Alabama A & M University Top Questions

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would definitely apply for more scholarships, regardless of the dollar amount. I would take the ACT exam every time it was given because most scholarships use those scores when selecting recipients. I had no idea that college was so expensive. I visited three schools during the fall of my senior year. I would visit several different colleges during the summer before my senior year. I would ask more questions about the costs associated with each individual college and the curriculum needed to become an Occupational Therapist. While participating in sports and volunteer services, I would make a stronger effort to obtain references from teachers, my principal and volunteer coordinators. Something I learned the hard way is that it is very important to follow-up on contacts you’ve made. I would not assume that because someone is an adult, they would follow through on references without a friendly reminder from me. I was a procrastinator in high school, always putting things off until the last minute. If I had a do over, I would complete projects as early as possible giving myself time to perfect certain things.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would definitely apply for more scholarships, regardless of the dollar amount. I would take the ACT exam every time it was given because most scholarships use those scores when selecting recipients. I had no idea that college was so expensive. I visited three schools during the fall of my senior year. I would visit several different colleges during the summer before my senior year. I would ask more questions about the costs associated with each individual college and the curriculum needed to become an Occupational Therapist. While participating in sports and volunteer services, I would make a stronger effort to obtain references from teachers, my principal and volunteer coordinators. Something I learned the hard way is that it is very important to follow-up on contacts you’ve made. I would not assume that because someone is an adult, they would follow through on references without a friendly reminder from me. I was a procrastinator in high school, always putting things off until the last minute. If I had a do over, I would complete projects as early as possible giving myself time to perfect certain things.

If I could go back and talk to myself and give myself advice about college I would first tell myself to be sure to remain optimistic and stay surrounded by positive people. I would also tell myself to stay focused and don't be afraid to ask for help because there are a lot of people willing to help you if you just ask. College can get very tiring and stressful at times especially if you don't have balance, time management skills, and good studying habits. If you don't surround yourself with positive people there is a chance that you can be thrown off of the right path because of the partying, excessive work and lack of motivation. I would tell myself to just keep an open mind and be sure to remember why I attended college. Things will get extremely hard at times but don’t give up because the outcome of your success will last a lot longer than the things you go through to obtain it.

I know you are really nervous about all the possibilties out there, but its ok. Now is not the time to focus on where your friends of right now are going, its time for you to focus on this last year. i know the idea of you being a senior makes you want to relax with your peers and the work load is even more strenuous then before, but it is all apart of preperation. Before you decide where you go to college really think of how much space you would between you and your family, also when you go and visit a college make sure you check and see what there is to do off school grounds.

Hindsight is always 20/20. As we get older, we learn life lessons. Lessons that our parents try to teach, but most of the time we just don't want to listen. For the most part, life experience is the only entity that helps us to understand and to grow. One lesson I would tell my 18 year old self in high school is to let him know that at this moment in his life that he is not ready for college. It is hard to admit to yourself that you are not mature enough to handle the stressors of college; some people can handle it, others cannot. Joining the Air Force and serving my country for six years has been the most rewarding time of my life and helped me to grow as a person. It gave me the discipline I needed to help cope with the importance of college and to help deal with all the weight on my shoulders. I am not ashamed to admit that I did not succeed my first go around at college. I am proud to know that I fell off the horse and got back up to finish my goal.

If I could go back to my senior year, there would be a few pieces of critical advice that I would give myself knowing what I know now about transitioning into college life. First, I would strongly advise myself to take advantage of college courses that are offered in my senior year. By doing so, this will eliminate some of the anxiety that freshmen feel when they embark upon their journey as college freshmen. Subsequently, this will afford me the opportunity to experience the level of reading, writing and creative thinking that is required to be successful. Additionally, I would warn myself about the seriousness of procrastination. It will cause undue stress and will not allow me the opportunity to showcase the quality of work that I am capable of achieving. Finally, the last word of advice I would give, would be in reference to time management and how it is the key to success in whatever it is that you do in life. Your parents will not be there to take up the slack, and you will have to be responsible for yourself. With these critical pieces of advice, I would tell myself success is well within my reach.

If given the chance to turn back time as a high school senior, I would advise myself to be more dedicated and persistent in my studies because college is more challenging than in high school. First, I would keep in mind to replete my grades with A's and maintain my GPA in order to open more doors for various opportunities. Second, I would join clubs, sports and organizations to gain more experience and extracurricular activities. Third, I would prepare and study the SAT in order to ace the test, to be qualified for my desired university, and to attract more scholarships to help me financially. Fourth, I would research and apply for scholarship opportunities online. Fifth, I would apply for jobs in the summer to have my own pocket money, to subsidize my colllege fees. Sixth, I would refrain from "procrastinating" because it hinders every bit of success.

Get involved in many sports and activities. Don't worry about college being to difficult. Don't worry about what people think. Try many different things even if you don't think your interested. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.

