Oklahoma Christian University Top Questions

I used to go to a little Christian college called Cascade College. In May 2009, Cascade was closed by its parent school, Oklahoma Christian, where I now attend. When Cascade closed it was heartbreaking because I loved the students and teachers so much, I hated that we all had to leave one another. Reluctantly and bitterly, I arrived at Oklahoma Christian, determined to hate them because they were the jerks that closed Cascade, thus forcing me to move halfway across the country. I now regret this attitude because Oklahoma Christian has been nothing but kind to me since I came here. I arrived expecting them to be one way, but finding them to be blessedly another. So what has college taught me? its taught me that you can be disappointed and have your heart broken, but from every failed hope springs a wealth of opportunity. I'm now able to pursue a major that will help me reach my life goals, I now have a better chance of employment and Graduate school, and I've met so many great people. College has taught me to be grateful, a life lesson I could have missed if I never came.

The thing i have gotten most out of my college experience is all of the new things i have learned. I have learned how to study better and know how to work for what i want in life. I have also gotten the privelege of getting to know people from alot of differnt countries. I have learned that there is a whole other world out there and that i want to learn about it. These people who i have met have changed my life and i feel like i know how to work with people better and be more tolerant of people who are much more different than me. This was only after the first year of college and i am greatly looking forward to my remaining years in college.

I have gotten so much out of because of the practice they gives us. They get your feet wet early with your major. I changed my major twice. At first I wanted to be an Elementary Education major. I started with my orientation to education classes and one of the was a practicum. I had to go to an elementary school and observe. Once I did that I realized I didn't want to teach. Then I changed to Mass Communication and I was enrolled to a Broadcasting Workshop and I loved it. It made me realized that, that is what I enjoy doing. The professors are great to work with. They don't let you go easy, they work you hard and want the best for you. They have made me feel special and are with me along my college experience. That is a reason why I love Oklahoma Christian because it is a great size for the professors to grow a relationship with their students.

Out of my college experience, I have come to learn that education is more than memorizing facts and learning material. The education you receive in college is about learning how to integrate it into our lives as students and to learn how that information is consistent with our values as people. Going to a religious school I have learned that my faith as a Christian is just as important to learn how to use as the knowledge I recieve from textbooks because if I don't combine the two I won't ever be able to function as a whole person in my career or in my faith. Attending college has shown me that the real life exeriences I receive outside of the classroom are as valuable as the in-classroom experiences. It has shown me that I must embrace the journey that I have embarked on for my life and that the journey is what life is about, not the destination. College has taught me how to be a whole person and how to enjoy life in my faith, my career and the crazy road on which I must travel for all of it.

The thing I have learned most from college is that things dont always turn out the way you want and second tries are important. Growing up things always went the way I wanted. I could get the grades I wanted without studying, had money for everything I wanted to do and could skip classes without missing important information. By going to college I figured out that not everything in life is under my control. Things get out of your reach no matter how hard you might try. With this knowledge if I fail at something I will know that it is possible to keep going and that I have to try again.

My experience at OC has given me a stronger faith and determination to succeed in pursuing my dreams. The professors make you want to learn and are always there to help you when you are struggling, or if you just need guidance. I've found that the students there are very accepting of each other and are willing to be patient with you if you don't share the same beliefs. I have such a strong bond with my roommate and friends that I have met through the social clubs and the tennis team and I know they are there for me. Through the Bible classes and experiences on campus, I have grown spiritually and matured as a young woman. As a pre-med biology major, I have been able to sit in lectures from well known researchers and have internships and research opportunities at my fingertips. The overall costs is admittadly a little pricey, but it really is worth everything I'm paying for it. My education is invaluable to me and if I can attend a university where I actually enjoy learning and am forming relationships that will last a lifetime, then the cost does not matter.

Having born in an underprivileged country in central of Africa, an education in the USA is a chance I had not taken as granted. Because my country, Rwanda, is one of the poorest nations in the world, going to college will help me bring home something that will change lives everlastingly. One of my dreams is to become a first-class power engineer and help my country overcome restrictions linked to electric power shortage. Even though there are a lot of things one can get out of a high-quality college education, the most interesting thing I learned is to learn how to learn. As an engineering student, I learned that most of everything is possible through hardship and perseverance. A college degree does not give all the necessary knowledge you will need in your career. It, however, gives the powerful tools to confidently approach life with no fear because in college one learns how to learn.

