Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Besides the typical "book smarts" I have gained, I have also learned a lot more about people and how they work. I have learned how to live with four girls without conflict. I know how to manage my time better, and how to prioritize things. These things [how to manage time/commitments, avoid conflict, etc] are traits one needs before going out into the "real world", and it's important to have these skills beforehand as opposed to trying to learn them as you go.

What I have gained from my college experience seems obvious. I have received a Bachelors degree. As I thought about this I wondered if a plaque on my wall was all I had to represent the four years in between high school graduation and my college diploma. Looking back on those years words such as opportunity, travel, exploration, and growth come to mind. These words describe the most valuable aspect of my education: progress. It?s not just any progress it?s progress towards a prosperous future. Good progress. I have a degree from an exceptional institution, a job with advancement opportunities, and experience working under a few extraordinary professors but that?s not it. I have the courage to go after what I?ve always wanted and the confidence to know I can achieve these things. I am the representation of those four years. Furthering our education allows us all to feel a sense of empowerment and success as we try and fail over again until, often with the help of the college community around us we succeed. My college experience has not only allowed me to progress in life but progress as a person and that?s invaluable.

College has given me a sense of self that I hadn't realized was missing. High school was an emotional struggle, I seemed incapable of connecting with my peers. When I was looking into colleges, I had two simple criteria: that there be a wide range of programs so that that I could explore many areas of study; and that it was at least two states away. That's how I ended up in Columbus, Ohio from Baltimore, Maryland. It's a very different world, a world far from my family and the people that I grew up with. For most people, being 17 and that far away from your comfort zone would be daunting in its own right, for me, it's exhilarating. I love my mother, but gaining independence makes me a better "me." I've made true bonds since I arrived here just about six months ago. I'm realizing my strengths and limitations, and that I'm human and need more help than I could have known before. Nobody coddles you in college, and they don't offer help you didn't ask for. So I ask, and I ask often.

I have gotten so much college experience just being at Ohio State for just one year! I absolutely love the campus and how helpful the teachers are if you ever have a problem, or even if you are struggling with the homework and could use some extra help on it. My experience in college has shown me how to appreciate my mom and dad for the support of going to college. Our country is going through some hard economic times and it can make things like going to college tough to do because no one can afford it. It has been valuable in a way that I hope that my eleven year old brother and my six year old sister look up to me and hopefully some day follow in my footsteps in furthering their own education beyond just getting their high school diploma years from now. I just want to tell people that it is possible to go to school with or without the support of your parent if you just set your heart and soul to it. There are so many opportunities out there if you just go out and look for them!

Every student has some kind of idea of what to expect when attending a college. I haven't personaly started my college so im not able to explain what i have learned out of my experience, but i will tell u what i belive will be so valuable in attending San Quaquin Valley College. The most important factor that i personaly like is the way the school teaches the students. Most school are all about class and when we graduate we aren't familier with the real world. San Quaquin Valley College teaches 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in class and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} hands on training with real people, real situations. When i graduate, i will feel that i have what it takes to start right away, i won't be scared because across from me i have a real person and not a doll, that im suppose to give an injection too.

So far in my college experience, I have reaped more benefits than I initially thought possible. Not only am I part of the Humanities Scholars Program, a member of two soccer teams (for one of which I will be named captain next quarter), part of a leadership initiative called Leadership Ohio State, participating in community service, maintaining a 3.91 overall GPA, meeting great friends, and working as hard as I possibly can in everything that I do, but I am also scoping out invaluable connections that will hopefully help me land a future job. Ever since I was in the seventh grade, I have wanted to serve our nation and become a part of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am doing everything in my power right now to make this dream a reality, including pursuing a major in International Studies with a specialization in Security and Intelligence, while simultaneously taking numerous classes in Spanish and Chinese languages and cultures. Although these classes are vigorous and require extreme commitment (I study Chinese for 3-4 hours daily), I find the challenge to be more motivating than intimidating. And Ohio State is helping to guide me along a path to success.

