Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

A rip in the fabric of space and time has somehow thrown me back into the year 2009, as a 17-year old high school senior. The freezing temperature, black slush, and white powder suggests it is late Decmeber, early January. As I walked down Cottman Avenue I see my previous self walking out of the familiar 7-Eleven that is across the street from my house. I explained my existence at our first encounter; and in 5 minutes my former self was filled with excitement upon hearing my explanation. I went on to strongly insist "Myself" to continue working hard during the last year of "My" high school year; I told "Myself" that college is a complete 180 from what high school is like, especially "My" high school. "Time management is crucial, if not the MOST important, in being successful with studies in college." I explained. He had so many questions for which I had many answers to, but before I could answer one, I find myself looking at the familiar ceiling of my dormroom. And thus I was pulled back into the reality of 2010.

Making the decision of what to do with my life was one of the hardest things I've ever done. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to get more involved from the start. I'd tell myself to find a club or group that was right for me and fully devote myself to it. Also I would tell myself not to be afraid to try new things or take interesting classes, and not to stress too much about the little things.

If I had a chance to go back in time to visit myself in my senior year in high school, the one thing I would tell myself to make getting into college easier is to get "involved". By this I mean it is a good idea to play a sport or many sports all the way through high school and/or join a club. Another smart idea would be to get involved outside of high school and help your community by doing volunteer work. Doing these things will help your chances dramatically of getting into college. It will make it easier on you and it will save you a lot of the less stress and frusteration of getting denied acceptence into a college. Colleges look highly upon students that have good grades, but they also look higher upon the students who have extra curricular activites on top of their good grades. I have learned this the hard way. So my number one advice I would tell myself as a senior in high school is to get "involved".

I would tell myself to open my mind to the opportunities to explore all this new world has to offer with out fear. I would tell myself that there is no reason to worry about ridicule or lack of acceptance from my peers, they too are exploring new avenues and are as apprehensive as I am about entering a new phase in their lives. I would work very hard to continue my friendships with my classmates,family and friends because I know I will need their support and understanding as I leave my safe little world for the first time. I will also reach out to new people so that I may gain a better understanding of myself and others. I would accept every invitation offered to me to see new places and meet new people, to further enhance my understanding of the diversity in the world. I would volunteer more in my community to gain a better understanding of the many career paths that may be available to me. I would get a parttime job to teach myself the importance of manging my time and my budget wisely. I would thank God and my parents for this opportunity everyday.

I would give myself the advice to really take my high school education more seriously because it will benefit me in my college career. I would tell myself to study ten times more than I did in highschool because it will really show in my grades, and while studying hard make sure to meet new people and open up to new experiences. Being shy does not help at a large university and being a very outgoing person in college can really have an impact on your life , mainly your career after college. I would say that college is a great experience and I should not take it for granted. College is a time to have fun, but make a good life for yourself at the same time so responsibility is a key factor in those four years.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to try my best on everything I do and graduate with a high grade point average and do reseaches on the things I would love as a career, and read more. Even though it's going to be hard, because of the distrations around you; such as: family, friends, and jobs, you should always put school first, in the end your hard work will be worth it. Graduating with a high GPA gives you more chance of acceptance and more open doors from different colleges/universities. You can choose which college/university is best for you. With the reseaches of your different career choices gives you a step ahead of students that doesn't know theirs. After you graduate high school you can go to the college that fits your career; it will save you a lot of time and money. I would tell myself to read more because reading is important. Those would be the advices I would give myself if I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior I would first talk about grades. I would tell myself that grades are what is most important. I need to do all of my homework, study for every exam, and take it serious. Your final GPA is one of the most important things an employer will look at on your resume. I would also tell myself how although the school work is extremely important having fun is too. You want to have the full college experience. So when you aren't working on schoolwork, go explore all the activities you can do at your college. Learn about clubs you can join, activities you can do, and community service you can help with. All of that stuff will look great on your resume and you will meet new friends and make great memories doing it all. Always go after what you want and your dreams will come true!

