California Lutheran University Top Questions

I would say to my high school self to not second guess myself in the desitions I will make. Always use your head when it comes to finances and to not go around buying needless things. Always stay focused and do the assigned work on time and always ask the questions that no one is willing to ask. Your professors and classmates are nicer than they look and understand what you are going through. Try to never go it alone by talking and getting to know the classmates in all your classes. Above all else be kind and patient and understand that you will not understand the material the first time around and never give in anything you do.

If I could be a high school senior I would tell myself to prepare for pain. I would let myself know that students at a rich private university tend to be cold and heartless, that they look down on people like me, who have large families that need government support. I would tell myself to prep money because the government is weak and can not help people like me. I would tell myself that working hard is not the only hard part of college but financing myself to get through college is the other piece teachers forget to reccommend.

The advice i would give myself is to stay focused on school and make as many friends as possible. I would also tell myself to not get to distracted with football. I would also tell myself to strive and do everything possible to get at least a 3.2 gpa because it will make college life a lot easier.

If I could go back in time to my senior year of highschool, knowing what I know now about college live, I would give myself a few words of advise. I would tell myself to think very carefully about what college I picked. I attented the University of Colorado my freshman year. Basically my whole family has graduated from Colorado U, and I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to follow in their footsteps. I would tell myself to be patient and think about what is the best decision for ME. I now realize that was the right thing to do. My freshman year at Boulder was anything but memorable, I felt lonely in such a big school, and felt out of touch with my proffesors. I didn't do as well as felt I should have, and I felt as though I had let my parents down. My sophmore year at Cal Lu has been ideal for me, small classes, passionate professors, and nice kids. I feel as though this is where I was meant to be.

There are many things I would tell myself before going to college. First I would have tried to be more independent my senior year because in college you have to step up and go out and look for things you need. They are not handed to you and you do not have any one pushing you to do something. You have to motivate yourself in order to be successful. I also would have told myself to look for more scholarships because I underestimated everything and thought that the school you went to would provide many scholarships. Well it doesnt work that way and now I am struggling to find scholarships. I would have told myself to go the extra mile my senior year by finding out more about the schools and what it is they exactly provide for me. Overall, I would have put more effort into finding scholarships and preparing myself mentally for the change in independence. I would have done more things on my own to prepare myself for the change of being alone.

In high school, EVERYTHING seemed so important. The only big concerns I had were boys and friends. I had no real responsibilities except school and chores, and as an ignorant high school student that seemed like too much. I had no idea what a challenge college life would present. There is no more mommy and daddy paying the bills, cooking the meals, buying the groceries etc. I have to be so much more responsible in college and I wish I had prepared myself for that more. I was too wrapped up in high school drama to realize what reality was ahead of me. Everything has always been pretty easy for me. I had responsibilities and definitely had earn my things but my life wasn't as difficult as some have it. Even academics came very easy to me in high school and I wasn't prepared for what a challenge college classes would be. If I could tell myself one thing in high school, I would tell myself to stop worrying about high school drama and wake up to the real world; to the responsibilities that lie before me; to the mature adult I've always wanted to become.

What could I say that wasn't already told to me before I set off for college? I would probably beat into myself the idea of getting out there and participating in everything that is possibly available, especially that first sememster. That is when you meet everyone, when new groups are being made. As well as don't be afraid to talk to the teachers. I could get away with it in high school but it took me awhile to get the courage to visit a professor in their office to discuss the class. But was so good to have that experience and it helped out my grade in the end as well. Don't be afraid to try anything, end of story.

Now that I?m in college, and know what it takes, I would have told myself a few things as a enior. I?d start with time management. It seems like you really have a lot of ?free? time while living at college. But it?s all about what you do with it. You have to manage your time well otherwise you will find yourself up till 2am every night doing homework. Then you will be tired the next morning, meaning it will be harder for you to focus in class, and eventually your grade will suffer. It?s crucial that you manage your time well in college and prioritize wisely. Also any easy way to transition into college would be to get to know your professors and touch base with them once in a while. Make sure they know who you are, and continue to show them that you are making an effort to get the best possible grade in the class. Another way to show them that your really care about their class is to ask for feedback on your work. And if there is criticism, avoid making the same mistakes again to show the professor your improvement.

When I was in high school, I thought the world was small and that I could hold it in the palm of my hand. I believed life would just work out. If I could go back in time and talk to myself then, I would stress the importance of the choices we make. I would urge myself to take inventory every day of what matters most. I would tell myself that I can achieve anything I pursue, but that nothing will be given to me without hard work, dedication, and dicipline. I would also take it easy on my high school self. I'd let him know that life is a journey; every misstep, every false note, every decision that goes awry can be learned from and used for his advantage. The transition from high school to college is monumental and can truly define a person, and with that in mind, I would assure my high school self that through focus and a stubborn determination never to give up he can reach any goal.

Stop stressing out! If you don?t get into a top tier school, you?ll survive. In fact, you will thrive. Find the perfect college for you; where you?re challenged just enough and still have time to make friends. That a university is called ?the best? doesn?t mean it?s best for you - and you don?t want to spend the next four years miserable. So, don?t worry about that B in Spanish, and stop freaking out about Calculus. You?ll be fine. If you let yourself take a break once in a while, you?ll be better than fine. Life is too short; you miss too many opportunities if you try to be the best at everything. Most people aren?t the best, but they?re still able to be happy. You want to be a writer - but you can?t write if you have no life to write about! Join clubs and make friends. Do something that you?ll look back on and laugh with your children about, the way your Mom does. College is about growing up as much as it is about education; so find yourself some good soil to grow in.

