University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

I would tell myself to be more serious in my studies. i goofed off too much in high school when in all actuality i was very smart. i didnt apply myself the way i should have, and i regret that. college isnt cheap, you really have to be serious about it and about your future. there is pleanty of time to have fun and do things, but i think college should be the #1 priority, all the other stuff can wait, itll still be there when your finished with school. dont take it for granted, alot of people are unable to go to college so you need to appreciate the gift youve been given.

My advice would be to be open. It sounds simple but it can be difficult to do when faced with real situations. High school students are in this bubble of high school for four years and things start to get familiar. When coming to college, things change. New environment, new peoplem, and most of the time, new authority. You are now you're own authority and your parents are not there to guide you. When an opprotunity arises to try something new, with new people, take it. Do not be afriad to leave the safetly of familiarity to try something new. The worst that could happen is that you learn that you are not interested in that activity. Even then you have added experience to your life. I believe experience is the key to a successful and rewarding college career. Experience not only in extra-curricular activities but in subject material too. Any internship, company tour, or guest lecture that seems even the least bit interesting could end up making your view on the world change. It could lead you in the direction of your future career. Take advantage of the nurmerous amount of opprotunities that college offers.

If i could go back in time, I would tell myself to focus more in my highschool class work and time. In high school, I took the time i had for granted. I would cram for any exam at the last minute. My lack of time management followed me in first semesters of college. I suffered a bit with catching up with the faster pace college had to throw at me. After two semesters of college, i finally got the hang of it all. Now, I'm the total opposite of my high school self. I never been so focused. Yet, I still wish i would of listened to the teachers in high school who would try to get into our heads to straigthen our laziness early on.

The biggest, most crucial advice I would give to myself as a high school student after my experience as a college student would be to prioritize and put full effort and commitment into all tasks given: whether it is studying independently, seeking assistance from peers and instructors, or gaining volunteer experience. Higher education should be more valuable, and at the least, it certainly requires more effort and commitment to perform well in college courses due to the amount of work instructors demand from students. Also, life as a college student brings more freedom and liberty with access to limitless socialization; however, socialization is not the ultimate goal while a college student. It is easy to get consumed by socialization compared to taking the necessary time to prepare for upcoming projects, tests, and assignment. Essentially, being a university student is a full time job with real responsibilities to make every moment as a college student meaningful and satisfying. Prioritizing and unhindered effort to perform optimally as a college student is necessary to continue or start obtaining quality and valuable college education that benefits and builds the future ahead.

If I were given the oppotunity to travel back in time to my high school self and give myself some advice about college, I would start off by saying, "apply to as many scholarships as possible!" I have come to learn that there are so many scholarships available out there that it's crazy to understand how people dropout because they cannot afford it. I would then warn myself on how it is important to read ahead and make sure you always understand the lesson of the previous lecture because pop quizzes can be the death of you. Finally I would mention how it is not like high school where you can barely study for a test and still get an A. If you don't study for a test, food chanced you will not like your score.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to put my time to better use by choosing parallel enrollment or to take more classes to help boost my high school GPA. I would tell myself to apply for universities and scholarships regardless of what my future plans were, because going to college can only increase my odds of being successful. I would tell myself not to worry about friendships I've lost, but to focus on the ones being made because they will become more meaningful as time goes on, and the person I met at that time quickly became a big part of my life and one of my best friends. Most importantly, I would tell myself to stop stressing out so much about everything and to stop thinking so little of myself. That everything will work out in the end and there are ways to accomplish the things that I want to do, even though it didn't seem possible at the time.

Dear High School Dionte, Take your time. Don't feel the need to rush into choosing a career. Ask yourself: do you really want to do medicine? Or has your always told you that you want to do medicine? Open yourself up to other options because having such a closed, narrow, minded view of what you think your life should be like is only stifling you from noticing your other talents. Don't be afraid to speak up. I know you have a stutter; I know it's easier to remain silent; I know you're afraid of not being accepted, but it's the only way in which you'll grow and flourish into the person that you want to be, the person that you can be. Lastly, don't feel entitled. Learn to study. I know you can get straight As on little effort; however, college is different (something I just learned). You have to work for your GPA, UMD is not so small that your reputation is automatically known and you're automatically granted an A in the course. Work hard for it. Take your time. Slow down. Enjoy the experience. Most importantly, love yourself.