If I could return to the past and give myself adivce about the college transition, I believe I would tell myself to pay more attention to the matierals presented in class versus focusing on just getting a grade. I feel that college puts more of an emphasis on the actual course material than just doing work to earn a letter grade. Not to to de-emphasize the importance of letter grades; the are a very important part of you academic career. However I feel that the college experience should overall equip you for a profession instead of taking courses just to get a grade. I feel that going back in time, I would have gotten alot more out of my classes instead of just doing what was required.

I would tell myself not to stress out so much and not to be so hard on myself. Fill out as many scholarships as possible and study as hard as you can, more than in high school. Not all classes are as easy as they were in high school, and if you have trouble in a class dont be afraid to ask for help, go to a tutor, or the professors' office hours. In the end, all of the effort will definitely pay off. Also try to get involved in as much as possible, it's a great way to meet new people, find new things you love, and make friends.

Assuming I am a high school senior and know how my first three years in college will turn out, I would have many words of advice for myself. My main advice for myself would be for me to be confident. I should never doubt myself based on how many other students there are trying for the same goal that I am. Nothing makes them any better than me and I am just as equal as every single student in school. Another word of advice for me would to study hard and get into a routine. Never fall behind on work and be prepared every single day for class because no class is less important than another. Its all part of my future. Last advice I would be would to get involved from the very beginning. Volunteer my time, join groups, do whatever you can to make a difference in the community because not only will it provide self satisfaction but you will also gain a lot of valuable experience that you cant learn in the classroom. Even though I am not a high school senior currently, I will continue to use this advice everyday.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to start my education earlier. I waited to attend college until I was in my late twenties and this can make coping with campus life a bit difficult. Many students only have their education to worry about and I have family, work, and school responsibilities that take up my time. As a high school student, I gave little thought to my life and career path. I should have focused more on what I wanted to do with my life and attended college sooner, but I'm glad that I had life experiences. I would tell young Sara to stretch her comfort zone, meet people and be more outgoing because that is how you make life long connections at school. Start right away and make friends. Be helpful to those around you and work hard for your education. It's worth it!

"Plunge into every opportunity with an open mind and an open heart. It is important to understand that what you get out of each and every experience depends on what you put into that experience. Always challenge yourself and never settle for anything but your best; strive for excellence not perfection. Get involved in different activities and embrace new experiences and in everything you do give it your best. Always remember to stay focused and work hard and to follow your dreams. Meet new people, and make new friends but cherish your old friends. Surround yourself with positive people and try to see the good in everyone. Remember to take chances and live with passion. The next four years of your life are going to be the best four years but they are going to fly by so make them worth remembering! P.S. Study abroad in Rome, it will be the best experience of your life (so far) !?

College is an experience unlike anything you have ever experienced before, so give yourself time to adjust, and don't panic if you don't make best friends, get stellar grades, and have the time of your life right away. For the first time, you may be confronted with material that is actually, conceptually challenging and not just piles of busy work. College professors don't hold your hand- it's up to you to keep up with the material, seek help, and monitor your progress at all times. If you don't keep up with the material, you will find yourself in a crunch before exams, and exams make up the majority of your grade in most classes. Drinking really is as pervasive on a college campus as it is rumored to be, but that doesn't mean you have to get caught up in it. There are plenty of alcohol-free ways to have fun and other students who don't drink, so the excuse that "everyone's doing it" doesn't hold. It is easier to be a complete non-drinker than to drink a little because the pressure to drink excessively will be ever-present.

Relax. College isn't as challenging as you think. You will meet wonderful people and figure out exactly what you want to do with your life. There will be bumps along the road, but they will help to shape you into the person you are to become.

Do not waste your time rushing a frat. They suck.

I would tell myself to consider other options besides the university in my hometown and to look for a small school where I would be more comfortable. I would tell myself not to be so afraid to go away and try new things, not just stick with what is right here. I would also tell myself that it's worth the extra money to live on campus and make friends. College is a great time to explore and I wouldn't want myself to miss out on that if I had another chance.

Try to experience as much as you can whether it is for figuring out what I want to do in life or just for having fun . Also use your time wisely because 4 years go by really fast. Study abroad is must and manage your money wisely for the future.

