South University, Columbia Top Questions

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

Chelsea

I would take my younger self aside and say enjoy those years in college and don't neglect your studies. I would inform my younger self about the future and what is to come. I would warn of my environmental impact and suggest to learn how to save money and budget. I would suggest to enjoy those four years of school and make as many friends as possible. Get involved on campus and off-campus. Know you will not get a lick of sleep for fours years. Be weary of peer pressure associated with roommates and classmates. It can be fun to have new experiences, but avoid the addicition. Get to know your classmates and your professors, they can be great allies for the future. Make a plan for the future and don't expect everything to fall into place - have goals. Remember your friends and family from back home. Don't forget everyone who helped to support your future. Take time to show appreciation to all those who matter. Don't think so much of yourself, think of others, make a difference in the world by giving back, but try not to tretch yourself too thin.

Dakotah

I would have advised myself to take some shadowing programs within the local hospitals to see what unit would be of interest before majoring in Nursing. Having a Nurse mentor would have been excellent to show the steps of how to become a successful college student; to know what's expected, what's required and using process of elimination of choosing the right college/university. I would have notified the high senior self to look at small colleges first before entering into bigger colleges, go on tours and then sit down to compare. I wish that I would have attended a smaller college first because it would have allowed me to slowly adjust to the college life and not be so overwhelmed with first time course loads, also it would have been less expensive. I would strongly advised the student to never cram, always prepare the day before reading materials, study groups, have fun while learning, and have no stress!

Joy

Joy Schofield, you are graduating from high school in a few months. It is a big world out there and I want to share with you some things that may help you to stay focused and successful. I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate. So do what you like and do what you know, the rest will come to you then.

Avalon

I have always asked myself what I would?ve told myself if I were to talk to myself as a high school senior. When I think about it, I will say two things; focus harder and do not give up your dreams. Surprisingly I believe my old self will tell me that that?s the plan. I have always been very focused and dead set on what I want for my life concerning my career and what I needed to do to get there. I understood that the journey will be difficult because the transition from high school to college can really make or break someone. I have gone through many ups and downs since going to college, and I believe it has only made me stronger. I don?t think I will change one thing that I have done since I graduated high school, because it has made me into who I am today.

Breanna

The first thing I would tell myself to not skip class because that's the first mistake that most high school seniors make. Second, I would say " NO PROCRASTINATION". All procrastination does is get you further and further behind in your work. Do your work when the teacher gives it to you and possibly turn it in early so you won't it. It's very hard trying to catch up work at the end of the semester and most teachers don't except late work. Third, start looking at requirements for the colleges you are interested in because the earlier you apply the better. It's better for you to know what college you want to go to by the end of the first semester because if you wait until the last minute, you may missed the deadlines to apply and that won't be good. Also make sure you have taken the SAT and/or ACT. Fourth and finally, STAY FOCUSED. This is the year that counts the most and you don't want to screw it up because it may possibly come back and haunt you in the future and you wouldn't want that to happen.

Gwendolyn

I would suggest getting help in the freshmen year of highschool by a mentor to more effectively direct your educational goals. I know that my guidence counselor failed me in school because I did not have a clue as to how to direct my class studies or how to prepare for college. The guidence counselors just gave us a class schedule. Classes where not selected based on directing the average student to have viable skills or professions. All the support and direction went to the star pupils and athletes. Neither of my parents were educated beyond elementary school but they did the best that they knew how. That's why it is so important to make sure no child is left behind. You never know, that very child that was left behind could very well have been a great scientist, educator, politician, or as in my case, a great attorney.