University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Top Questions

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

Caitlin

If I could go back in time I would give myself a lot of advice. The first thing would have to be that in college your grades are not supported by homework and quiz points. Most professors don't give out homework, extra quizzes, or even end of the year term papers. Your grade in the class is just based on your exams you take and in some classes you only take 3, so if you do bad on one there is no way you can get your grade up. I would tell myself this so I would learn ahead of time to get better study skills and prepare for exams better. Another thing I would tell myself is the importance of scheduling out your day. It doesn't take long in college before it is midnight and you just got done with homework. If you learn in high school how to prioritize your day you could get to bed much earlier and be well rested for the next day.

Kate

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, the first thing I would say is congratulations on your hard work and determination. Being the first of my family to attend college put a lot of pressure on me, causing me endless stress and initial discomfort. I would tell myself that the struggles I spent sleepless nights thinking about all worked out and made me a better person, because they allowed me to learn proper time management, study skills, and leadership components that helped me gain acceptance into the rigorous, highly-competitive Oshkosh nursing program. Most importantly, I would tell myself to lighten up a bit and take the time to join an organization or volunteer just for fun, because those will be the things I look back at after college and remember the most. All in all, the best advice I could go back and give myself would be to keep my head high so I can overcome the struggles that are testing my goals, and that these struggles need to be endured at my highest capability because they have put me exactly where I want to be in my life.

Carolyn

Don't worry so much. In high school I had a lot of anxiety about the transition to college. I was very worried about moving away from the place that I had lived my whole life. I was afraid that I'd feel like I didn't belong here. I would want to tell myself not to worry about it. I love it in college now. I love everything about the college experience and I wish I would have known that in the year before I left for college. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have been able to enjoy my summer more. Also, the process of moving wouldn't have been so scary. It would have been more exciting.

Allison

College is the place where I started to find out who I really was, but when I first arrived, I had no idea what I wanted to do or who I was trying to become. I was lost on a campus of thousands of students. Change is hard, but there are things that I could have done to ease my transition. If I could go back, I would tell myself to go to some meetings - even if I didn't end up joining, at least I would have broadened my horizons and tried something new. Getting involved in activities around campus is also a great way to become a part of your school. It is a great way to meet friends, and it looks good to prospective employers after graduation. I would also tell myself to take advantage of all the educational assistance that is available: go see a tutor, talk to my professor, and get together with classmates. I would have made my first year much easier if I would have dropped my guard and admitted that I needed help. College is a different academic environment than high school, and needing help is normal. Don't be afraid!

Lyda

Always make sure to keep your old papers and speeches; you can look back to them as a reference when you're a college student. Get involved in as many clubs as you can while you're still a high school student and have fun. In college there isn't as much free time so enjoy having fun while you still can. Also, make sure to volunteer often so that you could put that down on your resume and qualify for scholarships. Get you study skills to develop because college needs good quality study skills. Although high school teachers are always preparing you for college, it actually isn't that hard (so far). Slack off while you still can in high school because slacking off in college is not a good idea.

Michael

Focus. Concentrate on your studies and focus on education. College isn't free so get good grades so you can qualify for scholarships instead of paying for your tuition by yourself. I know everything like football, friends, and girlfriends, seems like a big deal right now in high school but a year from now none of that matters. All that matters is getting a college education and finding a way to pay for it. So wake up and focus.

whitney

If I coul go back in time at some point in High School I would choose the beginning of my freshmen year. I would choose the beginning of my freshmen year because I would have told myself to try harder because the first semester of high school will efffect my GPA in a big way. Also I would go back in time to the beginning of my freshmen year because that is when I started working. I would tell myself to spend my money wisely and save as much as I can because when your in college your parents aren't there to help you out and money is always tight. Also all seniors in high school are so excited to leave and go to college I would tell them and myself not to wish time away cause once its gone youll want it back. I would tell myself not to be so nervous on the first couple nights in college and that everything will get better. Also branch out when you arrive at college it makes everything a lot easier.

Kayla

The advice I would give myself is to be outgoing! Go out and meet new people and make new connections in the world. There is no reason for someone to be shy, you should just be yourself. Yes, people will always judge you about something, but who cares. As long as you aren't causing harm to yourself or others... you should do what you want to with your life. Take into considerations people's opinions but DO NOT have their opinion make up your mind about something. You are in control of your own life.

