual and you realize that you have to be self-reliant. Although many people may understand these things, you may not be aware until you experience it first-hand. Going into my third year of college, I wish I could have gone back and saved money first and foremost. There are many expenses that come with college and living on your own. I also wish I had more experience in the field that I chose to go into. Having experience will take you a long way. Put all that you can into your work and you will succeed.

Stephen

In high school, I took the same classes for the entire year, and if I performed less than stellar on a test, I had plenty of time to recover to keep my grades up. In Drexel University's quarter system, there are only ten weeks per term, meaning that you can ill-afford to make any costly mistakes. With that being said, if I could go back in time, I would definitely let my high school self to never let off the gas. You can start out hot and get good grades, but if you slack at all during the quarter, it'll cost you in a big way. Additionally, I rarely struggled in high school and was always able to fix my academic problems on my own. In college it's too complicated and too fast. So I'd say that you shouldn't be afraid to go and seek a tutor for any classes that you are struggling in and do it QUICKLY, or else you'll fall too far behind. Finally, bring a lot of money because there are a ton of delicious, yet expensive, food trucks on 33rd Street!

Jessica

My number one piece of advice is to take the unusual classes. Even if they don't fit exactly into your major, through those random classes, you might find something that you love even more than your major. Coming from high school, you can never have a full idea of what is out there to study. There is only a small fraction of the world that you experience in high school. But when you take those classes that don't necessarily fit into your major, you learn about things that you never even considered before. Every degree gives you some extra credits to take extra classes, take advantage of those, because you never know what you will learn. Take the random history, literature, art, or other classes, because these classes give you a more rounded view of the world and you always learn something new.

Elizeth

Don't take any brakes from school because it is eassy not going back and it is harder to start especially when you have children. Jobs anyone can have but a career is something you'll love and enjoy. Work hard, play hard and stay out of trouble.

Delonte

Traveling back in time to my senior year of high school, I would really whip myself in shape for this college life. Although going back to senior year wouldn’t help me as much, knowing the person I was then. Going back to freshman year would help a lot. But if I could advise myself though my senior year, I know I would be finished college now, working on my masters, and have a good scholarship. I would advise myself not to invest so much time into work because that was my downfall. Without a lot of work I would have had more time to put together a plan. Sometimes I even put work before school, which left me little time to search for scholarships. Without a good scholarship I was left no option but community college even though I preferred a university. I’d advise myself to go at a pace for my life style and be more confident in my decisions. At the end of the day, my high school teachers and advisors taught me everything I was going to need in order to be well accomplished, but it was my procrastinating that’s has me here.

Katie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school I would say you can be anything no matter what others say, follow your dreams. You may not be book smart but you are very smart in many other ways. You will be the one person that turns another persons life into more and give them hope, you will be somebody if you push yourself and never give up. Do not allow the words "I can't" into your vocabulary.. and the last thing is if you are not happy make yourself happy. Allow sometime for yourself and just worry about other people, you are important too.

Caitlin

As a high school senior I was very prepared for college in almost every aspect. The biggest thing I was lacking was preparing to leave home and go to college over 1000 miles away from my parents. The summer before I left for college I was extremely nervous about leaving home. I had always had a very close relationship with my parents and I was sad that I was growing up and would no longer be living with them full time. Because I was so close to them, I picked a school far away so I would not go home easily. I worried so much about not being able to see my parents, but that quickly changed once I got to college. College has been a great experience so far. I saw my parents during breaks and found myself only being mildly homesick. I talked to my parents everyday on the phone, which was a refreshing break from my busy daily schedule. I now realize that there was no need to worry. I did miss my parents sometimes, but it was exciting to be independent and to be starting my college life.

Amy

If I could go back in time and provide advice to my high school self, I would tell myself to listen. Listen to everyone and everything, but listen carefully. Listen wisely. Listen to your parents, for they have more wisdom and experience than you (you won’t understand until you listen). Listen to your teachers, because they will guide you with valuable life teachings that go far beyond the classroom. Listen to your friends AND your foes. You might be surprised to catch some attributes that can help you discover yourself sooner, rather than later, in life. Forget those doubtful, confusing monsters inside your head. Listen to your heart. It will guide you to believe in yourself and pursue your passions, dreams, and your destiny. Listen to the silence of your soul, and learn to enjoy it. You will appreciate this silence when you get older, no matter what spiritual path you shall endure. Most importantly, always, always, always, listen to your gut instincts. This will help you carefully decide between some of the easier and the very difficult, life-changing decisions that await you. Just listen.

Jayna

Please do not be shy. Open yourself up to new things. There are so many people to meet and different adventures to go on as a college student that you can potentially miss out on if you close them off. Do not hold on to things from high school that will not benefit you in the future. There is no reason to dwell on the past when there are endless opportunities to grow as a college student.

charles

Do not let distractions get in the way of continuing your education. Do your homework and go to class. A lot of students have to work while going to school, but do not make your job your main priority. It is not an excuse for not doing your homework or going to class.

Jeffrey

I attended a excellent High School, Notre Dame in Lawrenceville NJ. In high school I started a non-profit for kid who wanted to play ice hockey but, could not afford to play. I started FaceOff Charities, I collect old equipment, clean it up and put kids on the ice, if they can not skate, I teach them. My high school was so supportive of my charty. The only thing I would of done differently was learned more language and cultures. I am now interested in studying aboad at Drexel and this would have been a smarter move on my part, as now I study on my own.