Unlike many other college students who when to college to get out of the house, or because their parents pressured them to go, I had a goal. I am from West Africa (Togo). Being from a minuscul country, there are not many opportunities. I grew up with my mother, my grandparents, 2 uncles and their wives in a two bedroom house. I was determined to be rich in my adult years. Of course at age nine, I really didn't know the full meaning of my ideas but as I grew older they became clear and simple. Education is the key to riches. When I moved to the U.S. at age 14 with my mom, I set out to conquer my dream of riches by enrolling into high school from then, I thrived. After high school my next step was college. I went to college to achieve a dream. A dream that was not only for me but for a hole nation. Out of my college experience I leaned to deal with different group of people. Sure in high school, you have people from different neighborhood but college takes you all over the world. It is an unforgetable experience.

I have gained alot of knowledge when attending this university. I have new insight into other cultures, beliefs, religions, etc. This diversity at this unoversity has allowed me to become so much more well-rounded as an individual. I feel like I am a special part of this universtiy and look forward to going to class everyday.

I am so glad for the experiences I have had at Ohio State so far. I am in the middle of my first year, and I am very happy with the decision I have made. I have met so many different people that I would never have met if I never left my hometown. I love the diversity here- there is always someone who is different from you, and that makes them invaluable in learning about yourself and others. You are also bound to find someone who has much in common with you, which is also a good thing. I have also learned to become more independent and responsible. Classes can be tough, but the professors know how to challenge you and make sure you learn a larger lesson than just basic facts. My experience here has been so valuable to me because it has allowed me to meet some people who will likely prove to be great friends throughout my years here and beyond. I have also grown as a person, and am taking the steps to become a successful and independent person once I have earned my degree. I have learned so much in such a short time!

Coming to college was nothing at all like I thought it would be; I believed that it would be filled wholly with the woes of deadlines and the frustrations of homework without end, but I was only half right. Most students arrive at college, apprehensive and thrilled to meet new people and to ?find themselves.? I found some of the best friends I hope to keep for the rest of my life, as well as my second home. At convocation, at the beginning of my first year away from home, President Gee told us all that we would one day call this place home, but I couldn?t believe it. Now I realize that other than the house in which I live with my family, this university has taken root in my heart, and the people around me have become the extended family for which I have always wished. Not only will I forever carry with me the hours of grappling with challenging problems, but also, I will always keep the memories and the friends that Ohio State has granted me.

I lived in a very small town, and attended a fairly small high school. I only graduated with around 100 students. I did not get a chance to interact with people with different race, religion, or culture where I grew up. I knew everybody in my town, and everybody knew me. I then enrolled into the Ohio State University which is one of the biggest campuses in the nation. So i suppose out of my college experience, so far, getting to interact with different people has been the most valuable. The first person i met on campus was my roommate, and he happened to be Jewish. That's when i fully realized that I was going to experience alot of new things and get to know alot of new people. As my time on campus progressed i got to know more and more people of different ethnicity, culture, race, or religion. Any college i would have attended would have been more diverse than where i grew up, but the Ohio State University has so many things to do that everywhere you go is an opportunity to meet someone different or do something new.

During my college experience i have learned to be more responsible and have worked harder than i ever have before!

Attending college has provided me with opportunities I would have not otherwise had. Opportunities include meeting people from various backgrounds, being exposed to different ideas, and exploring topics that have helped me to broaden my thinking. College is more than "recieving an education," rather it assists you in developing the person you are. The experiences you gain from college come from a number of areas, not just the classroom. If you take advantage of the opportunities presented to you, college can change the course of your life, changing the way you look at the world. College is an opportunity to become educated more than just from a book, but about the world.

My expreience here at O.S.U. has been one that I will remember for the rest of my life. During my attendence at this University I have obtained a great deal of knowledge that I am certrain will be put to great use in the particular career feild that I am quickly approaching. In addition to vast amount of knowledge that I have recieved, I have also had the opportunity to befriend many indiviuals from all different backgrounds that im certain I would'nt have the chance to do so if it were'nt for this institution.

