University of the Incarnate Word Top Questions

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

Kimberly

"Every decision you make today will shape your life tomorrow." As a kid, it is easy to get caught up in the superficial part of going to college. Everything from sports, clubs, name brand, and size are factors that ultimately don't matter. I would say to myself, "you can get educated anywhere, but make sure you go to an institution that wants to invest in you as a person and your future contribution to the world."

Mark

I would have told myself to forget about pursuing music education as my degree plan. I have always enjoyed history and loved asia. I would have encouraged my much younger self to delve deeply in asian languages, history and research writing. To go and visit as many asian countries as I could. One day, my younger self could be able to teach students from the perspective of one who has studied and experienced the history and cultures first-hand.

Daniella

High school is the best years of your life. It's the time where you get the opportunity to find yourself and make your own decisions. Going into high school I had three older sisters who had already walked the halls before me and set the bar. They were ambitious, smart, beautiful, and talented. I did everything I could not to be like them and make my own name for myself rather then being know and their little sister. I messed up a lot, and got caught up in covering my mistakes. If I could go back and talk to myself I would say 'It's ok.' I had so much pressure to be just like them that everytime I messed up I was a dissapointment to my family that I was never able to get back up again. I would reassure myself that I was smart, I was talented, and I was beautiful. I would tell myself that a mistake does not define a person, but how they get back up and fight is what makes them a better person. I am a strong girl who just needed someone to have faith in me, and I do.

Cesar

If I could go back to my senior year in high school and give myself advice about college, I would encourage myself to cherish every second I have left with my family. Ever since I’ve made my transition to college, I’ve experienced a void in my life. I miss my household more than I ever thought I would, and I hardly see them now. I grow eager for a vacation or a break, just so I can go back to my hometown and visit them again. It finally hit me. If I feel this kind of loss just by being away from them for a few weeks, imagine how I would feel if one day I was to miserably lose the presence of my parents. The thought of never having a “break” or “holiday” to see them again just distresses me. So I would definitely remind myself to enjoy the precious moments I have with my loved ones and never take them for granted, because you never know when God will take them to be with Him.

Jennifer

If I could go back in time I would honestly tell myself to work smart not hard. College is very frustrating at the beginning when your a freshman. Your getting used to a new school, your more to yourself, and your always busy with school work. College isn't a joke either its just as serious as high school was especially during finals. You're staying up hours in preperation of your up coming exam.

Aimee

If I could go back and tell myself anything about college life, it would be that things only get better from here. Highschool is socially rough which takes a toll on your academics. College is different. You are not trapped with people who bully you or cheat off you, so you can focus on your education more. You learn what interests you, and are encourages to persue your passions, rather than complete a checklist of classes for a Diploma. I would encourage any student to get to know their college professors and ask them questions. Attend office hours and dont be afraid to question things, the answers they will provide can only help. I would also encourage students to find their study niche. If starbucks works for you, great. If the library is less distracting, thats good too. Try to discover the option that is most fitting to your needs. Make time for studying but also enjoy a social life and the campus life. The transition from highschool to college provides more freedom and time for personal growth, which when used responsably, can lead to an all around happier life.

Tori

If I could go back and talk to my senior self I would tell myself to just breathe and everything will fall into place. My senior year I stressed about getting into the college of my choice and that is why I would give myself these key words of advice. I would also tell myself that choosing to apply the University of the Incarnate Word would be the best decision that you are going to make this whole year. I would tell myself this because now that attend this school, I know that it really is the best school for me because I feel like I fit right in. I am extremely glad I have this opportunity to attend such a great school like it. Another thing I would tell myself is to not worry about what people say senior year and to not get caught up in what everyone else was doing because some of these people will not go to college with you so nothing they say or do matters. I believe every high school senior should know that after high school, the things you did there does not matter and you will not have the same friends.

