Spelman College Top Questions

Dear high school Kyra, congratulations on graduating from high school and choosing to go to college to better yourself! I hope you realize that this is only the beginning, so here are some tips that could make your transition to college way easier. First, be confident in yourself and everything you have to offer. You will have to interview for internships, study abroad opportunities and extracurricular activities, so learn what makes you special and highlight it. Second, when applying for scholarships choose quality over quantity. While it may be tempting to rush through every scholarship before the deadlines, instead focus on a few at a time and do them excellently. Third, build positive relationships with employers, professors, mentors, community service leaders or anyone who can validate your character and achievements. Fourth, when oppotunities present themselves, just apply. You never know you could be the exact candidate they are looking for, so never talk yourself out of it. Fifth, familiarze yourself with college fees such as health insurance fees that could be waived and make tuition cheaper. Sixth, keep a planner for important deadlines and events, stay organized! Seventh, save copies of your work. Eighth, study hard but have fun!

High school can only prepare you for so much when it comes to college. In high schoool I did not have to study very hard, things came to me almost naturally so I had a terrible study ethic. As soon as a got to college I realised that if you dont study or read the assigned material you will become way behind everyone else. I had to learn to study and actually write down my homework to remember it because it was so much at one time. I also had to learn to keep a calendar not just for homework but for class times, volunteer work, and campus activities. If I could talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself "Jazmyn you need to learn how to be organized, write down homework and actually do it. You also need to learn how to study and make sure you stop procrastinating because it feels so much better to have everything done in advance than to be worrying about what you still have to do."

Oh darling, you will make it. Stop screaming to the sky. You will get to Spelman. Your tears are now messing up your make up. The scholarships may hurt; paper cuts on your fingers, bags under your eyes, more tears on your cheeks than words in the essay, but you will make it. I know the fear is crippling, but keep fighting for your dream. Spelman is the love of your life. Even though you will have to continue the scholarship process once you arrive, you will make it. You will walk through Spelman’s ebony gates; you will sing it joyful song, “Spelman, thy name we praise”! Let the weight of financial insecurity and family disappointment drop from your shoulders. You will make it. I know the strength inside of you and you now must believe it too, for faith and hard work are your only funds. I know you have what it takes because I need to recall it myself. I have returned to the financial aid mountain. But I know, now writing to you that all will be alright. You will make it!

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to not worry as much. I worried so much my senior year of highschool and freshman year of college. I did not really take a second to enjoy the transition of going into college. I have now learned to enjoy every moment because it all goes by quickly. Things are not going to work out the way I always want them to, but everything really does happen for a reason. I cannot imagine not being at Spelman College, even if I tried to fathom it. I have grown so much, intellectually, emotionally and consciously. This is why I have chosen to be in public policy. I believe what I have gained in my courses and in many experiences will be important in changing/affecting policy.

Dear Future Me, Make sure that you balance your social and academic life responsibly, because it is very easy to get off of track. Time management is an essential aspect in surviving at a prestigious college such as Spelman. You will be challenged by teachers, the course load of work, and the intensity of various assignments. However, this is only a method to benefit you and enhance your skills. Also, do not judge or stray away from topics you're unfamiliar with. Keep an open mind. You will learn a lot of new ideas from around the world and be well rounded. Community service is imperative and participating within school organizations will aid you in adjusting to the college lifestyle. The most importanat thing is to APPLY FOR SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS!!!!! You will need them all!!!! Try not to stress too much and remember to keep God first.

If I could go back in time and speak with my high school self, I would give her a lot of helpful advice about college and what to expect. I would first tell her to get more involve with high school extracurricular activities. I would tell her that because it gives her more practice with dealing with other people in a semi-professional way and to learn how to network with others. I would also tell her to that she has four years to experience college so she does not have to do everything fun and party everyday her first year at college. Lastly if would tell her that hard work will pay of so those long nights and stressful days her senior year will allow her be more studious and better prepared for college and its work load.

Work hard now. You don't know what you want to do with your life and you have the ability to take classes that will exempt you from classes you have to take later on. That will allow you to take more classes that may help influence what you want to do for a career. Also, do more community service. Work with people who are less fortunate. It will open your eyes and help you become the person you truley are/always hoped you would be.

