North Carolina State University at Raleigh Top Questions

As a high school senior, I spent the majority of my time preparing for a life-changing event- the birth of my daughter. At the time, I was very anxious and worried about the changes that were about to take place. If I could give advice to that "me," I would tell myself that everyone goes through some kind of struggle. I would say that hard work pays off, no matter how tough the process was. I would also take a minute to encourage myself to keep going, and to not worry about the negative predictions others had. I would tell myself that being a student is hard, and being a mother is hard, which makes being a full-time mother and student incredibly difficult, but that I would be able to manage it. I would also tell myself to focus on being a parent first, and student second, and a worker third. I would tell myself that it is okay to make mistakes because I would one day learn from them. I would tell myself to work hard for good grades, but never put too much stress on myself. Life will be rewarding.

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes only from poor judgement. In lieu of mistakes and lapses of sense that I have displayed, I would remind myself that I am responsible for, and completely deserve everything that befalls me, good and bad. The university my past self would attend makes the resources for any definition of success are readily available or available upon a modest amount of digging. In order to make the most of the college experience, one must retain complete mental lucidity, and studies must be handled with the most vigilant and monastic focus possible. I would advise my past self from four years ago and anyone who will hear me that there is no such thing as passive learning. A person like me who never needed to study in high school and coasted on natural ease of information absorbing may perform perfectly satisfactorily in college classes. This passivity may even earn a degree. But a person is only given finite time to accomplish whatever his life's work will be, and a true fulfilling education is only the product of unceasing attention, incorporates all facets of one's life, and merely begins with the college experience.

Hello, high school self. To start, do not worry about the drama. Yes, that guy was a jerk, but it's okay. You will find someone a lot better in the end. Don't sweat the small stuff; forgetting one homeowrk assignment will not mean that you will not get into college. Oh, and do not worry about being the top of the class; the validictorian is not the only one who gets accepted into college. Yes, you could always do more, but that will always be the case. Your friends are very important in the end; keep them close and do not forget about them. And, when it comes to experience with your selected career, start right now. It will make things a lot easier when you get into college. And, please, do not forget: you are going through puberty. Things are going to seem a lot more drastic than they really are. Just keep your head up and keep moving forward; it will always work out in the end.

Don't get frustrated. Applying to colleges and scholarships and trying to find a place to live is so overwhelming. I only wish I knew that stressing out over every little detail wasn't necessary. I have learned over the past few years that things will all work out and everything will be ok. Take one thing at a time. And enjoy the process; this is the beginning to the rest of your life. Believe in yourself. In this world, there is only one person that will always be there for you and that is you. If you don't believe in yourself, then why should anyone else? You are the best advocate for yourself. Fight for what you want and don't dare let anyone tell you no. Never give up. One of my favorite quotes is, "Trials and tribulations in life are mandatory, but suffering is optional." I only wish I knew who the author was. Life sometimes gives you lemons; you just have to figure out how to make lemonade. There will always be speed bumps along any path you choose. Life is about overcoming these obstacles and making the most of it. Good luck!

Hey Nick; it's you from the future. Hard to believe, I know. But just trust me, and listen up. Don't make such a quick decison on college, man. take the time to really get to know the undergraduate programs available at the schools, and look into every facet. A little bit of resarch will go a long way. Don't rush into a college decision, or you're going to keep transferring. It's just going to bring you stress and cost you money. Base your decision off of what will be best for your future, not which one has the most prominent name, or which one seems the most fun. The college experience will be what you make it, wherever you are. Oh, and another thing. Work on your time management and organization before you leave. These are the two most important skills to have in college. Know what is expected of you, do it in a timely fashion, and put forth the effort to make everything you do reflect your ability as a student. Good luck, and find your passion. Chase your dreams and make them a reality. Go get em'.

