Pepperdine University Top Questions

Choose a school that is best for YOU, not your parents. This current generation has so much pressure depending on which school you get into and if you'll be the next kid from your high school to go to Harvard. The size of the school means nothing as great people come out of every university across the nation. Narrow down what you desire in a school, whether it is the east or west coast, large or small population, multiple seasons or summer year round. Putting in the extra time and effort to seek out the perfect school is completely worth it. Take a deep breath when you feel stressed and overwhelmed with the application and deciding processes because it will all work out in the long run. Invest time into your advisors at school because they have seen so many students graduate and go onto college before you. You won't receive any help unless you ask! If the school you end up choosing doesn't feel right, there is nothing wrong with transfering. Choosing a school is not set in stone for four years unless you choose so! Keep repeating: It will all work out. Deep Breath.

I would tell myself to study hard, recommend educating myself on alternate ways to pay for school, and to start the semester after graduation. I waited a year to start and was so discouraged because of my financial situation. It was my second year of college that I learned that there are other option and assistance programs. Another thing I would tell myself is to not give up and not to get overwhelmed or stressed because it only makes it harder. I would tell myself to enjoy college and take advantage of every oppportunity that arrised that helped further my education. If I had someone to tell me back then just how simple it was to fill out the fafsa and recieve help I would already be graduated. Now, I am married and the combined income has taken my grants. Although, our bills are too high to contribute what is estimated I will have to find a way to pay for college to continue. If only I had known senior year. If only I had used the recourse available to me when I was younger. Most importantly, I would tell myself that no matter what, you're completely capable!

Throughout life you're always being asked "if you could go back to a certain age, what would you tell your younger self?" In this case, being fresh out of high school there's so many things I would tell myself. In fact, I'd first tell myself that all of these people I think are my friends, don't care about me and never will. Don't waste your time trying to fit in and be cute because being cute will only get you so far in life. Next I'd tell myself to focus on my SAT and ACT scores and most importantly, figure out what I want to major in once I begin applying to colleges. It's okay to skip social outings to study or to do homework because at the end of the day, getting into your top 10 schools is what really matters. Lastly, I'd tell myself to relax and not to stress because the work is very simple. You've been in school for about 13 years, don't let your senior year beat you up and allow you to become discouraged. Own your senior year and let it breeze on by!

Read more classics. When I was younger I was an avid reader, but once i got into high school I never made time for it. I was number one in my class, but after coming to Pepperdine, I realize how far behind I was in terms of my reading list. Classical literature, all literature really, not only expands your vocabulary, but also teaches you life skills and lessons. Having intelligent conversations about the books you've read is much more rewarding and impressive than conversations about the latest movie you watched. They may be difficult to start, but once you finish, you feel like you've won a valuable treasure.

In order to maximize my time in college for the first few years, I would tell myself to take calculus and chemistry 221-223 to begin with. As well as that, I would inform myself that in college collaboration is key. Meeting with teachers, other students, or getting tutored is all apart of college. People are always there to help you and make sure you are on the right track. College is all about meeting new people and enjoying your time there, aside from all of the studying that is required in order to pass. And lastly, I would tell myself good luck!

Don't stress over the changes in your life; they're all for the better. You are going to grow so much as a person while living away from home- embrace it and don't be afraid of learning independence. There are going to be many new people in your life, and each of them will be unlike others you've met before. Some will be the best friends you've always wanted, and others will be close-minded and offensive. Embrace them all, because everyone is important. There is always something you can learn from each person, be it positive or negative. There are so many life lessons out there to be learned- just be sure to go through each day with an attitude open and willing to learn. Dive into your classes and don't complain about your teachers- understand they are there to teach you and take advantage of that. Become friends with your teachers and appreciate all the knowledge they have to give. And don't forget to do some things you wouldn't do in the past. Take the bus down PCH and visit the Getty Villa Museum!

