Marquette University Top Questions

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

Cristin

If I could talk to myself as a highschool senior I would tell myself to study hard and keep my grades up but I would also tell myself to enjoy the little things. Enjoy the midnight runs to the beach with my friends. I would tell myself to go out of my comfort zone and become friends with all sorts of people. I would tell myself to rebuild who I am. The people we know in high school have known us since we were very little. I know there were aspects of my life I would like to change. I would try to change these in college. The friends I make in college would not know my past experiences and with their lack of knowledge I could recreate the person I always wanted to be. I would tell myself to enjoy the time because it is some of the best days one could experience.

Katarina

Dear Katarina, Take advantage of every oppurtunity given. Do not take short cuts rather do the work because this will prepare you for college life. Remember that college is about you and do not let others make choices on your behalf. College is all about discovering yourself, there is no right or wrong. You can be nervous but be excited. You will grow and learn about yourself because your ultimate goal is to be the best you possible. Katarina please know that it will not be easy but you have the key to unlock your fullest potential. With this being said, do not allow boundaries to be placed on success. You will define your true measurement of success.

Shannon

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self what I know now about college I would tell myself 5 things... 1. Everyone is trying to make friends, and you are not alone. 2. Your family will always love and support you 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} , they know how badly you miss them. 3. Your high school friends will always have your back. 4. You are going to learn so much about yourself and exciting new things. 5. Classes will be challenging, but you are up for the challenge.

Benjamin

I would tell myself to relax, and not worry so much. I was very nervous about making the transition to college life, as I had no idea what to expect. I had irrational fears of not making friends or not being able to function without my parents, and I was anxious the entire time leading up to the day I moved in. Since then, I have realized that my fears were completely unnecessary. I have maintained a 3.68 GPA, and have made tons of great friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Overall, I would simply want to tell my past self that I'm going to have a fantastic year, and that there is no need to worry at all.

Chandler

More than anything, I would tell myself something I didn't really think mattered in high school: learn how to study effectively. In high school, I was one of the students who didn't really have to study all that much to achieve the grades I wanted, and therefore I never developed the study skills necessary to survive in college. I struggled a lot my first semester, with trying to balance my school work, my job, and having a social life. It seemed nearly impossible at one point, but realizing I started off taking way to many credits for me to handle and then lowering my workload the next semester really did help. Figuring out what works best for you, when it comes to studying, is something you really need to do before you get into college. Also, allow yourself to open up. Coming into college is a scary thing, but you can't let that stand in your way of making new friends and new memories. You will regret it if you let some of the amazing people you meet slip away.

Maggie

Trust your gut. In your heart of hearts, you know where you belong. Stay true to your values, and know who you are; but also realize that there is so much diversity in the world and experiencing it is a part of life. You will be amazed at the opportunities and difficulties that will present themselves to you, tackle all of them as a chance to grow. Keep an open mind and a smile on your face: this is one of the only times you can completely recreate yourself. Expand your horizons in your academic, extracurricular, and social interests. Keep making new friends, but also form meaningful relationships. A whirlwind of emotions will surround you. It will be a strange feeling, but a good one. Enjoy yourself and take in each moment, you won't have anymore quite like these first weeks of freshmen year.

Jodie

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would offer two pieces of advise. First, take time to savor the college experience and challenge yourself to try new things from the very start. It took me a few years to come to the realization that I may never again have the opportunity to engage in so many different activities or cultural experiences. I made a New Year's Resolution to do or try one new thing each month and that was an incredibly rewarding experience! Not only did it open me up to new perspectives and ways to have fun, but I also made connections with people I otherwise would not have. I made the same resolution this year because it was such a rich experience. The second piece of advise I would give is to honor yourself. While coming from high school, you are still exploring and figuring out your identity, there are things you do know. Honoring yourself means being committed to your self-identified values and treating yourself with the utmost respect in all aspects of your life.

Erin

I would tell my high school self to relax. I was so concerned with getting into college, that i ignored all of the hard work i had done for the past four years, and didn't give myself enough credit. I also doubted my decision making when it came to choosing a university. I know now that things almost always work out the way that they should, and i should have trusted my gut when i felt that i found the right place for me. College can be daunting, and the transition certainly isn't an easy one. But when you find the right university, you also find the right network of individuals who are willing to help you attain your goals and make the transtion as painless and successful as possible. College isn't easy, but it's the one time in your life that you have to find who you are and figure out where it is that you're meant to be, and what you're meant to be doing.

