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My advice to myself would be stay true to who you are. College life is full of opportunities some of which are not the best options to take. You need to be careful of the choices you make because they will affect the rest of your education and life. An example of this would be drinking alcohol and attending the parties. If you choose to go out and drink versus spending time doing your school work, then you will suffer the consequences. I have seen so many kids end up with bad grades and then drop out because they couldn't resist being a part of socializing, even though it interfered with studying and their classes. If they would have made the right choice, it would not have cost their education. You need to be organized and schedule time to do school work, as well as time off to go do something you love. If you balance your time well, you will succeed in college and be very proud that you could accomplish the feat of surviving the temptations of college life.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to really try and learn some effective study skills. In high school, I always got good grades, but I just studied for what I had to know that week and I did not care if I forgot something a couple days later. By the time midterms and finals came around, I had to re-teach myself everything! It would have taken more time initially, but in the long run I would have saved time. This year, as a freshman in college, I have already taken classes I took in high school. So many concepts and terms look familiar, but that just about it. Had I spent the time really trying to learn and remember material as a senior, I would be able to really focus on other courses. Also, I would not have to try to establish good study habits, as I am currently doing, while learning new material. I am not in an impossible situation, but everything would just be easier. Senior year would have been easier, along with this year, and years to come.

My advice to myself would be, "look into scholarships". Since I do not have the money to stay at Ohio State University, I would tell myself to look into any last scholarships that could help me out with the money for this school. I know that I can handle the workload, but do not have the money to do so. Thus, knowing what I know now, I would go back and find a way to stay in this school.

Knowing what I know now about college and making the transition, the advice that I would give myself is to apply for more scholarships. At The Ohio State University, the tuition has went up $2,000 since my freshman year and they're planning to raise tuition an additional $2,000 for the 2010-2011 academic school year. In january (when tax season comes), it's the same time that students have to fill out their federal student aid which can be the most stressful for most students and when you have multiple scholarships its just less stress when financial aid season comes around. In high school I didn't like subjects that covered English and Writing because that's where I struggled the most. So, when it was time to write essays and compete for scholarships I kept myself from doing them because I didn't want to put in the time or the effort to write and that hindered me. Now I am trying to apply for scholarships and it's hard to find scholarships now because most of them are for high school seniors. So, I wish I wasn't afraid to write.

First thing, relax! Don't be so uptight. Don't worry so much about doing well and achieving. Enjoy the ride. Also, procrastination is a sin! It'll really jack you up in college.

"Relax. Stop thinking of only the future; it will come far too soon. Enjoy what you are doing now. Make the most out of this last year of high school, for it is one you will never forget. So go spend time with your friends. Have fun! Go to every sporting event you can and join every club that seems interesting. Of course, don't forget about school, but don't be overly stressed out. This is your last chance to really be a kid--next year, it's off to the real world. Look around you and take in all the places you go and the people you are with. These are your best friends, your favorite hang out spots, and next year, you'll miss them. But don't be afraid of the future, it will bring only good things. You'll miss what you have now, but you'll love where you end up. There are so many opportunities and experiences, and college will be one of the best ones you'll ever have. Relax. Enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow. Trust me, college is tough, but you're ready."

Don't assumme things will work out, make sure you have everything ready for when you leave. Do not leave money to the last minute, no one is just going to give it to you because you are a good student. You have to go look for it and earn it. Be prepared and don't procrastinate and wait until the last minute!

Brittany, you need to fill out as many scholarships as you can. Don't underestimate yourself. You are very smart and deserve all the money that you can get. Do not let the pressure that your parents put on your success overwhelm you. They are not applying to college, you are. In the end, you are in charge of your future. Believe in yourself and that you can be successful. Do not try to have all of your fun in the first week of college. You have all four years and actually the rest of your life to enjoy life.

I would have done so many things differently to prepare myself for college. One thing I would have done is learn to study and do homework efficiently. Although many people told me that we would have to study in college, I never took them seriously. Now, I realize that it was an important thing to learn to do. I have had to learn to study, and how to study thoroughly and efficiently. I would also tell myself to learn time management. College is all about time management. I think that if you do not learn time management first, you will have a hard time succeeding in college. Visitors and speakers would tell us to do everything we could to be prepared for college, but the truth is that we will never be totally prepared. Anyone can tell you what college is like and what to do to prepare but until you are a college student yourself, you will never actually know what to expect. Just do what you can do to prepare and do not assume you know everything.

