Georgia Southern University Top Questions

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

Kailan

I would advise my former self to apply for every scholarship known to man no matter the amount. I would suggest that I always stay in contact with former teachers as they could also assist in helping you understand the average college curriculum.

moses

I would tell myself three things. One: Study for my test at least two days before the test. Waiting to study for a test the night before is not a good habit to get into. It may have worked in high school, but it won't in college. Two (in relation to one): Do not procrastinate, especially on essays. This will only lead to an immense amount of stress and it will negatively effect your grades on the assignments and in the class. Three: If you have to choose between school and social life, lean more towards the studious side. The grades you receive are permanent while your social life will constantly change. There are plenty of opportunities for you to go out and party-- it is college.

Sarah

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and focus less on how my classmates were doing in their courses. Honestly, I should have paid more attention to myself instead of being so preoccupied with other people's successes that I missed the deadlines for most opporotunities that I could have had. I also would have cared less about my social life, since I should have known I was leaving most of my classmates behind. Right now I've completely lost contact with most of the people I went to high school with simply because we don't have time to talk to each other. I would have concentrated more on family and figuring out what I wanted to do in life, since even only halfway through my first semester of college I've changed my major twice from what I thought I wanted during high school, which wouldn't have happened if I had paid more attention to my own skills instead of what my friends were doing.

Olivia

I would tell myself that I need to go into college undeclared because going in declared messed me up. I would also tell myself to form better study habits and that i need to continue to work as hard as I did in high school. That I need to get involved in clubs and other organizations on campus. I need to be doing things to build my resume as soon as possible.

Nicholas

Attending a small school in central Georgia, I learned to cherish my classmates as if they were my brothers. As the years progressed and college was no longer just a distant idea, we would discuss for hours what this new step in our lives was going to entail. College acceptances came back and those whom I had lived right down the street from for my entire life were now going to be attending various colleges around the country. We coined the term NSD- “Nervous, Scared, Depressed”. We were Nervous of what the upcoming experience would be, Scared of the challenges ahead of us, and Depressed to be leaving our childhood friends and the town we loved so much. If I could talk to my high school self, I would change this negative phrase to “New, Stimulate, Direction”. College is New, both positive and negative experiences that truly Stimulate your mind, helping you to overcome obstacles. It provides Direction for you to learn what you truly value in life. It is more than four years away from home and friends; it changes you, molds you, and helps you to determine what purpose you serve in the world.

Shannon

Take high school seriously. Study harder because you will need to have that foundation for your first year of classes. Take your first two years of classes seriously once you get into college. When professors see your dedication, it opens doors later on down the road. Respect the professors' time and read the syllabi and grading rubric before turning in assignments because that will help you to better understand what the professors are really wanting from you. Also, read the textbooks and research your questions before asking your professors. Try to understand the material before going to class to prevent asking questions that the books answer, which also helps you better understand what is going on in class. Learn how to understand concepts instead of memorizing facts because that is what sticks with you as you progress from freshman, to sophmore, to junior, to senior. Keep in mind that researching, writing, and completing projects takes double the amount of time that you originally think. Finally, do not waste your time while you are there. Maximize the time between classes to study and work on projects ahead of time to prevent having to stay up all night to to these things.

Katelyn

I would tell myself as a high school senior to not go back into my old habits that I was set into during high school. This time sets your future career and no one will be able to help you turn around from your mistakes. It also costs you a lot from your pocket and time when you put the effort you need in coursework. It feels much better to get an A grade, rather than just passing through with a C. I would also tell myself to explore into different careers and participate in some volunteer work. Now I don't have the time that I would like to "try out different careers". Every moment now is spent working and trying to pay bills instead of trying to figure out what career would be best for me. Its much easier when you don't have so many responsibilities.

ashley

Considering all the transitions and complications I have experienced throughout my senior year of high school, I would say that I now have a lot of handy tips for the "old me". Tip number one: no procrastination. Procrastination is a horrible habbit for anyone; it's easy to get off track, but it is critical to stay focused. If you keep putting things off until the last minute, you will stress over assignments and you will be rushed to finish them. In the end, lack of time does not allow you to think to your full ability. Tip number two: sign up for more scholarships earlier. Scholarships are awarded all the time, even at the beginning of senior year. Get off that tush and get ahead of the game! Everything counts and receiving just one scholarship could help pay for books, tuition, or other educational expences. To arm any future college student with this information would be enlightening for them.