At the end of the day, it's your life. So make decisions based on your ultimate happiness. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Do lots of research!

Don't take yourself too seriously. Right now, it seems as if the grass is greener on the other side and you cannot wait to start a new life at college. Before you go, be sure to work at those relationships with others in your town before you leave. Enjoy the time you all have together. If not, you will have no one to come home to on those long breaks to share college stories with. Starting fresh is always good, but it is important to remember where you came from and those you spent the last 18 years with. Cherish your old friends. Be open to new things. In order to get the most out of your college experience, you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things. That is the best way to meet new people who will soon become your closest friends for life. Again don't take yourself to seriously. These new friendships offer you a chance to always be honest and always stick up for yourself. You are in college to grow as a person. Make the most out of the experience by always being true to yourself.

In life, there is always going to be a party to attend. The one you think is going to be the best party ever will just be another party. You can drink, do drugs and chase girls your whole life, you only have one opportunity to maintain a high grade point average and suceed. College is so much easier when you work hard and not wait until the last minute because you were making poor time management decisions. College is a learning experience, and I mean that more outside of the classsroom than in. You find out what kind of person you are and which person you are going to be through your mistakes. Everyone is going to make wrong decisions while at college, just don't make it a habit. It's the best time of your life, so enjoy it, but keep in mind the reason you are there: To get a good job.

I have been a great student since middle school as I have always strived for straight A's and academic awards. In fact, when the rest of my friends and were clocking out our senior year of high school, I was still working hard because I wanted to finish high school with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, which I ended up doing. Because I have such a great work ethic, the transition to college was not very difficult for me. After about a week or so, I was in a routine and had adjusted to the workload and increased difficulty of college courses. But if I could go back in time to my senior year of high school, it would be to tell myself that my work ethic would transition with me to college, but that my high school friends would not. During my freshman year of college, I really did not make any friends, which made for a very boring and sometimes depressing year. Thankfully this year I have branched out and have met some great people. Therefore, I would tell my high school self to branch out once I got to college and meet new people.

"Be outgoing and prioritize". The advice i would give to myself as a senior is to be outgoing by participating in as many extracurricular activities in order to meet new people and find what I enjoy doing while balancing it with my academics. By meeting new people, it makes college less scary and overwhelming and eases the transition. However, by participating in so many extracurricular activities that in itself can become overwhelming and to counteract this, prioritize! Prioritize activities with academics first however after that it leaves a large amount of free time to organize activities from most important and favorites to the less enjoying activities. To this day i consider prioritizing an important part of not just college but life itself, because without sufficient and proper time managment, the time itself will go to waste, a concept that we can't get back. The key phrase that to this day i continue to tell the current high schoolers i help at when i volunteer at my local Budhist temple is to "Be outgoing and prioritize".

College is a whole new adventure. Carefully complete each step of the application process to ensure that you show the colleges to which you are applying the best self you can be. The colleges will only know what you tell them and what they read from your recommendations. Once you are accepted, buy some school swag to help pump up your excitement. Learn what you can from the emails you receive and the orientation you attend. Absorb as much information as you can so you are knowledgeable when you start your first semester. Meet as many people as you can because some of the people you meet during orientation and the first week of school will become your best friends. Take the time to introduce yourself to your teachers, and meet as many faculty and staff members as you can because you will never know when you will need a reference from a certain department. Go to all your classes and respect your teachers. If you show your interest, they will help you and make sure you understand your task. Overall, have fun, and study hard! You WILL be successful with a positive attitude.