Nicole

Looking back on my high school-self, I would definitely inform myself of the various challenges there are in the "real world", I would remind myself that love will get you nowhere and to focus on school. I would also inform my past self how important maintaining finances are, to not spend foolishly. Focus as best as you can in school, do not take your family for granted and never chose a relationship over what's truly best for you. Basically, do not try and grow up too fast, there will be plenty of time for outside things once you are done with school, do things that make you happy and never conform to what anyone else wants you to do. You are your own person and no one can take that away from you unless you allow them to. Be proud of who you are and maintain a healthy lifestlye. Above all, I would tell my past self to not give up on basketball, to keep playing throughout community college because it could ultimately lead you to great things in the future.

Nicole

I would tell myself to not spend so much and save money because you tend to buy more things that you need since you are not living at home with mom and dad. Also to go to college single, its better than cheating and regretting later. I would also tell myself to practice on study skills! Since they are valuble for exams. Another thing would be to make sure that Financial aid gets in early!

Samantha

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice I would say that college is not near as scary as it seems. I would try to push myself into going to a 4-year school, instead of a two year one just because my high school self wasn't ready to leave home. But if she decides to stay anyways, I would tell her that the journey ahead of her will be unforgettable. The campus might seem big and confusing, but in a few weeks you'll know it like the back of your hand. I'd tell myself to get your basics done first and watch out for those tempting art classes, they can really slow you down! Don't rely on your friends to take classes with you, take what you need regardless of who will be there with you, because you're there for yourself and no one else. I would say to myself that I know you think these times are good, but the ones ahead are so much better, and I know you have what it takes to survive, excel and make it at a university.

Kathleen

If I could go back in time, I would have better prepared overall for college. I should have taken more AP classes and college level classes while I was in high school. This would have not only saved me money, but also time. I also would have told myself to better learn time management while I could still have the support of living at home. This would have allowed me to better balance academics, work, and free time to do laundry. In high school I was very actively involved in many extra curricular activities and I wish I would have known more about what clubs and groups were available in college from early on. I am very happy with my choice of school, they helped me a lot with having activities and study groups available to assist my success.

Nicole

I absolutely loved my senior year in high school. I was the class president and very involved with soccer and volleyball and volunteering for the community. The one thing I would change to prepare me for this college experience would have to be learning how to study for an exam and prioritize my time to get everything done in a short amount of time. I always had exams in high school but I did not take the time I should have since I seemed to go well on them. Once I took my first exam in college it was a bit of a shock and I would have loved to be more prepared and more experienced with that aspect of school. I would also give myself the advice to be open to meeting as many new friends as possible by getting involved with fun activities on campus such as magicians and game nights. Friends can be made and kept for a lifetime, and be a great support throughout college.

Ashley

Get involved right away. You will meet so many great people that you will be happy to be around. These friends can be life long. Join a sorority. Do not be shy, people will like you for who you are.

chinemelum

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I necessarily won't have done anything different. I was mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared for college. I always loved who I was in high school, and I still love who I have become in college. I'm more mature right now compared to my high school days, but it doesn't really mean that I wish I was this mature in high school. As we grow, we learn and our experiences shape who we eventually become, and I love who I have become.

Amanda

College is going to be the time of your life. Your going to make life long friendships, meet great people, have one in a chance lifetime experiences, make a name for yourself, and impact the lives of others. Don't just brush it off even though the movies glamourize it...its hardwork! But in the end its going to be worth evey penny and second of the day! Don't forget to get involved, it looks great on a resume and gives you a break from studying. Get your voice heard! Every little thing you do can be a big leap for others. At the end of every day, feel worthy, accpeted, and accomplished with your self cause your just one step closer to graduation day. Always remember that your not alone and there are people just you going through the same thing!

Jessica

Stop buying so much fast food and new clothes! You need that money to be able to pay off the couple thousand dollars you still owe! Go to work early and work late, I don't care if you want to take a nap, get off your butt and milk those cows. No, you don't need that mountain dew everyday, just drink the well water. The cows don't care what you look like, hurry up and get to work on time! Finding a job is harder than you think, you better love that you always have this to fall back on. Sure, you don't get paid as much as you want, but it is better than nothing, right? Stop arguing with Dad, he knows what is best.

