Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

College is not going to be the best time of your life. It can offer you many interesting activities with different groups of your peers and different opportunities, but it will not be all fun and games. Learn to manage your time. Waiting until the night before something is due in high school is not the same as waiting until the night before in college. Teachers will give you readings of sixty pages for one lecture. You will have to choose between a social event and school work. It's okay to go to the social event once in a while, but don't let yourself always choose the social event and get left behind in one or more of your classes. College is the time for learning about yourself and your interests, but you can't do those things if you don't do well in your classes. Try to find a balance of friends and/or social activities and academics.

I would tell my high school senior self to save your money! Do not worry about being able to go out with friends or buying the latest trends, because you'll be mad you spent your money on useless things when you could have saved it for more important things. Another thing I would say is to stay true to yourself. In college you're guaranteed to meet plenty of people who share your views and plenty of people who don't. Do not let people's opinions and drama affect you. People come and go in life. Remember what is important. Don't let petty, temporary situations overshadow the more important things in life. Also, make time to enjoy life! There is a time for work and a time for play! And lastly take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. And try even if you think that you may fail. Don't give up. Push through.

I spent my senior year in Abuja, Nigeria, in Africa. My father works for the CDC and I have had the wonderful opportunity of traveling the world with him through his different jobs and positions. I would not trade the experiences I’ve had living overseas and being able to see and experience things that most people here in the US will never witness. Nonetheless, there are many things that I could have done differently to better ensure my success once I returned here to America for university. Firstly, I would tell myself to really focus more on my classes. Once senioritis sets in, it is hard to find a cure. Secondly, I would tell myself that “love” and romance have plenty of time to be a priority in my life in later years, and that I should be more concerned with building my own character and excelling in subjects of my interest rather than putting effort into another person. Lastly, something that I really wish I could go back and change is applying for scholarships. I wish I would have understood the impact every dollar towards my education can have, and spent more time applying for them.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school there are a few pieces of advice that I would give. I would tell myself to get organized, use my time wisely and to give my absolute best. As a student pursuing nursing, a high prerequisite GPA is essential for entry to the very rigorous program. Given the opportunity to go back and talk to myself, I would express the importance of being organized. I have learned this along the way and have realized how beneficial it would have been to have had those skills mastered prior to beginning college. Secondly, I would tell myself to use my time wisely, prioritizing and time management are key to success when taking a heavy load. Lastly I would remind myself that ultimately, my best is all that I can give! As a bit of a perfectionist, I have had to realize that sometimes I will fail. What truly matters is how I deal with my failures. Give up? Or get right back up again and try harder? If I could go back in time I would tell myself these lessons that I have learned.

If I could go back in time and speak to my high school self, I would encourage myself to not worry if my path through college doesn’t look like everyone else’s. There is a lot of pressure both in society and within the college system to get in, get a degree and get out, but as someone who has valued life experience over rushing through the process and not once regretted it, I would tell myself or any young person to take the time to take that trip, to agree to that internship, and to see the world, because college will still be there, but some opportunities are only once in a lifetime. I am now an older student, but my experiences have both settled me into who I am and informed my decisions as a student. My college experience is undeniably better because of the experiences I have had outside of my time in school. I would encourage my high school self to treasure every moment of it, because in the end, living life is all about the journey, not about the destination.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior I would tell myself to relax a little and that everything will be okay. People tell you to follow your dreams and follow your heart and sometimes that can be a little scary, but they're right. Follow your heart even if you think you'll change your mind because you never know where you're going to end up, who you're going to meet and what experiences you're going to have. As a high school senior I definitely spent a lot of time worry about making the right choice on which school I wanted to attend. I believe I ended up where I'm supposed to be, even if my reasons for coming aren't my reasons for staying. I believe that college will be what you make it. Don't be afraid and don't hold back. Go after what you want and try new things. You are in charge of your future and you are the driving force who will make your dreams come true.