John Maxwell once said, ?Life is 10 percent of what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react to it.? I am currently a sophomore at Sierra College, and the one ?attitude? I have learned in two years of school is to always grasp for opportunities. It was my earnest desire to be on the men?s basketball team; however circumstances did not allow this goal of mine to be achieved. Instead of crying about it, I tried out for the men?s swim team, because I was not going to allow my dream of being a collegiate athlete to slip through my fingers. I recently finished my second year on the swim team that is ranked fifth in the state; and it is because of this cultured desire to embrace new opportunity that I will run for student government in the fall. This tenacity has been epitome of my college experience. It has not been easy and there were plenty of times for self pity because life was not turning out the way I expected. However, as my swim coach says, ?nothing in life worth winning comes easy, and anything easily won is not worth winning.?

Through college I have learned the person that I am and the person that I want to coninue to grow and develop into. I have had to experience things on my own and stand on my own, which has helped me see what I do best and what I what I want to do for the rest of my life. Through my college expereinces I learned what that what I do best was not what I originally thought it was, and therefore, I am now excelling in early childhood education and excited to go to class everyday. For the first time I enjoy learning and want to learn more about the career that I am pursuing so that I may teach students and impact their lives in the most special and influential way possible. I now understand that I want to make a difference in peoples' lives, particularly children's, and so I go to school every day with that in mind. College has helped me gain the knowledge, experience, and abilities to be the best at my chosen profession that I want to be. I am now armed with the tools that I need and desire.

It's a hard decision to make. Do I want to go to college or not? There's so much to think about; all the homework, reading, studying, essays, exams, term papers, and doing the same in other classes. It's a handful of stress and responsiblilities. I finally stepped up and filled out the application to start my first year at Dalton State College, Gilmer Center. Now, I'm having a blast, making new friends, learning things I never thought I'd know, and still keeping up in classes. I've not been devoured by readings and writing essays, even though, essays are one of the most vital things going through college. Valuable things I have attained from college are facts like: go to bed early so you're not late for class, get your textbooks on time, listen to your teacher's lectures, it's where most of the test questions come from, and just have fun.

Looking back at what I have gotten from this school, I guess in one word I could say myself. I was one of those people who was extremely shy, and didn?t get out of the house because I didn?t know what I would do. I have met my life long friends here at OC, and looking back at my life I am glad I made the decisions to come. It was the most terrifying decision, because it was so far out of my comfort zone and what I grew up knowing but I wouldn?t change my decision for the world. My classes are great because they keep me focused on what I want to do. I was in a social service club, and that keeps you involved and always meeting new people. Life is always busy and amazing to be in. I know that I will find a job in my field and that gives me confidence to go on with my life with my head held high. That is what OC has done for me.

I have learned that a community is very important. In order for us to be successful, it takes much more than a independent, driven, and confident attitude. We have to rely on others to help us get through life. At Oklahoma Christian I fell in love with the community atmosphere because it helped me to become a better student. Throughout high school I did not feel challenged or even excited about learning the curriculum; but at Oklahoma Christian I have developed a new hunger to learn. The staff and students encourage and strive to modivate all of us to be better and seek excellence through everything we do. It has been a life changing experience to be apart of Oklahoma Christian because I have accountability from people that share a deep and passionate love for God with me. My intimate relationships with friends has shown me what true living is all about! I am now confident, hungry, and passionate about life and I will continue to seek out my love for Christ so that I can be an example and encouragement to the world.

So far out of my college expirence I have made a lot of close friendships. I have gotten to know myself better, and what I really want out of my life and career. College has made me really form a real close relationship with God. It has made me form my own relationship and not one of my families. This all has been valueable because it has made me become more of my own person. And I think that that came by me getting out on my own and having to be an individual. And I am thankful for that.

I have learned a lot about how a classroom is how run and how much work is put into being a teacher. I have learned a lot about what it takes to be a teacher and how I will run my classroom. It has been valuable to attend because of the classroom experience I have gotten in my undergrad program. I will go into student teaching with over 300 hours spent in the classroom. It has been so valuable to spend so much time with teachers and students. It has really opened up my eyes and let me experience being a teacher.