Buckle down! Stop worrying about possible failure because you not trying is failing. Do not take a year off from school because, as Mom said it gets harder to go back each year. Graduating early in January was a great choice, now do not use your free time to dilly-dally. Start college early and finish early - or continue until you are done learning everything you want to learn. Get as much knowledge as you can. Ask all the questions you need to, it is true - there is no such thing as a dumb question. Get involved with a great group of people because the more good you have surrounding yourself, the better. Dump the losers that do not encourage you to be better. You can do it all, I should know.

I know you are confused right now about where your life is going. It's difficult to know what to do and where you will succeed with a father that tells you everyday you will amount to nothing. College isn't going to get you anywhere because you are stupid. I know you hear this everyday. Don't belive it, you have to try. So you tired, it isn't your fault you were diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy when you were just about to finish what you always wanted to do. Maybe being a Paramedic wasn't for you. Now you know you feel like a failure, and everytime you look at your father you see the satisfaction in his eyes. I can't try again and fail. I'm going to give up and just concentrate on life. Well, here I am. Alone, divorced, in a wheelchair fulltime du to the Muscular Dystrophy. One thing is different now. I'm doing it. I'm doing it! I will graduate in a few months with an Associates Degree in Hospatality and Travel. A GPA of 3.83. No one can stop me now.

I would encourage myself to step out of my comfort zone earlier. College is a place to not only gain a very important college degree, but also to grow as a person and aquire many new experiences! I have discovered so many amazing opportunites to grow my skill sets outside of the classroom, and have experiences I never imagined. College is a place for me to grow, discover and explore as a young adult. I feel as though this is up to you as an individual! Any college is able to offer you a multitude of experiences and opportunities, you just have to step up to the plate and start experiencing! So the advice I would give is to try something new, because you never know what might come out of it!

Don't mess around and skip classes. This is the most important thing you have ever done with your life, and what you do there will determine what you do for the rest of your life. Register for classes that start later in the day, but if you get something early, go to it, classes are more important than that extra hour of sleep you want. A social life is also important, go out and meet people, or go to football games with friends. The school has lots of resources for you if you are not doing well in your classes, don't be afraid to use them.

I would advise to make friends as soon as you step on campus. Everyone starts fresh once they get to college. Even if close friends go to the same college, make new ones. Get involved. From day one, there are activities to participate in. It is a good way to meet new people and find something you love to do. Do everything! Even if you think you won't like it, its worth the try, you never know what will happen. Study hard, make good grades, and if you need help just ask or go to a tutor. Don't skip class, even if attendance isnt taken. Hop on a bus and see where it takes you. Don't worry about money. Find a job, they are very flexible with schedules. Get out and explore. Don't stay locked up in a room. Go to the gym, its free. Relax in the library. Join clubs or sports teams. Be smart. Stay out late. Youre young, live the college life, you only get to do it once.

I would tell myself that life is short. You will never truly know what the future holds. Enjoy every moment of every day. Even if it seems like the universe is against you, there is a reason for all that happens. You will meet many people in your life, not all of them are what they seem, don't ever accept anything for face value. Continue to learn your entire life, this is an important step if you wish to grow as a person. Never look back and wonder what if, this does nothing to help your future. Look forward every day, each journey truly begans with a single step.

I would tell myself not to focus so much on being an overachiever. I always pushed myself too hard in high school and was too hard on myself when I didn't perform perfectly. Some of that is good; I excelled academically and thanks to all the AP classes I took, I entered the college of my choice with 25 credits. However, overachieving in high school was manageable because there were limits. In college there is more freedom, and I used that freedom to take on more than I could handle. My grades did not suffer extensively, but my mental health did. Junior year I took 22 credit hours in one semester, and I suffered a breakdown. I was lucky to learn that my university has wonderful student health facilities, and with the aid of counseling I have continued working toward my degree without compromising my health. But to high school me, I would say: relax. Push yourself to excel at what you can handle, but not beyond that. College should be fun; it should not drive you insane.