I am a first generation college student. I wish that I would have asked more questions to current college students. I went into college blind. I did not know that textbooks were expensive. I also entered college with an arrogant attitude. I graduated second of my class, I was Prom Queen, Class President, I had my own apartment, and I was an internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. I did not know that everyone at Spelman had similar credentials. I did not the different between high school teachers and course work and college professors and course work. I did not know Spelman's grading scale and I felt insecure about my academic abilities. I wish I was confident and could redo first semester. I sat in class and did not know what was going on and did not attend office hours. I ended first semester with the worst grade point average of my life. I wish I would have taken full advantage of my education and each of my professor's knowledge. Now, I am struggling to boost my GPA, so I can apply for organizations, scholarships, and internships.

I would definetly tell myself not to slack off. I took several AP classes and I started strong, but I lost steam throughout the year. The slack I took senior year, travelled into my freshman year, and it reflected in my grades. Also, I would get into even more extracurriculars so I could get used to having a full schedule. Lastly, I would have told myself to apply earlier, and fill out more college applications and scholarships because that is not something you want to be worried about while in school.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I'd say that the hard times will only last a short while. I would tell myself that the temporary stress from having to prioritize work and social life and from the late nights studying will all be worth while in the long run. The hard work of right now will allow for a prosperous and successful future. I would tell myself to channel all negative energy into positiviy. Experience as many activities and organziations that I can so that I may discover what I like and dislike. I would tell myself to stand firm in my beliefs because they will keep me on track. I am the architect of my life and even though some things are uncontrollable, I can still control how situations affect me and how I act as a result. I would tell myself that I am filled with light and by investing time to the improvement of myslef and future will allow my light to shine brighter than ever.

There are so many lessons that I wish I could share with you. For the sake of time, I’ll just go with the three that have proven to be the most important. 1.Know yourself. And if you don’t know yourself quite yet, it’s okay. Who you are will change throughout the years and that’s normal. Just remember to always stay true to the morals and beliefs that make you, you. 2.Be yourself. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the images on television and in the media, but originality is priceless. Don’t be afraid to let the inner you shine, no matter how weird or strange other people may think it is. The greatest prison people live in is fear of what others may think. 3.Love yourself. This one may be the toughest out of the three. You can’t truly be yourself until you love yourself, flaws and all. Loving yourself isn’t about loving the material items you have or the image you put out to the world, its about loving what is fundamentally you. Love yourself, or nobody will. Goodluck Champ!

Having an older sister whom just graduated from college, I thought I knew all there was to know about college life, but I soon realized I knew nothing at all. I did not know anything from how to balance my academia and social activites, to how to fill out a FASFA application every year. I experienced an extreme cultural shock within just the first week of college. A part of me wishes I was personally more prepared for college but I know that all the mistakes I have mad thus far have only played a role in my self development to becoming a free thinking young woman.

I know you...well me...or is it we? We were/are worried about the future. We had realized early on that there was nothing for you in Brick, New Jersey. Let me say this, at Spelman, you will find a home. We will finally be confident that we made the right decision, this school is everything we had anticipated and more. I know high school was certainly challenging but I know now that we are stronger because of those four years and as a senior, I think you are starting to realize it. Your time at a PWI was a learning experience, which makes college life at a HBCU truly rewarding and entirely enriching. Soon you will meet people who understand, appreciate, and challenge you. Continue to stand tall and hold your head high, for you will begin a life-changing journey next fall. The transition will not be a cake walk, nothing ever is, but you wil adapt without compromising. You have been prepared in all areas for life at Spelman College and you are perfect the way you are. Most importantly, believe in yourself and stay grounded, your life is just beginning.

Take a breath. Right now your blood pressure is going through the roof and you're having heart palpitations over a college application. One thing I can promise you that everything is not going to go your way and there's nothing you can do about it; therefore there is no need to stress. Now, a healthy amount of stress is good for helping you make that scholarship application deadline, but don't let it take over your life. Soon you will learn that when things are out of your hands, all you have to do is take a nap. Seriously, just take a nap when all of your work is done. There is no better way to declutter your mind and reduce your stress level than to relax without going over your future with a fine tooth comb. There are no cooincidences in life, and everything is going to work out that way it is supposed to. All you have to do is the footwork and focus on the things that are under your control. In a few months, you'll start feeling this wild sense of freedom and responsiblity, maybe evenfear - just remember, dont stress!

