Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

Hey! Senior version of myself! Listen up. Do not be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone when exploring your opportunities in college. Yes, you may feel a bit shy or insecure, but that is a trivial worry in comparison to the fun exploits you can experience. Get out of your room and talk to people on your floor. Stay up one night and chat to somebody until the sun begins to rise and you feel like your eyes are going to fall out of your head. Also, be sure to take a random class that is amusing. Really, Intro to Poetry was not all that painful. Stop in on some random clubs and see what events they are doing. Karate club is still taking members! What I found most useful was to PANIC, just a little bit, about classes. There is no problem with overstudying for an exam (as long as you manage studying time properly). It is quite satisfying to sit down to a test and find out that you know everything and a bit more about the subject at hand. Do not stress, go out on fridays, and remember; the rest of your life starts NOW.

Dear Carrie, Relax and know that college is a big step but it is not huge, life will be ok. It is nice to get out of high shool and experince other things. Do not worry about the future because today is just as important. While you are prepareing to leave high school make sure that you study and understand the information that the teachers are giving you, also except the advice that is given to you from others and not dwelling on thinks that sound stressful. Know and understand that were ever the road takes you keep your eyes on Christ, for He never leads you astray. Carrie it is ok not to have all your life plained out right now for, "Blessed are those who are flexable for they will not snap." Carrie relax, know what you want and how to get it but also be willing to let things go that need letting go of. Lastly I would say be upen and allow good friendships to blossom and just have some good clean fun every now and then.

The first piece of advice I would offer myself and to others would be to make sure to get the best teacher possible. Choosing the right teacher can make the difference between an A or a B, sometimes even a C. Another very useful piece of advice is to find an equilibrium between your academic intrests and personal intrests. You can party if you want but realize that it will affect your outcomes in class. Finally the most valuable piece of information that may seem simple in nature is to attend all classes no matter how boring they may be. A lot of times instructors favor those who come to those early morning friday classes. They may give you tips for your upcoming examinations or even give you some answers to actual test material. Listen to what they have to say in class. Most teachers usually ask questions on the material they speak about. Get head starts on papers and send your rough drafts to your professors, although your writing may be horrible if they see you are putting in effort your C paper turns into a B. Also never ever be afraid to confront your teacher about a grade.

If I could go back and talk to my self as a senior I would tell myself alot of things. I would start off by telling my self that i need to work to my fullest potential because doing the minimum was not going to cut it. I would also tell my self that college is way different then high school, and waiting to do homework and other aissignments last mintue is not going to do me any justices. I would tell my self to take AP classes and to get good scores on my AP exams so I can get college units before I get to college. I would also tell myself to take the English and Math placement tests seriously, becasue having to take remedial classes holds you back. Over all I would have told my self to step it up and push myself harder in order to become a better person and student.

Listen to me; you are going to be fine. I do not know why you are so worried. In fact, you being worried is a good thing. At least you are not going to college over confident, which is a mistake many students fall into. If you are reluctant to take my advice, then let us break down your abilities throughout high school. First of all, you have a great GPA, a 4.4. Second of all, you were able to gain the respect of your teachers enough so that they write you excellent recommendation letters, which says something about your personality. Third of all, you were able to do all of the above and still be able to involve yourself in football, wrestling, track, power lifting, speech, and student council without a sacrifice in your grades. Look at it this way, if you have great time-management skills in high school and continue that in college, you are already ahead of the game, a quality you must possess to become a successful student. Instead of being worried, walk in there standing tall but do not forget to be humble, as that is a quality many students fail to achieve.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would reassure myself that I am capable of succeeding. I would make sure that I knew how important it is to be myself and be open to new experiences. There are so many different people you meet in college who can teach you many new things and provide a new perspective on various aspects of life. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help. Many students feel that since they are in college they need to have all of the answers to life, but in reality many people find answers to those questions very late life if at all.

