Mount Washington College Top Questions

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

Jessica

If I could go back and give my high school self advice, I would tell her to never doubt her choice to wait to attend college. I remembered being consumed with worry about my future and how I was going to afford college. At 18 I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I took a lot of criticism for waiting to start. However when I look back having to wait has allowed me to accomplish so much during those seven years. This time allowed me to serve in the military and see the world. I believe life is full of choices and those choices, good and bad, define who we become. The choices I’ve made since being a young, shy and inexperienced high school student have transformed me into a woman who knows her worth. I would want my future self to know its ok to take the scenic route on the path to higher education. I would encourage her to look forward to those unique experiences and use them to build a foundation for future education. Untimely don’t worry, you will get there when its time and you will love the journey.

Victoria

When I was a high school senior in 1988 my mother was a single parent with two children. Most of my decision about which college to attend was based on what my mother could afford. So I chose a small two year college instead of the four year college I was interested in. I wish I could go back and tell myself to spend more time researching what type of grants and scholarships were available so I could have had more choices for my college education. It has taken me 24 years to be able to go back to school to work toward a Bachelor's degree with the hopes of continuing onto a Master's. I hope to improve my financial situation so that my daughter will not feel as if she cannot choose the college of her dreams. My advice for my high school self (and for my daughter) is to follow your dreams, look for a school that will help you to achieve your goals and dreams, get involved in on-campus activities, make the most of your college experience because once you graduate that feeling of community and friendship is hard to find again.

Diana

If I could go back and talk to myself the advice that I'd give is to study hard now and to put more time into my studies in order to get better grades so I wouldn't have as manysimple classes to pick up in college. I would take time to fill out the scholarships that I had the chance to in order to lower tution fees, sign up for FASFA before its too late and have to work harder than ever to pay for my tution and books. If I would have taken more time in high school and less time in sports that I couldn't participate in, expecally my senior year, I could have gotten better grades meaning a higher GPA and less credits to pick up when I transfer to a junior college. By filling out my FASFA early and not waiting until my second semester I could have saved and been in better shape for more schooling after finishing two years at the junior college. I would diffenatly have put more effort in learning math and worked that much harder in all my subjects. I did not realize how much math matters in LIFE!

ernest

"Enroll in a writing class NOW. You have no idea what those college people are going to expect. I recognize that you think it’s all fun and learning games, but it isn’t. There’s writing, when that’s over be prepared to write some more. And that’s just the mathematics courses. Do you comprehend how numb my fingers are from typing? Yesterday I went to pat the cat and my hand froze above his head, he struggled fruitlessly for ten minutes to raise his back up into my palm. Poor little guy finally gave up, I haven’t seen him since. This morning the dog barked, so I tried to correct his spelling by figuring out if it was a “woof” or a “woff”. It was a “whoof”! I woke up several hours later in a pool of my tears. Right now, as we speak, I’m selecting the appropriate punctuation for all of my sentences. Darn, that needed an exclamation point to bring up the urgency of my comment. Either way, you must begin…at the beginning. Now get out of this video arcade, run into Mrs. Smith’s class and learn, learn like the wind.”

Rebekah

Don't be afraid. Don't be overwhelmed. Just take a deep breath and get started. It may seem like a daunting task with all those applications and their deadlines but take your time and you'll get everything done. A lot of the information you need is repeditive so don't start stressing about all the answers. Relax. Keep moving, keep filling things out. Do a little here and a little there and before you know it you'll have everything done. It is way easier than you think it is.

Laurie

Laurie, go to a college far away from home and stay there. Fnd scholorships, work study, or loans to make this possible. Do not let the mistakes of your parents affect your future. You are smart and beautiful and can go very far in life. Going back to school at the age of 38 is much more difficult than staying in school at 18. Believe in yourself and stick with the people that believe in you. Stay away from the people that bring you down. You are important to many people, use all the support you can get to go where you need to go. Life is hard, harder than you can even imagine. Having a college education will allow you to go places in life and get the jobs and opportunities that you deserve. You can do whatever you put your mind to.

Benjamin

Pick a coruse that will make your heart sing with happiness and you enjoy waking up very morning wanting to go they and make something of your self.