Dear past Loren, There are a few aspects of college that I believe you should know to not only be progressive in high school, but to also make college less complicated. To start off, use your time wisely now! The workload of high school cannot compare to the workload of college; specifically the workload of a Chemistry major. All the extra time you have when you are at home, use it to apply for scholarships! School is expensive, especially Spelman college. In fact, I believe seventy five percent of the problems you have in college can be solved if your school payments were decreased. The other twenty five percent can be solved if you stay focused and manage your time! Managing your time is crucial in college. Unfortunately college professors aren't as sympathetic when it comes to the number of assignments they give. Do yourself a favor, get started now. Trust me, there will always be a party, event, or get-together with friends. You could make this college experience a pleasurable one if you follow my advice. Good Luck, Future Loren

Relax. If I could go back in time to the beginning of this year, the second half of my high school senior year, I would tell myself to relax. One of the biggest obstacles I had to face in my transition to college was getting over anxiety in anticipation. At certain points this anxiety drove me to act pre-maturely on things that I should have allowed more time on. In retrospect it was uneccesary for me to be so anticipatory of college because I had so much time at my expense. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that in a few months, I will be having the time of my life and not to worry. I would tell myself to never give in to doubt and to keep my hope and faith alive.

I have grown to see that knowledge is the key to many things in this world. Without an education, things aren't easy to grasp. I had to remind myself that my dreams could now become a reality as long as I stayed focused. Being focused is a key factor to have because eveything doesn't come as easy as it did in high school. You actually have to THINK. College is fun and free for adventure , but it is also a time where you grow and find out who you really are. It is a time to find your purpose and buckle down on what you want to do for the rest of your life. If you are not focused on yourself, you can be distracted by many fun and usless things that sometimes won't be worth it in the end and can have you sent back home to where you came from. College is the real world; full of knowledge, experience, love, friendship, and more. It can make you, or it can break you.

College is quite an upgrade from high school. High school for many students of this country is free of charge. College is not complimentary unless you worked for it to be. Knowing what I know about college life now, I would advise my younger self to have taken better advantage of scholarships. Scholarships are free money for students to go to school, why don't students take applying more seriously? I know for me, I looked at them as lotteries. I thought to myself, out of all these students applying how could you win? I didn't have enough faith. I applied for what seemed like many scholarships as a high school senior, but it was not enough. You can never apply for too many. College is very expensive, especially the private institution I attend now. If I would have been awarded more scholarships, I would not be in the predicament I am today. I have fallen short thousands of dollars for my tuition and I don't have the money to pay. You have to work; put in work for what you really want and believe in. Scholarships are not awarded to students who do not apply.

College requires a well-trained mind and a set skill set to conquer the classroom. You simply cannot commit the taught material simply to memorization. You must process the information into long term memory and apply information to do well. If you do not know how to apply the topics you will not do well on the exams and will find yourself scrambling to bring grades up towards the end oft semester. Also change the way you study, sometimes the mind needs to learn in different ways for each course. Whether its study groups or meeting with a professor, work with others and do not be the lone wolf when it comes to some courses.Also, start learning how to be responsible with money. College takes a person who knows how to use and save money. I have learned the hard way about money management. I have spent all the money that was in my account at one point. From that point on I have not created a budget and the budget restricts my social outings, food, and miscellaneous purchases. Also, with continuously putting money into my savings, I will be more of a frugal student.

College requires a well-trained mind and a set skill set to conquer the classroom. You simply cannot commit the taught material simply to memorization. You must process the information into long term memory and apply information to do well. If you do not know how to apply the topics you will not do well on the exams and will find yourself scrambling to bring grades up towards the end oft semester. Also change the way you study, sometimes the mind needs to learn in different ways for each course. Weather its study groups or meeting with a professor, work with others and do not be the lone wolf when it comes to some courses. Also, start learning how to be responsible with money. College takes a person who knows how to use and save money. I have learned the hard way about money management. I have spent all the money that was in my account at one point. From that point on I have not created a budget and the budget restricts my social outings, food, and miscellaneous purchases. Also, with continuously putting money into my savings I will be more of a frugal student.

I would tell myself to choose an institutuon that is more afforadable for my family at the current time if I did not receive enough fianacial aid, and I would apply to more national scholarships.

