High Point University Top Questions

Jayden, don't freak out. This is you from the future. I know it is your senior year and you are super stressed out - you always get stressed out when change is coming - but trust me, everything turns out okay. I know that your intentions are good, but I want you to stop doing a few things that I wish I hadn't done the first time around. First, stop worrying about your stupid GPA. I got a 4.0 and no one really cares. Instead, join a club or an organization that is going to give you some real experience. You learned a lot in those AP classes, but you would benefit a lot more from some good stories and some fun group experiences. Also, stop trying to hang out with that one girl. You know who I am talking about. When you get to college, you wil realize you are a better person without her and you will realize how many things you missed out on because of her. Stop trying to be someone else. Everyone I have met in college so far loves you for you. Finally, apply for more scholarships. College is expensive. You got this.

It sounds silly to say, especially only having just left high school, but there are many things that I wish that I had known about college before I applied. Most importantly, if I could go back and tell myself something, it would be to embrace the "flaws" that make you different because when you learn how to love yourself, you are more confident and you are more able to love others and adapt to new situations. I have always been extremely self-conscious, however being at college has made me truly realize that everyone is different and you need to embrace these differences or you will be lost in the smog, so to speak. Knowing what makes you different and special is not only important for filling out job applications, but also in finding clubs that you want to join and just, simply, expressing yourself in the most true way possible. In the 3 1/2 short months that I have been here at High Point, I have learned that individuality is a commodity and you need to accept that in order to make it in the world.

Senior year is scary! The biggest thing that scared me was the money aspect of college. It's so expensive! My advice is to try to not think about the money as much. The number you see on those brochures is NOT the number you will be paying. There are plenty of scholarships that you are applying for, plus the school awards you and the FAFSA. When I was applying to schools my favorite was High Point Unniversity. I knew I belonged there for a number of reasons. But it was extremely expensive. So I applied to a few other schools as well. It was between Campbell and HPU. It was cheaper to go to Campbell but when I visited the STUDENTS even told me not to go here. Eventually I decided I needed to go to HPU for at least my freshman year. I needed to start off my college years right and I knew I needed to be happy to do it. After I committed to HPU, I foundout that with everything added up it was actually cheaper to go to HPU! Thank God! So go where YOU think YOU belong...no matter what the consequences MAY be.

To study more for the SAT. I had a 4.0 in high school, was the valedictorian, participated in sports and community projects but still had a hard time getting accepted in schools. I think a slightly above average SAT score hurt me. I should have studied more for that test.

If I were given the opportunity to go back and give myself advice before I started the college process I might not have plans to attend Highpoint University next year. The most urgent thing that comes to my mind is to make sure I tell myself to start my college visits earlier, rather in spring of my junior year and not fall of my senior year. I would certainly mention to myself to make sure I apply to more schools and have back up plans rather than going Early Decision and hoping I get in. Now that I know where im going and have visited I have really found out that I love the south which backs up what I said about looking earlier. If I did that I might have looked more into the southern schools and could have possibly found a different home for the next 4+ years. With all that being said I couldnt be happier with the school I chose and I know that it is the best place for me to start the next chapter in my life.

I had a bad high school experience and by the time I got around to my senior year and choosing my institution of higher learning, I didn't have much hope for what my future could bring me. After these past two years at High Point, I know that I am capable of almost anything, if I am willing to put forth the effort. In August, I am going to Ireland; In Spring 2014, I am going to Prague. If I could go back to high school, I would give myself very simple advice: Keep your head up, keep going. I was at a point of despair once I got to be a senior. I chose High Point first and foremost because it was far away from home and far away from the bad memories. I do not regret my decision – in fact, I am ever-grateful for making it. This experience at High Point teaches me that I can make my life what I want it to be. I can learn and I can grow on my own. If I could go back to high school, that's what I'd tell myself: Breath. Relax. It will be okay.

