The Evergreen State College Top Questions

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

Tasha

Plan! College is the biggest investment you can make in yourself. Make it count! Don't waste your parent's or your money. It is your opportunity to launch. You will learn more about yourself, your limits, and your ability than you ever will anywhere else. It is scary. It is challenging. It is worth all of the work you put into it. Attending college pushes you to become who you were meant to be, whoever that is. On a social note, you will have the opportunity to meet the most amazing people! You might meet your first love or your last! You may meet your new best friend. You will meet friends for life. This is your time. Don't focus on that guy and making sure he/they are happy. Focus on making you happy. Follow your dreams and don't worry about pleasing everyone. You will disappoint people. You will also exceed all (including your own) expectations. During the whole duration of your college career, you will laugh, you will cry, and you will feel more than you have ever felt before. You will hit your highest of highs, your lowest of lows but you will succeed.

Brandon

To Self, I know you're afraid. You're just finishing up high school, and the next step to take seems to be college. For others, this may be the best path, but for you, I ask you to wait. Discover what is out there, and see more of the world. School will always be there, but in order to get the most out of it, you'll need to find yourself first. You may think that things are set in stone, but you will grow more over the next 5 years than you ever have before. Be patient in your path, and know, the greatest joys are yet to come. I am proud of who you are, but the current moment is fleeting. If you leave for college now, you will find yourself unprepared. Continue to stay curious, and never lose sight of what you love. For one day, that passion will lead you into opportunities you have never dreamed of. Your fate is unfolding; Follow it.

Lia

Once you're there, once you're in your bed, once you venture out by yourself and discover new places and new things you love, the fears won't be so prevalent. Because there are things to fear most everyday. Every single thing you do could give reason to make you fret. But soon you'll be reading vastly different things, you'll meet vastly different people. You'll enter a place of change, but it's good. It's the kind of change that forces you to realize who you are and what drives you. It isn't scary when you realize how wonderful it can be. It's like walking outside to find the sun shining, a slight wind muttering the tree leaves. It's wonderdul, even when it's horrible.

Eliza

Dear Self, Please don't panic. Stress is not a necissary part of your life. You will make friends, and do well in classes if you just stay focused. don't forgat to get involved early. Join clubs, find a job, and find a central place to study instead of staying in your room all the time. Cook your own food. Trust me: it will make you feel much healthier. You can do this. Love, Future You

Bronson

My first two years at Evergreen were spent deconstructing my identity. I come from huge warm family reunions with tons of food and loud aunts and uncles. I come from the islands of Hawaii, Samoa, and Aotearoa. But I also come from mixed messages and confusing spaces and often allowed homophobia and anti-Indigenous mentalities to govern most of my decisions in my developing years. I grew up thinking I didn't have a voice, that there was path laid out before me I had no say on. Evergreen helped me to find that voice within myself: in deeply introspective seminars on identity, in studying how Christianized American colonization shaped many of the beliefs I once mistakenly took for my native peoples', and in learning to self-care and self-love. If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would be sure to say something about scholarships and aid. I would try to mitigate the fears and intimidations that "adult life" often comes with. But I would also tell younger me to stand strong in his deeper sense of self--because I and many, many others are so proud of him.

Cosmo

In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, A Scandal in Bohemia, Sherlock Holmes tells his partner John Watson, "You see, but you do not observe." Holmes criticizes Watson’s unquestioning view of the world. In contrast, Holmes analytically observes his environment to find clues and solve crimes. To my past self I’d offer this advice: Observe your environment every day, think about your relationship to it, then consider why what you’re observing has come to pass. Truthfully, you allow much of what you “see” to melt into the background of your consciousness. But you need not be a detective to pay attention or make a difference. The world needs your conscious consideration now more than ever. Go outside, take a walk, and look around. How are the people in your community? Are they healthy or homeless? Do they get enough to eat? What’s happening to the fields and forests around you? Have you noticed? What about the plastic in our oceans? Is there something you can do? Take a Sherlock Holmesian approach to life. Think about what you see through your own eyes—observe, analyze, and deduce—to help yourself, your peers, the environment, and the world.

Dejonnee

Dear Dee, By this time you're set on going into the military to raise funds for school, which will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make. The world is big, very big Dee, and it's waiting for you to explore it; but take this warning to heart. We have come from humble beginnings: the worst neighborhoods in Oakland, murders and gun violence surrounding us, but we endured to rise above it all. College was always referred as a "way-out", and although it brough you our of misery and violence, the journey has only begun. College life is much like your experience in the military: you'll meet people from different countries, travel, challenge your perspective and gain new insights. When you leave the military, transfer that attitude while you study at Evergreen, and remember your humble beginnings. You'll transform from sailor to student; from ships to lecture halls, so continue to sail on through to your graduation.

