Aurora University Top Questions

If I could return to high school, I would advise myself to pick up more study habits (different ways to study) and take more AP, or college level, classes. Regular high school classes were quite easy for me and I could often get by with very little studying, and still get very good grades on exams and projects. Now that I am in my second semester of college, I realize it is a lot harder to study for multiple classes due to exams being in the same week or only one week apart. It has proven to be one of the more difficult adjustments from high school to college. Secondly, I would have encouraged myself to take more college level classes and push myself a little harder. Being a Nursing Major, an AP Biology or AP Chemistry class would have made my first two science classes a lot easier and less stressful. Also, by taking the advanced courses in high school, I could have added a few extra credits for my first year. If I had to go back, I would tell myself to practice studying just a little more and pushed for some more advanced classes.

I would want myself to know that people are extremely friendly at school and just as scared as I am. That I should break out of my shell and try to talk to new people all the time because there are some truely wonderful people out there. I would tell myself to pick a major that will help me get a job in the future and that I love to do. And I explain how difficult it is to live on your own for the first time but it does get easier once you learn to budget properly.

My advice to my younger self would be to first to save as much as you can and learn to budget your money early because it is hard to do later in life. I would tell her to get out of her shell and try a few clubs and be brave enough to talk to people, because she is an amazing person once you get past her shyness. I would tell her how wonderful school is and how falling and messing up can be a blessing in disguise. Get her to go for a marketing degree so we do not have to waste time changing majors and explain to her that going to a new school is very hard but that she will get through it like a pro. And I would tell her to not let anything hold you back from her dreams because you have to put yourself out there in order to grow and become the person you want to be.

College is a completely new playground of endless possibilities. You are going to experience difficult classes, endless amounts of homework and teachers that will challenge your intelligence. You have always worked hard and did not receive a 4.0 GPA because you are a slacker. However, high school is easier than college. In college, you have to do whatever it takes to succeed. This means studying for hours, completing your homework on time and studying for every test. You are going to want to give up and you might even cry because you feel as if you cannot succeed. I am here to tell you that you have what it takes to succeed. In order to succeed you must be hard working, determined and dedicated to your goals. Your parents did not raise you to give up; they raised you to work hard because in life that is what you have to do, nothing is going to be handed to you. If you continue to work hard, you will receive the reward of gaining knowledge. College is going to expand your intelligence and no matter what you must not give up because in college you can become anything you desire.

You need to go ahead and start applying if you haven't. Apply for the colleges of your choice, apply for every single piece of financial aid you can possibly apply for, and don't be scared. You can afford 2 years of Community College. If you do well in those 2 years, then you should be able to get some scholarships to help. Don't worry about girls, don't worry about popularity, just worry about setting the groundwork for your future. You are good at computers, pursue it. Don't doubt yourself. Doubt is your enemy, and it will never let you accomplish your dreams. Even if you don't feel confident, force yourself to do what is best.

If I were able to go back in time to my senior year in high school, I would start telling myself to look at college options in the summer or fall. The sooner you apply to a school, the better chance you have of getting an early application award. In addition, I would tell myself to try and apply for as many scholarship oppertunities as possible, because, one, there's nothing wrong with saving money, and two, there's nothing to lose. The whole process of applying for scolarship is very rewarding because it puts a student one step closer to schieving the goal of furthering an education. Secindly, I would tell myself to get involved! Involvement on campus is probably one of the best things you can do in order to create new freindships. Specifically on the "welcome weekend". Most students are nervous, and knowing that two people are going through the same "college jitters", makes the expirience much more exciting and eventful.

Dear high school senior Lee Ann: You really should stop comparing yourself to your classmates. You do not have the same journey of life as they do. Everyone has a very unique path to follow. You have so many wonderful adventures in store for you; be bold and take them. Savor each minute. Your first year out of high school will open your eyes to the world. While your current classmates are cramming for finals in their first year of college, you will be trekking the mountains of Morocco, enjoying the Berber mountain people culture. This is the experience that will change your life. So do not let the looks you recieve from your classmates sway you when you tell them you aren't going to college right away. It is the months spent living a simple life, immersed in the Berber culture, that will spark a passion for social work and empowerment inside you. So it is okay that you are a high school senior and do not know what area you want to study in college is. That will come in due time. You will appreciate college education once you have learned what your passion is for going.

If I could talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to fill out all the scholarships I could possibly apply for. I would make sure my high school self understood the cost of living at college, and the preparation and effort I needed to put in before attending college. Further I would tell myself to get all the help from family and friends that I could before going off to college. Asking the family for small things such as bed sheets, and laundry bags would further help prepare me for my college experience. College is all about getting you ready for the real world and before you just dive into it, make sure you are prepared.

I would tell myself to not sweat the small stuff. In high school I focused far too much on things that did not end up mattering after I graduated. I would also tell myself to participate more and take chances and get involved. Since I have graduated I have volunteered at multiple sites and have gotten involved in multiple organizations. I wish I would have started volunteering earlier because I can see the difference it makes in the world.

The advice I would give to myself is to not worry about being accepted into schools because you will find the perfect fit university, and also that I will make friends and past my classes. I would also tell myself to be prepare for more harder classes and expanding my mind more on learning new things. I will tell myself to study more and not worry about what other people thought about it.