St. Mary’s University Top Questions

Assuming going back in time and meeting myself doesn't cause a hole in the time-space continuum, I would tell myself to follow my dreams, and to worry less about what other people think. I wanted to be a writer from the time I was 12, and I lost my way because I listened to people who told me to do something more "useful." I foundered and did poorly in school because I was pursuring an education I didn't want, and I was miserable. It took 15 years and a stint in the military for me to get back on track, but I'm more passionate than ever. I performly badly in school before, but I recently graduated with my Associate's degree earning a 4.0 gpa, and have, thus far, kept that average at St. Mary's Univerity. I would tell my younger self to be open-minded and adventurous, to study abroad, and read everything I could get my hands on. I would tell my younger self to love deeply, to take no one for granted (especially not myself), and to know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

I would tell myself to graduate with my class. College is amazing, but I graduated 2 years early when I was 16 so I came to college really young. I see my old friends who are bearly graduating this year and all the senior things they are doing that I'm missing out on. I really do love this school. It's a perfect fit for me and anyone who wants to succeed. As the first in my family to attend college, St. Mary's has made the transition easy. I wish I could've retaken the SAT to get a higher score and get more financial aid. Since my graduation was a sudden choice I didn't have enough time.

I would tell myself not to stress and not worry about the "what if's." I was really worried and stressed when I moved into college before classes started. During orientation I learned I was overreacting and that there was a lot of people I could count on for help. They made me feel welcomed. I was in my second home and got the feeling that I really belonged here. The sense that I was part of their community - now mine also - was everywhere present. I had nothing to worry about because faculty and staff are more than willing to assist you with anything, be it academic or not. They care for us as individuals. I would also to say to my high school senior self: "Keep up with the good grades! You are almost there! Enjoy your free time because you will not have much after classes start. College it is going to be a crazy, stressful, but very fun (not party fun, but random fun) ride."

I would tell myself to not sweat the little things and to actually appreciate the little things in life. I would tell myself to take dual credit courses, they may be a bit harder but prove to get things done faster when you are in college. Challenge yourself. Do better! If you put that extra effort in a certain class, it won't have to come back to bite you in the butt when you are tested on that subject during college. Be who you want to be, not who people want you to be. You're a senior, and you're practically an adult in a few months. Take some responsibility and get a job, it'll do wonders for the years to come. Rather now than later. Don't let fear dictate your life. Take fear of not knowing into your own hands and achieve greatness. You're going to go far, kid. Keep your chin up, and always do 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. It's your last year of being a teenager. Have fun while it lasts, but remember to do good!

The first and formost advice I would give to my senior self would be to do what I want to do and not listen to anyone else but myself. I remember getting criticized for my choice of school. I wanted to go to UT Austin because my family wanted me to. But I decided that St. Mary's was the right choice for me and it took me forever to realize that. I would also tell myself to take it seriously. College can be fun, but when it comes down to it, your grades and performance are what matter the most. If I could I would go back and make sure I knew that. Also telling myself not to be afraid to speak up. The school is very open minded and I am a very shy person, so attending St. Mary's has given me the oppurtunity to open up.

When applying for colleges, apply for as many as you can. Talk to counselors who know about scholarships, because they can help you pay for school and get rid of most, if not all, your financial problems. You have got to be more open to meeting new people. The numerous people that you will meet can change your life forever in a way that can't easily be described in words. Another thing you should do is to not be afraid to take chances. Take the philosophy that it is better to try and fail than to not try at all. You can miss out on so many wonderful opportunities if you let fear take control of your life. You were given a gift to spread joy and hope to people and you shouldn't limit yourself because you are afraid for failure. Don't let any negativity hold you back what you were born to do, and that is to live with love and hope. I promise you, that life won't be easy, but with a little bit of faith and great friends, you'll make it through somehow.

