Daniel
College is more than a steppingstone to "real adulthood." Your time at the university is more than a mere filter, in which you enter dull-witted and leave as a processed, polished gem. The cliché phrase, "Seize the day", best describes the experience of higher learning. But, this is sometimes hard to grasp when you are spending full nights developing papers on strenuous topics. You are not defined by your workload. You will come to learn that you define your workload. All of your studies will be infused with passion. Your academic work ethic will be the sole drive to unfolding opportunities to travel, converse with the greatest of people, and redefine your value. You will soon realize the fluidity of your thought process, identity, and self-image. The concepts of great authors will resonate in your mind (e.g. knowledge as freedom – Frederick Douglass, a critic as artist – Oscar Wilde), and you will find liberation in new ideas. College is your chance to explore and test your own limits, as well as the limits of knowledge. This endeavor is more than a check-off-the-list; it is a chance to fully embody a passion or skill.
Macy
Going back I would tell myself to have a stronger focus on what I wanted to do after college. Softball was always my main focus and I would go back and let myself know that I needed to try and decide a major. College is a lot of fun, but also is a lot of work. I did not realize how big of an adjustment it would be without having my family there with me. I would go back and tell myself to learn how to cook, do my own laundry, and just other small things that are important to know how to do once you are out on your own. High School is way different from college. College allowed me to be in classes and study things that I truly enjoyed learning about. I would let myself know that procrastination is not something I need to carry with me to college. I would also let myself know how important it is to spend time with family because you really do not realize how much you are going to miss them until you are hours away from them.
Aysia
Aysia, even though the teacher did not give you any homework, you still need to study what you learned in class. You are going to need this information in the future, and it prevents cramming for a final exam. Instead of giving up when you do not understand the work, you need to go online and look up video tutorials on the problem. It will not only help you, but it may explain the problem in a way that you understand. Keep striving, and do not become involved into too many activities because when you need to study the most is when they need you to participate the most. Do not look at how everyone else is spending their time because you know what you need to do. The people you are looking at the most will not graduate or will not have honors like you will. You know what your goal is. You know what you have to do. Do not let temptations and pressure get in the way of stopping you. Stop listening to all these people pushing you to take psychology. You want to be computer software engineer, so stop letting the opportunities pass by.
bell
My senior year of high school, I was a zombie-like figure attached to the walls of my high school slinking down the hallway infected with severe seniorities. If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would say:
1: APPRECIATE FREE EDUCATION!!
College is expensive, and you will soon learn the pains of it. Also, be more grateful for that free education, there are many people around the world that would love to be in that classroom chair.
2: You will not miraculously change into a better studier once you go to college.
Good studying is a habit and for that to happen, you have to practice, so stop procrastinating for that test.
3. The high school social structure is NOT IMPORTANT
In college, I have learned to focus more on the end result with my education and future rather than if everybody likes me or not. I REPEAT social status is not important. Believe me, you will most likely never see the people you went to high school with again and you know what that is okay because college is mostly about getting to know yourself.
Lisa
I was so afraid of college debt it took me 8 years to complete my undergraduate degree. I would tell myself that it would all work out and to plow through. Once I had children it was VERY difficult to focus on school again. I would tell myself to calm down. Life moves so quickly I needed to enjoy the classes and my friends more and work less.
Jenna
Learn to get to know your teachers better because they can write you letters of recommendation if they remember you. Stay in touch with your friends from high school because sometimes it's nice to go home and catch up. Get tutoring prior to certain classes; the proffesors will expect more of you than your teachers in high school did. Don't be afraid to ask questions, the proffesors will assume you understan the material d if you don't. Go to the proffesor after class if you need extra help, they have office hours posted for a reason. Get out and enjoy the town; you aren't going to fail if you don't study constantly. Never wait till the day before to finish an online assgnment because that's when the internet will go out on you. Join some clubs or a sorority; you'll make more friends who can give you advice on which proeffesors to take and who not to take. Don't take your mom doing the dishes and cooking for granted, it's not as easy as she makes it seem. Keep on working out; the freshmen fifteen is not a myth.
Dalton
Do not worry about your social life because it will fall in the space you have around your studying. Make time for enjoyment because without it you will sufficate on the workload. Enjoy college because it only happens once and it will be a great time in your life. Get your priorities in order before you go to college so you will be prepared.
Mercedes
If I were able to go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to stay motivated and never stop taking pictures for fun. Going to school for photography really changes how you see the world and I want to make sure that you take all the advice that you can and at the same time enjoy all the mistakes you make because it is true, you do learn from your mistakes. It is tough leaving your family to go to college but if you stay focused and determined on creating images that take everyone's breath away then you will do just fine. Remember to always help a friend out but complete your work first because that is how you will succeed.
Adrienne
Go for it. Dismiss the self-doubt. Look past the naysayers. Do it. Serving in the Army will be one of the most rewarding and successful stages of your life. You think basic will be hard? You made it. Deployments? Surmountable. The discipline and anonymity is an environment for you to thrive in. Bonuses: you meet your husband, have three beautiful children, influence the lives of hundreds of Soldiers, and earn money toward your lifelong dream. We know that this is just phase one, that we have several obstacles to overcome to reach our ultimate goal. At eight we decided that we would be a doctor. I'm now on my way to making that happen. But you have to take the first step.
