Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

If I could go back and give my high school self advice, I would tell me not to give up on pursuing a career in Psychology. I would tell me that the one Psychology class I took my senior year is nothing like what I will experience in college. I would tell me that I should not put off my education and to go to college right away. I would tell me to stop being so afraid to try for what I want because the worse thing is not ever knowing how far I could go if I just put myself out there and go for it. I would tell me to find courage and do what I want and not depend so much on others, to be strong because I am going to do great.

If I could go back in time and give advice to my future self I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help! I was so afraid I would be sneered at or laughed at for not understanding something in class. I didn't know how to fill out college applications so I filled them out alone and didn't know what to write for half the applications. I learned my lesson that if you don't ask the answer will always be no! If its one thing college has taught me is to stand up and speak for myself. I saw firsthand how many people needed help in math or psychology and they weren't afraid of asking questions. It gave me a confidence I never knew I had. I would have done so much better in High School had I asked questions in math or english, instead of staying quiet. My grades went up to an A in college ever since I started asking questions. I just wish back then in High School I was more outgoing so that I can succeed to where I am now, enjoying college life!

I would tell myself not to procrastinate at all. Also, I would tell myself to get involved in every single event because it would have gotten me better aquainted with time management. The hardest adjustment to college life is being away from home for more than a week. I would tell my highschool self to get away from the house as much as possible. It would have made it easier being away from home. The work load in college takes up ten times more time than it did in highschool so I would tell myself that I shouldn't schedule too many hard courses at once because I will be very overwhelmed. But most importantly, the best advice I could give my highschool self is to make a bunch of friends in college because they help you get through all the stressful times. There should be a balance between friends and work, and if you have that then college will go by in no time.

Konw the dorms (what they look like inside and out) and try not to install windows 8 consumer preview just when you just got your laptop ( Mine broke down :( )

Given the ability to talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to go home, hug my family, and tell them I love them. Having lived with them my entire life, it was very easy (and I want to say normal) for me to take them for granted. Going to a school 2000 miles away from home rocked me to the core when I had to go months without seeing them. Fortunately, I speak with them often and I still have a very close relationship to both parents and my younger sister. If I could travel back and tell myself anything, it would be to place my priority with them instead of friends, and to realize how blessed I am to have such a loving family. There were so many times that I could have been with them and instead chose my friends; I no longer do that, but I wish I could have started sooner.

Former Self: You already know that you’re being swarmed by the ladies and intimidating the competition as a socially awkward stud weighing in at 120 lbs and sporting the ‘Lead Mission Commander’ badge of office for the local engineering club. What you don’t know are the time and setting of the many pitfalls and mistakes you’ll encounter over the next year. My advice to you before you make your first inevitable plunge is this: Get a running start and dive in. I’ve made my fair share of grand blunders, but I don’t regret a single one. Why? Every catastrophe you come across is a gold mine for opportunity. When things break, people argue, plans go awry, projects fail, and you feel altogether miserable, you are able to discover new solutions, meet new friends, create unbreakable bonds, and do something you never planned or could have anticipated. Embrace the journey and discover that yours is a life worth living. But then again, if all else fails in your alternate universe, the winning lotto numbers for the $640 MegaMillion jackpot (March, 2012) are: 02-04-23-38-46 and the Mega Ball 23. Cheerfully, Future You

Alright, Samantha. First and foremost, breathe. You'll be happy to know that your AP classes are harder than some college classes you will encounter. (And the AP English vocab words actually WILL be helpful! The teacher wasn't lying!) Don't be afraid to try new things. Who knows, maybe you'll end up as one of the stars in a play! Always remember that one test, one paper, one class, even, hardly matters in the big scheme of things. Give this college thing your best - I promise that your best will be enough. I think you should know, better than most, that my promises are never broken.

While in high school, I would have advised myself or any other student to study hard! Take responsibility and actions seriously and take ownership. Evaluate yourself weekely, become more proactive in my education. One thing I would also reiterate is to maintain good study habbits. Staying focused in everthing you do will give you good grades and a better understanding of core courses. Look beyond the text books, study and do research on your own. Participate in case studies and group projects and build your self confidence while working alone. When making decisions with friends socially, look outside the box. Think before you react and listen while you learn.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself to be sure of myself and not to compromise myself for the sake of making friends or to look cool. Academically, I would tell myself that keeping a good attitude towards my classes and really focusing during homework is extremely important to keep my grades up. Lastly, I would tell myself not to spend money everytime my friends are spending money, because all the small expenses add up and you run out before you even realize it.