I would advise to make as many friends as possible and to socialize more. But it is also important to focus on your studies, because gpa is everything here, if you don't get above 3.0 then it will be sometimes hard even to get in to the major of your choise. As an upperclassmen having 3.0 is crusial to get an internship or a full time job. It is also helpful to ease a transition to college is to joinn many clubs and do other extracurricular activities, just to take a break of studying. I think the most a student can learn about himself and others is outside the classroom, so the worst you can do is stay in your dorm all day.

I would encourage myself to research much deeper into what my college choice offers for my major. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to be open to other choices when deciding where to persue your studies. When I was accepted into my first choice college I lost sight of the most important factors: practical financial aid and distance from home. No matter how dedicated you are to a college or university, availability/lack thereof financial aid will make or break the experience. Being accepted to the college of your choice is merely the beginning of the battle to achieve your academic goals. As a college senior there are already numerous opportunities for stress and college is one off the most important. The imporatnce of family support, i.e. distance from home when considering college is highly underestimated until you actually find yourself on your own with just your books and totes while your parents drive away. I know personally the impact it has from losing my mother amid my freshman year of college. Most importantly, I would advise myself to really take my time with this decision and to not be afraid to ask for more help.

I would tell myself to make sure and pick the best college for you. If you don't know what you want to do right away, it's ok to take a year off and figure life out for a while before going to school. If you start right away and don't know what you're doing, you can end up wasting a lot of scholarship money and taking longer to graduate.

Visit every school before you apply and get to know as many people as you can while you are there

Go with the mindset to spend extra time on easy classes so large tests don't drop your GPA.

I would encourage people to start out slowly, and not rush into things. Life is so fast and is gone before you know it. Be open to new opportunities and to taking risks.

Take advantage of all the oppurtunities that come your way. Get out of your comfort zone. Accept new experiences and find out who your true self is.

I have always been a good student but college, especially at Penn State, was a complete blast! I met my amazing close group of friends and enjoyed football and beer just as much as the next guy (or girl). However, I did choose a pretty tough major and found myself struggling sometimes to keep up. If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I'd adamently stress that in order to play hard, you must first work hard. Having the balance is ideal but sometimes the "play hard" aspect can take over. Knowing that you are in college to get a great education and put yourself in a position to get a great job in the future is what students should remember everyday. If you work hard, you deserve to play hard - but remembering there is a give and take is key.

I would tell myself to take high school more seriously. Even though it doesn't seem important as a teenager, a good education will take you much further in life. A career that you enjoy and really want will be much more fulfilling than living paycheck-to-paycheck working a job straight out of high school with no education beyond that. Life experiences may seem to be all you need to succeed when your young, but once you get older you start to realize that it takes more than that to get where you want to be.

I wish i would have gotten a job at a place that was similar to my major. In high school all i wanted to do was make money so i was a waitress and now all im trying to do is get experience for my major.

Don't be so hard on yourself. That's what I wish I would have believed. Other people gave me that advice and I just figured they were being nice. They weren't. Transitioning to college is hard. Sometimes you may cry or may feel like giving up and going home and THAT IS OK! Everyone goes through that, and don't let your friends tell you otherwise. We all get scared and start to doubt our ability to make it through. We all want to go crying home to mom and dad and get a big hug sometimes. Just get involved in something that makes you happy and you will find friends and you will learn how to handle those feelings and you will adjust to college life, I promise. In fact, eventually those feelings will go away (and only come back during finals :) ). And if those feelings don't go away, don't give up. There are plenty of people, both professional and more casual, that are willing and happy to listen. Take advantage of that. Basically know that whatever you are going through, a bunch of other people are going through it too. You are never alone.

If I could go back in time, I think that I would have taken my senior year alot more seriously. Senior year, I did pretty well but I could have done much better. I think that because my teachers were so lenient with us Seniors that we could just slack-off, but now I see that they were just preparing us for college.

I would definitely prepare myself by working on my time management skills. In college, you have more freedom, which makes it very easy to get off track. In my case, having a challenging major, being in a sorority, holding positions in other organizations, having a boyfriend and friends, and trying to stay in contact as much as possible with family can sometimes be overwhelming. However, learning how to time manage can save you from being stressed in the future. I learned the hard way and learned how to time manage while I was in college. Now, college does not seem that bad.