The first two years of my college life have passed in a whirlwind. The most rewarding part of college has also been the most difficult part: breaking out of my comfort zone. In college, what a person puts into their experiences is what he or she will get out of it. When I started attending university, I expected everything to happen to me and didn't realize that I had to initiate changes for myself. If I wanted to make friends, I had to start conversations, join clubs, and go out. If I wanted to make good grades, I had to put in the study time, do my homework, and go to class. These seem like common sense principals, and they are. Yet, for me, being painfully shy kept me from getting the most out of my college experiences for my first semester. It wasn't until I broke out of my comfort zone and started making things happen for myself that college became the best time of my life. If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be not to waste time being afraid and to grab college by the horns.

I know that you want to attend a large university when you graduate. My advise to you is to attend a local community college. Even though you are attending a large high school, a large four year university will be overwhelming. A two year college gives you a chance to acclimate yourself to college life at your own pace. There are fewer students in each classroom, giving you the opportunity to participate and ask questions. Many of the larger universities have classrooms with over a hundred students attending at one time. In this atmosphere you are a number not a person.k You will find the instructors easier to approach at a two year school because they aren't weighted down with lessons and homework assignments from hundreds of students. I know at seventeen you think you know it all, but take my advise, and give some serious consideration to starting your college eductation at a community college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that no matter how overwhelmed or depressed I may feel about my circumstances to just keep pushing. College is by no means a cakewalk and students must accept that downside of post-secondary education. I would tell myself that it is okay to have no idea what I want after graduation and it is perfectly acceptable to change my mind about what I want out of life. I would reassure myself that I am a dynamic individual who is exceptionally strong, capable, and intelligent enough to make it to graduation. Overall, I would want myself as a high school senior to know that perseverance will bear the fruit of success if I remain confident in my abilities when college starts to pull me down into the valleys of the mountain.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself how much harder I need to work scholastically to get better GPA in college. My work ethic wasn't where it should have been when I left high school, and bad habits are extremely hard to break. A lot of people, even instructors will comment on how bright I am. I should start working for a grade that represents how smart I really, instead of procrastinating on everything. I would also like to mess with myself after I already signed up for the National Guard, talking about how scary the gas chamber is, and even tell the story of an idiot kicking a mortar down as a round was being fired. Honestly, I would just go back to make myself even tougher than I thought I already was. I wouldn't try to change too much beyond that. I'm living a good life, making new friends, finding new and interesting things to learn and play with.

If I would have known then what I know now, Iwould definitely tell my high school self to save money! College is expensive, no matter where you go. I had a job over the summer, and I also received money as m graduation gift. I blew it all on material things, and I just wish that I had a plan to save beforehand. All of the money that I had earned from working would have been put into my savings, and I would have waited to buy those cool new shoes. VCU has a very good meal plan which takes away the need to spend on food, but if you are seeking to be a part of any organizations you will need money for club dues. I would have also told myself to look for jobs around campus before I got here. There is nothing like having money in your pockets, knowing that you have earned it yourself.

Relax. Simply put, my last two years in high school were overwhelming and stressful. As a high school senior there was never time to relax. It was stress stress stress all the time. I am in college now and I continue to ask myself, "Why?" Why was i constantly stressed out. Why was graduating and moving on such a big deal? Was it because I would be leaving home or the fact that I would be on my own? I am not sure. But, if there was one word of advice I could give to my high school self it would be to relax. Take a step back and have a little fun instead of worrying all the time.

The old me in high school was very undetermined and on a lost track. I think i would tell myself about all the amazing opportunites that are available at VCU. I would also tell myself that I need to prepare myself to work hard and not let myself get distracted. College is not a joke and it should not be treated lightly, not only is it important to get an education, but flunking out has negative outcomes on many levels; such as having to pay back the school even though you are no longer attending, working at a low end job for the rest of your life and having a hole in yourself knowing that you couldn't go all the way.

I was not fortunate enough to attend high school in the United States, but I know when I was a teenager I could have done many things that would have improved my life. The high school I attended in Denmark was different from those you see in America, but the teenagers were no less diverse and, quite frankly, equally irresponsible and responsible, respectively. I'm ashamed to admit that I was one of those who would be considered irresponsible. Why? I thought I needed to enjoy my youth, do all the crazy things you can't do when you're older. Time changes many things, however, and I have certainly learned better ways to deal with life. In the past, I nearly failed all my classes simply due to a lack of effort. Today, I have a 4.0 GPA and not for a lack of effort. Time changed me. So if I could go back, what would I tell myself? very simply, I would say: "patience. You have time."