If I were able to go back in time and talk to my high school senior-self I would highly advise myself to begin practicing my time managment skills. I have found that just having your priorities in the correct order does not necessarly allow you to get the most out of your college career. One must also have time managment skills in order to acheive your potential in college. Time managment does not always mean working more hours, but simply alloting the proper amount of time for each activity. The most difficult part is teaching yourself to switch between each activity (studies, sports, sleep, etc.) without filler inbetween. I have found that this 'filler' is what really takes up the time in a day, whether it is checking your social media before staring your essay or wandering the halls of your dorm after lunch. There is a time for everything, and it is your most presious resource. The better you manage time the more succesful you will be at acheiving your potential.

If I could go back in time and talk to my seventeen-year old high school self about the transition that college life forces one to undergo, I would tell myself a few key tidbits, but first and foremost I would tell myself to breathe. I would tell myself that despite this significant, and largely uncomfortable, change you will become mentally invigorating, gain invaluable knowledge as well as several pieces of treasured wisdom, and most notably you will discover who you want to be and how incredibly paramount it is to persistently strive for that. I’d tell myself that, undoubtedly, you will experience overwhelming feelings of sheer uncertainty and profound heartache, but to be hugely grateful for these times as it will only teach you the importance of empowering yourself with unconditional love. I would tell myself to look in the mirror each day, smile wide-even if you don’t feel like it-and be conscious of the ultimate goals and ambitions you have had since you were just six. I would tell myself that, “you will thrive,” and that, “you will indeed make yourself and your parents proud.”

I would sit down with that kid and tell him the advantages of dive into his books and advance on his academic development. The reason behind is that I left school early and had to do things the hard way, meaning that I had to work twice as hard physically, far from home and life in general. By studying hard instead, he can work hard, but smarter, with his brain and make life simple and better for him, his families and for everything and everyone he wants to extend a hand. It is possible, but the only path is education.

I graduated high school in 2009. I have been in and out of college three times, every time with a different major. My most recent major is accounting. If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself to consider choosing accounting as my first option for a major. I actually enjoy accounting, and had i known that, there is a huge possibility that I could have had my bachelor's degree already. I would tell myself not to quit. Doing the homework is actually not that hard. I would have to tell myself that the hardest part of college is committment. I would hate to think about how long college takes, all of the classes I would have to take, and all of the homework that I would have to do. Today, I would tell my high school self, or anyone actually, go to college. Do the work. Stay committed. The hardest part of college is not the work, but having the strength and courage to get up every morning and keep going. Our problem as students is staying committed to school and I believe committment is the key to success.

If I could go back and talk to my senior self I would tell myself to get involved in as many things as early as possible. Every at Pepperdine is involved in everything and if you arent you may feel out of place. I would also say that its ok to be overwhelm and stress out at times. Also I would say to focus in class because it is acedemically more challleging then high school was. Its ok to take less units if your going to achieve better in your classes. Lastly I would say do as much as you can to help out finacially because ollege costs a lot of money. Dont take anything for granted and know how much your parents are sacrificing for you to do well and have a bright future.

Dear Mariah, As your future self I wanted to offer a few words of wisdom as you begin your transition into college and adult life. High School is a wonderful time so take advantage of it as much as possible; you will never realize how much you miss getting dressed up for school dances until the opportunity is no longer there. With that said, make the most of the time that you have and learn to live in the now; if your only thought is the future you'll miss out on the moments that make life beautiful. As you begin college you will run into obstacles and it is imperative that you remember that no obstacle is as dire as you perceive it to be. What seems insurmountable now will most likely seem insignificant later; it's all about perspective. Also, things work out the way they are supposed to so if something doesn't go your way it's because something better is on the horizon. Lastly, remember to take care of yourself; sleep enough, eat well, laugh often, and take time for your mental and spiritual well being because you’re worth your time. Yours truly, Mariah

Y'all failed to notify me of the scholarship deadline before I started my application. I'll fill this out if you were to email me and tell me I'm still eligible.

If i could go back to my senior year, one thing that I wish people would have told me was how hard the transition into college is. SO many people told me how fun it is and how quickly I would make friends. However, adjusting to college was one of the hardest things in my entire life. I am a family person, and learning to go 3 months at a time withour seeing them was very challenging, and I wish people would not have pretended that college was all fun and games, When I went back and confronted tehm, they said tehy didn't want to tell me how hard it would be to adjust, this angered me. I wish I also would have known that so many housekeeping events will consume your life on top of homework. These are task such as going to the store, balancing your check book, or reven vacuuming. Therefore, time management is essential to succedding in college.

