George Mason University Top Questions

First I would tell myself, "Stop wasting your time"! I kick myself every time I think of all the stupid stuff I used to do to impress my friends or girls. I would tell my younger self to think about where I want to be when I'm twenty-five. Then I would say, "I'm barely closer to that goal at twenty-five because I did not put myself in classes I needed to pursue that career". Staying in school would be the main point I would stress. Having a few years of working minimum wage jobs and living the poor life was very effective in getting me motivated for school, but I should have learned that it was a dead end from watching others while I went through school. It would be important that I told myself that I'm not worthless and that only through following my dream would I feel truly happy. So all in all, a simplified version of my speech would be, "You have a wonderful life ahead of yourself and the amount of work needed to reach this better life is insignificant when compared to the joy and wonder it will bring you".

If I could go back to high school and tell myself one piece of advice it would be to do what you love. Prior to George Mason University, I attended another 4-year university not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. However, I ended up falling in love with my first school. I joined a sorority, made friends, went to football games, loved my academic program, etc. While at this school, I was also trying to figure out what I wanted my career to be. My parents and friends were trying to tell me what I should do but nothing seemed to fit my personality and what I wanted in life. After seeing my roommate go through nursing school, I decided that was right for me- a career that I would love. My senior year, I applied to nursing schools and received my acceptance to George Mason University. Although it will take me 6 years till I will be able to have career, I would not take back my first 4 years of college because it made me who I am today and I loved every second of it.

If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to not be afraid to explore. My freshman year of college, I tended to avoid social outings and potential friendships. Most of the time, I was simply afraid it would be a wasted effort, or that I would end up getting into trouble. Now, I know that the most fun I've had thus far is achieved by taking chances, and not being scared to try new clubs and organizations that I would have otherwise turned a blind eye to. I would also tell myself to relax and have confidence, because everyone is nervous about doing well. I would encourage myself to foster a group of friends that would support me and encourage the values I hold in high esteem, and to remember that while college is academic, there is just as much to be learned through social growth and through that, personal growth and understanding.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to lose all of my expectations about what the college experience should be and accept that change is inevitable and also helpful. As a transfer student, I feel that I made a lot of mistakes before finally attending George Mason University and being happy. I chose the college I first attended based on unrealistic expectations of who I wanted to be and what I wanted to achieve in life. I wanted to change who I was and I ended up unhappy for the better part of a year because of it. Now, I would tell my high school senior self that it is okay to be yourself and you should completely explore your options to find the perfect school to fit you. With that said, it is also okay to be unsuccessful at first, as I did initially. You almost always have a second chance to find the school that makes you happy. Changes are good and help you grow as a person and it is important to accept your ability to change as well as accept yourself and honor your desires and goals.

I would tell myself to participate in things and events earlier because this allows you to be involved in the university more and with the community more. I would tell myself to make a point to get to know those in my residence hall and make sure to go to all the events offered. I would also tell myself to get involved and have school pride because this is extremely important and will help form lasting friendships and help with networking down the line. I would also probably tell myself that I could study a little bit harder :)

Don't be so scared, it's not as bad as you thought it was going to be. You spent way too much time worrying about what college would be like, not knowing where to go, and what to do, that you forgot to enjoy you're last year. You're smarter than you think. Just becuase you didn't do as good as you wanted to in high school doens't mean you can't do great at a university, and even if you don't get A's in every class that doesn't mean you didn't learn a lot and get smarter. College is about finding out what you want to do and who you want to be. It's about making mistakes and learning as you go in a way that you were never given a chance to in high school. Being an adult in college is hard, I'm not going to lie, there's more responsibility and accountability, but it's worth it. You have to learn to accept things as a challenge instead of just worrying about them.