I would tell myself to manage my time. College life won't seem that stressful if you set aside time for not only studying and homework, but also time for extra curricular activities. These may include clubs, sports, volunteering, and maybe even a job on the side. I would also remind myself to set aside some free time where I can get away from schoolwork for a bit and just relax and enjoy myself. You won't be successful if all you do is work because you will only end up burning yourself out. You need to take care of yourself as well as your grades. You have to make time to eat, and that does not mean subsitituing a candy bar in for lunch. Eating healthy will help keep you active, in shape, and ready to learn. Another thing you have to make time for is sleep. If you aren't getting enough sleep, then your body will not have the full rest it needs to function properly the next day. The best advice I can give myself is to make time for not only my studies, but also extra curriculars, free time, and, most importantly, my health.

Wisdom is the most essential basis in making a good decision. However, a high school senior is less likely to have acquired enough wisdom that is needed in making an important decision that will probably affect the rest of his/her life. Therefore, an advice is to exploit peoples' knowledge, especially people beyond family members and school advisors. To personally engage in conversations with current students or alumni at my desired schools for people are very happy to share their experiences. Another advice is to make the best of every single experience. One is certainly the master of his or her own destiny but to build up a successful path to a successful future, one needs the best set of assets that include excellence. For instance, though the GPA is not everything that matters, grades do show the dedication of a student which is very important. A final advice is to answer the question: What does it mean to be successful? is it the financial stability that a career provides or a deeper meaning like how is one improving one's community. Answering this question is certainly a critical step to making the best and most memorable college's experience.

I would tell myself that the goal is to always keep the important thing, the important thing. To always stay focused and remember that the main goal at the moment is to continue receiving an education and take in all the good times, but take them in moderation. I would inform myself to make sure that I do not procrastinate and keep myself on task so that I may accomplish the goals that I hae set for myself and the goals that I want to achieve in my lifetime.

Be true to yourself in your words and in your actions. My first couple of months at college, I was depressed, crying every night, and hating life, because I thought I did not have enough friends and that I was "supposed" to know SO many people. However, eventually I realized that I am an introvert, and though I have always known this, I finally came to accept it. I had my three or four good friends, and that was all I needed. I did not need to have dozens of people in my phone contacts or need to be hanging out with large groups of people I barely knew everyday. Ever since I came to this realization, I have been much happier and have been enjoying and taking advantage of the opportunities college has to offer. College is supposed to be a wonderful experience, but you will only enjoy it if you stay true to yourself.

I would have told myself to try harder to work efficiently and to find an effective way to get myself into the studying/homework-doing mood because, when you are living in a dorm with your own laptop, it's hard to find the motivation to do your homework instead of just surfing the web or talking to friends for hours on end. I knew in high school that I had trouble with getting down to work and yet I somehow convinced myself that this problem would magically fix itself and I found out the hard way that I had the same problem once I got to college. This problem had managed to get worse because I no longer had my parents constantly telling me to get back to work. I should have drilled it into my mind in high school that homework and studying should come before everything else; perhaps then I would have taught myself to work fast enough to finish all my studies with enough time left over for having fun. This was the biggest problem I had with adjusting to college and I'm still trying to resolve it.

If I were to go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would ask myself to figure out what I was passionate about. Being able to know where my passisons lied would have helped in picking a course of study that was right for me. I would also ask myself if I would really get my money's worth from the university that I would be attending. Although you may want to leave home and be on your own, is that freedom really worth all that money? "Is this school really worth taking out these large private loans?" Although undergraduate study is important, graduate work is also an option where you can also focus much more of your time in a field you really love. I would tell myself that I should consider saving some money and say close to home and maybe rebuild some rough relationships. In the end, you will end up with an Bachelor's Degree and you will still have the chance to go to graduate school.