I would advise myself to hit the ground running upon high school graduation. I would prepare to be away from home by spending time with a friend or going to a sleep-away camp or event to get myself used to being on my own. I would have done my own laundry in the summer leading up to school, and I would have joined a unique extra-curricular activity so that I could interact with others who are different than me in terms of their interests and personalities. I wish I had read books about how to properly transition to a different state and how to survive under less spacious conditions. Further to that, I wish I had sought advice from others who had been through a similar transition before so that I would not have gone in completely blind.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student, I would tell myself how important it is to try my best. Never settle for what to do to get by. I would tell myself to listen to the advice from your elders. They truely do know what they are talking about and they want to see the best for you. My past self would know how important my descisons are on my future. Every step you take in your high school career effects your college career and from there your life. GPA is very important. It effects your steps in college. The lower your GPA the harder it is for scholarships which could possibly help you in the future. Lastly, I would tell myself how proud you will be of yourself if you try your best.

I would definitely tell myself to take dual credit classes to knock out basic classes.

As a young male I was very involved in my community. I helped change my highschools negative perseption that was present for over 20 years. Many including teachers said no matter what university I attended I would succeed. I see that as all and well but how can I succeed with the nessasary aid? Today I struggle with finacial aid and scholarships as well as merits because my campus is so big. I did not find out about finacial aid and scholarship unitl my graduating highschool year. Today, reading and searching, I found the Gates Millenium Scholarship and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Upon graduating highschool I was only .2 points short from applying for the Gates Mmillenium. I found the Jackie Robinson foundation my sophmore year; whereas I needed to be a highschool senoir to apply. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself as a ninth grade student about finacial aid, scholarship, the university I attend, and my current situation. I would do better my inagural year in highschool, get the nessesary GPA, be apart of the Jackie Robinson foundation and apply for tons of scholarships to avoid the hassle that I go through today.

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself, I would tell myself to not be so lazy, know what's important, and to read a lot more. I was a very lazy student and a lazy son. I hardly did work, my A.D.D. gave me problems in the classroom so I hardly ever tried to listen. I struggled with knowing what was actually important, I helped out everyone but myself, and I more so did what I wanted and didn't do what I needed to do. Also, I really didn't like reading, I absolutely hated it. I would watch TV, play video games, and sports before I picked up a book. Now that I am not so lazy anymore, now that I know what's actually important, and now Im not only reading, but Im actually writing a book; I can say that I am in a better place. But, I do know that, had I started doing all this before, I would be in an even better place than I am now.

It is really important to push for scholarships and financial aid. And don't be afraid to get started early with asking for help from the department and faculty; they will do anything to help you.

Do not sell yourself short. Apply for your dream school. Go to a place that makes you happy not to a place that your parents like. Its okay to stay inside but socialize every once in a while. Enjoy college and make quality friends.

I would stress the importance of creativity. I found myself getting too caught up in both of my part-time jobs and not alloting enough time to explore creative outlets. I spent entirely too much of high school stress and tired. Instead of constantly working and exhausting myself, I wish I would have persued photography or continued to sing in the choir. As an avid writer and journalism student, I wish I would have better captured my emotions in the often times emotionally and mentally challenging aspects of high school. Now that I'm in college, I find myself with even less time to create. However, I now make it a point to write everyday so none of those feelings and memories are lost in the chaos, deadlines and schedule of attending college.

I would tell myself that I would dislike studying sport psychology and apply to the Smeal Business College from the very start. Now I have to work extra hard and take classes over the summer to catch up to where I need to be in order to complete my entrance to major courses with a 3.2 GPA. I would also tell myself that Penn State is not all that it is cracked up to be; it can be overwhelming at times and it is easy to overspend on food, especially the cereal boxes that cost $6, which is crazy. Finally, I would probably tell myself to have listened to my parents and gone to a satellite campus initally for two years. At the satellite campuses, I could have had a car, and would have been able to find a job off campus that does not pay minimum wage, so I could help my parents with college loans payments, because they definitely deserve it.

