University of Tulsa Top Questions

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

Maiten

Dear Maiten, You need to learn that fate needs a little help sometimes. Maybe applying to only one University just because you thought it was the right fit for you, wasn't the smartest idea. You got accepted to your dream college, and it was a moment of felicity but then, you realized that it would have been better to have more options. That's not that big of a problem now, because you're already in college, pursuing a career that will make you happy and will aloud you to do everything you always wanted, help people who don't have the opportunity you had while also doing what you love, art. You always stayed very busy during high school, two part-time jobs and college level classes were the best thing you could have done. I appreciate that busy life you had during high school because that has prepared me for very busy days, weekends and breaks during college. Get more involve in things, don't be afraid to stand out for what you believe. Do not worry about what people say, those things do not matter when you're in college, and follow your dreams.

brittany

If i could go back in time and talk to my self i would say not to be afraid to take chances and don't get hung up on mistakes. Always put yourself out there and take those shots at what ever because in the end it will help you learn that no matter the outcome of chance you still took it and that is sometimes more than what some people can say. Make those mistakes and learn from them you won't be perfect, but college isn't about being perfect. It is about an education. You will learn from your mistakes so take that as some advice or knowledge.

Gregory

Greg, you are about to study Music Education at The University of Tulsa and the most important thing I can tell you is this: do not worry about money. Those friends that are going to make millions--the girl that you want to provide for--these people may not remain with you forever. Through an arduous process you will discover that money alone is not the reward of a good education. The reward of a good education is to ensure your monetary stability while doing what you love! That is the most fulfilling thing you have ever or will ever experience. For all the days you will spend worrying about your major freshman year, there will be 10,000 more days that you are happy simply because you get to go to work. There are places in the world where people do not get the joy of learning music. You live a blessed life. Focus on giving all of yourself to this education and sharing it with others--you will succeed.

Summer

To have studied more while in high school, would defintely be something I would tell myself if I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior. I've worked hard so far in college and I probably would've been happier with scores on tests and my grades even though I did better than I even expected. I have high standards but in high school I will admit I did slack off and I regret that but I'm doing well in college and that is all that matters.

Bridget

If there's anything I've learned, it's that now-a-days people love concise lists consisting of things they can relate to. The thing about doing this with pieces of advice is that as you type them out, you realize that a lot of the things you "learn" when you go to college are the things that your parents, older family members, and other influential figures told you for the first 18 years of your life and those cliches truly earned their notoriety. So I would advise myself and whoever else to really listen to the words of others even if it at the time it seems like annoying nonsense or irrelevant information. I can type all I want to here but chances are someones mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, english teacher, gym teacher, lunch lady, cab driver, mailman, whoever, has probably already told you in one way or another. So really the greatest piece of advice I could ever give someone in my opinion is to really listen to those around you. You're either going to learn from following someone else's words or learn from ignoring them and well sometimes one's easier than the other.

Paula

Don't worry so much. THAT is your biggest obstacle--not tests or projects or papers but a debilitating fear of failure. As soon as you are able to conquer that fear, you will be happier and more successful.

Armon

I would tell myself that instead of just deciding to go to a small junior college and then transferring, actually go on a college visit or to college weekends and see what might be out there and available for me. I also would have told myself that the funds to go to college will be there for me if I just work hard with my studies and apply for scholarships. So stop letting fear hold you back and understand that in life sometimes there are risks that I am going to have to take in order to make something of myself. I think the last thing I would tell myself is that my decisions from highschool and college will make a drastic impact on my life going forward so make the best of it and know that I can do anything I set my mind to.

april

Personally, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise myself to live on campus. I have found it quite difficult to live off campus because it makes it hard to work on group projects and has also effected my social life. If I started my college career living on campus then I would have been able to focus better as well as be readily available for study sessions and group projects. Also, it would have been easier to make friends. Also, it would make the transition less difficult on my family. Currently I am struggling with finding the courage to inform my parents that I would like to live on campus for the reasons listed. However, if I chose to do it my first year, it would not come across as offensive to them and they would be more understanding.