I would tell myself to act more independent. Moving into a dorm, choosing all my classes and deciding when I study, sleep, etc. without anyone else's influence on me came as a small shock. If I am sick, I have to be responsible and let the professor know myself, unlike in high school where my mom had to call me out. Dirty laundry? It does not want to do itself. Homework? There is no longer a parent hovering over my shoulder telling me to study. I also have to eat! "Mom, what's for dinner?" has now turned into me choosing between making myself food, going out to eat or going to the dining hall. All in all, I have been able to manage, but at first it was a little overwhelming. If I had buckled down and started doing these things on a regular basis back as a senior, it would have eased the transition.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would help myself understand that college requires plenty of discipline and dedication. Without these characteristics college can prove to be much more difficult than expected. Take this last year of high school much more seriously than any of the rest and savor every moment of it. Take all of your A.P. classes seriously and don't slack off, college is like that. Please use this time to acuire skills that include time management, study techniques, and even relaxation skills, trust me you'll need them. College is diffucult but it isn't impossible and don't ever forget that. Stay positive and never give up on yourself. You can do it. Don't be so hard on yourself and remember to take time for yourself and don't forget to breathe once in a while. Most importantly believe in yourself.

I would tell myself to apply to colleges early! The sooner you apply, the greater the chance for getting accepted to the college/university of your dreams! College is a different atmosphere when it comes to education. The material learned is similar, but the workload is substantially larger. Some people encounter "senioritis" in his or her last year of high school, which could be a set back to someone expecting the same in college. I also recommend staying on-campus, provided that your school offers housing! College is exciting and a new milestion in your educational career. Make the best of it by participating in extracurriculars such as sports, clubs, and organizations. Last but not least, MAKE SURE you are determined to get a good education. Set secondary goals to help you achieve your main desire. College is right around the corner, so be prepared for the time of your life!

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about the college life and the transitions, it would be about the scholarships and opportunities that are available for students to help pay tuition and help them grow as a person. There's so many scholarships available for students that they don't take advantage of them and end up with a high-interest loans. If I could do all over again, I would get more involved in the community and help out organizations and try my hardest to achieve honors in as many classes as I can. By being competive and challenging yourself, can help you gain the self-assurance a person needs to live in the world of competition. That would help my chances in winning different types of scholarships because I would of a wide range of activites that applied to the scholarships terms and increase my chances of winning. Also getting involved and helping out, can open up so many opportunities and make a difference in the world. I would also plan to study abroad and see the world as others do during their educational experiences.

"Breath!!! Things WILL turn out!? that would be the most important thing I could tell myself senior year. If there is one thing I remember it was the compounding amount of stress accumulating near the time of applications. The biggest mistake I made senior year was thinking that I needed to have my life completely planned out, and that included attending the perfect college. Now I know better. It's not the college that you attend that will determine your future. . . it is you! You are the only one that can maximize your college experience and tailor it to your interests, regardless of where you end up. Relax, worst-case scenario you can always transfer. I would tell myself to take a step back and consider what they don?t tell you in school, what is it that you really enjoy? What makes you happy? Look beyond the college brochures and think about what you have always wanted to do, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Contemplate options that may seem absurd, perhaps attending culinary school ? College is nothing but a realm of opportunities; do not be afraid to reach for any of them!

My exact quotes I would say to my self-past..."Prepare yourself for you are about to enter into one the greatest experiences in your life. First of all, you made an excellent decision to continue your studies. I know you may still be confused in what you want to do in life, but do not over contemplate because when the moment is right you will then know what your calling is. Although, there will be times that your perseverance to suceed higher will without a doubt challenge you mentally, physically, and emotionally. When those moments do come in your life just remember the reasons why you are going to college and for who are doing this for. Furthermore, there is something significant that I must reveal to you....but you have A.D.D. which is a common learning disability and I strongly suggest that you get yourself treated. Finally, I must say that you are a unique individual for you have separated yourself from the herd (the followers) and now it is your turn to become a leader. I would wish you the best of luck, but I am not because I am certain you will do well.

