Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

I would first tell myself to have plan. Specifically define my goals and write them down. Once you can clearly define what is you want to do, it makes it easier to prioritize the steps that are most important for accomplishing those goals. I would also tell myself to be prepared to have the discipline needed to complete those goals. Being disciplined gives you the focus to fight through the difficult times and the strength to resist the distractions that can deter you from accomplishing your goals. I woould tell myself to study and enhance my time and money management skills. Having the skills to properly budget your money and time is a crucial part of every student’s academic success while attending college and will be a great asset for the rest of your life. Lastly I would tell myself to make lots of acquaintances and enjoy the experience. Your future acquaintances will provide you with an opportunity to development long lasting friendships and maybe even romance. I would tell my younger self that my college years will be crucial for building the foundation for future success in life, therefore, it's important to have a plan.

Going back four years, I would change very little about the decisions I made and the dedication I had to learning. I made it, in the most American dream-realized way possible. I will be graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, in less than two months, with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering, with honors, magna cum laude, and plans to attend medical school in the fall. I have learned so much about the world, both in the academic sense and the worldly sense, since I came to VCU. If I were to talk to my high school senior self, I would not tell myself to study more for this test or change that decision. Every challenge I took on and mistakes I made have been a learning experience. It would not be the same if I tell myself what to do; learning is half the challenge and half my reaction. I choose not to live with regrets so I would tell myself to be fearless, keep trying new things and pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. There is no excitement and motivation in knowing what to expect, so go be yourself and learn for the sake of knowledge.

Do not, and I repeat do not stress yourself out so much! Throughout high school they make it seem like it is the end of the world if you don't make it into college or that it is so difficult to apply and pay for college. I've learned that the application process isn't as difficult as it seems if you only apply to a max of like five schools and that paying for college shouldn't even be on someones mind until much later in life because thats is what loans are for. I remember having a panic attack when I didn't get the grades I wanted but it was ok as I still got into college. So I would tell myself to breathe, it will all work out in the end!

I would tell myself that it's okay to relax sometimes. I was incredibly scared of getting bad grades and disappointing myself or others around me that I never took the time to get to know my classmates or even my suitemates. I never relaxed and went out with friends. I was constantly in libraries and study sessions working on my studies. I would tell myself that its not only okay to make time for social life but that its necessary. I would tell my highschool self that A's are still possible without the constant late nights at the library. I would tell my highschool myself that, as long as education never takes second place to any other thing, its okay to relax a little bit.

You're much stronger than you think. Remember to try and be positive. I mean, how cool is it that you get the chance to study what you love in a completely new place than you're used to? Pretty darn cool. So be EXCITED! There are lots of kids who don't have this opportunity. So grab it by the [ram] horns! Take advantage of every single thing. Scholarships. Mentorships. Clubs. Classes. Kindle your curiosity and let it grow. You have so much potential, and you CAN tackle living away from home. You can tckle thriving away from home, because that's exactly what you're going to do. This is your time to make connections with ideas and people that will influence the rest of your life. So hey. Be excited.

Don't buy the books new and wait until the first week of classes; its better to pay a little more to have it shipped faster than to waste $400 on a book you never even opened. Don't panic if it's not one time- the library has one. Get involved on campus in anything you can- this lets you meet people and gives you a varied friend population- the more people you know and are friends with the better things will be.

Consider completing prerequisits at a community college to save money. In the interest of saving money and time, do not commit to a major until you have "done your homework" and are sure it is the potential career choice for you. Seek a stable home away from home and strive to stay there most of if not all of your college career. Get involved in your school community. Take advanage of scholarships and grants early. Always remember to keep your stress level to a minimum and stay positive. Remember your life and your success is determined by you and will happen in your own time. Never settle for a degree, remember that you are preparing for the rest of your life. Have Fun and Be Safe!

I would tell myself to not worry about what others thought about me or how many friends I had. Focus on school and get good grades because after high school nothing else will matter. Most of the friends you have in high school will not be around afterwards. And people that you never talked to in high school will become good friends after high school. I'd also tell myself that guys don't matter. You aren't going to find the "one" in high school so stop trying so hard. And the number one piece of advice I'd give myself is to just be myself.

