San Francisco State University Top Questions

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

lisa

Lisa, try to perservere through all the tough obstacles that you encounter in the days ahead. Always have faith in yourself, because it will give you the courage to take larger leaps for opportunities that can help you grow to become a stronger person and a better leader. Nonetheless, for you to learn how to be independent and confident. Do not let the thought of "struggling to survive" stray you away from your aspirations of wanting to become a lawyer, politician, or a non-profit worker; and do not let it interfere with your school, family, and friends. Try to apply for scholarships after work and homework so that all the scholarship awards you recieved, can help you to not worry about living financially where ever you are, and so it would not make a negative impact on your school work. Think about it, you would not have to worry about having to work full-time , while you are going to school full-time. Then you can be more active on campus and build more relationships with peers and professors. Lastly, don't ever forget where you had came from, remember your roots, and what you are fighting for.

Joseph

If I had a chance to go back in time and give myself advise on college I would want the most important message to be to focus on what you love. As a fresh college student there's so much pressure from professors, parents, friends and fellow students to do what we need to do to be “successful”. Success in college cannot be measured by how many “A’s” you get, how many units you’re able to take, or how much scholarship money you receive. It’s measured in how you grow from mistakes, understanding how to be an adult, and discovering your true passions. Understanding who you are and where you stand in this world is a skill that needs to be practiced: a true mastering of self-awareness is key no matter where you’re at in life. Most of our new sense of freedom that we get when we enter college is spent on either too much structure or too much partying. I would’ve told myself to maybe take a class in self awareness so that I would better understand how to present my true self to not only myself but to others.

Rachel

The advice I would give my high school self would be to seize the moment. Starting college, there are a lot of opportunites in the beginning, but if you don't take them right away, you may never get them back. I would tell myself to not be nervous to approach people and make friends in the first couple of weeks. I would tell myself to not be afraid to say or do the wrong thing because everyone is making the same mistakes too. Making mistakes together is how to bond with new friends. Making mistakes is also to grow into the people we dream about becoming in college. I would tell myself to accept that college is going to have a lot of things I can't control, but don't try to stop them from happening. Instead take the plunge and try something new because that's what college is really about.

Adriana

If I could go back in time back to my senior year in high school, I would encourage myself to do better in my classes and not slack off. I would encourage myself to begin to search for career options and to involve myself in social activities. In addition, since college is a place for explorations, I would tell myself to explore my surrounding area, be social and make friends, abuse discounts students can get from student ID's, join clubs and sororities, enjoy your school's meals, discorver your library, and study hard for your homework, exams, and finals. But most importantly, enjoy every single day like it were the last day of your life because college years go by so fast, that the crazy and fun experiences that take place in campus, you will remember forever.

Tatayana

I would say, keep doing what your doing, stay motivated and keep encouraging yourself and others to do well. Take more time to learn how to manage your money and focus on keeping a job and creating a savings, try not be homeless like I was. Oh, and when you meet Sam, don't worry, you get him in the end, so when you fall for him, don't be afraid to fall hard. He loves you too.

Genevieve

I would tell myself to take classes more seriously and plan for college. I still got good grades but I didn't think about how I studied in high school would affect how I would be in college. I have only taken two honors classes and passed only one. I signed up for an advance placement class not really knowing what it was. It was AP English and I struggled in the class so much but I also learned a lot. It prepared me for my placement tests and I was able to succeed well in my English courses in college. Even though I did not get the greatest grades in AP English and failed the AP test, I became a good writer because of how much I learned. I wish I would have challenged myself more by taking more honors and AP classes. They could have prepared me for other courses in college. I also wished I was more involved in clubs and extracurricular activities because it is a great way to gain leadership skills and for personal growth.

Robert

If I went back in time to talk to my past self I would have a lot to say. First i would prove to him that that it was me, just so i would follow my own advice. Than i would tell my self to stop being depressed about all the events that have hurt him in that year, and to just move on and study hard. After that I would tell myself to start getting ready for college so he wouldnt have to go into all of this stuff blind like I have. During the day that I would spent telling my self everything that he needs to make his life better. At some point I would tell him that he cannot dwell in the past, and that he needs to learn to move on from the bad parts of his life to the new parts that he can make his own. lastly before I faded away from changing the time line or just went back to my time, I would thatnk my self for changing our life for the better and for learning to look away from the past and start looking for the future.