I have learned so much and grown incredibly during my college experience. Even though there are certain things I disagree with OC about, I still value what I have learned there. Next spring, I will graduate with my nursing degree and be an RN. This is an awesome accomplishment that I will be proud of when it happens. Also, I have had the opportunity to be involved in world missions through the campus ministry at the church nearby that I attend. Last summer, I took a trip with 20 other students to Ghana, Africa for a month to work in an orphanage. It was probably the most amazing experience I have ever had. I've realized my passion is traveling and mission work and caring for people. I am looking forward to where my graduation from Oklahoma Christian will take me!

Eight months ago I survived a horrible motorcycle accident and the loss of my husband. I have two small children and am left trying to put my life back together and going back to school to support them. The biggest thing I have gotten out of my college experience, is the knowledge that I can make a better future for my family. The sadness and grief from the accident are replaced with hope, and even excitement, that life will go on, and it can be beautiful.

I came from a family where the future was never mentioned. You just accepted who you were and where you were in life and never expected anything different. I left and moved out on my own when I was fifteen. Since then, I have been offered so many opportunities to truly become the person I have always wanted to be. I majored in Religious Education and International Studies as an undergrad because I want to work with children the rest of my life giving them that same hope and encouragement I was given. Now I am working on my MBA in Leadership and Organizational Development because I have learned that I have a passion for life that I can use to encourage not only children but people of all ages. I am only twenty-two but I have experienced so much in life already for me to realize how appreciative I am for the education and the experiences I have been able to experience through OC. I do not believe that would have been possible had I attended any other university. I am so greatful that I am where I am today and I hope that you are as well.

I have definitely learned more about myself than I ever knew before. I not only learned just basic details about myself, I also learned how to stand up and take initiative; I learned how to change those things that weren't very great. Being on my own and making decisions for myself has made this year one of the hardest of my life. I definitely made a lot of mistakes along the way and I wished I was back home for every one of them. But I also managed to make some good decisions that truly changed the way I feel inside. I have learned so much about being happy with myself and being a good neighbor to those who are around me. I have truly learned how to treat others how I want to be treated. Most importantly, I learned to treat myself and others the way I deserve to be treated.

Dear 2006 Kevin, As you begin your college experience, I want to impress upon you the idea of not worrying about classes and balancing your time. When I was in your shoes in 2006, I really screwed things up. I spent 4 hours a night in the library. In 2010, I can tell you have a 4.0 GPA, so don?t worry so hard about classes as a freshman. You will have 20 minutes of homework a night. Seriously. (By the way, put down your Intro to American Government book, you don?t need to read it.) Instead of wasting your time now, get up of your seat right now (and no, not after the game), go down the hall, and meet people. In 2010, the people who live down the hall will become some of your best friends. In 2010, it?s all about managing your priorities so that when you leave this wonderful place, you will have no regrets. Also, you might want to start early on planning for law school because the LSAT is much harder than you think it is (and if you think I?m kidding, just wait. . .) Basically, lighten up!

If I could go back I would tell my self to spend more time looking at the colleges I was interested in. I would advise myself to spend more time on the campus with different groups of people so that I would expirence different ways the students interact on campus. I would also say that the first semester is going to be hard. It will be hard because it is a whole new environment without a set schedule. There are bigger breaks in between classes and it is important to use those breaks to do homework instead of just "goofing" around. Time management and determination is very important. The two most important things are those. Also have the willpower to keep to your schedule. Do not fall into the temptation of not putting your classes first. They are the reason you are at school. They are what will get you the degree you want.

Dear Kyle, I am writing to you to help make your transition from high school to college a little easier. First, I recommend that you continue to work hard your senior year of high school. I highly encourage you to take challenging classes that will prepare you for your freshman year of college. The second piece of advice I will give is that you should stay involved in your community. You are only a high school senior once, so you should enjoy the time you have with your friends, and especially family. Third, I recommend that you apply for as many scholarships as possible. Every little bit of scholarship money counts! You do not want to come out of college with a large amount of debt to pay-off. College is so expensive, so by receiving scholarships, you will make that burden of debt a little lighter. Last, I would like to encourage you to pursue your dreams! Do not let anyone stand in your way of what you want to become! Dreams DO come true, so make the most of every opportunity and work hard, because you can do anything you set your mind to! Sincerely, Kyle Knierim

Make the best of your senior year because it will be gone before you know it. Always make sure you do the very best in your school work because it really does pay off to do well in high school. Always be social and don't miss out on anything because once you do you will regret it. Make sure you pay attention because the information you learn in high school, you will use in college. Do not ever slack off; they will not accept that in college. Don't be afraid to try new things! Always be nice and helpful. Remember good things come to those who are curtious and helpful to others. Always ask for help if you need anything. Do your homework because then you will have a lot more free time.