Sometimes, you just won't be the best. In high school, I wanted to be perfect. I was the perfect "A student" and never got a C on anything. I seemed near invincible! Unfortunately, I faced a harsh reality when I came to college. I already knew college would be difficult; but, I honestly had no idea. I still remember talking to one of my upperclassman friends about my goals for first semester and she laughed and said "Eboni, you may have gotten a 4.3 GPA in high school, but here at State, you'd be lucky to get a 3.5". Despite my better judgment, I let her advice go through one ear and out the other untilI had a rude awakening just a few weeks later. I've always viewed my communications class as a breeze until I received an 81 on my recent test. I wanted to burst into tears. I've never had experience getting a grade so low. After a long talk with one of my teachers in high school, I realized that it's okay to not be perfect all the time, but I wish I learned that a long time ago.

Knowing what I would know now I would tell myself as a senior not to focus as much on everything that needs to be done and instead focusing on myself and what I need to develop as a person. Any struggles that I have encountered in college have come from not devoting enough to myself and my academics and isntead focusing on what people wanted from me and what I was doing to stay "busy" rather than what I needed to do to succeed. College is a time that should be about personal growth. Focusing on academics to develop a knowledge base and discovering opportunities that will allow for a balanced life within and in addition to one's career. Stressing about having all of that correct before the real opportunities have presented themselves only detract from being succesful.

I would tell my high school self the following statements about his upcoming revelation: Go for it. Don't hold back. College is the time where the greatest of changes happen. These changes will be the best things to ever happen to you. You had your fun in high school, but starting a brand new slate? -- it is priceless. However, there is one thing that you have to remember: work hard. The rewards don't come free, but working hard isn't all that...hard. I mean you've made pretty good grades up to now, so just keep doing what you do! But hey, there's that one habit that you REALLY need to stop doing: procrastinating! In college, assignments have due dates that cannot be changed no matter what, and these assignments aren't always the easiest. So get used to putting pencil to paper instead of finger to video game controller!! I know you; it's like we're practically twins, you and I. Listen to these words of encouragement, and you'll shine the brightest. Remember: don't hold back. The future is yours to grab... will you take it?

If it was possible to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself to apply more effort. I would try to educate myself on college life and some of the changes I was about to face. Entering college is a different world that I wasn't entirely prepared for, and I would tell myself that things are going to be hard but it will all work out for the best.

I would try to get in the habit of scheduling my time, not because college is some horrifying experience, just because being independent means there is less motivation to get things, fun or academic or otherwise, done.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self. I would make sure I knew of all the sochalrships that are available for me to recive. I would make sure I knew how to fill out my finacial aid application, and what papers I need for it to be completed. I would tell myself to start looking for child care as soon as high school ends so you can find the best child care facility for your daughter. And I would make sure I knew the importance of getting to school on time and making sure all school work is done.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to spend more time with my family. Looking back, that is one of the things that I regret most. Instead of going out every weekend and spending all of my free time with friends, I wish I would have spent more time with my parents. Now that I am in college, they are one of the things that I miss most. When I'm sick, hungry, or stressed my parents are the ones that I wish were here. Going out and having fun, those are all options in college, but going out to dinner with mom and dad, not so much. In highschool, something that was very important to me was having a good group of friends and making sure that they accepted me. I wish I could go back and tell myself to stop being so immature and to stop picking friends over my family. I wish I could tell myself to go to the movies with Dad or to go shopping with Mom. I wish I could tell myself how important family is. I wish I could tell myself how much I regret it now.

After graduating High School I had no idea what the world could offer me. I come from a small little agricultural town in California called Dinuba. The only jobs I was aware of was teaching or feild work, neither really described my personality. I would tell myself that with such a positive attitude and happy demenior I could do anything, I just need to work at it. Staying focused and not letting outside distractions such as friends, parties, and mean people get in my way. I would tell myself that this is my life and I have to live it for myself, nobody else. That the great thing about it being my life was I can either work hard and reward myself with accomplishments or suffer the consequnces of being lazy. I would tell myself that life is short and making the most of my life is with hard work and dedication. It doesn't matter what feild I go into but that education is the key out of Dinuba and a positive attitude and friendly approach will make you many friends.