Shawn

I would advise myself not to be afraid to live a little, see the world, be adventureous, and then pursue college full time with passion. That way I would have a better understanding of myself and be able to get the most out of life and any opportunities that came my way.

eric

Take your last high school year seriously. It is true that once you graduate, you will only see about 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your high school students. Don't stay mad at people. You may end up being really good friends with them. Take chances in getting the girl you want. Loosen up and be yourself.

Carolina

Stop wasting your time with unambitious friends. Instead of going out, stay home and read. Get rest. Do your homework, it's totally worth it. No one's opinion of you in high school means anything after you graduate.

Jana

If I were to travel back in time, the advice I would give myself as a high school senior is to dream big and never underestimate myself. I would encourage myself to have confidence and explore every option available for career choices. I would except that everything is possible and goals can be reached no matter what my situation may be. I would encourage myself to study at least 2 hours a day for each class I was enrolled in. I would tackle courses that might have been hard by knowing that an increase in study time and focus would get me through the rough bumps in the road. Most importantly, I would never give up! I was scared to transition from high school to college, I did not want to fail. Realizing now, my college instructors want me to succeed and wish only the best for me, I should have not been afraid to explore college as an option in the betterment of my future. Now, I am 48 years old, confident, and very happy I made the large step to go back to school and excel in the Medical Assisting program. I am thinking positive and studying hard.

keeley

If it were possible to go back and speak to my at 17 year old self, I would tell her that the “Terrors of College” was just a thing her tenth grade health teacher made up for some still unknown reason. I would then tell her to take math seriously, perhaps show her a book, The History of Zero. She liked to read and perhaps this would have made algebra more interesting to her. I would tell her to keep drawing, to pick either fashion design or illustration or cartooning, and to stick with it, put in the time, and not worry about what anyone said about her passion. She would need to know that something she loved –a passion-was worth pursuing, even though she might roll her eyes as it was said it in those exact words. Finally, high school Me would benefit from somebody telling her to be sure of herself and her needs, and to not base her value and worth on the opinions of her peers. It took six more years to figure that out, and I cannot but help to wonder how things might be different if I heard it at seventeen years old.

Ryan

Going back I would tell myself to do what is best for me first, and foremost. As a senior and the next few years afterwards I would worry and try to do everything for everyone. I went to school in Philadelphia to please my father after high school. This failed, and in turn I became anxious and depressed. My late great-grandmother passed away this past December at 94 , she always told me, "The reason why I have lived so long and am the only happy one in the family is because I am selfish. I do what is best for me because I owe it to myself." I have applied this to my life and Nana was right! When I put myself in the best situations I feel happier and thrive. If it is at the extent of toxic people in my life that is something that is sad, but necessary. If I do what is best and fail I now have a more positive approach and learn as opposed to formally getting down and sabotaging. If I knew this as a Senior I would have been happier more frequently, nonetheless I am happy I learned from my Nana.

Gabriella

I would definitely tell myself to be more active and insist on going to a different school; preferably one where I would be playing soccer. I wish I could advise myself to have an actual college experience because as of now, I have not. The school isn't too active which is why I would advise myself not to go here.

Richard

Although you are going to a community college, it will still be difficult and you will still need to work hard. It is not going to be all peaches and cream! I know that you do not enjoy going to school because you think subjects like math and science and history are not going to benefit you in your career choice. While you may be correct, you need to stay focused and remain determined to succeed. I will promise you one thing: complaining about having to do the school work will do nothing but waste time. In the end, you are still going to have to do it! I know that doesn’t really seem like too much fun, but it will make you so much happier in the long run. When you transfer to Kent State University, most all of the classes that you are taking at Lakeland Community College will transfer, and you will have at least thirty credits already complete. Keep pushing and good luck!

Sarah

Be strong! Pick the college you want to go to, not the one your parents can right a check to. You deserve to be happy and to go to a school that challenges you. Just because your parents are pressuring you to stay in state does not mean that you don't have the right to branch out.