Amelia

Look up Evergreen State College and talk about it with the counselor. Don't worry about math, or science or history, because you won't have to deal with them there. The campus is amazing and you're going to love it there. Also, a mini fridge and microwave are a bit less optional then you think, at least for you. Trust me on that. There will be a fair amount of writing stuff, even in a theater class, so be prepared for that and don't let the internet eat up all your time.

Dawniella

I would assure myself that spending a year at community college does not make you a failure; it means you're collecting the monetary means to attend a 4 year university and pursue your dreams. I would also assure myself that graduating at 16 does not make you the "odd one out" or a "nerd." It gives you a little extra time to work towards your goals. Lastly, I would remind myself that without a strong academic background, all of your efforts in the theatrical arts will be for naught. An equitable division of your time is key this upcoming year.

Jordan

You know some things, but you don't know everything. You are about to embark on one of the most intellectually and emotionally formative experiences of your life. I recently came across a research article about the role emotion plays in the degree to which our memories retain vivid detail; college is an experience you will never forget. Keep your mind open and work hard. I know that last year one of your teachers warned you, "Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out." In college, there is no way to prevent this from happening. Please remember that the real learning happens within the process of putting your fallen-out brains back together again. You'll leave completely new, with the philosophical training to ask questions no one else knew could be asked. You'll penetrate the hearts and minds of the most wooden personalities. Above all else, trust your intuition. Always. In high school you were told to ignore it. But in college you'll find that your intuition is your unique contribution to every project, interaction, gesture, and relationship. You'll learn the world wouldn't be the same without it. Nor without you.

tracie

That college is very important.I would make sur i went back to college sooner and not goofed off , that way i had a carrer sooner. I would have had a chance to support my family better.

Vita

Dear Student, When I started college, I thought I would pursue environmental sciences because my parents encouraged it and I thought there were jobs in that industry. A year later, I found myself prusing visual arts. Ten years later, pursuing creative writing. No matter how hard you work against the grain of your soul, for career or financial promise, your spirit will succeed. Listen to what your heart and gut want to be, then give that part of yourself a chance to grow while you are young and have time to think, reflect and process. This is your time to experiment and fall in love, only then will you find the key to your real education.

Mark

I would tell my senior self to take the college search more seriously and apply to a variety of different schools, as well as to numerous scholarships. Although college application time is stressful, one needs to really think about the choices they have instead of diving into one on a whim, realizing that they will most likely be spending the next 4 years there.

Matthew

Take a foreign language and put a lot of time and effort into it. Take chemistry and mathematics. Try to excell in your writing. Hold a vision in your head of life after high school. Other than what you learn in class, the world of high school has very little to do with college life. Cliques and popularity contests might seem important in high school but they will avail you nothing in college. Spend some time at home learning to make three or four healthy meals because the food situation at most colleges will cause you to gain weight. If you have a musical instrument, practice it in your free time. Musical gatherings are a popular social activity in college. Do what you need to to get through the high school situation but remember there is a lot of life to be lived after high school and it is ok to look ahead and prepare.

Aviva

There is a whole big, wide world out there beyond school. Get involved in it and it will in turn help you appreciate and apply the things you are learning in school. Don't limit yourself to doing what you think you're "supposed" to be doing. The friends and relatives who want to go to the most prestigious, expensive college you can get into do care about you, but you get to decide for yourself. You already know there are more important things than prestige and competition; you just have to follow your gut feeling and put your principles into practice. Get out there and do what you want to be doing, what you're passionate about doing, and the rest will follow. Challenge yourself to make commitments and to follow through with them. Go get that journalism internship you've always been talking about, and use it to learn about the issues in your community and in the South America you so love.

Emily

I would tell myself that it's important to remember that it doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do with your life yet, many people don't, and that's part of what college is all about -to learn about yourself and see what you really want in life. Once you do figure it out, it's ok if it takes you longer than other people to complete all your studies, or if you don't succeed in the first place, that it's not uncommon to have to repeat classes. You'll stumble and fall many times over the course of you college career, both academically and socially. you'll learn to pick yourself up, see why what happened happened the way it did, and choose an alternate path that will lead in the same direction -or a completely new one. You'll learn from your successes and mistakes, making you a better person and molding you into the person you truely are.