Brad

Go to New Student Orientation – This is the fastest way to get information on college resources. Time Management – Understand that taking 15 credit hours is equivalent to a full-time job. Plan on spending 2-3 hours of time on coursework outside of the classroom for each hour spent inside the classroom. Take Initiative – Ask questions, seek help, attend every class, get to know your professors and follow your degree plan. Self Reflectio

Antoine

If I went back in time to give any advice to my high school self, it would be to "Keep a positive mind set. The mind is the most powerful tool in the world because everything you see before you was in someone's mind before it came into reality. In fact everything you do is first proceeded by a thought, and then it becomes an action. Scientists proven that your thoughts are real because they cause biological and physiological effects. Your body responds to mental input as if it were physically real. Moreover you can use your mind to think good or bad things. In high school my thoughts would limit myself; my mind was literally trapped in a box. But now I'm telling you thinking optimistic can unlock your potential, and thinking pessimistic will block your potential. If you want to be class president go ahead! If you want to join the basketball team, you can do it! If you see a girl you like, then you go and get her! ' You can do anything if you set your mind to it!' Finally stay away from negative people because they will lower your mind to their level."

Katherine

I would tell myself to get them ost involved as I can while I am first year. The friends that you make at the beginning of college are the friends you will have forever. I would also tell myself to take advantage of professor's office hours because they care and want to get to know their students as best as they can. This would also help in the future for references for scholarship or getting into a certain school. I would also tell myself to know how to separate you social life from your school life. I had a few friends this semester that messed up because they did not focus on their school and just worried about their social life

Cierra

I would say it is never to early to prepare for your future. Start thinking about what you are passionate about and network into that field. Volunteer as often as you can, where ever you can because that experience could qualify you for a job in the near future. Always ask questions because people love to see you willing to work and learn what you need to do to succeed. Also don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone beacuse you never know what you actually like until you try something diffrent. Enjoy your time beacuse it goes by so fast, so don't wish the future to get here so soon. Be sure to work hard first and play hard after. Take a break when you need to, because you will need the energy later, and learn how to manage your time wisely beacuse too much idle time is never a god thing. Last, but not least do everything with integrity and represent yourself well where ever you go, this means honesty, trustworthy, and dependability. Find a support system of likeminded indiviuals or friends to motivate each other through hard times. Dont worry Be happy! Smile

Meagan

Study and get the best grades you possibly can. Take AP classes and a variety of subjects. Take Spanish!!! You will be in a working world soon and you need to be able to communicate with as many people as possible. Don't party so much...plan for your future. Spend time reading as much as you can now of the books you will need to know for college. Apply for scholarships because college is EXPENSIVE!

Brianna

The advice I would give to my high school self would be to search for as many scholarships as you can and to get involved in as many ways as you can within your community. When you are all done with the paperwork for college and you get onto the college campus, college becomes real; not just a dream or vision anymore, but a reality. Scholarships are very helpful in that they can assist in paying for your schooling as well as living expenses. When you live on your own, bills begin to pile up and money becomes not a pleasure to have, but a dire necessity. I struggled through my first year of college because I did not try to get as many scholarships as I could; I just stuck with a few. I promised myself that I would try harder and apply for more scholarships this year. Another thing I would tell my past self is I that getting involved with the community brings up a lot of opportunities to meet people and give back. College is more fun when you know your peers and are involved in something that intrigues you.