The high school senior version of me is someone I barely recognize now. If I could go back in time to talk to her, I'd ask her if she really liked horses as much as she thought she did. The biggest piece of advice I would give 18 year old me would be to sit down and consider the fact that a passion I've had since I was 8 years old could become a chore if I went to a school that was specifically known for their equestrian center. Especially if I was too intimidated by the competition to try out for the team. I'd also tell myself to focus more on the school aspect of school, not be so secretly shy, and to remember that the real reason I'm studying what I'm studying is to eventually becoma a real life Lorax.

First of all, realize that you are the only one who knows what you want. Don't be afraid to speak your mind, to follow your own path. Say what you think and don't apologize for it. Don't let anyone tell you that what you're doing isn't good enough, or isn't what is expected. Forge your own path, and if someone doesn't like it, leave them behind. You don't have to have all the answers now. Don't be afraid to fail or to change your mind. It's important to finish what you start, but don't let your past dictate the future. Every experience you have, whether good or bad, wrong decision or right, will form you into the person you were created to become. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger - it's an expression that proves true if you let it. Take advice from those closest to you, that's why they're there, but make your own decisions. When you don't have all the answers, and you never will, just do what you can with what's in front of you. The rest will unfold itself.

Dear high school Felicia, I know you are excited for your last year in high school and for graduation. The best part is that you will be moving on to college. You are going to have so much fun meeting new people and finding your own career path. You are very smart and multi-talented, so I want to make sure that is reflected throughout your college years. You will make friends and you will want to party, of course. I only have a few suggestions for you as you embark on your journey. It is perfectly fine to party and spend time with your friends, but just make sure you remember why you are there in the first place. Do not put school on the back burner and know when to turn down a good house party to study. Learn to balance school work and a social life and everything will be okay. Next, I would also like to advise you on learning how to properly study. Read ahead and do not cram in one night. Lastly, your professors should know your name and your face. This shows interest in the course and can lead to great recommendations.

Dear High School Senior Self, Don’t think for one second that with your schedule that you have loads of free time on your hands. First of all, you will need to pay attention in class, this isn’t like high school where you never listened to what your teachers said and still passed the classes. Don’t be afraid to communicate with others it’s probably for the best that you talk a lot in class because there are a lot of group discussions and class activities that require your involvement. Also please don’t raise your hand to speak up, I felt really stupid when I did that, you’re an adult now, it’s time to get out of that habit. If at any time you go back to your room after all your classes are done for day, instead of hopping on YouTube, think about any classes with homework you can get out of the way before you leave that room. It’ll serve you well in the long run. Just stay on top of your work and you will enjoy your first couple of months as a freshman in college.

I would tell myself that I already know what majors I want and that I should declare them during the first week of school. Then I would have been able to take Chinese earlier and I would not be so far behind in the language.

I am proud that you have pushed yourself in high school to get good grades, take honors, AP courses, extracurricular activities, & science and technology research program. I know you are concerned for what to do with college, what college you should choose and how in the world you are going to pay for it. But my senior self, before you worry about any of that I want you to first narrow down what you are passionate about. I want to step back from the school life for a second and take one year to discover your passion before commiting yourself to a school. During that one year period get a job, save money, take some art classes at a art center. Also during that time focus on gaining scholarships to apply to (with high school over you should now have the time to focus on them). Then in regards to what school you should choose there is no right or wrong answer. At DeVry you meet some amazing friends and mentors. At VCU you are challenge to new levels. In the end it all comes down to how passionate you are about your art and whatever craft. Also have fun.

Dear senior year past me, Senior year is a gift and both of us know that you won't be able to act the way you are acting next year. That is ok, just enjoy it while it lasts. Moving out of the house really was as great as you thought it would be, it turns out that absence truely does make the heart grow stronger because you will be in contact with your family more than you will ever have been in contact before. They just miss you and it will be nice to have warm voices to fall back on. Living in a dorm will reafferm the fact that you were not designed to live in close quarters with people. Your roommates behavior will swing between weird and normal and they will be both frustraghting and likable. Unfortunatly there is no good chinese food though. Your classes will make up for it. They will be so much fun. Don't be affraid to embrace the total nerd that you are. Don't worry about the future. It will all be ok, just focus on the present and enjoy because you will never be a high school senior again.