If i was able to go back in time to my senior year of highschool, I would advice myself to be more focus and serious about college. I would advice myself to put effort in every application i sent back then with the belief that i will get accepted. I would also advice myself to give up most of my social life so i would be able to dedicate that energy towards my courses and applications. I would also change my attitude towards college completly by being more serious about it and not just blowing it off. I would advice myself not to be timid or embarrassed to finding helping or reaching out in moment in need. To realize that there is a lot of opportunities out there that i just have to make the effort for them.

I would tell myself to think deeply about what I want to do in the future and that every decision counts. Research and participate more in order to find out what it is I'm good at and whether I enjoy it or not. Start taking action by your own account because there is so much you are capable of and many doors you can also open for yourself. Don't take your future for granted. Don't worry about the social aspects of college life and be involved academically.

If I could go back in time the very first thing i would tell myself would to make sure i stay proactive with my school work. once you fall behind or put yourself in a whole it is very hard and stressful to make up for it. the second thing i would tell myslef would to be kmore involved with the community because little did i know making ofther peoples life better was what you end up loving! the third thing would be to help other peers when they needed or in other words lose the whole lone wolf attitude and become a leader amoungst others. i saw to many students and friends that i just sat and watched waste money and their life away in a couple of months and ii wish i could go back anf change that. and last but noit least i would tell myself to stop being LAZY and do scholarships!!! there is no reason to put yourslef and family in an economic bind when there are oppurtunities to do scholarships! a simple survery questions and a small essay could change your life!

If I could go back in time and tell myself what I know about college now, I would clearly say three words: piece of cake. Other than the cost of attendence, everything is perfect in my eyes at St. Mary's University. Back in high school, I was 'the nerd' and I really didn't enjoy high school because I was too focused trying to have the perfect grades just so I could get into my dream school. And now, looking back, I would tell myself how easy college has been because of everything I did back in high school. And that I did not waste one single hour of extra studying because it clearly payed off. People say to enjoy high school, that college is where you get serious, but knowing what I know now, I would tell myself, "Do not waste one day of doing what you want to do, because at the end of the day, it is you who will suffer or succeed. Do what you think is best and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. College is what you made high school out of."

Dear Amanda, Coming into college is going to be incredibly different than anything you endured in high school. No more studying last minute, or at all for that matter, and no more not paying attention in class. Be prepared to attend every class and make sure to listen and take notes thoroughly because you are actually going ot be tested on exactly what teachers teach you! CRAZY, I know! Learn how to manage your time the best you can, especially as a student athlete. You are going to be missing a lot of classes so be sure to inform your professor at the beggining of every semester so they can work with you the best way they can. VERY IMPORTANT: You're professors and advisors are going to be your best friends!!!! Especially at this school every one of them wants to see you succeed and will do what they can to help you reach your goals! Lastly, have a blast, its college! But remember that you have years to party, drink, and have fun so why try and get it all done in one year? Have fun, stay safe, work hard, and never lose sight of your dreams!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would say the most important piece of advice I could give myself is to be disciplined. If you go to class, work hard, and study college is a breeze. At times it may seem like it's not worth it, but in the end the experience and education you gain will be invaluable. If you can maintain your discipline and motivation you will be successful. I think John Green said it best, "One day, you’re 17 and you’re planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life." I would tell myself, this is what life will be like from then until you graduate. Always making big plans, and never knowing where they will lead.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take the scholarship hunt more seriously. It is astounding how expensive living on campus can be, and for that you need to have money to spare. I would tell myself that I should not be paying my school for my education; the school should be paying me. This can only happen if I have enough scholarships to pay off the full year and still have money remaining. Additionally, I would remind myself to not stress too much about final exams and graduation. Everything will fall into place as long as I am patient. I would tell myself that the more I stress, the harder everything is going to get. This advice would hopefully help my transition into college be a lot easier than it originally was.

Back in high school i might of not being as honest as i shouldve. Being a freshmen in a university, I learned that I am now on my own. I do not have my parents or anyone by my side to rely on. It was a big transition in my life, I matured and I sure am a better person. Looking back, i wish I couldve had better study habits than I did in the beginning of the semester and better reading skills. I am now in a complete different atmosphere with new people. Being in college, I learned that i need to be more accepting, understanding, and open for anything. I do not regret anything from my past, I know better to move on, and be the best I could be.

