Marylhurst University Top Questions

I went to college right out of high school and immediately declared a major in psychology. I even took the extra step of working as a lab assistant in a psychology lab. I was set up for success, but then senior year came. As my undergraduate degree was wrapping up and it was time to apply for graduate school, I realized that something was missing. The excitement I should have felt for my future was not there and I ended up dropping out. I realized that I had been diligently pursuing a career that I really was not passionate about. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give the following advice: “Take your freshman year to find your passion.” I felt so much pressure as a freshman in college to declare a major and decide on a career and it led to me to waste a lot of time and money. This fall, after a lot of exploration, I will be pursuing a degree in interior design. I have found my passion and at last excited for what lies ahead in my future.

As a high school senior, I had no friends. I was the loner that none of the students talked to, but all the teachers loved. I was a hopeless dreamer and my only wish was to fit in and have friends. If I could go back and give my high school senior self advice, I'd say, "Don't worry about all of these losers you're going to school with. You'll forget about all of them (except for maybe one or two) in a year's time. Just focus on getting the best grades you can right now, and everything else will fall into place. Once you get to college, your life will change drastically. You'll have friends, and the best boyfriend you could have ever hoped for. You'll be the happiest you've ever been in your life. Just hang in there; only one year of high school left. And I promise, your life will be amazing."

Take the time to look into all kinds of schools. Start out going to a community college first to complete your basic core work first! Dont rely just on loans. Apply for scholarships and grants, as many as you can. Take advantage of every oppertunity to make it through school without debt. Stay away from credit cards and listen to your advisors. They know what they are talking about!

I would tell myself to save a copy of all my papers and notes from every class. Also I would take photographs of every piece of artwork I gave away to keep for memory (and for my portfolio.) I would have been a bit more organized about keeping notes of the valuable information in a separate notebook, for example my ceramics teacher told me that in life it isn't the shiny things that matter, it is the connections you make with fellow humans.. we were talking about buying new cars, and how it is best to just get a nice old toyota corolla for cash than to go into debt and have a shiny new car and a lot of stress that would take energy away from the important things. I would tell myself that sometimes a crappy teacher will give me other kinds of lessons that might not have anything to do with the subject I signed up for. I would tell myself to savor the experience and to take it as slow as necessary to be present for the kids and to not worry about the degree so much, it will come in time.

When I was a high school senior I could careless about getting good grades. I was all about fun and games and just passed high school with C's. When I started at Naugatuck Valley it was a rude awakening for me, but it was great for me at the same time. College is all about being independent and mature. It's up to you to complete your homework on time and hand it in. If i were to give myself advice as a senior in highschool i would say Alexis, Wake up! Getting a degree is my number one priority right now. I would tell myself how tough it would be and how different I would become. I would tell myself to take highschool seriously and get the best grades I can so i would not have to take all the prerequisites that i had to take. 3 years later I am 21 years old, i have a full time job and i am completely independent. I have been working towards my associates degree and i am almost there. I am extremely motivated, and working extremely hard at work to get myself there. My bachelors degree is next!

There has been a considerable gulf of time and experience between my graduation from high school and when I actually enrolled at a university. I feel I have a very tangible comprehension of who I actually am and, I can directly trace this to my willingness to engage in life, rather than accept paths and goals that others wanted for me. I understand that purpose of these questions is to gaze backwards reflectively and make generic statements like: "I wish I had understood how difficult it would be to keep up with my studies, I should have focused more." or, "Pay attention to your parents and teachers advice, it will benefit you in the end." For myself, I think that is nonsense. I knew who I was at eighteen and I knew what I wanted; education without clear intention or self-directed focus is a colossal waste of time, money and life. I was unsure what I wanted at eighteen yet, I definitely knew what I didn't want: I didn't want to end up stuck in a life, job, relationship that others set before me. Pay attention young man, follow only your path. Your going to be fine.

Dear High School Geneva, You need to go to college now and you can do it if you find the right resources and people to support you. This is completely possible! You need to find one wise adult, preferrably who has been to college, who will believe with you that you can do it. You need to find one person who can show you the steps. Be persistant in finding this person, then be persistant in following their advice . Make this your number one priority. This is far more important than anything else you might wish to do right now. This is going to be hard. Become very determained. If you don't know what you want to do for a career right now, that is OK. You will know more as you progress through your education and you can always add on more training if needed. Take steps in your life to show the adults that you are serious about going to school. You need to look like you are serious. You need to seem like a good investment. Be serious. Be a good investment. Work hard, and do this now! You can do it!

