University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Top Questions

The first piece of advice I would give myself is to study way more. It seemed like I studied a lot in high school, but when I entered college I realized that I would have to be studying a great deal more. This transition could have been made a lot smoother if I had studied more in high school. The second piece of advice I would have given myself is to not worry about the future so much because when it comes its not as scary as you think it is.

Dear high school self,

Get out on the first day and look for clubs to join around campus. You get to meet tons of new people and its a great way to network for possible future careers. Enjoy the college days because you only have four years to have fun and make mistakes, then we are off to the real world.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to apply for college, financial aid, the ACT test, as well as other scholarships sooner in the school year, because it will make everything for college not seem so stressful. I would also give my self the advice of having consideration to living on campus. Even though living with parents is cheaper, it would be more fun and fulfilling college experience to live on campus. The final thing that I would give myself for advice would be to put more money towards savings. By putting most of my check into savings, a little more could always go in, and not to go inot savings for money unless it is a major necessity or it is for school. Other than school advice, I would suggest to have fun and to continue to work hard at school, and even finding the best way to study would not be a bad idea.

I would tell myself to take a deep breath, and relax. I spent my entire senior year trying to plan out everything about my college experience, and it just is not something you can plan out. You have to experience college by just diving in; no matter how much planning you do ahead of time, college always surprises you. There is no way to prepare for the craziness that college brings to your life, so the only thing you can do is hold on tight and enjoy the ride. College will be everything you want it to be and more whether you worry or not, so you might as well stop worrying. The friends you make in college will be different than expected, in the best way possible. The opportunities you have access to will be more than you can ever imagine. The ways college will change you, will be absolutely life-changing and completely unexpected. You will conquer your fears and face challenges others only dream about. Instead of trying to prepare for the unknown, just enjoy the time you have left, because before you know it, college will be over.

Andrea, Intentional exploration of the unknown often leads to great discoveries. Remember this as you enter into college. This is a new adventure for you; a new state, new people, new opportunities. Take advantage of them by saying "yes" and investing in these four years. Say "yes" to conversations with strangers, for you will learn something new, and that stranger might turn out to be your best friend one day. Say "yes" to study abroad and exploring foreign countries, to learning about other people and their culture. Devote your time and energy to the people in your new community; expand your world by being a part of theirs. Tear down the walls you have built for yourself, and discover just how big this world is. For in doing so, you will find that you are strong, valuable, and brave. You will learn more about yourself and come to find that being present is more important than being perfect. So say "yes" to running a marathon, going on a blind date, getting involved in a campus organization, making a new friend, spontaneous dance parties, and the countless other new adventures college will offer you. Trust me, it is worth it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have told myself not to choose the option of having a random roommate. My first thoughts about college and living on campus was,oh gosh, my roommate is going to be my best friend and we will do everything together. That was definetly not the case for me during my first semester as a college freshman living on campus. The transition from having my own room and space to living with a complete stranger with different beleifs and intentions was extremely difficult. Due to this experience I would tell my senior self to go on the website provided by the univeristy and talk to incoming freshmen to see if anyone else is looking for a roomate that has similiar interests. If I did this in the first place I would have saved myself time and stress because living with a stranger is a lot harder than I thought. I also dreaded coming to my room because I was scared my roommate would be in. This also made me sad, knowing that I am not even comfortable in my own room.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would provide myself with some serious advice and tell myself to take it to heart. First, I would tell my self to enjoy the time I had with my familiy at home. Being with friends is great and all but I would tell myself to cherish every moment I have with my parents at home. They are the reason why I was able to go to college and I missed them went I left. I would take advantage of mom's home cooked meals and dad's awkward joke telling because those were the little things that I missed dearly. I would advise my senior self to be prepared for the streess that college has in store. The long hours of studying can really wear someone out but I would let myself know that it is worth it. High school difficulty is nothing like college difficulty but you learn so much from it. I woud also tell myself to start working out more seriously since fitness is such an important factor in overall well being and can really improve myrself.

In August I started my first semester at Viterbo University and while reflecting on my life I realized our society is simply: messed up. Three months ago I lived in a middle class family, was given hand typed notes from my teachers, and had to raise my hand to go to the bathroom. Now, I live with a roommate who I’ve never met before, am expected to know how to survive on my own, and know the job I’ll be doing for the rest of my life. Somehow amidst the craziness I survived and made my first semester of college the best time of my life.College is all about being organized. I kept a planner that told me everything I needed to do a week in advance. As organized as I was, flexibility became my biggest struggle. I changed my major throughout the semester and by the time November rolled around I enrolled in at UW-Eau Claire as a transfer student in the Spring. I’m excited to see what lies ahead and know that with an open mind, determination, and organization I have the opportunity to make this next semester even better than the first.