Bryanna

If i could give my senior self some advice, the number one thing would be about scholarships. I did apply for several scholarships, however, I would warn myself to have started even earlier and to take them more seriously. I would also tell myself to get involved. You are transitioning into an entirely new environment, often which is not near home or consisting of many people most of which you do not know. This is why it is important to find a place where you belong and to make a lot of friends. The last piece of advice I would give myself would be to take care of myself. It is important to realize that no one in particular has your best interest better than you.

Brianna

Dont give up, keep going because you are going to make it. fights with your friends and drama are not worth it all. Know what you can do and just keep believing in yourself. Work hard for you and nobody else

dominique

If i could go back in time I would tell myself to focus more on school and retake my SAT and ACT until I get a good score.

Athena

knowing what i know now I would encourage myself to find more scholarships and brokaden my college search. I would recomend starting college summer courses before the fall semster of my freshman year of college. Although I love my current school it woukd have been nice to have had more choices, I would probably advise myself to try even hardeder than I did before because every little grade has a big impact on my GPA. Lastly I would recomend enjoying every moment and get ready for much more diversity and maybe have an idea of where to study abroad in mind.

Taylor

I remember my first day of freshman year so clearly. I was filled with nervousness, not about my classes or my teachers but about my friends and the upperclassmen. If I could tell my freshman self a piece of advice I would say “I know you care about what others think of you, but trust me your grades are the most important. Study for ALL of your test, finish your assignments early, prepare for the SAT, and get a planner! I know it seems stupid now, but when you are a senior and you are applying for scholarships you will understand.” I wish someone would have given me some advice my freshman year, I went into high school so egocentric and unfocused. I ended up graduating high school with a 3.8 GPA and I was in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class, but I could have done tremendously better if I had that one piece of advice.

Douglas

I would've told myself to start working earlier! This was my all-time dream school because I felt like this school was special and it was the right one to help me in whatever major I wanted to be. But it is a lot of money. And right now, I'm behind on my paying my tuition. I should've worked earlier, and started saving. I also live with a difficult personality at home. All he wants to do is look down to me as a rookie in my beginning life. I am, but I dont need to be hated on with every mistake I've made for it is already in my knowledge. I wish I could've told myself to ignore him as well and do what I had to do for school before I started. I've lived under his and only his advice to control me. I wish I could've broken that a long time ago. I wish I could've learned to be my own person before I started college, ending up being the only person I had.

kristen

I would of told myself to be better prepare when applying for scholarships. being accpted into a school isn't hard work for you it's being able to pay for that's the hard part.

Bryan

This is an easy answer. I would tell myself to not be afraid of pursuing my dream of going to school in the east coast where the medical schooling is more competitive in my opinion. I was afraid that I would not get enough financial aid to attend any colleges, so I did not bother applying to them which became one of the biggest mistakes I could make. Yes, I do go to a good university, but I am not completely happy there. I believe that I have to move out to the east coast to get the true expereince of being on my own in a foreign environment. I somewhat regret going to college with one of my best friends because it is not teaching me to grow up on my own without any help. Lastly, I would tell my senior self to get off my lazy posterior and apply for as many scholarships that my fingers can type. There is so much free money that can be won online, but you have to put in the time and effort in order for it to pay off. You never know what you can achieve unless you take the risk.

Neil

My I would give to my highschool self is do your work and projects on time, and do wait until the last minute to finish your work or project. I was a major slaker during my seinor year of high school. I got my work do, but I would always procrastinate on my work until the night before it was due. That really effected my grade because even though I got my work done on time, some of the work decent or not done correctly. I would always procrastinate on test as well, even though sometimes I would make good grades on my test, but sometime I would fail those test. doing your work early means that you do not have to worry about at a later time and you can go over make correction of that work in order to get a good grade. I have struggled with procrastination many times and it can really affect your grade because you need that grade in order to have a good GPA and get into a good college. I have somewhat overcame my procrastination, I still struggle with it sometimes. Don't procrastinate and get your work done on time.