If I was offerred to sit down and talk to my senior self, I would only need an hour. I would tell myself that you do get homesick the first couple of weeks, but that's okay. The change is different, but it's a great different! I would advise myself to become comfortable with talking to complete strangers, because they can become your next study partner, and yes, you will want one no matter how much you think you won't. I would tell myself to start practicing my use of self-discipline, because that's all college is. No one is going to make you wake up on Friday morning for class. No one is going to care whether you get a C or an A; you have to push yourself, you have to strive for the best. It is okay to have down time though. Do not push yourself to the point where you crash and burn. Just prioritize and balance it out how it needs to be. Last but not least, I would tell myself to enjoy it, because the next four years will be some of the best years I'll ever experience.

Hello Jennifer F. Mendez. As a triple major, approaching my year and a half, I want you to understand that your freshman year means everything. Freshman year is the cornerstone of your entire undergraduate career. If you do not take serious your grades, although classes might seem easy, you will suffer for it. Your grade point average can can go down easily, but to get it up, that takes effort and years! Please be cautiuos of your assignments your first year. You are turning 18 and are experiencing college for the first time! Experimentation and rebelliousness will be on the rise- try to not feed these develish temptations. Do what you do best- work hard at everything presented and don't give up! After your first year is over with, time will pass by and you will mature with the relationships you are presented with in college and outside of your college environment. These coming years will shape you into who you want to become. You know what you want to do when you graduate, just keep connecting the dots to make your dreams come true. Remember, freshman year is the crucuail point Jennifer F. Mendez!

I would encourage myself to be the best I could be in my school work and take advantage of every opportunity that would come my way. When i was in high school 20 years ago there was no internet cell phone or ipods and ipads so the research was more difficult to achieve . I think things are better now knowledge has become more achievable and access has become better.

As I write this statement, I realize that the answer to this question is obvious. If I could return to the time when I was a high school senior and give myself advice, it would be but one phrase : "Think about the consequences of your actions!" Yes, this seven word phrase may seem simple but it is in fact the most relevant piece of advice that I can concieve in my mind. At this very moment, I am applying for a scholarship as a college undergraduate at a community college because I failed to think about the consequences that would follow my long nights of partying and my reluctant attitude towards my education. Those long nights deprived me of time and sleep, which in turn deprived me of study time which caused me to get mediocre grades as a senior. If I had considered the consequences that followed my desire to sate my worthless and insignificant appetites, then I would have been a valedictorian at a four year undergraduate university. Now, I am full of regrets and I relax my conscience with "what-ifs." What if I had studied? What if I had focused? What if ? That is the question.

Hey, Take it easy buddy, you have plenty of time to make life happen. There is no need to rush away from school just yet; working a dead-end job is not all it is cracked up to be. You are definitely going to live past twenty-five so stop worrying about that. You need to focus on the present and plan for the future... your future is not so pre-determined as you think. You have to start making the right choices. Just a couple more things; your Dad is not against you, your Mom is not always going to loan you money, and your brother is actually way cooler than you. Your sister is alright too, man. Trust me. I do have one last thing for you, now listen closely to this one; the Raiders are going to go to the superbowl in with Tampa on January 26, 2003. Do not bet on the raiders dude, they are not going to win. Also, they are never going to win again. Also, they are actually one of the worst teams in the NFL. Get over it.

Given the opportunity to go back in time to myself as a high school senior, I would have told my seventeen year old self to suck it up and listen to everything mom and dad said about school. Although I made it into one of my top three schools, I did not try as hard as I should have to get into my other schools. I had really wanted to get into Texas Christian University, but my hopes were shot down when I was put onto the waiting list. By having this conversation with past self, I believe there would have been a greater chance at me getting into that school. As a senior, I did not fully appreciate my parents advice about college. Most of the time, it "went in through one ear, and came straight out the other". Now, I know that they nagged because they love me and only wanted what was best.