William

Make school and your future your number one priority. Every decision made after high school will affect the outcome of your life to come, so make every choice count! You have all the tools necessary to succeed and are more than completely capable of achieving everything you want your life to be, it's only a matter of doing it. How others handle and approach their personal decisions should not affect you in the slightest. Truly take time to figure out what you want and what you need, make a plan, then act toward those goals. The honest truth is life isn't easy, but a little hard work now, will pay off immeasurably in the future! You can do it, I believe in you. So get started!

Allen

What advice would I give myself as a high school senior for college? I would tell myself not to stress about work as much and not to push myself too hard. School work comes first so working 40 hours a week along with school is doable but it is going to take a lot out of you. Try to stick to a part time job and study a lot. It isn't going to be easy but it will be worth it in the end. No matter what anyone else says, chase your dream. You have to strive to accomplish your goals. Never give up and always have faith in yourself. That is the advice I would give myself for college.

Davis

If I could go and tell myself anything before I left high school early as a senior and went off to college I would tell myself to stay focused and to not get distracted by the "new world" that was college. It isn't a big enough deal that you're in college to allow yoru grades to slip. I would also warn myself to avoid being distracted by the possiblity of a relationship. Just because you're out of small little Claxton, GA does not mean that every guy is gay and into you. Focus on YOU and what this experience is doing. I feel like I would also tell myself to get involved in things on campus much, MUCH sooner rather than coming in halfway through the second semester just to be "that awkward new guy". If I had been involved with my campus ministry sooner I would have been much closer with some of my current best friends and would have been able to make even better memories! Last, I would remind myself that it's okay to mess up and it's okay to give a wrong answer in class. Don't worry so much!

Brian

When I was a teenager, I always believed that I had time to put things off. In my head, time would never cease to move forward, so why do something now when you could do it later? All of that changed instantly my freshman year of college. If I could tell my high school self-one thing it would be don’t wait to get anything done. Procrastination leads down a road of unsatisfactory results. I had transitioned from a world where simple tasks were constantly being watched by your high school teachers, to a world where every single decision that you are faced with is totally up to you. I never had so much control over my life, in my life! Everything totally depended on all the decisions I made. And at first, it caught me off guard. I was completely overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of papers to write, books to read, and of course, social events to attend. So as a result, my grades suffered a bit more than I would have liked them to. In conclusion, if you have free time to do something, do it right then to reduce worry about it later on.

Stephanie

I would tell myself to not worry about what impressions you're going to make on other people. Be yourself to the best of your ability because the real you is going to come out, and the people who you feel like you can be yourself around are going to be your best friends. Hang on to these people and invest in their friendships. The people you invest in and get to know will be the best time you spend in college because not only will you find happiness in them and their friendship, but you will also have the opportunity to be an impact in other peoples' lives in ways that you couldn't even imagine in high school. You have something unique to bring to this college. Don't try to hide it.

Cherrelle

High School can either excite you or frighten you about your first year in college. My advice to myself, if I can go back in time, is be excited! Excitement is raised from the knowledge that you will acquire and independence that you will have to be embrace. That college fund that your parents may have been working on, may no longer exist by the time you graduate. No need to worry about your parents’ expenses because there are countless scholarships that are open to high school seniors that will assist tuition and supply costs. Saving and smart spending is an important concept that you should learn because it will be used almost everyday. Students are easily manipulated that suggested textbooks and supplies are absolutely necessary and must be purchased from the university store, which usually sells overpriced items. A way to avoid excessive spending is to seek out every source around campus and online. The best prices and deals are usually located on Internet-based stores. Don’t let money stress you out too much! While your attending college, stay up to date with events and fairs that are happening and are usually free and fueled by entertainment.

Alexis

I would tell myself to look at all of my options before choosing where I want to go. Dont just choose it because of the varsity sport I play but look at other factors.