"Chin up". These are the first words I would tell my high school self. Leaving a small town school for a large campus was one of the many transitions I made when breaking from my high school cocoon and bursting into the new world of higher education. I had grown so close to my community, and feared the heartbreak of losing them. Most of all, I trembled at the image of a cold, impersonal, and formal atmosphere on campus that so contrasted the way of life I was use to. The thought panicked me; and I would tell my high school self that there is nothing to dread. Although there are more students on my campus than residents in my town, the atmosphere at is far from chilly and aloof. There is a joyful and optimistic air that radiates from both the students and faculty. There is a smile around every corner and someone kindred to chat with in every hallway. The sense of community is omnipresent on campus; it is nothing I, nor anyone in high school should fear of losing by attending college. So "Chin up", it is nothing to worry about.

If I could go back and give my high school self advice about college life and making the transition, I would focus on technology. Technology is playing an ever increasing role in education at all levels, especially college. I would tell my high school self to start getting familiar with technology in all forms. Obviously typing skills are important but becoming even more important are internet searching skills and the ability to operate all forms of technology from cell phones to tablets. The education system is increasingly concentrated online, from assignments to research and I would tell my high school self to make an extra effort to get good at using technology as to be better prepared for college.

If I could tell my seventeen year old self one thing, it would be to not take on such a heavy work load. Biting off more than you can chew will either lengthen the process, or cause you to choke. College is much harder than high school, but that doesn't mean you can blow your courses off. Go to bed earlier so that you are better rested for the day, as sleeping through your classes will not help you pass them. Don't worry about how you look-nobody will care who you are once you're graduated. The opinions of others do not define you. They define the opinion holder. The final thing I would like to tell myself is that it will all be okay. Don't stress yourself out as much as you do because you are doing just fine. Don't lose your luster.

No matter what, keep applying for scholarships. Even if you aren't getting any, keep trying. Eventually you will get one or more! Do so in college as well. There are plenty of scholarships out there, you just have to find them. In the end, applying to a ridiculous amount of scholarships is better than applying to none because (obviously) you have a greater chance of getting one. Apply for ones you don't think you necessarily fit either. You never know, that could be the one that you get. To sum it all just keep applying for scholarships until you are out of college and have a steady career.

I would tell myself that it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and to be involved with what you're passionate about. This is a habit I aquired in college and I wish I had known in high school because I think it would have made high school more memorable and allowed me to make more close friends. Since coming to college, I've joined clubs that I have a large interest in and try things that I would have been too shy to do in high school. I believe this is made me a more open-minded and friendlier person.

Take the time and really look into every school and ask current students if they love the school. Read reviews from past and current students

If I could go back in time to be a mentor to my past high school self, my first piece of advice would be to get involved in as many extracirricular activities and clubs that I found interesting. The conversation would go a little something like this: "Jordan, I know it's hard to go to four different high schools four years in a row, but sometimes life throws curveballs at us and we just have to suck it up." The past me would sigh and look off in another direction. "It's too hard," she would complain. My present self would become more assertive. "Jordan," I would insist, "you're already halfway there. You have amazing grades, you have somewhat of a social life, your family is there for you. But you really should join activities that are of interest to you." I would be able to tell that my lecturing was boring her. "Photography, drawing, painting...art!" I would raise my voice to get her attention. "Art is your passion. Get involved. It will be hard, but I know you can do this."

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone. I've learned that in order to get the most out of college, I have to push myself to try new things, persue new interests, and befriend lots of new people. Besides that, I would remind myself that college is hard work. I would advise my younger self to review notes daily and to form study groups. I would also encourage myself to keep an open mind. In college, I have met so many people with a variey of backgrounds, beliefs, and ideas. It's important to truly listen and respect these new and thought- provoking ideas. Overall, I would want to remind myself to be open to new experiences and keep in mind why I chose to go to college.

Make sure to check out ratemyproffesor.com before registering for classes! Also, try to schedule classes for the mornings.