Johnson

Networking is important, so don't let anyone or anything stop you from joining clubs and organizations. If you already know what you want to become in the future, really focus on your education in order to get grades good enough to be accepted into certain impacted majors. Don't be afraid to create friendships with professors because those are the people who can vouch and write letter of recommendations for you. Volunteering in your preferred field can also help create a network for when you receive your degree, you might be able to find a job there.

alicia

I would tell myself not to sell myself short. I had low expectations for myself and a narrow scope of the world. This time in college has shown me the importance of self worth and critical thinking. Aim high and keep aiming high.

Riley

I would have advised myself to take more AP classes in order to lighten the load on myself once I was enrolled in a college. I would also advise myself to not stress as much about which college or university I was going to attend and know instead that no matter where I go it would be up to me to make the best of my school and love it for its own unique qualities. No school is necessarily better than any other because all shcools are different and have different qualities than others. Last but not least I would have told myself to enjoy highschool with my close friends, savor my time with my family more, and get excited for what was to come in my educational journey. College is a large and extremely exciting step in life and I would tell myself too look forward to all the fun and learning that I had in front of me that I am now experiencing today.

Mariah

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, the advice I'd give myself is to get involved with the university well before attending. Examples are possibly attending some classes to get a feel of what the student/professor participation and relationships are like. This would open doors for a hand on experience as a high school student. The next set of advice I’d give to myself would consist of going to the same school as your high school friends or well acquaintances. I say this because as cliché as it may sound to choose not to go to the same college as your high school friends, it may actually be beneficial in the long run. Starting as a freshman in college is intimidating for many students. However, if you are familiar or comfortable with someone, you could more than likely take numerous courses with that person (as in General Education requirements) and have a person to study with, which would be a great route to start off receiving outstanding grades. This is advice I’d share with myself as a high school senior, and believe its pertinent as a senior.

Jessica

This question is actualy a question that I think about quite often. If I were able to go back in time and talk to myslef as a high school senior I would tell myself that I don't have to settle. I am one of six children and my parents have had a rough time supporting us all, knowing that I always settled, telling myself I am just going to go to the local city college, and tranfer to the local state school. I settled. I have put myself through colege, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, hard working dollars and I know now, that anything is possible. There are resources out there for people like me, and hard work does pay off. Settling is never the answer, for anyone. Thinking about this question often, I have learned that I settled, and I have learned to never let myself do that, there is much more, unimaginable opportunaties waiting for people in this world. It's up to you to go out and get them!

Thyia

I would recommend to myself the books I have read through out my transition into college. If I had known that I want to be a scientist and work with kids when I had graduated, I think I could have taken a shorter amount of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do as a career. I would also told my high school senior self to drive slower so that I didn't get so many driving tickets and would have taught myself the importance of self-love and saving money.

Christine

College is more than just classes and books; it is about adventures and new experiences—new hairstyles, new diets, and new friends. But not all of these new experiences will result in positive changes; it is also about new pressures, being uncomfortable, and meeting new people. These people may try to persuade you to be a new type of “cool”. And in college, “cool” means partying, which often means drugs and sex. As I finish up my last year in college, I can reflect on how these past years have helped me grow and mature. But they also influenced drug intake and hook ups. I just wanted to fit in, and so I gave in to the party lifestyle. As a college student, I felt cool being up late smoking with a cute guy. But now—as a young adult—I am ashamed when I have to tell my serious boyfriend that my past is trashed with drunken nights and make-out sessions. So, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself to have adventures and to experience new things but to never abandon my self-respect to have fun; never, ever sacrifice substance for style.

Nicole

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would definitely have a lot of advice to give. I would first tell myself that it is not as easy as I thought it was going to be back then. I use to think that college was going to be simple and the financial part of it was going to just work itself out on its own. I was definitely wrong. I would warn myself to start working more hours and try to save up while you were still living at home. I would also tell myself that Ms. Berry, my English teacher, was only trying to prepare you for the reality of college and not just being a cranky old lady. Thanks to her, I tested into the highest English class and only had to take one at the JC. I would also tell myself to get good grades at the JC, not just at the end, because that GPA is cumulative and it is very important to transfer! I would end it with telling myself to not stress out, and to try your best.

Joshua

Do your homework, and don't take such a demanding courseload.