Amanda

If I could back to high school and talk to myself, I would tell myself to learn how to study. Explain that while friends are great and imprtant in their own way they are no substitution for an education. Stick with it and work at it. Ramen noodles are good and there is nothing you can't cook in a microwave. You need a roommate who is serious. If you have a roommate with the same personality it will not work out at all for education. You will end up quitting after your first year and when you go back it will be harder and it will be your money, so do it now and try hard. You need to be busy and it is a good idea to work. I would also tell myself go to the doctor, you have ADHD and once treated you will function a lot better and be able to pass your classes easily. You will exceed everyone expectations if you try just a little and it is worth it.

Kellie

Make the decision based on what you want to go to school for. Do not base it off what your parents, family and friends want you to do. It is your decision; not theirs. Money should not keep you from being what you want to be. Believe in yourself and everything will fall into place from there. College is nothing like high school. It is so much better. There is more opportunities, friends and freedom. Live your social life to the fullest. Study hard from week to week and party in between. College is suppose to be the best part of your life, so live a little.

Madeline

I would advise myself to not attend Georgia Southern. I love the university and do not wish to transfer anywhere else but I have decided to pursue an art major and need to go to an art school. I am very sad to leave because Southern is an amazing school that is growing everyday both in number of students and prestige. I would not change the path I took because I learned so much and confirmed my need to go to an art school. I will miss the university and I advise others to attend!

Kristen

If I could go back in time and change anything about my high school senior year, I would, without a doubt, get more invoved with my school clubs and athletics. I was already a cheerleader and one of the captains of the team, but I think that joining more clubs would have prepared me more for trying to get involved in college. It is very important to be involved in high school, not only because it looks good on applications and resumes, but because it encourages you to interact with other people and to take on some kind of leadership role. The people who get involved in high school are more likely to get involved in college and studies have shown that a lot of the students who are involved in various organizations have a tendency to do better in there school work. It also encourages students to make friends which makes the transition from high school to college easier than one could imagine.

Tanner

I would tell myself that going to my local community college was a GREAT decision even though I really want to go to a major four year school. I am so much prepared now than when I was during my freshman year. My only other advise would be to study, study, study!

Jami

If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior there are only a couple things that I would want to say. First, I would want to tell myself how important family is. I love my family and we are extremely close, but I wish I would have known how much I was going to miss them. I would tell my highschool self, "Spend more time with them and embrace the moments that you have with them. Senior year is fun and there are a lot of events and celebrations that occur, but don't get too caught up in them because when you arrive at college you will miss those random hugs or random game nights. " Also, I would say, "Breathe." I stressed out a lot through the transition from high school to college and I should have known that it was going to be okay and worrying about it would not fix anything. Those were the two key points that I needed to hear, but there's so much that I am still learning and hopefully what I learn from my mistakes now can help others transition smoother later.

Benjamin

If I could go back in time and give my younger self some advice, I would tell myself to study for just one extra hour each day and try to join and be active in at least one other club. I would also advise my younger self to take the hardest classes and stay organized, because compared to college; the hardest classes in high school are the really easy ones in college. By taking these classes and staying organized, it will have better prepared me for the future, not only in college, but also in the work force someday.

Asea

College is not as hard as professors make it seem. If you stay focused and dedicated you can achieve your goals. Varsity sports in college are not the same as highschool. Coaches are not guaranteed to stay all four years. If they are not bringing in championships then they could be up to lose their job. Make sure you ask about that on recruitment visits. Off campus living is cheaper than on campus. Make sure you find a place early in the spring your freshman year to move your sophmore year or sublease. Rates will be cheaper. Meal plans are only required freshman year. If you want to save money consider only getting 3 or 6 and just eat at home the rest of the time. The food is overpriced. Always spend extra meal plans at the Market Place. That will save money on groceries.