The advice I would give to myself as a high school senior is just to breathe, relax, and enjoy. High school is the time to interact and grow closer relationships with the people you've known for all your life. I would tell myself to not be nervous or scared about college because it is the most amazing opportunity a person can get. I would also tell myself to stop focusing on making perfect grades but focus on learning instead. It is hard when you get to college and you are on your own. Oh one last thing, don't take your free textbooks for granted because it is very expensive in college.

The only advice I would give myself if I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior would be to SAVE MORE MONEY. I honestly did not not know how expensive it would be to actually be to go to college for four years, or even a single semester. I would tell myself to spend more wisely and less than what I actually spent. All of the money I made last year would have been a major help to my tuition this year, but I did not save well. So I would teach myself the act of saving.

Upon graduation from high school, and in transition back to college, I have had many life lessons and personal development. I attended college for a year, and will now be going back after a 10 year absence. Looking back there is much that I could say to myself as a high school senior. Do not be as intimated or insecure about what is to come. Be confident in yourself and dive into all of that the campus has to offer their students. The faculty will be very helpful and friendly. You will also have a great oppurtunity in meeting new people, great friendships, and potential leads and assistance for your future employment. I look forward to obtaining a degree in criminal justice in the next two years; and being able to serve and protect my community and country. Giving back to others, and being an example that they can also go back to college, will be a great reward!

Getting through high school may seem difficult and challenging right now, but do not get discouraged. The place you are in now is only a small pool compared to the vastness of college. Continue to be yourself, and I promise that there will be people who like you for who you are. Everything might seem like a blur, like you have no direction right now. However, keep going. It might not seem clear right now, but it will. This new chapter in your life will help you grow and learn more than you ever have before in your entire life. The people that put you down or tease you, do not mind them. Every large problem that seemed so important will become miniscule once you enter college. You are about to graduate and leave high school, along with your past. College is a new beginning to a new city, new people, and a new you. Remember to be happy, be yourself, and never give up.

There are 3 crucial things that I would say to my former high school self in order to make the transition to college a lot easier. One important thing would be to enjoy your last year of high school instead of excessively worrying about your GPA and what others think about you. In college, everybody starts over in terms of GPA, class rank, and social status so your last year in high school should be fun instead of stressful. Another crucial thing that I would tell my senior self would be to not be afraid to think outside of the box and step out of your comfort zone. As a college student, you will realize that your most memorable experiences will involve doing things that you never thought you would. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will also open up opportunities to grow and form lasting friendships. The last and most imperative thing is to create time for yourself to relax because you will sometimes feel overwhelmed by the workload in college. Do something to relieve that stress so you don't drive yourself crazy. It will all be worth it in the end, trust me.

As a senior in high school, nothing made me quite as nervous as the idea of graduating and heading off to North Carolina State University. Leaving the comforting cocoon of familiarity in my home town seemed daunting to me. I would often ponder questions such as: “Will making new friends be easy?” and “Exactly how many papers will I have to write in English 101?!” And after a lot of freaking out and a lot of last minute packing, summer drew to an end and I was headed to NC State. The first few weeks were filled with meeting new people, new experiences and learning my way around campus. During this time I realized that all the worries I had had in high school were completely unwarranted. I discovered that as long as you come to college with an open mind, a good attitude, and a desire to succeed, everything will work out! If only I could go back in time and tell my high school self to stop worrying so much about making the transition. I would definitely tell myself: “Stop worrying! You just have to work hard and be yourself.”

Honestly, I wouldn't do anything different if I had the chance to "re-do" high school. However, I would tell myself, knowing I wouldn't listen to myself, to do good and make sure to have a high GPA. Mine wasn't terrible. I had a B average, but I never tried. I knew how to study, I just didn't. It is hard getting into that habbit. But, back to the grades.. If I had tried, I would not be quite as broke now. I would have more than likely recieved more scholarship money. All in all, I enjoyed my high school years; living a high school life. I would tell myself to keep in mind what needs to be done for college but not to rush growing up.