One thing I would go back and tell myself is to always work hard in school. One thing to remember though is its not always all about the grades. It is really important to be well rounded. You should work hard inside and outside of the classroom like getting involved in extracurricular activities and volunteerting. It is beneficial to open up, be sociable, and try new things. Another thing is apply for as many scholarships as you can as soon as they are available to you. This will be beneficial to your future. One last piece of advice I would give to myself is to learn how to be financially responsible. I believe this is one of the hardest things college students face each day. Learning this early on can really help you through college and can be a positive thing for your future.

I would tell myself to reach out for any financial assistance available. It is so crucial to apply for scholarships and grants to fund your education. I would tell myself how important it is to have your finances in order so they will not burden you throughout your college experience. I would advise myself to perfect the art of time management. You gain a tremendous amount of responsibility as a college student. It takes excellent time management skills to balance your academics, extra-curricular activities/clubs, and social life. Although you do not have to decide right away what career path you want to pursue in life, I would suggest to my high school self that I begin to explore my interests and research possible future careers. Knowing your career goals entering into college makes it easier to decide what campus clubs to become part of and what academic courses would be best to take. Most importantly, I would tell myself to remain true to your morals, values, and beliefs. Do not succumb to peer pressure, stay focused and motivated, step outside of your comfort zone, and never be afraid to ask for help.

The typical phrase “find yourself” is advice often given to students upon entering their four-year journey into college. Although a daunting task, it is truly a crucial aspect of the college experience. It is what allows you to stay true to yourself in every situation. As an incoming freshman, I was overly eager to get out from under my parents' reign and to meet as many new people as possible. Once I became acclimated to my new schedule, I found it difficult to balance such a rigorous courseload with extracurricular activities and a healthy social life. Although I was still able to have some fun, I spent the majority of my time completing my assignments, and sleeping during any free moment I could find. With this being my routine, I hardly used any of it to focus on my own personal growth. If I could talk to my high school self, I would advise myself to spend more time getting to know myself - my likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, personal beliefs, values, goals and passions. I would advise myself to focus not solely on working toward my major, but ultimately working toward my purpose.

If allowed to speak to my high school self concerning colege, I would recommend taking more advantage of opportunities available to me and adopting useful study habits in order to adjust to the new learning environment that college presents. As a high school senior I made the mistake of being a bit too laxed as far as applying for grants and scholarships to pay for college. I was confident that colleges would rush to me and offer al types of money and that I would have to do little to nothing to get it. However, knowing what I know now, I would tell my past self to apply for every scholarship advertised by the guidance department as well as my community because there are more opportunities available than I formerly realized. I would also tell myself to gradually work into a new system of studying. As a high school student, I was easily able to succeed with little or no preparation. However, due to the faster pace of college courses, I learned the hard way that high school slacking yet excelling would not be enough in college.

Hey Sharron, It's me...well technically it's you, not you now but you from the future. I have some advice about school that I think you could really benefit from, I actually try to use this advice daily. Here is a quick head's up! Don't be too discouraged if college doesn't pan out how you planned, life can't always be bad. Don't feel like your background disables your excellence, you are more than a statistic, you are just as deserving as anyone else. Make sure you stay focused, college is not as simple or easy as high school; it requires your full attention. Be persistent in following up with professors and stay on top of your scholarships because you will definitely need them. Don't be afraid to become fimiliar with deans, advisors, and everyone in the financial aid office, they are there to help your college experience; let them do their job. Also a social-life is necessary to sustain your sanity so have freinds, it's ok. Stay encouraged and remeber God and I will be with you every step of the way.

Asia, you are so much more than a GPA and SAT scores, you are a leader. Show every college and university what you have to offer them because you and thousands of other students are going to have high scores. Think about what sets you apart and makes you an asset, how have you given back to your community, and how have you inspired the upcoming generations. That is what institutions are looking for. You know you are going to get in because of your GPA, but you want to do more than just be accepted. You want them to look at your application and have them say, "I want this student to be at my institution for four years and not have to stress about financial aid." You want them to think, "Not only is she incredibily smart, but she has impacted our world in a positive way, and I want her to represent our institution." Go beyond the standards of test scores and enter the realm of international impact. Make any institution proud to be your alma mater.

