SUNY Cortland Top Questions

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

Alexis

I would tell myself that making something productive out of yourself doesn't mean you have to leave home and take the biggest leap you can. When I moved four hours from home and took on a major I couldn't stay passionate about I became a different person that I didn't like and hated the entire experience. Once I finally realized that I needed to move closer to home to be near my family and do something I was more passionate about, I was much happier and far more successful. I would tell my high school self to truly look into what you're interested in and passionate about, not just traditional fields or by subject matter. Also, don't discredit two year schools, they're the first step in gaining a cost effective degree and transitioning yourself for the next.

Matthew

Balance. That's the one word that comes to mind when I think about college. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself how important it is to have balance. Everyone knows you go to college to learn and get an education. But it is more than just that. College is about having fun, meeting people, trying new things, and stepping out of your confort zone. But in order to successfully do this, you need to have BALANCE. You need to be able to balance the fun and the education parts of college. And fun doesn't always mean partying like people think. Whether it's going to the library, hanging with floor mates watching TV, studying for an upcoming exam, grabbing a bite to eat, going to the gym, meeting with a club you just joined, or the tons of other things that college campus's offer, the most important thing is to be able to balance all of these things. If you are able to balance these things, I think you would make the most of your time at college. That is the advice I would give myself if I could go back in time.

Kelcie

If I could go back in time and give myself advice in highschool knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to cheer up because college is so much better and more fun than high school. I would tell myself to find something that I'm passionate about (basketball) and stick with it. I would also tell myself to stick it out and play basketball in college because playing a sport in college is so much more impotant than anything else (besides school) that's going on in my high school life. I would tell myself that high school is not even the start of my life, but once college starts, I have 4 years to get it right and work as hard as possible to graduate on time from 1 college. There are many things that I would do different, but the biggest thing that I wish I could change everyday is rewinding to my last high school basketball game where I decided to "throw in the towel" and suck it up and play in college. I had an opportunity to do so, and I turned it down. If I could di it again, I'd play basketball.

Emily

I feel that I got a lot out of my college experience, but there are a few things both socially and academically that I would change if I could go back in time and tell my high school self. Acadmically, I did well in college, but I would tell myself to really get to know the professors. You never know when you need a reference letter or connections to benefit yourself int he future. I'm not saying to 'use' the professors, but to go to their office hours and create a relationship with professors that you tend to get along with and they will be there to help you in the future. Social life is a huge part of the college exerperience. Honestly, if I could go back I would tell myself to not go to college with a boyfriend that was controlling. I missed out on a lot my freshmen year because my boyfriend did not trust me and did not want me going to certain social outings. College is a time to discover your independence, make decisions for yourself, and meet new people.

Joao

Become more knowledgable about the college process. Work harder to get scholarships and financial aid at a school that will make you happy. I was forced to transfer colleges and hate the second more than I hated my first school.

Joshua

My advice would be to just learn for the sake of learning rather than just getting by for the degree and career possibilities. Go to the library to read and do research. They have these sources on campus with endless information that we will not have access to once upon graduation. Talk to people in your field and seek out as many possibilities as you can find to improve your skills. The best piece of advice is simply to ask more questions. By constantly questioning everything you can learn so much more than by just listening and taking notes. Ask your professors, classmates, and people that you work under questions about what it is your doing and what it means. You are paying to learn, so make sure you get your money's worth.

Amanda

Apply for college now, please don't wait. Choose what you know and go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you cant, go. Life without a college degree is not fun, nor is it easy. Work hard at it and you will see the rewards for your work. Make friends, get out of your comfort zone and talk to people. Join a club, it's a good way to make more friends and get involved in something. Don't worry to much, have faith in yourself, you can do it.