As a high school student, I was incredibly nervous about coming to High Point University. My high school class was about 350 people and I wasn't used to being around a ton of people everyday. Now I was going to be a little fish in a huge pond. After moving in to my dorm and meeting my new roommates and hallmates, I've learned that making the transition into college isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be. Sure, I miss my family every once in a while. But I've been given a great opportunity that I am going to take advantage of. I would tell my high school self not to stress out as much as I did because everything has seemed to fall into place. I would also tell my high school self not to procrastinate with my school work because that has gotten me no where.

I would tell myself to expect the unexpected. I had a huge culture shock when I went to school, and I would tell myself to get ready. It was very overwhelming my first couple of weeks.

If I was able to talk to myself as a high school senior now being in college I would have told myself that college is way different than being in high school. Work has to be done on time; it is very strict, study, study, study. College might seem as if it is all hands-on but, it’s not it is a lot of reading and participating behind it also. Being a freshman in college is just an overview of things you have learned in high school. Also, I would tell myself everything I am doing now in college that is making it a lot easier in school now than I was in high school. As I sit back and reminisce about being a senior I had senioritis the whole time which at times it was making me have a downfall so I would tell myself having senioritis isn’t bad but, put school before being excited about this being your last year because it just gets harder as you walk through the door at the college you wish to attend.

My advice is to savor freshmen year and be prepared to have your ideas challenged and mindset changed. College seems scary in high school. Your family is miles away, you’re living with peers who may or may not like you, and at first you don’t know a soul. But, it’s this new environment that makes freshman year an adventure. Never again will you experience your first move-in day, or first dorm meeting. This is a fresh start and exciting experiences lie ahead so savor each moment, because freshman year flies by. But, be prepared to meet many different people with different backgrounds, morals, and ideas. Keep an open mind and get to know those who are different. Because, though they challenge your ideas, they often give you a stronger understanding of the world and yourself. As you experience new events, people, and challenges, you will greatly mature. And your freshman year of college will provide you with so many unexpected obstacles that you will grow greatly in mind and personality. Freshman year is such an exciting, adventurous time so savor it but remember to stay true to you.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to participate in more extracurricular activities. I would also tell myself not be nervous going into community college. I would tell myself that graduating early, while a pain, was a good idea. I would tell myself to take more classes my first semester, so I can complete college as soon as possible. Overall, I think that I would do everything over again the same way, with a little more confidence.

I know this is going to sound lame, but set a bed time. You can’t have a healthy mind, body, or immune system if you don’t treat your body to a regular schedule of rest. Realize that if you aren’t taking care of yourself that your high metabolism and pretty figure won’t keep. Mom and Dad won’t be in control of your diet anymore. You’re on your way to a college that is prepared to feed thousands of people every day. It’s going to be really easy to over-do it. So, before you wind up with an unwanted 15 pounds, be conscious of what you’re putting into your body and try to get to the gym a few times every week. Also, Mom is right. You’ve got to stop procrastinating. Don’t underestimate these essays and projects and wait until the night before to do them. That’s not good for your sanity and it’s not a good work ethic. Lastly, stay grounded. Stay true to yourself and your values. Spend some time in God’s Word and don’t get too busy to call Mom.

If I could go back and time and discuss what college would be like to my high school self, I would talk about the simplicities as well as the difficulties. I would let myself know that I need to be ready and determined to finally be independent. I would say studying actually does pay off, so don't take it as something useless to do while in high school. I would want myself to know the importance of getting that few extra hours of sleep, nutrition, or time to read a few chapters in my textbook. Also, I would want myself to know the importance of having decent, trustworthy friends; people who are supportive in my dreams and goals are people I should call my friends. In the end, I would tell myself never to give up. Four years of an outstanding education is only the first step to a miraculous future.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self one piece of advice, it would be this; "calm down!" My entire senior year of high school was spent in a frenzy. I was constantly doing homework, participating in extra-curriculars, applying for colleges, and worrying about scholarships. I didn't take any time to relax, and thus spent my entire year in a state of panic. Once graduation was over, the panic continued. Now that I had chosen to attend High Point University, what if I didn't like it there? What if I wouldn't get along with my roommates? However, all this worrying was useless. Since my first day at High Point University, I have had no trouble adapting to my new environment. My roommates and I get along splendidly and I could not be happier with my choice of study. My life is no longer consumed by frenzy, and I am able to take time to truly relax. I should have taken my own advice in high school and calmed down. Even though I was unaware at the time, all the things I worried about would turn out better than I ever expected.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about the transition to college, I'd probably tell myself to get involved from day one. I struggled with homesickness until I became involved in campus, and every day I regret not being more involved earlier in my college career. Life really is what you make of it, I wish I had grasped the opportunities presented to me earlier.