Jamie

Don't procrastinate! Don't think that you will always have time later on. I wish I would of went straight for my Bachelors instead of first doing my Associate's. Most important - concentrate on you academics NOT your social life! I fell pregnant at the age of 16 and it really slowed down my college education life. I cannot just drop everything and study - I have kids. Don't be stubborn - take others' advice in regards to the importance of higher education. Don't wait until the last minute to sign up for classes. Don't accept a loan unless you know exactly what it will entail years later and how repayment works. Don't overdo it either - only take what is absolutely needed!

Rochelle

Rochelle, listen to what I'm about to say. You're in the 12th grade now and it's time for you to start thinking about your future. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I know you think you have a lot of time, but time waits for no one young lady. You need to start looking into career choices. Do some research on different colleges to find out about their programs and what they have to offer. I know you've been in school for 12 years, but that was just to prepare you for the real world. How are you going to take care of yourself? You need to get out there and find your own way in life. Getting a degree will help provide all that for you. I know college is expensive, but there are a lot of scholarships you can apply for and most schools have financial aid for students who qualify. So don't let that stop you from going to college. Knowledge is power and power is what you'll need to make it in this life. Don't waste time cause 30 years will come and go just like that.

Danielle

If I were given the opportunity to go back and give myself advice as a senior, I would remind myself to slow down. College comes fast, and it goes fast. Through high school I was in such a rush to get it over with, and now I realized I missed out on some times I will not get back because of wanting to just be done with school. Also, I would have told myself that things will happen, good or bad, but its how I handle them that will determine the kind of person I am. Basically my advice would be to slow down and breathe. We are given one life with no redos; I wish i would have realized this while going through high school.

Amy

Dear high school self, Relax! Breathe! Everything will be okay! You don't need to be doing homework 24/7, you need to allow yourself some you time. There is no point in getting worked up and getting stressed out, that doesn't do you any good, it just makes things worse. You need to believe in yourself. Have confidence in yourself and stop beating yourself up. No one is perfect and that is perfectly OKAY! You are truly an amazing person and you need to recognize that and be able to look in the mirror and tell yourself that. You were the lead role in the Nutcracker Ballet and you still did not think you were good enough. How? Why? If you were not good enough you wouldn't have gotten that role, but you did! You need to not be so hard on yourself because once college comes around, you will only beat yourself up more. Confidence. Remember that word, and remember to relax, and breathe. I am not lying to you when I say, everything will truly be okay.

Meagan

I would tell myself to study harder and get better grades.

Kenneth

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self in high school, I would tell him to make sure that you feel out as many scholarships as you can. You never know when you might need them. Also don't clown around when it comes to studying and getting a tutor. Forget your pide and get your butt to a tutoring center and don't waist time when you're studying. Take every moment that you can to study. It will be helpful in the long run. Make sure you get to know the upper classmen and your professors also. Knowing your professors may just help you when it comes to grades at the end of the semester. Get known on campus in the most positive way possible. Make sure to talk to people in your admissions office. They can be a bigger help then you think. Always remember, it's not always WHAT you know, it's WHO you know.

Emerald

Be prepared to drive a lot -- contrary to what you think, you will miss your family. Otherwise, I really don't want to tell you too much because, where I see the mistakes we made, they made me into the person I love to be today. So, that being said, go give 'em hell, kid. See you in a couple years. :)

Caitlin

I would tell myself not to worry so much about how I was in high school. When you go to college, you are able to be a completely new person, and try on new "hats". It has been a great experience meeting new people and finding out who I truly am. Although college will be a little overwhelming at first, don't worry. There is not as much pressure to drink as you thought there would be, and college is nothing like what you see on tv.

Dylan

Stick with it, and be prepared for a lot of changes. Also make sure to become involved with campus as much as possible because that is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.

Stacy

College is not only about fun and games, but it's about trying to figure out what you want to really become in life. The opportunities that you get in college is only once, so we need to think criticually inorder to get what you deserve. It's about making life long friends that would help you get through college and support your ideas of bettering your education. Study hard and focus on what you really want to become so you wont fall behind. There are always help around the schooling that you can go and find to study. Teachers and mainly your best friends because they know what is best for you in the classroom and what to do inorder to better your grades. But also remember to set time for yourself to study and explore the world differently than as you were a child. You are still growing, but we are growing in a different world where our ideas matter.

Marybeth

Hey you! Ya you.....Okay we need to have a little chat about college life. The transition is hard, but do ot be afraid of it...fear will only make things worse. Have confidence and be open to making as many friends as you want. You can be anyone you want to be in college, but please remember to still be your self. What I mean by this is you need to still have your morals and expectations, by not sacrificing you. College is the time where you are going to discover who your true friends are, so be prepared and do not be devestated if things change. Change is inevitable, but progress is choice. Remember that!!

