Ashley
I would tell myslef not to sweat the small stuff. You grow way too much at college to worry about the little day to day things. Be open to new people and new experiences. Take a few chances. Let individual moments change your life. Study hard, but take time for yourself too. Remmeber that in the end you take away a lot more than just an education, you take away so many relationships, events, and experiences. Don't let any of these moments pass by because you're too busy dwelling on trivial matters. Don't stress so much. It all works out in the end. Take nothing for granted. Being at Assumption is a blessing and a gift that many people will never experience. Use your skills wisely and help others every chance you get. Don't be afraid to leave a legacy behind at Assumption, as a matter-of-fact don't settle for anything less than a legacy. Enjoy the ride. Pray hard. Let go every once in a while. Trust the way you were raised, and be a light to those around you as you move froward to discover new things.
Cortney
I would have chosen better intro courses for my first semester and avoided Chemistry and Geography all together.
Amanda
The most valuable advice I would give myself is to be accepting to everyone. It is easy at a small school to find a group of friends quickly as a freshman and stick with them. However, it is important to keep being open to meeting new people outside of your group of friends. I would also tell myself that although college is for gaining an education, it is okay to have some fun. Being completely academically focused will drive you crazy and you will look back and regret studying on a Friday night rather than socializing with the great people around you. Having good grades is important to a great future but so is being personable and networking. I would tell myself to start going to all events for my major and finding internships and contacts as soon as deciding a major because it will make the job search much easier in the future.
Danielle
That school is now my job. I am paying all this money to go to school. I need to pay attention and do well in my first semester, or it might bring down your GPA for the rest of your undergraduate career. Don't let the transition get the best of your school work.
Heidi
I would definitely tell myself to not be so nervous and overwhelmed because everything would turn out amazing. When I moved to school, I was so hesitant about the new environment I was in. I didn't know anyone and although I wasn't far from home, I was so afraid that I was going to be homesick. I had a lot of fears about how my classes would be, how my professors would be, if I would make friends, etc. But once I opened up and embraced the new chapter of my life that I was entering, I found out that it wasn't so scary. It was actually really amazing. I learned so many new things about myself and I met so many great people. I joined clubs. I developed strong bonds with my professors. I learned what I want to do with my life. I'm so glad that I learned to let go of all my fears, but if I could go back in time I would tell myself that there was absolutely nothing to worry about.
Stephanie
Pick a direction, any direction, and just jump-
It doesn't matter if it is the path you are going to stay on for the rest of your life, or even the next 2 months, but whatever you do go into it with your all. You are capable of learning all the technical knowledge in the world about anything you choose to pursue, but in the end it will be YOUR drive that opens the doors.
So jump high and aim far- and when you think you've reached the top, look again, because its only the start.
Brittany
I would make sure I learned good time management skills and carried those into college. I would give myself the advice not to procrastinate school work because then you are not performing to the best of your ability.
richard
Assuming i could go back in time as a high school senior, i would have adviced myself to get into as many extra curricula activities as possible. I would have also encouraged myself to get more involve withe the community by way of community service and this would be just to get the most out of schorlaships but it also enlightens you to the outside world and helps in your personal development.
Elizabeth
Knowing what I know now, I would go back and tell my high school self to be more outgoing. College has opened me up to many new situations and has allowed me to grow as a person. I wish I could go back and be more outgoing and less reserved. College has allowed me to be an individual and has allowed me to voice my opinions confidently.
Allisyn
The advice I would give to myself if I could go back in time and address myself as a high school senior would be to not stress over small things. I am a typically anxious person and have a tendency to worry about every little detail, and prior to entering college, I had many sleepless nights worrying about what it would be like when I was away at school. Now that I have a little experience, I know that stressing about every detail is not a helpful practice. Putting pressure on yourself to be perfect can become extremely difficult and make you feel like you're going to "crack". I would tell my 17 year old self that I need to relax. Assumption is a place where I am comfortable and where I will have a good experience. Staying up all night nervous won't help me have a better college experience. Learning to let go is very important.
Heather
My college experience helped to shape the person I am today. I learned not only in the classroom, but also valuable lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom. My professors were so supportive and encouraging and I will never forget them. My college education was the best investment my parents could have made. I have developed lifelong skills that will help me to succeed.
Meghan
I think the most valuable experience that I have taken advantage of at Assumption is being involved in the campus community. In my first year I took the first opportunity to become a student leader, and that was running for an elected position on the Student Government Association. I also became an Admissions Ambassador where I give weekly tours to prospective students. Bening involved in the campus community has allowed me to truly make a difference to the students on campus as well as develop respective relationships with my peers, advisors, and administrators. And to me, the lasting relationships that I am developing now are extremely valuable.