I would go back and tell myself that it is a lot of work. College work load is completely different than high school work load. Do the optional homework, it will pay off during the exam. Studying, doing homework and projects becomes your social and academic life. Learn a balance between having fun and studying quickly, know when you can spend that extra hour at the party or when you need to go study. Even if your hard work and all that time you put into something doesn't pay off right away, it will eventually. Don't get caught up on the grade of the exam, look at the whole picture of the class, a lot of classes get curved. Do the extra credit, even if you don't think you need it at that time. Aim for a 93, not for a 100. Get organized and make sure you know when the due dates are for everything, teachers and your parents will not remind you. Have fun! In the end you aren't going to remember the exam grades, but the fun times studying for it. Breathe. You can and will do it.

Jason, I know that it sounds like a great idea to go to college and try to become a sports journalist, but let me ask you, is that REALLY WHAT YOU WANT? Journalism is dying. Blogs have taken over as the "information at your fingertips" age is upon us. Nobody waits for the newspaper to get the news anymore. Not all writers make Sportscenter... Listen to me, your REAL dream is to be a role model, to inspire kids to be great academically, and athletically, to have the oppurtunity to represent your ideas in the classroom and on the gridiron. You want to teach and coach really, REALLY bad. To do this, you have to be disciplined, you have to get good grades, and YOU MUST get accepted into your major. I know that you want to have a good time, and you still can...but you have to take care of business...FIRST. If you think long about what I have just told you, the next ten years of your life will be easier, and you will have saved yourself a lot of mistakes. Don't be afraid, you have more going for you than you realize. Good luck.

If I went back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would definitly tell myself....that an instate school would provide the same quality education as an out state school. I would tell myself that Penn State is an great school providing a quality education, but it is not worth the money....when in general a similar education could be attianed compared to a in state the best part of school. I would also tell myself the best part of attendting Penn State is the freedom and responsibilty that it teaches you as you enter closer to adulthood. At Penn State you learn to take responsiilty for your own words and justify your words through your actions.

After attending two years of college at a community college, I wish I could go back in time to tell my senior self to take as many classes in high school to get college credit. Taking any AP class in high school is far less expensive than in college, but students can also get credit for it as well. I wish I had taken more classes such as AP Chemistry and AP Psychology in high school to get it out of the way befoer college. I would also tell myself to be confident going into college. Although there are older people at college, they are all there for the same reason as I am; to get an education. With the advice I would give myself as a high school senior, I would have been more prepared for what I did not expect in college.

I would tell myself to get used to spending more time doing homework and studying. I would tell myself that I cannot afford to be lazy, and I need to work harder so that college will come more easily, instead of being so stressful for me like it is now. I would also tell myself to start saving more money so that I can buy my own books.

I would tell myself to work hard to do well in my classes. I think that taking advanced placement courses would have been a great advantage. If I take a history class, I might be able to have it count as college credits. I think that I should get involved in different activities at school. For example, doing community service projects would be a great experience. Have confidence in yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to. Do not sell yourself short. Apply for scholarships to help pay for tuition. Try to get involved in THON freshman year and the following three years. Encourage new friends to play intramural sports. Stay physically active to help keep a balance in your life. Holding a job is possible if you manage your time well. Plan ahead, but enjoy each moment.

Looking back at my senior year I could tell myself hundreds of things that may have changed my life significantly. Thinking about it makes it seems like I was the dumb teenager in the horror movie who you can yell at, "don't go in that room!" but they do anyway. It's easy to tell yourself things when you know what lies ahead. I would tell myself to work harder at finding scholarships. College is expensive, and I would have made a different college choice had I worked harder to recieve more scholarships. I would encourage my senior-self to work as hard as possible in order to go to a school that was a better fit for me.