My advice would be to take control of your own life and plan out a future. If you plan to go to college, imagine yourself three years from now as a junior in college and ask if this is really what you want. Plan to go to college by taking into account the academic program and your capabilities. Then push your own boundaries to become more independent and really work towards school. At the same time, learn to take care of yourself; become responsible for everything you do. After high school, life becomes more serious and you need to begin thinking for the future as soon as possible. Pick an obtainable but meaningful degree program, avoid excessive student loans to get there, pick a career field that you will enjoy and also make a living from. And do not be afraid to take on more work than you think you can handle; you will surprise yourself what you can deal with when you really commit. Keep in mind that this is working towards your adult life, make it worth living. Along the way, give yourself small rewards to remind you how your hard work will pay off in the end.

If i Had the oppertunity to go back and talk to my self as a senior in high school i would tell my self to keep up the good work and grades for my senior year. Then i would tell my self that once i left home to go to school that i would need to make sure that all of me leaves needs to leave home and to focus on the school work, and stop thinking about whats happening back home. For if you focus on the school work college will be a lot easier and don't worry about working all the time, because what you sacrifce now to get the schooling done quicker will pay off in the long run. Also i would tell myself to prepare if i ever went to a community college that they are like high school and the the students complain alot, so to try and stay with the bigger universities. Also have fun and enjoy that time period of life.

As a high school senior I was very stressed about getting in to various colleges. I didn't know what program I wanted to get into and all I cared about was the prestige of the institution. If I could go back, I'd simply tell myself to stop stressing out so much about the prestige of an undergraduate institution. I know now that the job market has become so competitive that the majority of career paths that interest me require a master's degree to get anywhere. I would tell myself to focus more on finding an institution that has a very strong curriculum so that I could become a desirable, well-trained, and well-educated candidate for a prestigious graduate school. I could then happily recommend George Mason University to my younger self as an undergraduate institution that would provide me with the best education that I could ever hope for.

Hey Farah! you are nice and naive so be prepared for college. Have fun and study hard. Always ask for help when you need it. Professors are just like rest of us, they want to be appreciated and want to know that you are interested in learning.

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would advise myself as a college senior to think ahead more. I didn't apply to very many schools, and I only applied for a few scholarships-- and now, in college, I find myself wishing that I had fully considered my options and taken advantage of every opportunity. The best advice is simple: Be prepared.

I would advise myself to think about my future major and career as soon as possible. You may think you have a lot of time to decide, but guess what time passes by too quickly to count.

college life is real. It isnt about having fun, its about building a life career by learning and educating yourself. Teachers work hard to teach us and we should work hard to set an example for our next generation. As senior, I'm step ahead to graduate and I'm more focused than ever. Studying over materials after class helps understand what you just learned more clearly. college life is fun, not as bad as it seems. You can study and have fun at the same time. You can do things on your own time, you're more independent and focused.

In order to be successful you need two things; some time and desire. With this you will be able to get exceptional grades. You will want to study and learn everything there is to know about every subject. Knowing what field you want will keep you focused and not switch from major to major, and take unrequired classes. Here are a few pointers i picked up durring my years in college. some you already know but all are important. College is just like highschool but getting an A is more important than just passing the class. Your GPA will be more important and its the driving force into getting into graduate school. Doing some research in your junior year is important. Knowing how to have fun and relax is as important as not procrastinating for an exam.

Experiencing a situation is the best way to learn how to handle it the next time you are presented with it again. With that being said, there are so many things I would tell my high school senior self when preparing for college. First off, is that college is not like high school and allows you to have more free time. Balancing my schedule was difficult in the beginning, but with planning and focusing on my goals, I developed useful time management skills. I would also suggest to get involved with more than one extra cirricular activity that will force you to step out of your comfort zone. We all have interest and passions, but being in a new environment will reveal new interests that you never knew you had. Hard work, dedication, participate in volunteer activities, building relationships with professors, and meeting people of diversity are all key actions to ensure a prosperous and enjoyable time of one's life. College is for enjoyment, developing oneself, and determining major and career that you are passionate about, therefore make the most out of it and do not stress.

If I could go back in time and give myself some college advice, I woul tell myself to apply for college. Do not take a break after high school because it will become more difficult to find your way back to education. It becomes a very rough road without proper schooling under your belt. College may be a scary place and you may think that college is only for those that have money but there are many ways to get assistance. College is actually easier for a bright mind like yours.