Just breathe. High school's gone by fast and this year will be over before you know it, so enjoy it as best you can. Focus on the good, learn from the not so good and understand that your experiences from here on out won't ever be the same as someone else's. After graduation you're going to feel sad watching your friends go and you're going to miss high school. You're going to cry a little bit and that's ok. But actually think about how big the world is outside of high school, how there are more exciting things in life than being crowned prom queen. Know that the choices you've made have molded you and readied you for the next amazing chapter of life. Strive for greatness, but know that happiness is always the most important. Know that you are more than capable of taking on this next challenge. Smile and let yourself be filled with excitement about the unknown. And remember, just breathe.

Dear High School Senior Jessica, Life is infinitely and unequivocally better as you get older. High school is nothing more than a launching pad and a medium for motivation for you to get the hell out of that small town. There is so much more to see and understand than you could possibly imagine. Don’t get overwhelmed by opportunity; pursue it and let it wash over you like a waterfall. You are intelligent and capable. I know that you don’t believe you can get into college (I’m still not sure why I ever thought that), but you can. Just apply, don’t spend your life afraid of success! Don’t depend on mom and dad to find the means for you. They don’t have it and they won’t find it. One word: scholarships. Apply until it hurts. Believe in yourself. I know it sounds silly, but you need to learn to be your greatest champion and source of encouragement. Learn to love yourself and lastly, let people help you. It will save you a lot of grief in the future. Sincerely and with love, Soon to be First Year Graduate Student Jessica

If I were to go back in time and give my high-school-senior self some college wisdom, I would say to save up as much money as possible. That about 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my future paycheck is going to education and I will need that money. Since I am attending culinary school, I would also tell myself to work on my cutting and knife skills. I would say that emotional pain has no effect on the future what so ever, and that focusing on education is what is most important; that no matter what I feel, it shouldn’t affect how I work. Most importantly, I would advise on really embracing the small things when they come up; because no matter how hard and grueling life gets, there is always some reason to smile.

If I could go back and talk to myself I would explain how hard it is to get money for school. When I was in high school I thought people just gave you money to go to school, unfortunately that isn't the case. I would tell myself to save every penny I earned. I have worked since the time I was 16. If I would have saved more money it would have been easier to go to school. I would also tellmyself that the grades DO matter. I know money isn't everything in life but money is needed to go to college. I would hope talking to myself would help me to have saved more money so the transition into the working-world could be a smooth one, not one with $60,000 in debt.

Assuming I could go back in time and speak to Katie the High School Senior, I would discuss two important points with her. First, I would tell her that college is not going to be easy. I would assure her that while college seems like fun and games with a bit of work mixed in, it is quite the opposite. “High remarks are imperative to college success.” I would state. Katie will look at me with sad eyes, afraid she will fail. I will then tell her with undoubted seriousness that she is capable of incredible things. I will tell her to always be confident in her abilities and to never doubt herself. I will say, “It will be tough, but you are strong and you can do anything.” Next, I will tell her to close her eyes and feel the burning in her soul. I would say, “Katie, that fire inside you is your passion.” I would tell her to embrace that passion whole-heartedly, and to never let it go. Her gaze will change, focused on the goal. Strength, courage, and passion radiate from her soul. She is ready. She will succeed.

Don't be shy! There are many resources just waiting to help you. Not looking into what the school has to offer will probably make life a lot harder than it has to be. Talk to your professors and go their office hours. Your instructor can be your best friend, especially if they see how hard you're trying. Being a "teacher's pet" is a good thing. Join clubs and be active early on so you can see what you like and what does not suit you. Don't be scared if you don't know where you're heading and what you want to do. Take your time and explore what you want to pursue and when you find it, stick to it and become involved in that group. I cannot stress how important it is to go out and make connections, but at the same time, pace yourself. You do not want to collapse from exhaustion. Oh, and another thing: take care of your health. It's so much easier to grab a bag of chips and run because your next class starts in five minutes but, trust me, you need proper nutrition to keep going.