If I knew what I know now about college life I would have told myself that I needed to study harder. I would tell myself that I don't have time to watch tv or listen to music and that I need to find things that can help me in college and apply it with me through out the years. I should have told myself to ask more questions when I did not understand what they were saying. I would tell myself that I need to practice more and study harder. I would tell myself to grow up a little more and take responsibility for my actions. I would tell myself to always think positive thoughts not negative thoughts. I would tell myself to believe that all things are possible and to never say never. I would tell myself not to say I can't but to say I can. I would tell myself to learn new ways to study and find which one best fits me. I would tell myself that I can do this and make all a's and not to have senioritis. I would tell myself to comprehend things better and to believe in my capabilities.

The best advice that I would give myself is to get seriosu about applying to college scholarships. I applied to a few on them my seniro year but when I was rejected from many of them, I gave up. I figured that my parents had enough money to be able to figure out a way to pay for all four of my years. During these last two years of being in college, I now recognize the magnitude of how expensice college really is, especially the univesity that I go to, since it is a small private school. I would tell myself that I need to really think long and hard about the sacrifices my parents and grandparents will have to make to be able to send me to the school of my choice. I also would tell myself that I need to realize that things do not always just work out as they have in the past for me. I also wish that I would have tried harder to get a job off-campus during my freshman year so that I could have saved even more money to be able to continue coming to this great University.

If I were to give advice to myself as a senior in high school I would encourage my same outlook as when I first entered college. I was lucky enough to be apart of a team. I am a walk on for the varsity Cross-Country and Track teams. This really helped with my college transition because I immediately had a core group of friends. If I weren't apart of a team I would give advice to immediately get active and join a club or sport that interests you. This will help you not get home sick and feel connected to the school and other students. I would also give the advice to try and live in an honors housing option where it would most likely be less noisey and chaotic. Some nights my suitemate last year would play music so loud that my bed literally would shake. My advice there would be don't be afraid to ask your RA or campus security to get them to quite down.

I would have told myself to apply to more schools earlier and try to take the SAT more than once. Had I applied to more schools, I probably would have gotten into some place cheaper and public and I would have had more financial rewards and money to spend so that I wouldn't be completely broke as a college student. I would also tell myself to learn how to manage my money and time better. I would also tell myself to prepare for being away from home for very long periods of time and be prepared to not talk to the people you used to talk to everyday. Learn how to make new friends and establish new connections.

Before going to college, I believed it was to just get my teaching degree. But college is so much more then that. College is a place where I found who I really was and what I believed. Although I am not done with college I have had the best oppertunities. I am now part of a national sorority where I can meet and connect with thousands of sisters all around the country, and if it wasn't for college, I would have never known about this oppertunity. I have also had the oppertunity to make life-long, everlasting friendship. Yes, being in a sorority helped, but having campus work study jobs and wonderful RA's who planned events helped me make friends. In high school teachers always try to prepare us for college work. The homework and studying was difficult at first with so many classes and so much to read for each class. Professors gave us the oppertunity to hvae open class conversation and talk about future plans. We had times where we did on-the-site work in elementary schools or companies. College has really opened my eyes to a world that I am extremely excited to enter.

My first day of college will be Monday, December 6, 2010. I am so excited to be a part of the ITT Technical Institute family! They are the beginning of my future! With the help of the staff there, I will be able to achieve the goal and my dreams of who and what I want to become. I will show myself and my family that thru all of the sacrifices that there is a great accomplishment and reward in the end.