I would tell myself, "Save your money!" My parents continuously told me to budget my social life and to start saving for my educational life. I have what is sometimes known as "selective hearing," where I just choose to not "hear" my parents when they try to tell me what to do because I, being the teenager that I was, thought I was always right. I would tell myself that it doesn't always work itself out and that I have to work very hard if I want to go to college. I could not quit my well-paying job because it was too hard or it was too much work, I have to keep trying. I would also tell myself that the first month of college is going to be terrible, big time. I might not make friends right away while it seems like everyone else is and that I need to stick to my beliefs, otherwise I will lose who I am. College isn't about "finding yourself," it's about shaping the person that you already are and that first month of being without the support of my parents is crucial to that shaping that person.

First of all, I would tell myself not to worry as much about my future. In high school I stressed over what I would do with my life, who I would be friends with, how I would manage everything, and even how I would be percieved by my professors. This year has proved that I was acquipped with more than satisfactory skills during high school. Most importantly, I would tell myself to enjoy the time that I had left and invest in lasting relationships with peers and teachers. In college, it has become apparent to me just how quickly time flies as well as how important and influencial daily interactions are. Even though being excited and nervous for college was expected and acceptable, I should have taken more time to appreciate my current state and the relationships that I had. Thirdly, I would urge myself to clean my room for I now know that everytime I come home I do not have the time to do so, and there is always more items piled on my bed! Finally, I would encourage myself to remain motivated and approach all opportnities with an open mind and heart.

If I could go back, knowing what I know now, I would first tell myself to enjoy highschool while you can. Enjoy the worry free life style when everything is easy and you get to see your friends every day because once in college you arein a sense forced to grow up. Make choices based on your future and not your friends, because in the end you have to know what you want. No one is looking out for you except yourself. Also I would tell myself to be more greatful of my family and all they do for me and cherish family events when everyone is there. Once in college, getting the whole family together on holidays and special events is rare. In the end, the greatest advice I could give to myself, is to slow down and just take time to enjoy everything around me, and even though things won't stay the same, be glad they happened.

First, get to know your professors sooner. Professors carry untapped knowledge and advice that students neglect until junior or senior year. Not only is the advice valuable, but networking is becoming one of the most important pieces of success in this job market. Second, be yourself right away. College life and students are more accepting of differences and individuality than are high school counterparts. If you act as yourself you will be more comfortable and better be able to stand up for what you believe in. Third, stay connected to who really matters. Keep friends close and family closer. It is easy to get caught up in schoolwork and new friends who come and go like the seasons, but your true friends and family will always support you. Last, live your life! It is perfectly acceptable to skip a class, bomb an assignment, make a mistake, date someone who is wrong for you, splurge on an expensive purse, give an incorrect answer in front of a class, etc. as long as it does not become a habit. All these things are part of living an enjoyable and balanced life. Find balance and enjoy life.

I would tell myself to just choose Eau Claire to start with instead of transfering since it is such a pain! I would also tell myself to pay more attention to my grades my freshman year, college is not like high school at all. It is good to have a social life and taking a break is healthy, but that first year is just as important grade wise as any up-coming year and this first year will effect all the hard work you put in for your GPA in the future. I would remind myself that life goes by too fast and to slow down, go do activites with friends a little more, although school is important, so is living.

If I were to go back as a high school senior, I would try not to slack off and do scholarships as much as possible. Another thing is, try to manage my time, and of course finding a job and save up to pay for college.

If I could go back and talk to my high-school self, I would tell myself to take more risks. As a freshman I was always so afraid of how people would look at me if I acted a certain way or said something different than others. If I would have been myself I would have made more friends and had more fun. As a sophomore it is a lot harder to make friends. I would do just about anything to go back and relive my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

College is a lot different than high school. Get a job, start saving money, because you're going to need it. Take challenging classes (AP or college level courses if they're available to you), because when you get to college, everything is fast paced and your professors will have high expectations for the amount of work you need to complete, in often short periods of time. Start developing good time management and study skills, because your instructors aren't going to give you classtime to get all of your readings and assignments done. Try to be more independent with your money by budgeting and thinking before you spend, because you will wish you had that money when it comes time to pay tuition. Develop good relationships with your parents and other family members; you never know when you'll need them, and there's no one better to call than your mom when you're having a rough day and just need to cry. Take advantage of every resource made available to you, and fill out all of those scholarships! Don't stress too much about college, believe in yourself, and you can be successful. I know you can.

Learn to study smarter! I was a pretty good student, I made mostly B's and some A's. However, I could have performed significantly better if I learned to study smarter and apply myself. My first semester's GPA fell a bit below 2.5, and it was the result of being overly confident in my study habits, which wasn't a very good studying routine. Looking back on that, I realize I could have spent more time focusing on subjects I struggled with (primarily math) rather than watch netflix for an extra few hours. That being said, in addition to studying smarter, learn to work better with others! It's a huge trait that is critical in the business world.