The past semester has been such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I've never been confronted with so much stress and yet so much liberty to do what I want when I want. This newly discovered independence has not been achieved without stumbling along the way. Realizing that professors are less likely to, if at all, make the effort to help their students at a personal level has been somewhat of a shock. I expected this, but now this leaves me feeling alone and desperate for a connection to be made with the person leading the lecture. In high school, I was used to having close relationships with my teachers, most of them sponsors of the extracurricular activities I was involved in. Looking back, if I had the chance to share a piece of advice with myself it would be this: Value the teachers that go above and beyond to make you as successful as you are capable of being because they do so out of love, not out of obligation. Get them to know your teachers as people and not as monsters, as inhumane as they may seem to be.

I always treated high school as nothing more than a means of getting into college. Instead of trying to learn, I did only what was necessary to get the grade. Although I got the grades necessary to get in to the college of my choice, I missed out the opportunity to learn valuable study skills. Don't let high school be a waste of your time. You will get out of it what you put into it. Enjoy learning. You never know what could help you in the future. This more often than not will be a skill, such as multi-tasking or problem solving, rather than a specific fact or skill. The transition from high shool to college will be the hardest of your life. Don't sit back and wait for it to hit you. Push forward into the future, learning as much as possible a long the way. Enjoy learning. You will absorb so much more if you find a way to make it enjoyable.

There are pros and cons to going back to school as an older student. As such a student, I have found that I am more disciplined and focused on the goals I have set, but too old to participate in some of the student activities and sports. If I were able to go back in time I would have to tell myself not to wait. I would also tell myself to consider degrees in areas in which there is always a need, such as the medical field. The idea is to secure a future for yourself and by doing this you will have an edge on others your age. I would also encourage getting involved in a variety of activities and understand the importance of balance. Have fun, meet new people but don't let class assignments and grades suffer. I would stress the importance of maintaining a strong GPA because so many programs look to that to determine if a student is committed to the work necessary to be successful in a particular program. I would also remind myself that a failure is not the end, it is how you respond that shows who you really are.

If I could give myself advice as a high school senior I would advise myself to save up more money by working more. Most importantly I would tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as possible! As a senior I worked hard in school and at work, I would not have to remind myself the importace of education. I would have to remind myself that funds end, and that I should save as much money as possible in order to pay for school.

The transtion to college can be harder for some then others. For me the hardest part was knowing that I had to now motivate myself. I love hanging out with friends, but now I needed to be the one to have enough self control to say no to hanging out and doing the other stuff I needed to do. What worked out for me, and the best advice I can give is to come up with a routine. Besides hanging out with friends, I needed to fit in enough time to study for all of my classes, find time to eat a healthy meal, to get some exercise in, and get enough sleep. Also know that when you study, your brain can only take it for so long before it needs a break so factor in some time to take a break from studying so your brain can take a break and so you don't feel as overwhelmed. Looking back, the best advice I can give is to manage your time wisely. As a college student you have so much time to do everything you need to, but it is amazing at how much time you can waste.

I would tell myself to aquire good study skills and time management. I did not need to study in high school but I realized that to succeed in college time management and studying skills are essential.

I would tell myself to take the time to visit all the colleges I was considering. It may seem daunting but I really should make a list of attributes that I want in a college and find colleges that match. Talking with upperclassmen that attend the university I am interested in also helps tremendously. They will be able to tell you all the good and bad parts of the college that the official tour leaves out. Have a over-night visits at colleges to get their real feel and see the group of people that live on campus. Visiting for an afternoon doesn't give you the full flavor of the college or university. Finally, talk to your parents about paying for college because you want to consider the amount of scholarships each college awards you. Being debt free after college would be a great feeling and will help you be stress free and enjoy the college experience!