Tabitha

My freshman year in college I was shy and uninvolved. I also did not take advisors advice as I should have. If I could go back in high school and tell myself some advice I would tell myself to study hard and be involved! Getting involved is one of the greatest things you can do to adjust to a college setting. I would also tell myself to have faith because everything will be okay and to follow my heart because it has led me where I am today. Today, I am a happy, successful student.

Leah

Woosh! Wind zooms by my face and I find myself staring into the eyes of a younger, less mature me. I have only five minutes to advise the high school version of myself all about college. What do I say? What have I learned? Then, it hit me. I thought back to my valedictorian speech. I remember stressing to “always follow your dreams” and “never give up.” In the few minutes I had left, I conversed with my younger self on what one should know for transitioning into college. I told myself that it’s true that one shouldn’t give up on their dreams, but it’s also true that a your whole life doesn’t need to be all planned out, like so many high schoolers think. You should know your strengths and use them to your advantage to find a career that best fits you. “You,” I said. Not your parents, not your guidance counselor, and not your boyfriend. You and only you. I also advised myself that if you pursue a career only for money, you won’t be happy. You must choose a career that you love and can’t wait to learn more about.

Danielle

If I could go back in time I would tell myself as a high school senior to apply to college as soon as possible, don't procrastinate with anything, and to get my financial aid taken care of right away. College is a fun and new experience that you will love and is not like high school at all. You get to choose your classes and the time you would like to go. Plan out your classes wisely and make sure you can handle all of them. Don't plan your classes to be around one of your friend's schedule or to be in the same class, especially if its one you don't need. And to just listen to your instincts and don't get discouraged about anything or anyone.

Angela

All you need to do is get through high school. Once you get that done, your life can truly begin. It can be so easy to get caught up in high school politics, but it is a complete waste of time. After you graduate, and you don't have to see these people again, you are going to regret having spent so much time worrying about what other people thought. When you get to college you will be immersed into such vast diversity, you'll be forced to realize how secluded from the world you were in high school. Just pass high school with decent grades and get accepted into a good college, because that is when your grades really start to matter and you should strive to achieve excellence. Be the mature, knowledgeable, moral, and ethical person that you are and don't let anyone tempt you into being someone that you aren't. Being yourself is so liberating, especially once you realize that there are people that want to be your true friends. People who care about you, want you to succeed, and love the real you. Forego prejudices and go forth to college with an open mind.

Zachary

It only became clear to me once I started college that life is short and time is wasted. Everyone has heard those two overtly cliche lines before, but for some reason they didn't stick until well into my college career. As "life is short" and "time is wasted" remain ambigous I would then elaborate to my high school self some practical points he could rest his mind on. One, I would tell him to not worry so much about girls. They are expensive and unless you are getting married all they do is distract you and rob you of your time and money. If you focus on the right things, a good one will come after you. Two, study abroad and a take it seriously. The experience from my trip to Spain is invaluable. Three, rest well, work well, and play well should be the motto of your life. Too many times have I overemphasized one and deemphasized another. Finding a balance in those three areas of life will lay a foundation of success no other maxim will. Lastly, don't take yourself too seriously...It's just life...live it.

Michelle

Go to college! Do not take for granted the opportunity to learn. So much in life depends on your level of education. Enjoy your college years but also do not take them for granted. Work hard and remember that anything is possible if you work hard enough. Make your mark with determination and relentlessly pursue your goals. This is the prime time in your life with an opportunity that lies in front of you for you to be anything and everything that you can dream of being....IF you don't take it for granted and choose to work hard for it. Go to college, have fun, make memories, and most of all create a legacy that you will be proud to pass on to the next generation. A legacy that begins now with the things you will learn and do in your college career. Time goes fast, enjoy every moment!

Sam

There would be two main things I would tell myself if I could go back in time to when I was a senior in high school. The first would be to not stay in your room and get outside to meet people. Your experience will be so much better once you turn off the television, go to the next room over, and introduce yourself. For the first two month at school, I stayed in my dark, small room like a vampire. It wasn't until I got out and played a ping pong game with the neighbor that my social life at college really began. Now I can say that because of getting out of the room, I am real socialite, having plans every single weekend. The second thing I would tell myself is to keep doing what you're doing academically. I have always been exceptional academically, but my dedication toward it dropped once I got into college and other responsibilities disappeared. I know now that even though you don't have to read those chapters every night, doing so will go a long way toward your success in the class and in the school itself.

