Philander Smith College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

latisha

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be a lot that I would tell myself. First piece of advice I would give is to make sure that you are vocal about any and all situations you feel are not right. Next, I would say to myself that everyone who appears to be your friend is really not, especially females. Girls are the worst when it comes to tearing one another down. Another thing I would let myself know is to get involved in organizations, and volunteer activities. It is beneficial to both the organization and you. I would also tell myself that not all professors or advisor are looking out for your best interest, and will not always lend out a helping hand, so you have to seek out those that will. Mostly importantly I would tell my high schoool self is that no matter, remember to have fun and enjoy your undergraduate years, because it only happens once.

Brendon

The transition from high school to College was something I was not fully ready for. If I were to go back in time and give advice to my younger self, I would have suggested to soul search and really figure out what you want to do with your life. My biggest mistake while attending college was that I did not have any idea what my academic plan was for my college career. I ended up taking classes that I could not motivate myself to do because I was unhappy and unsuccessful in those fields that my college offered. Having at least an idea of what I wanted to do would have been more productive than taking classes that I had no clue about. While exploring options is what many students do, I would have preferred to have a set course to take and focus on succeeding.

Shequera

College is no joke, it is very time consuming and takes time management with performing in sports but it can be done. Take education seriously and use all the help that is offered to you.

Breann

The best advice I could give myself as a High School senior concerning college would be to stay focused. I can't say how many times i got unfocused and how much it effected my grades. No, they were not the best and no, the weren't the worse either. It's just bad when you look at your grades knowing you could've done a lot better had you stayed focused. Procrastination is not the answer, and rshing your work will not get you as good of a grade as you want.

Kennedy

I would give the advice that I need to stay focus and apply for more scholarships. In college there are a lot of distractions that I wasnt really concerned about going into college. But I soon realized that I needed to stay focus and if I knew from the beginning i would be in a different place in my studies. Also, I would make sure I applied for more scholarships because i didnt have enough money for my books. and barely enough to attend school.

Torri

I would remind myself that college is expensive, therefore I should apply for scholarships throughout my entire high school career. Also I would encourage myself to get invovled in extracurricular activities, and to maintain a GPA no less than a 3.4.

Brittany

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self; I would tell myself to continue putting in academic excellence and staying involved. Academic excellence will be the pave way to scholarships and a footstool for preparation in college classes. Also, I would tell myself to go for my dreams and never hold back from my potential. Lastly, I would tell myself to be socially responsible while still having a fun time because you will only get this experience once.

Isom

The advice i would give my self will be to study harder and dont be scared to take chances. I will also tell my self that college will not always be sunshine and rainbows, I will have to buckle down and keep my head in the books.

Julleon

I know you're afraid, not of the strangers or unfamiliar places, but of the rejection from other schools. It's okay to broaden your horizons to seehat may happen. It doesn't reflect on your worth. It only reflects how people percieve you wrongly. No matter what. just other schools and follow your second mind for once.

Kwadwo

I would take time and know more about my self, and apparently research for the best schools that best suite me to apply to them because I'm currently not happy with the school I am in. Its like the school is not giving me what I preferred an American college would offer.

Dannielle

Knowing what I know now I would have taken the opportunity to go to the vocational school offered here in Ohio while I was in high school because then I could have been a nurse and my schooling would have been free at the time. I have a younger sister and also younger cousins who are now in high school and I have been passing this advice to them so they can better their future and not have to struggle like I do at times.Without an education it is hard to find a good job and one you like. I believe furthering your education is most important in life and to take every opportunity you come across that will let you do it.

Kyra

Dear younger self, As you know from your life of moving around, the first month of living in a new place will be the hardest. Feelings of home sickness will come and go but you must all way remember your ultimate reason for going to college. That reason is to get a higher education! With that in mind, it will serve as motivation for you to complete those end of the year assignments early! After doing your school work early, be sure to get involed in the student activity groups. They many not be numerous but they are small enough to creat a personal connection which will help you make new friends and develope a feeling of school pride. In all, home sickness will be your biggest hurdle to over come but with the support from the student activities, you will come out on top! with love, future you!

Celeste

I would tell myself that school isnt't for everyone.

Gloria

My first year of college was admittedly not the best. Although I have much to be thankful for, including financial stability, I feel displaced and unhappy at my college. My first choice of college was Clark Atlanta University. If given the opportunity to speak to my high school senior self, I would say “Take advantage of your good grades and the great scholarships available.” My college/career counselor stressed the importance of these things but I was not as determined at the time as I am now. During my senior year in high school, I was unsure of my preference in school and choice of major. Now that my understanding of college is broadened, I am aware of what I truly wish to gain from this experience. Clark Atlanta University offers a Computer Science program, which is perfect for my established major and many study abroad opportunities which would allow me to explore new cultures. It would be in my best favor if I could offer advice to my high school self. My biggest dreams and goals in life would be on track instead of anticipating route changes on my path to success.