I was such a quiet person when I was a senior in high school, I didn’t realize all the opportunities that were waiting for me. Furthering your education can be simple, give you a career that supports you financially and feeds your soul. The thoughts of attending college were so intimidating I couldn’t fathom starting college. Applying and attending college is not as frightening as it can seem. By talking to a college advisor you are able to define what your personal goals are. Determining what satisfies your soul and can provide a career may give you the motivation you need to get started on an educational path. Choosing a profession does not always have to be the typical careers that we hear about. There are many occupations that are seldom heard of and many more that can be adapted to fulfill your financial and personal needs. By expanding our knowledge into the unknown we are expanding the opportunities life has for us.

The advice I would give myself is to always strive towards success and not let failure be an option. Having twelve years of education is just the beginning of becoming someone in my society. When something gets hard and I fall, I have to learn to get up and keep fighting for what I want. Success is to be envied when its not acheieved by oneself because it only encourages and empowered my drive to become what I feel in my heart is success in my eyes. Money is the the main source of success, but its loving what you everyday and enjoying the beneits that come with doing that.

I would tell my high school self to not worry as much. Everything turned out just fine and I could have had more fun. I would tell myself to cherish my friendships because being at college I don't get to see my friends. I would have spent more time with my family and played with my little sister more because now I never see her. I would just have enjoyed my last year as a child, I feel like such an adult now; living on my own having to figure everything out by myself. I wish I could have warned myself to slow down and enjoy my last year of high school and living at home because I can never go back to how things used to be. But still, being on the other side looking back I think I made some good choices as well and I wouldn't change the person I've become.

I would tell myself the following: you made a good choice in parenting at 16. In college, you will attend the school where you go now for your welfare to work program. You will be helping women find safety, security, and stability. Winter term is difficult: allow yourself time to take the Winter off, you perform better the rest of the year. You will be, primarily, a straight A student. Stay active because it allows you opportunity to have mental clarity. Relax, take notes, you are a natural learner. Marylhurst is the school of your dreams: don't be scared.

First and foremost college does not need to fit any particular mold. It does not need to be a specific time period in your young life consisting of 15 credits per quarter for 12 quarters between the ages of 18 and 22. Don’t let tradition or stereotypes hold you back. Life will throw you curve balls. Just because your college career is not fitting the traditional mold does not mean that you cannot continue. Instead, embrace who you are. Be proud of everything you do in life: wife, mom, full time employee and part time student. Definitely be proud of being a part time student. Don’t think of it as being inadequate because you can’t take full time coursework and still complete everything else you do. Instead be proud that in spite of everything else you do, you’re still able to make time for your education. Soon enough you can be proud that you are a wife, mom, full time employee and college graduate!

Mariia, You graduated. It wasn’t conventional, but what in your life has been? Here's a secret you already know, but forget. You are worthy, smart, and passionate, (your tools). The amount of life you already lived will serve as a benefit to you and your future. Remember: 1) You want happiness. Achieve this by surrounding yourself with people who are. 2) Having everything figured out wont make you safe. No one ever has everything figured out. In trying, you restrain yourself form achieving what you are truly capable of. 3) To get out of your current situation, but choose trusted people willing to help. They're there, you know who they are. Follow your heart. 4) Fear is a tool, and the unknown can ascend you into worlds you don't know exist, and foster positive change (that hear of yours, it's true and solid. Trust it). 5)Know yourself. Travel. Relying on your own devises is one of the best ways to build confidence, and that kind of time spent alone is priceless. You've had to grow up so fast. Be kind and enjoy yourself. I love you, it get's better. Yours truly, Mo

Dear Beth, I know you are a go getter, goal setter and one mind set kind of person, however I would like to encourage you to open your mind up to other possibilities. You will go on to create great things, but if you would only let more into your life, just think of how much more interesting your art would be? Do not judge others, because the only thing that is left at the end of the day are people, they are what really matter. Finacial times are tough...and they don't sotp, but remember the best investment you can make is yourself. This is you future, and if you want to make an impact in your community, then just keep on going, keep loving and keep learning. Do your best and never look back, Your Future Self

If I were to go back to my senior self, I would tell myself it is ok to make mistakes. Life lessons are learned in those mistakes and make us who we are today. I would inform myself that there are going to be bumps in the road but that is ok because they make us stronger and we turn out alright. Finally, it is important to take moments to stop the hustle and bustle of life, and to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the sun. We don't want to get to the destination and miss out on the journey.