Going back in time is always a tricky subject. I like the person that I am today. Would I really want to risk everything I have become to change a few minor scenarios or give a smattering of advice? I really don't know. Perhaps, this dillema in itself shows that the best advice I could give myself as a high school senior would be that the only thing I can know for sure is that I will not always know all the answers. Whether it is struggling with a question on an exam, trying to find off-campu housing, or wondering how I can find money to continue my education past my four years of undergraduate, uncertainty will always be a part of my life. Luckily, an answer can always be found with enough perseverance and patience.

Hey, Rinah! So, you've almost made it. Hang in there! True, half your friends have dropped out, and now they spend their Monday mornings in bed, and afternoons lounging on the beach. But where will they be in 10 years? You'll be glad you stuck it out. College will open countless doors for you, so don't blow it. You're being given a precious opportunity which many people in the world will never have. Be grateful, and explore what campus life has to offer. If you can't figure out what to study, take a break and come back when you're really ready to get serious. Above all, listen to your heart. If you truly want to go travel the world, go! When you decide to go back to school, be there a hundred percent. Just don't do anything half-heartedly. Give it your all. You can accomplish anything you can dream of, with dedication.

Just be you. You aren't what friends think of you or what the media should think of you. Really look inside and self-examine your heart and mind. Reach and grab a hold onto the things that mean most to you in life: family and friends - so you know who to fall back on when you stumble and who to thank when you rise. Take these ideas and build your passion around it. Use it as motivation to read that extra chapter, run another minute and approach new friends. This is who you truly are and though the world won't go your way many times especially in college, hold on to these beliefs and you'll be alright.

I would tell myself to make sure to use the available resources. There are so many good resources out there to help students with classes and career advice. Advisors are paid to help you decide what to major in and what classes to take. Ask them questions. Tutors and professors are there to help you do well in your classes, so if you are having trouble in a class dont just try to do everything yourself. There are career offices that have people who can help you get connected with internships and co-op programs. See if they how anything that would be perfect for you to start entry level work even the first summer into college. The earlier you start looking into and using these resources the more benefit you will get from them and you will be prepared to take the next step after college. This will also decrease your stress during college, allowing you to enjoy your college experience all the more.

I would recommend that I would get more involved in as many extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, or any other programs that were available outside of school as possible. It shows leadership and confidence; and these days, majority of universities, career fields and scholarship programs seek students who possess these qualities. I did very well my senior year academically--making the honor roll on two occasions--but I wish that I could go back to my junior and sophomore years to emphasize to myself how critical it was for me to complete my courses to the best of my ability, regardless how meaningful or challenging each assignment was. Lastly, I would advise myself to enjoy life more, no matter what my situation was; "go to the prom/homecoming, even if I didn't have anyone to go with". An individual only gets only one time in his life to enjoy such occasions and cannot miss out on the great memories which last a lifetime.

focus more on studies than social life and get involved in more academic based organizations

I would advise myself to talk to my advisors regularly in order to better schedule classes for the degree I choose.

Don't be afraid of new experiences! Relax and enjoy this time of your life.

Not to be in a hurry to find out what you want to do in life. Instead explore all options and from those options, choose what Iyou enjoy doing. In order to make an informed decision about futher employment, sourround yourself with people that are doing what you like to do- if possible voulteer to work in those areas of interest. Finally keep a journey of all ventures that you presuing keep a journey of the pros and cons. Also write down what you must do to accomplish your ultimate goals.

Being brave isn't always easy, but you can totally handle the switch from small to gigantic school. Don't let the intimidation get the best of you and keep your focus on your schoolwork. Remember that you have chosen your degree in art because it's you have received plently of high praises for your past works. Do not be afraid to ask questions, no matter how confused you are or how stupid the question may seem, it's better to actually know what's going on then just "wing it." If your advisors don't seem like they are putting you on the right path, be sure to double check that they are giving you the best advice - people make mistakes that could cost you a big chunk of money! Always keep in touch with everyone you meet because you never know whose help you could need.

I know it seems like AP classes are rough now, but learn how to buckle down and study! When you get to college, time management and pacing will be the most important skill you can have. Know that no matter how smart you are, it will be a whole lot of work for nothing if you are not able to manage your time. Learn some stress management techniques as well, because finals will be extremely taxing. Make sure to get to know the people you live with, in dorms from day one; they will become your new family! They will not only be friends, but also study-buddies and moral supporters. Make sure that you get to know your professors, because as the classes get more and more challenging, you?ll want to be able to take advantage of office hours even more. Oh, and if you?re going to The Ohio State University, make sure you bring walking shoes.