Chris, I'm you from the future; I have some advice for you about college life. First, shave your "beard". It grows in better when you're older. Yours doesn't look as good as you think. I know you're applying to a few schools. How much thought have you put into what you want in a school? I suggest spending some time researching some alternative places to go to school. How cool would it be to learn amongst the redwoods in California? There are a lot of incredible possibilities for pursuing our education than the few you've guessed at. I know you aren't sure what you want to do yet. That's definitely a big factor. Have you considered going to community college for a couple years? I know it doesn't seem glamorous. It'll be lame to keep living at Mom and Dad's, but think of it this way: every degree needs gen eds. Get those taken care of for a fraction of the cost. You'll have more time to figure out what you want to do, and you'll have more money to do it. There's some advice for you.

Hey listen and listen carefully! Three things you must know about your personal life while you seek your education-1: MONEY STILL DOESN’T GROWN ON TREES, 2: Focus. 3: You can do anything you set your mind to. Even when you feel like giving up, remember you've fought to get this far so keep fighting. Against all adversity you are victorious. Educationally, you have all the fundamentals; your goal is to make college work for you. You need a study schedule, note-taking skills, and network. Most importantly take full advantage of all the help VCU offers you. Don't be fearful, you have to make the best of your educational experience. Although the 3rd and 4th floor of the library are incredibly eerie with silence, there‚ is a chair and desk with your name on it. TV, Facebook and Twitter are overrated so don’t even think about it. You can do this! Statistically, you weren’t even supposed to make it this far, so stay motivated. Continue breaking and surpassing stereotypes. Rough times are inevitable, it’s all apart of life, but adjust and push forward. You are strong, and you are a fighter, Good luck!

Growing up does not mean getting through life as fast as you can, rushing through high school, and college to finally start life. Growing up is not going through the motions to fulfill some cliché version of how your life should be. I know, from personal experience, you feel you need to have all the answers right now that you feel you needed to know which major you wanted to do since your freshman year, but believe me, it's okay not to know. I've changed my major twice before classes even began and I will tell you this, you are happy with what you are doing. You are going to be so surprised by what you actually choose, it's ironic, but it's what you have or have always had a hidden passion for. I won't tell you what it is you choose because you need to find out what makes you happy on your own, you need to grow. Growing up is taking your time to see the sights, taking your time to finally realize what you want to do. It might take some time, but please realize, that whatever you choose, you will grow!

Make sure that you do that best that you can to keep your GPA up. Do not procrastinate and stay out of trouble by joining clubs and organizations. Study hard for the ACT and fill out as much scholarship applications as you can. College is very expensive and you will need plenty of money to make it through the year. Get plenty of sleep and develop good study methods.

First thing is first, dump the boyfriend. He is holding you back from truly becoming the person you will be. Please don't give up on yourself. I know you think everything is fine if you just go to community college and take your time, but don't forget how amazing you can be. Community college is great, financially, but seriously think about how much more you can do if you just start your path straight away. Also, you love bones. You want to be an anthropologist. Don't focus on how hard that will be to figure out. No that you know, you won't have to change your major three times. Stop wasting moms money, she doesn't have much of it and will go into more debt that you even want to know by the time you make it to VCU. Work hard. Meet everyone. Never stop believing that you can do anything you've set your mind t do. I should know, I'm still doing it. You will be okay.

If I could go back to my future self I would tell myself to become more open to new ideas and perspectives. My high school self would need to know that it is not always about the right or wrong when it comes to learning, but what is learnt. Most of my school life i was taught one way of thinking that there is right and there is wrong, but that is not always true. There is always the unknown and the gray area. My high school self would definately need to know how to study in a tactial way because studying becomes so important and being a tactial learner can be hard in a traditional way of schooling. I would tell my high school self to become more involved in community because it would make adjusting so much easier because I would have built better social skills and been able to build relationships quicker with new people. Also, it is really important to become involoved in a communtiy because it allows everyone to build each other up. My high school self would have been more prepared if I knew all of the things I know now about college.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell me to keep an open mind, stop being so scared, and stay focused on my goal. First, I would tell myself to keep an open mind because in college, there are so many more opportunities presented to you. Where I come from, there is one stop light and you are lucky if you can find a decent job. I have only been at a University 1 year and I have already been offered so many job opportunities that my high school self would have never thought imaginable. Next, I would tell myself to stop being so scared because by being scared about coming to college, I didn't adjust well at first. Through doing this, I didn’t allow myself to make friends as easily as I could have if I were being me. Lastly, I would tell myself to stay focused on my goal because there are so many distractions at college. At the end of the day, you are the only person that matters. That is why it is important to put you first in order to succeed and reach your goal.