JENNIE

You listen to me, and you listen to me good! Do not. I REPEAT. Do not let others influence you. You know you have homework to finish, a test to study for, a book to read, and/or a paper to write. Don’t let your friends talk you into going out and not studying for your test. Don’t let your boyfriend sweet-talk you out of doing homework. Don’t let your family distract you from writing your paper. I know that smart little brain of yours is yelling at you to tell them NO. There will be plenty of other times to have fun with your friends, boyfriend, and family. It may be hard to say no to them now, but it’ll be harder on you when you see your grades at the end of the semester. Listen to me on this. I’m older and wiser now, so just listen to me and you’ll thank me later.

Marcus

As I ponder the subtle nuggets of advice I would relay to my past self, I realize that information abounds. Thoughts flood my mind concerning sleep habits, friendships, self-talk, and free time. First and foremost, the importance of others remains paramount. One cannot succeed on his or her own and must maintain a respect for others. Begin building this habit now as it take a lifetime to master and people will respect you more for it. Secondly, simpletons accumulate knowledge and regurgitate information while scholars gather knowledge, analyze it, and use it to obtain wisdom through experience. Do not allow yourself to become lazy and seek amusement when so much of the world stagnates due to lack of discovery. Finally, actively participate in beneficial hobbies, activities, and social circles. Those one surrounds himself or herself with offer the most influence; either positive or negative. Choose the healthy friends and activities and watch how incredible life becomes. Time one spends earning his or her degree can be a rewardingly fun opportunity. Nonetheless, remember the importance of the active verb "earn." Much of the world assigns an inappropriate and unneeded stigma to the "college experience." Have fun, but earn your future.

Zachary

I would teel myself: "Sleep. Sleep is going to be your most valuable resource for the next few years of your life. You may stay up and have fun now, but you will soon learn the value of sleep. Sleep and studying will be most of your time if you plan to have good grades. Alas, do not despair, although this may sound bleak, you will have fun. You'll make some new friends, and follow your passion. It'll be hard, it'll be tiring, and most of all it'll be fun."

Abigail

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would remind myself that studying is not the end-all, be-all of life. Absolutely, academics are so important and should never be put on the side if a big test or project is approaching. In fact, doing well in school is how I ended up being able to afford college. Studying does not need to be chosen over everything else every time. Give yourself space to hang out with friends and get more involved in community outreach and leadership activities, because relationships with people are much more important than a stellar GPA. It is okay to take a break from trying to exceed every expectation in the classroom and enjoy your life.

Matthew

The senior year of high school is generally that "limbo" period, where you realize that you must leave this world behind and yet you are at the "top of the food chain." That generally leads most seniors to fall into a pattern of working and hanging with friends. Knowing what I know now, I would have taken these steps: 1) Once you get accepted, imagine that it is a new job and this is your first day. 2) Learn all about your school, now, while you're still in high school. 3) Keep on looking for any and all outside scholarships. 4) Find out what your basic classes are going to be, buy the books now, read them. 5) Get your friends engaged in your new adventure (even if they're going to different schools, they're still your support now). These few steps will get you mentally prepared for the transition into academia. You need to do all that you can so that you avoid that "shock" factor the first day you set foot on campus as an incoming Freshman.