Michael

Do not stop at just earning your college degree. You may look back and see that you graduated but could have accomplished so much more with a more dedicated study and club activity in your field of study. Spend time earning a minor or accompanying major in a completely different subject so that you can differentiate yourself from the other graduates. Find a way to gain experience through an internship as it will provide education and experience in your general or specific field of study that you cannot receive in your course work. Exploit the opportunity to study abroad because it exposes you to the world outside of the US and will help you understand the advantages you have, further providing a perspective not available at home. Lastly, remember you will fail, but only the truly successful turn failure into success. Good Luck!

breanna

education is important. not something to joke around about, focus on your career, stay focused and work hard it will pay off in the future

Meagan

If I could go back and tell my high school self anything it would be to focus on my classes and use every tool at my disposal to get the best grades. Had I known then what I know now, I would have studied so much more. Absorb as much knowledge and information as possible. Hey, don't worry so much about being accepted, popular and liked. If only I hadn't spent so much time socializing and more time doing homework and studying I would have increased my grade point average. Making friends is very important, but too much social interaction can prevent you from being highly successful. It's also important to take time for reflection and study. I would tell myself to get more sleep and feed my body healthy food. Oh and please read more! I would remind myself of that and spend my Sunday afternoons reading and resting for the week ahead. I would also ask myself to look down the road at the path ahead of me and decide what my goals are for the future. Don't wait until your in college to decide, start now!

Amber

Looking back there are numerous things I wish someone had told me before I started college. I think that, given the opportunity, I would go back and tell myself how important it is to set a scheduled time for studying. College isn't like highschool where one can get buy studying for a test the period before. If you want to excell you need to study ahead of time (and over time) and classes should be reserved strictly for listening to the lecture. I think I would stress the importance of a schedule and of reading the textbooks, It's easy to tell yourself that you have time, but eventualy that time runs out.

Walter

College is fun and you will do well. But you also need to listen to the rest of my advice: You can’t scrape by without studying anymore. It doesn’t cut it to just glace over the notes five minutes before class starts now. Once you get done with class for the day, go to the library, and read or recopy your notes. Spend 30 minutes per class. That’s a fair amount of time without being too excessive.

Tamika

As you head to college there are some things you should know. You are a very smart girl, although you have breezed through high school excelling in all your courses, you NEED to learn some study habits. You never had to study before, but you are now entering into a world you know nothing about. So reading and studying are going to be your new hobbies. Ask as many questions as possible and write down any notes that you have. Develop a note taking method that you will understand. Also, don’t be in so much of a rush to be included in the “cool” events. Trust me, there are always going to be exciting events that you can attend later. Make sure you have all your work completed before stepping out. Create an agenda that will help you create an internal schedule so that you will have a format on how to get things done. Show discipline and stick to the schedule. This will later provide you more structure on how you run your life. You have to start taking things seriously. Grab the bull by the horns and stay focused on what you want. You can do it!

Danielle

College life for me has consisted of working full-time and going to school full-time. Not exactly what I had in mind when I was a senior. The first thing I would tell myself is that this is reality, not some dream world where senioritis should take over my life and school is simple. I would tell myself that it is hard to look back on my high school career and know all the things I would and should have done differently. I would encourage myself to take those honors or AP classes and to even do joint enrollment with a college. I would encourage myself to apply for more scholarships and work harder to get an academic scholarship so I don’t have to work as hard as I do now to pay for college. Lastly, I would remind myself that there is a better life out there waiting for me too. If there was a way for my senior self to see how much I’ve matured and succeeded, all of my decisions then would be different.

Evan

You can still have a good time in college while being able to concentrate on your work. TIme management is very critical is having the optimal college experience. Most of the time, your weekends are your best bet for being able to go out and have a good time. Unless, of course, a project or test is coming up that following Monday or Tuesday. Having a good balance of your school work and free time is the key to success. Also, do not be afraid to go to teachers for advice. Many of them are willing to help students, but many students are afraid to ask. This can come in handy, especially for tests. Sometimes teachers will give you hints or extra help on the parts of the class you don't understand. Take any opportunity you can in order to further your learning, and know there will be plenty of time to have fun throught your college career.