The first thing I'd mention to myself is not to worry or stress out, because things will work themselves out in the end. When I was in high school, I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to find out what major I wanted to go into or what career I wished to pursue--yet I managed to overcome that. I would also tell myself to take chances and get involved with the university--I'll admit that I didn't really participate in a lot of activities outside of the classroom. Looking back upon it, I feel kind of bad about it because it would have made my college experience more fun and I would have made more friends that way too. The last thing I would have mentioned is to keep on eye on finances! I'd tell myself to keep open to financial aid options and to be on the look-out for opportunites on scholarships and grants! If I would have done so back then, I wouldn't be so financially burdened now.

Time is one of the most precious commodities I know of; allocate it well and treat it as a privilege

In my opinion I prepared for college pretty well in high school. The only thing I would change is my monetary preparation method. For some reason, I thought I could work enought to pay for college so I did not spend much time on scholarship applications. I would tell my high school self to save more money and apply for every scholarship possible. It is hard to find the time to fill out these applications in college and I have less time to work so much of my spending money comes out of my savings account. If I would have better prepared for the exspenses of college I would be having an even better educational experience because I would be less stressed about my finances.

Experiencing college for the first semester really opened my eyes towards the importance of preparing yourself from high school. I would advise myself to develop better study skills, reviewing my notes after each class, and studying ahead of time for exams. I came into college not knowing how to study efficiently, however, now knowing the process that I have to go through, next semester I hope to do better. I woud also advise myself to more dependent upon myself rather than others. In college, there is no one there behind your back reminding you about appointments, club meetings, or when homework is due. You, as a new college student, need to recognize that everything you do beyond this point is solely dependent on yourself.

All I wanted to be was independent; a classic case of “let-me-get-the-hell-out-of-this-small-town-syndrome.” The magazine in me is screaming to have advised myself to stop and appreciate the life around me, not try and force myself to grow up, and to take the proper precautions in getting ready to leave for college; the wise purchase of bed-risers, learning to do my own laundry, time-management, and of course, how to avoid the freshman 35. Those things don’t matter. I wish I had told myself that those things don’t matter. Being comfortable with oneself is what establishes a person’s place in this world, and college is the time to make that happen. I wish I had told myself to embrace my fears; those burning holes inside of me that carry around the weight of my insecurities. I would tell myself to leave my nerves far, far behind, to recognize that the confidence I have always searched for has been inside of me the entire time, and to let it thrive. I would have told myself to be happy.

I would have told myself that it is okay to take your time to find friends at school. You do not have to get along with everyone you meet. You do not even have to get along with the girls on your floor. Penn State is a very large school with tens of thousands of students. You will find people who you can relate to, who share your interests and who want to be your friend. I was very distressed during my first year about friendships. I have come to terms with the fact that I will gradually meet the people who belong in my life. Despite roommate problems and other friendship issues, I will be okay. Finding your place takes time. I have learned to be patient.

Dear high school self, do EVERYTHING you can to get into dual enrollment; it will save money on classes and books. Applying for scholarships at the college of choice and outside scholarships online will be helpful and should be at the top of the priority list. Do not blow money on things that aren't a necessity, such as, parties and random road trips to amusement parks. Meet with the college and high school advisors as much as possible and make sure you are on the right track with applications, essays, and scholarships. Never be afraid to ask questions and become aware. The future IS important; do not shrug this stuff off. Yours truly, trying to graduate college self.

Always have an open mind. There are a lot of opportunities that will present themselves, and keeping an open mind will allow you to become something you might have never even imagined. Also, work hard. I know that everyone tells you that, but there's a reason. Work when everyone else is sleeping. Work when your friends are out. Work, work, work. But also, keep in mind that you need to play a bit. So, let loose every once in a while. Set apart a day of the week where you forget about everything related to school and just enjoy the moment. After all, you are in college. These are the best years of your life. So work hard to achieve the best you can be, but enjoy the simple pleasures of life, because once you're out in the real world, you're always going to yearn for the years of the college life.

I would tell myself not to worry so much. It's easy to make new friends when there are thousands of other people also trying to make new friends. Also I would not worry so much about doing well in classes because if you try hard enough it will either work out or you will change your major to something you can do; either way it will work out.

Don't be afraid. Follow your dreams, make friends, and do things that you might be too shy to do. Be open to new ideas and accept differences from other people. Don't stay home and do nothing. Go out and do something. Hard work is always necessary. Socializing is important, but you must get your work done. Nothing that is worth having comes without hard work. You will be surprised by your own potential.