I have learned a lot, I've become smarter and wanting pursue my goal of becoming a Psychologist. So I can help, so they can pursue their dream. I love the college environment, learning new things, remember old things that you've forgotten. I love helping people, its in my nature. I want to make a difference in this world, to make it a better place for people to live.

I'd heard the words "college experience" thrown around many times during my journey senior year of selecting a school to attend, but the magnitude of that phrase didn't hit me until I was actually a college student. I am now a few months into my freshman year, and from the bottom of my heart I can attest to the fact that the college experience is, quite frankly, exactly that: an experience. I have gained the friendship and various viewpoints of so many unique individuals. I have opened myself up to new situations and broadened my sense of self. For once in my life, I feel as if I am gaining actual valuable knowledge from my teachers. I've learned my limits, gained independence, and discovered a new strength I never knew I had to persevere all on my own. College hits everyone in different ways, but the true value of the college experience lies within yourself. You'll know if you've made the right decision because the words "college experience" won't be a phrase; it will be just another day in the life, as I've come to find out.

In my time at High Point, I benefited plenty from the advice and counsel of faculty and staff. Yet the most important lessons I learned outside the classroom. I’d always been something of a self-starter when it came to academics; I also remember moments when I couldn’t go it alone. One of the first—and toughest—things to learn was leaning on someone other than a staff or faculty member for help. Without the help of classmates and like-minded students I don’t know what I would have done. The second tip I picked up was not to take everything too seriously. Being a high-strung individual, I tend to hole myself up in a room and type, type, type. Many times I had to be prodded to go to events in Fraternity Row. My social life suffered as a result, and I lost out on opportunities to network as well (among other things). Thirdly--and finally--make the best of your time there. During my four years, I was equal parts staff writer, political analyst, and pre-law student. Avail yourself of the clubs and events there, and keep an open mind.

I have only completed one year of college so far. In that year i have experienced a lot. But what i got most out of my first year was this saying, "closed mouth's don't get fed," meaning that if you don't speak up and let people know who you are, what you want in life, and if you need help with anything then you will not get fed the important material, lessons, etc needed to succed in life during and after college. My university offers a lot to it's students and throughout my first year i was able to experience a lot by getting out there and asking questions and finding out how i can get involved with my schol. It's very important to speak up, especially with my professors because they are my stepping stones for me to get my degree. In my first year, it's easy to say that i learned a valuable lesson that will carry me throughout life.

My three years in college, split between two very different institutions, have been marked by duality. At St. John's College, I studied alphas, betas, gammas and deltas (even though the Ancient Greek language flatlined thousands of years ago), completed Euclidian proofs on chalkboards, and discussed the ages-old Platonic question of ?What is Virtue?? The Classical Liberal Arts curriculum, though rewarding, was not for me. So I transferred to a local community college. Many often ask me which school is ?better,? but I don't consider the question in comparative terms. A more traditional serving of courses?replete with supply and demand curves, election results, and logarithmic functions?is the practical "yin" to the more theoretical "yang" at St. John's. It has allowed me to examine the same fundamental human questions?why we act and react in the manners that we do?from the opposite side of the proverbial coin. My past three years of college have allowed me to define myself through diversity of experience. They have encouraged me to value similar and different minds, making the learning process quite the opposite of its namesake; it is an end that I have come to value in itself.

It took me a long time to realize how important an education really is. I went to college straight out of high school and made a mess of it. I was overwhelmed by my mother's death two months before I graduated from high school and was severely depressed for the next four years. After losing countless jobs, becoming a single mother and being on welfare, I deceided it was time for a change. So in the summer of 2009 I filled out my FAFSA and got accepted into Columbus State where I hope to complete their Science of Nursing Degree and obtain my LPN. This time around I am very focused on my studies and acheiving good grades. Without an education, you can truly cannot get anywhere. Besides if I want my daughter to suceed in life she has to see me succeed and know that you have to work hard to achieve your goals. I try to speak to the young people in my classes about my experiences and how important it is to take advantage of this opportunity the first time around.