Transitioning from high school to college was a big change for me. In college, students are responsible for their grade entirely and sometimes it depends on if you show up or not. I would tell myself to do the very best you can i every class even if the class doesn't seem necessary for your career or major. Having high expectations in college can help you be very successful. I would also sugget getting involved with sports, groups, or other community events. It is very important to get to know people so they can encourage and help you throughout your college career. I would have tried harder to make more friends and have a better social life. Being athletic, I would be on a sports team again. Being in a sport while in college is very challenging, but also fun and rewarding. To me, college had been the best years of my life.

Do your best to remain focused. Although you are a smart young lady, do not become laxed about your school work. With the scholarships and grants given to you, making good grades are important. Distractions will come but if your focus is steady on what is important you will be fine. No matter what comes your way as long as your on that solid ground it will be as if nothing came at all. You will need to learn how make decisions; not always relying on the answers of others or basing your choices on what others say, but that of what you believe is correct to do. At that moment you will no longer be a grown child, but a young adult.

The best advice I would give to anyone entering college would be to know who you are. You are entering a phase in life where for once, no one is going to know who you are and if you don't know who you are either, it can be very detrimental to the college experience. You will be put in situations that you have never been in before with people you barely know doing things that might be entirely new to you. You must be able to stand up for what you believe because it tells people who you are by showing them what matters to you. You will feel pressured to be a certain person but understand that no one cares what role you play as long as you are being true to yourself. Everything will fall into place; you'll make friends that see the real you and experience life in a way that brings out the best in you. You just have to know what you want out of college and stay true to those expectations.

If the current stronger and wiser ?senior-in-college-me? could have a chat with my young, curious, impulsive, and much-too-uptight high school self, I would sum up my college advice to her in one word- RELAX. That Freshman Comm. III paper you?ll turn in a day late? Relax. You pass that class with a B. The first ?procrastination-induced? all-nighter that you will pull and then pay for? Relax. You will pull many more and eventually learn the art of time management. All of those part-time retail jobs that you will absolutely loathe? Relax. Things could be worse?right? (This one will take some convincing.) That one boy that will pursue you for three years when you only want to be friends? Relax. You end up marrying him. Those times when money is tight and luxuries are ...non-existent? Relax. God has and always will provide. While in college, you will experience the greatest, hardest, most hilarious, most devastating, most beautiful, most painful, and most remarkable moments of your life so far. And yes, you will make it through every one of them. So just relax.

Dear 18 going on college career, You have not hit the climax of your education and social careers. You have learned the basics and the fundamentals well and will get through this awkward transition phase with few bumps and bruises. Through everything that has happened since the "then you "up until the "now me", just know that delayed gratification has its greatest weight now. Worry less. Work more. Through every stressful paper or unfortunate experience, you have yet to catch a glimpse of your full potential and breaking point. Continue to live with no regrets, and simply live. Boys will still be boys and still are endlessly charming, but just as dad said you're here to learn not drool. Focus on dreams and goals. Continue to stive to become the women we hope to be one day. Work hard and be compassionate in all that you do. Paint by numbers are tedious, but still yours will be a work of art. All of the pain that you go through now, only gives more meaning to the happiness you experience later. Love, You

College is very expensive, but getting a degree is worth it. You will have to study a lot and you will have to work harder than you ever worked in your entire young life, but receiving a good grade on test is all the reward you need to continue. Go out there and join the college life, enjoy life, make new and lasting friends, have fun but most important , stay focus and lasso the moon (which is grab your degree). Hold tight to the dreams you have today, and walk boldly in their directions, and always be proud of your achievements, and use them to fulfill your dreams.

Procrastination. I was aware of it in high school, and knew I needed to get that under control. However, I didn't, and kept allowing myself to put things off till the last possible minute. My parents, teachers and friends I had in college, kept telling me that I couldn't procrastinate in college. It would kill me. Not listening to them I then proceeded to put off studying for my first exam. The class was bible, and being raised in the church, I figured I would ace it with hardly any studying. Wrong! I practically failed it. But that is a lesson I have learned while being in college, that I wish I had known in high school. Even keeping an agenda helps to stay organized so that you don't wait till the last minute to do things.