My high school self is nothing like the woman I have become; I would tell her to accept the challenges of life as they come. I was the typical "perfect student" in high school. I maintained a 4.74 GPA, participated in sports and clubs, and tutored regularly. I did not have much of a social life, but I was happy in my Western Howard County bubble. I was ecstatic to begin living on my own, away from my parents; however, independence was a shock. A month into my first semester, I became ill with severe mononucleosis. I could barely attend class. For the first time in my life, I was receiving mediocre grades, and it took a great toll on my confidence. The experience forced me to grow up. I could not run to my parents for help, instead I had to deal with these challenges on my own. I learned what it was like to truly push through obstacles that I cannot control . I dragged myself to tutoring, became more organized, and maintained my health. My high school self thought that she knew it all, but I have since learned how to accept life and become and adult.

Senior year was a difficult time for me. My dad's job relocated us across the country, forcing me to leave all of my friends and everything I was used to behind. I learned a lot about myself during this time and matured a lot, but I was still young and so unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I ended up choosing to attend the University of Maryland, which was the best decision I ever made. However, looking back on this time, I have realized that the reasons I love my school now are completely different than the reasons I was excited to attend it in the first place. As a high school senior, I cared more about what other people thought of me than what I thought of myself. If I could go back in time and talk to my high-school-senior-self, I would say that making friends in college is completely different than making friends in high school. You should be yourself and the people who really matter will accept you for who you are.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to practice taking notes and to manage my time better. My first semester as a Terp was a tough one. I came from a community college so I pretty much had an idea of what college was like. I was caught off guard during my lecture classes because I didn't really know how to effectively take notes, listen to the proessor, and grasp the main ideas. It was also difficult for me to manage my time because I was on my own and had a lot of freedom that I wasn't used to. As the semster went on I learned to take better notes and manage my time more effectively after talking to some of my professors. I think if this would have been my first semster of college I definitely would've had more problems. So if I could go back in 2011 I would tell myself to "please practice taking notes!" and to "MANAGE YOUR TIME". "If you nail those down and believe in yourself you will succeed more than you know... goodluck buddy!... oh and start working out more"

I think I have make really goo selections when I was in high school, I study propertly and I was a good student, i did great choices in life, I was part of some community services when i was in high school .one of the thing that i might tell to myself If i can go back in time , it would bel that I need to start practicing my english and maybe study another language , as french .that languages are important, communicate with people is important.When I came to this country I spend 3 years studying english becuase i didnt take advantage in the past of taking english class when I was in high school. If I have done that before I would have take advantage of the time and I might be finishing college sooner. but everything happend for a reason and this might have a reason.if i can go back i would say :" you are doing it good and continue like that"

Listen to your teachers when they tell you about study techniques. Take school seriously, be involved but focus on academics as well. Don't let drama distract you, it's not worth it. Don't aim for passing grades, aim for excellent grades. Do your homework earlier than the night before it's due. Same with studying. Don't stress yourself so much! And don't bite off more than you can chew. Have fun but remember how importnt your academics are.

continue to never give up.

High school is all about trying to be someone or something you're not; it's about fitting in. Looking back, I would encourage anyone going off to college to be open to anything -- new experiences, different kinds of people, new and surprising interests, and above all else, being true to yourself. You will never grow unless you can look at yourself and say: I am here to develop my fullest intellectual and social potential. You only have one opportunity in your lifetime to stimulate your mind and engage your true self without worrying about a job, kids, a mortgage, or paying bills, so take full advantage. Make as many friends as you can so you can learn about people different from the ones you grew up with. A big school can be like a microcosm of the world, so you can use is as a laboratory to prepare yourself for what's to come. Be careful about budgetting your time properly so you can get all your work done thoroughly and also have time to socialize and play. And be sure to explore the areas beyond the college campus -- engage in projects that will benefit others.