Maria

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL COLLEGES TO ATTEND AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION. DO YOU WANT TO BE CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY? FAR AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY? MAYBE YOU WANT TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. KEEP THAT IDEA IN MIND FIRST AND FOREMOST. REGRETTING WHERE YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO GO TO SCHOOL AS A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE IS NOT AN EASY FEELING TO DEAL WITH. I PERSONALLY CHOSE BETWEEN TWO COLLEGES BASED ON DISTANCE. I KNEW I WANTED TO BE FARTHER AWAY, BUT INSTEAD I CHOSE THE SCHOOL THAT WAS A LITTLE CLOSER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER WHEN IT CAME TO TRAVELING HOME FOR HOLIDAYS. I REGRETTED MY DECISION, AND WAS NOT HAPPY WHERE I ATTENDED. MY FIRST CHOICE WAS WHERE I ENDED UP TRANSFERING TO AFTER MY FRESHMAN YEAR IN COLLEGE, AND I AM GLAD THAT I DID THAT. GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING, AND YOU WILL END UP HAPPY WITH WHERE YOU ARE.

Jenna

Transitioning from high school to a college or university involves a drastic change in a student’s life. College does not resemble high school. A student isn’t in the school building for the entire day waiting for a bell to ring, they have to budget their own time and money, and basically have the freedom of making their own decisions without someone looking over their shoulder to guide them. If I could go back and give advice to myself about what I have experienced in the transition, I would say to manage the time you have. Make a schedule of what you want to do that week, like charity or sporting event or going to the gym. Begin the readings that you are assigned in class before the professor talks about them—you will know what they are actually saying and it helps when a quiz or test seems to creep up on you. Meet as many people as you can in your classes or in your residence hall and eventually pick a group that you enjoy being with and want to make part of your close circle. Enjoy yourself, but don’t forget why you are there, too.

Edwina

Apply to every college and get all the education you can before deciding on your future career.

Julie

Just be patient and realize that every assignment has a purpose.

Melinda

To my high school self I want to give you some advice. Some of it will make sense, some won’t. But believe me you want to follow it. 1.Wash the makeup off your face every night; mom is right about taking care of your skin. 2.Don’t eat doughnuts for breakfast, you will gain weight and it gets harder to lose as you get older. 3.Do not smoke. 4.Appreciate the fact that you can get by with only six hours of sleep; use the time for good, not television. 5.Slow down behind the wheel, nothing is so important you should risk your life and lives of others. 6.Love your friends; many won’t make it out of their twenties. 7.Do not get credit cards, just don’t. 8.That boy you love so very much is going to get you pregnant and leave you, but your kid will be amazing. 9.Appreciate your Dad more. He may be a gigantic pain but you will miss him someday. 10.Love deeply and without conditions. 11.Every mistake is a lesson learned. 12.Anything and everything you put on the internet is PERMANENT.

Kimberly

If I had the opportunity to talk to "High School Senior Kim", I would tell her to apply for more scholarships during high school. I did very well in high school and applied for a ton of scholarships, but I would tell myself to apply day and night until I received something. I would tell her that Mom's health is going to go downhill soon and you can't let her and Dad bear the burden of school bills. "Start establishing your credit." I would tell her. "Mom and Dad can't take out any loans because of Mom's medical bills." I would remind her that her parents will do whatever they can in order for her to go to the school of her choice, but she won't want them stressing out over something like that when there are bigger matters at hand.

Kerri

There are many things that every freshman should know before they come to SUNY Cortland. The most important thing that was shocking to me, is that it gets really cold and really fast. It starts snowing sometimes as early as mid-October. Be sure to bring up some winter clothes and a coat when you first come here. Even though it gets cold fast, definitely bring a fan, because the dorm rooms get really hot and there is no air conditioning. Another important thing is to stay on top of your work. Do not fall behind. college classes are a lot harder than high school classes and involve a lot more work (which is hard to transition to after having senioritis haha), but it is definitely manageable as long as you do your work on time and don't procrastinate too much. I have known a few people who have dropped out because they have skipped too many classes or they failed and it's a very sad thing. Another important thing to remember is to join as many things as you can and remain active. It's nice to joing a group of people to hang out with and to do fun activities with. It's my senior year and although I'm in a sorority and already am involved in something, I wish I would have involved myself a lot more. There are so many clubs I wish I would have taken a part in and I wish I would have went to more campus event and sports games. Another thing to remember is to be friendly and try to meet as many people as you can. It may be hard to meet new people and to transition from living at home to not, and being away from your parents, but I promise it will totally be worth it and you will love your time at Cortland!