If I was given the opportunity to go back in time, I would definitely give my high school self a big scolding. At that time, I was lost in all the minutia of the high school atmosphere. I could attempt to tell my high school self to be more mature and ignore all the teenage drama. But what would that do telling an immature teen such a thing? Instead, I would like to take a more practical approach. Looking at my life now, I know that it would have been beneficial to have started planning earlier; during my last years of high school. I would convince my high school self not to wait until my first year in college to start making that difference. I would choose to focus on my school work and grasping for any new opportunities for knowledge that came my way. Instead of spending long hours working, I would suggest doing such things as studying to receive better SAT scores, rather than attending football games. Though I have been able to make great successes thus far in my college career, it would have been handier to have prepared myself for the workload and expectations.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself that everything is going to be ok when you go away to college. The three hours from home may seem very far away at first but you mangage. I'd also let myself know that people will be much more accepting at college. People are here to improve on their studies, as well as, improve on themeselves. I'd reassure myself by showing the senior me a picture of all the friends I've made, as I'm sure there will still be many more to be made! I think by letting the senior me know that everything goes well in making the transistion, I will feel much more relaxed. I had a lot of anxiety prior to making the transistion, when in the end it seemed to be for unimportant reasons.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself very little advise. I believe learning and experiencing things on my own teaches me more than if someone had told me in advance. Not knowing what to expect before college except that it was alot harder than highschool gave me a great mind set. I had no idea what new things were going to be thrown at me, and thats what made everything so exciting. However, I would tell myself to not be so shy at orientation because that is when everyone first starts to get to know eachother. It is important to be yourself and be friendly to everyone that makes the effort to talk to you because they might end up being your bestfriend. Other than that, I would give myself no other advise. I am very happy with the way things have been going so far, and I cannot wait untill the future years of adventure to come.

I would tell myself to relax the change is good and an important change that needed to be made. I would have reminded myself of all the things that are important to have such as tennis shoes and an umbrella and would have not left them at home. I would have also told myself to apply for more scholarships because whatever you do is not enough. You can always fill out more applications.

Don't worry, it's all going to work out! There's going to be ups and downs, but remember whats important. God's going to grab onto you, and He's not gonna let go. I know how you're feeling. Insecure and helpless and confused, without hope. But don't take everything you hear as truth, seek after the Truth with all you've got, as if your life depends on it, because it does. You've been looking for the perfect circumstances to find happiness, and you'll never stop looking because you'll never find it, you'll never be satisfied with this world, because you weren't created to be. Look at the facts, don't be intimidated by the philosophies of this world, you're surrounded by the evidence for God. Stop chasing after something that's going to pass away, and look for something eternal, whether or not He fits your preferred reality, because Truth's more powerful than your ever-changing dead fantasy. Don't forget about eternity, because you're not guaranteed tomorrow. Work hard, do your best, cry out for God until you find Him, you won't regret it.

Get a job, you lazy hippy!

If I could back and give myself some knowledge about college life I would tell myself not to be afraid, to take the interesting classes, but to also find out what is required to transfer to a 4 year college. I would tell myself to take more volenteering oppertunities and find things that interest me, and pursue that path and see where it might lead. I would tell meself to look into finding scholarships, and ways to avoid taking out loans, to find the money because I know it is out there its just a matter of finding it! I would tell myself to travel and experience new places even study abroad, there are plenty of places to see. I would say even when times get hard or you don't like a class or a professor, to try your hardest, go to office hours, and make the best of the sitution. I would say never give up on your hopes and dreams of getting a degree and finding that something you are passionate about!

College is a lot different than high school. The transition to dorm life and classes isn't going to be the easiest. The best advice that I could give is that it is going to be okay. Get to know the people on your floor and in your classes. And also, study hard. Go to class because it is easier to get better grades and understand whats going on. You might not make friends right away but be patient, they will come. Learning to be independent was one of the hardest things that I had to learn and that is also a very important thing to learn right away. You need to learn how to depend on yourself and keep yourself healthy and on track. Another thing is learning how to budget. You will have a lot of expensive tuition bills to pay. You can't just go out and buy a bunch of clothes and things that you don't need. You have to save your money. Another thing is time management. You now make all of the decisions. Make time to study and do your work and also make time with friends. It will all work out.