I would go back and tell myself that I do not have to change my attitudes, beliefs, or goals about life to fit into college. College provides so many opportunities to be myself and succeed in anything and everything I want to accomplish.

I wish I would have enjoyed my time in school more. Instead of always working so that I could spend like my rich friends, I wish I would have realized that I didn't need to spend so much and in turn waste so much time. I know I have gained friends from college that I will know for life but there could be so many more memories if it weren't for me having to get up at 7am to work every football Saturday. Being in the real world, I now know that I have plenty of time to stess over money. I could have saved myself a few years and just lived the life of an average college student. I even graduated a semester early, with only a semester's notice, because of a lack of finanacial aid. If I would have stayed in school a semester or two longer, I would have so many other strengths to build on. Instead now I have to wait until I am financially sound enough to go back and get a Master's to gain this expertize. "If I could turn back time, If I could find a way..."

The most important thing i would tell myslef would be that school comes first. Overall, college is a wonderful experience however, you need to keep the large goal in mind. Even if you do not feel like studying that is why you are there and you need to do it.

I would give myself the advise to stay closer to my family and keep my want to get away from home at the door when it came to applying to college. Being away from home and my family has been the most difficult thing that I have had to deal with while in college. I would remind myself that my family is everything to me and that being so far away from home meant that it would take a longer time to get home when emergencies came about (which they have). I would also advise myself to look at the cost and the amount of aid that each school usually gave out to out-of-state students because when school is done, the loan bills won't be pretty and there is no way to get around it.

Apply myself to excel academically and get the help I needed to understand how to do something properly. Study harder and take assessment tests to determine what I want to do for a career. Understand the culture I live in completely so I have the opportunity to make the right choices later in life.

Attend an instate university or college, also know what course of study you wish to study , do not attend an university not knowing what you desire to be in life.

Keep your school work as your number one priarity. Keep your friends colse and do not be afraid to let new people into your life. Take advantage of all the extra help you can get from your proffesors and study groups. HAVE FUN.

I would tell myself that I am in for many changes. I did not have an active social life in high school but when I came to Penn State, I immediately met a diverse group of people. I found a group that I could be myself in. I also would tell my future self that I will need to learn many responsibilities while living away from home that go beyond household chores; I would need to learn how to be responsible in the life choices that I make and how those choices will affect my future. I would tell my college self that getting straight A's may not be my reality in college. I was a perfectionist in high school and that did not translate well to the hectic college pace. The most important thing that I would tell myself is to not be afraid of change. From the time I was three years old I wanted to be a doctor but exploring classes in college has taken me down a completely new path. Looking back on my senior year I could have never predicted the life that I have now.

I would tell myself that it's good I went with my gut. I decided to enlist in the US Navy right after high school, and at times I always wanted to know what would've happened if I didn't or maybe I shouldn't have joined. Now looking back, I'm proud that I did. I'm proud that I served my country. The only one thing I would've done different while in the service, was to take a few more online college classes, so that by the time my enlistment was over, I would be a little ahead of the game, instead of starting from the beginning.

I would give myself the advice to be me and not try to be anyone else, to find yourself and figure out exactly what you want to do, and to enjoy every second you have. I would also give myself the advice to get involved, stay involved, and try harder to make friends. Give people the benefit of the doubt and stay involved even when you transfer. Even though it will take a while to adjust and you think it's horrible, go with it. Don't always worry about money, you will figure it out or get help. Try, try, try, try, try, and never give up. Have faith in yourself, you are must smarter than you give yourself credit for. Stick with your program and give PDS all you have. Through it all remember your family and your true friends. They will be there for life. However, if things go sour, look and see who is still standing tall by your side and remember them.

There would be a lot of advise I would give myself, from socially to academically. I would be a lot more outgoing my first semester with the people that were on my floor, I would also go to all my classes and even though my first semester I was not intrested in my classes I would make sure that I tried my best.

First I'd have to say ignore my English teacher and actually put effort in the English AP Exam. Despite what she said you ended up getting a 3 out of 5. If I had put effort, I would have passed. I also would have to tell myself do not pursue international politics like originally intended. Go straight to dual major in Film and English minoring in Italian pronto. Also I'd tell myself to apply to more scholarships and for the love of god stop worrying!