If I could go back, I would go back to the summer I worked at the flower shop. I would tell myself to take a closer look at the poor rose whose thorns I stripped away hastily. I would tell her to take a good look at the way I snapped five or six roses in half with the guillotine of stem cutters and the way I pierced the bulb of each rose with a short-stemmed garden wire, pressuring the rose to stand firm. I would tell her to think about how when I peeled back the frayed petals, scaling away at the crippled rose, I left it naked, scarred, and vulnerable. But I would tell her to focus deeper on the way the severed rose was soon laid down to rest on a soft cushion of baby's breath and a crown of leather fern and how the customers stood in awe, at the renewed beauty of the broken rose. I would tell myself to endure the agony of my part-time jobs, my volunteer hours, and my schoolwork, and avoid instant gratification because at the end of suffering, there would only be adoration.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college life, I would tell myself these things and here are the reasons why. First, I would tell myself to be confident and find a way to work through obstacles that come in my way. Confidence is key and if a person doesn't have it, that may cause them to fall and give up. For example: at a football game, if a football player doesn't have confidence in himself to score the winning touchdown, then it won't happen. If he did, he would score and win the game. Next, you have to have faith. With God, all things are possible; you just have to believe it. If there was nothing to believe in; what would keep us pushing ourselves to move forward? Finally, I would tell myself to keep up on homework and to not slow myself down on doing it. If I slowed down, more stress and pressure would be put upon me and that would be very hard. All in all, transitioning into college is all about a person believing in themselves and overcoming difficult obstacles.

Dear Denisse, In this time period, you must be stressing and thinking about your future and the events that will unfold in the near future. I want you to try and forget and let go of the things that make you anxious and nervous. Think that whatever is meant to happen will happen and that stressing about the future will get you nowhere. The main thing to focus on right now is the present and working the hardest you can, withou pushing yourself to your limits. Enjoy your time at home and your last days as a high school senior.These moments are the ones you truly need to cherish, not the future ones, or the past, but the present moments, the moments with your family and friends.

I would tell myself to apply to differently colleges. I would tell myself that an Ivy League school is not for everyone and that it should not be considered a standard.

Time traveling, everyones unattainable desire. "If only I could go back and tell myself what I know now", this phrase has somehow found itself to be a staple of our society. However, if we were truly able to go back and give ourselves advice, would we even take it? It's human nature to believe that we won't make the mistake people are advising us against, yet nonetheless we would all take that slim chance and attempt to talk to our previous self. If I could speak to myself as a high school senior I would simply tell myself that time management is the key to everything. Too many incoming college students believe they can do it all: have a social life, receive the straight A's they easily received in high school, join greek life, sleep...the list goes on. The reality is that we can't. We have to prioritize what truly matters; without priorities, the college education that you have longed for, and the efforts of your family can quickly disappear. Even if my high school self ignores this tidbit of advice, I'd offer it regardless a thousand times.

When I was in high school senior. I used to do my homework at the last moment becasue I did not have I did not have much interest about the subjects or what I learned. I was most interested in finisn the classes and go home and have fun with my friends. I was hardly passing the grade, so if I have the chance to go back in time, I would study harder because I am more conscious of the consequences that it would have in the future. I should be more responsible and organized. I should take better decisions in life such as go to classes instead to go to the de the cinema, do the assegment on time and be active student in class. Moreover, it was not easy to started college for me because I did not have idea about my future career. I did not like anything, I was confused and I did not believe in my skills, for that reason I should make reseach about what I like and what I do not like to do in order to make the best choice in the correct moment.