As a high school senior, your days are filled with excitement and the anticipation of graduation and moving on to bigger and better things in college. However, the one thing that no one tells you, is that it will be hard. The transition from high school to college, no matter how prepared you are, will be tough. You have to get used to being on your own, and doing for yourself. And in the beginning, it might be hard, but you just have to keep reminding yourself why you chose the path that you did. In the very beginning, the most important thing to know is that it will get better. You just have to involve yourself into activities. Find people with similar interests, groups that you relate to, and go out do things. Join clubs, participate in events, explore the city, do things to immerse yourself in the culture of your new environment and you will soon enjoy it tremendously.

I would tell myself that professors are not the same as high school teachers. I would advise my self to truly make the most out of office hours and out of talking to my professors. I did not have a horrible transition but if I had utilized office hours more, I would have been able to communicate with my professors more and get the 4.0 GPA I deserved.

If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior I would say to listen to my mother. As a teen in high school my mother nagged me about researching and applying for scholarships. Did I listen? Nope, I wish I did. When I started at St. Mary's I qualified for a scholarship, so half of my tuition was paid for. It was so easy to take those student loans and worry about them later. Now as an adult with a family, a mortgage, and an embarrassing savings account I realize that if I listened to my mother and saved some of my paycheck and applied for more scholarships I could potentially be debt free. As I go back for my masters I’m finally taking her advice and trying to find as many ways possible, other than loans, to fund my degree. I now realize that mother really knows best; I was seventeen and immature. Now as a stepmother, I have deeper appreciation for all of her hard work and advice. I hope my children will learn from my mistakes and with any luck won’t be as hard headed as I was.

Self, This is an end to a chapter, friend. A lot from this chapter will not be relevant to you after some time. However, all your hard work and effort will really sprout from now on. Be excited for your educated future. Don't be scared of college admission fees, or any road bumps. Go where you want to go to be the best person you can be. Scholarships and financial assistance are out there waiting for you . Don't let anything bring you down. "When there is a will there is always a way," and every bit of this is true. The school you chose is going to mold you for the better. All you could hope for is to be surrounded by a mind driven class, and you will. These classmates will only make you advance further in life. Your opprortunities are near approaching, and take on every one of them. Your future only gets better for here.

As a college student, never take anything for granted. Parents, family, freedom, help, social life, friends, nothing. We only have one life and we must make the best out of that life. God truly blessed me with the best school and life. College teaches you about your major, but it also prepares you for life. If you have the opportunity to study anywhere you desire, do no one, but yourself the favor and go there. Whether it's too far or too expensive, if you want it that bad, you'll figure something out to make that dream of yours come true. St Mary's is not cheap, but taking out FAFSA loans won't be the end of the world. Sure, I have a debt to pay off, but I also have a life of my own and a career that I chose because I love it. And as a human, do not be afraid of making mistakes along this journey. Walk, trip, run, and, fall all you want because God only granted us one life, and you cannot be scared to live the life you want. Remember, what's worth it, won't be easy.

I would absolutely take advantage of the campus resources such as clubs, sororities, networking with professors, and athletics. This is a huge factor in understanding the tranistion of teenager to adulthood mentality. It also helps to have alot of friends, who can help you with issues, teachers you personally know who can help with problems, and create a life long network.

"As graduation is coming up, I would like to give you some advice. Finish off your senior year strong! Attend all of the end-of-the-year-events. Do not procrastinate, that is SO high school. Enjoy your summer by doing something productive, make sure you keep on studying. Above all brace yourself for the change that is about to hit you. Be mentally prepared. Eat some ice cream and call home. Attend ALL freshman activities to associate yourself with new people and the campus. Don't forget to eat. College students sometimes forget to eat. Study hard for finals."