I would tell myself to not worry about finding friends in college, as you will make many friends who share your own interests. You will find some amazing people to hang out with in the clubs here and you will fun and laugh. Do not worry about your roommates as they will be fun to hang out with and understanding. Going to college will be the best decision you make in your life do not worry about anything at all, you will be happy and you will not struggle.

Knowing what I know now about the transition to college, if I could go back and talk to my high school self as a senior, I‘d tell myself three things: Budget, apply for scholarships, and focus in math class! I know now that managing money by creating a budget is crucial. Budgeting and saving early, would’ve eliminated stress caused from paying for books, or being unable to purchase essentials like food and clothing. Besides creating a budget for myself, I’d also apply for scholarships. The consequences of not applying for scholarships, have now become evident in my life. From lack of financial aid money, I never get enough to cover my college expenses. Resulting in me having to pay out of pocket. Lastly, I’d tell myself to focus in math class. I never believed teachers when they said certain math would be needed in life. I’m now taking a math class that doesn’t count towards my college graduation because I didn’t heed wise advice. Unfortunately, I can’t go back and tell myself these things. Thankfully, I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m using my shortcomings as a tool towards success.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself to relax. High school students break their own backs over their education, but there's no need. I know several people who went through the IB program in high school, and we take the same classes in the same school at the same level now. The effort they put forth hardly paid off, and they deserved a moment to be a child. School is important, and it comes first when compared to one's own social life and the sort, and good study habits are a NECESSITY in college, but all of the worry of being accepted into a college was for naught. Things will work out just fine so long as you apply yourself and you remain patient. Everything will fall into place in time, for better or for worse, and occupying yourself with concerns all the time will do nothing but make you sick unnecessarily.

If there were roads on the path to higher education, they would be paved with platitudes. "College is a growth experience." "It's a chance to spread your wings." "There's a time for everything, and it's college." Despite the encouraging twinkle that often accompanied such words, I remember feeling puzzled and a bit left out. What does it mean to "spread your wings"? Do I even have wings? Looking back on it now, I sympathize with my well-wishers. There were no words to prepare that girl for the changes still to come. She was so old for a child and too clever to boot. Life rushes at a person in the spring of their independence. The elders cannot speak clearly to those still womb-bound in youth. Instead they leave mysteries, little glimpses of the future. "Growth", "wings", it is the spirit of these words they wished to pass on. If I could speak to that girl, still wrapped in her egg. I would tell her that she does have wings, and, yes, they do need spreading. The tricky part will be finding them. Trust, and know that you are loved. There is nothing more to say.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would tell myself to become better at organization and time management. I would also tell myself that learning how to study the right way is essential for college because assessments are made to test knowledge about the subjects and not memorization skills. I would tell myself to be more social and open minded in college and to pursue more opportunities and join more clubs such studying abroad and auditioning for an accapella group. I think if I had done that my freshmen year, I would have been able to gain more friends and transitioned even better from highschoool to college.

Save up your money right now. You will need it for the apartment you'll be buying in a couple of years. Also, stop whatever you're doing and put in application to VCU immediately. Late fees are not a fun thing. Anyways college is not as scary as what mom told us, it's actually a lot of fun. The people are nice and you will make a lot of friends. However, you need to develop a harder backbone, because you will run into moments where you need to stand up for yourself and stop running away from your problems. Did I already tell to you save money? Yea, because this apartment is not cheap my friend. Work hard to get better at drawing. When possible take the time to sit at a coffee shop and draw quick sketches of people. It's going to help a lot in your drawing classes. Be very consistent at time management. It will be a burden if you do not plan out your weekdays entirely. Fret not though, weekends are your time to sleep in. You'll need it for those early morning Monday classes. Good luck Your friend

Know your worth, it may seem like everyone else's time may have come and you're still waiting; but stay patient. Your time is coming. Love yourself more than you love the idea of being loved becuase you deserve real love that will build you up. Look in the mirror and see the good things about yourself even if it is hard. You have to love yourself before anyone esle can love you. All love is not the type of love your looking for. Protect your heart and your body by waiting and learning people; because some of them will decieve you. Life will get hard but you are strong enough to get through it. It can't storm forever, the sun will eventually come out. Worry about today and make the most of it. Live in the moment becuase time is always going. Lastly, respect yourself because now you may not feel worth anything but you are, you always will be because you are speciel creation. Someone out there will be proud to to say that they got the chance to be apart of your life. You are always loved.