Dear Daysia, your mother was right. You need to study harder. I don't care if you got a B on the test. If you can do better, then do better. Boys shouldn't be on your mind right now. You should do good for yourself not for anyone else so that when they are gone you still have something to work for. There is no such thing as good enough. In other words, your mother, as usual, was right. On the bright side you were right about one thing. Life is, in fact, like a fortune cookie. You get something and try to find out what it means and were it'll play out at, but in the long run it will play out and you won't even notice cause you were to busy trying to preplan things. Things don't always work out. When they do, cherish it for as long as it lasts

If there was a way for me to go back in time and give my high school self advice it would be just study and listen. I would tell myself the college life is nothing compared to high school. College is preparing you for life and the choices you make in college will affect you in the long run. I wouldtell myself to study like you have never before and don't stop no matter what the reason beacause in college study is a must and you can never slack off for a moment . High school has nothing compared to college in high school if you didn't understand a subject or problem you would ask help. Where in college if you don't understand the problem you won't get much help from anybody not even the teacher you will be left behind. I would tell myself there's anybody in college to rely on only yourself. It's time for your to grow up and stop relying on other's. Your whole life people been giving you advice for college now it's time to listen to youself and choice how you will embrace college life.

I would tell my high school self to not be afraid to try new things, and to become as active as I could in all aspects of my university. I would say dont let academics run your life like you did in high school, but do well academically and make sure to leave time for social events.

I would tell them not to be stressed. Your future plans will all work out, don't base your college decision on anyone, but yourself.

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is to always remember who I am. I believe that many people lose touch of who they are as a person with the changes that come with college life. It is easy to surrender your values and beliefs in order to fit into a new environment and to try to make new friends. I would tell myself that if I held on to who I was as a person then I would be able to find friends that shared the same values and that I could relate to. It is hard to make the transition but it is even more difficult when you are struggling to build a new identity for yourself. I believe it is important in your freshman year of college to stop and reflect every once in a while to check in with yourself and to make sure you are proud of who you are what you are doing, and the choices you are making.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I am wandering the empty hallways, contemplating the high school dilemmas of my high school life. The brightly-colored posters cover the cold cement walls like a blanket embedded with expectations and subliminal messages. Teachers who make you feel less like a kid, and more like a friend. I see my friends, some of which are no longer a part of my world, figuratively and literally, but who exist inside the walls where we spent a mass of our precious adolescent lives. If I could just go back, I would tell myself that time is something that we cannot make up, and cannot get back. My list of advice would be: Focus on aspects of life that are truly important, and carry that along through the transition into crazy college life. Stop agonizing over social life for long enough to concentrate on finding out who I am, what I want, and how I am going to make it happen. Be prepared for anything and everything. And finally, aside from good grades and extra-curricular activities, it is just as important to work on yourself, and become the person that you aspire to be.

Dear high school self, Congratulations! All your hard work is going to pay off. Stop stressing about not having the same SAT or ACT scores as the other students, or the same GPA as the valedictorian. Take pride in what you're on the brink of accomplishing, and do not doubt the countless hours you spend on school work, studying for SAT's, or revising your personal statements because it is worth it. Relax during your holiday vacation, and take a break from constantly stalking your emails in search of acceptance letters. When the letters finally arrive, keep and open mind, and if they are not what you want, don't lose hope. The future is full of surproses as your 'last choice school' will be exactly what you wanted, and believe it or not, you will one day be thankful you did not attend your once 'dream school.' Keep up your hard work, continue your determination, and remember your dreams because they will bring you opportunities previously unimaginable. P.S. Enjoy senior year! Graduation will come so fast, and despite what you may think now, you will miss high school.

As a high school senior, I applied to 18 different colleges, writing essay after essay and stressing over finding the "perfect" college for me. However, although Pepperdine is a dream come true, I now realize that I stressed over college applications and choosing a major way too much. As I participate in activities, study new subjects, and partake in internships, I realize that finding the perfect school, job, or major isn't as important as utilizing all the resources there are at your college and within your area. Therefore, I would tell myself to take a step back, relax, and realize it's not worth getting an ulcer or being a nervous about, and by realizing the diversity and uncomfortable situations you may encounter will eventually make you stronger, you can just enjoy the totality of the journey.

If i were to go back in time to highschool me i would first off encourage high school me to be more outgoing. In high school i was never very outgoing and didnt have a ton of friends but coming here to pepperdine i made a conscious effort to be more outgoing and talk to people and it has made all the difference. probably the biggest thing that i would change though is getting better time management skills. i breezed through high school with very little effort always putting things off until the last minute and in college with all the free time that you have as students it became even tougher to push myself to finish things early.