Knowing what I do now about college life and how difficult the transition was, I would definately go back in time to myself as a high school senior and give some much needed advice. My first year of college was the hardest experience I have ever had to overcome. If I had known then what I know now, I would have been able to enjoy more of my time instead of spending it crying and stressing out. I would tell my high school senior self not to let my friends get in the way of studying. Friends have always been first on my priorities. Not anymore. Friends have to come second to academics. If they want to go have dinner off campus and you need to study for a quiz, then study for that quiz. Dinner can happen any night of the week. I would also tell myself to record each lecture and go over the recording every day, even on weekends. A strong habit needs to be developed early in the year in order to see the grades you had in high school. College is different. Studying the night before a test is not going to cut it anymore.

I would tell myself that first of all I need to calm down and take things as they come. There is no need or reason to worry about things that have not and may not even happen. I was so worried about not fitting in or that I would be alone with no friends for the whole four years. I would tell myself that there is no need to rush things either. Things happen for a reason, and there will always be a good ending in the long run. I would also tell myself that your major does not necessarily dictate which job you will find yourself in. Pursue a major that you will find interesting and that you want to learn more about. You want to be able to get up everyday and be happy about the major you are pursuing. That is what I would tell my younger self in high school.

Apply to St Mary's as a business major instead of science to have the opportunity to be a Greehey Scholar. I am currently a double major.

You are better than you think you are. Never stay satisfied, and surround yourself with the right persons; particularly family, educators, mentors, and close friends. I'm sure you've heard how important education is from numerous people countless times; and how it's supposed to lead to a great career and success. In hindsight is is, but it is far more than that. An education is a portal to your future. It definitely takes you to better places, but it also molds you into the person you always wanted to be.

Go to St. Edward's. Really, go, major in what you like (psychology) and not what you think will get you a job (biology). You will stress yourself out, ruin your GPA, and end up struggling financially if you stick with what you're doing. Go quickly!College can be really fun and interesting, but the previously mentioned things will taint the way you feel about it for a long time. It's better to go with your gut. But don't worry, even if you do mess up, I'm currenly seeing that there are ways out of the holes you dig. Just stay strong, don't give up, and keep moving forward. I believe in you.

I have taken many wrong paths in my life and finally I am moving towards a positive path. I have decided to attend a trade school in a career that is not only needed in any town, city, or state but is excelling technology wise for the future; Heat Vent and Cooling (HVAC).

An important piece of advice I would give myself as a senior would be to take High School more seriously. I feel that I should have applied myself more in school, so that I could have set myself up better for the next phase of my life. Also, having a plan is very important. I might be more financially comfortable now if I had planned further ahead during High School. Even though I failed to do such things in High School, my adivce will not go unused. Being the first in my family to graduate High School and immediately go to a University, I was the first to experience and learn a lot about the transition. My two younger sisters will benefit from my experiences, and hopefully I can help to make their transitions smoother.

I would tell myself to have fun and enjoy my time doing things that make me happy. I didn't appreciate my time away from work and the ability to take a vacation. I would probably tell myself to take a trip and not worry about the small stuff as much.

As i have now attended 3 different schools in 4 years, i would tell my highschool self to know what i want. I would tell myself that college is not cheap, so i'm going to have to give it my all. As someone who has Generalized Anxiety, i would tell myself to try to work through it my first year living in a dorm and not move back home because of it. College is so different from what i thought as a high school senior. Do not stress about it. If i can just worry about me and my grades, everything else will fall into place. Moving away from home for the first time will be scary. I will want to drive home every weekend. I'm going to cry the first couple of nights. Yet, by the end of the second semester, you will become accustomed. Joining clubs will help you make new friends and will halp you enjoy your time in college. Lastly, i would tell my senior high school self to not neglect my school work for my future depends on it.

If I could go back and advise myself about college life, I would tell myself to balance school, work, and social aspects out. Adjusting to an environment where you are responsible for your education, without rules and regulations mandating you go to school, is a large new responsibility. Too many classes will lead to feelings of being overwhelmed. Working too many hours at work will lead to studies suffering. Partying everynight, all night will result in work and school hardships. It is acceptable to do all of these things, but being too consumed with any one aspect will result in problems for the other parts of life. Balance is key to being successful in college. It also ensures that you will be able to continue your schooling, without grades suffering.