I've only been at Ohio State for almost 2 quarters and I've already embraced more opportunities and made more memories than I thought was possible in a lifetime. I've made friends. I'm in the Scholars program. I've gone to football games, basketball games, hockey games, and so on. I've met Brutus and Gordon Gee. I've sat in the press box at a football game. I'm involved in PRSSA and am currently planning a Hunger Banquet to raise awareness for the hunger problem locally. I've gotten involved in intramurals. I'm minoring in Spanish. I wrote a project report for Make A Difference Day Ohio and submitted it to the mayor. I've been downtown. I jumped in Mirror Lake before the Michigan game. I've lived in a dorm with 4 other girls. I've walked miles in the snow and taken thousands of pictures. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to attend college due to financial situations. But it's already more valuable to me than anything else I've ever done. Its tough when it comes to paying the tuition, but its worth it.

When I first went into community college, I was scared of how much harder it was going to be. Once there, I realize that it is a lot easier than how people describe it. The professors spoke to you directly and confident. The classes are easy once you get adjust to them. Your classmates will help you with problems you do not understand. The main office was always open if you had a problem with one of your classes. It also feels great to know that you are actually doing something with your life.

Well, I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. The first thing is that college and high school life are totally different. For example, when i was in high school, the teachers made sure we did our homework, but when I started college, I saw that the instructors really didn't care if you did it or not. Some of the teachers here are really nice and they want to see the students suceed. Another thing is that I have to puit more study time into my schedule in order to pass my classes. For the first semester of college, I had a good gpa. The next semester I saw that it was dropping. For the next two semesters, my gpa continued to decline. That is when i went to my counselor to get help. She gave me tips on how to study, and now I can truly say that my gpa has improved. In conclusion, I have gotten a lot out of college: a comparison of high school versus college work and developed good study habits.

After attending Ohio State for only two quarters I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. I entered into school as a shy, timid girl, afraid to try new things and meet new people. Now I attend different events on a weekly basis. I have become involved in multiple volunteer opportunities. I volunteered a Children's Services, and also volunteer at the admissions office. I have attended dinners with faculty, and everyday I try to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to me. I have learned that the best experiences are often ones that you are apprehensive about. Also, new friends can come out of the strangest of situations. It is hard to explain how valuable my education here has been, because I feel as if Ohio State has brought out the best in me. Every day I try to become a better person, and try to make my community a better place.

Before I answer the selected question above, I would like to introduce myself to you. Hello, my name is Keith Boyd and I am going to be a college freshman this year. I was a college student during the years of 1998-2000 and 2001-2003, and have experienced many health and financial obstacles that impeded my ability to pursue a college degree. Now, I have the opportunity to go back to college and I am diligently seeking out scholarship opportunities to help me accomplish my dream, thus the reason I am writing this essay. My ulitimate dream is to become a physician. I know that if you select me to be a winner, I will not waste this opportunity that you placed before me. There is nothing more valuable than a college experience. My college experience has molded me into the person I am today. In addition, my experience taught me to view many issues in a different light and allowed me the opportunity to culitivate the skills that I possess. There are aspects of this world that would have gone unnoticed if I had not attended college. Therefore, this is why my college experience is valuable to me.

The college experience that is portrayed in the entertainment and media industry, is exagerated to what the experience truly is: a sacirfice, a strong effort, and undeniable self-dicipline . As time goes on and if theses 3 things are practiced all throught college, it makes the experience worthwhile, and enjoyable. Obviously, one has to be balanced in day to day dealings; being in a room studying for hours is not a healthy environment for the joy of being in college. Campuses have much to offer a student especially culturally; getting to know different people and there backgrounds is valuable not only for making friends but also for future endeavors, after college.