I would have told my self to start studying more to better prepare myself for college. Also, to consider all opportunities that come to you; example, learn to say "no." The main thing that I would tell myself is, "Follow your heart, no matter where it goes."

It is important that you think about what you want to do in life and what will fulfill you long term. College is expensive and if you decide to attend, you must be ready and motivated to commit to your goal. Be mindful of your learning style as well as your holistic aspirations; what do you want to do after you graduate? What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? How do you see your life ten years after graduation? These are important questions to ask because when you are 18 and graduating high school the motivation to go to college is to get out of your parent?s home and be independent. Consider your goals. Consider what is the easiest and most practical route to meet your goals and take the time to explore your options in the first two years while fulfilling your perquisite requirement. Attending college is an opportunity to gain knowledge experience, maturity and personal fulfillment. Most importantly, stay focused and understand that you should study something that will not only provide you with a source of income, but will fulfill you emotionally and holistically.

I would tell myself to take your time and visit as many schools as possible for as long a period of time allowed. Stay in that environment for a weekend, upwards of a week. You're going to be living here, after all, for upwards of four years! Being comfortable in a space is important to the learning process. Understanding the culture and environment will allow you to make risks you never thought possible and enter a world of huge opportunities.

David, you are the master of your destiny. Take control now and commit to putting forth your best effort. Work now for a better future, one as marvelous as you can imagine. If you go to a quality school you will find yourself constantly energized and encouraged by the experience of attending courses with great professors and fellow students. You will meet others who take interest in your growth and help you feel a part of the learning community. You will feel the freedom and power which an education provides and be able to share that with the world.

I would advise myself to follow my dreams and attend college as soon as possible. I would show myself that it is possible to to go to a good school, without finical help from ones family. I would remind myself that I am smart and that I shouldn't feel inadequate and scared of college. I know now that Marylhurst is a place for me to grow, learn and feel challenged, I would express this and the importance of these feelings to my senior self.

If given the opportunity to travel back and advise my high school self, I would say that it is important to get out and experience the real world for a couple of years before deciding on a degree program. So many people make the jump from high school to college without really knowing what their interests or skills are. A student can waste many years and many thousands of dollars, jumping from college to college, or changing majors throughout their education. Often students graduate with some generic degree which doesn't lead them on to careers in their field of study. My advice to myself is to take the time to work for a couple of years, see what works and what does not work, then make a decision on a degree or major. Investing a couple of years in research could save many years of work later.

If I could go back to high school and give myself one piece of advice, that advice would be to go in blazing! It was scary, starting a new life in a new place with new people, but timidity was only a part of it. A lack of confidence in my own scholastic abilities was my greatest adversary starting out. Avoiding challenges and shying away from opportunities does nothing but intensify the fear and make the jump seem that much bigger. Grades are very important, but college is not all about straight A?s. College is about preparing students for the challenges of the life ahead and directing them onto a road of life long learning.

Follow your heart and find something you love to do that you can turn into a job...the money will come with it. Be of maximum service to the God of your understanding and others whenever possible...personal reward will come with it. It is up to you to change your life and make it have value...not your employers. Be kind to everyone...you never know if you'll be working for them someday.

Don't give up so easily on being able to get an education. Even if some of the classes seem silly and the profs, in general, might not seem very bright, you'll meet a few who will inspire you and will help you connect with the larger world. But you'll have to kiss a few frogs, for sure. Don't make assignments any harder than they have to be and don't worry about aceing classes. "It takes a C to get a degree!" is actually a pretty good motto, and although the content of your education might have remarkably little to do with the kind of career you actually end up building, what's important is getting the degree under your belt, sooner than later. It's painful and frustrating, at times, but there will also be some good moments. Don't get too hung up one way or another. Just get through it. You'll be glad you did.