I would tell myself to relax more and have more fun. Sometimes I feel like I get too caught up in the academic side of college and forgot the other parts. It feels like I'm just learning now to get more involved and my college career is almost over. I wish I had realized this sooner.

This may not seem critically important to most people, but one piece of advice I would give my high school self is to not enter college in a long-distance relationship. There are so many aspects of college life that I separated myself from in order to please my boyfriend and make sure I kept our relationship strong. In high school, I pretty much knew everyone by name. I was the student body president by my senior year and involved in numerous activities. In short: I was comfortable with my environment and comfortable with myself. Unfortunately, things changed when I got to college. Since I went to a considerably larger school than my Catholic high school, I knew close to no one. Instead of remedying the situation by going out and meeting a lot of people, I kept to myself a good amount of the time and just talked to my boyfriend on the phone or through text messages. I started to only focus on what made him happy and neglected my own personal needs. This made me hate my school because I cried so much, when really the dissatisfaction came from within me, not the school itself.

I can try to write this essay in 200 words or less but I can honestly say that it wouldn't be done to the best of my ability. I initially wrote it before I completed the survey and before I knew that there was a word limit and I am proud of what I have written because it's the truth. Cutting out all the other parts and just leaving it with 200 measily words would make it incomplete. I've worked hard on this as have other applicants and put so much time and effort and depth into this essay so I hope that you'll take a chance and read it. I didn't know any other way to post it except through my tumblr so I ask that you just take the time to still consider my entry. http://amiramiraonthewall.tumblr.com/post/28458862370/what-i-would-tell-my-high-school-self

Being from a family of 7, I wasn't able to attend college right out of high school. Instead I took a full time job to be able to pay for a truck in order to be able to attend college out of town. Now that i've paid off my truck, I am finally able to attend college and be an example for my younger siblings and teach that an education is most important. If I could turn back time to high school, I would tell myself to follow the Dave Ramsey course that we took in one of our economics class. That would of helped me pay off my truck so much faster and would of been able to attend college alot faster. Also, having to take my ACT or SAT in high school would of been alot easier for me and taking duel credit classes would of helped. I will be attending Victoria College in the Fall of 2012 for LVN, and eventually turning towards RN.

High school was a very difficult time for me, I used to work myself to the bone. I don't know why I was so obsessed and hard on myself about studying. Thinking about it gives me unpleasant memories as I was considered, back then, to be a loner which means a person with no friends. Sometimes I wondered if it was just me, because I used to get lost in trying to figure out why my classmates wouldn't accept me as a friend. If I could've given myself some advise back then, I would've definitely said "Dude, cut yourself some slack !" - enjoy your life for the moment and don't worry so much about your grades or what people think. At the end of the day, all those struggles and resentments that teenagers go through weren't worth it. That's because the trick is to keep a positive mindset and find hobbies that make you feel good about yourself. I might as well have allocated that energy to studying for the SATs and working on college applications . Doing that would have atleast generated something useful and taken me to the college of my dreams.

I would tell myself to get started early - don't slack on scholarship or work opportunities, because every little bit helps. The more prepared you are, the easier the transition to college will be. And it's okay if you don't have a major decided or have no clue what you want to do after college. You still have time to figure it out! Taking general classes gives you time to figure it out while still helping towards any degree you decide on. Keep your focus and don't let your determination or work ethic slip. Even though it might get tiring and you just get sick of homework, it'll all be worth when you've got a diploma in your hands and are on your way to a higher education. College isn't as hard or scary as you might think - while the workload might grow a little, just remember that you are too. It's nothing you can't handle if you have your mind set, so jump in and give yourself the future you deserve!

Make connections, become involved. Never burn bridges.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'm not sure i would take the opportunity to do so. I'm a firm beliver in the idea that everything happens for a reason, and though there certainly are things I wish i didn't take for granted in high school, I would not want to change anything. As far as being able to go back in time and give myself advice, I wish I knew not to rush. Most people rush through high school, and I was a victim of this naive ideolgy. Though I could have benefitted from not doing so, the consequence resulted in who I am today, and i wouldn't trade that for the world. The way I carried myself in high school made me who I am today; my time management, self respect, and work ethic, are all things that I strived for and molded in high school, and they have been vital to my success. The future is bright, and I cannot wait to shine some of my light.