Justin

Gird thy loins and steel thy will, for the world wants to eat you.

Benjamin

The first few months of college life can be exceptionally difficult, know that everyone is going through the same confusion, mental anguish, homesickness, and stress that you are -- even if they don't show it. It is easy during these first few months, often known as "the Red Zone" to be despearte for social connections and thus make poor decisions that you generally would not (with drugs, sex, relationships, etc..), keep that in mind. Work hard, professors see it and appreciate it, and they will consequently open doors for you that you would not see otherwise. Get on you're financial aid early -- even if you don't think you need it, never hurts. Life only gets better after High School, be excited. Stay in shape during the rough transition periods, running and eating well are the best counter to depression. Study abroad is the best thing you can do for yourself, travel, travel, and travel. Joing sports teams or clubs of any sort, its a good way to build substantial relationships that aren't centered around smoking weed or drinking (not just at Evergreen, anywhere). Keep an open mind.

Brittani

Wow... what would I tell myself?! I think most importantly I would tell myself not to worry, and that college and life are going to turn out better than you ever expected! I would stress the importance of not trying to fit in and be someone you know you aren't, because the people you will meet down the road are going to be true friends and definitely worth the wait. You really need to relax a little and realize that, although you're a smart and academically talented individual, your GPA and getting into the most academically competative, private college available, isn't the world. Take the time to appreciate the little things, and don't take the experiences that life (and those presented through Evergreen) throws your way for granted. Be open and accepting of change. Be passionate about school and your future... don't take the easy way out. Realize that your future salery isn't everything, and shouldn't determine your academic choices. Don't stress about not coming in with a declared major, IT WILL CHANGE! Keep up the good work, staying academically focused and determined WILL pay off :)

MissJesse

To not give up, seek help and to ask question when you are not sure. It does not mean you are inadequate, but you are preparing yourself for what is to come for what lies ahead of you in your career also education. We are here to support one another so we can make the right decision for our generation to come not just for ourselves. We are starting and setting a solid foundation for our generation to come after us therefore we need to be educated in the right manner so, we can be able to stand. Speak out for what is right because you may be the only voice a person hears. Never be afraid. It only takes one person to make a change but in order to do so, we must do our research, provide facts for the information we are presenting and stand accountable. Be open minded to the information you are receiving and learn how to use the feedback you are being given for the person who is educating you only wants you to succeed. Remember to continue to press toward the mark of success and we are all winners .

deborah

Follow your heart; jobs are means to ends, part of the life process (journey) but not the guidelight. Try to focus on a meaningful work path that supports your true nature. Jobs from the outside are not often long lasting therefore develop your education and life from the mainspring of your passions and go forth with mindfulness. Try to be aware that what is delivered for major consumption may not be good for you. Explore experiment and grow from your heart, the mind and body need attention but your heart speaks truth, go into it and allow it to have its voice. We are in a paradigm shift, be a positive pathmaker.

Kathryn

I would advise my highschool self to take some time to find out what it was I wanted to learn. Do a few self assesments to figure out which direction I would like to go in. When I was a high school senior, I attempted college as it was "the thing to do". Now as I return to school, I have a firm idea of what I would like to know and that college is a place to learn things. I would tell myself that an institution of higher learning is a research facility, with classes and faculty designed and dedicated to help advance your knowledge, not just earn a piece of paper that says you can get a better paying job. I would also let myself know that education is a way of life and not a four year period of time one must trudge through to suit society or reach a certain income level. Today's Kathryn would tell yesterday's Kathryn to always learn, no matter what.

Peter

Work with people, and you'll know that it's not just for their sake, but for yours as well. You'll probably be able to put things in a better perspective, and you definitely won't worry as much. I don't think it's that good of an idea to talk to yourself when you're from the future, considering you're thinking about different things, but if I learned anything from Bill and Teds excellent adventure, and the first two quarters of this school year, I'd say that being active is it's own reward, and working with people opens up a lot more possiblities for you to be active. In that frameline (that's a word isn't it), I'd tell my high school self to relate myself to the people around myself, and to tell the princesses that I said hi.

crystal

I would tell myself to concentrate more on studying and less on socializing. It is important to socialize but it is more important to allow sufficient study time. If possible, I would tell myself to not work as many hours to allow for more study time. I would also tell myself to take advantage of study groups.

Justin

Seeing as I did a running start style program my junior senior years of high school I was already at a college full time. The biggest thing I could have said though is that school is more than just school, especially with the sciences. It has to be everything you do to be the best you can, but you also cannot lose the essence of who you were to begin with. The transition from living at home to living on my own has let me manage my own time to be the best I can in my studies, while still giving me that time required to keep me who I am and explore as many other subjects as possible. Taking a break is the most valuable skill I could have given myself during my senior year in highschool to better my studies.