Rachel

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stay focused and go to class everyday. I'd make sure to tell myself it's not going to be easy, but it's never going to be the end of the world either. I'll get a bad grade or 2, but it's nothing to cry about or stress over. Some weeks will feel like they go on forever and that you have a never ending pile of work to do, but in the end it's all worth it when you can say, "I did it". Homework should never be put off until the last minute; spend enough time on a single assignment so you know for a fact there is nothing more you can do to it. I'd tell myself to have fun but make sure this education I'm paying doesn't go to waste.

Philip

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to plan better and to prioritize my career and studies ahead of having fun and hanging out with friends. I have found myself having a hard time figuring out the best way to fit when to study for which classes as there is much more responsibility of planning in college than there was in high school and I wish that I had started getting into the habit of planning before I graduated. I also wasted a lot of time doing "fun" things and hanging out with friends and now I wish I had spent that time getting extra things done that would have been beneficial for my future (e.g. improving my resume, working more, networking, etc.). I think that if I had done these two things, I would be in a much better place than I am now.

Elizett

If I could go back in time as a senior, and knowing what college would be like I would definitely change a few things. Some things I wish I knew is to take advance placement courses. That being said I would have already skipped a few classes I don't need. Another thing I would say to myself is to just focus and take it day by day and not stress out. In high school I taught college would be very different, but now that I have completed a full year, I learned that college is not as bad as I taught it was going to be. The only things that is different and obvious is that college is more more meaning more homework. I believe that would be the best advice I would give myself about the whole college experience.

Andrew

The first thing I would have done is change the classes I took. I would have went ahead and took the college class in high school I was going to take but didn't. Then I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. I applied for one UWO scholorship for chancellor's acedemic excellence and won. I would also tell myself to join flag football right away. I missed out on flag football for the fall and am really wishing I would have participated. Lastly I would just congratulate myself for taking challenging and rigorous classes in high school, and reasure myself that these classes in highschool would make college way easier.

Jaci

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior before I went to college I would tell myself, "Don't worry". When I was a senior I was worried about everything with school from classes, to friends, and many other things. After my first semester though, I would go back and tell myself not to worry. One thing that scared me was college classes compared to high school. Yes the class are harder in college, but they are not unmanageable at all. If one is willing to sit down and get the work done then one can handle it, procrastinating does not help at all. My other really big worry was making as good of friends as I had in high school. I learned very quickly that I didn't have to worry about that. I got involved right away in a Christian organization called CRU; I found my best friends there. Yes it took a month or two to find them, but once I found then I knew they would be friends for life. Those were my two biggest worries that I would tell myself don't worry about, but also to not worry about anything.

Adrian

My advice to my high school senior self would be simple: school matters more than you think. Having to deal with the requirements of college life, I have found, to be much more rewarding than working in numerous go-no-where deadend jobs. Sure there were moments of being "independent" that were amazing, but in general, the time spent in those things turned out to be fruitless. Actually, I would smack my high school self, proceed to tell him about the road of uncertainity he's about to embark on, and stress that while things seem meaningless now, the life you want will require effort and all those things teachers told you actually mean something.

Samantha

Just like every other high school senior, I slacked off. Most seniors take easy classes for their last semester and just have fun. If I were able to go back in time and give myself advice, I would have told myself not to take those easy classes. By not keeping up with my normal study habits the semester before leaving for college, I lost some study skills and homework procedures. I believe that if I would have kept up with the classes that were up to my academic lever, I would have been more successful in my first semester of college. When it came time for those first semester exams in college, I was a little bit shocked at the amount of studying and time that I had to put into the class outside of lecture. It was definitely a good wake up call though because in the test scores following those, I showed great improvement.

Nathaniel

I would tell myself not to stress about it as much as I did. I think a large factor in my late graduation from highschool was due to an overwhelming of stress. I have learned that one of the most valuable skills you can have is the ability to control that stress.