College is the most important part of your life. It is officially the beginning of the practical life. For me the transition to college has been very smooth. My first semester went really well and managed to get a good GPA. College education is expensive. Many times you will feel that you should not have attended this college or have attended community college.The majority of First year college students reported that they had "some" or "major" stress regarding their ability to pay for their college expenses. You may think you won’t be able to pay for the next semester. In the light of my experience,I as a high school seniors would give "paying for college" high importance and think thoroughly on that. Financial Aid or paying for my college has made college scary and haunting for me because even good grades do not pay for your college tuition and fees. Thus, apply to as many colleges as possible giving preference to those where chances and opportuntities for scholarship are the greatest. I wish I could go back and do this, but its too late now.

Choose your college major yourself. Do not let other people influence your decision. You need to choose the academic program that makes you happy. If you are not happy studying something, you probably will not be happy doing it for a living. You are going to be investing a lot of time and money into your college education. Make that investment one that will yield happiness for you.

If I were to go back in time to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to stay focused and do not forget why I am going to college. I would tell myself that College is a lot of freedom but it also has a lot of responsibility. I would say that in college you are going to be responsible for yourself, and no one is going to be telling you what to do. This is why you must be focused and aim for your goal because it can be very easy to lose focus with our friends and other distractions. I would remind myself that I am the first one in my whole family to go to college. This is the biggest accomplishment in my family dreams to see me go to college and I cannot ruin it. I have to set an example for my nieces and nephews and to open doors for other generations to follow. I cannot turn back, and now that I made the Dean List this semester and that I must continue to make it every semester, and to never lose my goal and motivation.

If I were to travel back in time to my some-what immaure high school senior self, the two important advice's I would give would be to not sweat the small stuff and do the unthinkable or at least attempt it. The reason I chose these two advice's to tell my young self is because they are very basic common sense which I lacked back in high school. In the past I've struggled to sweat the small insignifficant problems that wouldn't matter within 6 months and I did not realize that the world offers more obstacles than just a project or an essay that needs to be completed. The second advice was given to me when I realized I was a very shy and unwilling to my community. If I ever wanted to go somewhere in life, I learned that I'd have to do something out of my comfort zone to be recognized, hence why doing the unthinkable is a very suitable advice. Even though I would want to talk a lot of sense into my high school self, these two would be the most significant that would impact my future.

I would tell myself to find a balance. One of the most important things that I have found it balancing fun with responsibility. College is the time to have fun, meet life long friends, go crazy, make mistakes, and find out about yourself. However at the same time it is a very expensive four years and it is the time you shape yourself educationally for the future. It is important to stay focused on your goals and dreams. I would tell myself to think hard before settling on a major, to organize myself better, but most importantly, to have fun with whatever I choose and never look back.

Be yourself! The only mistake you made in college is not being proud of your cultural background. West Virginia is does indeed have to reputation of being poor, backwards, ignorant, and country; but that is not the full picture. Most of the people you will meet at college are indeed very welcoming to diversity. As shocking as it is to hear but, most people on campus have never meet an African American and is even more surprised to meet an African American that is Muslim. You are a double minority and that is in no way anything to be ashamed of. Actually when people find out; you are invited to do class interviews, radio talk shows, invited to teachers’ homes and other activities. Your motto for now on should be African American Muslim and proud!

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would change perspectives. I would tell myself to take my education seriously. One should value every opportunity because they may soon disappear with the wind. I would invest in more financial readiness classes and a budget so that I can anticipate what lies ahead when living the life of a college student. I would mention joining the Armed Forces so that I can gain valuable career experience, see the world, and to learn more about cultural and community relations using my education. I would also emphasize the importance of giving back to one's family as well as to the community. Volunteering is one important aspect that improves a person's self worth and personal growth. I would also provide the younger me with more avenues to connect with community resources so that I can be able to handle my future that currently consists of single parenthood, a career, life choices, relocation with the military, familial relationships, conflict resolution, continuing education, financial issues, and dealing with two teenagers that have been diagnosed with special needs. A strong college education can enhance my quality of life for the better.