Kelli

Advice to myself as a high school senior. Tour all the dorms and see which rooms are the biggest. I made the mistake of making the party dorm my first choice and I think it took me longer to meet people because I was not that big of a partyer. I would tell myself to make time to go home at least once per semester. I am going to school out of state and between school and traveling with the team the spring semester can be a long time without going home.

Diego

I would tell myself to prioritize myself. I have learned that your true friends are the ones who want you to succeed just as bad as you want yourself to succeed, so they should understand when you have to pass up on hanging out with them for studying for that test you have at the end of the week. Prioritizing yourself is such an important aspect when it comes to college. You have so much time to hang out with your friends, but you have a limited amount of time to make sure you do what you have to do in college. The only person who will experience first-hand the outcomes of your decisions is you, so you have to be sure that you are happy with the choices that you make. So if your friends cannot understand that you have to put your own work before anything else, then maybe it's time to reevaluate your friendship with them. After putting forth all that effort throughout middle school and high school, why throw it all away while you're in college.

Amanda

I would tell myself to relax. To live up every moment because college is going to go by a lot faster than you think. Study hard. Be smart...you only live once so don't waste it by doing something stupid. Believe in yourself...if you want something you can do it and you will....never doubt yourself. Put yourself out there and follow your heart. Remember the people who got you where you are today. They are the same people that will be there for you in three years. Enjoy every day, every hour, every second. Even when you are exhausted and tired from studying for so many hours. Believe it or not...these are going to be the best days of your life.

Tomas

First, I would tell myself to get to know my teachers right away. It took me untill second semester to understand the importance of doing this. As far as transitioning, I would tell myself to start writing in my planner more often (something I never did in high school) because its impossible to rememeber the workload from all of your classes. Additionally, I would tell myself to try to be more social during the first couple of weeks, I definitely struggled with making friends. Lastly, I would remind myself to enjoy every minute of the experience because it really does fly by. These last few months have flew by and at times I catch myself wanting summer, however, this is suppose to be the best four years of my life. Although I have only been in school for a semester, I can already tell these four years will be gone before a blink of an eye. So most importantly I would tell myself live in the moment, make mistakes, but most importantly have fun.

Paige

I would tell myself that college will be the most difficult, but most rewarding aspect of your life. The work that will go into applications for schools, scholarships, loans, and grants will be a crucial decision-maker of where you attend college. I would also tell myself that Marquette University will be the best experience, regarding the material you will learn, and the people who will enter your life, changing and helping you grow every day. I would say to never be afraid to do what makes you happy. Do not settle for anyone throughout your life, especially for your educational life. Also, try new things. College will be a time for you to grow into the adult that loves journalism and has a passion for writing that will only evolve throughout your years at college. Be brave, be strong, be creative, and be yourself.

Paige

Have faith. Believe in yourself, and do what will make you happy! College is about YOU, it will ultimatley determine your future, but don't let that scare you, just be wise in the choices you make. You know yourself best, so don't let anyone talk you out of your dreams. Follow your heart; people may say they don't think your making the best decisions, but people will always want to disagree with you, so stand up for yourself. It is better to make a few mistakes and learn from your falls then to regret each day for something you let someone else talk you out of. Mistakes are part of life and they make us who we are, or show us who we aren't, but at least mistakes won't allow you to wonder what you could have been. So never give up, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going", hardwork will always pay off. Keep your head up, college is a big change. Change is different, change is new, but don't allow the differences to consume you, eventually those foreign places will feel like home. Work hard, stay strong, be happy!

Erin

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, the first thing that I would tell myself to do is to relax. In high school, and into the fall semester freshman year, I put a lot of pressure on myself to pursue perfection in my classes. While I don't regret this because it helped me to achieve goals that I had set for myself, it created a more difficult transition to the freshman year of college. Upon arriving on campus, it was difficult for me to adjust and learn how to study for classes at the college level. In high school a lot of my classes were easy, and in retrospect, required little effort, and when I arrived at campus, I thought that classes would be easy for me once again. However, I soon learned that before I could learn the material necessary to succeed in class, I needed to learn how to study. If in high school I had been more relaxed about my grades and pursued perfection less, the transition to college would have been easier, because upon arriving on campus, I would have placed less pressure on myself.

