Loyola Marymount University Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, the best advice I could give would be to push myself. In my past, especially as a senior in high school, my first instinct was to give up if things got hard. As a teenager, I had a romanticized vision of adulthood. I yearned for independence, ignoring the responsibilities I would take on as an adult. I thought it was okay to quit, but giving up is not a path on the road to success. It means failure of the worst kind; failure to try. My advice would be to try my best, no matter how hard things get. Life is going to throw everything it has at you. You have to be ready to give it your all and remember: success is knowing you have tried your very best.

I would tell myself that I have absolutely nothing to be afraid or worried about. I will find life long friendships, everlasting academic and artistic inspiriation, a constant support system from faculty, and a liberal and active campus that encourages energy of all types. College is the place where you become who you truly are meant to be with the free to experiment with different areas of study and with meeting types of people of all personalities. I would tell myself to not fear change, but embrace it especially in myself and that maturity will come with experience. Put yourself out there with confidence. Additionally, throwing yourself full throttle into your studies will always pay off, as well as exploring the library, utilizing time management, and finding an authentic personal connection to every single class. Lastly, personal relationships and connections with teachers, alumni, advisors, and students are vital to your success at this school.

Hey, I know you're not thinking about what you're going to do after this even though it's your senior year. I don't know if you've spoken to our counselor, Shane, either. If you haven't, heed my words; He WILL call you into his office and he WILL ask you about your future after high school, and when you reply with "I don't know", he'll grill you about not taking action and he'll call mom. After that, he will pull out an application for Community College. You'll fill it out then and there and Shane will take care of the rest. Once you get that acceptance letter in the mail, there are a few other things that you'll need to take care of. I know you like to try to do things on your own, and that you're not too keen on talking to peole, but don't ever let that get in the way of asking for help. Don't worry, it's a little scary for everyone at first, but It really will be worth it in the long run. Once you realize those things, thank Shane.

I would have strongly advised myself to speak with a counselor. Had I done so I would have transferred from Long Beach City College two years sooner. I would have told myself to be assertive in mapping out an education plan, to remain ambitious in applying for universities. In reality the one thing I wish I could have changed would have been my start at Long Beach City College. Had I taken the time to better inform myself about college grading policies, and had I taken the time to really understand the importance of maintaining a high GPA and how it relates to university admissions: I would have taken Honors courses at Long Beach City College, I would have a higher GPA, I would have transferred quicker, and ultimately I would be in a better position than I am now. If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would do the impossible to make myself understand the importance of education as it pertains to my future.

If I could go back and talk to myself, I would have a lot to say. I would start out by telling myself that it is ok to start out at a community college. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had and it prepared me for my transition to a four year university. I would also tell myself that it is ok to let go and let life take over sometimes. My father almost passed away in February 2011 and I had to become the rock of the family. If it had not been for that experience I would not be as driven as I am to succeed today. Lastly, I would tell myself to get involved on campus. I was the Vice President of the Honors Transfer Club and through that and the program I was able to speak at three research conferences at UC Irvine. Without those experiences I would not be where I am today, attending one of the best universities in Los Angeles and I know I am lucky. Also, I would tell myself to not take anything for granted, have fun, and stay focused. The college experience only happens once afterall.

We all have a preconcieved notion of what college is like. Every high school student has some idea in their head that ends up, most of the time, being nothing like college really is. I could probably write novels to my high school self of what and what not to do but the beauty of it all is not knowing what you're getting yourself into. But, if I had to give myself one simple piece of advice, I would just tell myself to be patient. I would tell myself that going into college expecting everything to be exactly how I imagined is naive. I can't expect that parties will be like the movies, school would be a breeze, living on my own would be heaven, or my friend group would come as easy as I had it my senior year of high school. It all takes time and it doesn't come as easy as we all hope. But, I would also tell myself that working towards the ideal that I had in my mind about college pays off because things fall into place, all it takes is a little bit of patience.

Life is filled with infinite opportunities that require hard work and dedication. Those who want to strive will go forward and those who slack will fall under the pressure of what is called life. Nothing is handed to anyone on a silver platter; one must always reach for their goals with their hearts and their brains and never settle for less. Of course there will be people along the way who say it cannot be done, but do not let them stop you because if the want is strong enough anything is possible. College is a time to be open to the million paths that await you in life so never be closed off to those opportunities because you will never know what hides behind each door. College is a time to have new experiences and a time to use those experiences to see what you might want to do with your life because every set back, disappointment, or triumph are there to help you and guide you in the mysteries of life. Graduation is not the end of the world, but a start to a new dimension created by you.