Zandra

If I could go back in time to talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop stressing out so much. I was prepared for college even if I didn’t feel like it, and it wouldn’t be as bad as everyone made it seem. I was worried that I would lose contact with my best friends because we were going to different schools, and that added the stress of not having them there with me in this new journey. I’ve always had trouble with school and I was worried that college would be a lot harder and that stressed me out even more. I would tell myself to just take it one day at a time, pay attention in class and turn in all my work. High school teachers always made college professors seem scary, and I was mostly worried about that, so I would tell myself that they were actually really nice and helpful and not to worry about that. I would tell myself to be open to making new friends and that would make the transition between high school and college a lot easier.

Mollimichelle

The best advice I could give myself about college would be to take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented. College gives students the opportunity to try new and different things as well as to excel in familiar things. There are sports, clubs, research, jobs, lectures, travel, and community service just to name a few. Each of these activities allows students to learn about new things. The things they participate in college may even continue to be activities they pursue in the future. They may spark a passion or show a student "this isn't for you." It also gives students a chance to connect with other students and develop their networking skills. Some of these people may go on to help you find a job or advance in your career. Opportunities like these in college allow a student to decide where they stand on certain issues and ultimately help students develop into their future selves. Taking advantage of opportunties is the most important part of college in my opinion and I would hope I could convince anyone in high school about this.

Shannon

I would tell myself to apply myself more while in undergrad. My GPA and classes almost kept me from getting into graduate school and being able to continue my learning. I would tell myself that the required freshman classes are required for a reason and that I need to be sure to apply myself. I played soccer for my undergraduate university, and had a part-time job, so I was very busy outside of school. However, I believe I could have applied myself more.

Tracey

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a High School senior, there are many things that I would tell myself about college life and how to handle it all. My first topic would be "don't sweat the small stuff". If you're late to a class, don't be embarrassed to walk in instead of skipping it altogether because mistakes happen every day and worrying about it constantly will not help you or the situation. If you trip and fall don't turn a different shade of red, just laugh it off and keep going. Everyone falls sometimes right? It was just your day to do so. Secondly, and most importantly, I would tell myself "just be you". Being my true self is one of the hardest things I have learned to do. I tried to impress people but in the end it was my natural self that won people over and helped me to create the wonderful memories I will hold dear for the rest of my life.

Zakiya

My advice to myself would be...Highschool is a daycare compared to College. You have teachers to ask you why you didnt turn in your work and parents to make sure you made it to school everyday. College is about independance and learning to become an adult. Forget about the parties and doing what everyone else does. Stay focused and strive to do your best. Ask plenty of questions and get to know your professors and college staff. Don't wait until the last minute to apply for scholarships and grants. College is very exspensive and every penny counts. Just because it is your senior year dont get lazy and breeze through your last year. Volunteer as much as possible and stay active in different clubs. Strongly consider what you would like your Major to be. Most important NEVER GIVE UP. Always believe in yourself even when no one else will.

Michelle

The main piece of advice I would give myself would be to stay on campus for as long as possible. I utilized the dorm life experience for a year and a half. If I could go back, I would stay all 4 years. Living on my own makes me see that the rumor of cheaper living off campus is not true. It requires you to pay numerous side bills, not to mention gas. While on campus, dorm cost are often covered by financial aid. So to all the future students I will say this, enjoy the college experience of dorm life for as long as you can. Being an adult paying your own living expenses is something worth waiting for.

William

Today and every day that follows, be sure and take time to cultivate relationships with your classmates and professors. You will find that the network of people you create through these relationships is invaluable to you as a man and student. Make sure to pray to God and give thanks for the struggles you will face throughout your college experience. It is important that you attend church services as well. An education is effective when coupled with a good heart and soul. I know there will be times when workloads seem to pile high, but know that on the other side of that workload is the pride that comes from achieving what so few in your family have. Your education is a key to opportunities beyond your wildest imagination. Never compromise those opportunities for temporary foolish gain. Embrace the people that will help you become a productive member of society and never let go of them. Understand that criticism may sting temporarily but the lasting benefits of receiving wise criticism are immeasurable. Always smile and greet people with that smile. Keep a great attitude about change because change is inevitable. Develop a passion for people and working hard.