Having the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior would be very interesting, as it certainly would change the entire course of my life up to and including the point I am at today (provided I listened to my own advice of course). As a current "adult learner" with many years of work experience under my belt, I now know how to make use of education as a tool to shape and direct a career. In high school, however, I saw college as just more of the same, and initially did not want to go. Although I now appreciate the learning for what it is and how it is affecting my career, the motivation I would give to myself as a high school senior would include a descriptive explanation of how great the college experience would be along with a comparison of what a day of school would be like (as opposed to a day of work for a person with limited education and experience). As an adult I have learned to make life-long learning a part of my plan. I just wish I would have started sooner!

I would first have to tell myself not to give up, that doing well in high school is worth it. That college will be different. In college you will be surrounded by people with common interests and the petty concerns of high school will be irrelevant. In college you will be praised for being an individual. Your artistic talents will be nurtured and praised. You will gain confidence in your work and yourself. You will experience joy and success that you have not known in years. Taking the risk, letting yourself be vulnerable, will all pay off. You will make lifelong friendships. All the debt and diffuculty with finalcial aid will work out. Most imporatntly, all the struggles in your life that led you to this point were worth it. You are worth it.

It's not necessarily a negative experience to work for a year or more before entering college. Statistics on the matter aside, as a mature learner you will appreciate everything more. Volunteer a little and work hard, knowing you'll make mistakes. Be silly from time to time, but explore college campuses and let your intuition and your good nature guide you. Remember, colleges are designed to engage you in discovery and therefore should not be feared. Don't be afraid to move away from the city you were born in to find your own, true voice. Stand tall in claiming your identity and your education. Trust in who you are and dream of who you wish to be. Recognize those you admire and understand what it is about them that touches you, for they are a small part of how you envision yourself. Know you will continually evolve and that throughout the process a good college will guide you, honestly. Remain humble and curious, always. Have the courage to enroll into the unknown world of academics and revel in it. There is an amazing feeling you will have after your first classroom experience. Praise yourself for it.

Dearest Pam, I know that you think the only way to escape your home life, is to get married. You've been told you aren't intelligent enough for college; that you are only a girl and girl's can't make a difference in the world. I'm here to tell you, it is simply not true. You will discover that soon. If today, you follow that dream of education, you will find the mysteries of the natural world and humanity, opening to you. But today, you must learn to focus on the task at hand. Today, you must take your love of expression and mold it into usable skills. You must take your natural curiosity and create a goal for yourself that can sustain you, with or without a lifetime partner. The path ahead will not be easy. You will be challenged in ways you never dreamed. You will be asked to think,... alot. You can get the tools you need for your education: funding, housing and tutoring. You can find them through the offices of financial aid and of student services for any school you choose to attend. Be brave. Be committed. You can do this.

Try harder, study harder and focus on my own education rather than the social arena around me. If I could go back to being a high school senior I would want take the knowledge of how good it feels to earn a good grade through hard work instead of just sliding by doing the bare minimum. I would set out a plan to focus on my study habits, time management and social life so that the social aspects of high school and college did not effect my ability to succeed. I crave the education handed to me.

I would have sought my degree immediately following high school graduation. I did not realize how crucial it would be in my chosen field of business administration to have a four year degree. Being recently unemployed, the majority of my competitors seeking work have such a degree making it difficult for me to be considered for positions.

It's really quite simple. Each individual must walk the path that they are currently on, to the best of their ability. If I were able to talk to my 17 year self, and if I had listened to the 27 year old me, then I wouldn't have made the choices that have brought me here today, and that would be sad. Each path I took, each mistake, triumph, and stumble helped develop me, and I am proud of who I am, imperfections and all. If I had known my senior year of high school that in the next 10 years I would attend 2 universities, get married, move four times, drop out of college, have two kids, watch my husband endure 15 months in Iraq, move to South Korea, then go back to school to complete my degree. I would have panicked and possibly never taken the path that I was meant to take all along. I would say believe in yourself, have faith in who you are and trust your instincts, because even if they're wrong they'll lead to another path, and towards another adventure worth expereincing.

In the future, you become a single mother trying to raise four sons on your own, without an education. Your possibilities are limited. It could all be different, if you focused on school. Having an education means you can support your family and yourself without fear. Take the time to study. Take the time to learn. Take the time to meet people from all walks of life. Take all the opportunities that are available on campus. Take the time to invest in your future. If you don't do it now, you will regret it later on in life. I promise you that!