Don't put videogames over school, settle for B's or C's and join the math club as soon as you can! I am sort of gifted when it comes to math and am competant in all other subjects, but my weakness in highschool was that I prioritized work over school. I settled for B's and C's that could have easily been A's. Now, I see that with just a bit more A's from my first two semesters, I could have gotten a much higher scholarship to my transferring university. I was lazy and perfered to complete Bioshock then the 3 other essays needed to change my C in History to an A. Math Club at my college honestly changed my life. I was introduced to Actuaries, Physicists, Computer Scientists, etc., and got to meet the people I'd spend every morning studing with for Calculus 2 and 3. The advisor treated me like a son and introduced me to the wonders of math and the possibilties a simple student was eligible for. I would have never been able to stop being a dishwasher, attend conferences, and volunteer were it not for the math club.

I would tell myself that you should not just sit back, that you need to keep at it no matter how hard or how long the journey may be. It is only going to get harder if you wait. You may have to jump through hoops to please those who have a deciding factor on your ability to attend collage but think how you'll feel when you have to jump through those same hoops at 44 with six kids and a husband who recently had a stroke. That your worst fear is that your husband might not be able to support the family and you cant find a decient job because you didn't finish your educatuion. Going back to college will not only give you the means to support yourself and your family it will allow you to get the career you always wanted, you always talk about. Stop talking and start doing what ever it takes to get that education. Trust meyou wont regret it. Hopefully I take my own advice.

Relax. Yes, the end of this year may determine a lot of things, the pressure to cover every aspect from money to major will continue to be there, but relax. Take in every moment, enjoy the process and be thankful for the opportunities you have. Sieze every day and opportunity to succeed, to prepare and to enjoy the final memories you have in high school. The one thing that makes success in high school so thrilling is that there is a clear measure of success. Whether it be class rank, acknowledgements and future scholarship for college. But trust me, when you get to college success is not all that clear. It's going to be ok to fail, to learn by mistake and to try different things. Senior year is about closing one chapter and starting an entirely different book. In college many things change. Success is defined by the individual, failure hurts more but teaches more, everything is up to you. So take your senior year to start to get to know yourself, to do things you love and really analyze your career goals. Once you get to college, your life takes a winding path.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about college, I would explain to myself about how durastic the change from college to high school is. First, I would expain that the calm vibe in college provides for an easy transition from being a former dependent high school student into a maturing independent college student. The students in college are morally lax, wheraeas students in high school are frantic and frenzied. I would then explain to myself how different the college workload is. For instance, as a high school student, there were times where you could skip studying for a test, daydream in class, or even disregard a reading assigment given by the instructor. Well, this tatic does not work in college by any means. Each assignment given by an instructor has its own significant purpose, which is exposed overtime in the course. Finally, I would then remind the teenager by the name of Jaylen Bruce that college is a place where you find your indepence as an individual. College provides many paths of opportunity, but it is important to seize those opportunities when they are presented.

If I could back in time and just give myself advice I would have so much to say. First, I would tell myself that high school is important, grades are important. I would then tell myself that making plans are great but don’t be afraid if they have to change everything will work out for the best in the end. The second important thing I would tell myself is to not put off applying for scholarships. I would tell myself to apply for every possible scholarship you can. The last thing I would tell myself is to enjoy the journey at times it will be really tough and you might think you cant go one more day but hang in there. You will make it all your hard work will pay off. If I could go back in time I would tell myself you can do it.

I have made mistakes, but this is a mistake that I will regret, choosing the college that I was comfortable in was the worst mistake I could ever make. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself go to a public university. As a high school senior I worked hard to earn good grades to help me get scholarships and have to pay little money to go to the school I wanted but it didn't happen, none of the scholarship I applied to helped me and yet I was stubborn and chose to get a loan and have my parents pay for the rest. This is making my college life difficult because of all the guilt I have and will have for the rest of my life and the transition was difficult with this much thought in my mind. I would tell myself to not have myself and my parents go through all this and even though I skipped a year of college because of AP classes, it is still hard to see myself finishing my dreams of getting a degree.