stephanie

You are about to be catapulted into reality and it will take years to realize what just happened. Remember that much of what happens this year “matters” and yet has absolutely no barring on your fate. You are destined for great experience if you make it happen. You have all the tools to find yourself and your purpose. You already know all the secrets of the universe. Now you get to live it. Do not let our social frame mold you; you are too good for that. Reconnect with nature: ocean and forest. Read! Read! Read! You will always be able to express yourself with music. Don’t pursue it academically. You have other interests; explore for a while. Find what makes you happy and cultivate it. Surround yourself with positive people and you will see happiness in action. You will know love. You will see how society has truly been formed. While much attention is now focused on you conforming in some way to that mold, you will find a way to work with, instead of against. Question consciousness! And don’t waste your time being unhappy. You are responsible for your happiness! No excuses!

Megan

The advice I would give my high school self, would be to stop being lazy and try as hard as you can to be the best. What ever you learn will only help you in the long run.

Jocelyn

I would tell my high school senior self to not worry about money, that there are alot of options avaliable and that it's not easy but You'll get through it. I'd tell myself to prepare yourself mentally more for the obstacles of life because those events will shake you but won't break you. Remember to be adventerous as you always are, and not to do anything that your heart doesn't desire. Also to take full advantage of the people that make themselves available for your learning.

mary

I would advise to myself to start thinking about what you want in life before the time gets you caught because college life is a way different experience than when you are in high school. this is when you know ehich direction you want to take and where important decisions are made. Usually in high school you can postpone things to later on. Colleg eis take it or leave it. College it's a real life experience in which you decide what your future is going to look like 5 or 6 years ahead of you. If you want to become part of those hard-working people who are open to learn something new everyday for a better future, you have to make the decision of being a great studnt everyday at high school and just continuing to doing it so college. Jobs oportunities are always there but that does not mean that every body is willing to take it or deserve it. It's the one who perserves more than just got it.

Yeli

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take school more seriously and finish my high school career strong. In high school I would make pretty good grades, mostly B’s and some A’s, all without trying too hard. There were times in the year where I would “study” for some important tests but I never really gave it my all. It’s not that I didn’t care about my grades because I would get upset if I got a “C” on a test but I think it was my lack of studying skills and not realizing how much excellent grades would pay off in the future. Now that I am in college, I learned how to study for tests and I try my best to get A’s, which so far I’ve been working hard enough to do that. I recently realized that if I worked hard enough I really could achieve anything I set my mind to and that is something I wish I could have gone back in time and told myself in high school.

Aaron

As the old saying goes, "hindsight is 20/20". As I look back on the transition I made between high school and college I see that had I known then what I know now, life may have been much easier. As a senior in high school I knew I wanted to go to college. However, I didn’t know where I wanted to go, or what I wanted to do. My problem was that I did not plan as I should have. If I had seventeen year-old me sitting here, I would tell him that it is imperative that he applies for scholarships, and applies early. At the time, I just assumed that I always had enough time to prepare myself for going to college. Even though people warned me about waiting too long, I did not take their advice as I should have. Today, I would tell my past-self that there is no more time for waiting. I would explain to him that the time to take action is now, and that applying for these scholarships could save him an immense amount of stress. If I had listened to this advice, life would be much easier.

Sabrina

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self two things, they would be, "Seriously, get a job," and "It's all worth it, so stop failing." When I was in school, I was miserable. My first school was full of terrible teachers whose best advice when I was failing everything was, "You can always come back." My second school was great, except I was going through the darkest days of my depression and nothing would go right. Now, I look back at my grades and how my GPA was decimated and it's crushing. Now, I have to make up for it with how great my art portfolio is. As for getting a job, I have a grandmother with cancer, parents who are scraping by on each paycheck, and a soulcrushing need to go to art school. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get a job to help pay for it all. I love my family and I want to help them the best I can. Paying for groceries and what I need myself is just what I need. I hated high school but these two things would have made my time much easier.