I would tell myself to study harder and to go to commuity college before going to a university. College is not all about having a good time but is about getting prepared for the real world. On top of that, I would tell myself that to get into cooking at a earlier age. That is what I have found out about me. Cooking is my one true love.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "[t]o be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, that is the greatest accomplishment." From my first year of college, I learned that I must never forget where I come from. My Nigerian roots and family all play an enormous role in defining who I am today. Going to school in Los Angeles and being far from my family placed me in a unique position where my friends became my family, and their opinions became my beliefs. I began to lose myself. It was not until I joined a service organization named Gryphon circle that I truly got back in touch with the vibrant and humble woman that I once was. I would advice my high school self to always be sure of who she is, and to remind herself constantly that she comes from a family where the women are goal-oriented and intelligent; and that there is no need for her to change just to fit in. Many people live for the moment, but you live for the future; and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that; in fact, it is what makes you unique.

First of all, i would say go to college right away instead of taking a year break. Secondly, I would tell myself to prepare a lot more for college by either talking to my counselor more, or talking to my older sister. Thirdly, I would tell myself to continue to try hard and do the best that i can because college professors are one hundred times stricter than a high school teacher. The final thing i would tell myself is probably to start liking the taste of Top Ramen because that's all college kids ever eat!

If I was to go back into time and speak with myself, the first thing I would stress would be to have an open mind. There is so much out there that you have yet to experience, and so much more that you will never have a chance to. I would then go into a rant of various things that I find extreme value in now, with an inclusion of Ferris Bueller's "stop and look around" speech. I would counsel to strive for vision to see things that others, and yourself, may be blind to. Keep learning, for it is one of the most powerful and beautiful abilities that you have. Remember that nothing is ever as bad as it seems, but nothing is ever as good at it seems either. Too much stress is only a result of you forgetting how blessed you are for the opportunity. Be who you want to be and believe in that person. Have the confidence and strength to love yourself and others. Have Wisdom, imagination, and peace of mind. I would finally conclude with the most important of all; Love God, have faith, and for Christ's sake, enjoy the ride!

If I could go back in time I would advise myself to embrace collegiate opportunities without restraint, and without comparison to my previous life in high school. I would have told myself to enjoy the moment more and take advantage of everything the school offered. Last year I approached college in the wrong way. I approached college like it was a mere stepping stone to my professional life and everything I did was solely to project me one step closer to my passionate pursuits after college. What I didn't stop to realize was that these four years of college are going to move so fast, I am going to look back and regret my habit of always looking forward. I seriously doubt I will lie on my deathbed, wishing I had enjoyed college less. I think the college life is a life I need to completely soak in, and enjoy, without always feeling like working towards a job is all I should be spending my time with. What I have realized is that college gives an education, not just for a job, but an education of how to live independently, enjoy my friends and love myself.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell her to be considerate, take risks, and be open-minded. The transition to, and college life, is life-changing and eye-opening. In order to learn more about myself, people, and the world it is necessary to be open-minded and willing to put be in uncertain, sometimes uncomfortable situations. In order to really learn and enlighten oneself, it is necessary to take the time to learn and understand others. Listen to others' perspectives, and do not be so critical and quick to judge. Everyone has their own inspirational, beautiful story. People are fundamentally the same through their differences, and it is through their differences that we can learn to understand, love, and continually change humanity and the world for the better. Life is about taking risks in order to improve your life and the lives of others. And in order to do that, remember to remain open-minded about everything. Life is a series of learning through your choices, and make the most of it!

If I could go back in time and give myself one good advicee it would relate to my decision to play college tennis. I have experienced that the coaches create enormous pressure on the players and often require such a high amout of training hours that injuries become inevitable. Furthermore, they have tho power to cut a player's scholarship after each academic year for any reason. This is a real threat that has caused serious fininacial problems for me and my family. I would tell myself to closely listen to the signs of my body when it comes to sport injuries and think about an alternitive way to finance my college education.