The number one thing I wish someone would have told me is to take as many public speaking classes as possible. In college public speaking is one of the things you do the most. It is really hard for a lot of people to get in front of a class and be comfortable. I think if I had taken more classes where I would have gotten out of my comfort zone, and been better at giving a speech in front of large audiences.I wish I would have joined more organizations and gotten more involved. I also would tell myself to run for student office because it helps you practice speaking as well. I would also tell myself to go to everything the college offers before you start going there so you can make some friends before the school year starts. Also go to every event you can when school starts. Try out for a play, or a sports team. Those are great places to find people with common interests. I would also say, don?t be afraid to reach out to people and start conversations with them! Your friends from college stick with you forever.

?Lourena,? I would say, ?Lourena, you've dreamt about college since sixth grade, it has always been your dream, and now it?s finally coming to fruition. But it?s important to keep in mind that all the work you've done thus far has only been to get there, now you're only starting this journey. My advice to you, my dear self, is to take care of yourself. You have a tendency to let your own health and personal welfare fall to the bottom of your list of priorities. You need to sleep, to eat healthy, and to be sure to let your own mental stability come first before the feelings of others. As harsh as this might sound, its very necessary because I let myself get overworked and pushed around my first year of college and ended up paying for it first with my health and then with my grades. College was and remains to be your biggest dream, Lourena Ann. It's your dream and no one else's. You fought tooth and nail to just get there, don't stop fighting for it.?

Are you nervous? Don't be it's all going to work out alright. You see where you are going is not for you to make friends if you do fine go ahead do that but your main goal is to brighten your future. Now I know it seems scary but don't worry there are too many people that are going to support you and not let you fall. This transition is a team efford and for once your the captin and calling all the shots. So don't walk in as a gold fish in a fish bowl walk in as a shark in the ocean and be yourself trust in yourself and everything will be just fine. Remember too many people have your back and refuse to let you fall. You're here because so many people believe in you. You're here for a reason so make the best of it won't you.

If I could go back in time and talk to the Emmalee of 2007, I would warn myself of the extremely complicated task of managing an academic life with a social life. Both are key, and while you can have one without the other, you can only thrive with a balance of both. Time management between striving toward excellence with schoolwork and still saving time to rest your mind, kick back and have fun with friends is a challenge. Sleeping, while seemingly a no-brainer, is another important factor to making college worthwhile. If you're trying just to survive classes going on little sleep, and you're still tired when you hang out with friends, the quality of your time will be lessened. I always said during freshman year, "never put off till tomorrow what can be done today." While this is true, I have also realized since freshman year that there will always be things to do, no matter how hard you work. There has to be a limit, a line, sometime. Make time for sleep. Enjoy your friends. Always committ your best to each assignment and make the effort to be the friend you would want yourself.

I would tell myself to mix the hard core classes in with the degree classes. That way I would have some easy classes towards my final years. I would want to tell myself that college requires a lot of studying and is not all about socializing because its not. Professors don't care that your not feeling good and you can't come up with as many as excuses. I would have told myself to apply for scholarships and not think that I wasn't able to do it because of the money my parents use to make. Because things happen, parents get divorced and you might end up having to pay for college all by yourself and its not fun trying to get loans approved.

My high school evenings were spent juggling sports, homework, and chores leaving no time for a social life. I was always involved in some activity and weekends were spent recovering from the week?s homework assignments. The rare weekends spent with friends were wonderful and provided a chance to escape the monotonic pattern of an AP student?s life. At college I expected much of the same thing: being cooped up in my dorm continuously, emerging only for meals. However, OC is not a school were one can hibernate in a dorm. Every night OC holds a campus event providing students an escape from their studies. Whether it is a campus craft night or a concert, students can escape from their papers and enjoy time with friends. Other activities include plays, intramural sports, and game nights. Club sponsored events include movie nights and upper classmen links provide activities for freshman. Unorganized events include games of ultimate Frisbee or a pickup game of soccer. Looking back, I would tell my high school self, ?You will have fun at college. You won?t work the whole time. Don?t worry about the homework load. Everything will be balanced. Don?t stress.?