Hey you, I know that you are excited to graduate from high school. However, there is no need to rush. Once you graduate from high school, real world would soon start to sink in. Those teacher giving you time to revise and re-do papers and quizzes will no longer be there. No more procrastination because too much of it will lead to work piling up. College will be a fun experience and it is okay for change. Change is actually good not scary in any way. The more diversity you surround yourself with will only make you a more well-rounded and accepting individual. Now it is the time to take your knowledge to another level and continue to strive.

There are so many things I would tell my self if I could go back in time. I would make sure my eighteen year old self would go after what I wanted. I would tell her to care less about what others think, and do what I feel is right. I would tell my self to value myself and not put myself down. I would also remind myself that I have to work hard for what I want. I skated through school, I rarely studied, I rarely did homework, and I managed to keep a modest GPA, but, that didn't prepare me for life after high school. The best advice I could give myself is how to view education. I would tell me: "Education is a gift we give ourselves. Work hard, study hard, and the rest will come. Financially it seems daunting, but, without an education, a worthwhile career isn't possible. Regardless of what dad wants, do what you want. This is about you and your future."

Given the chance to pay a visit to my suburban hometown circa 2009, the wisdom to bestow upon my neurotic, teen-aged self would be limited. At 22 years old, i've grown substantially; i've done things that I'm very proud of, things I'd not have dreamed myself capable of as a High School Senior. Still, I feel not yet qualified to dole out any words of supreme wisdom. Rather, I would limit my correspondence with the me of academia past to a few ostensibly simple words: it's okay. it's okay that you've not applied to college yet- that you're not even sure if you want to go to college. Your friends have all received their acceptance letters from their prospective four year universites; that's okay too. Be happy for them sans feelings of inferiority and guilt for not wanting what they want. I know that things feel terrible right now, that the future seems like an abstraction and nothing more. But when you feel strong enough to ask for help, it'll be there. And college, that'll be there too. For now, just keep in mind that things get better.

Be positive in a world that says you can't. Learn to yourself, and be your our best friend.

Don't get lost in the sauce! My RA told me that at the beginning of the semester, but I only heeded his warning so much. I didn't use my agenda like I used to do in middle/high school, so there were moments when I got a little overwealmed with assignments because I lost track of what was due when. I knew better than to do that, but if I could have warned myself before hand, then maybe I would have listened and last semester could have been more chill. I know now that I need to get work done before I claim to be "bored" with "nothing to do."

I would tell myself to base my college decision on myself, and not other people and to choose a school that feels like home. I'm in the process of transferring schools, not because I don't appreciate all that VCU offers, but because it just isn't a place that I feel I belong. It is an amazing school, but it isn't my home. I don't regret my choices, but I wish I knew that in the long run, you'll be happier if your decisions aren't based on others. I would also tell my high school self that homesickness is real and one of the hardest parts about going away to college and to be prepared to face it head on.

I would tell myself to take a deep breath and to relax. There's no reason to stay up late night after night stressing because everything will fall into place. Yes, college is a big place and you'll be in a new place but this is no reason to worry. This is an amazing opportunity and take advantage of the experience. Join clubs that interest you and cut people out of your life who try to keep you from accomplishing your goals. You might not think so, but you're ready. One last piece of advice: don't wait until the last minute to do your assignments! If you feel like your workload is too much, meet with an advisor or your professor.

As a second year student at Virginia Commonwealth University, I would advise my high school self to take AP classes that accounted for general education classes. Although fifteen AP credits did transfer over from high school, only four of those credits counted for general education classes. With taking more general education AP classes in high school, I would have been able to expand my education further in college by skipping general education classes to save money on classes. In addition, I have always been a striving student. I have always involved myself in various activities after school including swimming, track, and playing the flute, while keeping up with a 3.981 GPA in high school. One thing I wish I did in high school was to save more money for college. I am constantly worrying if I will be able to pay the next college bill or monthly rent. With aid I will be able to support my desire to learn and aid my first steps into the world as a scientific illustrator.