Dear Self, You'll have to stop being so shy, you'll never make friends by just going to class and going to your room. Be more sure of yourself because you know you have so much to offer as a student and a friend. Make sure you join clubs and organizations, staying busy will also help you stay organized. Try not to overdoesd at the Starbucks in the library, I know mom never let you drink coffee at home but trust me, that stuff is addicting. Smile when you are walking to class, I know you are nervous but you don't want to seem mean. Speak more in class and remember your glasses! Since you are so bad at remember try to sit closer to the front. Don't get caught up on image and impressing people, focus on the important things like buying books before clothes. Lastly, enjoy this time because it is the best time of your life. You'll grow so much and some lessons may be hard. Don't be afraid of the challenge. Love, Yourself P.S call your grandparents more!

Dear HS Senior DeAmber: I know you you're busy preparing for plays, and learning about sound and light equipment, but I need you to hear me out. I know you're having doubts about college next year, but I'm here to help ease your internal struggle. The most important thing I can tell you is to follow your dreams. Do not let anyone sway you from ding what you love to do: cinema. I know you only chose Biology as a major because you want to make your parents proud, but how can you be proud of yourself? You're forcing yourself to do something to impress someone besides yoursel. And you're better than that. I know you're in your first relationship right now, but remember that there will be more in the future. Do not let him sway your judgment on life. Its in your best intrest to not enter college with a long-distance relationship; you cannot handle one. I know you're feeling something in your stomach now. You think its nerves, but its doubt. Your coinscience. Listen to it. Make the right decisions. Make them you, and you alone. Good Luck.

Dear past self, This is an urgent message from the future regarding your soon to be college expierience. Knowing your current situation of being homeless throughout high school you should know that things will not always come easy to you. With that in mind, you will have to be very ambitious when looking for funding to help pay for your education. Many people would already count you at a disadvantage for being homeless due to the fact that you do not have the ease of access to many of the resources other children have, BUT YOU MUST NOT LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. This will only discourage you, when it should empower you. Go out and look for scholarships, every year many scholarships go unclaimed. Doing this will take an enormous amount of stress off your shoulders, and also your parents shoulders knowing that they can barely provide you with the minimun needed for your success.

If I were able to go back and meet up with myself as a high school senior, I would probably give lots of advice about all the study abroad programs, because most likley, I would be either a huge foreign affairs or journalism major. I would talk to myself a lot about study abroad, because that is what would most likely give myself the opportunity to actually begin my career while still attending college, because I would actually have the opportunity to experience the ways of media and culture going on in other parts of the globe but the United States. If I could go back and talk to myself about attending college, I would provide advice such as, not only focusing on earning good grades, but also getting to know your professors personally, participating in class, and of course by doing those, you would eventually earn the professors respect. Personally, that' is what I would tell myself because I would make sure that I am experiencing what I truely believe in while still in the learning process, because I think that is what learning is all about, the experience to do it yourself.

Hey dude. Future you here. Listen, you got a lot of stuff ahead of you. Keep researching jobs and career paths. Turn off your computer. You will miss absolutely nothing on facebook. Trust me. Don't let your friends convince you where you need to go. Don't even let them be a factor. Think more for yourself. Consider your dreams. Don't worry about what other people will think if you decide to be this or that. What matters at the end of the day is what you think of yourself and if you're happy with your decision. With that, choose your college carefully with lots of thought.

After completing my first year in college, I can say that I learned a lot and had many unforgetable experiences. I made new friends, pulled all nighters, expanded my thinking, dissected animals in lab, and most importantly, I became more confident in my decision to become a pharmacist after being surrounded by those who share my dream, having discussions with my advisor, being supported by family and friends, and learning more about pharmacists. My first year was unforgetable since I felt that I matured into an independent woman and because of that, I truly believe that hard work would never betray me. If I could go back in time and talk with myself as a senior, I would say that college is a place of wonder and mystery. College is an experience that is different for everyone. Just because a person says he hates college doesn't mean you'll hate college, too. You have to experience college for yourself to discover it means for you and how much it'll significantly impact your life. Don't have fears about something you have never experienced before. Hard work got you into college and hard work will get you through it.

