Azusa Pacific University Top Questions

If I had the ability to speak wisdom to my younger high school self, I would encourage him to live a genuine lifestyle. In high school I was afraid of being myself. I was afraid of being oppressed and ostricized for being who I was born to be. I was afraid of being ridiculed. This was counterintuitive on my part. Instead of being genuine, I oppressed myself. I ostricized myself. I ridiculed myself and lowered my self-esteem. I know now that had I been honest about who I was, I would have lived a more joyful life.

I would tell myself that every decision I make has a dramatic impact on my life. I would remind myself that life is short and to take advantage of every opportunity possiable. I would tell myself to stay humble and to know that nothing is possible without God in your life. If I fall down, get back up and know that every failure is a lesson learned. The most successful people failed a million times before they succeeded. Life is not easy and this knew journey of college will test your character but know that God is at your side ready to pick you up when you fall.

My high school self would hate me because i would have a lecture for him. I would tell him the perils of a lack of sleep, to jump on the opportunities to grow relationship, and to stop procrastinating. I would tell him not to worry about girls too much as there really isn't time. But finally, I would tell him to live. That there really is no feeling like living with the people that become your brothers, celebrating your successes together and mourning your failures together.

I would tell myself to stop stressing about what is going to happen in college. It's going to be really tough, the transition is going to push you emotionally, spiritually and physically but it's worth it. You will end in the place you are supposed to be and things are going to difficult but the beauty of college is in the journey. You get to decide what to do with what you are given, you can become the person you want to be or you can become a stressed out maniac. In college you find out who you want to be and realize that the things that mattered in high school don't really matter. Enjoy the process and the privealage that it is to get to go to college and learn and change and grow and become who and what you want to be. And know that all the trouble it is to get into college is totally worth it.

Becoming involved is a very important thing after high school. Getting involved is how you ultimately make connections, which lead to career opportunities later in life. Have as much fun as possible while still keeping up with your studies. I also would tell myself that traveling is one of the most important things to do in life between high school and finding a career. You learn the most about who you really are while traveling, especially while traveling overseas. In addition to just traveling, study abroad in college. No mattter where you go, I gaurantee that you will not regret it because of all that you will learn about other cultures, and ultimately about yourself. Also, don't pay attention to what other peope think of you, as it will only have a negative impact on you. Don't try to have as many friends as possible, rather have few close friends who you know will always be by your side and support you when needed. College is a place to discover who you are and make a name for yourself, so don't be afraid to stand out in whatever it is that you are doing.

As Winston Churchill said, " Success is not final, failure is not fatal, and it is the courage to continue that counts." College can be a life-changing experience, the flint to ignite your spark of individuality and success. I have had the privilege of watching so many people carve out their niche in life, a new path with new inventive strategies and experiences. However, college in itself is not a token to success. It is like everything else in life in that you get out of it what you put in. Being accepted to college is a triumph in itself, but it is by no means the end of the road, rather it is the beginning. If I could advise myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go into college with courage, aspirations, and most importantly, self respect. College is a journey of discovering who you can be, not of who you have been. It has been the fresh start, the starting blocks that this once shy high school student, now junior in college, needed to launch into a brave new world of opportunity.

I would tell myself to not take a year off, go to a community college first to give you time to think about what you are really passionate about. Think about your options and what thrives you in life. Start saving money for when you transfer and apply for scholarships as much as you can. Also, do not get stressed over making decisions about what you will be majoring in and what school. Everything will fall in its place and everything will work out for your good. Take as many different classes so when you make your choice for a major you will know for sure what you want to do. Do not be afarid of mistakes because those are just blocks to help you reach your goal. Enjoy school, apply early and make sure all your papers and financial situation is taken care of. But above all enjoy this upcoming year because it will change your life.

I would tell myself to continue in my education through college and university, to get as high of a degree as possible in my major, and advise others to do the same.

I would say to relax, make the most of each day in college because it really is an amazing time in your life, and you may not get another chance to meet as many people at one time. I would also say to not stress about bad grades, or taking longer than 4 years to graduate. The amount of time you need to get your degree really does not have a big role in getting a job.

I would tell myself to stop worrying about the transition to college. Yes, college is going to be a hard journey, but you can do it. Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from college is going to be that everything is going to work out in the end. As long as you apply yourself to your work load, you can do it. Another thing to take note of is that you are going to need to just enjoy life. Stop betting against yourself and get out there and live your life. Focus on the friendships you are going to build and take some risks. You are going to be a difference maker, so stop seeing the small picture and focus on the larger reason you are going to college. Your time in college is going to leave an impact on the world, so live your life as if forever starts now. Never doubt that the work you are doing isn't making a change, because it is. Today is going to impact the rest of your life, so live everyday in that moment with your eyes on tomorrow. Oh, and one last thing: You got this!

Don't be scared to ask questions. Be more confident in leadership positions.