If I could go backin time and talk to myself I wouldtell myself to pay attenion more in class. I would tell myself that because the knowledge that you learn in high school will be used through out college. I would even tell myself to interact with others more because while in college you will be interacting with people that you have never seen before. I would also tell myself to get more involved in activities that are at school because it will help you with your communication skills. I will also help you interact with new people that you would have never talk to.

One semester down. Seven more to go. Looking back at my first semester of higher education and poring through the many new academic and social experiences that I've gone through, I would tell my high school senior self one thing: "Don't be afraid to talk to new people, peers and professors alike, because doing so will give way to many new opportunities and experiences that will shape the undergraduate experience for the better." Trust me. Never in my wildest dreams did I forsee that striking up a conversation with that guy in the elevator or that girl in the library would lead to many of the memorable experiences that have come from these first few months away from home. And believe me, I'm certainly glad I did.

For starters, don't be scared or nervous. Loyola's faculty and staff will be some of the kindest and most capable people you will ever meet. They will work with you to make the transition as painless as possible. Take advantage of the teachers you have in high school, as well. They will work with you for applications and recommendations. Loyola's staff will be every bit as helpful, although the bursar's office will frustrate you for obvious reasons. As for the workload, it is different. You will be thrown into a part-time job, volunteer work, and lengthy papers. Thankfully, you were not lazy in high school, so you will be more prepared than most. The best advice is to breathe deeply and remain calm, remember that you are capable of anything you want to accomplish, and never be afraid to ask for help.

The most important thing I would have told myself would have been to look into the financial needs of college. There are many other costs I didn't consider expecially because I live on campus. Tuition is a majority of the cost, but I thought after tuition there wouldn't be any other financial responsibility; i was wrong. Along with tuition, there are books, activity fees, and organization fees. Most of the above were free in my high school, so i was shocked when I found out I had to pay for everything. My high school councilors would lecture us on and on about how there are so many scholarships out there for us to obtain, but I didn't even bother trying because I didn't think I would get them, but I realized if I would have tried it would have helped my situation to get all the financial help I could get. Trust me college is expensive. I thought i would just pay everything off in student loans, but I hadn't thought about how bad the economy was going to be. Also, college should be about discovering your dreams and goals, so don't be nervous.

You can do this. You are horrible at focusing but you always get As. You aren't going to be perfect and you aren't always going to be sure about what you are doing but just follow your heart and never give up. :)

Knowing what I know now, I would have very many pieces of advice I would offer myself as a high school senior if given the chance. Most of this advice would not be about the academic part, but it would be about the social side of the transition. One thing I would tell myself is to be careful how you spend money. It is very easy to have fifty dollars in your wallet and a week later it is spent. You do not have mom there to give you some money once a week. Another thing I would say is that you should find a comfortable balance. College is meant to be fun and exciting as well as knowledgable. Set special time aside for all school work, and then hang out. Things flow much more smoothly if your a structured person. The last piece of advice I would give is to be outgoing! There will never be another time in your life when you are around so many people your age. Everyone is very friendly and eager to meet new people. You just have to throw yourself out there and start the fire yourself.

Are you tired of filling out applications? Do you get an obnoxious amount of mail? School days off to visit other schools? Itching to get out of high school? At times, confused and overwhelmed at the thought of what lies ahead? You must be a high school senior, ready for the next big step, college. Here is a tip to ease the stress and prepare you for one of the biggest transitions of your life. First, take a breath, calm down, I promise you will survive. One of the most important ideas that I can pass on is the importance of doing an overnight visit at colleges, not just a tour. It is important to get a true student's perspective of the college and its environment. Having a two-day experience at college will give you an idea if you truly feel at home and can see yourself there for the next four years. Of course, the usual advice applies, but I cannot stress the importance of doing an overnight visit enough. I believe that it will solidify your choice in a college and easy the transition into college life. Finally, breathe, I promise you will survive!