Hello past me! I just want to tell you that you will continue to dance, but what you really want to do is be a Doctor of Physical Therapy. You begin to use dance not as a performance opportunity, but a way to learn more about the body. It is much easier to get through school when you know what you are focused on, and that is it for you. Do not give up! Also, take all your homework seriously. At times you will be challenged to the point that you do not think you can do it, but you can. You may be working a lot harder than some of the people around you, but do not get distracted on what they are doing. You have twice the load because you are not only doing your Dance major but you are studying Pre-Med and working on-campus, so yes it is hard and yes you are doing a lot. Just keep doing your best. I know sometimes your grades do not come out like you want them to, but it is because you are doing so much. Just keep going! I promise you will get through it.

I would have advised myself to consider what I wanted to do with my career more seriously so that I could take AP classes geared towards those career goals and interests in order to have a better understanding of the material presented to me in college. Having that basic background in the matieral would allow a student to feel more confident in their transition from high school to college as well as growing accustomed to having a major.

I should have been more involved in how much money I could have recieved for my freshman year. Back then, I was more focused on being qualified enough to be accepted into a four year university; I did not consider how much time and effort would be necessary in order for me to actually attend the school of my dreams. Earning admittance is extremely important, but the less exciting factors of going to college (like paying for school) are equally as important. When I was a senior in high school, I failed to realize that my socioeconomic status was not enough for colleges to recognize me as "low-income", despite the fact that I live in a single parent home and my mother cannot afford to genrously pay how much was expected of me to pay. Therefore, if I could give my high school self a single strand of advice, I would tell myself to seriously invest time into finding money for school (especially through the form of grants and scholarships) because earning a way into a dream school is only half of the work of being a college student; affording my education would have made freshman year more enjoyable.

If I could advise my high school self it would be to do two things. The first, be more open to opportunities, even ones that present themselves as risks. College is a type for expansion and broadening your horizons, and as such it means making decisions and doing things outside of your comfort zone. Meet new people, make different friends, do something you’ve never done or never thought you would do. When a chance to do something new arises, take it. Do not be afraid to do something new and different just because you fear you might not like it or will fail. The second advice I would give myself is to major in math and philosophy instead of political science and philosophy. If you know math, you can know anything. Seriously, just learn math because it will help with literally everything when coupled philosophy.

Dear Senior in High School Hunter, You are probably ready to get out of this prison you have been trapped in for the past 3 years. College is great and you will have the time of your life starting off fresh, but don’t forget the people that helped you get there. Have fun with your friends, let your parents smother you before you leave their nest, and learn more than just textbooks from your teachers. The one thing in life we cannot do is relive the past, so all I can say is enjoy your last year here and make it the best, you will have these memories forever.Now that I gave you the "live in the moment" talk, let me tell you about preparing for college life. Don't go crazy packing for your dorm; it’s a lot smaller than you think. Talk to as many people at orientation and not just that one kid you kind of knew in high school. Let your parents ask questions, they are the ones paying for all this. Get to know your professors and exhaust your schools academic resources.Sincerely, College Student Hunter p.s. Rember to have fun!

would tell myself: "Jason, you need to stop being so nonchalant about college. Neither it nor a career will fall into your lap with out firm decision making. You need to figure out what you want to major in and what school will give you the best education in that field. Nobody is going to tell you what the best career field for you is." because I wasted away time and money on an Associates of Arts in General Studies degree. I would also tell myself "College is very expensive. All these vices and unnecessary wants are wasting a lot of money that needs to be saved for when you can't find work or are only working 10 or 15 hours a week during school. Going to a university is no joke and you can't wake up one day and just decide to enroll. It takes planning, and decisiveness."

Not rush into taking classes, take time and save money and do research about what you would like to do. Time is going to pass whither you want it to or not, so you may as well use the time wisely.

First and foremost, I would make sure I choose the right course that suit my interests. I would also make sure that the course I would study is on the job market. Most of the students are just persuaded and blown by the wind, without choosing the right career that commensurate with their abilities. In this situation, I would avoid being blown off by the wind of no direction and choose to study something I cherish to do. It is very unfortunate that most of the students are studying certain courses just because they are on the job market. For example, most of the Philipinos study nursing just because they can find work abroad. As for me, I would rather study a profession that I will enjoy not just because i can get good salary. Most of the people have good career but they are living miserable life all the time. Why is it like this? This is beccause, they chose something they didn't like. I would also ensure that I drive in the right lane which would lead me to achieve my goals and make me happy every time I deliver the services to the people or clients.