Knowing what I know now, I would have told myself to be prepared for homesickness. I knew that going to school across the country would be difficult, but I didn't expect to be missing home as much as I did during my first semester. I also would have told myself to get as involved as possible in different student organizations and to meet as many people as possible. I also would have made more of an effort to go to Washington D.C. and do more sightseeing so I became more familiar with Virginia and the Washington D.C. area. In high school, I didn't realize that making friends and a social life was not the same in college. Students have to make more of an effort to talk to people and make friends. It is easiear to meet friends while joining student organizations rather than in class. Also, on a large campus like George Mason University, it takes more effort to become involved and stay informed on the different activities that were on campus. Most of all, I would tell myself that everyone feels a sense of nostalgia and apprehension for the future.

Even knowing what I know now about not only college life but myself I don't think there would be anything I could say to make the trasition easier. Going though that trasition is what has helped me grow considerably and get me though college life. Also, I was fortunate enough to have done summer camps and programms which required me to stay in dormatories and places that were not familar making the transition smooth. However, If I had to give advise to myself I would say to keep on doing what I am doing and always strive for the best.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the best advice that I would give to myself would be that I should be prepared to face different people with diverse backgrounds and thinking. In high school not many people think that they will ever have to deal with people that they do not get along with but that is completely wrong. In college one is exposed to copious types of people and professors that sometimes cannot be avoided so the only thing that one can do is to work with them and get along. Keeping an open mind is vital to surviving college because one will constanly be exposed to communication between people. Therefore, keeping your mind open and inviting to different views is crucial and the best advice that will make one successful in college.

Throughout High School I was a Pretty laid back kid, this was especially true for my senior year. I did pretty well in all my classes without having to put fourth an extreme amount of effort. However as I look back at myself now, being a high school graduate, I have many things I would want to tell my former self. The number one thing would be to FOCUS! I see now that your potential to do great things is higher than you ever realize in that moment. I would tell myself to just give it that one extra step, and it will take you farther than you can imagine. When you are at the college level, all you have is your potential, and it is up to you to take advantage of it. College is a tough enviroment, but if you focus and create good habits now, there is no limit to were it can take you.

Most high school seniors cannot wait to get into college where they live away from home and are free from parents instructing them. I was in boarding school for some part of high school and so living with strangers from all over the world in college is not entirely new to me. I have learned to open up and respect people and their cultures or ways of living, but also to be firm and not compromise my beliefs. One thing I would advise is not be in a hurry to grow up. Many college students go out and party, get drunk and engage in various daring activities all in the name of freedom and growing up; becoming legal and no longer having to answer to parents. I have seen that this lifestyle brings misery, though people claim to be temporarily happy. It is important to relax and have fun in college and not spent every waking minute studying. There is a balance between the two. Do not take moving on to college as a license to party and wild living. College is just one stage of life. Hopefully, you will have your whole life ahead of you to grow up.

I would tell myself two lessons I learned just from one semester's worth. Firstly, choose your friends wisely as these can either bless or destroy your future. Many people say that these friends become your best friends in life so let them be good influences and friends to you. Secondly, grades are not the most important aspect of college, but they are extremely important. Be active in college; join clubs/organizations, find internships, but above all, have fun and enjoy life. Get the good grades but also live a balanced lifestyle of work and fun.

If I could travel back in time and discuss with my past self the things that he should do, I would be talking for days. Firstly, research what school is going to cost you. Don't give in to what people say about college. It does not pay for itself. Secondly, quit playing video games. Now. In the future you will spend lots of time and money trying to fix a big video game addiction problem. They completely destroy your first 2 semesters of school and consequently even more time, because you will have to make up for your mistakes. Thirdly, spend some time trying to mature. It is a very lonely college career for a mamma's boy. No one should be willing to help you, if you are so incredibly willing to NOT help them. There must be some give and take in all relationships. Lastly, understand that you will discover how much you love learning. Don't be so reluctant to believe that it is not for you. You truly do love to learn. That is the largest amount of advice I would give to myself. Please forward this to 2006 Blake.