My first advice i would give myself would to be apply to as many scholarships as you possible can. I have learned that college is expensive living on your own and paying rent can be difficult if you can find a scholarship that can help you pay tuition you immediately give yourself one less burden to worry about. I would tell myself to get serious on finding the right school, searching a school on the internet does not give you all the information you need to make the right decision. Go and take visits to multiple schools, a visit is where you get a chance to not only physical see the school but you learn about the people, the area, and the environment. Lastly don't quit if you experience failure, failure will occur not matter how hard you may try for something. The biggest key to dealing with failure is understanding that God has a plan for you, if you fail at something you will succeed at something else. The biggest moments occur when you decide on what to do after failure, you can either get up or stay down. NEVER STAY DOWN! Always find ways to grow.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the biggest advice about college life/making the transition into college that I would give myself would be to never fall behind with your work, ask questions, and study more than you think you need to. College really is so much different from high school when it comes to schoolwork. In high school, there were many nights where I had absolutely no homework. In college, a lot of my nights revolve around completing my homework. I have witnessed my peers fall behind, and they usually do not get back on track right away. Along with not falling behind, I would tell myself to ask questions. Sure, sometimes I felt a little unintelligent asking so many questions, but asking questions is what makes me comprehend the material I learn a lot better. I would also tell myself to study, study, STUDY. Tests in college are a big deal--they make up a lot of your grade in the class. I would try to over-study just to make sure I would do well and succeed in the class.

If I could give my high school self advice, I would tell myself try harder in school. Although I graduated in the top five percent of my class, I know that I could have done so much better, especially in math and science. I am pursuing my degree in engineering, and much of the material I come across was already taught to me in high school. If I had mastered the information at that time, college would be so much easier. Another thing that I would tell myself is that I need to learn to manage my time wiser. If I had figured this out while I was in high school, I would have been able to get my schoolwork done faster and more efficiently in college. Also, I would have had more time for extracurricular activities this semester. Finally, I would advise myself to learn how to study for my math and science classes properly. I did not figure out that this was one of my main problems until more than halfway through the semester. My GPA would be so much higher if I had learned these essential skills in high school.

My initial college experience was quite different from what most young people encounter. I was home-schooled - finishing high school early. I found myself a college freshman when I was barely fifteen. As a naïve sheltered fifteen year old I faced major culture shock. Socially I was unprepared to mingle and integrate with my fellow students who were several years older and much worldlier. I wasn't even old enough to drive and my academic peers were adults with adult pursuits. Although I excelled academically, looking back I didn't have the emotional and mental capacity to fully comprehend all I was learning. If I could give any advice to my fifteen year old self, it would be to slow down. Although it was cool and a novelty to be the youngest student on campus, I would have been much better served to have attended a post-grad course of study at a prep school. Although an important gauge, college is much more than a grade point average. Education at its best shapes the whole person. Maturity is necessary to fully avail oneself of all it offers. At forty-one, I think I am ready.

Apply early action for colleges and make sure you study for the last SAT! Try to join clubs for the fall.

Apply to as many scholarships as you can get your hands on! Every little bit helps, especially becuase FAFSA doesn't really allot you sufficientfunds for your education. Even if you know think you're going to apply or attend an in-state school, apply for in-state funding and financial aid anyway. If I had done that despite my true belief that I was going away I would have a much easier time with having scholarship money now.

Follow this as best as you can: study, work hard, be organized and have fun. By having great study habits will get you very far in college and will pay off. Hard work leads to success in the future whether it is through school or life in general. Remaining focused will help in the long run, it may be hard but really worth it. Organization is most definitely key because there are so many deadlines. If you stay on track with events and have a calendar that will keep you in line and will help in college for example planning your semester. There is also time to have fun and enjoy the social aspect of school. You are young and there is only one prom, so enjoy it because you cannot get that time back. Although senior year is always stressful take time for yourself because if not the stress will only bottle up more. It is possible to work hard and have fun at the same time.

I would say: college is amazing; it is fun and everyone treats you like an adult. Yet, this does not mean you can go out everynight to the parties and skipping classes instead of studying; this means more responsibility on yourself and more opportunities out there to compete for your future. I know the first year/semester may be a lot of fun, but always remember why you are here. Why do you go to college? To learn and prepare yourself for future career. Therefore, mamange your time wisely and put school as your priority. Find the balance in between, and you will succeed while having fun.