Luke

Although many people told me when entering college to have fun, fun and partying can get out of hand. When I was living with some friends off campus I had a big organic chemistry test the next day. While I was studying my roomates were throwing a big party. This leads me to to the next big advice. Choose your roomates wisely. Although somebody can seem like a fun and good friend they might get in the way of your studying. When choosing a roomate, choose someone who has a similar lifestyle, ambitions, and cleaning habits as you. I remember growing up thinking college was so hard but, in reality the course word is not that bad. If you are into your subject that you are studying, you will be fine. The most important thing about school work and getting good grades is just time management. Don't go out with friends when you have not completed your coursework. I'm not saying don't go out with friends, because that is an important part of college too. I'm saying manage your time wisely. This might seem easy but, take it seriously mom isn't holding your hand anymore.

Michelle

Knowing what I know now as a college sophomore the first thing I would tell myself would be to apply to the University of Incarnate Word and ensure her that we belong there. I would tell that girl who originally thought that getting away from family because she felt alone would take her two-thousand eight hundred miles away, cost her two-thousand three hundred dollars in travel expenses, and one year of lost time to get her to where she should have been from the start. I would tell that shy butterly to get involved in as many activities as possible, major in vision science from the very beginning, focus more on getting the best education possible over getting a job to buy a car, and to make it a priority to live on campus. I would also tell her to keep in better touch with friends from high school and to give everyone a second chance. Most importantly however, I would ensure myself that things were only going to get better from here and that optometry is our passion and to tell her to never lose sight of that and to have fun every step of the way.

Olga

Do not waste time in regular classes, try to pass all your classes with an A. Study even harder for the SATs, do not procrastinate and use your time wisely. Take advantage of all the help teachers and advisors want to give you an apply to the most scholarships you can.

Vanessa

I would tell my high school self not to be afraid to pursue after your dreams and there is a whole world out there waiting to discover the various layers you have to offer the world. The sky is the limit and that even if at times you feel as though you might fail, continue to persevere and that the sky is the limit. The opportunity to make something of youself is always the right thing to do, but you must be prepared for what life throws at you. Those that want better will always accept the task at hand even if they know that the journey is not going to be easy. College is a great opportunity to experience a whole new way of life ,you will be subjected to so many differnet challenges, meet new people,learn, and have a whole new perspective on yourself and life. Never be afraid to stand out, even if it means standing alone and make an impact on the lives that you may come across. Make yourslef available to those around you, and always do your best. The challenge is not deciding to further education, but to go far beyond the expected.

William

You're going to enjoy this college environment and it's going to be everything you wanted in a university. What you need to realize is that it's going to challenge you physically, mentally, socially, academically, and for the most part, spiritually. You're going to have to learn to buckle down and study, study, study. You may think it is easy at first but it gets much tougher and I highly recommend you do not underestimate it. Start learning now how to manange your time because it will be one of the greatest lessons you will learn and will be your most affective asset in your future.There's going to be many oppurtunities to be involved in christian groups and/or parties. Whichever you decide to fall in. You'll also meet some very important people during your years in college and I highly suggest you make the most of those friendships you will obtain. These friendships will affect you for the rest of your life and will be there with you throughout your journey. Finally, always keep in mind that God will always be there for you and always has been. Just trust him.

Erin

If I could flash back to myself as a senior there would be so much advice I would give myself. One is just to apply myself more. Staying home and hitting the beach everyday may get you an awesome tan but it does not get you anywhere near a life goal. In high school I did the bare minimum, senior year was my “party year”. I left class a lot, never really gave it my all. I wasn’t looking at the big picture and I wish back then I knew how important it was to give 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Another major thing would be to figure out what I wanted out of my life a whole lot sooner. At that time I saw myself being a cosmetologist which isn’t what I want at all. I’ve changed my degree to nursing. It took me so long to come to that conclusion and all I did was waste time and money on classes. There is so much I could say to myself but those were my two downfalls senior year and they also seem the most important. Knowing what I know now would have helped me immensely throughout my senior year.