It would tell myself that the most important thing is to put yourself out there. Do no be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. Do not be shy and limit what you do simply because you are scared. Explore the campus, explore the people, andenjoy college life.

Be true to yourself; no one else's opinions matter. Please, please stay the unique individual you are, and don't ever be afraid to ask for help; that is not a saign of weakness, but a sign of strength to know your limits.

To my high school senior self: Slow down! Do not be afraid to take the road less traveled. Your social life is important, agreed. However, true friends will be there regardless. Choose the road less traveled, the one that will create the most opportunities and open the most doors for your future! Get to know your teachers! Take that extra time in each class and set realistic short and long term goals for yourself. Teachers are not your enemy, despite what you think, they want you to succeed and become the best person you can! Think about it, when you're a huge successs, they can say, "I taught him/her." Variety truly is the spice of life. For example: getting accepted to one of your top three choice schools is wonderful, but what about getting accepted to all three and having the choice of where you want to go? Options, variety, adventure, experience, learn, grow, and discover. These things will reoccur throughout your life, because you will continue to evolve. Slow down! You're stubborn, trust me I know! You have to learn on your own. At least take a minute and hear me out.

For eighteen years you have been enclosed in the same four walls. For eighteen years you have dreamt of the day that you get to open that college admission letter, and for eighteen years you have imagined the person you will one day become. I know that right now you feel both exhilarated and frightened. I know that you want to reach out for that new-found independence but are held back by the comfort of familiarity. But, look at yourself. You are a high school senior about to embark on the most amazing journey of your life, college. So don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of taking risks; don’t be afraid of taking chances. You have to remember that this is your journey and no one can taint it. You have to remember to take pride in your successes, in your failures, in your trials, and in your conquests; because no one can stop you now.

Compared to high school, college is much harder. However, you will be able to conquer your first year of college successfully if you focus on your academics and be open to new faces and opportunities. The most important rule in college is do not procrastinate and do not cram for exams. The faster you are able to finish, the less stress you will experience. Because of the various professors and bigger class sizes, you may feel overwhelmed. As long as you understand and participate in class, they will be much easier. If you do not understand something explained in the lesson, I highly advise you to visit their office hours. The teachers are your friends and want to help you succeed. Also, a good tip is to have a daily planner to check everyday. By doing this, you will remember every deadline or important date without forgetting. You will make a lot of new friends in college. Keep a smile on your face and be the friendly nicole everyone enjoys to be around. Your true friends are the people you are able to be yourself around. You will meet the right group of friends and have an amazing first year.

Being in college has taught me alot about myself and opened my eyes to my lack of preparation before college. I now know that I was not ready for the academic challeneges of college. High school work was easy and simple, assuming it would be the same in college; although I heard other wise. If I had a chance to go back and communicate with myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to prepare and read and get help from a former college student on what to do, and what not to do. My lack of knowledge in the educational system of college works, I was forced to try my best to understand the course cirriculum and adjust to the fast pace work load that hindered me from from truly excelling. I also would have told myself to go into college with confidence and knowledge on how to be the top student in class. As a senior in high school I would have made sure that I knew how to manage my meal plan money, remembering what my mom taught me when I was at home although I was away from my home.

Dear Past Jennifer, This is your senior year of high school and the last year of an "easy" life. High school is completely different than college. In high school one can easily pass all of their classes because the grade books consist of multiple assignments; however in college each class will be based on about four assignments. This is the main difference between high school and college courses. The four assignments are usually: a midterm, two papers, and a final. Since there are only four assignments each one is heavily weighted which leaves zero space for errors. Also, in college you will experience new people, new places, and new positive and negative events. It is important to remember that college is a learning experience and a stepping stone for your future. People say that high school is the best four years of one's life; however I believe that one's life truly begins in college. College will require you to become independent and begin acting like an adult because you will need to make your own decisions. Mommy and Daddy are not there anymore; it is up to you to create the future you deserve. Sincerely, Present Jennifer

Beyond the world of insecurity and timidness lies a cosmo of vast oppotunities and adventures. Entering college may seem like a daunting idea, but you will find that leaving is your first and necessary step out of your comfort box. It is this one step, your first step, that will ultimately lead you into the greatest journey of your life thus far. Take academics seriously and challenge yourself with exotic classes you would not normally take. Become friends with your professors and they will change your life in ways that are inspiring and eye-opening. However, college is more than academics, it is also about the experience--the people you meet, the places you go, the journey of being an independent college student. Take hold of the opportunities that lie in front of you and make as many friends as you can. But most importantly, be yourself. This is the only way that you will surround yourself with people who genuinely make you happy while engaging in activities that you are whole-heartedly interested and passionate about. As "Up" says, "adventure is out there" so take risks and you will have one of the most epic adventures of all time.