I have learned several life lessons that will help me not only when I am in college, but also after I graduate. I have learned to break out of my shell a little more in order to make friends and to really enjoy the college experience. I have found a Christian sorority that has some of the most wonderful, nicest girls in it and I have gained a lot of friends. I have also learned a lot more about myself and who I am and what I value most by coming to High Point University. I have also found out what I want to leave as my mark in this world and I have received a wonderful education from the professors here.

As for going back in my senior year and giving myself advise, I would just tell myself to start working harder and to not take everything for granted because when you turn a certain age and realize that you have responsibilities, such as helping your mother get you through college, you mature and truly become an adult in a blink of an eye. I have always been more mature than most kids my age, but I didnt realize that seeing my mom struggle in order to put me through college would be a daily routine. I know that I had to help in some way and that it why I have 2 part time jobs and am a full time student. Life is a great ride, it's just trying to make it through all the speed bumps.

When senior year comes around, senior are so burnt out from their other eleven years of school they feel this is their one year to relax. But senior year is really the beginning to a very important chapter in a young life. If I could go back, I would be sure to research as many schools as possible so I knew exactly which one was best for me. After I narrowed it down to my top 3-5, I would apply early action to all of these schools so I could receive my acceptance letters early and decide exactly what school I wanted to attend without the binding agreement of an early decision application. College is VERY expensive...tuition, fees, books, housing, monthly personal needs ...all of these things add up, so it is important to accumulate as much money as possible beforehand. I would begin early senior year, applying for as many scholarships as I could. Every penny counts, so I would be sure not to overlook the small $500 or just $200 ones. If I would have taken this approach when I was a high school senior, I would have more money to fund my academic career.

I made great choices throughout high school because I had an older brother who went through the college process years before me. However, I would of abused the dual enrollment a little bit more to transfer more credit hours to college. If you start taking general college courses during high school, you can practically skip your freshman year of college and jump right into your major courses. When you transfer almost a semester of credit hours, you are saving thousands of dollars in extra tuition. I will be graduating in 7 semesters because of a couple courses I took during my senior year, but if I took more the years prior, I would have been part of the 2012 graduating class instead of 2013. Take as many college courses as you can while in high school because the public school system pays for everything and it counts towards college!

If I could travel back in time, To senior year, 2009; I?d give myself a brief preview, College lessons, I?d name a few: The transition you know, Isn?t all that bad. Stressin???no need! What an overrated fad. Make your way to the Target, Just down the road. And Bed, Bath and Beyond, For a mattress-top of foam. (Believe me, you?ll want one, College beds aren?t that great. Go get one, You?ll love it, Hurry! Don?t wait!) Now having a roommate, Is an experience anew. Meet?at least talk, Before the big move. She?s probably cool, You could be destined best friends; But prepare for the worst, Know your clothes you will lend. Of all the places on campus, There?s one danger zone. It goes by the ?caf," Don?t make this your home. You?ll pack on the pounds, With its pizza of cheese; Stir fry buffet, And endless ice cream. Hike to the gym, And hit the treadmill. Sign up for aerobics, The weight room?s a thrill. As you head off, And wave goodbye to the fam, Know you will see them, On your brand new webcam!

As a high school student, I had no idea what to expect leaving my home and being submerged into a completely different envrionment with new faces. Knowing what I do now, I would have told myself to get used to being outgoing, so that meeting people would be easier. I also would have changed my study habits as a senior because in college, the schoolwork is more independent, and studying is a crucial part in succeeding in college. Good grades came easy to me in high school but I know now that I need to work harder in order to get those good grades. One of the most difficult times in high school came with friends and being taken advantage of. If I could go back, I would tell myself not to fret over people that hurt me, because there are people that you're going to meet in the future that care. I wish I knew that in high school, so that I would not have been so hurt by my peers, but my best friend and roommate in college has shown me to onlyl eave room for those who care rather than the ones that cause tears.