Dear young Victoria, Woohooo! You are almost done with high school! Senior yearrr! Parrtyyyy!! But hey, you hold on there one gosh darn second! Don't you go partying your tail off missy. You still have lots of work to do. I am telling you right now, DO NOT blow off your classes this semester. I know you are a senior and yadda yadda yadda, you just want to get out of there right?! Well, finish strong. What you learn your senior year will help you to carry over into college and hopefully make those intimidating first semester classes seem a little bit more tolerable. There will be lots of stress your first semester, but every student is capable of handling it; especially you. I know you are a busy body, but for your first semester of college. Take it easy. Feel free to get involved in school activites, but don't you over-do it! Just make sure you get used to your classes first and then everything else will fall into place. Oh, and one more piece of wise advice: Know your campus before hand. Nothing screams "FRESH MEAT" like a newbie walking with an enormous campus map!

Big City, Big Dreams....... well making your dreams a reality is NOT an easy task. You will be even obstacles you would never expect, but don't be discouraged or intimidated. Hold your head up high and believe in yourself. Don't be afraid of being alone, friendships shall come over time. Be patient and honest with your true feelings, don't hold back .This is a chance for you to be one hundred percent Iesha. When it seems you have no answer, follow your instincts. And always remember there is a reason for everything you do......... Good Luck and always remember I believe in YOU!!!!

Do not be intimidated because the more confidence you face college life with, the easier it is to meet new people, to succeed in classes, and more. Becoming a college student sounds scary at first, but the truth is you just need to stay on top of your schedule, such as do the readings for your different classes and remember when different clubs (which I would recommend getting involved in) meet. Then there are your studies; I advise that you experiment with different places to study, such as your room or the library, and different review methods, such as flashcards or just reading, in your first semester to master it later on. Then once you have your schedule and your study methods down, it is very easy to find free time to hang out with friends and watch your favorite television shows or movies. At first college life is mainly a balance between socializing and studying or working, but it is easy to get used to it, especially after one semester. Overall, just take control of your independence and have fun in the new environment!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise my self not to play around as much as I did and to do my best to graduate with honors instead of just graduating.I would also tell myself to be more serious about college and work on being more disciplined when it comes to doing my work because i now know that in college there will be no one there to hold your hand along the way and remind you to do your work .Its an independent world and i would have better prepared myself for it.

There is so much I know now I wish I would have known coming into college. I would start of saying don't wory about making tons of friends, they will fall into place. What I would worry about instead, is finding the right friends. Go into relationships innocently, however, not too naively it gives people a chance to take advantage of you. Initially trust people, but don't give too much trust that it hurts when they betray that trust. As for the work load, manage your time wisely, if you're given an entire month to write a paper, use that entire month, don't procrastinate! Come up with a schedule to work on the paper, that way two days before the paper is due, you're not stressing. When it comes to the freshman 15, just remember portion sizes and that the ice cream and cake will be there tomorrow, so you don't have to get dessert every time you eat. Plus, take advantage of the gym and classes offered, they're great stress reducers and you feel so much better after working out. And of course have fun, you're only in college once!

Knowing what I now know about college life and transition, the advice that I would give myself is to see a doctor much sooner to be treated for ADHD. I think it is important for people to understand that education is one of the greatest privileges, and the best advice is to focus! I've just recently been diagnosed with ADHD, and the symptoms can make focusing on school quite difficult at times. While in highschool, I was able to manage a 3.7GPA because education is an essential part of my life. I make every effort to work to the best of my abilities no matter how difficult or impossible focusing may be. The transition to college proved to be quite problematic, although I still earned a 3.2GPA. All of the new material combined with my off-campus part time job, inevitably left me with minimal spare time. I no longer had the time to deal with my extreme inability to focus. After experiencing one semester, I knew I should finally be treated. I only wish I would have been treated sooner. I already notice a difference and I am positive that I will be a success!