If I had a chance to go back in time as a high school senior I would give myself plenty of advice, but the very first thing I would say to myself would be to be sure of what major I will pursue, because when I got out of high school I was still debating on what major to choose. The best thing would have been to do plenty of research on all the majors that interested me and go on from there but I did not do much research I thought I would be a business major but I was wrong, I was not into it and realized I would love to be a teacher instead. So I took classes I did not even need, now I am very much behind on my Elementary Education degree. If I would have decided on a right major while I was a senior I would not be in this position. That is the most important advice I would tell myself so I would not have had wasted my time taking all these uncessary classes that I do not need.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself the advice of prioritizing better. My experience of college life has been that you need to be very organized in conducting your tasks and this requires prioritizing. In high school, I had been okay at getting tasks done in time and done well. Though, I would sometimes let less important things supersede the more important things, such as homework, projects, and studying for tests. In college, between a work study job and service work, I cannot afford to let my school work be superseded by less important things, especially with my goal of graduating magna cum laude. The type of prioritizing I do in college would have been less of a shock if I started in high school. I believe it would have been valuable advice to work on prioritizing more in high school.

If I could give advice to my high school self about college life I would of told myself to not wait to go to college. I would tell myself that it would be hard to transition into college life because if I wanted to succeed I would have to give up the majority of my social life. I would also advice myself that networking and interacting with the professors would give you a higher up in the class. Interacting with the professor helps the professor notice how hard your trying to better understand the class. Also, apply for as much student financial aid as you can. Any little dollar can help especially when your desperate need. It's time to work hard so you can play hard!

Dear high schol self, Loyola Marymount is the right choice for you, do not doubt that. College will get hard for you though. You have an axiety disorder and by your second year of college it will get bad enough to cause many anxiety attacks and an eventual diagnosis of major depresion. It will be the hardest part of your college experience. My advice to you is simple. Do not, under any circumstances, blame yourself. Anxiety is a condition, not a choice. The depression that follows will be a result of the condition, not a choice. Remember to have faith in yourself because your confidence will be what makes or breaks your situation and it's important to keep faith in positivity to get you through it all. It is important that you keep your faith in God and that you fight to get better and finish school. High school self, times will get rough, but if you love yourself hard enough and remember that one day you'll look back on your experiences and feel accomplished and proud, it will be a little bit easier. You can do it, believe me, I know.

Dear Fall Semester, Senior Year Samantha, Fall in Love, Stay in Love, and it will decide everything. I know you are so confused as to what you should do with your life. After applying to fourteen schools, three for film and eleven for pre-medicine, you are just waiting for a sign as to what you should do with your life. Dont' worry, that sign will come! I'm pleased to say you got into all your reach schools, which makes your college decision even harder, however a full ride scholarship to LMU will help make the decision for you. I know LMU was not your top choice, but family problems will happen your junior year of college and that full ride scholarship will be a gift from above. Stick to your morals, you are strong and independent, although the boyfriend situation will remain nonexisitent, you will flourish in terms of internships and you will work at the production company that inspired you to study film! You will achieve the impossible, study abroad twice, and you will actually wait until you are 21 to drink! Your friends mean the world to you! Dad says, "Way to go woman!"

Don't jump the gun so quickly. I know you want to get out of home as soon as possible, but you're not ready. Embrace the home cooked meals and the close group of friends you have. Do what is passionate for you, not something you're going to love to tell people. It's okay to feel urgency in wanting to be on your own, but hold out for the school that will make you a full rounded person. Don't just go somewhere because you were accepted.

I am a pretty shy person, and when I am around those with whom I feel comfortable, I usually don't try that hard to branch out. Because I attended a small catholic high school in Los Angeles, so many familiar faces transitioned to college with me. I am so glad that I had all of my high school alumni to help me through the dreadful days of not knowing where anything on campus was (though that wasn't for long because my campus is so small). My best friend Amy and I actually do great as roommates, despite what everyone said, but it was having her that has stopped the both of us from branching out, trying new things, and meeting new people (me a little more). If I had a random roommate, I would have made an instant new friend (perhaps enemy), and met a ton of new people. I love college, and Amy, but I would tell my high school self to be sure to get more involved. I would tell her to let go of her inhibitions and meet new people. But I guess that's something I should be telling myself now.