Melinda

I would tell my 17 year old self to have high goals and higher hopes of being a college graduate. I would tell myself not to take a break in between high school and college, and put my education first and before everything else. Not to be scared of hard work and failure. Find good friends and an even better support system, which is available in college. Take advantage of all college has to offer, especially workshops and counseling. Be aware that you are not invisible and things can happen like getting pregnant before you are stable. Finally i would tell myself college is a 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} worth it. I'd ask myself where do you see yourself 10 years from now and do it. I'm 27 now and it's taking me this long to find this out the hard way, struggling every step to suceed, not only for myself, but now for our six year old boy and his future.

David

If I could go back in time to my senior year in highschool I would tell myself that everything would be alright and that I would soon learn everything I needed to learn to become the person I am today. I was a horrible student. Rebellious, unmotivated, lost, and confused. I would never goto class, you could find me either ditching class or in the principals office having a nice chat. I didn't know what I wanted to do in life except that I needed a way to make money and live. After highschool I went to community collage and realized I needed to take my studies seriously. At the same time I applied for a job at Wells Fargo. You would not believe how much I doubted myself. I would have never thought in a million years a student like myself would work in a bank. It's been four years now and I am a supervisor. I bought my first home through Wells Fargo and now I goto SFSU full time. I have learned so much through the hardships I have faced. I wouldn't change a single second of it for the world.

Ana

If I could go back and speak to myself as a senior I would emphasize the importance of planning for my college education. Speak to your counselors as they have access to resources for college and valuable information. Apply to all the scholarships you qualify for and take the time to gather letters of reccomendation from helpful teachers. Challenge all the tests, such as the SAT, and practice for them with the study guides available in order to achieve a high score. Enjoy a healthy balance of work and play but always make school a priority as education is the key to a successful career. The more prepared you are the higher your opportunities so take this time to gather all the tools you need to know an opportunity when it presents itself. Surround yourself with others who are dedicated to their education and encourage each other to set high standards and achieve high goals. Do something for others who don't have the opportunities you do so that you will always remember what a gift education is and how fortunate you are to be receiving it. Be grateful to those who take an active role in ensuring your success.

Shanika

I would advise myself to not be discouraged to open up to people. Being in college I’ve learned that I can’t always burry myself in my school work. To really have a successful education you need a support system. Meaning you need friends. I would advise my senior high school self that just because one person hurts you does not mean that everyone is going to be the same. Having a wall up 24/ 7 can be a good and bad thing. Yes it can protect you from those you can hurt and take advantage but also it can keep you from opening up. Remember the quote from a Cinderella story. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”.

Jennifer

Don't be afraid to reach for the stars. Apply to as many schools as possible, enjoy your company. See eveyone's potential and do not be afraid of meeting new people. Believe you have something to say and don't worry about mistakes. Love yourself, believe in yourself and ask for support.

Desiree

Learn how to study and actually DO it. Don't be in such a rush to "grow up". Research what you want out of life more. Spend more time with family and friends. Embrace youth!

Usha

My first year of college has taught me a lot already. One of the greatest things that i was not ready for was independence, being absolutely alone in a big city like San Francisco seemed like a challenge to me. Throughout my first semester of college I learned how to make new friends and be more open. If I had known that i was going to be all alone, I would have been a lot friendlier in college than I was. As the year progressed I stated procrastinating a lot and pulling all-nighters more than usual. Some advice that I would offer is to have better time management skills so that i can have an equal balance in school and friends. I also suggest keeping a healthy diet and not waiting till the last minute to work on assignments in order to live a stress free life as a college student. Getting involved in school events is a great way to make new friends and keep yourself busy. Having a good time while keeping up with your goals will ensure you an enjoyable college career.

Jordan

As a high school senior, I was very nervous to go into college. I feared that I wouldn't be able to do it or I couldn't make it in life or that school would just be too hard. I did very well in high school, but after high school, it's a whole different ball game. I had a lot of "what if" questions and I was afraid that I just couldn't do it. After just one semester of community college, I came to know that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! Of course it's tough, school can be rough at times, but it was so rewarding! In our times today, we can't go anywhere in life without some sort of college education. Some people are afraid of college, some people are just too lazy. I would tell myself as a high school senior, to go for it. Dive into college head first and never look back. Currently I am on a mission for my church and will return home shortly. I will go back to college in January of 2013 and I am excited to do so!