Andrea

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be more open-minded. It was so easy to get caught up in my own life and limit myself to my small group of friends. There were so many wonderful people in my High School that I didn't take the time to get to know because I had a presumption of who they were. College has taught me that people are hardly every who you expect them to be, and often times you learn the most from the people you would least expect. I am taking my years in college trying to get know as many people as possible; something I wish I could have told my High School self to do.

Paola

Dear Paola from 2014, I'm you from the future. It's 2015 and you are in college. I'm writing because I feel like there are some things you should know that are going to make your life ten times easier this senior year of high school. So here it is: 1- Don't stress yourself too much about school. Everything has a time and eventually everything falls into place. I stressed myself out too much senior year with college applications, school and extra-curriculars. I wish I spent more time taking-in that I was going to graduate. Enjoy this time with your friends. 2- Spend more time with your classmates. Get to know them better. You will have fonder memories of them. 3- Spend more time with your family and appreciate everything they are doing for you. 4- Don't take anything for granted. You don't know where life is going to take you. 5- Lastly, EVERYTHING is about to change. New faces, new places and new adventures are going to take place but everything is worth the change. You'll mature and see the world from a different perspective. Good luck, Paola from 2015

Courtney

I would tell myself not to be afriad. I would tell myself to go out, talk to that boy, and sit down and eat lunch with that girl that you have a class with. College is all about the experiences you have and the people you meet. It's a way to network and make friends with some of the most unique people you'll ever meet. The experiences that you have and the people that you meet will change your life forever. It's also okay to get a little homesick. You'll miss mom, and her homemade cooking, and how your older brother used to pick on you, but you'll be so distracted that you won't even notice the slight pain in your heart from missing them. Take every opportunity that you possibly can. Don't lose out on an experience because you were worried about getting the good grade. Grades come with the work that you know you will put in. The last piece of advice I would give myself is to be true to yourself. There are 10,000 undergraduates, don't change fof one person. No one will ever be worth that.

Carly

I would tell my high school self to give absolutely everyone that you come in contact with a chance. There are no second rate people. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and loved unconditionally. When you start college there are tons of people everywhere that you have never seen or talked to before in your life and it is so easy to fall into the trap of prejudging everyone but there is no time in your life that you will need friends more than you do starting college. Do not be afraid to talk to people that are different than those you talked to in high school and don't worry if you don't "click" right away with those you talk to. It may seem like everyone one is making friends right away but everyone is just searching like you are so keep talking to people until you find your fit.

Katherine

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to calm down and stop worrying. I would tell myself that there are 8,000 students at Marquette, and I bet all 8,000 of them have the same fears as me. I would remind myself to just be who I am, and find friends that will accept me for me. I would also tell myself to enjoy my senior year because it is one of the best years, and if I continue to stress out, I'll miss out.

Madeline

Entering college is a life transforming experience, but it can be very difficult for some. However, there is no need to loose sleep over the issue. I made the mistake of trying to live two lives. I would plan trips home whenever possible, spending thousands of dollars on airfare, trying to keep life the same at home. I did not want to leave the place I grew up, my family, my friends, and trade it in for the complete unknown. Holding on the past and living in a technological world--calling home as often as possible and texting and skyping my friends from high school daily, I completly wasted the vast majority of my first semester. I missed out on meeting so many amazing people and experiencing the freedom of college. In order to make a smooth transition it is very important to give college a chance. Get involved in something that interests you from the beginning to meet people you have something in common with. College is a chance to be yourself and grow into an adult. Enjoy it because homesickness goes away and things at home don't change as much as one would think.

Marissa

I would first tell my self to take a deep breath and say that everything is going to be okay. Yeah the real world and college might be very intimidating, but you are so ready for it! You're going to make lifelong friends and get an incredible education at a safe place you can now call home, Marquette. I would tell myself to make sure I make a schedule for myself for when I need to study and do homework, workout, and even just have time for myself (trust me you're going to need it). I think that the most important thing that I would tell myself is to just be myself. College isn't like high school where you have to be like everyone else for people to like you. In fact, in college, it's seen as a great thing to act and live just the way you are. You'll be much happier being yourself than you would be pretending to be one of them. And be confident while doing it! A little confidence and faith in yourself can take you a long way.