A Message to Give You Strength Senior year is overwhelmed with pressure and stress to make a decision that will determine the rest of your life. While teachers and counselors encourage you to strive for prestigious schools to earn an esteemed degree, others suggest the idea of ignoring college and instead entering the workforce immediately. While it may seem easier to pass up college and begin a full time job, do not let this temptation control your decision. Many people, your parents, your friends, your peers, may tell you that college is no longer worth the effort, but do not believe a word. Higher education is a necessary aspect of life that all individuals should experience. Not only does the knowledge gained through college strengthen the type of citizen you are, but the non-class room experiences also enrich your personality. Every aspect of college is worth the work. While you may not have the finances necessary for college, and you may fear the possibility of not finding a job after, continue fighting for this experience because it will be worth it in the end, despite what others believe.

There are so many things I wish I could go back in time and tell myself. I would to tell myself to stop rolling my eyes at my dad and start listening when he is telling me how important college is. I would tell myself to get out from infront of the tv and learn how to study, because you're not very good at it. I would tell myself that highschool, socially speaking, is nothing like college and it is extremely important to learn how to study instead of, well anything else. I would tell myself not to turn into a procrasinator. Most importatnly i would tell myself that no matter what bumps you hit in the road, you make it out the other side so do not dwell on them, there are more important things to do.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not go in with the cliche idea that I need to recreate myself, but with the idea that I will grow up. Having to live an apartment my freshman year instead of a dorm was such a good exprience for me, it made me grow up and I wish I could go back and tell myself not to be afraid of it. I would tell myself to never hold myself back, become as involved as I can, as that creates independence. I would remind myself to dream big, things I never thought possible are. Submit applications, talk to new people, try new things. Sometimes feigning confidence actually harbors it. These 4 years are about that, about creating a lifetime and a future, and less about holding on to the past. It's all a balancing act, and one that forces you to mature beyond what you'd believe. I'd tell myself to hold on for the ride, but enjoy it, it's bumpy but rewarding.

My advice to myself would be to focus on school to the best of my ability. Grades are vital! Scholarships will make college life A LOT less stressful. College is great but finances can prohibit you from being able to do alot of things. Having good grades and getting scholarships will help you tremendously and make you feel great about yourself. Hard work pays off!

I would have told myself to have tried a little harder during my high school years and have not slacked off.

RELAX! Your senior year should have been more enjoyable. We both knew you wouldn't get into Harvard or Princeton, so you should have let down your guard a little bit. The college applications were final, so why did you stress out so much about them? You knew that wherever you would go, you would do great things in your life. Your parents supported your decision to go anywhere you wanted, so why did you restrict yourself?You can do whatever you want because only YOU are in control of your life and education. Keep working hard because we both know that one day it will pay off. Don't let some admission letter or grade ruin your life. Keep calm and graduate.

Making the transition from high school into college can be rough. There will be times when you get frustrated, overwhelmed, lost, or just stressed for no reason but persist and you will get through it! Make sure you make friends with at least one person from each of your college classes and it will help to sooth your frustrations with the class. Sometimes just having someone that understands where your coming from helps you work out your frustrations. Be sure not to overload yourself with classes the first semester. College classes are extremely different. Nobody will be hounding homework from you or calling home when you are not in class. It’s all your responsibility now so be sure you give yourself enough time to go to class, get your homework done, and have some relaxation time. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to have fun. This is a time for discovering where you want to go in life, trying new things, and making new connections. Relax and enjoy it and the transition into college life will be something you look back on fondly for years.

To: Jenn (senior at Wheaton High School) From: Jenn (junior at UMD) When you transition from a small high school into a small to medium size community college, remember that it is okay to lose friends along the way. Saving money and getting a two year degree at a community college is a whole lot better than attending a 4 yr. college/university and not earning a degree at all. Making new friends is a bonus. You don't have to be pressured into applying to universities that your friends want you to apply to. Your future is in your hands and only you can direct yourself into the right path. The world is a scary place but always remember that you're not alone. You are a strong and independent individual. Make sure to always ask questions when you are unsure of anything and participate in all of your classes. Visit your professors during their office hours to speak with them about where you stand in their classes. Furthermore, always be prepared for pop quizzes! Always organize and plan ahead! Reading and studying is your key to passing every single exam. Keep your chin up & never ever give up.