Katherine

Dear Katie, I know you're really stressed out right now. College is a big step! But don't get too caught up worrying about whether you’ll make friends or whether you're going to do well in your classes. Just enjoy this step of your life. You know you’ve worked hard to get to where you are and no matter what you’re going to continue to work your hardest to get to wherever life takes you. Roll with the punches. You are going to get a few crummy teachers, you might fail a test, and while you'll make some new friends you'll lose others. But those things don’t define this time in your life; don't focus on them. College is a vital time in your life for you to find who you are. You'll meet the most interesting people, try tons of new things, and you may even step into a class one day and realize you've found something you'd be happy doing for the rest of your life. Look forward to it. Change your major if you must. Most of all, keep an open mind. Best regards, Katie

Megan

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, first and foremost I would tell myself to enjoy my freshman year of college because it goes by so fast. I would say that I shouldn't be afraid to try new things and talk to new people because part of the fun of college is making friends, discovering who you are, and becoming a well rounded individual. I would say participate in that dance competition and play on that intramural volleyball team, even though you have are terrible at it and it might be embarrassing, because those are the memories about college that you will hold onto for the rest of your life. You will remember that time you got hit in the face with the volleyball and your friends laughed with you about how uncoordinated you were, but you won't remember the hours spent studying for your economics test. Not to say that academics aren't important, because they are. You go to college to learn and to prepare yourself for a career you'll hopefully love, but it's ok to reward yourself with a little fun once in a while too.

Shawnee

Every year that we have to learn and grow, we realize that we know so much more than we did in the previous year of our life. As a senior in high school, I assumed that I knew everything I needed to know about college and finances, unaware that I knew very little. If I could go back in time I would definately put an emphasis on getting a job as soon as possible when you are old enough and saving every penny for your education. I would definately make myself make a payment plan in advance and know just how much aid versus finances needed I had. I would also make sure to let myself know that college is completely different than high school. You have to study and spend a certain amount of hours out of the week doing so in order to maintain high grades. Most classes have nothing but lectures, and in order to pass you only have a few chances throughout the year to turn in work. Therefore, in college you must really have a good start and be prepared.

Dexter

I would tell myself to always have the future in mind while making the most out of the present. Have a plan and work towards it. While plans may not always work out, its always good to know what you're working toward. Working hard opens doors and opportunities in the future. I would tell myself how important relationships with other people are. Networking and forming friendships are important aspects of life, and you never know who may be able to help you. Keep true to the Golden Rule and remember to help others when you have the opportunity. Amongst all of this, remember that life is short so make the most out of each day, and enjoy it as you go along.

Marsel

Take action NOW! Do not put off appling for any scholarship for a single second. Scholarships will keep you from ever stressing about what is a loan, how long until you have to pay it back, or where do i even apply for a loan. Make sure to get in contact with the school early so they know you. Make an effort to go on college tours so that your sure that you like the surroundings and the area. Don't limit yourself to in-state schools because of money. Broaden your horizens and look for places even over seas. Find a good hobby that you can do in your free time and people that share that hobby so that you dont go insane. Visit or keep in touch with your family members because they will always be there for you. Don't let your job stres you out to the point that you can't or sleep at night because it wil only hurt you in the long run. develop a study habit while your in high school so that to will just pass on when your in college. Lastly treat each day as a new experience.

Victoria

If I could go back in time and talk with my past self about college, I would tell myself to stay more focus on school. Friends and socializing is great, and very important when becoming an independant adult; however, college is for education, not socializing. I believe that it is important to have a balence. I would inform myself that I need to stop socializing as much, and focus on studying more. One day I will be out of college, and in the real world; it is important that I am ready for it - socially and finacially.

Tara

I would tell myself to keep an open mind. I had always had a vision in my head about what my college experience would be like- the dorm and the awesome roomate, the being away from home and the newfound freedom, the crazy hard classes and all-nighters in the library. But when my experience did not completely add up to my image, I was a little upset. It took me a while to realize that my experience and dreams weren't going to be what I had thought, but instead I could make them anew. From that point, I began to see the benefits to still living at home, and having one foot in the adult life with keeping a job and maintaining good grades in college. I didn't need a dorm and on-campus life to have an amazing first year of college. I was able to have just as good of an experience, if not better, than I had ever imagined. All it took was an open mind and a fresh look on things. So I would tell my senior self to prepare for the greatest first step into my adult life- college at TU!