Abigail

Going back in time to give myself advice as a high school senior would be both a blessing and a curse. While I believe that everything in my life has worked out successfully and is meant to be, I feel that there would be one thing I would tell my high school self. I am a Marketing major, and am very happy in the business school at Marquette University. However I also find that I have a passion for history, and would enjoy being a high school history teacher. I would tell my high school self that it is okay to have two passions, and to explore both of them. That it is okay to major in both education and business, that it would not be a difficult transition into both majors if I am determined and love both of them. My high school self figured that college would already be a difficult enough transition, that choosing two majors would be more than I could handle. I feel that if I could go back I would tell myself to choose both majors, and to be fervent and work extremely hard in my studies.

McKenzie

When you go to college, your past doesn’t matter. It is almost as if you are wiping the slate clean and starting a whole new adventure. When you leave to go to college, leave your past behind you. Here, nobody knows your story, and because of this, you can be whoever you want to be. Change your hairstyle, change your attitude, and change your dreams. Your old friends will soon fade and be replaces with new ones who will share smiles, laughs, and even tears with you. You will soon find that the friends you make in college will impact your life so much more in the first few months of college that your high school friends made in your whole lifetime. You will grow with this group of friends and realize that your old life has no affect on the new life you are creating.

Collin

Dear self, Don't worry too much about where you are going to end up. You will do great so long as you follow these tips. Reach out and get involved. It may seem daunting, but you will be surprised to see how rewarding it can be. However, don't overextend yourself. The excitement and energy will wear off, and you will no longer be able to function for 20 hours at a time! Find one or two things that you enjoy so much that you feel motivated to give back to. Stick with those activities, put forth your genuine effort and compassion, and be ready to soar towards new heights. Be ready to lock down and work hard. The more work you put in, the better off you will be come finals week! However, most important of all, make sure that you stay in touch with those you care about back home. They will always be there for you, and will push you to make the best of yourself. College is what you make of it. Make it something that you will always look back on with fond memories, a sense of accomplishment, and a full heart.

Emmali

Challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone frequently. There is a well known quote that says, "stepping outside of one's comfort zone is where the magic happens." The more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more you will grow and learn about yourself. You will be amazed. It is always intimidating to try something new, but the magic will come and you will be rewarded for your efforts. Even though each experience will be different, the more you practice embracing new circumstances and situations, the easier it will become. Your high school self is only the beginning of who you are meant to be. With every situation you are presented, there is an opportunity to perfect who you are. You will encounter new challenges which will provide you with opportunities to grow, build on your strengths, and become a better version of yourself. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace life's challenges to become the best that you can be.

Courtney

I had always thought I was completely prepared for college, however, I was wrong. I had taken multiple AP and CAPP courses, thinking that would be all the preparation I would need for college, but honestly there is no sure way to prepare onself for college. If I could go back I would have taken even more AP courses, and in addition to more AP courses I would have challenged myself to do more outside of the class learning, like picking a language and teaching it to myself. I believe that would have greatly helped me prepare for college because in college I am often teaching myself new concepts after lectures. The last change I would make if I could re-do my senior year would be not to have been as involved as I was. It may seem odd that I wouldn't want to be extremely involved, but in college I am not in any sports or in student council and NHS, so now I have all of this free-time that I have never had before. I am not used to all of this free-time, so I do not know how to manage my time.

Oumaru

Dear High School Self, Be patient. Plan ahead now, if you believe that there is a subject that you may not be good in, get a tutor. I know that you think you are doing really well in school and understand every materal but understand that that might not be the case. Also find a good support system, wether that means joining a club or finding a group of friends that support what you want in life and who are also motivated to succeed in life. Also be willing to go beyond your comfort. You'll never know what you like or dislike if you never try new things. These four years you are going to learn more about yourself than you have learned the years leading up to you graduating. Last but not least, don't close doors before they even open. You might have an idea of what you may want to do in life, but college is all about exploring other options. With that being said, have fun and be responsible.

Max

Given the chance to advise my high school senior self about college, I would touch upon the three aspects of college that provided a plethora of learning experiences: academics, participation, and communication. I would urge my senior self to take more advanced placement classes in order to potentially obtain a greater number of credits that could be applied to pass out of general classes. Moreover, enrolling in advanced classes at an earlier stage would provide a better picture of the field I chose to enter and allow for flexibility in case changes were to occur. Next, I would advise my senior self to participate in extracurricular activities. College is the time to find out who you are and spending every hour studying will not aid in a full development of the self. However, being a member of a club or leader of an organization will help accelerate this gradual process. Finally, I would advise myself to develop the ability to effectively communicate with others, particularly with faculty members. Faculty members know of many opportunities that can advance a student's college education and building a strong relationship with many teachers allows for these opportunities to be taken advantage of.