When you open that acceptance letter from your top choice, nothing can bring you back to planet earth. As a successful student in high school, I just knew I would do great in college. I had a complete picture of what college life would be like. It would be something like the many movies I had seen that took place on college campuses. It would be like the TV show, A Different World, since I was attending an HBCU. I could not wait for the deep conversations in class, the amazing group of friends, the unforgettable social scene, and the comforatble dorm rooms. After I went, none of this held true. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to not have such detailed expectations. I would tell myself to not think so much about the college experience and to enjoy that time in my life. That transition time between high school and college is so precious and should be spent focusing on preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for the journey if a lifetime, not spent dreaming about your future college life.

Being in the college world now the advice I would give myself is to apply for more scholarships because college is expensive and tuition just increases every year. I would also tell myself to get a job during the summer because extra money becomes crucial in college whether its for food, clothes, laundry and even just for fun. I would also tell myself to apply to see if I'm eligible for work-study or any other form of financial aid. I would tell myself to call the college as frequently as possible and make my name known amongst the deans and the financial aid office or any other people that give, scholarships, internships, work study and study abroad opportunities. College is all about education, networking and using your resouces. Finally, I would remind myself to stay focused on God and my education! The world will try to pull you away from your purpose of even attending a university if you let it. It is imparative that you hold on to God because if you focus on Him everything else will fall into place. STAY FOCUSED!!

The college transition can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and scary all at once. College offers academic and social opportunities that many never have the chance to experience in high school. Although it is important to live life to the fullest, when making this transition, there is one important piece of advice to remember: remember your reasons for attending college. Although this advice has been endlessly used by those hoping to guide someone towards success in college, for me, it stood as a token of wisdom that helped me overcome many distractions. Whether debating going to a party, engaging in risky activity, or skipping a class, if you remember the personal goals that you set when you first entered the university of your choice, you’ll more readily make decisions that help you reach that goal. Always ask yourself: “Is this going to get in my way of graduating and reaching my goals?” If so, then it may be something you should think twice about doing. Although there is nothing wrong with partying, dating, and enjoying the many social perks of college, just keep your goals at the top of your priority list, and you’ll be on the right track.

College is a big transition and it is easy to get lost in that transition period. It is okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them and stay true to your beliefs and who you are. There will not be people just like you, and there will not be people who are just like your old friends. You will meet people who will impact your life, and be your friends forever. Be willing to accept diversity in people and ways of thinking. Most importantly, I would tell my old self to live in the moment. College will be some of the best years of your life. Do not rush it. Appreciate being a Freshman, because Senior year will come sooner than later. Take advantage of all your resources and opportunities to explore the world, yourself, and your intellectual capabilities. Study hard so you have many career options in the future but do not forget to have fun and get involved on campus. Make your own path. Do not come into colllege thinking of what previous friends or family accomplished. Create your own story, establish your own legacy.

Dear younger self, You may feel overwhelmed transiting to college and all that is expected of you but pace yourself. The worst thing to do during your first year is to overload your schedule because it will be hard to bounce back from that initial shocking GPA. Be more open-minded than you think you already are and try everything that is offered, at least once. Join the activities that interest you even if you think they will take up a lot of time, you never know what connections you will make. Be persistent in all endeavors that you seek because if you aren’t someone else will be. The large groups of people that you start out with will dwindle down to those that will be lifelong friends and will be all the more rewarding. Seek advice from upperclassmen because they are more than willing to talk about their struggles and achievements. Remember that everyone’s road to success is not the same, so be true to yourself and focus on the tasks that work best for you.

The advice I would give myself is to be involved, spend time with your professors, and to figure out a schedule that works best for you. Becoming involved in student organizations would not only help you meet people who have similar interests as yourself but it could help you to step outside your comfort zone. Spending time with your professors can help you to get to know your professors more by asking questions that you didn't have time for in class, and with help for recommendations. Having a schedule that works best for you helps you to figure out the time you have for homework, free time, and sleep. It also avoids stress, anxiety, and better sleep!!!!

If I was given the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now. I would definately have pushed myself harder. I would assist myself in producing a few well grounded study habits that would help in the long run. But most importantly I would apply for scholarships. When I was younger I did not listen when people told me to apply for scholarships, but little did I know that they were so important. I know students who are on full rides, simply because they applied for one scholarship. I definately try to get myself to be one of them. Overall I would consistantly psuh myself to put my best foot forward because at the end of the day in college hard work really pays off and if they see you working hard people are willing to help you.