College is an exciting and liberating experience. Acting as a pathway into adulthood, college can also be confusing and challenging. Knowing what I know now about college life and the transition that accompanies it, the advice I would give myself would be: have a plan B. As a freshman at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, my plan was to follow the family footsteps, get on the pre-dentistry track, and major in Biology. It was all going according to plan until the end of my freshman year when I realized that I had not once questioned whether I saw myself in this career. I came to find, through the help of career services and independent research, that the answer was no. I had simply conformed to the expectations of my family without consideration of my interests. It was a tumultuous and chaotic time—a time of complete uncertainty without any sense of direction. I had no plan B. I could have avoided considerable stress had I known that it's okay to have a plan B—that's what this time is for. Find yourself in college—find what you love, and everything else will fall into place.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are a few tip I would give in regard to the transition into college. First, I would say to relax. I was worried about how everything would work out but that's not what I should've spent my time doing. Everyone is in the same situation that you are in so there's no reason to be worried you'll do something wrong. Second, I would have told myself to forget everything about high school cliques because they don't really exist in college. You might have a specific group of friends to spend most of your time with, but in college, you have the opportunity to start over and meet people you never would've talked to before. Finally, I would've told myself that in general, I should be open minded about the entire college experience. There are endless opportunities in college that should be taken advantage of, no matter what your interests are. Open mindedness is the key to success in college and in life, and I wish I could go back and tell myself that.

Try hard to make friends right away because it only gets more difficult as time passes. Also, be ready to network. I know that sounds scary, but talk to your professors and join organizations. As a psychology major, it will be extremely important for you to be involved.

From my perspective, two of the most important things to know in college is time management and financial budgeting. No matter how hard the classes were or how many extracurricular activities I had, I would still want to go back and tell myself to pick up a job so that I can at least learn to start earning money. Because when you start working and earning the pay for your work, only then do you realize the important value of money, and you will learn not to use it recklessly. I would also go back to tell myself to learn to get into a routine in order for it become a habit so I would not have such a hard time adjusting my play time versus my work time. Time management is critical in college, it is important to be social and make connections, but it is also important to study hard and stay on top of your academics since it will be one of the criteria potential employers will look at. So I would telly my past self to get into a routine of homework first, then play afterwards.

Dear Felicia, As a high school senior, you probably have a lot on your plate. Let me tell you something that will take a bit of your load off: space out all of your tasks from most important to least important. I assure you, this will help because we both know that if there is no set agenda then at the end you will feel way too pressured. My most important advice to tell you once you go into your first week of college is: get started on your homework and studying for future exams. You will not regret this!

It's funny how often we dwell on the past--despite our knowledge of the impossibility of returning. I think that's what makes us the most human. If we didn't regret, we could never grow. It's a part of evolution. It's necessary to cringe in hindsight. So knowing what I know now, what would I change? Well, my life has been filled with unimaginable blessings of freedom, opportunity, and expression; I have found such joy at college that I never saw coming when I was in high school. It's so easy to become caught up in the politics of high school and the incessent, gnawing need to be liked and accepted. But looking back, I laugh, becuase what was so gall darn important that I hid my inner light in order to be "normalized?" I wish I had tried out for the drama club and quit volleyball sooner since it didn't make me happy. I wish I had not done my homework and instead went out teepeeing houses. I wish I had smiled more. I wish I hadn't been so safe. I wish I could've allowed myself to be vulnerable.

The biggest thing that I would stress would be that you have to make an effort if you want to meet people and become friends with them. You are not sitting in classes with the same people all day, so it is much more difficult to "accidentally" make friends. Instead, you have to make sure you attend events that interest you and talk to people there. You have to leave your dorm room door open and be willing to put down your homework for a few minutes to talk to someone and make a connection. Most importantly, try hard to remember people's names - it makes a difference in how they remember you! The other thing that I would tell myself would relate to practicum experiences. These experiences in the classrooms of schools nearby are what help you in your future career and could help you get your foot in the door for a future employer. They are not just a requirement for a class you are currently taking, but rather a tool that will help in your future career. Take advantage of every moment and all of the skilled professionals you are able to work with.

The advice I would give myself I could go back in time would be not to take anything for granite. It may not hit you right away, but it has now. If I could go back I would take school more seriously instead of athletics because I feel that's what my high school was all about. I wish I would have been more involved and informed about financial aid and scholorships. The only advice I could have gave myself was simply to strive and believe on what I wanted to do at the time. The advice for the past doesn't make a difference now. I am in the present and not the past. Therefore, I will not dwell on the past, but simply move forward.