Kerri

There are many things that every freshman should know before they come to SUNY Cortland. The most important thing that was shocking to me, is that it gets really cold and really fast. It starts snowing sometimes as early as mid-October. Be sure to bring up some winter clothes and a coat when you first come here. Even though it gets cold fast, definitely bring a fan, because the dorm rooms get really hot and there is no air conditioning. Another important thing is to stay on top of your work. Do not fall behind. college classes are a lot harder than high school classes and involve a lot more work (which is hard to transition to after having senioritis haha), but it is definitely manageable as long as you do your work on time and don't procrastinate too much. I have known a few people who have dropped out because they have skipped too many classes or they failed and it's a very sad thing. Another important thing to remember is to join as many things as you can and remain active. It's nice to joing a group of people to hang out with and to do fun activities with. It's my senior year and although I'm in a sorority and already am involved in something, I wish I would have involved myself a lot more. There are so many clubs I wish I would have taken a part in and I wish I would have went to more campus event and sports games. Another thing to remember is to be friendly and try to meet as many people as you can. It may be hard to meet new people and to transition from living at home to not, and being away from your parents, but I promise it will totally be worth it and you will love your time at Cortland!

Caitlin

If I was able to go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior about the transition going into college, I would tell myself to have more of an open mind and not to care what other people think about you. Many people change in college and a big part of that is because people move away from home and go to a place where they experience new ways of how people live and they mature. People realize that theres more in life and to have an open mind and experiencing new things is a great way to grow as a person. I would also tell myself to be outgoing and friendly because you see the majority of the same people everyday whether your in the dorms, classes, or walking around campus and those people can become your friends that you can have for life.

Tatevik

I would say, " Tatevik, college is like a test for you. If you can survie and past the test then you have nothing to worry about. College will test you on how responsible you are and if you know that you want. It is a lot of fun, but you can not forget about your work. In High school you don't have to study to get an A, but in college you have to. Don't waste all your time partying. Remember, study hard during the week and you can reward yourself with a party on the weekend. Don't worry about not making friends, you will make them. Just be who you are and don't change. Definitely, talk to your parents and friends at home, they will make the transition so much better. Try not to get depressed too much and enjoy the college life. Be friends with the professors. Usually they are very friendly and are willing to help as much as they can. College is for fun, but don't forget, the most important thing: School work first, then the fun."

Cassaundra

If I was to go back and give myself advice about college life I would tell myself two things. The first is that don't expect college work to be the same as high school work. In high school I skated by with straight A's when I barely studied. When i came to college I found out that college is a lot more work than high school work. It involves a lot more of your time and it is very important that you study for every single exam unless you want to fail. The second thing i would tell myself is to not change yourself for other people, be who you are. When I came here i tried to be less of myself in order to make friends. I soon found out that my true friends here were the ones who liked exactly who i was. So i would tell myself to not change who you are just for the sake of making friends. You will make friends when people get to know who you truly are and they will love you more for who you are than who you are trying to be.

AYMEN

I should have done better in my grades. Advanced Physics was a little weaker, and I should have spent more time in working getting a better grade

Emily

I would tell myself to study just a little harder because college is harder than I expected. I would also tell myself to not worry so much about the little things because there are bigger things in life to stress about. There is no need to become so overwhelmed with drama when there are real problems out there to worry about. Also, utilize your teachers as much as possible because they truly are there to help you and they really do want you to succeed. These are all helpful things that I would tell myself if I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior.

Abdoul

From my college I have learned to be open-minded, I have learned to get rid of my biases and accept everyone for who they are and not for who I want them to be. I have leaned not to reject anyone because of their background especially their race, I used to favor black people, but going to a predominantly white school has taught me a lot about white people and not to discriminate against them. I have learned to come out of my comfort zone to be able to meet people and enjoy my life. I no longer have prejudices or anything like that. I have learned so many things, but the most important one is that I have learned not to doubt my self. I used to be insecure about whatever I do, especially since I have only been in America for 4 years and I'm still learning english. The fact that I have been excelling in school has showed me that I do not need to speak English as well as the native, I just have to work hard and be persistent and I will make it through anything.