Dear High School Senior Me, Going through high school and transferring to college was tough. I was in a new state, didn't know anyone, and I didn't have mom there to remind me to do my homework. I want you to take all of your time having someone to tell you to do things as a time to get organized because it hurt me not being organized. Get a self planner while in high school and learn how to use it efficiently so you are prepared for college. Write everything in the planner so you know what's due, when your free time is, and even write your study time down so it is a set time. Another thing is learn study habits. Going to college without great study habits is going hurt you in the long run. You'll need to study to pass the tests and courses. Don't just study what you need for the test and forget it after. Remember this is what you will need to know for the rest of your career! Lastly, stay focused. Don't allow sports, people, or work distract you from your main goal! Sincerely, College Student Me

If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would say that the most important thing is to know what you want out of yourself. After four strenuous years of high school, I came to college knowing that I wanted to be better. So I always said to mysef, "I will be the best that I can be and see how far it takes me." Now, I am a straight A student, on the deans list, having been accepted into multiple programs. Since I arrived, I valued being the best that I could be, and so I was. Being my best was more important than going out every weekend or being the crowd pleaser. What always came into question was what I was willing to fail at in order to succeed.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would offer myself the advice of searching harder for the money to further my education. Now that I'm actually attending a high-end university, I've come to realize that the costs are very expensive. It's my first semester and I already owe the institution over $15,000, which doesn't even include the price of my course textbooks either. Being the salutatorian of my class and taking college classes in high school, I thought both those things would have helped a lot with my expenses but I was dead wrong. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition would have been imensely helpful back when I was a senior in high school.

In hindsight I wish I could tell my younger self that everything changes and nothing is truly permanent. Many students struggle to find acceptance in high school, I know I did and I certainly found it in college. I would also tell my senior self to work harder, just because it is your senior year does not mean that you are done and can stop trying. Your senior year is the most important; the scholarships that you apply for in this time frame will make or break you. As soon as you become a college freshman 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your scholarship options simply disappear. I would say pay attention in your classes and listen to your teachers, they truly do know best and want to help you. Also take as many AP classes as you can handle because college is so insanely expensive and that is truly free tuition. All in all I wish I could tell myself to work harder, and to remember that being happy is only truly achieved through hard work.

I would say to myself as a high school senior to plan out my career path ahead of time. I would have myself enrolled in Cosby High School's health professions program where students explore different avenues of the healthcare field. By doing this it would save time trying to figure everything out without the financial burden of college tuition.

Knowing what i know now about college, and talking to my senior self i would tell myself to not be scared and just go for it. College is not scary at all; it is just high school on a bigger scale, and your going to love it. theres plenty of other people in the exact same situation as you so your definetly not alone. Make sure you put your all into it, take notes, and study for your tests. Do not be afraid to make friends, and join clubs, because they could turn into valuable business realtionships. College will be a blast, but the most important thing to remember is College is all about discipline and motivation.

To my high school senior self: It's okay to miss home and your family, and you should never feel ashamed about that. There are going to be a lot of people that come in and out of your life in the next few years, it's okay if you lose a few aquaintences in the process of finding good friends. Never compromise who you are for anyone. Grades do matter. Cramming isn't worth the stress, and hardly gets you the grades you want. Make time to go to professors' office hours. It'll pay off when you're wondering who could possibly write recommendation letters for you. Join a club or organization! Find a new talent, or build on existing ones. Our gym is one of the best college fitness centers in the country. USE IT. Explore the city! Make the most of the time you have there, it'll be gone so quickly.