Quite frankly, I’d say I should have had more faith in people. Although I was born in the United States, I was raised in Nicaragua, the second poorest Central American country. I lived through the chaos of bus burning, home invading riots and have seen my family succumb to worry. Because of this, they sheltered me like an eagle her nest. I attended a prestigious private school and obtained an education many in my country could only dream of achieving. As fluent in three languages and knowledgeable as I graduated, I remained ignorant to the beauty of human interaction. So, upon arriving to college, I feared society because all I knew was fear itself. I was taught to survive, not take risks, so for the first semester of freshman year, I kept my dorm room locked tight and surrendered to the depression that had been creeping on me ever since I was born. Little did I know that a mere turn of a lock and push of a door would revitalize my life entirely. Hope poured in from all corners of the world and gave me the most amazing epiphany I regret not realizing long before: People are beautiful.

You know that guy you think is so handsome? Well, he is not the one. So keep your head in those books and stop trying to be cool. Acting unintelligent to fit in is not cool. You're different, so you will never fit in with that group of people that you're trying so hard to impress. Embrace your awkwardness, you will meet people in college who will love you for it. Apply to more than one school. Don't let the fear of rejection hinder you from applying to your dream school. Apply for scholarships. Take time to decide your major. Despite what people tell you, you have time, so don't settle. Don't procrastinate, it's a hard habit to break. Remember, becoming an adult does not mean that you are no longer daddy's little girl. Let daddy know how much you love him, you will lose him sooner than you think. You'll think that your whole world is coming to an end, but you will come out stronger than you would ever imagine. You'll learn that every situation is a learning experience, so take them as they come. You can handle it.

If I could go back in time and speak with myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stay focused and to keep pushing towards the finish line. I would say to not to let anything or anyone get me off track. I would tell myself that I have no limitations and that no one would be able to hold me back if I stayed strong. I would tell myself that college is one of the best experiences in life. It is a learning experience in every area of life. I would say that college will be one of the most fun times of my life. You grow so much in college, personally and academically. I would tell myself to be patient, everything in life happens for a reason. As long as I remembered that and put school first, I could do anything. I would tell my high school self that I did not need all the answers right then and there, that I would find myself without even having to look. I would tell myself to enjoy the college life more and stress less.

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to straighten up! While attending high school I slacked in grades and skipped many classes. I am currently enrolled in an Accelerated Masters degree; therefore know what I am capable of. If I would have taken high school more serioulsy and been more responsible I know I could have gotten in any university I wanted with a high probability of scholorships. Since I didn't make the right decisions when I was younger I am know paying for my education without assistance. I would also tell myself to get more involved in extra curricular activities. Having a "high school sweet heart" seemed right at the time, but it did not prepare me for my future. I had a fun during my high school years, but I must say I definitely needed some major improvements.

Maggie, don't go unless you know what you want to do, don't waste time if you are failing out, don't stick around wtih a boy that treast you badly, value yourself, and your time.

If I could converse with myself as a senior in high school, I would primarily tell myself that God has his hand in everything. Even when you do not feel he is there, and your path is covered with fog, His hands are the ones guiding you on. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Call on him regardless of how small or extreme a situation may seem. Both semesters will bring their struggles and pains, but you will come out of them triumphant. With every situation you will go through, you will grow through and flourish. Take those lessons you learn along the way and keep them close, allowing experience to serve as a guide. I would tell myself to trust my parents. They have walked this Earth longer than you have and they only want what is best for you. More times than not, an obstacle that you are facing they have gone through before. They can speak words of wisdom and be your biggest cheerleader, if only you allow them to. Lastly, cherish your friends. The bonds you form now can last a lifetime. Life with them will be a rollercoaster, but they will become family.

Do what makes you happy. Sometimes you'll feel like you have to do something just because everyone else is doing it, or your friends will make you feel bad about something you want to do, but ignore all that. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, or what everyone thinks, as long as what you're doing makes YOU happy. And as soon as it doesn't, that's when you stop. Not when others tell you to. Not when they make you feel bad about yourself. When YOU decide that you are no longer happy. Go on adventures, meet new people, and enjoy life. These four years go by quickly, and at the end you want to feel like you've learned everything you went there to learn, including how to love yourself and make yourself happy.