I would tell myself to do some pre-college preparations such as read more books outside of class and take on additional assignments that could help me or better prepare me for the college classes. As well as get into better studying habits that are effective and help me remember the information a little longer. I would also tell myself to become a lot more responsible about handling school related problems and issues. Dont become reliable on other people to handle or take care of my work or financial aid problems.

I would advise myself to go to this school for my first two years then transfer. This is a way of learning more about my heritage at Alabama A&M University but then go off to a more qualified school with a music education program.

If I could go back, I would tell myself not to stretch myself to thin. To only take 1 or 2 AP classes and to concentrate on doing excellent in those classes. I would also tell myself that college isn't too scary. Just work hard and everything will be okay. I would tell myself to think really hard about not only what I wanted to do in life, but what would give me a better life and would be a good career path. I loved going to culinary school, but I think that I could have gone straight to athletic training if I knew back then that's what I wanted to do, and I still would have been happy. Finally I would tell myself to breathe and take it all in, because it doesn't last forever, but college is totally worth it!

I would advise myself to buckle down and choose a major. I did not figure out what I wanted to do until the summer headed into my sophomore year of college. I would have also advised myself to take the ACT again, although I already had a 25, a 26 would have gotten me a full scholarship.

I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I would also encourage myself to start a savings account so that I could be prepared for the miscellaneous college expenses. I would tell myself to try to bring any random tools or objects from home to school because I've learned that the most outlandish things come in handy when you're in a dorm. Also, I would let myself know that I'll life differently when I return home from school because college life brings forth growth and maturity.

Brandy: Don't procrastinate. Make sure that you work as hard as you can on all of you're goals, and write them down so you can see your progress. This is the time to really make things count. Hard work and determination are two of the main characteristics that you will need to succeed. Don't give up. Even if you seem to be falling behind, don't give up. If you need to refocus to get things done, just take a break, relax, and refocus! This is going to be one of the hardest challenges you will put yourself through in life, but it is worth it, so don't give up. Make sure you get yourself organized for all your classes. This will help you stay on top of things, and not put off assignments till it's almost too late. Your main goal is to succeed and all you need to do this is mostly to stay focused on the things that are right in front of you. Take time to enjoy life. Don't stress on things that you can't change, and make the best of everything that you can. You can do it!

Tiffany, you need to stop partying so much! Get more involved in school functions and in the community! Do not take so many difficult classes at one time and studying needs to be higher on your priority list! Take advantage of the fact that you have some freedom and know that getting an education will make your life in the future much easier! Your son that you will be having at a too young age is amazing, but trying to get back into school while also taking care of him is one of the hardest things you will ever do, so stay in school and get it done now. Think long and hard about your major and the things you want to do with your life. Figure out the things that interest you, do not just go for what comes easy to you because it is not necessarily something you will like. Living on campus and discovering yourself are more important than going to parties with people that you think are your friends because they will not be there when it counts. The friends you make at school, however are better influences and will be your true friends for life!

As I walk to class , twenty three years old and in my last semester of community college, I cannot help but wonder how different everything could be had I not decidedly planted my feet on the path I’m currently walking. If I hadn’t continued my education after high school and instead pursued a career would I have found one? In pondering our past decisions and turning over hypotheticals in our heads, it’s impossible not to also wonder what outcome our current decisions will have. If I had it to do all over again, or if I could at least give advise to my high school self, it would be to work harder. No matter what we are doing we can always be working harder and there is always so much more room to grow than we realize. It’s difficult at that young age of 18/19 not to get lost exploring your new freedoms and independence. To fritter away your time and not look to the future because the present is so new and different. My advice would be to really think about who I want to be and do everything I can to get there.

The advice I would give myself is that make sure you know everything about the college that you want to attend.

The advice I would give myself would include conducting more research on colleges and environments, finding a mentor and networking. The reasons are discussed below. The advice on research would be beneficial, as I should have conducted more research on larger numbers of colleges, programs of study offered, and overall college community atmosphere. Each of these items is important to the overal choice of which college to attend. Colleges and the programs they offer are significant to choosing the appropriate major and jobs linked to that major. The college atmosphere is central fitting other students and establishing a functional network. Mentorship can last a lifetime. It should have started as soon as possible upon entering college. Networking and mentorship are closely related. Mentorship would have allowed me to begin the process of learning from and networking with a person who was established in his/her career. Theoretically this person could have guided me throughout my career. Fitting in with other students would have allowed me to establish a learning network. Learning this before college would have allowed me to establish a viable network of mentor and friends that would have been beneficial throughout college.

I would have told myself one piece of advice. Look at every option before you commit.

I would tell myself to enjoy what is left of my senior year. Although college is significantly better than high school, I would tell myself not to wish it would rush by and finish up fast. I would tell myself to have some patience with all the high school students who claim they know exactly what college is all about. Finally, I would tell myself to appreciate the frienships I made while in high school, because many of them would not continue into college whether it be because of location or simply not keeping in touch.