Kristine

I would love to be able to go back to 1997 (the year of ratted bangs and body suits) and tell my 18 year old self to not procrastinate continuing my education at an early age. It's a lot harder to go back to school, and finish it 15 years down the line, then it would have been at 18 with no children and no responsibilities other than finishing school. I would tell myself to persue her dream of moving to the east coast and attending NYU. All those years of fantasizing about New York, and what experiences she could have there could all have become a reality had life after high school been taken more seriously. I would also tell myself that there are far more important things than wasting time with her friends, and that even though there was a lot of fun to be had, in the end there will be no benefit to her (my) future. It's never too late to go back and finish school. I'm proud of myself for doing it now, and I do appreciate it more than I would have at 18.

Chelsey

If I was allowed to go back in time I would change many things. I would have taken more trips to different colleges just so I can get used to the feeling. I would have taken my time off seriously and apply for many scholarships. I would have tried hard to get on the top ten percent of my class. I should have gotten volunteer hours also.

Katherine

If I could go back and talk to myself I would tell myself to be more confident in myself. When I started at my community college I am attending now, I was very insecure of my abilities and thought that I would do terribly with my classes and be intimidated by the people around me. I thought I wouldn't make friends either. That was not the case at all. When I started college, it was filled with friendly people and the classes were almost like my high school classes. I had nothing to be worried about. I also was surrouned by people that had the same interests as me and I felt right at home. I just wish I wasn't so afriad of the future when I was in high school because it turned out to be fine. I would tell myself to not worry about anything and it will all fall into place at the right time.

amanda

I can imagine it already, walking into my room sweaty from athletics ready to jump in the shower, but instead I see myself sitting on the bed, with words of wisdom to share. Definitely the first thing I would tell myself is to love every moment of that last year in high school, because in a few short months life would come slap you in the face. Study hard and give every assignment and test all you have because when you have that high GPA it helps with scholarships. I would emphasize scholarships the most, no doubt about that! I would tell myself to suck it up and sit in front of the computer and fill out those applications, because Mom and Dad only have so much money. Unfortunately tragedy will strike, so don’t take anyone for granted because one day God will want them back. Put more time into tennis because you want your last match to be a good one. Most importantly, everything you do give it your all, hold nothing back, leave no doubt in your mind that that is the best you can do. So when all is said and done, you will be proud.

Miranda

Miranda, you are so very smart, much, much smarter than your family makes you feel. You can do anything that you put your mind to and in fact, you will. You have a great head on your shoulders and you need to trust yourself to make the right choices. You might be feeling a little tired and need a refreshing change, college will be just that. You are going to encounter so many new people and meet some really great professor. Someone is going to ask you to join their club you should do it. Don't sit back and watch your college life pass you by. Put yourself out there and make sure that you run for the Student Government Association President, I think you could win. Also, make sure you try really hard with your time management skills; those are the things that are going to be important to your success. Do the McNair scholars program and make sure you join moot court, you'd be really good at it. Make sure that you never comprimise your goals and also major in education, not theatre. You're going to want to teach after college.

amanda

Amanda, college will be the highlight of your life. You will go through certain obsticles, but don't ever lose focus on getting to your goal. Don't forget to study; no cramming the night before. Take your classes serious; don't skip class just because you don't feel like going. Your education should be your priority. Sacrificing a couple weekends here and there will be well worth it in the end. You'll really need a great paying job when your family comes along. You do not want to struggle the way your parents have. You may think they control your life, but they are only wanting the best for you. Please, please, please stay focused. Don't lose track of your future. Never lose the path to your goal. You will be a great succesful woman. I just know it!