I would tell myself that college is completely different from high school in so many ways, but the biggest difference is that in high school, you are pressured to live up to others' expectations of you; in college, you are free to discover and be who you are. No one at college has met you yet: because of this, you have the rare opportunity to completely reinvent yourself. Others cannot compare your actions against those of "the person they've known all these years," because they've only known you for the past few days! College is probably the best time of your life to learn about yourself and your interests; thus, I would advise myself to use my time in college to explore any and all of my interests without fear. You may discover a passion for something that you didn't know you had. If you find that you don't like something, you can quit and no one will say a word. No matter who you are, there will be a group for you. College is not only about learning information in preparation for a career; it is an excellent place for learning about yourself as well.

Freshmen should remember that they are not alone. Last semester, I thought I was the only one having difficult adjusting; I saw peers easily fitting in and making friends. However, for me, finding friends was tedious and overwhelming. When I talked to my hometown friends, I learned they also felt slightly alone at school. Now, I realize I should have branched out more to find friends. If friends at other universities were also having trouble fitting in, there must be similar freshmen at my school, too. Take notice of peers you relate to and have fun with in your classes, residence hall, or activities and work on building a friendship. Do not try to replace your old friends; they were unique individuals you had known for years. At college, you must work on forming new relationships. If you feel alone, realize you and your college friends will share new, exciting experiences together that you never had in high school. Academic and extra curricular achievements are top priorities, but feeling at home and welcome at school is important. If you are surrounded by supportive people who you enjoy spending time with, you will look forward to returning to school each semester.

Cherish the people that you have in your life now. Yes, it's exciting to go off and meet new people, but never forget the ones that have been there from the beginng. No matter how many people you meet in college none of them will make you laugh or feel the way the people at back home did. Your new friends will make you laugh and you'll have strong bonds with them, but they wouldn't replace the connections you had before college. Enjoy the rest of the time you have left constantly being around them, because once you leave that time will be limited. You'll be able to come home and visit, of course, but this is your last chance to spend time with them before you go off and make changes and they do the same. Also, don't view leaving for college as a way to run away from any problems that you have, that philosophy makes you going to college about someone else because you're viewing college college as a chance to get away from them. Leaving for college needs to be all about you and your growth, no one else.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice about the transition into college life, I would tell myself one thing: make lots of friends. For most of my first semester of college, I went home on the weekends. This placed a definite damper on my relationships with other students. If I could do it again, I would stay at school every weekend and plan events with other students or get involved in events on campus. Having friends that I felt close to would have made me feel much more comfortable on campus, and the transition would have been much easier. Additionally, I would have advised myself not to limit myself to one group of friends or one activity. Although doing this was comfortable and easy because it made me feel safe and secure, in the long run it affected my social contacts and outings. It also confined me because I didn't know anyone who would be interested in exploring the city in the same way I was. In conclusion, I would give myself one piece of advice: make lots of friends.

Receiving an education in life is a privilege many students don?t acknowledge until their final years in high school. Learning is something that all students must do to keep accelerating and expanding their intellects. If we were given the opportunity to return and guide ourselves throughout the senior year before our college transition, I would tell myself that everything I have done has been a test and now I have to use everything I know about myself, (my intellectual abilities, my moods, my interests, and my friends), to strengthen my beliefs as a person, and build a strong self-confidence in me. This self-confidence would give me comfort and strength to continue on as a student and gain a firm feel about my personality. Personality is important to everyone because it allows each one of us to be unique and special. I believe that if I was to have more confidence about myself then my transition would be more positive. Comfort about oneself allows us students to become confident and allows us to work more actively to accomplish our future goals and desires.