Looking back to my senior year in high school I realized that I often allowed myself to get sidetracked and distracted. Were I able to go back in time I would encourage myself to stay focused towards my goals and not let anything come between them and the future I see for myself. As an accomplished dancer I limited myself to only one of my gifts instead of exploring my other talents. Now in the Interior Design major at High Point University I realize that I should have pursued my artistic talents as well. This would have enabled me to become a little bit more advanced in the areas of my studies. I would go back and say "Imani, you have so much to offer your high school become more active and don't allow yourself to become boxed in to one niche." Again I would remind myself that this time of single-minded focus, experience and academic diligence will prepare me to arrive on that university campus and "soar with the eagles".

I wouldl tell myself to study more in high school. I never needed to study for school, but when i got to college I had no choice but to study. Studying paid off because I made deans list, but if I prepared more in high school the transistion would have been smoother. Also, i would remind myself to be yourself and not change who you are for other people.

I would encourage myself to look at several other schools with a much broader range of characteristics in terms of size and population make-up. I would also encourage myself to apply to a lot more scholarships as financial constraints seriously damage ones time at college due to the forced uptake of outside jobs. Furthermore, I would emphasize Greek Life more in an attempt to broaden my opinion of the Greek society as well as expand my social network which would, undoubtadly, have altered my opinions of the school overall. Moreover, I would have pursued many more out of school research and internships as this school seems to be largely lacking in that area.

Ever since I was nine, I always knew i wanted to go away to college. I always was independent and ready for the world. I'm from the north and I go to a school in the south. I found out a lot of things in my first year of college that i wish i new. I would tell myself that everyone was brought up differently than you, and a lot of people that go to college are still immature and live off of their mommy and daddy. I was shocked to find out how many people are really fake and try to hard to fit in with everyone else. I would tell myself to always stay true to yourself and never try to please anyone that doesn't want to be your friend. The last thing I would tell myself would be to never take anything you have for granted because when you look around, you go to an amazing school and a lot of people at High Point University forget that.

College is about learning, not just in the classroom, but about yourself, too. Take time to try things you never have before, and talk to people you normally might not have. It can give you a perspective you never would have known. I think the college atmosphere is important to achieving this. You're away from home, your family, and friends, so there's no reason to fall into the same routine. College gives you a clean slate to be an individual and gain insight from diverse people. It teaches you to think more openly. While it's important to appreciate the unique qualities you have, it's also important to bond with others over what you have in common. We're all here to become more intellectual, experienced, and prepared to achieve success. So, have fun, and make your time worth it.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time, knowing what I know now about college, I would advise myself to stay focused on school no matter what. In the beginning of the school year it?s easy for freshmen college students to become tempted into making all the wrong choices; such as drinking, smoking, missing classes, etc. Students think that a little ?fun? won?t hurt , but this type of ?fun? is anything but beneficial. If I could go back in time I would warn myself not to be easily tempted and I would tell myself that there are many other options for having fun that won?t hurt my academics and life. College is no joke and instead of wasting my time doing pointless things that won?t benefit my future I would advise myself to get involved in various clubs that my campus offers instead of wasting time with other shenanigans. I would have also advised myself to make a plan that balances out school work first since stress isn?t something I like to be faced with. And most importantly i would have advised myself to relax and make time for myself.

If I had to describe my attitude as a high school senior in one word it would be overconfident. I was always in a state of drifting loftily at the top of my class and I was unaccustomed to having to put forth effort for my high grades. Because of this, I never truly developed study skills and as far as I was concerned I would not need them. I predicted college to be an improvement over challenge of high school but I failed to see where any concern was necessary. If I could talk to that me I would suggest learning how to study effectively and manage time. I would also tell her to start keeping up with her own affairs instead of leaving everything to her mother that way when she did get to college she could stay on top of financial aid changes and paperwork. Finally I would have cautioned her against excessive spending and suggested that she save money for surprise expenses. If I could have warned myself ahead of time I might not have stressed so much but life is a lesson we each must learn.

The first advice that i would give to myself is not slack on looking for scholarships and applying for them before the deadline. I would also tell myself to preparing for the transition on going to college. I would say to myself to get focused early and worry about school work first and then think about what I am going to do for the weekend. I would say to myself to start going to sleep early and be prepared to take classes that are challenging and hand out a lot of projects and assignments. The last thing I would tell myself is not to be afraid to ask for help and listen to other people's advice.