Megan, college is so much better than high school, so stay on track and don't be scared. There is a bigger world outside of Coshocton, and nobody's going to be watching you trying to find your place in it. Just go for it. Don't let anyone hold you back, and have fun.

I would give my 18-year-old-self the advice of not to have a set idea of your future in your mind already. There are so many experiences, opportunities, classes, and people that will come in unexpectantly to your life and change it for the better. If you have already categorized yourself into one category, such as a biology major or a varsity athlete, you can limit yourself to only those groups, people, and experiences. By branching out you not only learn more about people and the world, but also about yourself. Ohio State can be very intimidating to branch out as a freshman considering its size and opportunities available. However, once you take the leap of faith, you will be forever rewarded with amazing experiences, friends, and ultimately an education that is not only limited to the classroom.

College is an enormous transition for a high school student to make and without the guidance of older friends or relatives it can be overwhelming. Reflecting back on myself as a young freshman, I cannot help but think of the numerous mistakes and inadequate decisions that I made. If I were to recreate my experience, I would suggest three key changes that would have made my college experience more enjoyable and easier. First, I would encourage myself to dedicate study time at the library. This is important because living in a dorm can be distracting and it often reduces the amount of time that should be spent studying. Next, I would encourage myself to join more leadership organizations and extracurricular activities. This is important in order to meet students with similar interests and to become actively enganged in the college community. Lastly, I would advise myself to have fun on the weekends in order to destress. Balance is very important in a student's life, and having time away from homework and class is a must. Altogether, a student must find their own niche in their college community, and I feel that these suggestions would have improved my college experience.

Prepare yourself. College is so much different than High School and if you are not prepared you may easily fall behind. When I first came to college, I had previously taken college courses so I was mentally prepared as to what college coursework was going to be like. However, many of my friends did not have previous college exposure and they had a very hard time getting adjusted to college life. Moving to a new place, living with someone you have never lived with before, being away from home, AND juggling college classes is a lot to get used to all at one time. It is extremely important to prepare yourself, mentally, as much as possible before you go to college.

I would force myself to study ahead of time to get into a good habit. Waiting to study only a few nights before an exam does not always work out so well.

Make sure you study!!!

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would have a lot to say! First, I would tell myself to put school work first! A school like Ohio State is pretty comepitive and putting your school work first will keep you a head of the game. Many of my friends focused more on parying than they did school work, and are paying the price for it now. Your education is one of the most important achievements in life, and it should be valued and tresured. I would also tell myself to enjoy every minute of my college experience. I am a graduating senior this year and it feels like college just flew by. College is definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had and I can't believe it's almost over! I remember being a freshman in college and thinking, "I can't wait to just graduate!", and now graduation is almost here and I don't want to say goodbye because I've had such a great time. I would tell myself, "Don't wish your life away and just live in the moment!"

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To pace yourself so you can get all your assignments completed on time. Keep sharp on my study habits like I always have. Make sure to get enough rest so you can study properly. To much socializing will affect your studying. Some days there just is not enough time in one day to get everything done. Communicate with your teachers as much as you can, they are the ones that give you your exams. You can still have fun and get good grades at the same time as long as you control your time wisely. Its hard but you can do it !

Even if you are well-prepared for college, there will still be experiences that are unexpected. I played volleyball for seven years and was recruited walk-on at The Ohio State University. I went to team camp this past summer (going into my freshman year at Ohio State) and realized that it wasn't the thing for me. When I was in high school, volleyball was my entire life. There are so many different opportunities on campus that I still am able to keep busy. However, because of my housing situation after deciding not to play volleyball, I had no choice but to be a commuter student. Thus far, I have enjoyed being able to still be at home a lot, but I've missed out on a lot of campus-life activities and the full college experience. My parents can't afford for me to live on campus right now, and if I were to be awarded this scholarship, the money would be used for my housing next year.

If I were to give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get engaged in as much as possible with the University. By joining an organization, fundraising for a certain cause, or volunteering around town, you are able to meet people and have experiences that can change you life. It is fun to get to know a variety of people. By listening to other people's stories and sharing your own, you are able to create a better sense of community with people who might be very different from yourself. Putting yourself out there and experiencing things that you may not have otherwise is also a good reason why someone should get involved in as much as they possibly can.

Make as many friends as possible, it will be much more fun that way. Work hard at school and keep your GPA up, so you can get more scholarships.