Norman

Let's go back in time and talk to myself...Norman I am telling out of experience that you need not to expect the heavens to fall down and worship you. Especially knowing this is not your first choice or even a choice you intended. Not all colleges are same even though that word "college" is filled of excitement and opportunity. Now that you got that glorified image out your head Its time to think about your transitioning. This will be easy knowing that you want to get away so don't bring your past life with you such as music, style of clothes, and gifts from family, friends, and associates. College is a place to refine yourself and in search of a new direction, memories would only hold you back so think about that. Making friends wouldn't be hard giving the fact that living in the same dorms and on the same campus they come easy. Now when it comes to parties and studies, the one skill I know you have is management. You're going to have to use it to the fullest. This is where the test happens to see if you pass or fail college.

Cassandra

Looking back as a high school senior, I didn't know much about college, or college life. I just went with the flow and whatever happened, well, sort of happaned. I didn't have a plan, nor did I know what I wanted to do with my life, but as a college student now, I am on the right track. If I were to be able to go back in time, I would tell myself to begin my searches for colleges, and majors that I would be interested in. I would also tell myself to start looking for different scholorships, and grants that were available to me as a highschool senior. I believe I would have saved a little bit of money. As a high school senior, I would also had applied to more 4 year colleges, due to not having to transfer credits to another college. I know that if I had done so, I would have saved both money, and time. I am quiet happy where I stand as a college student and wouldn't change it, for I have succeeded and plan to continue on my path.

Beth

I would tell myself to go to college right after high school. It is hard to go bach when you have a life including kids, bills and a full time job. I would tell myself to embrace being a young adult.

Sunshine

Do not be afraid of papers due or get intimidated by college professors. Work hard and take one step at a time, your professors and the college staff are there to help you succeed. Be ready to ask questions and do not quit no matter how difficult; before you know it you will be done. And do not forget to have fun.

Crystal

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definately make sure I convince myself not to wait and jump right into college right after graduating high school. I know I have wasted to many years of my life not in school and giving myself the chance to get a great degree to better my family. Now being a single mother of three beautiful little girls, I know it is very important that I make them proud of their mother and finally get into a field that i enjoy doing. Being able to graduate and jump into law enforcement and financialy take care of my family would be a dream come true. Again thank you so much for the opportunity to enter into a scholarship to help me pay for college.

kayla

If only we could all actually do this and remember the mistakes we made along the way, I think the world would actually be a better place. If I could go back in time knowing what I know now, I'd definitely not hesitate to start college immediately after high school. I would have become more aware of SAT and ACT scores in order to get into a university instead of simply a community college, even though it's cheaper. I'd tell myself to do this because by now, I could be off to graduate school, but instead it seems like I'm only just beginning and taking baby steps. I'd tell myself just because I graduated from high school, doesen't mean that's the end of the road - that there's still a lot of work and self-discovery to do and i shouldn't waste anytime.

Peggy

Take any courses and join any prestigous clubs or organizations that are available. Do not look upon this last year as a chance to goof off. Look at it as a chance to start your future!

Brian

I personally would have pushed myself harder to get into a better school. I barely got through my senior year. I would also tell myself to stay focused on school work and studying. I have worked in a warehouse for twelve years. If I had known this is what I would be doing I can guarntee I would have done better. Thats ok we learn from our mistakes and that is what makes us better.

Krystle

Never procrastinate, work your tail off to get exactly what you want, always have loyal friends at school, have fun with your friends at least once a week at some kind of club at school, NEVER GIVE UP, KEEP YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH, AND REMEMBER: BE WHO YOU ARE AND SAY WHAT YOU FEEL BECAUSE THOSE WHO MIND DON'T MATTER AND THOSE WHO MATTER DON'T MIND in the wise words of the late Theodor Seuss Geisel!

Angela

I have learned a lot from my college experience, and therefore have much advice for parents, as well as students, about finding the right college and making the most of their experience. First of all, for the students, apply to as many colleges as you can and visit each of them. Don't pick one because the price is right and limit yourself the variety of choices. Also, when you do go to the college for a tour, if you don't like it be honest about it. Don't simply go to that school because of the work you had your parents do just getting you there, you feel obligated. For the parents, if your child doesn't look enthused about the school you just visited, tell them you are willing to look further. After all, it's money, time, and education you are worried about; don't waste any of it!

Valerie

look into different colleges. check into the school, the majors who is teaching the classes etc. prices. til you find the right one

Stephanie

I think one thing that is very important when choosing a school is finding one that is right for you. Being a continuing education student, I choose my school because of its convience to my job and home, and because of it's cost. It also has small class sizes which makes it seem a little more personal. Really look into schools and make sure that you are choosing one that works for you.