If I could go back and give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself to go outside of your comfort zone and to stick to whatever you think is best for yourself. Right now in my senior year, I would have been stressing myself out about finding the perfect college. The fact is that wherever you decide to go, you can make it work out. I realize now that I would have done well at any of the colleges on my list, if I just put myself out there and became involved. Wherever you go, the first year at college is going to a huge adjustment. It is for everyone. Now is the perfect time to make big decisions, step outside your area of comfort, and to take opportunities that are presented to you. Don't be afraid- everything comes with time. Be involved with activities that interest you on campus, get to know your professors, and be friendly to everyone around you. College is what you make it.

When I was starting high school I thought that these were your best years by the time I was a junior in high school I realized that this was actually just the beginning of the start of a new life. I always had craved more and I new college would fulfill that. Knowing what I know now I would have prepared myself for the possibility of life going really wrong and I would have given myself a chance to realize that. That no matter how good you are in school and how good you are in life things can happen around you that completely devestate your life. I have realized different things are the most important, no matter what the world may tell you. Family is really important and something that is so far from being replaceable. Life does go on after a death in the family but it goes on in a very different and hard way. I have had to learn to readjust to my new surroundings after the death of my father and I have had to find a way to continue and strive for the best life possible at the loss of such a great man.

As a transfer student, I ran into trouble trying to figure out which classes to take and which ones transered to the schools I hoped to attend. If you are planning on going to community College or want to finish College in a timely manner be in contact with your Counselor. If you are questioning, go to them. At first I tried to plan my way all by myself; unfortunately I ended up repeating a requirement and missing application and other deadlines. To avoid this, talk to your Counselor and use their available resources. It saves time and money. My other advice is to get to know people in your classes. Sometimes this will come naturally and sometimes not. Either way making friends in a class (though not talking all through class) can help you. If one of you misses a class or needs help understanding the material, you can go to each other for help. It's nice to see people you know on campus--it's way more fun and you learn which teachers and classes to avoid or to take. Enjoy College. Plan it so you don't worry and enjoy new people you meet!

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice before I entered into college I would tell myself to get involved on campus right away. I would suggest that I sign up for as many clubs and activities as I could find that sounded interesting to me. I would also tell my high school self to be more confident and to put myself out their as I enter college because the friends you make and the roommates you live with will be with you for life. College is a new beginning, a place where you can shape yourself into the person you want to be. Each day it challenges me to grow. So I would be sure to tell myself to be prepared for the most challenging, but best years of my life. We are all more than we know ourselves to be, and college has helped me to uncover part of who I am.

I would tell myself to be sure and spend time building relationships that matter. Whether it be with roommates, friends or teachers, you begin a life separate from home and those relationships you had will not be so tangible. I would tell myself to be more outgoing and friendly because it will enhance my college experience. I would also stress the importance of making aquaintances in classes. Studying in groups is far more beneficial than doing so alone, and from those study groups, friends can be made. I would tell myself to be sure and have an alternative source of transportation since I didn't have a car. A bike would have been very useful for local trips to the store. I would have told myself to be prepared for things to be different than I imagined. To be aware that the people may not all be people you want to be friends with, and that I may have to make the best of it, and not be let down by the change or surroundings.

If I could give my senior-self advice, I would give it in the form of 5 tips. Tip #1: Consider the location. College is where you'll live as well as work, so think about what you want your new home to look like. For example, a small town or a big one? Greenery or cityscape? Tip #2: Try the food first. Food is what will sustain you when you're studying, playing a sport, etc. I would recommend trying the food first. Tip #3: Don't let the price tag discourage you. If you want to go to a school that you think is out of your financial reach, don't give up. There are dozens of avenues that can get you the resources you need. Tip #4: Be realistic about how often you want to visit home. Think about how much you depend on your parents, and base the mileage you put between you on that. Tip #5: Remember that college is probably one of the biggest gifts you'll ever get to give yourself. Don't base your decision on your friends, or any other social pressures that you face. Do what feels right for you.

As a high school senior, I was more focused on enjoying college life and being on my own than I was about the fact that I was going to school. I would tell myself to focus more on my classes, because fun and friends will always be around, but not taking classes seriously will follow you for the rest of college and you'll have to compensate for those mistakes later. It's much harder to play catch up than it is to stay focused all along.

I would say to myself back in High School, Ember, college is not going to be easy. School will be tough, you will be stressed, and it sure will be an experience living with someone you don?t know. You will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them and move on, you will be fine. The purpose for this time in your life is to grow and experience life on your own. Learn something from everyone, continue to work hard in everything you do, and you will be successful. There are so many opportunities out there for you, so take them as they come. Just keep in mind you may not always agree with what your school does but there is a reason behind the whole college experience. You never know what the future holds so don?t ever limit yourself or your abilities. Remember, have a little fun while you?re at it too.

If I could go back in time and talk to my senior self and remind myself not to settle. During my high school years I had a hard time transitioning into the Honors Classes at my private school, and because of this my college counselor did not encourage me to go further and give me the confidence to believe in myself. This led to me settling on my choices I chose my junior year, and in result I ended up improving my senior year and did not have any new options. So if I had the chance to go back in time, I would tell myself not to settle and to be confident in myself and choose schools that would fit me.

I would tell myself that going to a school with a prestigious reputation is not as important as going to one that is right for you. Make sure to tour campuses you are interested in and try to see yourself there. Get a feel for the people, because they will be your friends for the next four years. Once you get to school, make sure you try to meet a lot of people, and get involved with activities right away. This will help with finding a place you belong at school. Know that the work load will get more and more difficult as you begin taking upper division classes. Make sure you set aside time for studying, but also make time for friends and a social life.