Eli

If I could go back in time and give myself acouple pointers, there are afew places I would start. First, I would make young Eli go take way more AP classes, and college level classes (especially ones that werent solely for attaining knowledge, but that would give me an advantage in college, by not needing to take as many general educations). Next, I would force me to take the SAT2's. Next, I would have taken more risks, done more stupid, "regretable" things, and teach myself to embrace everything i've done, even if I was embarressed. Finally, I would urge little Eli to only live for the present, because the past is just a graveyard for the lonely ghost of regret.

Mahalia

The first piece of advice is to designate time for yourself. It is easy to be over ambitious in the amount of classes you take and the hours you work and forget to give yourself time. I made this mistake my first semester working or going to school everyday and frantically doing homework in between. I became burnt out very quickly and my grades as well as health suffered for it my first semester. My second piece of advice would be to become involved in campus activities. Most college students make friends living in the dorms their freshman year however as a transfer student I came in as a junior not knowing anybody. It is easy to feel lonely and even isolated when you leave home for the first time to live in a place where you know absolutely no one. Part way through my first semester I began getting involved on campus by joining the club for my major. This was great because it helped me make friends with people who were taking the same classes as me and had similar goals for their future. I also began playing intercollegiate sports where I met even more friends.

Anh

I would most definantly tell myself to be more study-efficient, and most importantly money-wise. The transition is not bad at all from high school to college, but not having someone their to help guide you every step of the way is hard. Dont give up, be strong and youll make it

Brittani

I would say, tour the campus on a school day, before accepting the offer to attend the school.

Gregg

Figure out what you want to do with your life and go for it! Don't waste your time on the "fun" stuff and plan for your future. You are young and need a head start on the other kids. Remember to study 2 hours for each 1 hour of class time. Don't be a slacker!

summer

I graduated in 98. I didn't go straight to college. If I could change anything it would've been to have went straight out of high school. I was not intrested in college until I became a single mother a few years ago. I wanted to attend college to better myself for my son. And i will encourage him to go to college as well.

Richard

If I could go back to my senior year of high school i would make sure that I take all neccesary test and find any financial assistance I could find while still in high school. I would tell myself to not be ashamed to ask for help when I'm not sure what I am suppose to be doing or when I need information for school and preperation test. I would also tell myself to apply for many grants and scholarships that could assist me with my finances in college.

Marly

To the younger Marly who has her entire life ahead of herself, my main point of advice to you is to not sell yourself short. Do not settle for second best if you know that you can be first. College is place of independence in which you cannot rely on anyone except yourself. There is no one there to push you to get good grades, or to help you get a job, or to pick out your classes. Everything is left up to you. And although this seems scary and taking the easiest route and going to an easy college will appear to be the best option for you, I know that you can do better! Apply your knowledge, take time to learn while you are in highschool, and find a place that is right for you. When you are in an environment that forces you to grow up quickly, you might as well challenge yourself to have an incredible future. Try hard and do not give up because big things lie ahead of you. All you have to do find a college that pushes you to live a fulfilling life while you inevitably begin your new one. Good luck!

Kayla

Though it seems like an eternity ago, it was only last year. That is, 8,760 hours ago, I worried myself to the bone about dreadful college admissions. I checked the mail everyday, creating various scenarios in my head. Frankly, I had come to three different routes my life could follow at this point. The first one being that I would get in to my dream school, UCSD. Part of this rang true as I was accepted, however, financial aid was not as generous as I'd hoped and I had to let the dream go. If that did not happen, I thought of dedicating the next three decades of my life finding a way to make an alternate universe of perfect world I had envisioned of myself, living in San Diego. My third scenario was the more practical route. SFSU, aka my "safety school", would be where I studied. Indeed, it was safe, but I never could imagined how happy I would be in choosing this road. Now, if only, I could go back and tell my high school self to not be afraid of the future and to take pride in my future step in higher education.