If I could go back in time and talk to mysself as a high school senior I would tell myself to never giver up, to not become unmotivated just because times get hard. Through college I've expereienced a lot of rough patches and long nights studying for days on end. Although at the time it seemed as though it simply couldn't get any worse, it always got better. No matter how hard things seemed, I was always able to eventually over come them. I would tell myself to stay focused and with that advice given to me as a senior from my future self, I would get through these rough times faster then I did this past year. At times things may seem impossible, but it's always important to remind ourselves that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to keep looking up for it instead of keeping our heads down and only focusing on the darkness around us.

I would go back in time to tell my high school senior self to believe in herself. There is so much uncertainty when planning your future and applying for college that it is easy to lose your spirit and stop believing that you have what it takes to enter the big world. My dreams were, and continue to be, big and it is difficult to maintain the strength to reach for them. It is so much easier to settle for a choice that you know you are good enough for. I applied to a half dozen colleges, some of which were the easy choice. Then there was Pepperdine where applying to it was like extending my heart to them. I felt so vulnerable knowing that if I did not get in, my heart would break. But I did get in and by putting my heart into it, it turned out to be the best decision of my life. I would tell my high school self to keep reaching beyond what is easy. That is where true success lies.

If i could go back in time as a high school senior i would tell myself many things. Applying for scholarships is very important in order to pay your education because school is not free anymore. After high school you step into the real world where you either make it or fail. Failing is not an option after being in school for 12 plus years. Every financial aid aviable should be tooken advantage of. A constant reminder of how my parents came into the United States would keep pushing me to become some thing in life. Knowing how poor we were when i was little, every struggle there was, and my parents giving me everything possible to pursue my education. Furthermore the college life is not something to joke about, it can be very stressful but as long as you present yourself every day and turn in all assignments on time everything will be okay. Entering college means not depending on anyone anymore, they will not be the ones to give you your degree. You will learn to be independent, as well as many other things.

Dear high school self, You made it! Everything you ever worked for is finally here. You're attending a great academic, private school that has your religious mindset! But, I want to warn you. THIS IS NOT HIGH SCHOOL. You have to work a little harder and push yourself a little further. You'll have times where you fail, badly. It's ok because you'll have times where you succeed to balance it out. Don't give up, the best has yet to come. One important tip: make the most of your situation. Even though you may not have much, take advantage of the opportunities given to you! Establish a relationship with your professors, attend as many on campus events as you can, and stay true to who you are and who you want to be. Most importantly, remember to stay grateful for the opportunity you're presented with. It doesn't come to just anyone, so rejoice on how far you've come and anticipate how far you'll go! Much Love, You

If I was given an opportunity to go back in time and give myself advice on the college life as an high school senior I would tell myself to go and enroll in college right after I graduated high school in May of 1997. If I would have gone to college right after I graduated high school I would have been so much further in my college education that I am now. At the age of 32 years old and also a single mother of an 10 year old daughter, which she is in the 5th grade knowing what I know now about beening in college as a full-time student would have been so much easier if I would have went to college right after I graduate high school. I have been school for 16 years and so I decided to make an huge transition in August of 2011 by going to Columbia State Community College , which has been hard for me but I am making it work for me and my daughter. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my daughter because in the end all this hard work will pay off.

Memorandum To: Karen Purves From: The Future Fairy Re: college Date: June 1985 Karen, Your Future Fairy Has Arrived! Congratulations, Karen! You’ve been touched by the Future Fairy, a very rare and highly esteemed Fairy. Of all the fairies in Fairyland, the unique Future Fairy has special wisdom from your future self. It’s like “Back to the Future” only better! The Future Fairy knows you’re stressed over what university to select, your major, and making sure you don’t disappoint your parents. Should you pick Pepperdine? Should you pick USC, where you have a scholarship, but your parents are afraid you’ll be the victim of a crime? Should you major in Business, something “practical” like your dad says, or major in Biology, which is what you really want? The Future Fairy can reassure you: you can’t make a bad decision. The truth is: it really doesn’t matter. What matters: stand up for yourself and follow your heart. With your drive, passion and persistence, you will succeed. Your character matters more than your school and the most important thing is be true to who you are so your gifts can be given to the world.