College is not the same as high school. Most things your parents worried about or your school took care of is now your responsibility. However, there are many student support services on campus to ease the transition whether you need academic or social help. The main thing about college is money. There is nothing that is truly free, you're paying for everything. Take advantage of every opportunity on campus. Also, be mindful to plan ahead and rack up on scholarships. Scholarships will take the burden of the semester off your back. Every semester is about $10,000. One part-time job making around $12.00 an hour won't cut the tuition cost by more than $3,000. So, apply apply apply. One scholarship appliation a week will help. Academically, you should stay focused because that's what you came to college for. Along with studying hard, you should balance it out with extracurricular activities and occasionally partying. Don't get too hooked on the social scene if you know your grades are going to take a hit.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste, I realized that closer to my last years in high school. But the fact: AHSGE would have/did keep me from getting my diploma in May was the hardstage in my life, but I didn't stop until I passed, graduated in Aug 2013, open my eyes by making my 3 sisters , my parents and MYSELF proud because I was able to get it done and now I can attend college to further my education. I was always a A & B student but I noticed when I got in the 10th my credits was up, but I let the fun things interfer with my education. After seeing the mistakes of how EASY TO think it's okay to have fun and not get A education had messed up my LEARNING ABILITIES, I realized, I am not going down that road. Pysical Therapy is what I always wanted to be since I was in the 9th grade and that is what I will be. I'm only 5 feet, 102 lbs but with God as my GUILDING LIGHT, I will not let nothing stand in my education way.

If I could go back and tell my high school senior self I would tell myself to find a efficient way of studying. Also find a good way of studying, while also finding yourself a good spot to study. One other thing I would say is to make sure you bring a blanket because the dorm is cold in the begining of the fall semester.

What you do in high school matters. Not in the sense that if you take on a big course load in high school you could take on a big course load in college, but more like how you make friends, how eager are you to learn, how well do you adapt to new situation. If you suceed in these things during high school, you'll have a greater chance of doing them well in college. I would tell my high school self that being independent is a crucial part of college but also remember how many sources of help there are around you. There are teacher, coucillors, friends, and family who are all out there rooting you on to succeed. I would also remind myself not to be lazy. There are things you're going to have to do that you don't like, such as writing that big paper or filling out dozens of sholarships so you can afford to go to college fro another year. If you start getting lazy and say you'll do it tomorrow, there's little chance of succeeding and you won't have your tomorrow.

Hey Vic, I know you're excited for Senior Week in Myrtle Beach and running Track for Virginia Tech. I'm gonna quote your future favorite artist Kanye West. "I'm really happy for you." "I'ma let you get back to planning who's gonna buy the alcohol for Senior Week, but pay attention!" Mom and Dad did a great job raising you. Always thank God. The college transition will be easy if you keep school first. Be frugal. Don't be so focused on being a physical therapist. If you're struggling in classes, and don't enjoy them, change majors! It's better to be weird, than boring as _____. Get a scholarship! Tell your story. Make them feel your experiences. Paying student loans, paying rent, living a check-to-check life will test you. You're poor. Despite earning two bachelor degrees, no one will hire you. You'll return to college. Character is built when you endure hard times. In the future, people write checks for trash on television. Find someone to write you a check for something worth watching: your college graduation. Oh, Rachel will really like you. Don't screw it up.

Dear Senior, Congratulations, you made it to senior year! I know that the countdown until graduation starts now. While it soothes you to count down the hours, minutes, and seconds, I advise you to take a step back and look at what you have done. You have made it through twelve years of matriculation to be able to call yourself a senior in high school. Mind blowing isn't it? However, another hurdle is presenting itself. The very same hurdle that you decided to jump the day you found out what to do with your life: College. While the concept of leaving everything and everyone you have ever known in pursuit of this ambiguous term seems daunting, it will not be. College will be everything you hoped it would. You will not fall off of a pedestal that you created for yourself, but only raise it higher, in concurrence with your rising dreams. I am not saying that it will be easy. Money will be short. Food will become tasteless. Hours of studying will seem like a hopeless hole of despair, but you will overcome it, and live to see another year. Three more years that is.

One glance at my iCal and you would know exactly what type of person I am. I color-code, micro-manage, and (if I may say so myself) exquisitely map out my schedule every second of every day. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing I am exactly where I need to be, because I planned it out two Fridays in advance. But in reflection, my advice would be the opposite of my regular, time-controlling habits. One Thursday of last year, my morning class and the two meetings I had right after got canceled, and I was suddenly faced with my worst fear of not knowing what to do. As I started aimlessly wandering in slight panic, I noticed a flyer looking for volunteers at an elementary school book fair- that day, that time. So I went, and to make a long story short, had the time of my life, got a ton of other volunteering opportunities working with children, and changed my major to elementary education.The unexpectedly hollow space in my planner helped me find what I want to do with my life. So this would be my advice: not everything needs to go according to plan.

