The Evergreen State College Top Questions

I would say to myself "Self, it's been sixteen years and I am definitely older and like to think I am a little wiser. College should be about experiences, but also about knowledge. Soak up as much as you can. Never stop learning, because a mind at rest is a mind that lingers."

Don't worry about it - wherever you end up, you will experience thigns that will change you and your perspectives on the world. You will meet people you find interesting. You will learn things you never knew existed, you will have both good times and bad. The next 5-8 years are going to be full of changes, regardless of where you are. The important thing is to embrace change, and approach life with an open mind above all.

I would tell myself not to be so afraid and that I will handle college just fine.

I would advise my past self to start preparing for college at the very beginning of the year. It's really important to know which deadlines are coming up for applications, scholarships, and financial aid. I would also advise myself to prioritize school with having a job and even with my social life. Keeping up with homework is one of the easiest and often one of the most ignored aspects of college life that could have a big impact on how well a student can do in school. I would make sure that i have the right resources to choose the best school to fit my needs and my schedule. Failing to plan a head will only slow me down in furthering my education and I want to make sure that i have enough information to make a smooth transition into college.

study more

October 2011! Great! I'll be out of school by then. I would go back to myself in time and say "Sucks to be you! I got a time machine now! Chicks really dig the time machine. Even the rich snobby ones! Go figure. They all think they're going to go back in time and talk girl talk with Cleopatra. The point is, in today's economy, you're pretty much screwed. Marry well!"

My advice: Smile, take a deep breath, and get really caught up in everything, INCLUDING homework. Make sure to make wonderful use of your faculty, who are a lot more observant and perceptive then you think., and are willing to work with you and support you if you are having personal problems, which is very likely your freshman year. Use your campus resources like academic advising and the gym. Get involved, it is truly the best way to meet people, no matter how nerve wrecking it may be. Don't forget that in class although it may be intimidating and challenging, remember that ultimately, you are in school to LEARN. No one expects you to be a genius, so don't beat yourself up for not knowing things already, you are in school for that exact reason. Lastly, have fun, and don't let stress overule your life. These are the years that are filled with learning in so many different aspects of life. SOAK THESE LESSONS UP WITH A SPONGE, and enjoy.

Apply for scholarships!

I would still take a year off between high school and college, though I would find something more fulfilling in the community to do instead of just working. I would remind myself that I go to school for me, not anyone else. I would tell myself that it's important to be an active part of the community you live in and to take advantage of more internship opportunities. There isn't much I would change about the experience I've had in college, but I would like to remind myself that, even though education is important, mental and physical health are just as important. There is no need to be stressed about work that I have chosen to do.

Start the application process early and really take the time to read over the different degrees offered and soul search to decide what degree would truly suit me the best and provide me with the most job-fulfillment in the future, since those that enjoy their job tend to be the ones that really succeed and move up in their field of employment. Take the time to visit with a school advisor to help you create the best plan of action in starting the college education experience is another piece of advice I would give myself.

Knowing what I know now I would say, "There is no way for you to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18. Take it slow and talk to a college advisor to make sure you sign up for classes that transfer. Show up for class. How dependable you are matters even in class because even though you don't get suspended for skipping you are going to miss something important. When you come to class don't be late and don't dress like a bum. Your professors can be a good source of information and you may need them for a recommendation later. Make lots of new friends. Friends in general are good for your psychosocial well being but they can also make getting through college a little easier. They can be your 'study buddy' or even a foot into the door for career opportunities. Lastly, be confident. Being confident means you have to know what are talking about; so study and speak up when you know the answer and get people to pay attention to you. Your greatest asset is just to be yourself."

If I had the opportunity to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have no advice to give in regards to the transition into college life. Certainly, there are other paths I could have taken, but at the moment, I feel as though I am on the path that is best for me. All that could have been advised is to "work diligently," but of course, I already knew that. The best aspect of life is the journey where you figure out who you are meant to be and what you are meant to do.

I would tell myself that a gap year [a year off between high school and college] is seriously underrated. The time to sit back and really think about how you want to go about advancing your future is something that I cannot emphasize enough. I've found that it's harder to motivate myself right out of high school because it's just "more of the same," whereas if you've taken time off to work or volunteer, you're refreshed and better able to focus and learn.