You better start getting much better study habits this year, becuase skating by in college is not going to cut it like it did in high school. You need to stop just relying on memory to pass these tests in college, because there is a whole lot more going on in college, and it is harder to stay focus in class. Get into the habit of speding an extra hour studying everynight, instead of just going out and smoking with your friends, becuase that won't get you anywhere in life. You need to start preparing now, becuase all the habits that you start to form this year will spill over into your Freshman year of college, and its already hard enough, so you don't need to keep feeding yourself these disadvantages. I know you probably won't listen to any of the advice I'm giving you, but hey what do I know. This is only the same advice that my mom had been giving me for years and I failed to take it during my time in high school, which is whey I'm telling your from an older presepective, mommas always right!

As graduate, nears college may seem a little intimidating, but it's not as scary as it seems. Professors respect you when you respect them, as do other students. However, you should never silence yourself when you know what has to be said. Sometimes, people may laugh or not understand you, but don't let that stop you. Doing the right thing doesn't always make sense to others. Stand your ground and hold fast to your convictions of faith, right, and wrong. Be willing to go out on a limb and risk everything if the time comes. You be tempted to think that college is a dark and dangerous land, especially considering my warnings. But, while it may be uncertain at times, it is not as bad as you probably think. College is a wonderful experience to grow and impact others. You will meet people struggling. Reach out to them. Don't be afraid to pour your life into theirs. There will be hard times - late nights of study or difficult friendships - but those things don't have to destroy or define you. Instead, let them shape you into the woman you know God wants you to be.

If could I go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are a few things I would give myself a heads up on. After deciding on the college of my choice and before the first day of classes, I would research and explore all the opportunities the college has to offer. There are many, many opportunities, events, grants, scholarships, jobs, and services available to all students, but very few take advantage of these privileges. Reserve a study room in advance on campus so that you have your own quiet area to do work when everyone is anxiously looking for their own space during a busy time. Look into the FREE workshops that can help broaden your horizons in field. Apply for grants and scholarships to save money on tuition. There are so many opportunities and services that each school has to offer for their students but rarely do students take advantage of these. At George Mason I am grateful that I have been able to take advantage of these opportunities.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, the first words I would say to myself about college are, “Don’t be nervous.” I hate to admit it but I was pretty worried about living away from the small town, friends, and family I had lived with my entire life. I would advise myself to meet as many people as possible in order to create a network of friends on campus. With a variety of people to be around during college, the feeling of leaving all you know behind at home will quickly subside. Along the line of feeling at home while at college, I would advise to try all sorts of organizations and activities, particularly in the beginning of the first semester. Not only will they provide more opportunities to make new friends, but also to find your niche in an extra curricular activity that you can continue throughout your years at the university. Through following both these pieces of advice, I would be well on my way to truly making college a “Home Away From Home.”

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college I would give myself one piece of advice-plan. You have so much free time in college that you need to make a plan or else you can get side tracked and end up pulling the infamous collegiate caffeine fueled all nighters. By making a plan you avoid unnecessary stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. It’s also important to plan time for studying and time for socializing. Socializing and meeting new people is an important part of the college experience but it’s important to remember academics come first. The last secret to having a plan is sticking to it. You can plan your day to the second but if you don’t stick to it your plan is useless. Like everything planning takes practice. There will be times when you don’t complete everything you planned but you can’t let those times discourage you. When it comes down to it college is what you make it out to be. Approach everything open minded and with a positive attitude and I promise college will be the time of your life.

As a high school senior, there's a lot of things going through your mind: what new adventures you'll experience as a college freshman, the freedom you're about to gain, the opportunity to recreate yourself. The most important things when it comes to the academics of college life are organization, time management, and study skills. You won't have someone telling you to do your homework or study. Procrastinating and not getting enough sleep at night are two huge mistakes most freshman make because it got them by in high school. You might have to give up some social activities every once in a while to make sure your grades stay up to par. You have to motivate yourself to want to do well. It's more difficult for some than others to get used to not having parents around for when you need something. You have to be able to balance your life between social time, study time, and you-time. Planning ahead and keeping your priorities straight are key.Although it may be challenging at first because you're all on your own for the first time, you can do it. Lastly, relax and be confident.