meagan

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself three very important things about my experiences. First, I would tell myself that it's alright to make mistakes. It is so easy to be afraid of the unknown; however, cowering in fear is not how to handle the challenges in life. You must face them head on with your head held high. Secondly, I would tell myself to be more organized. I expected my senior year to be a breeze, but as it went by I realized that I had to work just as hard, if not even harder, as the years before. So I would definitely remind myself to prepare to spend long hours on the internet looking for as many colleges and scholarships as I could. Lastly, I would advise myself to have fun. I had forgotten, during all this added stress, that senior year was also supposed to be fun. I found myself overworked and underequiped for the challenges that I would have to face, but worrying would not solve any of those problems. This is the advice I would give to myself if I could go back in time as a high school senior.

Sarah

I would tell myself to get organized earlier.

Kristen

Looking back to my senior year, I would tell myself not to stress as much as I did. Although the application and scholarship process can be grueling, it is not worth the worry. Everything seems to naturally fall into place. I would also tell myself to go with my gut instict. Deciding between colleges is exceptionally difficult and seems so important at the time. While it is a big decision, whatever your heart tells you is likely the right choice. People try to influence the decision but it is essential to make the choice that is obvious to you.

Mary

If I were able to talk to the me of almost 20 years ago, I graduated high school in 1996, I would give myself the following advice. First of all, listen to your parents. They are not trying to make your life miserable, they are trying to make your life productive. Expect for college to be very difficult and demanding accademically. Let the job at the grocery store go until summer and focus all of your attention on school. Your primary job right now is that of student. Don't be affraid to try new classes and explore the area of study that appeals to you most. Ask for help when you need it, and enjoy the ride.

Andreas

There is nothing better then having certainty in where you are heading in life. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there would be many things I would like to tell myself. Probably my main advice would be about finaces and fanancial aid. I would suggest to read books about finances and apply it to your life and school. Educating yourself about finances is very important because it will help you understand about saving money and will keep you grounded in times of despreration. My second advice would be figure out avenues on how to pay for college. Educate youself about finacial aid as much as possible. I would recomend to go out of your way to learn how government pell grants work and learn their life span. last but not least Make as many connection that will help you pay for college. for example, visit your high advisor to guide you or even try to go to the college you are planning to attend and ask how financial aid works to gain a better understanding on how things work.

Thomas

College is much more than drinking and dating girls like many seem to think. It is instead a place to grow individually, socially, and intellectually on dramatic levels. It is a place where lifelong friends are made and opportunities to experience the world through study abroad and internships present themselves. Looking back on my life as a senior in high school, I was very naive growing up in a small conservative town. Looking back, my expectations coming into college were far too high. Yes, college is incredible. But it is incredible in much more diverse ways than I had originally thought. It is important to have an understanding that the transition at first is a difficult process. That transition only helps you grow as a person. I would also impart on my younger self the idea that experience far exceeds expectations. Do not obstain from doing something just because you expect it to be a bad experience. I missed many opportunities to both learn something new and meet new people as a result. I now understand that experiencing new things, new people, and new cultures has helped me grow tremendously. The University of Tulsa has blessed me in many ways.

Spencer

Stay focused. Have fun, but stay focused. Don't skip class. GO GET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT.

Angel

I would say, don't be hesitant to step out of your comfort zone. To really put yourself out there with no fear, because college is a great time, and you'll only regret the chances you didn't take. Remember, college isn't all about grades, but you do need to apply yourself. I would tell myself that college is a place to discover who you are as an individual and to embrace that from the start. Be open to others and their ideas and really listen, you can learn many things from others and you don't have to always agree with what they say. It's okay to try new things, and take risks, but remember who you are, and who you want to be. Keep your dreams in mind, and it is okay if they change along the way. Keep your morals in view; you are the one who needs to be happy with yourself at the end of the day.