It is truly amazing how much I have grown since my days as a high school senior. Even though it has only been about a year, I have learned characteristics of myself I never knew I possessed. If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to be open to new experiences. Coming into college my main focuses were school and lacrosse, which are of the upmost importance in my life. I have always been a dedicated, but I sometimes would get caught in my routines and forget to enjoy the moments that I will reminisce about in years to come. Life is too short to be serious all the time and sometimes paying attention to the little things that make you happy is what keeps you going. As I meet new friends and join new clubs that I felt were childish in the beginning of the year, I have realized that school becomes easier when you are enjoying your time. I believe Ferris Beuller understand me when he says his famous quote, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

College is a new experience for me being the first child in my family to go. It is a time where you are placed into a fishbowl of hundreds of different students you know nothing about. That being said, you can manifest your own destiny and start making friends you know nothing about, but probably share common interests with. If I could tell my former self one thing, it would be to manifest that destiny and pursue my dreams on my own account. I had a lot of apprehension putting myself out there (in regards to a singing career) because I never hung out with the choir kids, or the musical theater die hards. I felt that my talent would be underlooked, and not taken seriously because I was not part of that group. However, why should that matter? For all I know, they could have welcomed me into their common talent, but I never thought of it like that. In college, I have done the complete opposite of my high school self, offering my music for free and performing as much as i can. It was important for me to discover this sense of confidence organically.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high senior, I would advise myself to take more AP classes, apply extensively for more scholarships, and familarize myself with student loans. Coming into Loyola Marymount, I thought the amount of financial aid I received was enough for me to focus on school and work. However, when my mother was laid off back in 2011 and my father who is permanently disabled, it became very difficult for me to afford books and supplies for school. Every semester after, I have had to take out student loans and support myself by working two jobs as a full-time student. Looking back, I should have financially prepared for the worst by applying for more scholarships and take courses that gave me college credit so I could have graduated a year earlier and save a year's worth of tuition to pay for the loans I had to take out.

Life is to short to worry about what a person looks like and what others think. Just be yourself and do not worry about others because all the acceptance you need is yours. Everyone is not going to like you and become your friend, but the people that do and still like you after being yourself, are worth your time. Stop trying to fit in a stereotype that is impossible. Everyone is unique and being unique is more special than being someone else. I just want you to live each day like nothing can bring you down and that within 4 years, you will never see these people as much. Love yourself the way you are because not everyone can be the skinny girl or the popular one or the one people always remember, but who cares about them, when you can be your unique, funny, cute, and loving self that people will become friends with and accept you. Stop being afraid of letting yourself be you. Life is not about the "what if's" or the doubts, it is about getting out there and being YOU! So be YOU and nothing can get in the way!

Take chances and not be afraid. I had a few odds stacked against me when I began my college and journey and took the safe route: community college first, stay in hometown, take generic classes. I realize now that I had a pluthera of opportunities that I had never considered. It was such a feat that I was attending college and remained in school while working and obtaining good grades that I did not venture outside my comfort zone to see where my 'wants' could really take me. I do, however, realize that now and am making up for lost time. Be still, quit looking ahead and focusing on the things you have left to accomplish. Relish in what you are accomplishing in the now and how wonderful it is to be in college and making life decisions. My brother passed away when I was sixteen and that tragedy gave me the most wonderful trait of being grateful for everything. Grateful that I have the opportunity to be stressed about a test and stay up all night. I can only hope to retain that trait for the rest of my years.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself not to get overwhelmed by the different styles of classes I would be taking. Even though the teachers make the classes sound extremely hard, I can succeed if I put my best foot forward. All I need to do is get my work done ahead of time and get teacher feedback. Also, I would tell myself to make sure to meet people in all of my classes. It is true that “two heads are better than one”, so study groups are definitely necessary. Furthermore, I would tell myself to remember all the healthy eating habits I had when I was at home. Just because If I do not remember these habits, I will spend more time in the gym then I would like to. Lastly, I must keep my faith in order to progress. As I get older I won't have as much support as I did in high school so I must rely on God to give me guidance and support during tough times.