Daron

Knowing what I know now there are definitely a few things that I would tell “my high-school self”. The first would be to be proactive. In high school there are constant reminders, explanations, and check points to keep you on track with whatever you may be involved with. In college however this is not the case. You are on your own and this is the time to teach yourself the true meaning of taking responsibility. Another piece of advice would be to know your requirements. Throughout my college career I have gotten myself into classes and even organizations that have had an adverse affects on my academic career. Being able to correctly identify what is required of me would have helped me to build a more balanced college life, and would have left me in a slightly better position than I am in currently. My last recommendation would be to have fun. These will be some of the best years of your life. Handle responsibilities while still allowing time to enjoy this amazing privilege and experience.

Shakoria

We have heard parents tell us, “You do not attend school to make friends, but to get an education.” As much as we do not like to listen or agree with what our parents have to say at times, they are absolutely correct when it comes to the purpose of school: to receive an education. There were so many distractions in my senior year-the coursework, college scoping, applying for scholarships, as well as preparing myself for the end of high school and for the beginning of being on my own away from home. Yet, the biggest distraction was my friends. Some of the friends that I had in ninth grade were no longer attending school with me; there were people I believed were my friends, but we no longer spoke; lastly, there were people whom I never spoke to, and we were becoming the best of friends. Saying all of this, you cannot allow yourself to fret these little things in college, because it is not what really matters. Trust me, it’s great to have a circle of friends that you can have fun with, but you are paying for college, it isn’t to be taken lightly.

Natalie

Stay focused on your school work and don't have too much of a social life.

thyasmine

I would have worked during high school and saved money to help pay for college!

Tabitha

It's August 2010, my last first day of high school. Thinking about all of those who came before me, it seems surreal that it's finally my turn to be a senior in high school. I feel great and my expectations are set high with hope that these expectations are met. Time passes by and it is now April, 2011. I have one month until graduation. Senioritis has been in effect for a long time now and I'm just counting down the days. I'm slacking on work and my grades are shifting. Knowing what I know about college life and making the tradition, first I would tell my high school self to learn how to study. Then, I would tell my high school self to not let senioritis hender me from having a strong finish. I would advise myself to take advance placement classes more seriously. I would also advise myself to not accept doing enough just to get by because that will get you no where in college. Lastly, I would make sure I was aware that making honor roll all years of high school doesn't ensure good grades in college.

Jacqueline

If I could go back in time as a senior in high school to myself advice about college life. I would first tell myself to prep harder and boost my G.P.A. Then I would say to me, apply to as many colleges and unversities as possible and that I should not limit myself to being hung up on getting in to just one school. In addition I tell myself about getting a game plan for paying for college without racketing up a bunch of debt, as I go to school so later I to can praticipate in change the world after gettting my degree. Also I tell myself to tell someone that is in the profession that I believe I want to do for the rest of life. Sometime we find we want to do something else with our live but we go through the motion of trying to make the things that is making us miserible work first. I tell myself do not this. If it makes you unhappy, try another profession and do not take a brunch of courses toward one degree. Leave your options open until something grabs your attention. Then say this is it.

Lisa

If I could go back twelve years and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself: “Do not to be afraid of facing the challenges ahead. You might feel like you cannot meet the demands of school and work, but you are more capable than you realize. You will worry that you can’t afford to go to college, but you will find aid from many sources and find a way to make your dream of becoming a nurse come true. Be an active participant in your education by asking questions and conferring with others as you learn new concepts. Go beyond the desire to get a perfect grade and rediscover the joy of learning. When you move out of your parent’s home and transition into the life of an independent adult, remember to keep believing that dreams can come true, even as you struggle to pay rent and college tuition. Life is not easy, but it is neither hopeless, and it is up to you to persevere in your studies so that you can achieve your dreams. When you make mistakes, learn from them and move forward with renewed confidence in yourself.”