Always take the advise that your teachers and counselors in high school give you prior to becoming a high school senior about selection of your courses. Work hard to obtain the highest grade point average you can get and become involved in programs that will prepare you for the SAT and ACT testing process. These are very important testing processes that will align you with scholarships to pay for your continuing education as well allowing you to have choices of colleges and universities to select from. I learned that it is good to have a selection of colleges to chose from in order to prepare you for your future and to be in the learning environment that is stress free.

If I were to visit my high school self, I would tell her three things. First, I would make sure she got all of her work done before she went out to have fun. It was a little tough to balance work and play first semester because of all the exciting things happening around me! It makes your experiences so much more enjoyable if you don't have that sociology homework looming in the back of your mind as you go to the beach. Secondly, I would tell her not to worry about leaving her family. Pepperdine is such a wonderful placed filled with people that are able to help ease the homesickness. You make so many bonds with your suitemates and other friends that need to be cherished. Last but not least, I would tell her that high school is nothing in comparison to how awesome college is-this is where you make your lifelong friends and make the best of memories! High school is just a blip on the map; college is the real deal!

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would say, "Figure out what you are passionate about, and begin developing and pursuing those passions now!" It is so important in your education to LOVE what you do, and that is something I have learned as a college student. I get excited when registering for classes in my major, and often I wish I could take more classes than realistically is humanly possible. A student should never feel like he or she is stuck in their major - those classes should be exciting because that student should be passionate about them. If a student can figure out what they want to study during high school, the student can begin to develop the skills necessary for that major, begin to research or understand that field of study in more detail, and be more intentional with his/her extracurricular activities or classes in high school.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would tell myself to learn more about who I am. I would want to find out more about myself. My likes and dislikes. This way when I started college, I wouldn’t have wasted most of my time taking random classes to figure out what I wanted to major in. Another thing I would advise is to carry out more volunteer work, practically all different kinds. This would have helped me learn more about myself if I would have accomplished this sooner. I would also tell myself to enjoy being young. To hang out with my friends, attend football games, participate in sports.

You don't have to have everything all figured out before you get to college, so stop stressing out. You will grow so much in your first year, and you might even change your political or religious views, your major, or your lifestyle. Give yourself enough freedom to explore new things and get to know new types of people, and don't be afraid of change; that's what college is all about! At the same time, decide now what is really important to you, and hold on to those things next year. Get involved in campus life, but also make sure you take your studies seriously, because they will require more work than high school classes did. My best piece of advice is to trying to enjoy your last year in high school instead of trying to figure out exactly what your future looks like, because you only get to be a high school senior once! Take advantage of every moment you get with your family and friends, because even though they will still be there for you once you're at college, you will be spending a lot of time pouring into new relationships, and that's okay.

I would give myself the advise to understand that at Pepperdine, there are no partys, or anyfun activisties. It is a place where I have to dedicate my time for school and that I should start the semster focusing 100 {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} to school in order to do well in my first semester. Pepperdine is much harder than high school so I better be ready and prepared academicly.

As I sit here reflecting on this simple yet comlex question, a lot comes to mind. Should I have done more research on how to have a sucecessful transction to collge, or should I have sat down and thought more about this. My simple yet meaningful repsonse to this would be, relax. For life is not meant to be a jounrney filled with stress and anxiety, but should be a jounrney filled with enjoyement and learning points.

Try new things, but stay true to yourself. Even though it might seem like everyone knows what they're doing when they first get there, no one does, so meet as many people as you can. Don't do things because you don't think you'll like it; do it because of the memories. Study abroad. Don't eat so many desserts, and go to the gym. Go to the beach as often as possible. Get a drastic haircut or piercing. Don't forget that it's college and it's supposed to be the best four years of your life, but you have to make them count. Don't hang around the wrong crowd; you'll know who. Go for depth, not breadth when getting involved. Hang out with upperclassmen; they usually have cars. Pull at least one all-nighter, but don't make it a habit. Don't drink coffee every morning, you'll get addicted. Same for Diet Coke.

