Appalachian State University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would have told myself to have tried harder in school. Although I made great grades academically in high school, I could have made better ones. I started to slack off senior year and did not push myself as hard as I would have like. I would have told my high school senior self to make better study habits, eat healthier, and exercise more to stay productive. Learning new ways of studying would have helped me to make an easier transition into college. In college, the way you study is different than it was in high school in the way you prepare for tests and quizzes. Also, I wish I could tell my high school senior self how to manage and balance out all the things that will be happening in your life. As a nursing student now, I had to learn the hard way on how to focus on one goal at a time to succeed.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to save more money. Of course I knew college is expensive, but it didn't sink in as much as it did when I got here and realized all the extra expenses I didn't expect. I didn't realize how often I would go out to eat after getting tired of dining hall food, not to mention, having a social life is just expensive in general. I also thought that I wouldn't still want to go shopping and spend money on the things I did when I was at home. I will definitely be saving much more of my money this summer. College is definitely a big transition, but if handled well, it can be easy and painless.

Don't listen to them. The teachers in college are nicer than everyone says. You'll do fine. You will make friends once you get there. You will keep in contact with your high school friends as well. No matter what, you will be fine. Don't listen to those who say you will not.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry. College is a place where people go to discover their true identities and to become grounded in a core set of beliefs. You will come in contact with people who are very different than you. You will have the ability to manage your own time and you need to make sure that you use it wisely. College is an opportunity to meet new people and network with those who will become beneficial to you during your professional career and your personal life. Bring in your ideas and experieces, share them, and listen to others and you might learn something new. Education is something that we as Americans take advantage of and I want you to have a fulfilling experience so you can change the world. Have fun, be safe, and make intelligent decisions on what to do with your newly found freedom.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to enjoy every moment of the time I have. I am currently a junior in college, and as I plan to attend graduate school and get my master's degree, I look back on the past few years and wish I could go back and enjoy everything all over again. It has been such a joy to be at Appalachian State, and now that I am moving into higher education soon and learning a lot about the real world, I realize how valuable time is and how important it is to enjoy the present. I am a very dilligent student, and I worry often about my grades and my success. However, I am slowly learning that doing my best and enjoying it all the while is what truly brings the most success and happiness in my life. This is a valuable lesson that I've learned, but I wish I could go back and learn it three years ago instead. I would tell myself that sometimes life is hard, but to work hard, enjoy life, and just be happy.

Forget about my initial degree idea and go straight for what I graduated in. It will be a much more rewarding experience and I will have a blast.

Get involved! You will miss this time in your life, so enjoy your senior year. Don't let anything pass you by. However, also spend an immense amount of time with your family. As exciting as you are to move out and be independent, you will miss your family more than you ever expect. Don't ever dismiss them because you will soon long for that time with them back. However, know that you will soon enter into the most amazing experience of your life. College is everything that people say it is and more. You have the chance to meet your life long friends. You will have the chance to find out who you really are. There are ups and downs, though. The Freshman 15 is real, so make sure you don't let yourself go. It can be scary, but I promise you that it will get so much better. Join clubs and put yourself out there. College is what you make it, so choose to make it great!

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not be afraid to take risks. All through college, I missed out on numerous opportunites because I was afraid of consequences that may or may not have happened. I would also tell myself to push yourself outside of the classroom both academically and socially. Both of these aspects will have a huge impact on the college experience.

To my high school self, I would advise to be ambitious. I would tell myself to have applied sooner and been more determined when it came to getting financial aid and scholarships. There's nothing I regret more than waiting so long to take advantage of the opportunities that were sitting in front of my face. I would tell myself not to hesitate, to take a bold leap of faith and ask for help when I needed it. The transition wasn't difficult for me, but I would've told myself not to let my family's past scare me out of trying to go to college. Through Christ all things are possible, and there's nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it.

I would tell my high school senior self that you are going to lose friends, even those that you once held dear in your current stage of life. I would tell myself that its okay becaue friends come and go and not to waste energy and effort to fix what is broken in a friendship. College is a time where people change, some for the better or for the worst, and that I must simply accept that. On a lighter note, I would also tell myself that there are true friends out there who will understand you. These true friendships are forged by people in the same walk of life being brought down by similar trials.

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the four years that I was at Appalachian State University, and to make sure to focus on my studies because that is the main reason you're attending school. There will be plenty of time to go out and have fun, but make sure that all you work and studying is completed first. I would also tell myself to join more clubs and groups because it can be beneficial. Lastly I would tell myself to get involved in research earlier than I did. It can add to your learning experience and be very fulfilling. Overall just enjoy it and have fun the four years that you are there.