When I was a little girl I dreamed of going to college and becoming a nurse. To attend college has been a life dream not only for a better future for me, but for a chance to show people that I can do it and be somebody in life. College is something that is new in my family because I am the first one to go, so my family really expects alot from me. The college life has shown me that it is totaly different from high school in alot of ways. Now I don't depend on the teachers to be telling me all the time to do my work. In college you have to do it all on your own. College has thought me to be more mature and a adult.

I have learned a great deal about myself and about how to live. I love my school, and campus and even though there are 52000 classmates, I haven't met a single person I don't like. This place is incredible and I can't imagine a better place to start my adult life.

Attending college has opened my eyes to many different opportunities. Not only have a learned numerous new things, but I have made many friends along the way. Meeting new people has showed me different things I could possibly do with my career and showed me that people of all ages are trying to get their degrees because of the tough economy. Getting my degree now is extremley important to me because it will allow me to go ahead and get my name out in the world and attain a good paying career, instead of waiting years to have to come back to school and try all over again.

For many people the college experience is an eye opener, something that surprises them. For me however, college so far has been exactly what I expected - work and a very busy schedule. For my part I've kept up with the work and managed good grades while at the same time working a part time job. In addition, I've learned a lot material that I had never been exposed to, and reviewed even more; things I had not been exposed to in years. Most of what I've learned may at first seem not very useful (English Composition for example), but beginning courses such as that not only expose a person to college level material, but also enhance other skills that you may not think of. English, at least for me, has made me not only a better writer, but a better speaker as well. Math has also done a similiar thing - my thinking styles have changed, I consider technical aspects of many things now, where before I took certain things at face value. I could go on and on, but I think the message is clear. College is not just valuable, it's invaluable.

I have only been in collge for almost two quarters my Freshman year, but so far it has been one of the greates experiences. The feeling of responsibility such as waking up in the morning, going to class, going to first-year student meetings and basically things that a Freshman has to do his/her first year. For the first time in my life, I felf completely responsible for everything I do because my parents are not here with me. This means to me the great level of my maturity. Furthermore, it is also the experience of living with someone else was a total change for me. The transition from family to a completely stranger had really helped met get the better of the world out there and it is indeed a great thing to have. Essentially, the college experience is valuable to have because it is the one final step before I step out to my future and start my life, therefore, the college experience is the key to that.

I have gotten some much out of my college experience. I have meet new people and made some great friends. I have improved my communication skills and writing skills.

I started at Old Dominion University not knowing who I was. I was acclimated to following directions. Don't be mistaken, following directions got me far; I was salutatorian of my senior class, I worked at a Subway franchise for two years where I rapidly rose to a manager position, and I purchased a car by my own means. And yet I still did not know much about myself. I was thrown into the shuffle at Old Dominion and was surprised to find Professors were more interested in my ideas then if I could test well, if I behaved, or if I chose the correct answer out of A, B, C, or D. My personal life also progressed rapidly in this new environment, I rented my first apartment, got married, purchased my first home, and had my first child all within a 3 year time span at Old Dominion. I discovered my own values and beliefs, ones which were not instilled in me but revelations through higher education. I realized this is my life, and I can make it into anything I want regardless of someone else's directions. My college experience has invaluably catapulted me into my own reality.

I started my first college in Fall of 2005 and graduated June of 2008. While attending my first school I learned the value of hard work and what it takes to succeed. After getting my job in an Engineering industry I further learned the value of retaining and being able to utalize the knowledge from college. Starting back to school I have been very focused and determind to obtain the most information possible. In doing so college has been a lot more valuable and seems to have helped me. College has also showed me the vaule of time management and scheduleing. Staying on task and prioritizing has been a great tool learned from my years of college. The experience has also helped me to mature and become an adult, also become a responsible trustworthy person.

I have gotten the drive to succeed and put my all into everything I do from attending college, which will inevitably further my experiences in college and life.