Charles

I would tell myself that things get better. I think I would encourage myself to still join the military, but I would encourage him to do so with a plan for transitioning directly into college upon completion of his contract, rather than wasting time. I would impress upon him the urgency of getting his schooling done early so as to not be still working on a Bachelor's degree in his 30s, as is the current situation. I would also advise him that romantic entanglements are not nearly as important as they may seem at the heady age of 18, and that keeping a level head and eye towards the future would take him a lot farther than any other pursuit he could get wrapped up in.

Susan

Focus on the big picture, not individual classes or interests alone. Going to college is more than getting a degree, it is learning how to take the skills you learn and apply them in fields that may not seem to be immediately apparent, and develop enough depth to your studies that you can adapt to changes in technology and the economy.

Crystal

I would tell myself, Even though you come from this town that has proven historically to be a dead end, you have a chance to take a different path. Even though your parents kicked you out when you were 17, you’re still going to make it. One day your family is going to look back at you and see how hard you worked to get where you are now, on your own. You don’t need anyone’s help to get where you are going to be. You have to believe in yourself more, know that you can do this on your own! Start now! Don’t wait the next 6 years before you figure it out! Do it now! Just because no one else went to college doesn’t mean you don’t have to. To get where you want to be in life you are the one who you can count on to make it happen! NO ONE ELSE! You have a chance that will make it clear to see what you should be doing in life, get started on the path that takes you there now! Don’t wait!

Christopher

Don't get stressed out about college being too hard. It's a lot like high school, just without parents.

Zoe

Travel!! Don't worry about trying to make college work right away, wait until you have something you want to use it for. If you want to take some classes, great, but only choose the ones you want and make sure to finish them. Dont load up on pre-requisites and then drop them, there is no reason, pre-requisites are a waste of time. Dont buy into that prescribed method of learning. This is your education, you should be using it to learn what you want to learn, so you can do something that matters to you. And if you dont know what you want to learn yet, then for the love of God do not just waste time living and working! TRAVEL!!!

Shay

School is important, do a few internships and find what you enjoy, then dedicate youself to your studies while in college.

Emerald

It truly is not as scary as it seems. It is only nerve-wracking because you think you're alone in this. You are not alone in this. There is probably one thousand other kids within the confines of this school ground that are jus as panicky as you. Do homework, and don't do it late. prepare in advance. get to know the people in your building. Not only does it build community, but it also keeps you safe- you know who's living there and who is not. next, Get Involved. Keeping yourself busy with anything like theater, sports, clubs, etc will keep you looking forward to something fun during the week, and help you make new friends. Make time for yourself. Don't be afraid to lay back and relax once a week to get a hold of your sanity. Stay healthy, because that is the key to homework and doing well in school-fruits veggies, and excercise.

Courtney

As a senior in high school students are foolish about their academic futures. There are some students that spend their entire lives preparing for college , but then there are others who are more indignant. I fall into the latter category. As a Psychology undergraduate, I learned our brains are not fully formed until our early twenties, how are we able to make decisions about our futures if we are not sure who we are yet? If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to choose a different major. I should have evaluated the economy and picked a major related to a field with high predicted job growth. Now I am 25 years old and am attending community college to get my LPN for nursing. Having my wisdom I do now, I would have evaluated the economy better and picked a more financially-appropriate major. Job experience is what employers are looking for. It is never too late to go back to school, however, the sooner the better. While I appreciate the wisdom I have gained, a part of me wishes I could go back and share this insight with my obstinate 18-year-old self.

Rachael

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self i would tell myself to work harder in class and go to school more. I would also tell myself to develop better study habits. Athough I'm doing great in college I believe this advice would still help me do better, not just in school but in life. Because even though I can take shortcuts in school, developing these habits will put me on a better and more fulfilling path.

Nathan

Read lots of books. even in the summer. they will open worlds to you.

Nathaniel

Pick a school that is right for you. Go experience the school, talk to professors, talk to current students....try to read a book while you are there to see how easy/ hard it is to study there. Once a school that you enjoy is chosen, take it seriously. The more time, effort and interest that you put into your school work the more opportunities you will have to do the interesting real world applications of that subject that you are interested in.

Cameron

I would go back and descibe to myself how hard it will be to live as an artist. I have the feeling I would still have done it all the same though.