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a senior in high school I would say, "Jennifer, don't go to college right away, but know that you will always go back. Remember the importance of an education. Live your life by working hard at any job you pick, experience everything in life, learn from those around you, travel, be a good person, and leave everything better than you found it. " I would then tell myself, "Don't take too much time off because balancing school and work will get harder with age and time but it will be worth it more than words could ever describe. Too much time off will only delay your eventual dreams. And most importantly remember that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome. Life is not hard, only moments and things are hard, and we all have an equal chance, so don't ever, ever give up."

At the end of my senior year, I was almost a whole year short of credits so I completed my GED. Because of getting a GED, I really felt that I was worthless and that a college education was not an option for someone like me. I finally realized that I wasn't that different and that a college education was attainable even for someone like me. If I could go back I would tell myself that t I was worthy of attending college, regardless of my background and family life. I wouldn't have been so worried about what people thought of me and I would have sought counseling and possibly even a mentor who could help me break my goals down into attainable steps. I have been attending Chemeketa Community College for over 10 years and at 48 years old, I am proud to say that I finally have the 90+ credits needed to transfer to a 4 year school. I am attending Marylhurst University the winter term of 2010. I will be the first female in my family to graduate from college.

I would tell myself to pay attention, to get better grades and not to listen to what other people think. To realize that an education is the most important thing in the world. I was raised in a household where school wasn't made a priority of life. Listen to counslers and teachers, ask for advice and use it. prepare for the future.

I've always been a dreamer, a big thinker, one of those people that is likely to be voted "Most Likely to Succeed" in high school. One of the main differences between those people and me is that I didn't graduate. I passed the GED in early 2001 and went straight to college. I was 17 and I wanted to go to college. In fact, I had been dreaming about going to college before I was in high school. For some reason, college always seemed like fun. Now that I'm grown up, I realize that college is hard work. I'm still struggling to complete school and I've been attending on and off since I was 17. Oh well. You live and learn. If I could go back in time, I'd tell my 16 year old self not to drop out of school and that college is a lot harder when you haven't completed all of the required courses for high school. I'd tell my 17 year old self to wait for college, get good grades, take the SATs, spend more time with friends, and just be patient.

As a college junior, when I return to speak to my high school self, the time tunnel is 42 years long. I'll be a little scary to ?little me.? Scared is okay, kid. Get used to it. Not sure what to do with your life? Take a deep breath. Pondering the totality of life is daunting, but life is lived one slow day at a time. It?s not a race but an adventure. You have good intentions and sharp instincts. College is your last opportunity to explore your options full-time. Soon, work, family and financial obligations will occupy the majority of your time. To fulfill your good intentions, you need to know more about possibilities. To sharpen your focus, you need to develop your critical thinking abilities. That?s what college is for! John Lennon says ?Life is what happens when you busy making other plans.? Before you know it, you?ll be gray and wrinkly like me and wonder if you could have done more with your life. You?ll always have regrets but completing your college studies will never be one of them. Life?s changing fast. An education will prepare you to thrive.

If I were a high school senior, I believe that I would have invetigated further what it was that I wanted to do for a career. I didn't have much influence in my family regarding going to college. Nobody in my family has ever went to college. My father was a machinist who barely graduated high school and my mother was a single parent raising my brother and worked at various office jobs. She did not complete high school. When it came time for me to graduate I didn't really have any direction. I explored taking photography and even took a few college course right out of high school. I then went on to be a hairdresser because my father thought that if, "I learned a trade, I could always find work." Both of these were things I didn't really want to do. There are more resources today that are available to students than when I was in high school. If I were back in high school, I might suggest to myself to go talk to a career services advisor or to network with people in various fields to "job shadow" them for one day.

make the time and find a way to get into college no matter the cost or the time it would have taken me. But, it is okay because I have a good life now and I have no regrets as I am going to go to school now and obtain the reality of a degree that I have desired all of my life. My family could not afford me to go to school because my father and mother thought it more important to be able to provide a home and food on the table. Neither one of them could afford to go to college or afford to send me to college. So I have had to work very hard to get to where I am today......... I bless my parents for teaching me that HARD WORK AND BEING HONEST TO YOURSELF AND WITH OTHERS THAT WILL PAY OFF IN THE END.................AND I AM GOING TO SCHOOL NOW.