Brynn

My college experince is not the traditional way of how most students attend a university. For my freshmas year I attended a different university 3000 miles from my home. While my experiences at my first school, University of San Diego, were ones that I truely treasure, it was not the right fit for my desires and my budget. Deciding to transfer to SUNY Cortland is a decision that i feel i will not regret in the long run. Even with transfering and having to readjust to new environments, my college experience is one that I would not change for anything. I have made life long friends and gained knowledge about the world and myself that I otherwise would have never know. Throughout my year and a half at college thus far, I have learned who I really am as an individual and become proud of that person. College has given me an unmeasurable amount of confidence in my self and my capabilities that I plan to carry with me throughout the rest of my education and my life.

Sarah

Overall, I would descirbe my college experiance as being a very dynamic hands-on learning journey that I could not picture the women I have come to be without. There are many reasons why my college experience has been valuable to my life. The most important, not to mention the reason I enrolled in college, the fact that I feel prepared to enter graduate studies. I feel as though I have recieved a great education and have met great people in the social sciences along the way (even if it was not neccesarily at SUNY Cortland). Another thing I treasure that I would not have had the chance to be grateful for without my college experiance is the family I have made while attending. I have met wonderful individuals that I know will be life-long friends. The professors I have gotten the chance to get to know on a personal level is also another aspect of college I value. My college experience has given me exaclty what it was sopposed to; courage, determination, and confidence to go out into the world knowing who I am and what I want to accomplish.

Theresa

Hi, I am 27 years old; I grew up in Truckee CA I moved to Reno NV after I graduated in 2001. I came here thinking I knew everything to be living on my own. Little did I know what the world had in store for me. I got mixed up with the wrong people and made bad decisions. I ended up in some legal troubles and was put into a drug court program. After a long road and some soul searching I made a life changing choice to come to college and stopped being the person I hated. I graduated the program, cleaned up my past and began my future. Today I am proud to tell you I am an ambassador at Truckee Meadows Community College. I am studying criminal justice, currently I am a sophomore. I believe my past has fueled my future. My experience as a student has shaped me to be a well rounded educated person. I enjoy seeing myself do positive things while learning. I plan to continue my studies at a university after getting my associates degree. The most valuable aspect of college for me is giving back to the community and encouraging others.

Amanda

I am just starting college after a 10 year absence. I am very excited about the program I am going to be doing! I have been a stay at home mom for the past 4 years and my husband is a self-employed General Contractor. My goal is to complete an Interior Architecture & design program to help my family. I will be able to offer services to my husband?s company and also be able to feel a sense of accomplishment in being able to provide for my family. I know that my going back to college will set a wonderful example to my 2 small children. I am really looking forward to the knowledge that I will gain from this experience and then be able to apply it in the real world.

Cristina

I am part of APAC (Aids Prevention and Awareness Committee), part of the Planning Committee for SUNY Cortland's First Annual Conference for Diversity and Social Justice this year; a member of Spectrum, the Gay-Straight Alliance at Cortland, and was a model in 2 fashion shows that raised money for Haitian Relief and an all girls school in Africa. All of these things and more have helped me in getting the most out of my college career. These organizations all help others, which is something I strongly believe in. I don't think anyone can be a productive member of society without having an urge to help others ? which is why I want to teach. It has been valuable for me to attend Cortland because it's a very close knit community, and if it was a bigger school, I don't think I would have gotten as involved, because I wouldn't have known where anything was or when meetings were. Cortland is also the best school in the SUNY system, and the Northeast, for teaching, therefore giving me a great advantage over other teachers because when someone sees Cortland on a transcript, they automatically thing teaching.