It has been 18 years since I was where you are now. Despite the challenges faced of getting a degree later in life, I wouldn’t suggest that you do it now. If you go to school right now, you will not study the right things will not have the business experience I gained from managing large volume specialty retail stores for 12 years. However, waiting until 31 to start taking classes is too long. In my late 20’s I knew that the career I had started at 18 wasn’t going to be enough and I needed to go back to school. This is when you should go. Now I am taking six classes a semester, while still maintaining a 4.0 GPA and finish my undergraduate degree as soon as possible. When I finish this, I will still need to spend another year in school to get my masters degree and have the credits to take the CPA exam. All of this has pushed back our plan for children. Had I started school a few years earlier, I wouldn’t feel as if I was racing to complete my degree before my biological clock stops ticking.

If I had to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to get ready for a wild ride, and not in a good way. I would reassure myself that I would do well academically, but would warn myself about some of the people I would meet. I would tell myself to be upfront with people about being shy, introverted, and an anxiety sufferer and to not let the teasing and bullying about these qualities to hurt me as much as they did.

College is filled with fun events. The first advice I would give to myself is about the dodgeball game between 700 vs. 700 Mason students randomly placed into teams. The first 10 seconds of the first round, I immediately got out on the first throw. I would tell myself to dodge to the right and to stand on the edges where the concentration of balls is minimum. Next I would guide myself around campus so that way I wouldn't be lost when I actually attended college. I once got lost for 3 hours; somehow I wandered to the opposite side of where I wanted to go. Finally, I would teach myself about my improved study tecgniques and time management skills. Over the summer, I tried to prepare for college by watching online Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and General Chemistry lectures from UC-Berkley. Knowing about my study skills beforehandwould give me time to assimilate them before the semester started. Overall, my transition was surprisingly smooth and I don't want to spoil too much for myself.

I would give my senior self several tips on how to make it through the transition of college. First, change the meal plan that I had originally chosen because it runs out in October and I should have chose the 175 flexible meal plan for college. Secondly, avoid taking the freshman transition class because it does not help in college at all. The teachers in college are not very supportive of your schedule, so it is very important to tell them exactly what is going on with your life in order for it to fit their schedule. Lastly, watch your belongings and keep your phone in your pocket, bag, or backpack because leaving it out in a friend's dorm will lose it. As long as you stick to this advice, you'll do fine for your transition into college.

Primarily I would tell myself that realizing my inner purpose would have an immense positive effect on my outer purpose in life. Acknowledging that Music composition and performance are parts of my outer purpose, I would tell myself I need to align with the joy that is already within me, and not to look for happiness brought out by new and desired material objects. I would probably be confused about this statement years ago because I was caught up in aimless content regarding the people in my life and how they would help or hurt my education and later successes. If I had this advice I would have probably handled certain situations with equal heart, but without as much emotional attachment. I would have been more accepting to the formlessness of the social organism that manifests into the college experience. I don't see any of my past experiences at school as negative or positive, I have just become aware of myself and the doubts I had surrounding those situations. I believe that with that advice I would have brought out far more positivity and my interactions and in-class experiences would have been less stressful and less concerning.

If I could go back in time to give myself some advice, I would tell myself that even though all the work we are given is time consuming, it is worth it in the end to put your best work forward. I would also tell myself to open up, be willing to try anything, be adventurous and make the best of everything because it will make the experience much more memorable. Opening yourself up to different cultures, other peoples perspectives, and etc. can give you a completely different outlook on life from what you had when you started. Getting an education at this level is phenomonal opportunity and gives you a chance to make a new you. I would also tell myself to dream big and perservere through any obstacles and give your all and that dream WILL come true. I would not only tell myself this, I would tell this to everyone and anyone looking for a little advice on the transition to college.