The process seemed endless and I had no idea if this would work out well for me. Applying for college back in high school was a tedious commission and I was not excited to move on with the next chapter of my life. College seemed like a very pressuring and intimidating idea because I had no idea what would be in store for me and it would be one of the most biggest decisions that I would make in my life. I was uninterested with anything that had to do with the word "college" in the sentence. If I could go back to high school, I would tell myself that it's okay to be a little intimidated at first because it's like exploring uncharted waters, but I would also tell myself to get excited to move on and do something different with my life. There are so many other people who are experiencing the same thing as me, and so many people to experience it with. Looking back at it all, college was by far the best decision I have ever made in my life.

College is much harder than high school. The courses are more challenging, making new friendships is exhausting, eating alone is depressing, living in a 12x19 foot room with a complete stranger is stressful. Just when you think you've figured college out, you're sent home for Christmas, and when you return YOU START OVER. It's no wonder why nealy half of students drop out of college, or take a gap year, or two or three or five. But since you have to go to school because mom won't let you move back home, you have to endure. After freshman year, I've found that the solution to all of your impending problems can be eliminated with one simple word: Netlfix. Who needs friends when you can watch Friends? Why worry about your financial future when you can watch Breaking Bad?! So Stephanie, when you're stressed about an upcoming test, homesick for your family, worried about how much debt you are already in, or don't want to do any of the things a newly responsible, independent adult should be doing, watching some Netflix will ensure that you won't have to worry about any of it.

First off, bring extra hangers. I don't know how, or why, but you will always fall short. Secondly, talk to everyone. Everyone you meet was not raised in the same place you were, and everyone you will meet knows something you don't know. Do things you aren't comfortable doing. Go rock climbing, go get cupcakes in Hollywood on a school night, and go to mexico on a missions trip, and give up your time to serve others. Know that you will lose touch with old friends, but its ok because you will make amazing new ones. Know that you will get way more sleep than in high school, but for some reason you will be more tired. Don't eat out a lot. Money goes so fast, and use your meal plan wisely. Skipping class every know and then won't kill you. Know that your health is far more important than one class period. Also don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is more than willing to help you out. Know I would tell you so much more, but my limit is 200, but overall; relax, you're going to love it.

I wanted to let you in on a few secrets about the transition into the college life at Azusa Pacific University. First off since you will move into your dorm a week before most freshman because of choir, I encourage you to make a few good friends during that week from your hall and from the choir, since these will be the people you will hang out with and go to for advice for the majority of your freshman year. Do not let the hype of wanting to meet every person possible ruin the friendships you have already formed. Also, try to get to know your roommate from the start as building a strong foundation for your friendship as roommates is crucial to having a freshman year with less drama. I also encourage you to plan right away how you can participate in a study abroad program. I did not plan early enough to have general education requirements saved for study abroad, so I could not go. Also, make friends with other math majors that are also freshman because they will be a helpful source as you will have the same classes with them throughout all four years.

"Don't limit yourself. Expand your horizon and search for new opportunities and challenges." As a high school senior, I thought that moving 3 hours from home was enough challenge for me. I only applied to conservative Christian schools that shared the values with which I was raised. I never thought of the possibility of moving further from home, travelling to new countries or even moving across this country. I stepped out of the safety and comfort of home, and moved a short distance to a new "safety". I was in a place where I seemingly belonged, due to my race, religion, and gender. I had to force myself to grow because the challenges did not present themselves naturally. I found opportunities outside of the school, investing my time in the neighboring communities as well as living abroad. Unfortunately, I cannot go back in time, but I can move forward. I decided to take on the exciting challenge of moving across the country to pursue graduate school. And I share my experiences with the high school students that I work with every day, hoping that they will expand their horizons and discover their full potential.

I would tell myself to swallow my pride and apply for every scholarship I see or hear of. There is no way to pay for yourself for college if you have no money, so you need to find it somehow.

Hey love, Calm down! Don't stress out about the future. Don't hold on to the negitives in high school! It will all come to an end shortly. I know you are going through a brain injury, but I promise you that it will get better. Treatment will subside and you will be able to live life as a teenager again. Things will be altered in your life but, its for the better. I can not tell you how many people you have been able to help through your journey. I know it sucks being in pain everyday but, there is a good reason for it. APU is where you need to be, God is doing some incredible things here. I know what you are thinking, you have already moved 15 times, left your friends behind, and you dont want to start all over. Trust me, its worth it! Get involved, be the leader I know that you can be! There might be a few hiccups here and there but, nothing you can't handle. Go get em' girl! With Love, Yourself

I would tell myself to really research the colleges and really think about getting loans and instead apply for scholorships. I would make sure I had a job to be able to start slowly paying my loans and help redude my dept. I would tell myself to prepare myself for the stress and the new coffee addiction you will gain for the sleepless nights. If I could go back in time I would try to get my parents more involved in my decisions and review the financial needs. I would change the way I did everything the first time and attened APU not FIDM where I could have gotten a better eduacation for less.

Hey there! This is future Cassie! When you get to college, everything will change. Please try not to isolate yourself too much. Life will move on and get better. Just keep eating healthy and do lots of fun stuff! Life is so short! Use it wisely! All of your friends love you for your personality and not for your looks so just keep on keeping on and God will get you through. And most importantly, remember that He is always with you no matter what you think or what you go through. He loves you so much and He knows your heart. He has so many great plans for you! Your second year of college is going to be amazing! You're awesome so go change the world!