First and foremost I would tell myself not to take life seriously! Explore the world and yourself as safely and as much as possible. Embrace and learn from your mistakes, BAD decisions, and ignorance, because the first couple of years living on your own are a steep learning curve. Do not expect to know what you want out of life. Do not be offended when no one will take you seriously, you are barely a young adult. It is not the end of the world if your heart is broken, and it will most likely happen again, so don't let it get you down for too long. Have fun, smile, and laugh. Stay up late and get up early. Be compassionate to others, it is not cool to say mean things and hurt people. Be active. Be daring. Do things that scare you. Be honest. Be grateful for your parents! Apply for scholarships, because you do not want to get out of school with debt. Lastly and most importantly, love yourself! Life is too short to care what others think.

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. There is so much I could tell my high school senior self so I could do just a tiny bit better in college. Work harder in that class, join that club, look for that internship; the advice I could give myself is endless and if I followed that advice there would be no doubt I would have a much more fulfilling college life. At the same time though, trying new things and learning through mistakes is how a person grows. After all, college is said to be the time that one really learns about themselves. I think what it really boils down to is taking everything in stride, don't get hung up on that one bad grade and don't get too conceited about that one good grade. Always remember that there will be more classes, but at the same time don't use that as an excuse to completely dismiss a class as unimportant. Moderation and balance is essential to suceeding in classes, and in college life in general. Join that club you've always wanted to, go to that party, but most of all remember you're here to learn.

The next four years are essential to laying a solid foundation for your future career, so take them seriously. If at first you are not exactly sure what you want to focus on academically, it is ok. You can take the first year to explore your options. However, I highly recommend figuring out an academic focus going into your sophomore year. This way you can start taking part in internships, activities, research opportunities, etc. that will help boost your resume. In addition, utilize the academic and nonacademic resources your campus offers including the career center, as well as signing up for extracurricular clubs and activities. These will also help you stand out from the crowd by boosting your resume and graduate school applications. Finally, my last piece of advice is to start making connections to add to your professional network. You will be extremely thankful for these connections post graduation.

i will adive me that i should go to college right away and no waste any time do well in my last year and high school and apply for scholarships

Study hard and make the most of your high school life, because once you graduate high school, life will never be the same. Don't procrastinate and be too laid back. The teachers mean well and are only trying to help you, so listen to their advice and follow it. Keep your grade point average as high as possible. Not everyone is a genius but you should try to maintain only A's and B's in your courses. Get invloved in the school and the community. Join as many clubs as you like, as long as you can balance your schoolwork with your extracurriculars. If you find that you enjoy your extracurriculars, try and obtain a leadership position. This will all look wonderful on your high school transcript. Not everypne can say they have a grade point average above 3.0 and that they are also involved with clubs, organizations and the community.

If I could speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I shouldn't be discouraged about attending a community college before transferring to a four year university. After attending my local community college for one year, I have no regrets at all. I took all the same classes my friends at four year schools were taking, except I wasn't paying a dime because I earned a scholarship. Moreover, I was able to make amazing friends I know I will always be friends with for the rest of my life by getting involved in my school's student government association. Finally, I had the opportunity to save so much money by living at home for an additional year. As an individual who has had many friends return from their four year schools because they couldn't handle all aspects of the transition, I believe attending a community college was one of the best academic decisions I could have ever made. A community college works as a great transition between high school and a four year university because you aren't thrown into becoming completely independent, you get to slowly adjust to an indepedent lifestyle.

I would remind myself that every class counts during high school. While high school is a time of fun and self-discovery, starting then to develop excellent study habits and the ability to focus on getting work done accurately and timely are vital. I would encourage that younger me to discuss the colleg life with my teachers, learn from them the life lessons they learned, not just the subject matter they are teaching. I would tell me to start saving money now, college is expensive and carrying student loans, which is okay when needed, can be a serious burden. Work diligently while in High School to achieve the best GPA possible, it could definitely get me a scholarship that can save lots of worries on how to pay for everything. I would encourage that younger me to look for opportunities to study abroad and learn what is out there in the world. Don't think that all that matters is here in the United States, be well-rounded and understand that hard work now will make life so much easier later. Be willing to sacrifice a little now to be more prepared for the college experience.