To Lauren, This is the ghost of Christmas future. Boo! Haha. No, I'm just you from the future, here to present you with wisdom and the winning lottery numbers. I know you're going to Romania soon, and trust me, college will be a breeze in comparison. So since the existential crisis that arises from leaving the nest is no problem for you, I have different advice to give. Dont shut yourself in. I know when you come home from abroad you're going to feel out of place, because you didnt belong there and you don't remember how to belong here. I promise, the people you meet in college will accept you in a way most of your high school peers won't. And you will need these people, because there will be days when you're locked away doing homework for days on end, the sun and moon rising and falling with no regards to time, and you'll forget what the sound of laughter or the touch of human skin is. Your friends will be the ones there when you crawl back into the light to remind you. Don't be afraid. Forever you, You

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior would be to apply for as many scholarships that you can. College is an expensive institution and without the necessary funds, a person's dreams and aspiriations can be hit by a major finanical roadblock at any moment. Finding avenues to fund your college education is important. If you have trouble writing a scholarship, researching other ways to get funds such as a campus job or internship is extremely important.

It would be beneficial to understand that college is nothing like the high school experience. There is more freedom; freedom in time and freedom in what direction a person can go academically. But with freedom, not to be cliche, comes a necessitated responsibility. It is important, especially in the first semester, to understand the value of good time management and organization. This will allow for an alleviation of some of the intense stress that can be present when making the transition to college life. It is also very important to not get overwhelmed by one thing or another. Do not get tofocused on your education and forget about the social opportunities that college can provide. This could end up being detrimental on a somewhat physical level as well as on a mental level. Keeping these ideas in mind can help provide a rich and gratifying start to college.

Study hard and don't fall for the trap of procrastination. Also look for as much scholarship money as possible and don't be afraid to ask questions or for help.

Christina going to college is a very awesome thing. Expect to change a lot, and please don't be worried about that. This change is going to be a good thing you are going to open your eyes up to a lot that life has to teach you (as well as college). I sound like a mom but just in this one short school year I have already matured in a way that I though I had already done. Also do not be worried about money, and I mean money for the future. Just study what you think you are called to and things that you will enjoy doing during your like. Lastly please understand the importance of financial help for school. It is probably the best idea not to wait haha. Just enjoy college for what your experiences will be because they will be great. (Invest in a massage pillow, it helps with stress!!!)

My advice is to live life to the fullest and enjoy it. Don't spend time caught up with the "what if's" and regrets or you'll never move forward. Work hard for what you want and don't expect others to just give it to you. Learn from past mistakes and prepare for future ones. Everyone is dealt different cards in life, and you can either choose to give up and throw the game, or use what you've got and make something of it. As for college, it's a blast. But don't lose sight of what's important. Also, don't sign up for those 8 AM classes when you don't ever get out of bed before noon. It never ends well.

I would tell myself to take applying to scholarships seriously. It's harder to find scholarships for college students than it is being a high school senior. In high school I was severely bullied. I was pushed down stairs, spat on, called king kong and had lunch throun on me everyday at lunch. I spent most of my time worried about not having friends and "being fat" that there was no time for anything else. I would go back and tell myself to snap put of it because at the end of the day, none of that matters. I would better prepare myself for studying as well because, if i'm compleytely honest, I never studied in high school, I never felt like I needed to and I never knew how to). I would go back and learn my best study habbits more earlier because one could not make it through college without it.

In high school, I could stay up all night...two nights in a row! I ate whatever I wanted and barely studied, but still managed to make great grades. When I got to college, I had a bit of a rude awakening. I actually had to study for my 18 credit course load, couldn't eat whatever I wanted and learned that pulling all-nighters weren't as easy anymore. Also, as a teenager, I wanted so much to hurry things along and become an adult. By 16, I already had a job, my own car and could support myself. By the time I got to college, I was burnt out from trying to be an adult and realized I should've spent more time in high school cherishing being young and carefree. Now, with 20/20 college hindsight, I'd tell my high school self to start good habits earlier and to relish in, well, being a teenager. These two words of wisdom may seem to be at odds, but I believe it's possible to start good lifestyle habits, while still remembering to cherish each life stage along with all of its joys and uncertainties.