Kathleen

I would tell myself to relax and have fun. Since I am a senior now, and entering graduate school next fall, I have done a lot of reflecting on my college career at Marquette University. My only regret is my freshman year. I spent too many hours in the library studying in order to get perfect grades. I sacrificed going to fun activites with friends in order to stay at the library until close every Friday night. Although my grades are still supremely important to me, I have been able to find a balance. I have learned that I actually do better in school when I have other activities with friends planned because it is my time to relax. I have enjoyed studying more when I take short breaks to socialize with friends before getting back to the library. Therefore, when my brother entered college this past fall, I made sure to give him this advice. He is a lot like me, and I did not want him to become burnt out my the over-studying. Therefore, if I could go back to school, I would make sure to relax and have more fun with friends.

Tishyra

Sometimes, it is okay to have some fun. School is not all about studying and getting good grades. Yes, those things are important. However, life is important as well. Expand education beyond the books. Do not only learn about the world around you, but experience it. It is tiring spending so much time excelling in the classroom. Moreover, it causes one to miss out on the experiences life has to offer. The transition time from a teenager into a young adult is the prime time to make mistakes. The only way to do so is by allowing yourself to spend time living life outside of the classroom. Having occasional breaks is acceptable. Use those breaks to experience life, make mistakes and learn from them. In college, students should be prepared to make some of the right decisions and apply things learned from textbooks to the real world. By not allowing yourself to live life outside of your textbook, you are missing out on vital experience that will be hard to catch up with in college. All in all, have fun! Do not completely forget about the importance of your studies, but remember to set time aside for some fun.

Jacob

To My High School Senior Self, The minute your parents walk out of your dorm room, you will find yourself with a freedom you've never had. You will be able to go and do what you want when you want. You don't need to check in with anyone but yourself. With this freedom will come choices including, "Do I study or do I hang with my friends?" You will also have tougher choices such as, "Do I drink and pass out, do I just try it or do I skip it altogether?" I'm not going to give you the answer to these questions because you need to experience college and determine who you want to be. However, I encourage you to check in with yourself, respect who you are and stay focused on your goals. You have been given an amazing opportunity. Be sure you capitalize on it. Love, Your College Freshman Self

Andrew

Everyone tells you that college is the biggest transition that one can make during their lifetime and I couldnt agree more. You move out of the house and have to become largely self dependant. The most important peice of advice that I could giove my high school self would be to go out of your comfort zone and dont sweat the small stuff. You are bound to make some mistakes as everyone does in this time of change. It doesnt matter how hard you fall, but how hard yo[u get back up and keep on fighting. Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things is so important because of how these experiences shape you as a person. College can be viewed largely as a fresh start and a clean slate, so dont be afraid to make a change.

Emily

After experiencing two years of college, I have a lot of advice I wish I could go back and tell my high school self. Throughout high school, I was continuesly mocked and ridiculed for putting so much effort into my school work. I have always put one hundred percent of my effort into my school work and my extra curriculars and often people looked down upon me for this and called me a "try hard". I wish I could go back and tell my high school self that all my hard work would pay off in the end. Because I worked hard in high school, I cultivated good study habits at a young age, learned dedication, and perserverance. All of these skills have helped me succeed in my degree and in college. I wish I could go back and tell my high school self to ignore what everyone says and keep being myself. In the end, this has paid off for me in more ways than one.

Lillian

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there is a lot I would say. I would first off tell myself to get involved as much as you can in college. Joining the TV station staff at Marquette was one of the best decisions I have made. I have already made life long friends by being on staff and have learned so much about myself from it. I would tell myself secondly to be yourself. Freshman year I held back and was so quiet around all the new people I met. This year I have been so much more confident with myself and it has really helped me branch out and try new things. I would lastly give the advice live it up. Don't let the time pass you. Enjoy the time you have with your friends, in your classes, and on campus because these years will fly past you so fast.

kathryn

I would tell myself to grow up, open my eyes and stop stressing out. I was a lot more mature then a lot of my friends but it's incredible the amount of things i know now for just opening my eyes a little more and trying to enjoy life as well as knowing which direction I'm taking without knowing where it will lead me. in high school I was so concered with what the path ends up and I tried to control it when in reality while time goes by anything any alter the end result in your path.