Having the ability to make sound financial decisions in important during those four years of college. In high school, any money that you make is for your own personal spending because often your parents handle the living expenses. By understanding finances in college and how financial decisions early on can impact your future will help maintain the cost of living while in school, as well as provide a net of funds once you leave school making debt more managable. Start with a job in high school and save your money to last throughout college. You're going to want certain foods, to buy clothes and to hang with friends. Saving money early will provide you with financial ease in college. Don't apply for credit cards and borrow as little money as possible by applying for scholarships early.

If I had a time machine allowing me to journey back in time, I would tell myself about the future, and how everything will work itself out; I would just have to wait and see. I had ADHD, so the school kept testing my brain’s functions, charting how smart a machine thought that I was, and turned out that the testing thought I was dumb. I then would advise myself to trust my intelligence, and not let ADHD limit me. I would remind myself that I had the power to overcome any trials, and that no one, not even my mother could make me feel inferior unless I give them consent to make me feel that way. I would tell myself that I can do anything as long as I keep my eyes on the sky looking upwards toward my Higher Power, and let Him lead my life so I can conquer anything I set my mind to. I would just tell myself that life happens, and sometimes it is hard, but it is a great feeling just being alive. Just slow down and enjoy: it is rough and kind, and unfair, and wonderful all rolled up in one.

Hunter, right now, you are being bombarded with information and advice to best prepare you for college. You're thinking: "How am I going to remember all of this?" The answer is: you won't. And that is okay! College is a learning experience in more ways than ways than one. Of course, you'll take classes (one's you wouldn't even expect!) that will expand your mind, but you will also learn through experience. I could tell you who to avoid and what tests you should study extra hard for, but I won't. I do this because you will learn from interactions with people who are less than nice and by being unprepared for exams. When you're going to college, everyone has advice. Respect and be grateful for advice, but take it lightly. Do not try to get everything right. Make mistakes. Be kind and stay true to yourself. You will be fine.

If I had one do-over in life I would have started college course’s freshmen year of high school. I had the opportunity to do an ace plus program but I was scared of the unknown and nervous I wouldn’t be able to keep up in college level classes. I was afraid I would not only be able to keep up with college work but I would be unable to do my high school work as well and would be putting my diploma at risk or jeopardy. Now being in college I regret not taking advantage of the opportunity to do both at the same time. I would be so much further in my academic life if I would have had the head start of dual enrollment. After taking a college course I see now that they are not as hard as I made them to be in my head in high school and are actually exciting. It just seems now that I am out of high school life has caught up to me with bills, having to work, and time restrictions are problems I didn’t have to deal with in high school.

"It may seem easy now but it gets harder." This is one of the most heard things for a high school senior getting ready to take on college. I took those words with a grain of salt. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would definitely try to understand why things get harder. One thing that will be a hard transition is all students is study habits. Learn to study! You may read that material once and be able to ace that test of basic recall but test are not that easy in college. You must read to understand that information and be able to apply it. Not only should you be able to apply it to coordinating situations but you should be able to take that lesson and apply it to problem solving techniques in your day to day life. College is fun and there are a lot of activities that can distract you but you have to focus on the goals and dreams you have set for yourself. Keep your eye on the prize and try your best!

The advice I would give myself is to search and apply for as many scholarships as I could to avoid having to take out loans because I have a fairly decent amount to pay back now. I would also advise to look for books online at sites like amazon or ebay to save money instead of just buying from the campus bookstore. I would also advise to take advantage of all the extra curricular activities or workshops on campus. It helps build community and friendships. It is something I wish I would have done more of. This also helps get the most use of the money you are paying to go to the college. Learning more about how to cook your own meals and shopping smart is another piece of advice I would offer. If you do take out loans that you do so with prudence and make sure to pay on the interest especially on the unsubsized loans since there are no grace periods for these loans and the interest accrues no matter what. This way when you have to start making payments you at least have saved yourself money and can start paying on your principal right away.