Megan

From SUNY Cortland I have really been able to put myself in situations and among people I never would have had the opportunity to before. I have pushed myself to do things such as try certain clubs or intramural activities. Cortland invites everyone to try anything they would like. Normally SUNY Cortland is known for it's athletics and physical education majors, however, I am a community health major and I fit right in. Many of my friends are in majors such as Criminology, Math education, sports training, and even in graduate program for medical. The campus is close to downtown and beautiful, insight of mountians and green hills. I have made great friends at Cortland, ones that will outlast my school years and I have learned many valuble lessons and I am only a freshman. I cannot wait to see what else I try, who else I meet, and what else is there for me to learn.

Danielle

Be social, get involved. There are scholarships that depend on it and it really helps to have friends to see you through. It's OK to try different things and to go to college not sure of what you want to be. It's OK to be a kid for another 4 years.

Adam

I would of told myself to work harder in school and receive better grades. I think sometimes i did not work as hard as i could of. But other than that i wouldnt tell myself anything else. I like new things and new experiences and i adjust to new things well.

Christopher

I would tell myself to make many friends from all cultures, but make sure that you balance your social life with your academic life. For example, do not forget about the readings that your professor assigns. You have to read to succeed in school, because if you do not you will be behind and it will be very hard to catch up with the rest of the class. I would also tell myself to get more involved in on campus activities. You can make many life long friends on campus and have a great time. This also helps pass the time on the weekend, as it is a way to have fun without alcohol. Dont go to school looking to party. Instead, go to school looking for friends, a new outlook on life, and direction towards your future. With this information, you can get the most out of your college experience and make your life long goals a reality.

Timothy

If I were given the opportunity to go back in time there would be alot of words of advice I would give to myself as a high school senior. The big thing that I had to learn when I went away to school was time management. I would tell myself that while you may be in class for less hours per day then you are in high school, the difference in out of class work is tremendous. It is crucial to plan your out of class time so that the appropiate amount of studying, planning, and homework may be done. Other words of advice I would give myself is to have an open mind to new things and people as college can be a tremendous once in a lifetime experience that may change you forever. Lastly, the advice I would give myself is to act like a professional. College is a stepping stone to a lifetime career which will define you. Being prepared and acting in a professional manor will only put you ahead of your competition .

Elisa

"Don't hold back" is one thing I would say to myself if I could go back in time. Let yourself live every moment to its fullest and appreciate all the people you meet and don't let anyone hold you back from anything; do what makes you happy. Another thing I would tell myself is "School comes first!". Don't get behind on your work and always go to class. Professors in college aren't like your high school teachers, they aren't going to remind you what is due or when it's due, you're going to have to stay on top of it all by yourself. You're a big kid now and it's on you to make something of yourself and make yourself proud. Also, don't be afraid of your professors. They are there to help you out too and they are more than willing to assist you with anything you need.

Kristy

College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for! A lot of people such as older siblings, parents, teachers, etc. can tell you what to look forward to but it's definitely an experience that has to be fulfilled by you and only you inorder to get the full affect. The transition is tough! Some high schools such as mine are pretty easy to learn the necessary things to just get by with an easy A but college is very different. No one in college is there to wake you up in the morning for class, the professors do not care whether you study or not, they don't care if you pass or fail. It's up to you to do it for yourself! You do a lot of growing up just make sure to act like the adult that you have become when you accepted your spot in college. Also remember that being a college student is your fulltime job so take it seriously! You may be totally concerned with the "parties" but you have to learn to balance out your social and academic life. Know your priorities and you will have a good firstyear!

BreAnn

Making the transition from a high school senior to a college freshman can be rough. The workload of a high school senior getting ready to graduate can be overwhelming. The advice I would give to myself would be to know your priorities as a senior in high school and trying to get into the college you want. I would suggest getting your financial aid taken care of as soon as its available to increase your chances towards grants and other student aid. Getting ready for graduation is already enough to worry about along with getting ready for college. Learning to apply to the colleges and getting your finances and classes taken care of ,is the first to do, while also getting living situations figured out. The transition is hectic at times but well worth it in the end. Just keep your head held high and make lists of what you need to do and there deadlines.