Christina

Knowing what I now know about my college experience, and if I couldgo back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell my self that college is serious business, and it is not easy. On that same note, I would add that college is also the best experience. The whole point of college is to prepare yourself academically and realistically for a future career, so going to college just to have a good time is not the objective. Having a good time comes with the hard work and dedication to studying and making good grades. There were plenty of times my friends invited me to join with their fun activity and I declined because I had an exam the next day; but, it pays off. I had my share of wonderful memories already. Another thing I would add is to be careful how you spend your money. It would be extremely wise to save it throughout the year, then use the money saved to purchase textbooks, etc for the following semester. College is truly a wonderful experience if you do it right.

Melissa

The advice that I would give myself would be to step even further outside of my comfort zone. Instead of second guessing if I was capable or not, I would just go out and try it. I would advise myself to get involved with as many extra curricular activities as I could manage in order to experience as much of the Tulsa campus as I could. I would also have advised myself to got through sorority recruitment my freshman year of college rather than my sophomore year because I have missed out on a year of being in a sorority and connecting with some of the most amazing girls on campus. I would advise myself that grades are important, but building relationships and getting involved outside of the classroom is just as important. I would also advise myself to take chances because college is a time to explore and not be afraid of failure. I would tell myself to make the most of my college experience because it goes by so fast.

Candace

Allow yourself time, there will always be a temptation to procrastinate, to say "it can be done later," but at some point there is no later to defer your life. Today, start and finish something, even if it is hard. Write essays, ask for help if you need it, and make the effort. Nothing in life is done without hard work and in the future you are going to find that out, so today make plans and set goals that are feasible. Nothing is ideal or perfect and that in itself is a good thing, be ready for the mistakes and learn from them, but you also need to be prepared because the plans you make are also not going to play out in an ideal fashion. Think about multiple possibilities all the time not just a single idea because you never really know anything but yourself. On that note, keep exploring yourself, growing, changing and learning. Don't just be satisfied with an A in class but a fullness of understanding, true knowledge. Too many are depressed with bad grades when that is not ultimately what makes the man. Finally, be kind to everyone it is infinitely important.

Kami

If I could go back in time to my high school senior self, I would tell myself three things. First, don't think that college is only about education. Yes that is why it is there, but you can learn so much about yourself, the world, and even things that are right in your backyard that you didn't even know existed. Second, work to the best of your ability, but don't stress so much. You will have plenty of opportunites to achieve your 4.0 GPA goal, but have fun every once in a while. Third, make friends! Get out of your shell and talk to people because they will be the ones who get you through the tough times. If I had only known these three crucial pieces of advice when I was first transitioning into college, my life would have been ten times better my freshman fall semester.

Nick

If I could go back to my senior year of high school the first thing I would say to my slef is, "Nick, stop stressing so much because its gonna work out". I would then proceed to give my self advice about some very specific things. I would tell my self that first you should get your FAFSA filed as soon as possible and then begin to search for scholarships. I would remind my self that my brothers will be going to college the proceeding year. I would remind my self it will help my family just as much as it will help me if I get scholarships and grants. Thirdly I would teach my self something about time management. The main thing I would warn my self to look out for is getting caught up in too many conversations on a day when I should be in my dorm room studying. Lastly I would say, "Nick, when you start school, make sure to work together with people as much as possible". Study groups are great and they help you to learn so much faster. Then I would conclude saying again, "don't stress, its gonna work out".

Sarai

I would give myself the advise of not worrying about money. Although money does mean a lot, especially with college in mind, it doesn't mean everything. So i would tell myself not to work as hard as to forget to study for classes, even if you come from a semi-poor family. I know its hard to try to live like the slightly more rich kids, but it's worse trying to live with a low GPA due to lack of concentration. I would remind myself that i am going to college for a reason, to obtain a degree not a part-time job. I would also tell myself that its not high school, it is not easy. College is a struggle everyday. You should never assume you have free time, because studying plays a big role in college. But overall, i would tell myself to buy an agenda. It is so easy to forget everything that is going on for each class, especially when you only have those classes twice a week. Take time to make time to finish everything, that way you know exactly what you have to complete each day to stay on track.