I never knew how expensive college really is until I had started my first semester as a freshman. With the tuition amount, the housing amount, money for my books, and things I had to buy for projects or assingments my first year of college has been trying to get money to further my education in school. I worked for a semester at my college in a program called Work Study to help me pay for things that I needed for my classes. I wasn't getting much so my mom tried her hardest to pay for my books and tuition so that I could stay in school and keep my grades up because my teachers had a rule that if you didn't have books your grades would drop. I am now in a position where I am trying to transfer to a University but I will not be able to until I pay off the rest of my money at the current school that I am attending. So if i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior again I would tell myself to save money for college.

I WISH I COULD TAKE FULL TIME CLASSES BEFORE IN COLLAGE SO BY NOW I WAS DONE

I would tell myself to take advantage of every opportunity that would have me well off and prepared for college, instead of focusing so much on playing sports so much. Also i would advise myself to apply to as many scholarships as i could because even though i recieved an athletic scholarship those other funds could have helped with other expenses.

I would tell myself that I should have applied for more scholarships as college is very expensive and without them college for me is not possible. I also would tell myself that there are a lot of distractions at college and that I need to make sure that I focus on my studies as college is hard and I need to make sure I am prepared for all of the studying it requires. There are a lot of activities going on but my study time should always come first. It is a very hard transition to move away from home and be on your own so prepare for that as well. I would not have known to tell myself that my father was going to pass away but knowing that now I need all of the financial and emotional help as possible! Thanks for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship!

If I were able to speak to my high school self, I would tell myself to make sure I learn all of the basics from my core classes (such as mathematics, chemistry, etc.) and I would have also pushed myself to take more challenging courses in order to be more prepared for college level courses.

Go to State. It is big, and you will need to adapt accordingly. This isn't community college; you will need to actually study. A lot. Start early and do not fall behind. Step out of your comfort zone. Talk to people. Initiate conversations. Take chances. Be awesome.

If I had the chance to give the high school version of myself some adivce, I'd say to just slow down. Now that I'm in college, I've realized that I rushed through my high school career to get here. I can remember sitting in my classes thinking "I can't wait 'till college," but now that I'm here, I wish I could go back and appreciate the easier high school level courses, enjoy the free food I could get from my parent's kitchen, and the freedom of not having to be responsible for yourself because your parents were there to keep you in line. I've realized that I wished my life away in high school. If I could give my past self a piece of advice, it would be to appreciate each moment for what it's worth. Each day is precious and not something to be taken for granted because tomorrow isn't always promised.

First of all do not stress out, relax. Try to find a roommate, either via friends from school or the many resources online, this will make your freshman year much more enjoyable. Get everything you will need early and make sure there is nothing left you need to do before move in day. Report every AP score before the exam because it is much easier than trying to report it later. College is different from high school, just like high school is different from middle school, make sure you have figured out a good way to stay organized, you are going to want to have some sort of calendar system to keep up with all of your classes and homework. Listen to the advice people give you and actually use it. When you make your class schedule look into what professor is teaching and what their grade distribution is. Mainly, enjoy your last year of high school, make good use of your last summer, and don’t stress about college. You will make friends as long as you go out and try everything.

I would remind myself to keep my eye on the prize and strive to keep my academic scores as high as possible. I would tell myself to listen to my parents and apply for any and all scholarships beginning the summer prior to my senior year. I would remind myself to enjoy all aspects of my senior year because I will only go this way once and I need to cherish all the memories while reminding myself I will be building new memories in the future. I will console myself with the fact that this is a transition point in my life and, while some friendships will continue and stand the test of time, this is the time that i will begin making new and enduring friendships.