Although I was aware of this in high school, if I had viewed the journey to find and believe in myself in a more serious light, my transition to college would have been less emotional. In high school, many of girls traveled in packs, liked the same hobbies, and shared the same opinions. If one friend liked Britney Spears, she would feel more at ease if her best friend listened to her music as well. The comfort in knowing that someone was supporting you and proving that you were not the only one standing was extremely satisfying. Once I entered college, I came to realize that finding someone who was exactly like myself was extremely difficult. Instead of basing my feelings off of what my friends felt, I had to form my own beliefs from my own experiences with the world. I had to believe and trust in my decisions without the guidance of my friends. Basing my desires on my friends’ beliefs was highly unacceptable. I needed to become my own person and mold myself from my independent experiences in the world. With this experience, I felt less alone and enjoyed venturing into areas of my life.

If I could go back to high school there are a few pieces of advice I would give myself. One would be that I should try to be open to trying new things when I got to school, to join more clubs and give myself more opportunities to meet new people and to give new things a chance. I would also tell myself to make sure I stay focused on academics, but also to have a social life. You have to balance the two in order to have a successful college career. You need to stary focused on academics and get good grades, but it is also important to make connections at school whether that be life long friends or people that can help you out in the future. The last piece of advice I would give myself would be to make sure that I leave some time for fun and stress relief, there are some things you have to take seriously, but never to take things too serisouly and get overly stressed out about small things, sometimes things might not work out how you wanted but you just have to go with it sometimes and not get too stressed.

I would tell my self to focus and plan ahead. Many students including myself didnt plan early on about college and scholarships. And at the time i didnt realize how important my grades would be. I would also tell myself to be more involved in extra carricular activities

Rebecca, as your future self with one year of college finished, I would like to give you some serious advice. As I'm glad that you are going to college to better yourself there are a few things you should know. First, high school is a cakewalk compared to college. To succeed in college you have to want it and do all the studying and assignments that come with it. Second, study hard in high school and take the classes that will benefit you in college. As you anticipate a future in the medical field I suggest science and math classes. Third, you can never study too much outside of class. Utilize the random 10-15 minutes that you have waiting for something else to happen, they help greatly. Fourth, go with your gut. If you aren’t positive about your major, change it. Lastly, have fun. Going to college is serious but you need to take time for yourself, too. Taking everything too serious will cause you to burn out and your grades will suffer because of it. Rebecca, I hope you follow my advice and it leads you down a successful road. Do what feels right, good luck!

With the understanding and experience that I have attained from my time in college, I would advise my former self to become more familiar with the various degree options and how they would apply to a career in a related field. Additionally I would advise myself to pursue a dual degree/double major in a closely related field. With a little more advanced planning, it is very possible to obtain two degrees in the time that it would take most students to earn one. All it takes is a bit of committment and course coordination. A dual degree would not only benefit my future career by providing an additional wealth of related information, but also allow my resume to stand out above the rest when viewed by a potential employer.

If I could give myself any advice as a high school senior it would be to maximize my time in college. I would encourage myself to join more clubs, and introduce myself to more people. I would also encourage myself to study abroad and to travel more visiting friends to learn more about different parts of the country and the world.

I see my younger self about to make one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I rush to her side to stop her because I cannot let myself spend $250 on that hot pink velour track suit again! I let her know that she needs to stop being a spend thrift. College is expensive and in another year I won’t be caught dead in that track suit! My younger self looks confused, because she is under the impression that Mom and Dad have a magical college fund set aside for her. She doesn't know that Mom also likes spending a lot of money on velour track suits. I tell her that she will have to pay for college all by herself and needs to start taking on more responsibility. She says that she will be more responsible as soon as she moves far away from of our parents. I shake my head and tell her that she is mistaking responsibility for freedom. I let her know that in college no one tells you what to do but she will need to be responsible in making sure she follows through with what she wants to do.