Kaylonna

I would tell myself to take everything one day at a time because the more into the future I think, the more stressed I will get. I will never know how the future is going to play out, so there is no reason in trying to predict it and overwhelm myself. I would tell myself that I am going to be the busiest I have ever been, but that I am fully capable of doing everything on my plate. I would also tell myself that college is supposed to be one of the funnest times in life, and that maybe I should spend a little more time trying to find a group or extracurricular activiy to become apart of. I would tell myself to have the best summer ever, because I may be taking college courses all the rest of my summers in school. More than anything, my advice to myself would be to work hard as I can, achieve the most I can achieve, but to also remember to enjoy myself and live life as happily as I can.

NOXOLLYS

The advice i would give myself would be to stay in school, dont give up even when it seem hard. take high school seriously not everything as a joke. Because if you dont you will end up where i am not high school drop out married with 3kids living at your mother-in-law's home waking up years later finally making the decision to get your GED and go back to school. If you would just stay in high school and finish go to college right away dont wait a semester but start the semester after graduation.

Maura

I would tell myself to have no fear. College is all about exploring yourself and learning who you are as a young adult. I would encourage myself to take more risks and take challenging classes. I would tell myself to learn something new, take a class about something I have never experienced before. Lastly, I would tell myself to meet new friends. Talk to strangers. Sit by someone you don't know in class. There are so many friendly faces in the world that I should meet. Don't fear rejection, but fear missed opportunity.

anna

If i could go back in time and give myself some important advice about college and the transition. I would allow myself plenty of time to get registered at college, and to speak with advisors before the semester starts. It is very important to get all and any questions about degree plans or course recommendation out of the way first. Then it's important to figure what time i do my best in class and register for those hours. I now know, i do better in class in the mornings, so just take morning classes. Last, i would mention to join some school club and try to work as hard as i could for an education. Not to lose sight of the target, and stay focuse.

Andrew

If I could go back and tell my high school self about college and the college experience, I would be sure to tell him that he is definitely going to change, and that he needs to keep an open mind. I know that I personally, as well as all of my friends, have done a great deal of growing up since we have been to college. It has been more fun than I could ever have imagined, and I hope to make the most of the rest of my time here. I tried to come into college with an open mind, and I believe I did a relatively good job at that, but I wish that I had had more of an open mind and been open to experiencing more of the college life in my first two years. Now that I am a Junior, I definietly do not have any regrets, but there are a couple of things that I would do differently when I first got to school. I think the best advice anyone can give regarding college is to have an open mind, study hard and have fun.

Emily

I would tell myself that I have unlimited potential; therefore I should never be discouraged when different road blocks appear. Whenever a challenge arises I am fully capable of taking it on and handling it. I would also advise myself to begin making connections with professionals in the community, because this would help me attain things such as an internship, references of my character, as well as help me narrow down possible career paths. Lastly I would tell myself to never give up, because I have the ability to go as far as I choose to go.

Emily

I would tell myself to not pick a major right away, to take my basics first and then decide what I want to do. Also I would tell myself to not be afraid to go out and have some fun and to be more friendly. I would also tell myself to make sure that academics come first

Cara

Even though your classes are easy and you don't really have to try to ace them, study. Start forming that habit now - it will save your life the first semster. Practice your instrument more - the competition is fierce at TU. Apply for more scholarships and start saving more money. You're going to pay for college yourself, and it's not fun having to pay off loan interest every few months. So put a little of every pay check in that savings account. It will pay for books and the fees that scholarships don't cover. Most of all, don't worry about having your entire life planned out. No one else in college knows what they're doing, either.

Rachel

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would definetly say that a smaller college would benefit me. I spent two years at the University of Colorado at Boulder and I just could not focus on learning what I needed to in such huge classes. Being able to know who your professor is and only having a small amout of other people in your class is extremely benificial to learning. I would also tell myself to balance running out with putting more effort into my studies. I run track and cross country for the university and I put my grades in the backseat, which I regret now. Another thing that I wish I would have done was to involve myself in more on campus activites outside of running and met more people through different outlets. It's so much easier to meet people in the dorms and through other freshman events than it is after freshman year.