I would advise myself not to procrastinate. Time flys and you want to make the most of it. Five years will pass whether you get an education or not; so why not spend it improving yourself and your situation?

The first thing I would tell myself as a high school senior is never ever take 8am class. I took a 8am class my first semester and it was horrible. Coming from high school where you have to wake up at 6am, 8am does not sound bad but it really is. In college, you stay up way later so it is much harder waking up early for class. The next thing I would tell myself is to be open to anything. You meet lots of different people in college and at first you may not be your type of person but they could very easily be in one of your classes or even your roommate. College is all about finding yourself and learning life skills, such as living or dealing with people you may not like. So I would tell myself to make sure to keep an open mind with anyone I meet or any situation that presents itself because it very well could effect me somehow. The last thing I would tell myself is study! College is much harder than high school, so be prepared to crack open that textbook!

College life is not nearly as intimidating as I believed it would be. Schedules are different, teachers are more demanding and independence is sudden and growing, but it is really only one more step toward "real life" that everyone is always talking about. If I could go back and give myself advice about college, I would say, simply "you don't need to worry so much" and I would tell myself to learn early how to not procrastinate. College is very much about growing and stretching yourself into new areas and finding out more about who you are. Senior year I would have told myself to not worry so much about my grades, but to be more concerned with actually learning. Once you're at college, it really becomes more about being able to accomplish everything and enjoy it. Learning suddenly becomes something you're choosing rather than something you're being forced into. More than just learning inside the classroom, learn about the world and learn to enjoy all that you do and that will make college a more enjoyable experience and certainly a less stressful one. Be involved - find something you like and do it. College is good.

I would tell myself that it really isn't easy in college. When I was in high school I thought "College can't be that bad". If I was able to go back and talk to myself I would tell myself to do more in high school as far as getting better grades and a lot more recommendations. I would also tell myself to do more scholarships, because I didn't realize college really is expensive. I would also tell myself to tell my friends that college isn't as easy as they thought it would be. Most of my friends weren't focused in high school and when they got to college they were completley lost.

As a senior, I wish I had known that the student body profile would not dictate the attitudes of all attending students. The college I almost chose was well known for high class, wealthy students who partied hard and studied harder. I was afraid of being ostracized because of my low income, and I chose another school instead. The other school was rising in the academic world, and attracting many more wealthy students. Therefore, when I came to my new school, I realized that they were as conceited as I had thought the other school would be. Because I was scared, I ended up with more loans for a school with less prestige.

College is not what you expect it to be at all- stop stressing over it. It is basically high school only you live there. However, don't think that means you can't take it seriously- you still need to do that.

If I were to go back in time as a high school senior I would of taken a lot of my math courses more serious, because now that I am taking math in college I wish I would of payed more attention to the material that was given making math easier. I would of also told myself to not do so great on my math placement test so that I could of been placed in a math course that I felt I was more comfortable in. I would of made myself be more involved in my school so that my leadership skills and my ability to work with others would of been at great point. The biggest advice I would of given myself were to not be so dependent of my mother because it made it harder to transition into college without her being there to guide my every move.

Plan for your future by finishing school and setting short term and long term goals for life. Attend a good college of your choice and have plans to pursue your goals. You have one time in life to plan and accomplish what you need to make it in this world, while you are a senior in high school pursue those plans. You should know what you want to be in life at this point, write the vision and make it plain. Stay career oriented and plan to succeed.

I would tell myself that I am a capable, hardworking student determined to succeed in college. It was difficult to leave home, but I can handle it. My faith has been a great help in comforting me during the lonely times. I know I can make the world a better place if I complete my degree and acquire a good job. This is my goal and I will make it even if I am not fincially able to pay for my tuition as I go. College loans will become available if I pray for help. My life is going to be great if I keep a positive attitude and stay focused. New people will fill my life on this adventure. I look forward to my college years.