Apply for Scholarships! Make time for your priorities and buckle down! Early turn in dates are there for a reason, take advantage of them! Remember, the school you want to get into only takes the best, so be part of that crowd! Get involved and above everything, LISTEN! Older people didn't get their degree or to their age by being dumb. When someone tells you something, listen! If you have the chance to go to an event that could higher your learning GO! Also, when it comes to working, don't mess up your grades and chances of going to the places you want to go for minimun wage. It isn't worth it. You have you entire life to work, school is what should be your main focus right now no matter what. Make you parents proud. Especially your dad..he wont' be around as long you think.. Show him he raised the best daught he could and carry his name proudly. When it comes to friends, always remember what he told you, "You could be like them in a second, but they would never be like you for their entire life, no matter how hard they try."

I would tell myself to not take any of the available opportunities for granted. There were so many resources given to me as a senior, that I never took advantage of. As a freshman in college, I know now that I didn't manage my time well and I could have earned better grades by studying. However I didn't use the opportunities presented to me, because I felt as if I did not need them.

Maddi, you are about to experience the most freedom you've ever had. When college starts, no one is going to make sure you complete your assignments and no one is going to pat you on the back for studying. It will all be up to you. You need to let the work be its own reward. You know what you are striving for. You have it in you to succeed. Do not sink into complacency. Also, nevermind your high school boyfriend, dear. You aren't going to marry him. Friendships are far more important right now. Most importantly, have confidence in yourself. You are worth it. You will make yourself proud this year. Take risks - it's okay! It's better to try and possibly not do so well, learning experiences are what make us grow! Don't settle for what's easy, you are made of tougher stuff than that. Just manage your time well, and make lots of close friends. That will be your circle of support when you've had a rough day. You are going to have so much fun. And please, take lots of pictures.

When you get the chance to study abroad for a semester take it. However, remember that when you come home stronger in independence and cultural diversity , but further away from those you were connected to before do not distance yourself and shut down. Rather you need to make sure you stay connected and stay focused on finishing your last year of college. It is almost like the old Girl Scout song, you can make new friends but keep the old. Remember they all have something to teach and give. This goes the same for your goals, they may shift but the main goal cannot. You cannot be happy, keep respect of yourself and others, or hold a good job in your future without that piece of paper that says you graduated from an accredited college. You are in a good school, you are doing well, keep focused and finish your degree, no matter what it takes, the first time. You may not agree with all of the teachers or your family but you must stay true to your started goal in order to keep from regretting decisions made in your early twenties for the rest of your life.

DO NOT procrastinate, whatever you do! Study for tests the day they are announced; learn how to study quickly. Utitlize the academic resources for information you don't understand, or you will regret it later, trust me!

Upon meeting my high-school self I would say, “High-school self, don’t seek happiness within material aspirations. Ruminate on the true purpose for your current manifestation in this lifetime and choose a course of study in college that resonates with this life purpose. ‘Why’ you ask? Because this is a proven means of achieving true contentment while in this plane of existence. High-school me, I have learned during our lifetime that we are spiritual beings on a physical journey; therefore, aspire to pursuits of enlightenment and spiritual fulfillment, for this experience will facilitate your inevitable transition from this physical plane to the ethereal one.”

I would tell myself to not be afraid to try new things and be more outgoing. I would say that the more people you meet and get to know the easier and more enjoyable college life would be. I would also remind myself to stay true to my morals and beliefs and that changing for anyone would be a horrible mistake. Another important thing that i would tell myself is that do not wait to the last minute to complete projects and homework. It is not like high school and that just because there seems to be more free time do not forget why you are at college. I would make myself know the importance of developing personal relationships with my professors and that it will be worth it in the future. If they know you care it is more likely that they will be willing to help you when you need it. One of the most important pieces of advice i would give myself is to manage my time wisely and always make time for fun. You are there to learn but without a little free time the stress can engulf you.

I would remind myself to take academics seriously. There is no turning back after taking a test. Always be prepared and know your material. You can only get by through college by educating yourself and putting academics first. It is my own duty to try to get help and become a better student. There will always be distractions, whether it is a party or social event, but remind yourself of what needs to be done first. Also, be involved in as many organizations and clubs as possible. That way you can manage your time wisely and not get side tracked. Get involved in leadership positions and internships before you graduate. That way, employers will see that you are taking action and gaining experience.