Knowing what I know now, I would have approached my high school academic life much differently. As a high school student, I was greatly unaware of the importance of organization, prioritizing and discipline. Not surprisingly, the lack of skill in these three areas prevented me from being the best version of myself as a student. My priorities at the time were misguided, as I would often engage in entertaining activities before delving into homework or test preparation. At the end of the school week, I would be so fatigued from my classes, that I would take the rest of Friday and all of Saturday as a leisurely escape. This created other problems, due to the fact that I was forced to finish all of my work on Sunday. Almost all of my shortcomings in high school were generated by a lack of organization, prioritizing and discipline. If I were to give a single piece of advice to my high school self, it would be to largely improve my priorities and organizational skills. By improving these areas, I believe the discipline would follow, and success would have been more achievable.

The best advice iI would give myself would be this is the best time to start over. Throughout life we are all burdened with circumstance that can hinder our wellbeing and I feel that this was my biggest problem during highschool. I let circumstance dictate my thoughts and feelings towards other people, ideas, and things. It was upon my attendance in college that I truly learned from reading Kierkegaard literature that an individual is the most unhappy when he/she is living within the past or the future. When one is hoping about the future and remembering about the past one is absent from the present As a graduating high school senior as well as many we all feel the anxiousness of college and hold some sentiments from our past experience of highschool but it is our duty to fully live in the present, in other words in the moment. I am not saying not to keep memories or hopes and dreams but my message is in the regards that what we do now in the present controlls our future and gives means to our actions of the past.

If I could go back in time,I would tell myself to wait to choose a major until you know for sure. I would also tell myself to not stress about fitting in, because it is easy to make friends. I would remind myself not to try to grow up so fast and live life in the moment. I would warn myself that college level courses are harder than you expect and to study everday. I would tell myself that a key factor to success in college is knowing how to balance social life with school work. Using your time wisely is the most important lesson you will learn.

Do not overthink everything; college is much simpler than you think. The classes are not as hard as you think, nor will you be flat broke and forced to eat Ramen at every single meal. The people are nice and the classes are interesting. Keep your head up and work hard; you will be so glad when you get here and taste so much freedom for the first time.

I would tell my high school self not to wait until sophomore year to take advantage of all that the University has to offer. I would tell her to hold onto the fiery passion that sparked an interest in Forensic Science and Spanish, but to be realistic about taking on a dual major. I would tell her that it is important for her to be herself and to be open to letting others get to know her. I would tell her to spend money and budget wisely. I would tell her to never be afraid to ask for help. Finally, I would tell her to expect to get knocked down a few times, but as long as she keeps getting back up, she’ll come back stronger and ready to fight for what she wants out of life.

Resilience, Resilience, Resilience. Always remember that each day in Life is not gaurenteed to be a good day, or to even come at all. You will face some of the most difficult hardships over the next four years as every aspect of your life is changing and evolving into the next phase. This is a time of learning and a time of transition. You will experience your first college A, your first mix up at Financial Aid, your first harassment, your first travel abroad, your first all-nighter, your first financial failure, your first health scare, your first academic success, and your first major loss. You will learn so much more about the world than you have ever known, and you will come to realize just how exactly you want to help people in the future with what you have discovered. So please, just relax and hold on tight, and you will make it to where you are meant to be.

If I went back in time, I would advice myself to learn how to become independent. The transition to high school to college was hard being completely independent.

The number one advice I would give to myself would be to not worry. I stressed over my grades a lot in high school becuase I thought I would not get into a good college. I would say manage your time properly. Learn how to have fun and study when you need to. Don't be afraid that you're not popular because once you get to college, nobody cares how popular you were in high school. Don't always compare yourself to others, there will always be people lesser than you and greater than you. Keep a goal in mind and aim for high ideals. Be at peace with yourself and ignore those who try to let you down. You have a right to be here no less than any other object present in the universe whether it be those trees or those clouds. Lastly, be cautious and always strive to be succesful.