Dear Me. Please work as hard as you can. You will be learning, changing your mind, and discovering your true passions, and no one expects you to have it all figured out the first day of class. This process takes many years. You are a consumer of your education, so expect a lot of your faculty, your school, and yourself. Only with high expectations can you get the most out of this experience. Please don't let competitiveness get in the way of true learning. Work with your friends and peers. Share your skills, talents, and support, so that you all may grow into wiser human beings. Take every opportunity to use your learning in the real world, and have an open, flexible mind that allows you to realize that you may be wrong a lot of the time, and the grace to accept that there often are no right answers. Please educate yourself on life's necessities: filing taxes, navigating health care, job searching, etc. and know that there are many more resources available to you than it may appear. Use these resources and find mentors and advisors that you feel close to and that inspire you.

Do well in high school, just because you can go to a community college no matter your gpa, doesn't mean you shouldn't do well and apply to a 4 year university. It's such a different experience, dorm life, living on campus, being a freshman... take school seriously and apply yourself. And travel!

Save money by going to a community college first and then transitioning into a 4 year school. It doesn't sound as fun, but in the long run you will not regret saving money and reducing your end-of-college debt.

Do something over the summer besides laying in bed and eating pop tarts. Find a summer job or learn a new language, just keep active in some way so that when you get to college in the Fall all the hecticness of choosing classes and running to instructors won't seem so bad. Learn to budget. School costs money and if you have anything left after paying for your Fall qaurter hold on to it like a life line. Things happen in college that aren't expected and at the worst possible time. Your computer crashes completely, and your cell phone just broke, by the way your paper is due in a week and you have no money to get your stuff fixed or buy the books you need for the assignment. Things happen, just try to be prepared.

I would tell myself to relax and go with my feelings, because I will truely make the best decision and choose the college with the right fit for me. I would also stress the importance of money. Saving money and getting as much financial aid as possible.

Enjoy the quiet while it lasts. Stock up on cigarettes before you leave because A. you won't be cutting back and B. cigarettes are expensive in Washington. Get a summer job sooner or you will be broke. Spend more time with your sister. Don't get in a fight with anyone less then a month before you leave. Go to the dentist sooner so you don't have to cavities filled right before you leave - yes you indeed have your first cavities. You're right, don't take your keyboard, you will be living in a shoebox. Enjoy good meat and fresh vegetables/fruit while you can - you won't see it for a while. It will be tempting but don't spend all your money on booze, you will want that money for real food (i.e. not cafeteria food) later. Keep your heart open, you will change your idea of what you want to do.

I would tell myself to take some time off before going to college and get adjusted to the costs of living. I say this because college is very expensive and it is hard to acknowledge these costs while your attention is on your studies. This is important to note especially is you're pulling out loans or credit cards. It is really difficult to understand how quickly interest adds up, but it sure does in a hurry. So, I would say to myself: Scott, take a vacation and figure out exactly what you want for higher education. Then I would tell myself to act on his meditations.

DON'T WORRY IT'S GONNA BE FINE.

Don't be afraid to experiment with taking different courses. You never know what will interest you.

I would have two major points of advice for myself! The first would be to get as involved as possible, in whatever way possible. It is so important to find your niche and then get involved. Being involved is what makes any person college experience a memorable person. It doesn't matter if you're into student government, drama, music, or intramural sports as long as you find something that is fun and enjoyable for you. My second point of advice would be to save up as much money and to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Money goes quick when you are a college student! It is worth the time and effort it takes to apply for scholarships, and you will greatly benefit from it.

Funny you should ask, because I am currently 40 years old, returning to school after 20 years to finish my BA, and I often wonder if I had to do it all over again, what would I have done differently so that I finished the first time around? So, if I could go back in tiime and talk to myself as a senior in high school--I would say first, never give up, no matter how hard you may think it is. It will be worth it in the end. Second, I would say, seek out help in whatever form it is offered--go to the writing center, get a math tutor, talk to your teachers--they're all there to help you, and it's not a sign of weakness to ask for their help. Third, stay engaged and don't let yourself get behind--it's never as easy to catch up as you think it's going to be. Lastly, it might be fun to be out on your own for the first time, but don't let that become a priority--you've got to make sure school is number one...(but still call your mom).

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The kids that have no friends in college are the ones who were too afraid of being rejected. You can't wait around for people to approach you, you have to make the experience rewarding.

If I could give advice to myself, I would let myself know what to prioritize in my education. The key is to understand a way to approach it so that classes are most beneficial. Realistically, the general classes that someone takes in high school aren't that important to retain knowledge from. I would tell myself that the goal of those classes are to teach a student how to learn and get a taste of different fields that could be a possible major. The most important thing that I should have gleaned is learning how to study and make use of my time. It is important practically because if someone learns that, they can basically achieve whatever they want. That advice would have benefited me a great deal during my first years in college.