Chelsea

College is meant for getting an education, not partying. Trust me, staying in and studying WILL pay off. Whether you studied in high school or not, you WILL need to study in college. Surround yourself with people as ambitious as you, because people who aren’t as determined will only drag you down. Everyone learns differently, so find the way that best suits you and use it to your advantage. Do NOT compare yourself to others. You are your own person. Dress how you want to dress and be who you want to be. This is the time to either enhance yourself or make changes for the better. Focus on being healthy, not necessarily skinny. Open yourself to new relationships. You will meet people who will become lifelong friends. You will learn a lot from them. Not only about yourself but also about life in general. They will help you through the hard times and be a major part your best memories. They are your true friends. “Be yourself” is the biggest cliché, but it’s one you should to listen to. Above all, respect yourself, do your best and focus on the big picture. College is just the beginning.

Becky

Hey Becky, You're finally done with High school. What is your next step? If college is your next step, college is nothing like high school. Don't procastinate!!! Ask for help when you need it! Don't be afraid to ask your professors, friends, advisors etc. becasue they are more than willing to help you out! Sometimes they're just waiting for you to go to them to ask questions! Get involved in sports, activities, volunteer, organizations. It will look good on your resume. Aslo learn how to manage your time wisely! Learn to workout your schedule between classes, studying, work, and free time. You don't have to know what you want to major in right away, so try/take some new classees, maybe you'll come to like it. And when you know what you want, stay focused and study hard. Some people don't even get the opportunity to go to college, so embrace the education your getting. Be strong and smart about the choices you make.

Ashley

Hi Ashley, You're a high school senior and you know you want to go college so be prepared. Don't procrastinate on applying for colleges and getting all the paper work done for financial aid. College isn't like high school. Learn how to manage your time well. Manage your time between homework and friends. If you don't understand something don't be afraid to go ask your professors, they're more than happy to help and if there are tutors/study sessions, go to them. Use the resouces around you. Join different clubs or go to events held on campus and meet new people. Don't be afraid to try new things. This is the time to get out of your comfort zone, find you who are and what you want to be. But most importantly, remember why you are there. You are there to get an education, to learn, grow and have a bright furture. So don't let anyone or anything discourage or bring you down. You are a smart young woman and you can do it.

Natalie

I would like to tell my past-self that going to college so your family is proud of you is not a good enough reason. Also, college is not an escape route from the pain of your mother’s death. I understand you are trying to work so hard to avoid having enough free time to feel the sadness, hurt, loneliness, and even anger. You have to know what you really want to do with the rest of your life; something you have wanted to do since you were young. I know you have talked to your counselor about American Sign Language Interpreting as a major and the community colleges that offer it. I would suggest you take that opportunity, it is a wonderful major but it does take some work. College is not like high school where skating by works well enough to get a passing grade, you actually have to do the reading and the homework. I hope that as soon as you start college hit the ground running, know the classes you will need and talk to a counselor regularly. Also, I would highly recommend forming a study group with other sign students, make friends at college.

Denys

I truly wish that I could go back in time and give my high school self just a few words of advice. I would start by telling myself to spend as much time with my family and friends as possible and don't take any of those moments for granted. However, I would advice myself to not get too connected to one specific person. Having such strong ties to one person makes leaving for college even harder and makes for many homesick nights. I would advice myself to reach out to as many people as possible within the first week of college and don't rely on your roommate to be your best friend. Be open to new experiences and don't judge activities or people to quickly.

Ella

The advice I would give myself is to always keep focused. Remeber to have fun but also be serious when it comes to school and academics. Its important to set goals and follow through. Always try new opportunities or you may miss out on a chance of a lifetime. You should research more about majors so they can have an alomost final major by their sophmore year. Although going to a new place is hard not knowing anyone, be a good judge of character and make good friends early on because it was always true what your parents told you that your friends affect how you act. We all make mistakes but don't make too many that could effect your entire life or at least give you a big reality check. I hope that you always stay true to yourself and to not change for others. Always remeber where you came from and remember to go to school for yourself not for anyone else becasue in the end you only did this for your own future and the future of your family. This was the best decision to go to college and form your own footsteps to success.

Shaena

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I'd give would be to SLOW DOWN and breathe. I'd explain that college is a great choice and a wonderful stepping stone to expanding ones knowledge and to gain more life experiences, but slow down as you encounter new ideas, concepts, and people and remember to take it all in. Enjoying college and embracing the moment is all part of the experience. I would emphasize on how important it is to take every class seriously, even if it's a general course that is unrelated to your major, because how hard you work in each class reflects who you are as a person. Last but not least, I would advise myself to not be afraid to ask questions. The only way one can learn and expand their wisdom is by asking thoughtful questions and getting them answered by an educated person. Be fearless in college and embrace the moments because you're creating your personage in the process!