Research the schools you're interested in applying to by interviewing professors, and current students. If the schools don't provide this option, or the professors blow you off, that's a big indicator that you don't want to go there. Don't be biased toward smaller local schools and community colleges. Sometimes they have very qualified professionals teaching who will go above and beyond to help you unlike large, research based universities. Lastly, remember that your social life during college is almost equally important to the academic education you receive. If the school is too demanding, and doesn't allow you to have an active, positive social life, you will be missing out on personal growth, and how to network through social interactions; two keys to future success. The world doesn't need anymore over-stressed, rude, self-centered, know-it-alls who can't function positively in society. College should be fun and educational!

As a college freshman I would tell my high school self to work hard senior year. The transition from taking easy classes as a senior and not taking many credits to being in college was difficult. Everyone had told me that college is much more difficult than high school but I figured, because I did well in high school, this didn't apply to me. College is much much harder than high school and you truly have to earn your A's and study for your classes. I would also tell myself to save my money! College is expensive even if your parents help with tuition. Finally I would tell myself to spend more time with my family because now that I don't see them as often I wish I had seen them more the year before I left for college.

Don't stress out so much about choosing the right college, as long as you make good friends and become active in the college you will enjoy yourself. Okay so you get to be on your own, awesome right? For the most part it is awesome, but it also means that you have to learn time management and learn it fast. Learning to balance school work and fun is a very important and sometimes difficult aspect of college to figure out, but with practice it almost becomes second nature. You might be used to getting straight A's in high school but that's not how it works in college, don't let getting a B or even a C discourage you, just let it give you that push you need to make yourself do better. Studying is also different in college, you can't just study the night before like you did in high school, this college material takes a lot more effort to grasp the whole concepts, but it is manageable. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself, grades are important but the networking and friendships you make stay with you for life.

I would tell myself that college is going to be extremely hard and nerve-racking at times. I would also tell myself that college is definitely NOT always fun, and there are many roadblocks along the way. I would probably tell myself that people aren't always very helpful, and that I need to do for myself as much as possible. I would tell myself that financial situations in my life were going to change dramatically and that I would going to struggle. I would really need to stick up for myself to financial aid advisors to get better help. I probably would even tell myself not to be scared. College is scary, and especially some classes I'm in. I would tell myself it does not do any good to get nervous. Finally, I would tell myself to make friends and have fun but don't let people use me for help or anything else.

Go for a school that offers you the best benefits and maintains a good record. Make friends early and don't be afraid to be yourself. Get involved in college!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I was going to end up in Criminal Justice. So I should choose a school who has that as a major option. Also college is not that scary. People build it up and make it sound incredible, but in reality its the same as high school only more challenging. I think I would also say "Eme, you need to pay attention and really try in high school. Because what you learn here is what carries you through your entire college career." The stuff you learned in high school is going to be one of the biggest building blocks you will use throughout your life. Going to school with other poeple isn't that scary either, none of them are going to attack you! Finally, I would say "Don't worry! You will be fine. Panicking is useless. College isn't going to transform you, but it will change you into somebody who is all the better because of it." I would also tell myself that throughout life I will look back and remember all my college memories.

The advice I would give would be to branch out, you don't have to stay close to home because different people and experiences can be a good thing. Also first live with someone and try not to get an apartment or dorm all by yourself so you are not lonely or feel like it is difficult to socialize. If you are not sure what degree you want to acomplish then explore courses in the first year that may interest you or some you wouldn't even think of taking in order to get a better idea of what degree you want to earn. Set short-term and long-term goals and most imporatnly do not procrastinate on anything!

If I had the chance to talk to myself during my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to get serious and be ready to work hard. College requires a lot of focus and concentration. As a student you need to study and review every night for every class. Learning material requires asking for help and working with your professors and teaching assitants. Don't slack off because your work will pile up and you'll never be able to catch up. Get involved with new organizations and make new friends. Don't be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger because they may become your best friend. Take your classes seriously but don't be overwhelmed. Enjoy this time you have because it will soon be gone and you want to make the best memories you can now. Have fun and get the most out of your education.