Do not be afraid to speak up and have your opinions heard and continue working as hard as you do because it all pays off. Do not forget to have a little fun too.

I would've told myself to stick to my studies and not focus so much on helping my friends who didn't have enough credits to graduate. I would've also told myself to do some reading and maybe do volunteer work in my local community to be able to be more prepared to volunteer at the Evergreen State College.

The transition from high school life to college life wasn't that difficult. What's difficult is finding time to apply for scholarships while taking a full-credit program. The advice I would give to my high school self would be to spend as much time as possible applying to renuable scholarships so that, in the future, when you're already in college, half the work is already done. I have had great difficutly finding time to apply for scholarships and it's stressful because, without them, I don't know that I will be able to attend school next year. So get to it, past self!

I would tell myself to come to college with an open mind and a drive to do what I really want to do. At Evergreen, the key to success in just about all aspects is to reach out and grab what you want. It's easy to sit back and ride the wave of your academic career here, but I'd encourage myself to really get as much as I can out of it, because Evergreen has so much to offer in every respect if you keep yourself properly motivated. Do your best work, play hard, but learn a lot and from everything you can. There is a lot you can learn from going to school here, through class, prefessors, and social interaction. Be assertive. Get yourself out to meet people, get involved with the community, fully immerse yourself in this experience and you will gain so much more out of it. There's not a better time or place to try hard and fall on your face. Learn from your mistakes, and be who you want to be. Don't sit back and wish things were different, get up and make it happen.

Don't worry about pre-reqs. Take the classes you want.

I would tell myself to learn to read in a more efficient way. I woudl also tell myself to learn you limits on becoming involved with extracurricular activites and to always have yourself as top priority.

I would tell myself that I will be able to find what I want to do with my life if I follow my passion. Picking things that I am passionate about to study will lead me to my future career choice, at least the first one. Finding people I am passionate about will help me figure out who I am as a person, and having a lot of friends isn't the same thing as having good ones. Overall, I would tell myself that I can overcome the smaller stuff to become what I am meant to be, and that the right college for me is the one that lets and helps me to do that.

If I could go back in time to converse with my senior high school student self I'd encourage myself to save more money in preparation for the future- rather than spending it on eating out with friends and on gifts- to apply for more scholarships, to make certain all of my financial aid papers were turned in at the appropriate time, and to be prepared to search for a job as soon as I get to college because it will take awhile to find a steady job and it is a good idea to save up on money in case of an emergency and in order to purchase food during times that the Greenery may be closed or to buy an outfit for interviews. I would also encourage myself to read more often in order to build up the speed of my reading and to decide on a hobby to focus on so that I can work on developing other skills that are less academic and more enjoyable, and perhaps even find a club associated with this hobby. I would also suggest that I work on building a better vocabulary and practice writing every day.

I would tell myself, "Dont be afraid to make mistakes. To experience as much you possibly can. Be smart, study hard, make friend, party hard. Go to class and become who you are going to be. Learn from everyone, for there is always more to learn. Make use of this wonderful time to learn about who you are and what you want to do with the rest of your life. If you do realize early, what you want to do, reach for the stars and don't turn back becasue in the end, its all about finding that one thing in life that makes you happy. Hopefully it will pay well, but if not, then the choice is yours. But most of all, be carefull of the college cafeteria food, it can sometimes lead you visiting the toilet, and thats an experience you might want to avoid."

The most important thing I have learned since I graduated from high school is that, with enough practice, I can learn almost anything I want. If I could go back in time and talk to myself ad a high school senior I would tell my high school self that "it is ok to be bad at things initially. When you try a new activity it is not uncommon to feel a little bit awkward but with enough time and practice you will become comfortable with, and better at, any activity you do." Had I known this as a high school senior I would have been more eager to try new things and I would have perservered at practicing things that I wanted to learn.

In terms of the career pursued: find your passion and follow it with all your heart and mind. Balance your heart and your conscience -- you cannot build happiness or personal success on a sense of moral obligation or acting out of a sense of dispair from the state of the world. In terms of study practices: cultivate a balanced academic and social life -- either extreme defeats the purpose of learning and being alive; find good people in your class with whom to study -- if you enjoy the process, you will learn and retain more; take time to rejuvinate; don't do drugs -- they're a waste of your mind, time and money. In terms of financing: minimize taking out student loans; maximize work study and, especially, paid internships in areas of interest (both to help cover costs and to gain hands-on experience). Explore all grant and scholarship opportunities. Seek out and surround yourself with good people. Treat yourself and others with respect. Dream big and believe in yourself! In your career, seek out good people; if people are mean and do not appreciate you from the start, there is little chance they will change in the future. Have fun!