Going back to my senior year of high school I would have marched to a completely different beat of the drum had I known better. I would have definetly given myself the advice to study hard and work hard and put effort in everything I did. Back in high school I didnt see that what you put in is what you put out and if you put effort forward you will see results. In high school,its more of teachers guiding you and staying on you about your work,but in college its certainly not like that. I would have prepared myself to be out on the limb by myself and not expect anyone to hold my hand. In college your responsible for everything you do and you have to wanna care about your education because the professors are only there to teach you. The transition wasn't a difficult one persay but from my personal experience I realized that education is very important once in college. I would tell myself and any other high school or college students out there ; a mind is a terrible thing to waste and noting or nooone is worth your education .

To my high school self: Breonna, the world is bigger than what you think. College can be extremely exciting, but you have to keep things in perspective. Remember the values your parents have taught you and be careful for sudden pitfalls. You will be exposed to a lot of things you have never experienced before. College campus life is full of a variety of activities. Be a leader and you will receive the respect and admiration of college professors, priests, and even the president. In four years, I want you to look back and say, "I'm proud of you'!

If I could go back in time and give myself advise about going to college I would tell myself as a high school senior : don't waite,you are somebody, you are a proud child of Appalachia, lets do something with our life to encourage others to go on to school and make some thing of themselves. Lets work together to change the lives of our fellow Appalachians. Lets do something positive with our life to make ourselves proud of who we are. There is no excuse not to try...there are colleges within 30 miles of your home so lets do it now. I waited over thirty years to go to college to better my life for my family, if only I had done it right out of high school I could have avoided some of the hard life lessons I have learned: like trying to live pay check to pay check, and just trying to get by. To not try and do your best is your only risk of failure.

Make sure you are well prepared for college, and what I mean by that is too apply to as many scholarships as possible. Apply for financial aid on time, get your dorm or housing on time, apply to college(s) on time as well to prevent any overwhelming or stress on the first day of school. That way you could make your first year at college into a smoother transition. Also make sure to manage your time wisely. Time can be your worse enemy if you do not prioritize. Make sure that when in college you make as much friends as possible, be involved, and make the most out of college because your college years are what you make out of it and what will lead you to your future.

When I was a high school senior I attended an Early College HS. My schedule was really jam-packed with both high school and college classes meaning I had a short period of time which was used on doing all my homework. Now that I'm in college and living on campus I have A LOT of free time. If I could go back and give myself some advice I would tell myself to use TIME MANAGEMENT. It would have helped me a lot more!

“I can’t do it, there’s just no way that I can attend college if I don’t understand math.” That was my high school self looking at my Algebra 2 homework and hearing my mom talk about the SAT. “I’m definitely not smart enough to go to college,” I had said “My sister was made for college, not me.” Remembering this point in time, I would go back and encourage my younger self. “College isn’t for the smart people, Pearl,” I would say “You have what it takes to make it through college.” Knowing how I was back then, I would snap back and say that if I can’t make good grades and struggle with something as Algebra, I would not make it in college. “Obstacles can be the downfall or realization of greatness, Pearl,” I would assert “It depends on how you handle them. I know you, you have the capability to take challenges and turn them into strengths. Teachers are looking for learners, not people who already know what they’re doing. Stay on track, keep trying, you have more to offer that what you think and your success will bring others inspiration.”

I would tell myself to apply for scholarships in high school because you are more likely to get them during high school and college is expensive, any money you can get will make a huge difference. I would tell myself that college is no joke and high school according to college is a piece of cake and if you want to succed you have to try. The first semester and year matters as well, it is a big transition, but make sure you try the first year becuase that first year can make and break you. Lastly, I would tell myself that college could be an amazing experince if I let it be, and the people there are good people, let them in and enjoy living the college life and good things will come.