If I could go back in time, and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give advice on both academic life and social life. Time management is key to sucess and happiness in college. You have to learn quickly how to balance your classes, your clubs, and your social life. Sometimes the best way to focus is to change locations. Trying to study in your dorm room is difficult because there are a lot of things to distract you, so go to the library, sit outside, or find a building your comfortable in to get you work done. If you don't need the internet to complete your work, go somewhere that you can't get online. Minimize distractions. Get involved. Figure out what you like to do in your free time, and find a club that fits you. You can make a lot of great connections this way. Not only can you find people who can become your friends, but something like this can help you network when it comes to finding a future internship or job. The key to any sucessful transition is balance. Learn to have fun and still get your work done.

Stay confident! The most important lesson I have learned while being at college for almost two years now is that having confidence is invaluable. I would tell myself to prepare to expect life changes that I only use to dream about and that I need to maintain a positive attitude throughout every transition. I would also encourage my younger self to learn to become comfortable with speaking aloud my own thoughts and opinions. This is another skill I struggle with sometimes even today. I would tell myself that being confident is the best gift I can give myself.

.

Me Now speaking to MeThen MeNow: Hey man, I know you're probably pretty confused right now, what with college decisions and all, so that's why you should just listen to what I have to say. I've already been where your mind has swarmed. I'm not gonna tell you which school to choose; you'll make the right decision. But here're a few ways to make this transition more efficient. Quit refreshing your Penn State web page every 20 seconds in Newspaper class. The decision comes by mail first anyway. I know it was your last soccer season ever in the fall, but don't treat that as a reason to subsequently boycott the gym and/or any other exercise. Things are much brighter when you're active. Please try harder in CHS Calculus, as I really don't want to take any more math classes. And leave the spare sheets at home; they're bulky you're never going to use them anyway.MeThen: Wow..thanks.MeNow: Just doin' my job. Oh--and one more thing...MeThen: What is it, Me?MeNow: Why ever are you still dating her? Save us while I still can...

I have learn a lot in just a short time in college. If I could travel back in time as myself as a high school senior i would have listen to the advice i was giving. It's really hard out here for people who can't afford to pay for college and a good quality education. I myself would have tried more to earn scholarships and paid attention more in class. The advice I would have giving myself would have been to stay focus and on track and to not let anyone or anything stop you from making a better life for urself. I would have also told myself to treat this last year of my high school like it is a semester term in college and that the teachers and students are different and you need all the help you can get now in high school even if you are to afraid to ask for help. I would have better myself a little more work a lil harder instead of trying to hang out.Life is a very important journey so either you are determine to make it in life and be someone or your determine to fail.

If I were to go back, I would warn myself that college is nothing like high school. I would tell myself that while skipping classes may sound fun, but it is not the best idea. I would tell myself to break my habit of procrastination, mostly because finishing an essay or twenty math problems at three in the morning is not worth losing those precious hours of sleep. I would tell myself to study more and to not stress myself so much over a test. But most of all, I would urge myself to not be afraid of putting myself out there for any and all opportunities, whether it be to join an organization or make a new friend. College is all about the experience, and I want myself to embrace every minute of it.

The advice that I would give myself is to make sure that I look for what academics the school have and also can I see myself having a social life at the school as well. I would have make sure that I can afford this school financially not only for a year but all my four years in college. I also would have been open-minded about my college search. I would have want to make sure is this the college best for me as a whole. If I have done this, I would think that my first year college would been much smoothier and less stressful.

I learned how to build self confidence and how to expand my personal brand. Faculty members have recognized me as a hard working student who takes advantage of many of the opportunities presented to me while striving for academic merit. Building a network of mentors and friends has increased my social skills and made it possible for me to receive help beyond the classroom. In addition, completing a variety of courses that interest me has been a valuable aspect in itself. For instance, my multicultural psychology course helped me to develop a level of comfort when discussing difficult issues so I can express my thoughts and concerns throughout the Penn State community. I am also aware that diversity goes beyond one’s race or ethnicity and includes other aspects like religion and socioeconomic status. By identifying these various aspects, I became more sensitive to others’ cultures and encourage myself to promote a positive climate for diversity through interactions with students. An international media course educated me about cultural values in different countries as it relates to their media portals. Learning the importance of relationships with people of diverse backgrounds has motivated me to study abroad in India: an ultimate experience!