Desiree

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have a serious talk with myself. Because, I would be the only one to get myself to understand everything I know now. I would tell myself to take my senior year serious but to have fun, and to cherish my time. I would tell myself to pay attention in my English AP class and to stop giving my teacher a hard time about all the work I thought was pointless. I would encourage myself to do the essays and the research she asked because that’s what college is all about. I would encourage myself to participate in the activities and not be so ready to graduate because there won’t be any time to play around in college. I would inform myself that time is limited. There are only so many hours in the day, and those hours should be used the right way, not with pointless stuff that will not help me in life down the weeks, months, and years. I would remind myself that I am worth all the hard work, and ensure myself that it will pay off.

Amanda

To my former self, I would GREATLY encourage further involvement in extracurricular activities. Being involved with sports, student government, or any other school groups would make it easier to decide on a major. It gives you the chance to know what you like and what you do not. I made no effort to try anything new for personal reasons, but in the end, it was a regrettable decision. It took me longer to develop group working skills which you cannot escape in college or employment. I also missed out on ANY opportunities for scholarships which was a big reason it has taken me 6 years + to obtain my bachelors degree.

Brittany

Being in high school is alot less stressful than going into college. In my senior class I thought I knew what I wanted to major in, but towards the end I ended up changing my mind. When you enter into college our expectations are much higher, you have to make the choices for yourself, and to make sure this is what you want to do. You do not want to go through half the year and decide that this is not what you want to do for the rest of your life. My advice is to be a shadower in the major you want to study in, so this way it gives you an insight on whats ahead for you in life, and you know what to expect.

Kristi

If I could go back to high school I would be sure to have done the dual enrollment plan from the beginning. Although I did it my senior year, if I had done it my junior year as well I could be saving a lot of money. Taking the college courses while still in high school allows me to get college credits but without the cost of tuition or books. That is one thing I wish I had done from the beginning and saved myself plenty of time and money.

Veronica

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to start off at a community college. There are so many ways to save money while in college, however if I had attended a community college, my financial situation would be less of a burden than it is at this present moment. I would inform myself that the transition is not the hardest part. The hardest part was leaving the family and friends I had, and if I had stayed to go to a community college, life would be completely different. My advice would be to not leave the people that care the most and trust those that have been in your life longer than a year. It will take their advice, strength, encouragement, hope, and help to get through every aspect of life, both college life and adult life.

Mary

MK, when your highschool counselors sat you down to talk you out of taking the GED before Senior year, they told you that this was the best time of your life and you wouldn't want to miss it. MK-- They don't know you. You have struggled your whole life with listening to your instinct. I am here to tell you, go with your gut. You are the only one that can decide what is best for you. Get a head start on your education, listen to the teachers that told you to keep writing. Take that bull by the horns and lock in for the ride of your life! You can go great places, you are smart and you will become focused and dedicated to your education. Don't wait like me. You will find yourself trapped in a world where you struggle to stay afloat, or get ahead. Take the opportunty to finish your education while you have the financial support to do it and the time free to dedicate. You will be so much happier. Education first. That degree will become so important and not having it will weigh you down in so many ways. REALLY.

Jonathan

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college is not as difficult and overwhelming as some people make it out to be. Teachers in high school tell you horror stories about the all night studying and the lack of lives they had, but if you manage your time correctly you can truly enjoy yourself and get good grades. As William Shakespeare wrote in his play "Hamlet", "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." The same can be said for your college experience. Although at times you can feel overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of the work, you can also set yourself up for success by being organized and managing your time.

Arianna

Wake up. College is going to be a wonderful experience and you are going to make a complete 180 degree change. What you thought you couldn't do will happen because your will power is going to emerge. You will travel and learn so much about yourself that you never knew. At the University of the Incarnate Word you will meet wonderful peopel and become the involved person you thought you could never be. You will also move on to graduate school at the American University of Paris starting the Fall of 2012. Remember to push through the first semester of college and try to do well in your grades. The transistion to a serious student will not be easy but once you become a good student you will earn many rewards.