Samantha

The main advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to not slack off as much as I did, and as many did, during Senior year. I needed to better prepare myself mentally for the college lifestyle that I was entering into, and I did not feel as prepared as I thought I would be. So I would tell myself to mentally prepare for college and work on procrastinating less. Procrastination is still an issue that most students face today so it is important to change in high school so that one can go into college more prepared and deal with the large increase in workload. I would also tell myself to finish all of my work and put enought effort into my work so that it was always a product that I could be proud of. By caring about my work more in high school, it would have allowed me to easily put in the effort I needed once I got to college.

Nicole

Agenda book, agenda book, agenda book. My school district used aenda books from 5th grade on. We were required to have them filled in daily and signed by our parents in the early grades, but as we got older it was more of a choice. I got lazy in high school and didn't utilize it much. I wish it had become a habit because even though I was a diligent student, I learned early on in college that time management was crutial. After a while I needed to start using an organizer si I ws able to map out what I needed to accomplish for each week. Once I got in the habit of this I felt less stressed and work didn't seem so overwhelmng.

Michelle

Michelle, everything will be ok. You're out of "the city," you don't and shouldn't be putting on a front as everyone does when you're back home. There are going to be people that are extremely nice no matter what, so don't be so discouraged right away. Always be yourself, be open and don't be so shy or scared just because you aren't used to having this many classmates. STAY POSITIVE, don't give up hope. If things don't turn out the way you want them to, don't stress; have faith that something better will come along. Drop the somewhat negative mentality you have been coerced to have because of your upbringing; Cortland is the complete opposite of Manhattan and you need to prepare for the changes. Just remember, don't stress, stay positive, and do your readings!

Melissa

Looking back at myself as a high school senior is like looking at a stranger. I was insecure about everything. Knowing what I know now about college life, there is a lot of advise I would give my high school senior self. I believe there are two key pieces of advise that has allowed me to grow and succeed thus far. My first piece of advise would be to figure out what your priorities are. Having your priorities set will make all of life's transitions less complicated. Acknowledging what's important makes decisions easier to make and lessens the inevitable stress in one's life. My second piece of advise is to be confident with who you are. As a child and throughout my high school years I was painfully shy. I was so focused on the possibility that people may not like me that I never gave them a chance to know me. Since making the transition to college, I realized the importance of liking yourself and not worrying about what others think. Accepting myself has allowed me to come out of my shell and enjoy life in a way I was too afarid to before.

Amanda

If I were allowed to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student, I would tell myself to stay truthful to who you are and push yourself. I would tell myself that it is ok to study for a test while your friends are in the other room watching tv. College is for you and not anyone else. It doesn't matter if your friends at school think you study too much, because it doesn't affect their grades, their money, or their future. If you know that what you are doing is for your benefit then you should stick to your goals and try your best to make them happen. College is all about opportunity and the only way you can succeed is to do what you think is right. Do what you came to do in college and in the end everything will work out the way you planned.

Jessica

I would tell myself not to go with what would make you money and what would make you happy. At the end of day, being happy is what is going to make life meaningful. Also, I would tell myself to not bullcrap and work HARD. My GPA is suffering a little because I cruised through high school with As and Bs without doing work and thought that would work for college. It didn't . I just started working hard now and the way I felt after I got those As and Bs was amazing because I actually earned them. Also, not academically, I would tell myself to stay away from sweet talking men because they only want one thing and also to enjoy your friends in college, because they are you're life long friends

Mikayla

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my high school self to learn time management skills. College is meant to be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be so hard that you feel like a failure. Managing your time is the key to success in college. I've learned that in order to succeed, I must know when to study and when to go out with friends. You must balance party time and school time, but you musn't just forget about play time. All work and no play make for a very stressful semester. I would tell my high school self writing down assignments and actually reading the syllabus is another key factor in doing well in college. Develope a good relationship with your professor and do not be afraid to ask questions. Learn to manage your free time and focus on success.