Chelsee
If I could go back I would definitely notify myself of being a procrasinator. In high school it's easy to procrasinate and do a quick paper the night before its actually due and get an easy A or B. But when you are in college there is no time to procrasinate unless you want a procrasination grade, a F, or D,. Fall semester was great because we were all excited about college and it was fairly easy to stay on top of things. The key is to not loose focus when you come back from christmas break. In high school all we really cared about was seeing our friends and as for me keeping my grades at a minimum of a B and getting an A whenever I could. In college you need to maintain all A's if possible, it's really easy to loose focus and extremely hard to bring your grades back up once you have let them get below a C. In high school we didn't have to write as many essays, but all of that changes in college. Overall I would just say stay on top of school and keep your grades up.
Brittany
If I could go back in time and talk to my former self I would come out a completely different person. Making the transition to college from high school was hard for me beacuse I didn't anticipate all the effort it would take. When your in high school people tell you all the time about the extra work load and the harder classess, but when you only care about the freedom to pick your classes and the activities that are planned for you everyday. No one actually prepares you for college. When I was a senior I could slack off, not do work, and sleep in class and I would still pass. In college you can't do that. College classes take a lot more effort if you want to do well. If I were able to go back in time I would be able to save myself from mountains of stress and I would have better study skills. I would also be able to balance my academics, my home life, and my sports better. I would tell myself that I won't be able to get very far by applying only half of myself to academics.
Katie
Sleep is crucial! I would tell myself to get on a schedule and work on time management. Leave time for studying and relaxing because both are needed. I would also have my finances more under control. Learn to budget and save as well apply for all kinds of scholarships. By having your money situation figured out it relieves a lot of stress. With scholarships and financial aid covering tuiton you can use any money you earn as extra cash. Another thing I learned a little late was that there are online tools where you can find out about professors. Students post on these boards letting you know the teaching style and how they liked them.
Ashley
My advice for college students is to not take life to serious. College is meant to be fun and enjoyable. This time in life is a learning process for everyone and meant to help us all reach a career that is fit for us and that we will enjoy. Although the college years are the supposed to and going to be fun, one must also remeber that this is also a time to find what it is that we are meant to do in life. School is hard work and takes dedication and is a great pay off in the end.
Israel
If I could go back in time I would tell myself to go to college right after graduating high school. I am a returning student and it definitely is more difficult to attend college as a returning student. Mostly I would advise myself to form good study habits early to better combat the work load of college. I would also emphasise that practice is a key part of study, and without practicing you are setting yourself up for failure. Another good piece of advice I eould give myself would be to make friends and be outgoing because having a strong network of friends is very important. You should also volunteer not just to give back to the community but to also build your network. Who you know is important so make an effort to network with as many people as possible while still staying focussed on your studies. Most of all find a point in the day when you can relax and say to yourself "this is my favorite part of the day" because the stresses of college life can be ovewhelming at times.
Tamra
If I could go back and give myself advice, knowing what I know now, I would definately tell myself that my teachers weren't lying when they said college was hard. I would also tell myself to apply for more scholarships and save up any money possible, college is EXPENSIVE! I would also have taken a Math class my senior year to better prepare for college Algebra, and I probably would've studied harder for my SATs. Most importantly I would tell myself to study hard, read alot, and do my best on everything so I can suceed in college.
Brittney
The thing I regret most about my senior year of high school was that I never developed good study habits. I was the type of student that could look at material right before a test or quiz and get lucky with a high B or even an A. In college I learned that it takes studying every night just to pass certain classes, but I found out the hard way and didn't perform as well as I would have liked during my first semester . If I could go back to my high school days I would advise myself to learn good study habits and time management.
Teresa
Assuming I could go back in time and give myself as a high school senior advice in regards to college life and making the transition, I would focus on advicing commitment, hard work, and staying focused. I would advice on commitment because i started college straight out of highschool but i dropped out after one year to start marry and start a family. Not that i regret starting a family, i just wish i had continued in my education instead of having to now return after twenty plus years of being out of school. I would then stress being dedicated in working hard. Strive to be and do the best you can; study, study, study. I would finally advice on staying focused. There are so many distractions that can surround a student that their main focus should be on getting to class, preparing for class, and studying. Life throws many things at you but as long as you remain with a positive attitude and a good outlook on life and school, even when things are diffucult stay committed, work hard, and stay focused.
Jamoni
I would tell myself to pay more attention in my English classes.
Alexandria
Don't procrastinate, spend as much time studying as you can. Try not to go out to eat too much. Make sure you have people in each class who will help you get the notes if you miss a day, but try not to miss any days
DESTINY
Dang I wish I did this or that
Regret fiddling with my thumbs
If I could just turn the time back
I would cease day dreaming and hums
Most likely listen to my moms
Urgently progressively active
Ignored parents very passive
Immature I was just cooling it
Just scared fraidy cat fits
Second round, catch the glimpse
On the other side grass greener
New person have you seen her?
I’m right here, ready
Now rushing to libraries
Computers continually
Working and contacting colleges
Agreeing with state pledges
Hitting the books for SATs
Instead of phoning with the buddies
Or taking my time on my ACT
So my parents wouldn’t look down on me
Every weekend showing initiative
To run fundraisers
Maybe to my guardians being attentive
Better yet networking with scholars
Getting up to try out for volleyball scholarships
Rather than pulling the lazy transcripts
Clear my mind of all the nightmares
Because my sister is no longer here
To show me the ropes,
Break out from the suspense of misconception
Knowing it’s okay, she gave that peace
So now I open the closet head towards creation
And keep that spirit that puts me at ease