My life was relatively easy when it came to doing what I was supposed to do. In high school, I was ranked three/311 students. To keep busy I volunteered nine hours each week at a library around the corner from my school. By all accounts I was considered a top notch student. However, I often suffered emotionally. I regularly dealt with the fact that I wasn't given the best education. I felt the Chicago Public Schools didn't care about me and expected me to settle with menial labor. For this reason--as one might imagine--I didn't have to study as hard to get my grades. I didn't get out much for this very reason because I wasn't prepared to fight fairly for life. If I could return now as a more disciplined person, I'd tell myself two things: study harder because you will get further if you know how to pass a test; I would also advise myself to take a philosophical approach to life; enjoy life and don't take your affairs too seriously. I have now noticed that things, good or bad, all depend on your attitude.

If I can go back in time, and knowing what the college life would bring me is to save money. For Loyola University I had to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars to buy school books. Also, the tuition was very high, I always owed a balance every year. I would also advised myself to live near campus, because moving away proved to be detrimental towords my studies with the long hours of commute. Ultimatley, I would have advised myself to go to UIC instead, Loyola is far too expensive and not culturally diversed enough. I would have felt more comfortable at the school if I had made more friends.

If i could go back in time and advice myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to learn to manage my time wisely. In college you need to know how to make time for everything and know how to controll your life. The reason being is because you're not only making time to get to class you're also making time to finish homework, study, work, make time for friends and family members and also time for yourself. You'll always be busy or in a hurry therefore you have to learn earlier how to handle time wisely so that you wont fall behind in school. That's what I would tell myself and listen to my advise because once in college you might get too stressed and you have to be able to handle yourself.

Transitioning from high school to college was a challenging time as I started a new journey in my life. Knowing what I know now about college life, I would give myself advice before entering the college. First, I would say that I need to make friends, because without them, college wouldn't be the same!! Also, I would say that you need to manage time wisely. College is different that high school and making sure that you would be completing work in an orderly fashion would make the transition to college one step easier. Moreover, studying in advance before an exam could improve the outcome of your grade. Using different methods like making note cards or study guides from lecture notes can help you remember more efficiently than just reading off your lecture notes. Finally, get to know your professor. Becoming an acquaintance with your professor can help you ask questions in a more comfortable manner about something that you?re having difficulty understanding. Knowing your professor can also help you get recommendations for scholarships in the future. Therefore, knowing some of these tips before entering college can make your transition from high school to college a fun lifetime experience.

I would say never let others bring you down. Sometimes in life I know that there are people who hurt others. Although, at the time we just see them as being mean or not nice. If I can go back in time as a high school senior I would say to myself that I am important and that no matter what challenges there may be there is always a way to accomplish them. People in college brought me down alot because of my race and accent. It came to the point were I would not like to participate in class. I started to see my grades go down because I lacked participation and that really hurt my grade. I wanted some encouragement and then I read Mother Teresa's prayer called "Do it Anyway". That inspired me to participate in class and in the end of the semester I still ended up with a 3.0 g.p.a. If I would not let others hurt my progress I know that I would have done better. Now, I learened from my mistakes and realized that what does not kill me only makes me stronger.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to chose a differnet school. And definately to file my Fafsa sooner because I did it very last minute and got no financial support. I would also tell myself to look into the financial aid packets of other colleges closer and possibly to have met with my prospects financial aid department. Mostly I would just advise myself to dig a little deeper into schools and make a decision more based on what I need and not what looks easiest.

If I were able to go back to my senior year in high school and give myself advice for entering college, I would tell myself to have faith in my own potential. I would tell myself that yes, college is a greater challenge than was high school, but I am fully capable of achieving my goals, and I SHOULD set goals. I would advise myself to set high standards for myself, keeping my desired vocations in mind, and to work as hard as possible to reach that standard to satisfy myself and no one else. Academics will be my primary reason for attending college, but I should also remember to care for my body and soul, as well. I would advise myself to work just as hard to build and maintain friendships, take care of my personal physical health, and allow myself personal time to unwind and refresh my heart and mind so that it is always ready for whatever challenges school and life decide to throw my way. Finally, I would advise myself to hold true to my values; they will develop as I go through college, but I should never succumb to negative pressures.