Alyanna

Dear High School me, I am writing you this letter by taking advantage of a space-time continuum malfunction. I do not have much time so you must listen carefully. You are did fine freshman and sophomore year. In September of 2009 you will move to America. American High Schools are nothing like the movies. Junior year, do not get side tracked with the idea of fitting in with the cool kids, when you reach my age, you will understand that none of them will matter. Trust your gut with the people you are first going to make friends with. You’re new; they can either be nice to you or take advantage of that. Senior year you are going to move to California, once you decide to take AP Calculus that is the point of no return. I cannot stress enough how much every minute spent memorizing and reading can save you a lot of trouble. Just suck it up and stick with it bear in mind that it will pass. I shall go now, like I said I do not have enough time! Remember Ali, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.

Megan

I would sit myself down and tell myself to forget what anyone has ever said to her about not being successful. I'd say forgive them for what you feel they've said to hurt you so that when you graduate with your degree in Psychology you can say it was for YOU. You feel like you have something to prove to the world, when you really should focus on how to give back to the world. I would hope and pray that my 18 year old self would relax and know that she would end up focusing on serving her community instead of holding in her bitterness. Now I can see that I've gotten over that stage, but it would have saved time if someone sat me down and told me what really was important in life.

Christine

There is financial aid available for college in the form of scholarships, grants, work study programs, and loans. Maintain the high G.P.A. you have in high school and throughout your college years to be eligible to apply for merit based scholarships. To keep a high G.P.A. in college you will have to develop independent study skills, balance your social and study time, get enough sleep and eat healthy. Unlike high school, in college there are grants available for low income students that can be used for tuition, books, school supplies, campus housing and meal plans. To be eligible for low income grants fill out the Fafsa application at www.fafsa.gov and the college's financial aid office will mail you an award letter. Student loans and work study programs for college expenses are also obtained by filling out the Fafsa application and through the schools financial aid office. Limit the amount of student loans you apply for as much as possible by working. The debt and repayment of student loans and the interest can accumulate very quickly and become a burden to the borrower. Develop a budget and manage you money wisely.

Alyssa

Knowing where I am now, with the experiences I have been through so far in college, my advice to high school self would be a few simple things. Most importantly I would advise myself to go with my gut instinct, to not to second guess myself about which college to attend. This is my education and this is where I am going to be for the next few years of my life, make sure I make decisions for myself and no one else. Additionally, I would recommend figuring out what field I would like to major in. By going into college “undecided,” I feel as though it somewhat set me back a bit. If I had taken more time in high school to assess my interests and options, I could have saved myself some time and pressure to decide in a hurry. Ultimately, I would advise myself to focus more on myself! On what I want in my future, and what will make me happy during my journey there.

Victoria

I would tell myself that I need to learn relaxation techniques. I love college, and I wouldn't be as happy as I am now if I hadn't gone, but I stress over school more than anything else. Being able to make myself relax and gain more joy from my college experience would make my life even more fulfilling. Knowing what I know now high school was easy compared to college, but the challenge helps me become the person I want to be. Comparing high school to college is like comparing riding a bike to growing a plant, and I would rather grow a plant even with all the stress that comes with it. However, even without the relaxation techniques I wouldn't change anything about college because I know I am doing the one thing I need to satisfy my doubts about my future and make a great life for myself.

Haley

I would take AP classes in high school, junior and senior years. My friends from high school who took AP classes are already sophmores in college. Taking AP classes in high school and doing well in those classes speeds up the college process. I would also prepare better for SAT/ACT tests because there are scholarships awarded for scoring well on these tests. I would take these tests more times to try to improve my scores. Wasn't aware in high school what an impact these two things, AP classes and high tests scores, would have on my college career.