I believe that college is doing a good job at preparing me for the future. Not only am I gaining knowledge, but I am learning about time management and what it will be like when I am on my own in the near future. High school could not prepare me for life like college does. I have been given the change to attend a great school and some people will not get the chance to do this. I will also be able to find a job more easily when I graduate. College is giving me the chance to gain knowledge that will allow me to pursue a career in the field that I choose.

My transition from high school to college was not easy. As a low mid "A" student I went into College thinking it'll be just like high school. I'll pay attention to the instructor and then enjoy the rest of my day doing whatever. When college finally set in "boy was I in for a rude awakening"! As I learned how to study, bond with professors, and live life like it was my last day, I started to appreciate the small things. College has shown me that while some tasks are easier than others all are fundamentals in the process of one?s development mentally, socially, and physically. I have learned that while life, school, family, and work may seem very slow and exaggerated at times its key to cherish every single moment, because you'll only get one. College has brought me into the real world, where your wonderful life, could be turned upside down because one decides to make a careless decision. So prepare for the best, hope for the best and tomorrow will be a better day!! Thanks for Listening, Tonya

For me, it was all about making the best out of the experience as possible. I took what I could from every class, and I chased after the networks that I believe will help me after graduation. I'm involved with the Wexner Center for the Arts and the OSU Urban Arts Space, and I have pursued my dream of writing by completing several fiction writing workshops with renowned professors and an independent study in a novel I am writing. So for me, yes, it has been valuable to attend, but it really is only what you make it at OSU. There is a lot that goes on that people get lost in, and the faculty will not chase you down if you don't show up for class.

I have learned the importance of community and coming together to make a difference. I attended undergrad and now I am in graduate school here and there is a strong sense of pride both from myself and my fellow classmates for OSU. I have learned when you believe in something and have a personal vested interested a real difference can be made. I am getting my masters in social work and there is an overwhelming drive I see in everyone in the program to do good in the world and to advocate for the poor and underpriveldged. College has shown me that even a small group of five people can go to a homeless shelter and spend just a few hours there, but that a difference could be made, even if just in one person's life. College is about coming together with diverse people who share a common goal, it's a place to find out who you are and what you can do for society. Without the education, friends, and sense of belonging to the OSU community I do not know where I would be today. I hope to give back what they have given me.

In attending college one the most valuable lessons I've learned is management. Whether concerning time management or that of my finances, attending college has taught me to become independent and a manager of my life. This lesson will is the most important I've had so far, because it is one of the few that applies to every aspect of life and always will.

So far, the greatest gain I have gotten from my personal college expierence is the sense of maturity. I have grown to become a responsible person out of necessity. It is up to me and only me to make sure that I succeed, and think that kind of self sufficiency is the most important quality a person can have to succeed. Ohio State treats all of the students as the adults they need to be and the pay off is a group of bright and well prepared students graduating each year. The skills I have learned already will surely benefit me for the rest of my life.

I have gotten from my college experience a real sense of how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. Being selfish, being narrow-minded, being scared - those traits will not fare well in this new world where everything rapidly changes and everyone is so different. I valued attending college because I was able to see the world beyond my doorstep. Being first-generation, college can be scary. You are faced with people who don't look like you and people who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds. But my college experience showed me that we were all essentially the same - small fishes in a big pond, and that we needed to work together to ensure the success of one another. I was a singular person before college, and now I am part of something much larger, much more significant than anything I could have accomplished on my own. That is what college can do for everyone who allows the experience to move, inspire, and perhaps even change them.

As a student of The Ohio State University, I believe, without a doubt, that attending this university, college, and school is the best and most important decision I have made or will ever make in my life. I plan on striving every day to quite literally make the world a better place for us and our children to inhabit through natural resources remediation and rehabilitation. Without the opportunities and pathways presented by such an institution of higher learning, I would never be able to wholly fulfill my potential as a student. Even in the first few months on campus, you begin to feel fully enveloped in a realm of possibility unlike any other. Breeding not only independence and self reliance, but also the thirst for academia and drive towards bigger and better things.