I am now a second semester college student and it’s hard to believe so much time has passed. I was really scared to leave home and go to college because I had never been away from home for so long and I didn’t know anyone else at school. If I could go back and give myself advice before I went to college I would have told myself that it’s okay to try new things, even if you don’t know anyone else doing it. I was really worried about not making friends and fitting into the right group, so I made sure to click with friends as soon as I could. I missed out on a lot during orientation week because I spend so much time only focusing on that one group of friends. I wish I would have explored other options and connected with more people because the friends I have now only like to drink on the weekends. That isn’t always fun for me and I always get dragged along with them. So, if I could go back I would tell myself to branch out more and not be afraid to try new things.

Wow. Advice wise, I would say prepare for the workload. It really isnt hard, but there is a TON. And once you meet friends, join clubs, and get a job, you tend to shy away from all the work. But stay dedicated. Also you dont need to feel pressure to drink, people will accept you the way you are. Also, the best time to make friends is literally within the first day, so DO NOT BE SHY. After that, it really is hard to make friends, so if you are a quiet person, really open up those first few days. Utilize all of the different things on campus, such as the financail aid office and the career services, they really want to help. Finally, go to office hours for your professor, you never know what might come from it.

Going back I would explain to myself how important your GPA really is and how easy it is to mess it up. Also how it is even harder to repair it! I would also tell myself to take the time to figure out during my senior year what I would like to pursue as a career. I am thrilled with my decision to go back to school at 27, but looking back it would have been great to have figured it out back then. I would have graduated and been in my choice career by now. Better late than never though! I also would have told myself that school really is worth it, and it can be one of the most exciting, fullfiling things a person can do with their life.

If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself to focus more and to be prepared to grow up fast. In college, you are in an environment where the instructors work with people of different ages and backgrounds. Their teaching styles are very different from the styles that you have witnessed in high school. They expect more out of you than the teachers in high school. Most of the time, you will have to teach yourself outside of the classroom. You will need to be able to focus more in order to pass all the classes and in order to meet the standards that are set at the college level. College will be a new change in your life. You are going to have to grow up quickly once you step foot on that college campus. You will be around people who differ from you. You have to work with people who have different viewpoints than you and you will have to be able to accept it and move on. College is a new world outside of high school. You will have to change and make sure that you can keep up with the change.

I would tell myself, “I know you think you’re not quite ready to move out and go to a “big” university, but I think you’d be able to handle it just fine. It’s not extremely different from home life as you think. I also realize that you’re still unsure of what to study, but that’s okay; you can get started on your generals, while taking a variety of classes to see if any spark an interest. Just remember, don’t simply go for the easy classes; keep taking classes that challenge you as you are now. Also, realize that some classes satisfy more than one degree goal, so check into those that interest you instead of taking the “obvious” classes. And don’t be afraid to change your major; follow your heart! There are plenty of schools out there that will surely fit you and have everything you want and need, so do some more research; ask the counselor for help coming up with a list of schools to visit that meet your requirements. Lastly, remember to get involved in something, and don’t stress too much about your grades, you’ll do just fine!”

First off, I have never been very well personally organized. The main thing I would tell myself is to reconsider how I organized my studies, homework, and time. I spent a little too much time having fun and not enough focusing on the grades i truly wanted to achieve. This only occurred during my senior year as well. Next I would have alerted myself to pay more attention to ACT deadlines, as I applied a tad late, but still was able to take the test. I tended to focus more on the day to day activities rather than the large picture for college requirements, since I wasn't really sure where I was headed in my future. Third, I would have told myself to participate in more community service and join more clubs. Yes, I did participate in my community as a volunteer as an assistant Spanish teacher and community tables, and yes I was part of organizations such as my school's Spanish club, Psychology club, Political Science club, and National Honor Society, but I personally could have put myself out there a little more. Finally, I just need to be me. College is tons of fun!

I would advise to allows keep track of my money and try and be open to new ideas and how people interact. It is scary to be in a new setting but it will be the best experience. People are different and think differently than others so being more open-minded would have helped more. I would say that money goes quick and keeping an eye on it is necessary. I would say to be sure and focus in school and make new friends but don't get involved in anyone's drama because that will only bring me down and cause more stress in life. If I would have taken that advice, I would not have been so stressed out about how others thought of me and take on problems that weren't even my own. I would say just focus and have fun because the classes will only get harder and this is an experience that only happens once.