Armstrong State University Top Questions

If I could reverse the clock a few years the first thing I would do to my high school self is reach out, grab her by the shoulders, and attempt to shake some sense into her. I would then sit her down and get her to listen the only way I know she would-- hand her a coffee. Taking care of a parent at 17 is not easy. I know looking back I thought I was doing the best I could. My driving point to my former self would be that there is an exorbitant amount of help out there if you just ask. Back then I didn't even think school was an option. I knew I wanted to be a vet, but I had given up on the idea for financial reasons. I know now there are a number of options, and many people in multiple places willing to lend a hand. I'd make sure she knew there is no shame in not doing everything on your own. The drive and determination I had back then would have fed off the assurance of a future well= managed.

If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself to take some college classes, while also attending high school. That way I will be ahead of the game and know what I'm getting myself into with college level classes. I would also tell myself to make sure to study an hour for each college class I have. I honestly wish I could have raised my GPA up to a 3.5 so that I could have graduted with honors, so I would tell myself to also make sure to gradute with a 3.5 GPA or higher. I was too busy trying to have fun and forgot about my studies.

The best advice I would give to my naive high school mind, is to simply enjoy the luxuries and simplicities of still being a child. Back then, I couldn’t wait to be an “adult” making real money that was my own, having my own car, doing whatever I felt like, because I would finally be able to govern myself, and it is only now that I have realized how senseless and foolish I was to wish it all away, instead of appreciating it. I would give almost anything to have one more week of dreadful early mornings and long lectures with teachers that actually cared about my success. I would pay anything to still be able to have a long lunch break where I could openly talk to the people that I cared a lot about, because I now no longer have time to even say a simple “hello” to them. I would advise my former self to never get into anything I couldn’t handle, but most importantly of all, to remember to take time away from the hustle and bustle and just appreciate the present.

Dear Jassen,If I told you I’m future you, would you find this to be true? I’ve come to offer my sincerest advice, to let you know that life won’t always be that ideal paradise. Through all my experiences, old and new, my best advice: Forget what is taboo. “Whatever do you mean?” you ask. Just know you can stop hiding under that mask. College is a place where no one cares. Break through your shell if you dare. Don’t be afraid of the change because you will find your fair share of the strange. Soon you will find yourself at ease, not caring who you please. College is all about taking chances; just make sure you don’t make any wrong advances. You don’t want to push away those who are close. The friends you make aren’t like most. So cherish every moment together because college isn’t meant to last forever. Right now you may not understand, but you know as well as I do, life never goes as planned. So when I say I’m future you, do you now find this to be true?

I would tell myself to study more and tone down the social life a bit. Your friend's name won't be on that diploma too.

If I could go back in time as a high school senior, the advice I would give myself is create a set of goals. I would ask myself what would I like to accomplish by the end of high school? Then I would make a plan on how I would like to reach them. The next advice I would give myself is make the right friends. Friends who use others, friends who engage in criminal activity, friends who immature, and friends who you can never have a serious relationship with are a waste of an investment. Make the right friends rather than being influenced by the wrong friends. The final advice I would give is to excel in academics. I would develop good academic habits for college, absorb the information that is taught to you, and leave high school with a good GPA.

High school was an opportunity that I took for granted. I did well, and graduated. But I am a firm believer of giving it your all. If I had, maybe I would have more open doors in collegiate experiences. In 2009, I was diagnosed with cancerous brain tumor. Recovery was neither a smooth nor gentile process. Many of my treatments influenced my feelings toward everything- including my education. I began questioning almost every aspect of high school. Fortunately, I had a change of heart. I stayed in school, and was even more motivated to graduate. My path was still somewhat rigid, but I did not falter. By December of 2010, I was a cancer survivor and high school graduate. I continued my education in spring semester of 2012 as an undergraduate in psychology at Armstrong Atlantic State University. It is not always a clear path to my college degree, but there is progress. If I could give my high school self any advice it would be to hang in there, and push yourself to your maximum potential. “The harder the work you put in, the greater the reward you get”. These few words say so much.

A lot of minority groups remove the idea of going to college or a university based on the financial aspect and don't realize that it’s an investment to their future. Being the first person in my family to attend college, I didn't do my research like I should have and if I could do it all over again; I would have definitely made a lot of changes. First, I would have taken the SAT/ACT; it is one of the biggest mistakes a lot of students execute. Also, I would have researched/compared the schools of my interest. There is a lot to look at when comparing schools because each has different criteria/requirements for each major. I would have also studied more and efficiently. It is important that high school students study efficiently so that they don’t kill themselves in exhaustion to get an average passing grade. While I have always been involved in extracurricular activities, I would have liked to volunteer in organizations. Not only does it make you a better person, but it also gives you a different perspective in others and in life. Which I believe makes you appreciate everything you have.

I would advice myself to fill out as many scholarship applications that I could. College is something that should be taken very serious. It can be very expensive having to pay for books, tuition, food, and other things.

If I could go back and talk to myself about the transition from high school to College I would tell myself that I needed to listen and look at the scholarship opportunities earlier. Also I would have warned myself that I would be moving from one state to another. I would also warn myself about certain teachers, not that the teachers are bad but the teachers have different teaching styles. I would warn myself that the work load is not that different, but that you need to keep track and not procrastinate as much. I know these things now.