Deanna

I would tell myself that it is alright to not know what you want to do. Being a Liberal Arts major for your first couple semesters can help you get many of the required courses out of the way so even if you do change your major, you do not need to stay that many more semesters. Also, when moving on to college life, don't stay in your dorm all the time. You want to get out and meet new people. Another very important thing is to not 'bite off more than you can chew.' Don't get overly involved in a multitude of different activities in your first semester. You need to give yourself time to adjust to the different workload without overloading yourself too much. After you experience the heavier workload, then you have an idea of how many activities you can involve yourself in while still being able to succeed in your courses.

Lisa

I would tell myself that just becuase I didn't have to try as hard in high school to get good grades I really do have to read everything and teach myself sometimes in college, and to apply to more scholarships, and get more involved right away.

Jackie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the most important thing I would advise myself is to take full advatange of my college experience. What I mean is to participate in several club sports and extra-curricular activities that the school provides. I would advise myself to be positive in what I want to further my education in and be sure to take it seriously. College is the foundation of your career and I would stress that the grades I recieve in all my classes are exretmely important and can determine where I go in life. I would describe how important it is to always meet new people and be up for anything new and exciting, experience is key. The friends you meet in college and the skills that you possess will take you far in life.

Amanda

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I have a lot of work to do. I would tell myself to increase my studying, learn new methods for studying, and put the socializing on the side. Also, I would make sure that I realized the hardships of being away from loved ones, and that eventually it gets easier. College is an amazing experiance, but you, and only you, can make or break it. Overall, I would just tell my high school self to make sure that I do everything I need to do to prepare myself. No one will make you do your work, it is all on you.

Heather

Self, don't mess around so much in high school. Those classes prepare you for your future college classes and the knowledge you learn now will help you greatly in the future. Make sure to manage your time wisely and do your best on every assignment because every grade counts. Also, don't worry so much about making friends and keeping up with the gossip at school because this will not help you succeed in life and it will only cause drama and stress. The friends you have now probably will not be your friends through college as you all go your seperate ways. You do your best in everything and don't sweat the small stuff. Oh, and one last thing, don't choose a college based on where your friends are going. Choose the college that has the best major, location, class size, etc to suit your individual needs. You will meet people easily at college and do not need to worry about following anyone to a college you are not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} happy with. College is the start of your life in the real world so don?t mess it up.

Andrea

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to go to college early. I am 38 years old and have returned to school to get my degree. It is much more difficult to be going to college now then it would have been in my early twenties. I miss out on campus life since I commute and have a husband and stepsons at home. I miss out on living in a dorm and making some life long friends. I would have gone to school early and enjoyed the college life experience instead of working during those years and going to college now.

Andrea

I would tell my high school self that it is alright if I don't know exactly what I want to do with my life. I would tell myself that it is alright to be unsure about things but not to give up. It is important to spend time with the people you actually want to spend time with and to not get wrapped up in the drama of others. I would tell myself not to worry so much about leaving home because everyone else is in the same situation of being someplace new and your friends at school become your family away from home. You look out for and take care of one another.

Evelyn

The advise that I would give myself, would be to not worry about starting over in a new school. When I was going to college, like any other freshman, I was nervous about starting fresh and meeting new people. I was nervous about not knowing how to sign up for classes, and how the meal plan works, and how to be on my own. When I got to school there were so many people that were happy to help give me guidance, and to show me the ropes. The RAs in my dorm helped answered questions for me before I could even answer them. Making new friends was so easy. Everyone was in the same boat, so everyone was so nice and wanted to be friends. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the best 4 years of my life!

Jacqueline

If I was able to go back to my high school self I would tell myself to start right out in a four year school. One thing I missed when I transfered was that I was now a Junior in a brand new school living in a dorm with freshman and sophmores. The students in my classes were all Juniors. These juniors established their network of friends when they were freshman. Tyring to break into the group was practically impossible. After class you went back to your dorm and they went to off campus housing. Typically when you start together as freshman you share similar experineces. As a freshman your more likely to associate more with your fellow class mates you all live in the same dorm go to the same cafeteria, but its not the case when your a junior. You are a lone wolf in a pack of dogs. If I would have known how hard it was going to be to merge into this preset culture, I would have rather started my college experience at a four year school. If only I had known then what I know now, I pry would have enjoyed it....