If I could give my high school senior self any advice, it would be that getting settled requires equal parts work and play. Freshman year is the start of a whole new chapter of life- not just academic life, but social as well. There's always going to be more work coming down the line, so make some friends, make some memories you've really been intending to make. Living on-campus is a unique experience that you only get for a limited time, so see what there is to see (safely) rather than putting it off until all your work is done.

I would let myself know that I am capable of succeeding beyond what I had even imagined college to be.

If I had a time machine and good go back to 1989 and give myself advice about college like and making the transition into such a realm I would say, go to a community college, get your core college level classes done first. I would say it's not a race to see who can done first. I would tell myself make sure that you also are working or doing an internships where your passion can be fulfilled, such as if you enjoy working outside, intern at a state park or if you enjoy working with kids get a day-camp position. I would tell myself how important it is to take time for myself, at least 15 minutes a day of doing nothing but sitting with myself. I would tell myself this is the easy part of life, not to worry if I don't make friends right away the right ones will come along. Most importantly I would say to myself - take at least one class a quarter, semester or year that just about you or what you want to learn more about - it's your education.

Research what you're interested in and find what you want to know about the world and pursue that as a career. Doing well and working hard truly will pay off.

Take it slow. Remember that you are a confidant, intelligent, wonderfully brave girl that has come so far from her home for an education. Don't get sucked into the day-to-day crazy of college life, focus on what you want and how to get it, and enjoy the place that you are in. College is stressful for everyone and everyone needs a break, so make sure to put aside some time to walk the beautiful campus of Evergreen. Above all remember to breath.

I think it is important not to have to many expectations. It is good to imagine yourself and then things you will be doing when you get to college, but if you have expectations about the people you will meet, or the guy you will end up dating you can easily let yourself down and wind up hurt feelings. It is god to know that having expectations can casue dissatisfaction.

This is kind of a silly question. As a high school senior I would never have listened to advice from an adult like myself, even if I had known it was myself. I would probably warn me not to be so stubborn, and to think twice before enrolling in the state school I initially dropped out of. I would warn about the dangers of not taking care of myself to the point of emergency-room illness, and I would let myself know that it would be better in the long run to wait for the right time to go to school. But I really would not have listened. I know I would have still enrolled in that state school, would have still lived in the trailer park and still would have worked so hard that I got strep throat, bronchitis and pneumonia all in the same winter. I know I would have regretted not listening to myself as I received a report card with the lowest GPA I have ever seen, but I still would have bull-headed my way through it all. That's what the formative adult years are about. Stupid stubbornness disguised as free independence.

Apply to evergreen and spend all four years there.

I wish I had gone straight to community college, then to Evergreen instead of trying to go to Georgetown. I would tell myself that community college makes sense economically and would give me a chance to adjust to the workload and college expectations while living at home. I would then tell myself that Evergreen is a much better fit for me and will provide me with the kind of education that I want in a way that feels like I am actually learning instead of memorizing.

Do your work and apply for scholarships!

If I could go back in time and tell my self something about me now, it would be to go to my teachers and the high school and tell them to really teach me something that I can use in college. I was not taught how to write an essay paper in high school and now through my years at colleges it has been a real struggle for me to complete a paper. But with the help of many people at college I have improved on essay writing. Oh and I am an older student so it would be to give myself advice to getting the college sooner but it is ok if you wait too.

If I were allowed to go back to myself as a senior, I would have started to look at colleges sooner! There is so much pressure put on us as high schoolers to make the decision of where we want to go to college and what we want to do for the rest of our lives, it's no wonder we panic and have a difficult time. I would also tell myself to really tap in to who I really am and if I want to change the way I live. I would also tell myself to relax, because change can happen even after you start your college career.

I was a very independent 18 year old and thought I was too mature for things like campus housing, campus dining, and campus club sports. Looking back, I wish I had soaked these things up, allowed myself to experience them. I would advise the 18-year-old me to recognize college as a sacred holding chamber between adolescence and the working-world where I could afford to relax into learning, to indulge in the experience of college community. It's such a privilege to attend college, and to experience it fully is a way of honoring the opportunity. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would encourage her to keep things simple, and allow herself to be her age. Instead of trying to be so mature and together, I'd advise her to feel okay about making mistakes and being a little afraid; and once she arrived at college, to loosen up enough to send in a mediocre assignment instead of a near-perfect one—particularly if it meant she was taking time out to experience what it was like to 18 and away from home for the first time.