If I could back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would want to say many things. I could start with the simple advice like study for tests and read all assigned materials. But, that advice is too simplistic and fails to capture the life lessons I wish I would have known before college. I would tell that high school senior to be brave. I would tell her that obstacles will arise, but that doesn't mean obstacles aren't conquerable. I would tell her to be brave every time she speaks in front of a classroom, because she is not a lamb, but a lion. Be brave when it comes to standing for what she believes in because her words are the prolific keys to the truth and what is right. Be brave and never fear anyone, not even her own greatness. Be brave enough to stand for what is right even in the very ugly and evil face of injustice and immorality. Be brave enough to tackle and exceed every expectation, on every assignment, every time. Be brave, be bold, be beautiful, but most importanly, be herself because she is mind-blowing!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to explore all my options; do not feel pressured to but all my "eggs in one or two baskets." Even though my mother really wanted me to go to a HBCU entertain the option of going to a PWI (predominately white institution). Think about schools closer to home and those providing the most financial aid. Network with other students, especially upper classmen early in your college career. Do not feel intimidated to participate in campus activities and if you feel passionate about something do not feel affraid to network and make something happen. Be confident in who you are and do not stire away from your beliefs. You are enough and capable of great works. College is hard and stressfull; it is nothing like what you see on TV. For that reason it is easy to loose your head but stay focused on what you can control....your grades; at the end of the day stay focused on the bigger picture, your future what ever you want it to look like and it does not have to be picture perfect.

I would tell myself to pay attention and be as organized as possible. I didn't earn the grades I should have because I forgot or never knew that assignments were due. I would also tell myself to not be so afraid of failure or putting myself out there. In a way, I was intimidated by being around so many successful, beautiful, strong, popular women that I didn't take advantage of as many opportunities as I should have. I would also tell myself to find a passion and make a difference on campus. In high school, I was so involved in extra-curriculars, and that involvement crashed in college. I am a leader and I am capable of leading. Therefore, I'd tell myself to be confident in my ability and brave enough to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. Finally, I'd tell myself that it is important to befriend others and not to be so focused on my schoolwork that I forget to build meaningful relationships with those around me. I have meaningful relationships that I'm very grateful for now, but I should have put myself out there more and as my college career progressed.

As a high school senior, I had my career goal and my path planned out. I came to college and my goal stayed the same but I learned a whole new world of pathways. When you enter to college have a goal in mind, it does not have to be a career goal, just your passion. But do not ever be so set in the idea that there is only one path to your goal that you almost lose your passion.

Writing -- Several college courses require you to communicate or demonstrate your knowledge through the written word (essays, papers, presentations). Pay attention in your English classes. Good grammar and writing skills will take you a long way in college. Writing skills can be the difference between earning an A versus a B. Time Management -- Develop good time magagement skills. Plan and allocate your time so that you are progressively working towards completing long-term projects sucah as term papers or other class projects. Do not wait until the last day or week before something is due. Allow time to research, draft, and edit your work. Ambition -- Challeng and stretch yourself. Take challenging courses that will inspire you to learn new skills and not settle for less than your best. Build your capacity to multitask and accomplish massive amounts of work on time and well. Community Service -- Give back to the community and share your talents with others. This will help to build character and make you a well rounded person.

If I was afforded the opportunity to go back, and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to just be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} true to myself, unapologetically. More often then not, high school is all about fitting in, so we forget to embrace our personality. We do things that we think will make us cool, but you will realize how irrelevant those things were once you get to college. Things that were a big deal to you then, will seem trival once you step into your dorm freshman year. That is why it is important to start accepting yourself completely, and realizing that although not everyone will like you, if you love yourself and your personality, it shouldnt matter. There will be people in college who will love you unequivocally who exactly who you are, so no need to change to fit in. If you stay true to yourself, while also allowing yourself to grow, college will be one of the best times of your life. So be you, let people embrace you, stay true to yourself, but allow yourself to grow, and there will never be a goal that you can not reach.

Knowing what I know now, as a college freshman there are numerous things I would tell myself as a high school a senior. The first thing is to be proactive. Do things for yourself; do not wait for someone else to do it for you. Applying for scholarships are one of those things to be proactive about. College is not a cheap investment but furthering your education is worth investing in. Be involved in school and your community. Get to know people and network because in most cases it is not what you know, but whom you know. Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. Even if something seems out of your nature or not in your field of study still accept the challenge. Make sure the decisions you make are for you, and no one else. You have to live with decisions, make sure it’s a decision you want to do and are content with. Last but not least senior year is the last year in high school and childhood. Don’t rush it. Enjoy senior year to the fullest, make memories and have fun.