The transition to college life is one of the most diffucult transitions a young adult makes in their lifetime. If I could go back to Junior year of high school I would tell myself to not go to a college because the boyfriend at the time was going to break up with me if I didn't. I would inform myself that the relationship was not going to last anyways and because of what he would put me through, my first year of college would be probably the roughest year of my life. Do not ever let anyone dictate any of your decisions. You be your own guide and listen to your inner voice. I would also tell my 16 year-old self to be prepared for some major mental and spiritual growing up to occur during freshman year and to not worry about what other people think of you. People may come and go in your life but you will meet some amazing people and always keep those friends close to your heart. Your mom is a wealth of knowledge. Always listen to her advice!

Apply for scholorships and talk to a college advisor to get a better idea of what classes to take to avoid taking unneeded classes.

I would tell myself to make sure I have a good sense about what I want to do before I decide on a major.

I would tell myself that univeristy is going to be really tough so be prepared mentally. High school is nothing comepared to university. Of course, university if much fun than high school but you have to be able to control yourself to balance fun and academics. Therefore, learn how to manage time. Know what is important and what is not. Learn how to meet people because meeting people is part of succeeding in university. Hope I have enjoyed more of high school because high school is stress free compared to university. Most important thing is how you do in university not what university you go to so enjoy high school and be prepare to enjoy and work really hard in university.

Take the time to look into programs offered at different schools in depth. Take into consideration the cost of attending the college and put it in perspective to life after college including all the costs of living on your own, insurence and other essentials to determine how much debt you are willing to take on and if the debt would be worth it in the long run. Another thing you should do when considering a college is to not only visit it but sit in on a few classes that you will take in your major to get a good feel for how you well you will fit in there. It is essential to plan and organizing your time to balance school, work and a social life. You don't want to be working so much that you don't have time to study and as a result not get good grades or socialize to much that your grades also suffer. Another piece of advice is know who your friends are. They'll be the ones along with your family that will help get you through stressful situations.

do your best!

Understand that this is a great opportunity to meet a lot of nice people and to learn more about my interests.

That I need to keep my head in the game. That I was not going to be a veterinarian so I should change my major much sooner than I did. Ask teachers there how they studied and prepared for their tests and learn how to do that better. Just to have fun with school and don't worry as much.

Since I am paying for my own school I spent much of my senior year conteplating whether or not to attend such a large university, or just staying back home and attending a close by community college. I know the many hours I had this on my mind, and if I could go back I would tell myself not to worry about it. There will be tough times no doubt, but getting a higher education is worth it. I would tell myself be sure to get involved because you have no idea how much it is really going to help you in the future. Finally, I would tell myself to be proud to be going to college and not to listen to others who were discouraging me from going.

Always go for what your heart wants to do and never look back. What is done is done and the only thing left to do is push on and persevere. Never give up hope, never look back.

I think it was avery smart idea for you to go to a regional campus first to get used to the shock first. It helps you alot when you finally make it to main campus with all the people and the large classes. Freshman year made you more confident in yourself and more able to take care of yourself in a room of 500 when you sometimes feel like a number. I believe in you and you will do amazing things for yourself and the people around you.

Not to assume the worst about the Big Ten schools. I transferred from a small liberal arts college to the Ohio State University because the rural town, small student population and minimal social life were suffocating, which I did not realize would happen to me. Also, I would have looked more carefully at food between campuses!

Be outgoing and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Don't judge others because you never know, they may up being your best friend.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would first remind myself to not be so critical and cynical if and when I fall short of the high standards I set for myself. I would then explain to her that it is very important to develop a strong community of friends and acquaintances during the first weeks of moving in. I would emphasize that more importantly, be mindful and cautious about people's intentions and motivations, because they are not always as honest as we would like them to be. However, you should not shut yourself out of the social realm in its entirety, for the sake of your sanity! There are a plethora of events and activities going on all around campus and the city. Immerse yourself in all that you can, all that is new or sounds interesting or fun to you, not just what is popular or what the mainstream population is partaking in. I would end the conversation with stating that the most important thing to remember is BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!

Really consider your priorities. As in, YOUR priorities - not your mother's or your father's or sister's or anyone else's. Going away to college means truly being by yourself and you have to make decisions that you will be happy with at the end of the day. There will seriously be no one else to blame, so make a list of priorities that you want to get out of life at college and above all, MAKE SURE YOU ACHIEVE THEM! A lot of things will be harder than you think they will be, but they won't be impossible. Don't be afraid to try new things or ask for help, either.

Know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life. If you are not majoring in that, then change your major. Even if it will take you three more years until you graduate, it is worth it.

An OSU student describes how she decided on an uncommon major that she hadn't even heard of when she started college: actuarial science.

An Ohio State student admits that she was caught off guard by the level of difficulty in college coursework.