I would tell myself that trying to understand how the world works is the best motivation I'll come to understand because the world is an interesting place. I would tell my past self to start with simple questions, find answers and let the curiosity guide me because curiosity is like a drug and I will want to learn more. I would emphasize that the students of this year will be tomorrow's future and I would tell myself that I can either swim against the current and make an important scientific contribution to our civilization or let the current take me to where I do not want to be. Then I would finish by telling my high school self to invest in a recorder because they do come in handy.

Zach, work on going outside of your comfort zone. When you get to college, the number of students that you will be living amongst will be much, much more than what you are used to. Not only that, but they will be from all over the world, not just the surrounding neighborhoods. These people each have their own unique stories that you can learn a lot from as well as bond with. I can almost guarantee you that every single person living around you can teach you at least one thing about life; most of them will teach you several things. However, you will only get to experience these new people and learn these new things if you put yourself out there. Sure, some of them may be the first to extend the olive branch to you, but for a majority of people, it goes a long way to just strike up a conversation with them and get to know their life. On top of all this, don't be afraid to share your own. Just like you can learn, you can teach. Good luck.

As a result of the horrendous anxiety I had about going to college, I took two semesters off once I graduated because I was terrified of everything that pertained to college. If I could go back in time and myself a pep talk, I would say to focus on the big picture and not worry about trying to fit in or what other people think. Although tough for a college freshman, this is extremely important to keep in mind because college provides a lot of distraction, and it's easy to get lost in the minutia of going away to school. Furthermore, I would tell the eighteen-year-old version of myself not to lose sight of who I am, to get involved and to always remain a leader. This would have hit home for me because, along with advancing one's education, college is about finding one's identity, gaining a better understanding about life and figuring out what one wants in the future. Had someone given me these tips upon graduating from high school, I know I would have felt much more confident, as well as significantly less scared and intimidated by higher-level education.

I would tell my senior self that she doesn't have to know exactly what she wants to do with her life at that very moment. You're going to college to find out what you like and how you want to contribute to society. You aren't in college to get a big job that pays a lot so you can be rich. College is a fruitful experience that will be accompanied with pleasures and pains, and that is okay. Focus on core classes because something might interest you that you never thought would. Get the most out of every academic and social experience. Go into college not thinking that everyone is your competition, but that everyone is there to learn and grow just like you. Also, what sounds brilliant at 3:27a.m. doesn't sound brilliant to your teacher grading your paper during the middle of the day. So please try to manage your time where you can have a healthy sleep cycle while producing your best work at the best hours of the day. Lastly, when it's time to declare your major, pick something that you know you'll be passionate about.

With a sigh as light as the name itself, as light as the morning dew, words finally parted her chapped lips. “What’s it like? How many of my speculations are wrong?” A soft chuckle warms the air, instant recognition befalling the insistent obsession for truth. “As usual, spot on. You still hate this place as much as you do now, still bored with the world in general, and still working your tail off to get to where you want to be. The only thing that’s changed is the level of education. Study a bit more, but you'll love that.” An approved nod acknowledged the words, instantly succeeded by an even more burning desire to know. “…Genesha?” “You’ll meet again, and you’ll fall right back into place.” “Any advice?” “Continue on. All your obsessions, your arrogance, everything… The one thing I can tell you that I KNOW I didn’t know at this time is…you’ll end up falling on your rear for a girl named Elizabeth. Oh, and don’t be afraid to delve into something just because it’s nestled in math! It’s truly not anywhere as bad as you think!”

If I was able to go back in time to talk to my high school senior self, I would say that you need to become involved with your school. Join clubs, volunteer, be part of events, and make connections with people that can help you in the long run and that can be a good influence on you. I would also say, start looking into scholarships early and make sure you get help from your counselor so you don't end up taking unnecessary classes. And my last piece of advice would be never be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions or to ask for help.

My advice would include focusing less on what others think, and more on what makes one's self happy. If everyone would spend less time trying to conform to others' wishes and points of view, when it is not what he or she personally wants, the world would be a much better place to live in. I would tell myself to concentrate on my own beliefs, my own dreams, and do whatever I have to do to reach my personal goals. With this in mind, a more concentrated direction would be placed into future success in college and the work place. In so many words, I would tell myself to "not let the bastards get you down."