Morgan

If I could give any advice to my younger self, it would be to enjoy life. I had the best semesters when I did nott stress about grades or my social standing. When you live every day to the fullest with the goal of better understanding youself, life becomes amazing. College is a social transformation with a few important classes thrown in, not four years of learning hell. I went on a limb and talked to Omanis, Brazilians, and Indians; these people from halfway across the world are now some of my dearest friends. In the classroom, I stopped stressing out about who the smartest student was and about my grades; now, I have a beautiful GPA and feel smarter than ever. When you stop comparing yourself to others and relax, life unfolds in a very beautiful way. Also, your number ten school may give you the best college experience. So, do not worry if Harvard rejects you. They are the real loser!

Leland

I wish I could go farther back than that. I didn't take High School seriously enough. I was depressed for my first few years in Tulsa, having recently moved from my home town of 12 years. I didn't pay attention in class, and I didn't give my high school education the respect it deserves. I realize now that I could have done so much better, and could have entered college with a better understanding of where I want to go in life. I'm better now, of course. I've fallen into place as a Computer Science major, and I do very well in my classes, and have fun with them. I'm much more involved in leadership roles as well. But I lack the financial support I need to not leave college with a lot of debt. My advice to my senior self would be: "Get it together. This is the last chance you get to do well and ensure better financial aid. You are going to love college so much, it would be a shame if you had financial issues looming overhead the whole time."

Annette

If I was able to go back in time and give my high school senior self any advise about college life and the transition to college the advice I would give myself would be to actually take classes that will not be "blow off" classes the last year. I got so lazy considering I only took one normal class as a high school and it has reflected in my first year of college. Going into senior year you get "senioritis" yes, just get over it and actually learn and make good study habits. Another piece of advice I would give to myself is to make the most of your time with your family and friends. College life is difficult and it is like being thrown into the big world by yourself, but if you just take care of yourself, and remember where you came from, and keep in touch it will make the transition easier. One last thing is to have a great senior year and make lots of memories.

Laymon

I would tell myself to take different classes than the ones I chose in high school. I also would tell myself to apply for more outside scholarships because within the school, tuition waivers are unstackable. Be prepared for the ethnic diversity, there will be times where you feel like the minority even in your hometown. Plan out your college career before you get there.

Zeinab

Having experienced two full years of college, the main thing I would emphasize to my past self is that it is okay to fail sometimes. This was the one thing that I struggled with when entering college. In high school I was always accustomed to doing well in basically all subjects, so when I transitioned to university and realized that this was not always the case, I went through a phase of major frustration. I developed an inferiority complex when I saw others excelling in the same subjects with which I was struggling. This gave me intense anxiety, which only led to me continuing to struggle. Thankfully I had a decent support system to guide me, but at the time I was miserable. So to the high school senior Zeinab Hassan, I just want you to know that not everyone gets it on the first try. Different things come easily for different people and just because you struggle a little on a subject, it does not mean that you are a failure. It just means that you have to make the commitment and put in the extra work for a better outcome, you will see the results.

Pavlina

I would tell myself to enjoy my year more and don't rush too much into wanting to go to college so fast. once you leave you can never go back. You leave your friends and family which isn't easy at all, and you miss them way more then you would ever expect. Enjoy the little things in life because you'll realize what you had when you go to college. Take advantage of your resources, I know it's more easier to be lazy and get the minimum done but you should try to go above and beyond.

Brandi

I would tell myself to really look at all the options for school. Don't just settle because you think you"re not smart enough. Also take all the oppertunities that are given to you and sont forget to follow your dreams. Don't think that no one is there to help you and that you have to do it alone. Listen to the advice from your parents, they've done this before and succedded.