Hey younger, more naive (and skinnier) Sharon. This is the older, more mature, and wiser version of you speaking. I'm here to let you know that you are in for a surprise in college. A piece of advice: don't be disappointed. Don't live in regret. Have an open mind and don't be so quick to judge. Pepperdine University may not have been your first choice, but in two years' time, you won't see yourself anywhere else. See the campus as a family member or a friend. Sometimes, you will hate it. In fact, you won't be able to stand it. Usually, you'll love it dearly. But one thing is for sure, it will make you the person you are today (well, in your case, the near future). Put yourself out there and be confident. But most importantly, be happy. Of course, there may not be much need for me to tell you this. You'll figure it out eventually. Good luck and stay positive. Love, Sharon. P.S. Make friends with the professors. They are amazing people when given the opportunity. And stay away from the dessert section.

I don't know if I would give myself any advice. I really love what I have been able to do thus far, and I don't know if I would do much differently. Maybe I would try to open up a little more and get to know more people on campus, but overall I think not too much would change. I am very happy with my choice of schools, and I am glad that I have chosen what I have chosen. Pepperdine is a wonderful place, and I am happy to call it my school.

Throughout my college experience I have gained vast knowledge that I will be able to apply to many real life situations. I have acquired the tools that will propel me in life both in and out of the workplace. I have learned how to meet deadlines, apply things I learn to things I do, how to work with others as well as how to lead a group to meet one common goal. Besides the core knowledge needed to have a successful career in engineering, I am acquiring a broad range of knowledge that will aid me when challenging tasks are handed to me. If I was not enrolled in college it would take me far longer to learn these tools and how to apply them. As I continue through my degree program I am excited to face new challenges and learn the tools and methods needed to overcome them. Upon my graduation I will be prepared to go out into the working world and lead a long, successful career.

Through my college experience, I have grown like I never would have had I stayed close to home. My parents were very protective of me, so my experiences had been limited. I decided to go from Indiana to California for college to give myself room to grow. I was able to grow further when I attended Pepperdine's study abroad program this past summer in London. This let me assert my independence even further and gain so much confidence. I was able to mature and learn how to take care of myself while I still had a safety net. I have also made friends for life while at college. I rushed my first semester and joined Gamma Phi Beta. It was one of the best decisions of my life. These incredible women have also helped me learn to be a better person and given me opportunities to shine like planning our annual philanthropy event and becoming the Financial VP. I also play club Water Polo and club tennis which have allowed me to meet even more people. Overall, the experience has been so incredible that I cannot imagine never having taken this opportunity.

I am the first person in my family to attend college, so that in itself is incredibly rewarding. I know that my family is very proud of me and their support compels me to continue in my education. However, beyond that, I have gained so many excellent friends, strengthened my work ethic, and found a place where I feel at home. It has been so valuable to get to live with and learn with a group of my peers who are experiencing the same things I am. There is no other time in life that compares to being an undergraduate student, and I hope that everything I learn in my four years will continue with me into the future. I hope to be able to motivate others to have a fulfilling college experience through my story.

I am grateful that the Lord blessed me to attend such a wonderful institution like Pepperdine University. It was an amazing experience being at a private Christian university! I was able to get my studies done as well as develop my faith in God. I was able to make wonderful life-long friends and become close to many of my wonderful professors that are now able to provide reccomendations for me now. I am thrilled that I was able to be a part of a wonderful class, specifically the students who were earning their teaching credentials like myself. We were able to connect and help pne another out and truly excel. I am happy that because of the teaching and experience I acquired at Pepperdine I was able to get my credential and earn a job as a 6th grade teacher. I am thankful for everything Pepperdine provided for me!

Although I plan to transfer colleges, I do not take for granite the experiences I have gained while at Pepperdine University. Being from Florida, I expected California to be very similar to my home town. To my surprise Malibu is much more conservative and low key than I thought. Also, not having any religious affiliation, attending a Church of Christ school has been much more difficult than expected. My first year at Pepperdine was a struggle for me due to these circumstances. May other students looked down on my open, care free personality and also looked down on my more casual way of dressing. Coming from a private Catholic high school I did not expect to have difficulty with a Church of Christ school, but I found that Christians are much more involved and committed to their faith than most Catholics I have encountered. I was reluctant to converge with this new culture at first, but as time passed I learned that to simply listen to people's religious views instead of question them and to respect and honor their self image is not diminishing who i am, but it betters myself to be able to engage in other cultures.