Kurt

The best advice is to free yourself and embrace change. Prepare for the cost by searching for scholarships early on. If you aren't very social, practice and hone these skills as it will only help in the future. Take care of any personal issues at home so that they don't impact your life later. Live on campus and get involved! Make as many friends as humanly possible freshman year, and continue to do so. Although the main purpose of college is the degree, social enrichment is much more important as a young scholar as there are some things money can't buy. On a complex urban campus make sure you spend at least a good week or so really getting to know the layout. Take advantage of the location and explore the city. Sit down and really consider what your goals are besides getting the degree, and how to ensure success. Don't worry much about the cost or post graduation employment as an engineering major. Don't be afraid to approach others and also to ask for help when you need it. Always be on the lookout for new programs and bare in mind the course requirements.

julisa

If I could go back to my senior year knowing about the college life, I would change many things that I made bad decisions on. for example finishing high school like I would have liked to. I would have liked to get good grades finish strong and apply for scholarships. I would have also liked to go to a big college like OSU. If I could I would have also tried to get some help from some of the teachers that helped my friends leave the school with good grades and scholarships. Some of the advise that I would not only give myself but to others would be to always try your hardest. That something good will always come out of it. I would also show them that giving up should be your last decisions, there is always something you can do different. I would have also adviced myself to study for all my test and taking them seriously.

Adam

Knowing what I know now, I would give my high school self two pieces of advice. The first, not knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life is okay. The hardest part of the selection process for me was deciding what I wanted to do; in fact I believe I selected a different major for each school I applied to. Today I’m still not 100 percent sure, and I like it that way. Not knowing allows you to try new things and find new interests. Very few people know exactly what they want in life, and I used to be envious of those people until now. The second piece of advice I would give myself is to do research! When it came to selecting a program I was very naive. I came to Drexel as an architectural engineering student. My thought process was “I like architecture, how different can this be?” Well it’s very different. Looking back, this poor diction helped me get to where I am now; but I wish I would have truly understood what I was getting into, not just making trivial assumptions.

Jeffrey

There are many things in this world we still don't understand. But I want you to understand the race is long. Don't be a quarter horse. Make sure you make friends at this institution of social control so you have the opportunity to flirt with education. They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste so don't. Instead, try to open your mind to the diverse group of individuals who will provide you with the knowledge to continue to strive for academic excellence. Keep up the hard work. It will all pay off when you are finally recognized as a productive member of society. The many years you have volunteered your time snd feelings will also pay off. You have impacted so many people who have hard times by providing a sense of hope to cure their dispair. It too will come full circle. Thanks for being you.

Brianna

If I could go back in time and to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid. I would tell myself not to be afraid because I went into my first year of college very scared, of what seemed to be everything at the time. I was scared of meeting people I didn't know, walking into rooms of opportunity, making a fool of myself, being judged, wasting my time, and failure. I know now that I had nothing to be afraid of, maybe nervous about, but not afraid. I have come to realize that college is the place to meet new people, walk into rooms looking for opportunity, learning new things about myself, and being the person I want to be for the rest of my life. I also realized to not be afraid of failure, but with failure there is room to grow. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to be afraid so that I could truly enjoy the experiences of college.

oresta

The first piece of advice I would give myself is get enough sleep, eat right, and communicate with my family better. In the quarter system of the university it is very difficult to stay up to date with current events and go to the gym to stay stress-free. Thus, I would tell myself to manage time better to have enough time set aside for enjoyable things like my friends, family, and the gym zumba class. Additionally, I would tell myself not to get bogged down if I don't understand something because there are TA's willing to help and professors wishing the best for thier students. The second piece of advice consists of a more futuristic approach. It would have been beneficial if, during high school, I networked more and therefore had more employers, teachers, friends, family to rely on when it comes to apply for coop positions thats essentially everyone on campus is competing for. This would allow me to fell a little less stressed and more hopeful for my career choice as a physician. In the end, I would tell myself to accept failure at times and follow my gut on some aspects of decision making.

Angela

If I went back in time, I would tell myself to trust my gut. I would say: "Don't let others ,who tell you what to do, sway your conscience and always believe in yourself because you can do great things once you realize your potential. You may not realize this now, but the world doesn't stop once you leave high school. It gets harder and your responsibilities grow to an extreme you didn't even factor into the equation. You're kind of easy to wind up and you let what others say to you get you down because you don't believe in yourself, but you will and on that day you'll be 10 times the person you are now. Be strong, trust your gut and have fun cause these will be the most memorable days of your life!"

colleena

"High school me" didn't need advice about study tactics or time management. However, "high school me" wasn't motivated or enthusiastic about school anymore after four grueling years of Honors classes. I wasn't sure what path I should take. If I could go back, I would tell myself that everything will be okay, that I will find my way. I would tell myself not to be afraid of the future because success is inevitable with hard work and dedication. I would also reassure myself that learning will become fun again and that college classes are much different than high school classes. I'd want myself to know that I'd meet mentors who would change my life forever because they would reignite my passion for math.