Alexandra

Dear Alexandra, I bet you never thought you'd be here right now, ten years later actually going to college. You thought maybe you'd be on broadway, or working behind the camera in Hollywood, but here you are, going to school and you are actually doing good, you love school, you like your teachears and your friends are supportive. I hope you realize how far I have gotten, I wish you realized you could do this earlier, but I guess you needed the time to figrue that out. Oh and you are majoring in history, something you'd never expect you would major in, although you liked it in middle school. I wish that you could see me now, the person I am today, the things I have been through, and know that all of what you are going to go through will make you a better student, and give you an appreciation in learning. You will be able to achieve good grades and accomplish hard level classes, (however it may take you 5 years to figure out you want to go back to college) just don't forget along the way, it'll be worth it. <3 Yourself

Reese

After the awkward introduction, I would tell my high school senior self: Look, you don't have to go to college directly after high school, and instead, for a year or two, travel to somewhere where you would never think of going, and find work doing something you would never think of doing. This time is vital for self reflection -- don't get caught being just another fish in a school following the paths of everyone before without knowing what you really want. You may think your mature, and make better decisions than everyone else, but this is exactly what everyone else thinks. Just remember to never stop doing the things that you love doing -- find people to play music with even if you think you're not good enough, keep on drawing, and always keep searching for a deeper understanding of the universe. And you can still do all these things while pursuing a degree in Engineering or Math, because all learning leads to deeper understanding, and all understanding leads to a deeper fulfilment -- and with that you will find happiness.

Alyssa

I would tell myself that college requires even more ambitious than high school. I would tell myself not to be afraid to push the envelope; to seek every opportunity related to major that there is. Don't wait around and wait for the opportunities and classes to fall into your lap--seek them out! Being what you want to be takes more effort than you even imagined. I know you know, but I know you'll slack off. You'll get fixated on the small things. Don't. Take the drive you have now and push it.

Samantha

I would say work hard and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t. You deserve a chance to experience all the great thing a college can offer; like dorm life which will help the transition to real life. Study don’t party, get involved with clubs, and volunteering. Take advice from the faculty and administrators they really can help make it easier. Have Faith it is worth it!

Elizabeth

Make deadlines for yourself and be sure to keep them. Do not allow others to hold you back for any reason. Keep on top of everything to ensure it is done on time. Know your limits.

alyssa

In my last year of high school, the anticipation of finally reaching the end of K-12 education was almost too much to bear. During class, at any given moment someone could be heard talking about the college they were going to, what their future plans were, and how much they couldn't wait to be done with high school. Before I knew t, all the talk of college was soon to be a reality, and it was terrifying yet exciting. Looking back, I would have advised myself to spend more quality time with my friends and family, rather than counting down the days until my one-way flight to San Francisco. Also, I would advise letting myself get homesick rather than denying I missed home, if I had done that the first week of school would have been much easier. A last, good piece of advice would have been to participate in more on-campus events, especially those geared toward freshmen, in order to meet and identify with people going through the same thing I was.

Tyler

What you have to do boy, is sign up for scholarships! Sign up for every scholarship you can! Trust me on this. I know you are stubborn and dead set on getting out of dodge (in this case Lake Mills, Iowa). I know you hate the tiny town life and the overabundance of corn fields. But out of state tuition is going to be the death of you, I swear. Getting scholarships will make this whole college business so much less stressful. If you do not take this little bit of advice, you will find yourself spending your days frantically searching for possible scholarships you can win. Oh yes, one more thing. Practice doing the laundry more. That one time you did it is not going to be enough, believe me. To avoid looking foolish, become a master of the washer machine! Well, the rest isn’t so bad. The city is fun.... albeit foggy and kind of cold, but nothing like those Iowa winters. Not to mention the people here are good people. Well, some of them at least. I wish you the best of luck on making your first year of college wonderful!

CHRISTOPHER

If I could go back in time and talk with myself when I was a high school senior, I would suggest better study habits and a harder work ethic. After I graduated high school, I joined the military where I did, in fact, learn these important concepts. Now that I am back in school, I am a much better student and feel like I get more out of the classes. I think the most important thing that I could tell my much younger and immature self would be to gain as much as I could from the classes and to really listen to the instructors. I think that when I was in high school I felt like I was forced to be there and this impacted my learning experience. In college, however, you are there because you WANT to be there and you WANT to learn. I think I would tell myself to change my mindset and make myself believe that, in fact, I wasn't being forced to be there but that I wanted and needed to be there. I think if I would have thought this way I would have had a much more meaningful high school experience.