I would tell my high school self that the little things don't matter. Don't panic if you oversleep once- just don't do it again. Go to class, even if you feel like it doesn't do any good. Don't let yourself get swallowed in he thousands of students. You are a natural born leader and you need to stay that way. Truely consider advice. Don't just think 'Oh, that sounds good" but really sit on it for a while- it could come in handy.

I would tell high school self to go on and start at Appalachian and not go to the community college. If I was able to tell myself that I would have saved a lot of time as well as a lot of money. Another thing that I would have told myself would have been what degree to go after. The last thing that I would tell myself would be to study hard and make good grades.

If I could give myself advice, the me that was still a high school senior not getting enough sleep and developing a bad habit of drinking too much coffee, I guess I'd tell myself to not worry about feeling lonely. That sense of emptiness you feel when you move somewhere new by yourself, goes away. You fill your own empty spaces in your life, and become so much stronger and larger and vibrant than you ever thought you could be. I'd tell myself that although I never thought I was capable of doing so, I could become the artist of my own life. It's really such a beautiful thing to feel yourself growing up and out, soaking up all the rays of the sun and coming into your own. I'd tell myself to stop worrying about how I'd cope, because there is no circumstance which you can't turn into a learning experience, there's nothing you can't do or be. The world is your oyster.

Let’s see. Senior year was too recent to tell myself to put my money into a good company and call it a day! (like Microsoft in the 70’s!) So I would say “Hayden young chap! Go to college, get a good education, but go for the knowledge not the certificate! Getting a degree is a must in today’s society, but so is the pursuit of knowledge for the rest of your life! Education doesn’t stop after college is over, nor does your career begin once it has! Follow your dreams now boy-oh! Don’t wait till you’re out of college to start makin’ a difference in the world! And also… Don’t make that Toyota Corolla your first car. Definitely not worth it.” Good times! But in all seriousness I have made outstanding breakthroughs in my experience in college, it isn’t about finishing* college for me, it’s about succeeding in life, which no piece of paper (on its own) can give me, It’s up to me to make a difference! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to go to college, and for the opportunity to compete for this scholarship!

Pay attention!

Take it seriously and do not slack off! I would also highly recommend speaking with an academic advisor as to what type of job/career that you want to pursue to ensure that your degree matches up to what you want to do once you graduate! Explore all of the job markets that best suit what you want to do.

To my high school senior self, don't be so worried about leaving Hawai'i. Sure, it will always be your home, but soon, so will Appalachian. It's going to be scary, and daunting, espeically those first few days, but it is eventually going to be the most comforting and wondeful place you have ever lived. It is going to feel so natural, just being there. It is going to seem scary and new, but that won't last long. Remember, everyone isn't going to be your best friend, but everyone isn't going to be your worst enemy either, open up to them and make friends. Keep certain people close, but let others go. The ones that leave, you won't miss them for long. Try and be a bit of a joiner, but stay where you are comfortable. You don't need to do it all just yet. And soon, the time will come when you have to make hard choices. Go with your gut, trust me, it is the best guide. Most of all, though, keep your chin up. It gets better, even in the worst moments. I promise! Love, Future You.

Dear Me, Believe in yourself. If you do not, then no one will. Do not be afraid of failure. Go after those dreams of yours that reside deep within your innermost self. People will tell you that you cannot do it, and maybe you cannot. But if you do not try, you will never prove them wrong. You will never live up to your potential. You will settle for mediocrity just like so many other people in this world. Do not be afraid to fail. Go on; chase your dreams. Apply to that Ivy League school. Join the Swing Dance club simply because you enjoy dancing, despite the fact that you have two left feet. Brush off the awkwardness; the memories will be worth it. Try out for the Club Soccer team. Exhibit self-confidence and remember to have fun. Do not be afraid to make new friends, especially if your old friends already have. Things change; let them. People will come and go out of your life. Be thankful for the time you have had with them, and let go of your bitterness towards those who have hurt you. It is not worth it. And most importantly, have faith.

If I were able to have a conversation with myself as a senior in high school, I am not sure I would change much. However, I would tell myself to not blow things out of proportion. Take things as they come and do not spend so much time worrying about little things and matters that you cannot control. Do not try to be anyone else other than yourself, you already spend too much time worrying about what everyone else thinks and college is a time too precious to squander. Do not waste time, work harder and smarter because you are absolutely capable of doing so. Call mom and dad more and check on Jamie because she grows up so quickly. Visit as much as you can and do not take any of them for granted. Being away from them is hard and you have not realized it yet. Have fun and work hard. Cherish the friends you make and do not be afraid of being independent. Love yourself and be strong. You have a great future ahead of you.