I started college straight out of high school in 1989. A long time ago right? I was not a "serious" student at that time. I did not realize how important a college degree would be for me. I am at the point in my life where I can be the type of student I want to be. I firmly believe I will be a success this time. I am a full time Indian Education tutor at an elementary school. I love teaching kids. It is what I was made to do! I am going to finish this time and become a certified classroom teacher! Education is extremely important. I try to instill that in my students and other young people I know. I want to be an example for my own son and show him it is easier to do it the first time around, but never to late!

From my college experience, I had learnt in general to think positively. I grew up in Nigeria where I was one of the opportuned. Life in Lagos was a living disaster and I ever since I came to America, I realised that Education has a lot to offer than any other thing in life. I have learnt that all other things can be taken from you except for your knowledge gained. Attending college has made me a stronger person, it has opened so many doors for me in life which I thought I would never see. College has thought me that life is not a bed of roses that even if others are putting their heads in fire, I shouldn't do that because I am educated and very well aware of the consequences. I can say I have become a smater and very well intellectual person through my college experience. Knowing I was never born with a silver spoon makes me feel destined to have a silver spoon in future and I definately think for my goal to be achieved, I need education because it is the key to all doors of success.

I have learned a lot about myself in the journey toward education. Some of which I learned from classes, but mostly from the people I met along the way. The college experience takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to see life from new perspectives. I made friends from many different backgrounds and the diversity of cultures has reshaped my view of the world. The overwhelming amount of information made availble in classes leave one with a lump of clay, in which you can then discover what role you play in the drama of life. Each choice we make defines us, little by little, and for me that started with the college I chose and the people I befriended.

I have only been in college for about four months and I can already say that it has been a completely worthwhile decision. Since I have been at the Ohio State University I have learned more about myself than I ever have. I have learned to step out of my former "comfort zone," where my parents did things for me all the time. I have learned to be persistent and proactive when it comes to reaching my goals. I have learned incredible time management skills and have aquired a strong motivation to do my absolute best when it comes to my studies, knowing that this is what will count for the rest of my life. In addition to academics, I have met some of the best friends I think I will ever have. Giving into peer pressure is a major issue in college, but I have found friends that share my same morals and values who wish to gain the same experience as I do throughout their college career. This has been more than beneficial because these are important strides one must make before they can expect to make it in the real world on their own.

College has opened so many doors for me. I came to school thinking I had my life all planned out. I was going to major in aerospace engineering like my dad and be an astronaut. Once I started school, I found so many interesting opportunites and classes, that I couldn't resist taking some. I have changed my major and my life plans countless times. I have learned about myself and what I like to do. I have explored some interests that I never would have had a chance to anywhere else. I am meeting other students and professors who share my interests and passions for a multitude of things. Not to mention college has taught me to be more independent. It has taught me about the kind of person I want to be and the ways in which I want to live my life. College has had a huge role in shaping me into the person I am today, and will continue to influence me until I graduate and beyond.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say to organize my time well, but to also be eager to make more social interactions. While I still have the time to do this now, the first quarter was a rougher for me because I did not heed these words. Since the first quarter, I have learned how to better manage my time by setting aside one hour for each class everyday to work on homework and study the material. Unlike high school, college goes over a much tougher and more frequent load of informmation that is impossible to cram into one or two days before a final, mdterm, or even a quiz. Also, while studying and working hard are good keys to success, being with friends and meeting new people is also very important. Being with friends helps me to unwind and relax from all the schoolwork and to have fun at the same time. The more people you meet, the more connections you have to take advantage of later in life, too, especially with professors that can help you to know material and also help refer you in applications for jobs and future schooling.