Three simple words. Don?t give up. I jumped into college life after high school full of enthusiasm and energy. I assumed I'd graduate in four years and move on to graduate school or a profession. I kept my grades up and worked hard. But along the way life happened, as it does. I became the primary bread winner for my entire family of origin my Sophomore year and dropped out of school to work. I excelled in work, and took one class at a time here and there along the way, persistent in the pursuit of my goal. I began to lose hope though, until one of my clients at my place of work graduated with her GED and told me she was inspired to go on to college because of me. In that moment I realized that I couldn't give up on myself and the importance of knowledge. This year I went back to school, less than a year from graduation with a new sense of appreciation for the power of an education. Women must gain strength from one another. My client was my inspiration and I want be that for other young women by graduating.

College is a possibility, despite lack of finances or being an underachiever in high school. If you want it, you can make it happen. Oh and never ever buy your textbooks at the bookstore.

I would say to myself, at the age of 17-18, that I know you believe that you are all grown, that you have made it through school and there certainly could not be anything more for you to learn. You are wrong. Whether you are in school or not, there is always room for expanding your mind. You may believe that "life" is your school, and I agree. Life will give you many lessons to get through, and that is important, it makes you who you are. But what college learning will help you with is expanding your mind. A mind that is willing to explore the bigger issues, the things that make us unique and the things that inspire us to step outside of ourselves. There are many things that will change who you are throughout your entire life, welcome this change.

There is nothing more important than your family, your health and continuing your education. But without education, you will not know enough about how to care for your health or your family.

I would tell myself to go directly from high school to a four-year university, to prevent the undesireable extension of my education into the marathon eight years that it's become. I would also tell myself to get a feel for the college before I transfer there, paying particular attention to the class sizes and the available performance opportunities. This would save me a lot of time and a LOT of money, as transferring from college to college has been a tremendous waste of both.

The advice I would give to a younger me, would be to keep your eyes on your goals, and do not let others persuade you of anything different. Some of the most difficult times of ones life occur during college whether young or old; to stay strong and focused on ones goals are the most important. There are times when you feel like giving up or taking an easier road. The way to combat this distraction is to keep your goal within sight by setting smaller goals along the way. When a person accomplishes any sort of goal, it is a success that will catapult you to your further goals.

I would of studied more and actually take the time to fill out Scholarships also look into schools and research and find the right school for me. I would of told myself that college was gonna be hard and expensive and Full time which equals Dedication and time.

You need to continue your education beyond high school and obtain a college degree. There are many opportunities awaiting one who graduates from college. Knowledge is power and the possibilities are endless. You will never know what you can accomplish until you try. Graduating from college gives you a since of pride and joy for what you have achieved. You also meet new people that could end up being life long friends and career associates. Attending college helps to prepare you for your future. In order to reach the goal line you have to take responsibility and strive to give your best none less is acceptable. Set your goals high and work hard to attain it because no goal is too high to reach if you put your mind to it. An education is forever and no one can take it from you. I can only imagine how I will feel once I step across the graduation line. I get excited just thinking about it because I know that great things are waiting for me. It's like I can't graduate quick enough. And upon completion of obtaining my degree I will share the success with my loved ones.

I would advise myself to try and understand that I am worth more and that in the future what I have to offer to the world will make an impact on other people's lives. I would tell myself to continue with theatre and with choir, and to never lose my passion for the things that I love. I would also make sure that when my theatre teacher walks up and asks me, "what do you think you will be doing after high school?" That I tell him I am going to college so I can get the scholarship that he was trying to offer me. I would also help myself to understand the importance of filling out scholarship applications and sticking with the courses I will be enrolling in through my junior/community colleges.

Higher education has always been a determination of mine. However, it was never expected or encouraged by my family, teachers and counselor. Instead the push was for vocational school or marriage. When I was a senior it was because of my determination and drive that I seek out information for colleges. Although the determination was there, I never received the support of my family (which was expected) and more so, my teachers or school counselor. Knowing what I know today about college life, my advice to myself would be not to let anyone write the script of your life. You have the right to acquire your passion and dreams in life. When your aspiration is for a higher education and it?s greeted with discouragement, you should keep your focus and surround yourself with positive influence, and people who believe in you. Education is the key to success and with your education the sky is the limit.

I would say to that high school person to follow your dreams, it may be 30 years before you get the chance to actually do it. Be studious and don't let your social life mess up your chances to do what you wanted to.