Alvernia University Top Questions

I would tell my high school self to take harder classes and challenge myself. High school is the best/only preparation for transitioning into college classes. College classes are going to challenge you and the way you think.

To go back in time, to my senior year, would be welcomed because my past self could have used the information that I know now in order to have excelled in college life and the transition to college life. The first bit of advice I would give myself would be to get more involved in school. I would tell myself to join all of the clubs I wanted to join, pick up a new hobby. I would have told myself to stop being in my little shell and make those connections with people. This would have made making new friends much easier in college. It would also have made getting involved much easier. Knowing I had social anxiety, I would tell my senior self to get help for that and make myself a new person, to reinvent myself. I also would have told myself to take better care of myself because trying to juggle school, work and trying to get in shape is a challenge. I also wish I could tell my past self to start saving more money. I never believed the stereotype of a broke college student until now. I would tell myself to change for the better.

I would tell myself to take a deep breath and focus more in school then on my friends. Coming to college was an eye-opening experience with the intense workload, but it will be worth it! Find a school you fall in love with and that is welcoming.

My high school years were not very typical. When I fifteen my sister died from a medical error. Therefore, I was not a normal high school student. I wanted college to be different. I wanted to feel normal. I did not take my freshman year of college seriously. In retro spect, I would have told myself that my freshman year is my most important year, and it creates an essential academic foundation for nursing students. My goal in life is to be a pediatric nurse practictioner because of what happened to my little sister. I would have told myself this was not going to be easy road, and that this program was going to drain me completely. But would have reminded myself of the reasoning behind my dream and all that necessary hard work. Fianlly, I would have explained to myself the relevancy of community service. At my school, community serivce hours are required for graduation. I thought this was rediculous when I first apllied to go to Alvernia. Despite this, I have learned over the years the rewarding feeling you obtain when you participate in community service. It is undescribable. I believe this advice would have been priceless.

High school was very easy- you didn't have to study much and you were at the top of your class. However college is much different than you may have expected. Not only is it an entirely new environment concerning your social life, but it is also a different academic environment. You have to work much harder than you would have ever imagined in school because quite frankly it isn't easy. You can't procrastinate and wait until the last minute to do everything because trust me, it will show in your grades. And even though professors don't give homework that has to be handed in every day, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't study every day- because the studying IS your homework and that is what will you get you the grades that you are used to seeing. College is a wonderful experience and I hope that you're excited about it, but just remember that it's giong to be a lot more work than high school but it will all be worth it in the end.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that you need to be more engaged at college. You cannot just sit around and wishing you did something, you need to do it. College is a place where engagement is a big proponent, and also engaging in activities opens your mind. I would also warn myself about the reading that must be done. The amount of time that is needed to study to be fully prepared for exams, quizzes, and other assignments is astronomical compared to the time needed in high school. So, I'd end the conversation with a smile, handshake, and say, "you better refine those study habits, or you'll be in trouble."

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have advised myself to apply for a college right away and not wait until the last minute. I would have also apply for as many scholarships as I can, just in case I'd ever need it. I'd also advise myself to pick a major with credits that are easily transferrable to other colleges as not to risk having to wasting my Pell grant. In fact, I would add, I need to choose my major wisely because Pell will only cover for 12 semesters.. I would have also told myself to get treated for ADD so that I'd focus better in college. Lastly, I'd advise myself to get help learning how to write papers to avoid flunking certain classes that involve lots of writing.

When talking to my younger self I would most definitely be telling them that you need to think about what your major should be. Think long and hard, don't just pick something that you believe will make you money, pick something that you will love to do. You don't know what jobs will be like in 4-6 years so pick what you love, not what will make you loads and loads of money. Life is about living your dream, loving your job, and being happy. I would then talk to myself about the stress. Syllabus week might turn you away, but just think about it this way you have WEEKS to accomplish all of those things, and you will accomplish all of those things. College can be stressful, but you just have to think that when you are done with school you will be out in the real world with real responsibilities. Just enjoy the school setting, enjoy meeting new people, try new things, because once you are in the real world there is no going back. College is a great experience if you want it to be, so put yourself out there and enjoy it.

I would make sure that when I decide to go to college to make sure that you have all of your resources figured out and to make sure that you have the finances to make it through. With going to college you want to make sure that you have made the right decision along with making sure that you are able to keep up with all the assignments and be able to concentrate on the work. Being in high school, it is best to keep up your GPA and to make sure that you get the most out of it. With having the help and support of your friends and family will also help with making the right choice for the college you have chosen. For me being in college at a older age, it seems to be best to make the most of what you have to live for to get the best job that will last for a long time. While in highschool it is also best to have a good background and knowledge of so extra curriculums to get the scholarships that will help get you through the years.

I would first advise myself to focus primarily on my school work and decrease the amount of hours worked each week. I would also tell myself to continue to persevere even through the darkest of times and continually strive to better youself. Never give up and always put forth your best effort. Do not let other discourage you.