Steffani
I would suggest to never be afraid of planning ahead. If you have a goal or dream, pursue it even if the road appears difficult and there is not unanimous support. In the end your choice will be rewarding and you can look back and be proud of what you accomplished. I thought I wanted to go to a school far away from home, but it turns out being closer may actually be better. I was able to get a job at school during the semester and continue to work over winter and summer break by commuting, whereas finding work may have been more complicated if I had gone to school far away. I would also suggest to never be afraid of talking to your professors if you are struggling. You are paying them to give you an education, but also building a relationship with them can only help you especially if you want to have an internship or need recommendations in the future. School goes by fast so keep priorities and values straight because your education will be with you the rest of your life and sometimes missing out on ?fun? will be worth it later in life.
Sara
This year I didn't attend school, instead I took a gap year in Israel. If I was to look back and talk to myself, I would say that taking a gap year was one of the smartest decisions of my life. It has helped me make the transition from a high school student, to an independent person amazingly well. I would encourage more of my friends to take gap year programs that interest them. I feel like I am completely ready for college now, and I will do better then I would have done if I didn't take the gap year.
Julia
So you are about to embark on your next journey, you will love your classes and you will do well. You are smart so don?t doubt yourself. You will meet boys and you will fall for them, that is okay. Let yourself get wrapped up in it all, these are your best days and I promise you, you will not regret any of it. You have an overactive mind and this may be your worst enemy. You will target these attributes in a specific way and it will change your life. This new responsibility will help you meet amazing people. Hold converstations with anyone and everyone; you never know who will add a little something extra to your life. This includes your freshman class. Many of them will transfer or will be busy doing their own thing. Go out every weekend with these people and get rowdy with them. Come junior year second semester you will look at the freshmen and wonder if you had as much fun as they are having. There will be days where you will forget to smile; your room mates will be there to remind you how good life really is.
Caitlin
If I were to give myself advice as a high school senior it would be to not be nervous for the year to come. It is an exciting time in your life and try to experience everything that you can. As you are trying to make the decision for which college you want to attend, do not stress. The right decision is different for everyone, so do not let anyone try and influence you. Your senior year can be stressful so try and focus on the tests and exams that are important. Also try not to let ?senioritis? hit you once you have been accepted to college, this does not mean you can stop working. Finally, spend time with your family and friends because once you go away to school, you will not be seeing them every day.
Paul
I would tell myself that college life isn't as hard as its cracked up to be. The transition is easy, and in no time I made friends who I really like. Also, the workload isn't that hard. Don't stress out! It's way more fun and easier than high school.
Abby
If I could return after college to myself as a high school senior, I would give that senior three pieces of advice. The first advice would be to take every opportunity presented. This could range from taking a unique and challenging class to applying for an on-campus intership. College is an experience; one should take every possible opportunity. In the end, one can learn something different besides skills for a career. By seizing an opportunity, one can also learn more about himself or herself. Secondly,one should get to know the professors and work hard. Professors are full of knowledge, and most are willing to share it with their students. Getting to know professors could help someone choose a career or learn something new. They are also willing to help students with other factors, such as choosing classes, finals, and other things. In addition, work hard in college. The harder one works, the luckier one becomes. In the end, it will pay off with extreme success. Lastly, one should enjoy oneself. Again, college is a once in a lifetime experience. One should experience new and exciting things, as well as open one's mind to a different world.
Ryan
If I could go back and address myself as a senior, I would tell myself the most useful things I have learned from college. First off, I would tell myself to not worry so much. College is far more difficult than high school. However, it is not overwhelmingly so. The biggest challenge of college is self discipline. It?s very easy to lose focus with all the new freedom it presents. However, I have never had difficulty cracking down when it was necessary and focusing on school. So, to my na?ve self, I would warn him to be wary, but not to worry. Just do what needs to be done.
Another important thing I would tell myself is not to be so closed up. Throughout high school, I was very withdrawn and it took a lot for me to open up to others. In college, however, it is an essential skill to be able to open up and make friends. I would tell myself not to be so self conscious, to open up and have fun when I can and when I should. These two facts would be most essential to myself as I entered college.
Kristen
If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior to help myself out, honestly I wouldn't. I think that I made a great choice in choosing where I am. No regrets. I made a geat choice for myself and am happy at the school I am at today. The only thing I would even fathom to tell myself would to not be worried. I was so nervous coming to school, I was afraid I wouldn't make friends. Now I have the bestfriend I could ever ask for and it has truly been a blessing. This school means the world to me so the only adivice I'd give to myself is not to worry and enjoy my time at college. Even without going back I believe I made myself believe that before hand because this has been the best year and a half of my life.