You know, Thomas, you have spent an extroardinary amount of time reading textbooks and writing "perfect papers." Your efforts, although commendable, are not necessary. Sure its important to have a high GPA but during the application process you are competing against yourself, not the top 50 from your school. There are no winners in the game of life, after all. So really, sit back and enjoy the ride. College is all about the experience. You won't need the Fundamental Theorum of Calculus to explain why you stay out to two in the morning debating politics. And the MLA format is only useful when you are taking an English class. What really matters is making friends and finding connections. Recruiters look more at internships, which by the way can be quite fun, more than GPA. The journey begins, so go.

Kyla, I know you are worried about the size of OSU, but don?t be. The size is what is going to give you so many opportunities over the next four years. When you decide you don't like your initial major the size is what enables you to find the right one with so many to choose from. Also it really does not seem that large once you find the right friends, which you find on your freshman floor. Remember to call home often because you are the first to leave and don?t forget about your high school friends either, which is hard to do sometimes while you make lives separate from each other. Don't worry about the food, it is way better than it seems and you will miss it once you leave campus housing, which reminds me you may want to take some cooking classes if you can. The four years will go by fast so enjoy them as much as you can.

One of the first things I would tell myself is that college is not as intimidating as it seems. It's not always easy, but nothing worth going for ever is. In High School you have a pre determined set of classes that you have to take. In college you have the liberty to choose classes that interest you. College sounds expensive, and to some, completely unaffordable; but there are many ways to get money to pay for your education. If you study what you enjoy, you will do well. If you do well, you will raise your G.P.A. Raise your G.P.A, and you can get scholarships to pay for school. In these tough times it's easy to want to choose work over school; but choosing to go to college gives you so much more. Despite the challenges, you will learn more than you could ever imagine; about the things you care about. You will make friends that will last forever, join clubs and meet people just like you. College is a whole new world; but a wonderful one. When you here people say "It was the best time of my life" they're right.

As I look back on my Senior Year, I ponder the things I could have done to somehow better equip myself for college life. Every time I am asked this question, my thoughts return to one thing: self-discipline. If I could advise myself to improve one aspect of my life, I would focus on discipline. Unlike my high school years, in college, time is abundant. The biggest struggle is to fill that time with beneficial and meaningful activities. I would advise the high school senior version of me to begin making a weekly schedule and to be more organized. This would diminish the amount of time wasted on Facebook or playing videogames and increase motivation to study or be involved, because I would have already developed a sense of discipline as a senior in high school.

If I could go back in time, I would tell high school senior Cameron not to sell himself short. After being rejected from Northwestern and not being able to afford George Washington University, I was very depressed for a few weeks. I would tell myself to keep my chin up, look for other options, and make the best out of what I have been given. I would tell myself to be proud of my accomplishments and that the grass is always greener on the other side.

College will be the best time of your life. You will discover so much about who you and what you really want to do with your llife. Your family and friends will always be there and will listen no matter how many times you question what direction you want to take in your life decisions. Transitioning to college will be a little rough, but don't panic and don't stress to much. Stressing out will only make matters worse. Don't be afraid to join new groups and meet new people, even if you are the only one you know there. Joining new organizations allows you to make life long friendships with memories that will never be forgotten. Being part of something new allows you to feel more comfortable with who you are. When it comes to classes, if you cannot understand a professor or material, get help! Do not be afraid to email teachers or go to office hours. The teachers will not bite and are very helpful if you ask. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions or speak up in classes, even if you have the wrong answer. It is a great learning experience.

The first thing I would tell my self is to slow down and take your time. There is no rush to finish school. Scince I know that I will be alive, I would encourage myself to go to college and live in the dorms. Maybe even think about going to school abroad. Learn to speak as many languages as you can. Just don't limit your self. If there is something that interest you, go for it. Just do it. I would make sure that I kept up with the latest technology as well. I guess the most important thing that i would tell myself is that, a high school diploma is not going to get you a good paying job. If you don't have a well respected college degree, you may not make it. Where I came from everyone form 8-80 works at Mc Donald's just to make ends meet, college degree or not. Times are tough. So pick a career you like and want to stay with for many years because you may not get another chance.