I would learn how to manage time better. I would learn new study skills and habits and actually force myself to study so that it would become a habit. I would join more organizations and perform more community service because comunity service is a big aspect at my school.

I would tell myself to enjoy the moment and stop rushing. As a senior in high school, I was so eager to go to college and get out of the house that I missed a lot of special moments that I could have cherished if I would've just paid attention. I would say that it's okay to dream. It's okay to let your imagination run wild and actually expect to have what you want one day. It's okay to aspire to something that no one that you can talk to has ever dreamed of because it can happen for you. The sky is the limit. If I would have truly believed that back then, I believe that life would've been a little better.

I would tell myself to make sure to keep a leveled head in all situations. I also would tell myself that life, especially college, is what you make it. So if I want to have fun in college but also get everything I can get out of it, then I must make that happen by myself. I would say to utlize all resources because college not only has a lot of events in which to network, but also people that are well versed in many different subjects. So utlize the people, the facilities, and anything else that can help you grow into the person you were meant to become. Lastly, I would say, academics are great and it is good to get great grades but this is also the last time that you have to actually experience things without having genuine responsibilities. So I would say, go to every event you can, do every study abroad, and make it your mission to meet a new person everyday because trust me, it will go A LONG way.

The advice I would give is to stay focus. You are in school for a reason. I also would tell myself that I am smart enough and I can be successful in any class.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would reassure the younger me that everything will work out for the better. I would encourage younger me to be fearless and motivate younger me to consistently stay focused. I would advise younger me to apply to more scholarships to ease finanacial burdens for undergraduate school. I would also tell younger me to start off strong and end strong in undergraduate school. In addition, I would tell younger me to get more involved on campus earlier and never doubt myself. I would remind younger me that I am beautiful, brilliant, and deserve the best. I would also encourage younger me to always keep my faith and love me first.

Work hard, don't stress, let work come first, and by all means, try to get as much rest as you can during New Student Orientation. Work hard becuase you are at a competitive school where each young woman graduated at the top of her class. Don't stress on the little things. Everything will work out as long as you work hard and are cordial to everyone. You never know who people are and who they know. Lastly, get as much rest as you can during New Student Orientation. New Student Orientation is fun but also annoying. You aren't allowed to go off campus for nine days. During this period however, you meet friends, get used to your dorm, and begin making connections. During any down time, please just get rest becuase once the semester starts, you'll wish you had.

Khyra, I know that it seems you may know everything now, especially because you have been all alone for so long without any help, but just know that colleger is not something that you can do all by yourself. You will need all the help, and all the scholarships that you can possible hope for! Do not worry about finding friends they will come, and your going to love Spelman just as much as thought!

My only regret during senior year was graduating without any knowledge on how to study the properly and leaving high school without scholarships for college. As a senior, you are so eager to move onto the next chapter in life, but I would say cherish the "now" and have no worries about the future. Everything will work out as planned! I'd say that nothing in life is given to you. One must be determined and head-strong in order to achieve his or her greatest aspirations. This statement is also true about scholarships, even the smallest amount will be used during your college experience. When they say "every penny counts" do not shy away from the $500 scholarships and do not become discouraged by the highly competetive $10,000 scholarships. You must believe in your strengths and hold your weaknesses close, do not let them turn you away from becoming successful. Lastly, studying was a big issue for me. I never really had to study. Therefore going into college, I thought studying two nights or even the night before an exam was enough. Let's just say that did not work as well as I had planned. Study hard!!!!!

Back in highschool where school was less strenuous, and there was more time to have fun the coming forth of college was a vast canvas of mysteries. We wondered if the rumors and television portrayals of college on the television screen were indeed true. In order to better prepare myself for college there a few major pieces of advice I would have loved to give to my former self. The first piece of advice I would tell myself is to have great time management, that a schedule is always efficient in helping stay organized and on the ball. I would also tell myself to learn more effective study skills and that taking time out to study every night will help to prepare for tests and final exams. The last piece of advice I would give to myself is to stay focused. On the college scene there will always be an event to have fun but the reason for going away to school is to recieve a valuable education. With this advice I believe I would have been better equipped for college.