I would tell myself to study harder for the ACT. I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. I would tell myself to take some summer courses needed, ahead of time, so that I didn't have to take them here, where they cost more. I would tell myself to be prepared to make new friends, and open up to those who are having trouble making new friends. Study hard, make good grades, go to classes, it will pay off. Get your FAFSA done, it will come in handy when you don't know it. Open up to new beginnings, and changes. Don't be afraid of taking chances. You will only learn from your experiences. Make the most of every opportunity, you never know who, or what will change your life, or whose life you will be changing. Keep your head up in the tough times, they'll always come through, and get better. Hold tight to your good friends, you'll need them for support to help you through those tough times. Also, make friends with smart poeple. They will help you a lot!

I would tell myself to enjoy every minute of everyday. Whenever classes get tough, and your grades aren't exactly what you want them to be, don't fret. Enjoy yourself. Soak up every minute of this experience because you will hold many excellent memories from this great place that you will be for the next 4-5 years. Also, make as many friends as you can because they are like your family now. Surround yourself with people that you enjoy being around because you will be around them all the time. Make time to study, but also time to have fun. Don't forget about your parents for they love hearing from you and love seeing you every once in awhile. Remember not to get caught up in unnecessary drama that will bring you down. College is a time to get invovled and make a name for yourself. Be proud of who you are and live your life to the fullest!

I would first say to apply for as many scholarships as you can find and make a chart to remember the deadlines. The more free money you can get the easier life will be after college. I would say apply to multiple colleges in order to find the right fit. If you don't you could end up going to a school that you don't like. I would think hard about what your major will be because changing majors can cause a lot of problems and prolong your time in school. I would say understand that a college environment is a lot different than high school because the school is bigger and everyone comes from all over the country. I would say know your limits and whether or not you can endure being really far away from your family or if you need to stay close. Make sure you plan well and understand that college classes are harder and more time consuming. Try to visit the campus before making your decision on where to attend and sit in on a class or two, talk to students and faculty, eat in the cafeteria. Get excited!

If I could go back in time and tell myself something about going to college knowing what I know now one thing would be not to worry. I stressed so much about going off to school. I was so worried I wouldnt fit in and would never find my group of friends but everything worked out. I didnt realize that everyone was stressing. It is a big change. You are not the only one that is scared, no matter how put together everyone else looks everyone is scared and nervous. Another thing I would tell myself is that once I was here it was a chance to be a new person. I ended up going to a school where I knew no one. So once I got here I could be anyone I wanted, I just had to relax and be myself. Last, which has to do with the two above, just relax. All your classes will work out, you will make new friends, you will keep in touch with the old ones, and everything will work out just fine.

Allow yourself the freedom to fail. If you never try to achieve your dreams, you never will. Be willing to put yourself in a vulnerable position because from your vulnerability, you can either fail or succeed, both of which help you grow as a person. Instead of worrying about not being good enough, tell yourself you are good enough and actually believe it. Because, trust me, you are.

As a high school student I really worried about making the right decision in regards to college. For a long time I had no idea where I wanted to go and I ended up at OC simply because they offered me the best financial aid. If knew then what I know now, I would not have stressed out so much about my undergraduate university. As someone majoring in the humanities and planning to attend graduate school, I put way too much time and anxiety into choosing my university. Find some place with nice weather, healthy campus life and great professors in your area of interest and just go there. Don't bend over backwards to find the perfect fit. You're not marrying your university, just relax.

I would tell myself to not back down on studying-to keep pushing myself to learn more and to do my best in all my classes; don't be afraid to ask questions! I would tell me to get out more and to not be afraid to make new friends-it's an important part of college life. Not packing my whole room would be another good piece of advice. =) Don't stress about who your roommate will be or who to make friends with-this is a time of change, of finding out who you really are.

College is not easy. Don't go into your fist year thinking you have it all figured out, because you will end up with more than you expected. The main thing you must make sure that you do is to remain focused. Don't get mixed up with the wrong crowds they can be distractions. Manage your time well. Try to maintain a schedule for your days. When you will study, when to attend meetings, and which campus activities you will attend or participate in? Although studying is good, ensure that you give yourself time to relax from your studies you do not want to stress yourself. But most important enjoy it. Take risks and embrace challenges. That is how you mature.