Brooke

Life after high school is serious business. Do not become lazy your senior year, continue to strive as you did when you first entered high school. Your GPA means everything when it comes to applying for scholarships. Do not take any scholarships for granted. Every opportunity you get continue to fill out scholarships. No one should allow money issues to keep them from continuing on their education after high school. There is an abundance of free money out there for students, you just need to use your resources and locate it. Also as another word of advice I would also urge you to be very active in your high school community academically, socially, verbally, and so on. This will help prepare you for when you continue on to college. Being active on campus will help you to have a smoother transition through college. While being active on campus this will allow you to make new friends, make connections, gain leadership skills, and so much more. The turn out of your college career is up to you. You control your future. Strive to be the best that you can be, always be above average and never settle for less.

Alexis

The main advice I would’ve given myself was to take applying to college seriously, so that I wouldn’t end up in a place I didn’t want to be. I would have prepared myself better as far as not being lazy towards studying, doing work, and writing papers. I would have filled our way more scholarships so money wasn’t an issue and I could attend the college I wanted to. I truly would have applied to more than a dozen schools whether HBCU's or not. Instead of now, I have to do more work filling out scholarships, and bringing my grades up, to attend the university I want to. In high school, I had the appropriate grades and scores, even the athletics, and plenty of options, which I didn’t take proper advantage of. This school was the last resort so I could attend college. As a result, I understand that being a college student/athlete is not easy or cheap. So, I never felt so obligated to take and second chance and work that much harder so I can transfer.

Jasmine

The most important thing about going to college is being prepared mentally. I would remind myself to stay focus and stay ahead in all of my classes. As a high school senior i thought it would be all fun and games going to college. I wasn't focus and I almost got caught up in campus life instead of college life. I would constantly remind myself that I am going to college to further my education so that I can accomplish my goals in life. I would say take care of all of the important business ahead of time. Make sure to keep up with what is going on around you on campus and get involved. Network and communicate with people of different backgrounds. be qiuet sometimes and listen to others and you are sure to survive.

Jovanny

Well, i haven't started college yet, but i know it will be a great experience for me. I really love to learn and i think this is the opportunity for me to do that.

Lauren

I have no been in college long but being there has taught me to live every minute to the fullest. The days seem to go by quicker as I get older and soon I will be out of college and on my own. Even though I am preparing myself for my future ahead I am going to make sure I enjoy every minute I am there and take in all the memories I can.

Michaela

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience thus far. There has been so many different eperiences throughout my life, but going to college is one I will never forget. The first time you step foot onto the campus it is like an all new different world. There are new people, a new place, new teachers, alltogether a new idea... college. I have gotten the true meaning of dedication from my college experience. It takes a lot to be able to complete your work on time, and before college even starts to pay tuition. Being out on my own definitely made it harder, but in the end being a college student changed my life. I had to be willing to pay the costs to attend, and while attending college have a job also. It was difficult to go to college and have a job at the same time, but dedication is what got me through so far. I knew what I wanted, and I wanted to be a nurse. My college experience has been valuable to me to attend because it has gotten my closer to my dream through dedication.

Rebecca

I have gotten much needed education and job opportunities.

nina

I have been given a feeling of self motivation over my first year in college. I had never been a person who was confident until I entered the music department at Los Medanos college, and was set up with a personal mentor. My mentor gave me the confidence to hold up my head and perform my music with the passion and love I had for it that I had been hiding inside me all along. Now, as the semester ends and I plan on transfering to the American Music and Dramatics Academy in the summer, I hold my head high, knowing that I have acomplished something that no one else in my family has. I have been accepted into an academy based on the arts. There are no words that could possibly describe the feelings that I have about my excitement over being accepted. I doubt that I could have ever felt this way if I had not joined college after I graduated high school. I honestly believe that everyone should experience college for at least one year.

Crishauna

I have learned that time management is everything. I have always been told that college can either be your best experience or your worst experience. It is so valuable to attend college. With the economy the way it is, a high school diploma won't get you anywhere. In order to have the basic necessities of life, you have to at least be a college graduate.

lachelle

If i could go back to being a senior in high school i would be more mature then i was, when you come to college you are mixed with a lot of different people some who wont tolerate attitudes or shyness. I would have taken more classes on speech and presentation, i would have also learned how to organize myself and manage my time more wisely and last but definetly not least manage my finances!

Ashley

Knowing what I know now there are a few things that I would go back and tell myself. One thing is to be activie. It is important to get your face out there and socialize in order to have a good college career. Another thing is to be prepared. You become in control of your life there is no one there to tell what and what not to do. It is hard sometimes to not party but to study you have to decide what is more important to you. Also partying is not a bad thing you just have to have a balance. Another thing is find a good positive group of friends to be around. If you are with people who are doing positive things you are more likely to be doing the same. Finally have fun. College is supposed to be the time of your life. Make sure you learn but do not miss out on the lessons and experiences outside of the classroom.

Tiffany

Booker T. Washington once said, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." Do not let the extended boundaries of college life hold you down. Life in itself has thrown you many curve balls. You have jumped through hoops and hurdles to get to where you are now. You have overcome your fear of high school and not succeeding. You have succeeded in a way that you would not believe. You are more successful than you will ever know just by accomplishing what you have in these past three years alone. Do not stop now. You are only half of the way, go ahead and complete your educational journey; be the person that you know you can be. College will only be as hard as you allow it to be. Stay focused and do not procrastinate on your responsibilities. Good luck and be blessed.

Devyan

to apply to as meny scholarship and colleges as i could.