Hannah

Hey high school senior! College is going to be where you will truly find yourself, and you might think things are hard now, but it will get much harder so keep working hard because I know you're capable of great things! You are going to meet so many friends, especially Asian friends which isn't something that you had in high school. You will connect with so many people in college, so don't be afraid to reach out to others because they will end up being your best friends. Marquette is the right choice for you, so have no doubts in anything you do because you fit in and succeeed! Congrats on making it to senior year and We Are Marquette!

Jenna

In high school I was set on finding the perfect school for me. I put in weeks of research and looked into every aspect of college life I could think. In retrospect, I realize the copius amounts of research didn't help very much. I would have told my old self to do what feels right. In the end you choose the college that feels the best and the most comfortable. It seems silly to choose a college by an intuition, but at the end of the day that is what matters most. This is your home for the next for years and if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you will most likely continue to the remainder of your time there. It's a big decision so use your head, but don't forget your heart.

kati

I would tell myself that it is OK if you don't know what to do. Just becuase you are unsure of what is going to happen doesn't mean you should be scared. Sometimes school and life will get really hard, but it is definitely worth it. You are going to make some amazing friends that are going to make it worth it. They will be your family, and Marquette will be your second home. Your home away from home. It will be cold, and there will be days that you wont even want to leave your bed let alone the buidling to go to class, but the classes are great and the professors are even better. You will meet some amazing and extremely intelligent people there, and it is definitely the right choice. Don't be scared becuase it will all turn out right.

Kelsiee

Dear High School Kelsiee, As you head off to college, know that everyone is scared, anxious, unfamiliar, and unsure. It is ok to be these things; it is normal. Make sure to put yourself out there, and not to worry about being embarrassed or rejected. There is no worse feeling than regret. These next four years are some of the most important of your life, and you will truly find out who you are as a person, so make sure to always be yourself. When you start to do things that don't make you happy in order to make others happy, take a step back and reflect on yourself. Grab ahold of every opportunity that comes your way, and apply yourself to everything you do. Weed out the people in your life that aren't benefitting you any, because they are ultimately holding you back. Pamper yourself, and celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how small it may be. Most importantly, be yourself and do what makes you happy! It is going to be tough, and you will feel scared, sad, and uncomfortable at times, but there will also be times of great joy, celebration, and happiness.

Wyatt

Knowing what I know about college life and the college transition, the first piece of advice I would give myself is to have more than a general outline of what I want to accomplish at college prepared. To elaborate, I would tell myself to familiarize myself with the general course outline and major requirements for the majors that I am interested in instead of just knowing the majors that I am interested in alone. This would allow me to have less stress over worrying about what courses will count towards certain majors, and make the period of time in which I am not fully decided on a particular major less stressful. I would not go as far as telling myself to have a specific major in mind though unless I am 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} passionate about it because a large portion of college students change their major at least once, so I fell it is better to familiarize yourself with several prospective majors that you are interested in, allowing for and easier time picking classes that will work for all of the prospective majors instead of just a few of them.

Abigail

Life is about learning and growing and listening, it is about being inspired and inspiring others. Life is about laughing and sharing and loving, it is about giving hugs and getting hugs. Life is about taking chances and making wishes, it is about dreaming and making dreams come true. Life is about what you do with the time you have.

Jasmine

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to relax and that my decision for a major will come in time. There is enough to worry about for you in freshman year, like the change to living away from home and meeting new people, as well as adjusting to new classes, it will be okay. You will definitely make friends but you have to try. You have to make the effort to talk to other people, those in your dorm and in class. Everyone is just as nervous in the beginning as you are, just work through your fear and talk to others. Do not be afraid to spend time with the friends you make, they really do like you and want to get to know you. As for classes, try to participate at least once each class. That way you will get participation points and your professor will notice you and the effort you are making in their class. Do not procrastinate on your homework. Even if you work on a little bit at a time, especially for papers or projects, it will be much less stressful. Everything will be fine, just believe in yourself and your abilities.