If I had to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would warn myself of one thing... College is a whole different level than high school is. I would tell myself that the amount of studying I did in high school would not be sufficient once I got to college. The amount of time spent studying and preparing for classes and tests are far greater than the time spent in high school. I would also tell myself to learn to balance my schedule between school, sports, and social activities. You have to find the right balance that works for you! Other than that, I would tell myself to get ready for the best time of my life!

Dear self, Let go of that fear that you will be alone. Put yourself out there and stop clinging to home. You will be miserable otherwise. There is nothing wrong with the friends you have now, but the friends you're going to make are going to change your life for the better. That boy you're dating? He's not the one. I've met the one, and he is more spectacular than that boy could ever be. You're worth so much more than what you take from him. College classes aren't really different from HS ones. They just don't meet every day and only last one semester. It's nice. Learn how to properly study and properly write a paper. It comes in handy. Don't give up on yourself. Drive is what will get you through those times and assignments you think will never end. Be you. Always be you. People respect you more in the long run that way. Enjoy college. One day you will finish and think to yourself, "I never thought that I would actually GRADUATE." You will. Trust me. And last of all, always take care of yourself. Love, Me

Assuming I could go back in time and offer myself some advice about college, I ?d be very succinct in advising an education abroad. In retrospect, I settled on a University that maintained many of the same cultural norms I grew up with here in the Mid-West. It was my luck that the university I attended provided numerous study abroad opportunities, which I certainly took advantage of. The intercultural learning skills I utilized, traveling around the Pacific Rim, were the same ones I learned at an early age growing up attending inner city public schools. If I knew now that I had a natural propensity for learning foreign culture and language, upon high school graduation, I would have picked a university residing outside the continental United States. The opportunities for intercultural individuals who can speak American English, other languages, have studied abroad, and have a degree are vast. In fact, that type of an individual is exactly the ?renaissance man? of today?s globalized environment. If I had studied in Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Cape Town, London, or any other locale of international importance, the opportunities for success would have been significant.

If I went back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that college can be one of the most enjoyable times of his life. The friendships that he will make and the experience will be unforgettable. I would tell myself that going to college means that I would be responsible for myself. Mom and Dad will not be there to tell me what to do or take care of me. I would tell myself to always go to class and study hard to be successful. I would tell myself to be aware of the people who have the wrong idea about college life. Its not an end-less party if you want a degree. I would also tell myself to contiune to search for scholarships and grants while in school. This will definately help him down the road. The most important thing that I would tell myself is to trust God with unwavering faith. I would say to myself "God is able and he will see you through any situation, give Him the glory and you will be truly blessed." These are the things I would tell myself back in high school.

"Work harder at getting a good score on the PSAT. You can do better, and it will make paying for college a lot easier. You might want to work on those grades more, but you are doing fine. Also, don't sweat leaving high school. College life is so much fun. It's hard work too, but you will adjust to it with no problems. Enjoy your time in high school, no matter how hard that may be, so that you can have good memories to share with new friends. Let me tell you about your future friends: They are the best, and the kind that will stick around for life, no matter the distance. Keeping up with your high school friends after graduation will take work, so remember to contact them from time to time. As far as picking a major, my advice is this: you can't go wrong if it is something you love. Forget about money, and go for it. If you want to be an art major, still, then remember to ask Mr. Henson how to put together an impressive portfolio. He's a great help, and it will save you stress when job hunting."

First off, i would get myself prepared to drink coffee and know that having a decent bedtime is out of the picture. Also, i would have learned how to study better and not just crame the night before a test. In high school we were allowed to exempt finals if we never missed a class, that is not how it is here and more then half the time the final is comprehensive, so instead of just memorizing the information actually study and understand it. Involvement is key on a smaller campus, to have a social life and to really be involved with others and to try and make a difference, you have to be involved and not afraid to put yourself out there. Stay in contact with ALL family members, they will send letters in the mail and possibly some cash because they too also know what it's like to be "a poor college student." Smile, you never know who is watching and what a smile really might do for someone.

I would tell myself that it is not as scary as people say it is. I would like to tell myself to go to college without the relationship ties that were at home. I would want me to experience everything that my school had to offer first year students. Because of being homesick I let myself get depressed and I missed out on great experiences. I would tell myself to work harder senior year so that I could get more financial aid in college. I would have suggested that I take college classes while being a senior because I could have gotten my general education classes out of the way for free. Instead I am having to take them now and they are taking up precious time. I would also tell myself not to worry because it was all going to work out fine and I am going to get through this change.