Aisling

I would tell myself that even though Evergreen is different from all other colleges, I still need to make sure to do all my homework and go to class on time. I also would tell myself to try and work hard at making friends because even though it isn't easy for me and I would rather not do it, I will have a better time at college if I do.

Sabrina

I would tell myself to calm down and to be less materialistic. You don't need to have so many clothes, and you shouldn't own anything you don't absolutely love or need. People are more down to earth in Washington, in a few months you won't even be wearing make-up! So slow down, take some long walks and explore your interests, instead of worrying about your social life at home.

Alexandra

Decide on you major sooner and accept financial aid. Don't waste so much time working and moving and transfering community colleges. Also, break up with your boyfriend he doesn't want you to succeed in school and will make getting your education difficult.

Julie

The advice that I would give myself would be that my ambission in my life as well as the overall attutide that I have will strongly determine what will happen in school. If I make no attempt to pass, then chances are that I will not. However, if I take the time to go to class, be on time, turn in assignments and be motivated to do the things which I need to do to complete the class then I will be able to pass with flying colors. I know that now, as I sit among those who do not want to be there in class or do anything the teachers say that it is up to them the outcome of their grades no one elses. I have the determination now that I did not have then and only through a life of hard learning in these last few years was I able to see that.

Sarah

I would simply tell myself to slow down and look at the big picture and get involved more. My senior year was extremely difficult for me because I missed a few weeks of school due my Diabetes and it was a struggle to pass and graduate. I believe my biggest downfall was that I did not spend as much time as I should have on reaching out to get scholarships and financial aid because if I got accepted to JMU I was going to get a scholarship to be the manager for their football team, but because of my absence my grades suffered as a result and did not get in. So once I graduated I started taking classes at the community college and just was able to get the money to pay for that because I only work part time as a waitress and my parents have their own expenses and my medical expenses they are not able to help me right now. Although it has been really hard it will be rewarding knowing I was able to graduate because of me and my efforts to get me there and it not just handed to me.

Kayla

You are very interested in History, continue to take American history in College because Evergreen will also cover the culture and philosopical norms of the time period the history course covers. You will leave feeling very educated on the politics, films, literature, and cultral norms of the place and time period you are studying. Also it is in your best interest to participate in student government, it is the best way to learn about the procedures of joining clubs, theater, or creating clubs on and off campus.

Ariana

If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would wind up looking at myself and telling me that I should have had more faith in myself and explored my options. Not to just think that oh well I'm not gonna be able to afford anything other than community college. I could at least apply to a few different schools and seen what they have to offer, because I am smart enough and I deserve a great education.

Michael

Okay, if this is the criterion on which this scholarship is based, I doubt I stand a chance. In truth, the advice I would give myself as a high school senior is far too personal to submit here. So here goes nothing.

samantha

Go somewhere, make the right choice to invest time, energy, and money where you're genuinely valued and wanted. Get state residency. Travel more and do more internships.

Brianne

I would tell myself to stick to my studies and do well in my classes. When I got out of high school, I did not want to go straight to college and I didn't do well in my classes because I didn't apply myself. If I could redo it all over I would stick to it and do things right.

William

I would advise myself to think twice. To consider more about the future and less about satisfying immediate impulses. I would tell myself that I am actually worth something. I would remind myself that I do have a future and that there is hope for me. I would say, self, when you have children what kind of father do you want to be. I would say, what kind of role model do you want to be. I would say save yourself the drama and focus on your future, stop leaving for crumbs and save up to enjoy the entire meal. I would have directed myself to make better decision about what it means to go forward with my educational future. Self, study hard, focus and invest in yourself.

jackie

I would tell my self to take more challenging classes and to do dual enrolement to better prepare myself for college. I would also tell my self to apply for more scholarships so that way I get to stay at Emory & Henry College.

John

College life is not as easy as many people think and one needs to be well prepared to work hard in order to accomplish his/her goals. First of all schedule your time well allowing for class and personal study time. Then ensure that you attend all class lessons unless there is an emergency. If any make sure you inform your instructor and try as much as possible tio catch up with all the class work that you missed during your absence. Next make sure you are attentive in class and take all lecture notes as much as you can, If you miss on any point please do ask your instructor as they are always ready and willing to help and support you achieve your career goals. Next make sure you do all home work and assigmnets given by your instructor as this contributes to most of the final grade. Incase you fail in any you seek for tutoring services. Most colleges offer this for free to all their students and they have very professional tutors. Finally meke sure you stick to your career objective and dont get waived away by friends or or college life style.