You are a Limenitis archippus, a Viceroy butterfly not yet metamorphosed, waiting for the sun. Throughout the next four years you will slowly be transformed, quenching your insuppressible thirst for knowledge on new wings. Let go of the limitations you hold yourself hostage within and fly above the high wire. Stop using the legs you have always had and attempt a new type of transportation. With a little balance and the right wind direction, you will do things that you never imagined yourself being willing or able to do. You will be able to understand parts of your world that you never thought you would try to understand. You will scare yourself. This experience will change you, and there is no returning to who you once were. But that’s ok, because even though it might be a little unbelievable right now, the view is even better from up here.

Lauren, apply for as many scholarships as you can. The government won't help you as much as you think they will. Don't go to school until you've figured out what you want to do, otherwise you're going to end up figuring it out too late, and your going to be put on a waiting list and you will have taken classes that don't go with the program so you will waste $6,000. So please, figure it out sooner. You will regret going to community college. You don't fit in there. You get lonely and depressed. Go to a university. Re take your ACTS as much as you can. The higher it is the better chance at scholarships you will have.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would make sure to tell myself to prioritize. When I was a high school senior I thought I was already way prepared for college due to the hard academic classes I took. What I didn't know at the time was how hard it is to balance school, clubs, friends, and new discoveries while in college. I always imagined college as the place to truely find who I am but what I didn't realize is how many different options I had. With so much going on, it is really hard to focus hard on one thing. As a high school senior, I would tell myself to plan ahead of time of my interests and get more involved the summer before hand to see what I really like to do and hope to pursue in the future.

When I was in high school, I dealt with a lot of bullies and I was bullied a lot. Most of the times I would keep my head down and go to each class and then rush home. During my freshman year, I figured that I was not going to college because I had been diagnosed with depression due to certain extenuating family issues. I dealt with a lot that year, it was a huge struggle, especially the medication's side effects. I finally saw a light sophomore year which made me start caring more and by my senior year, it was a complete 360. The thing I would go back and tell myself would be to not doubt yourself and you're going to work hard eventualy, why not make it easier for yourself and start early? At least if you don't get there, you can say you tried. Don't worry about anyone else, just worry about yourself and be the best you that you can be in every situation of your life. Things will look up eventually, but you have to help yourself get there. Don't accept defeat and keep fighing.

Elise, I know how badly you want to attend a prestigious private school. I know you want a small campus with as few students as possible. And I know how scary the idea of a huge public university is. But hear me out. You've been stuck in an echo chamber your entire life! Small town Southern life isn't a representation of how the world actually works, and you're selling yourself short if you enroll in one of these tiny liberal arts colleges. Go somewhere where you can meet interesting people and have amazing experiences! Sure, a small college is the safe option. It's inside your comfort zone. But at this time in your life, do you really want to do what's safe? What's easy? This is the time to challenge yourself! I hope you'll consider that.

I would tell myself to look into more local scholarships since I ended up attending a public state university. I thought I was going out of state for college and did not take the time to look into in-state options for scholarships, which I which I had done. I also wish I had applied my University of Maryland application for early-action to help get more scholarships from the school.

Looking back at what I did in high school, I would have told myself to not give up so easily when things got hard. Being in college, there is a huge change of the workload and the type of work you are expected to turn in. I wish I did better in high school because the work was so much easier! I also highly suggest taking those AP classes in high school and really give it your all on that test. Trust me. High school AP version is a lot easier to deal with than a college course. One major bonus about college though is that you take classes you actually want to learn about. Of course there are general education courses, but majority of the classes after that will be based on things you find interesting. Personally, I am horrible at math and science, but am a decent writer and interested in the communications field. I only have to take the bare minimum of math and science classes—Yay—while taking more that is about my major! In the end though all that matters is the overall experience. Study, study, study, but do not forget to have fun.