Christian

If I was a senior in high school all over again, I would tell myself to both apply to and visit more schools. I would give myself this advice because it would give me more options when taking my finances into consideration, such as the debt I would obtain from student loans. I applied to several "reach" schools, those that would be very difficult to get into, and a few schools that I knew I could get into. Marquette University was my top choice because it is a strong school in many areas, and I was not yet sure what I wanted to study. I also wanted to attend Marquette because it gave me the opportunity to continue my cross country and track career while granting me a small athletic scholarship. However, if I had applied to a few more schools, perhaps I could have found one that is of similar quality to Marquette but one that I would graduate from with less debt.

Paulina

As a high school senior, my expectations for college life soared creating a utopian illusion of my future. I wanted to put the chaos of high school behind me, including the drama, pointless assignments, and constant anxiety of having a full schedule. College was supposed to be a time of rebirth. A fresh new start ahead as well as the opportunity to focus my education exclusively on the subjects in which I was interested. What I failed to realize my senior year was that college is a journey in itself; a journey into the unknown. College will present unexpected obstacles and hardships that will be that much more frustrating when unrealistic expectations are present. Those classes that I was uninterested in ended up on my schedule anyway as requirements, the time I spent on extra-curricular activities increased, and my anxiety soared. The latter could have been avoided if I simply took a deep breathe at the start and lowered my expectations. What seemed as though a repeat of high school in the beginning turned into an inspiration for change towards the future. It was time to leave the past behind and move forward.

Chelsea

First, take your time in choosing a college. A university may claim high success, numerous opportunities, and much more, but it doesn't necessarily work out for everyone. Finding your niche may be hard if you rush into decisions. Second, the procrastination and assignments you skip now will not help you succeed in college. Stay on top of things right from the beginning. If you have a good start, the rest of the semester will be at ease for you. Third, save some time for yourself. Academics and your social life are important, but spending time alone will be calming and help you learn who you are. Be careful, smart, and independent.

Natalie

To my high senior self,College is what you make of it. Just because you do not attend a Big Ten or Ivy League school does not mean you will not succeed in the same way as you would at another school. Step away from factors like your friends and family for a minute and think of yourself. Why do you want to attend a university? Which one is going to help you the best in applying for law school? Focus on your interests and what excites you about moving on after school. It is time to sit down and think about what kind of people you want to surround yourself with everyday for the next four year. Look at academics. There are parties, clubs, and more social activities wherever you go. Your goal is to succeed like you never thought you would, so do not be afraid to let that be the center of your decision. I want you to enjoy getting ready for college, not stressing about having to fill out ten different applications to colleges you only know because the name is popular. You have so potential and opportunities, believe that you can achieve wherever you go.

Paige

All throughout high school I was convinced that I was going to go to Loyola University Chicago, go to go to medical school, and become a doctor. During my freshman year of college I visited my friend at Marquette University and I really loved it, but I was so afraid of admitting to myself that I wanted to transfer because that would be straying from the "plan". I eventually made the decision that I was going to transfer and am now attending Marquette University. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have had the most wonderful experience so far and have met the most amazing people. I am a very firm believer in "everything happens for a reason", so I would tell myself to always trust that. You can't always plan everything that is going to happen to you; the most you can do is work your hardest and see where life takes you, because if you work hard, you are going to end up where you are meant to be. Sometimes it can be scary to throw caution to the wind, but if you trust yourself, everything will work out in the end.

Molly

1. Learn how to stop procrastinating right now. I mean it. 2. Enjoy the time you have with your friends right now. You never know when you'll see them again. 3. You don't have to have life figured out yet. Breathe. 4. Don't hold on so tightly to high school that you miss new opportunities in college. 5. Nobody really cares about things that happened to you in high school. Make new memories. 6. Be true to you. Do things because you want to not because everyone else is doing them. 6. Make the first break before you go home the longest. It will make all the difference. 7. It's still cool to call your parents. Everyone misses their's. 8. Remember you are living with another person. Be respectful. Make compromises. Nothing is worse than an angry roommate with access to everything you own. 9. Go to everything you can. Meet lots of new people. Get out of your shell. Accept the free stuff. 10. Have fun. Make the most of every minute you're given. Each one counts.

Kevin

The first thing that i would tell myself is that the inro classes are not as easy as they seem when your in class. although they may be the easier of the classes that you will take you still have to study in order to do well in them. Use the library, the libray is a great place to study because you can not distracted like you can be in the Dorms. Become friends with your roommate, it is so nice to have someone to have your back and to get along, even if that person does not have the same social life that you do. try and do things with him. go to speakers that the school offers, some of them are really cool and you can learn great deal from real world professionals