California State University-Chico Top Questions

I can picture myself in high school clear as day. I was so afraid that my careful facade would somehow crack, exposing my flawed interior to the world. I wanted to be picture perfect according to my own self imposed definition. If I could go back and and counsel the high school hopeful, my advice would be: Don't take yourself so seriously! It's perfectly fine to be less than perfect because in the long run, it doesn't matter! As long as one focuses on being a good person who upholds their personal values and seeks to uplift others around them; little else matters. Learn to laugh at your insecurities and acknowledge that with quirks and flaws come character and will be the backbone to constructing a healthy, fulfilled life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior there are so many things that I would tell myself. First, I would say do not stress out, it will all work out. While this is the next four years of your life, the worst case scenerio is not even bad. I would say apply to the schools that you really want to go to even if they are too far, or too expensive. If you get in it, and you will be happy there financial aid is available and going home and visits to you will happen more than you think. And on the note of going away, do it! I do not care if you have a boyfriend, if it is meant to last it will, I know you won't believe me, but I am dead serious. The transition will feel weird and unknown but keep yourself busy and put yourself out there, everyone around you is in the same boat so it is the best time to meet people, because they are looking for friends too. Enjoy every minute of it, it all goes by so fast.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would tell myself how important it is to truely try your best in everything that you do. In high school I didn't fully realize this, while I did okay in school I did not feel it was important to really excel. Being in college I slowly started to realize that I was a small fish in a big pond and in order to be noticed I had to be my best. Since this realization I have picked up community service work, try my hardest in classes and accept no less then my best effort. Since I did not realize this in high school I have since had to work even harder to make up for the lost time. I would tell my high school self that by working hard now you will save time and effort down the road. By being a hard working, caring, and active individual you can acheive anything that you desire, but the first step is to do your best in this moment.

If I went back in time and talked to myself as a high school senior there are many things that I would tell myself. The first thing that I would tell myself is to not stress out about the transition from being a high school senior living at home to being a college student out on my own. The next thing that I would tell myself is to try harder to try to get into college than I did. I would say to start looking at colleges sooner than I did so that I do not have to rush and worry about not being accepted. I would also tell myself to take the ACT test more than one time, so that I could have a better chance at getting a higher score and possibly getting into a better school. I would also consider looking at schools that are closer so that I would not have to worry about traveling so far. The last piece of advice I woud give myself is to just enjoy the whole college experience because it is a very big step in any person's life.

I think perhaps the most important words of advice I could give myself would be to have confidence and to try all that I could. In many ways i feel like I wasted my freshman year because I did not have the confidence to meet new people and because I missed out on many experiences for no apparent reason. If there is something that sounds remotely interesting, do it. If you end up not liking some performance or event you went to, the least you could take out of it is a new experience and hopefully meet a few new people. There are people at your school that can easily become your best and life long friends if you only put in the effort to find them.

?Hello past me,? I say. ?Uh hello who are you?? Past me would reply. ?I am you from the future. And before you say anything, yes I am real and yes the technology exists. Also, no I cannot give you tomorrow?s lottery numbers. I am here to tell you about transitioning college. ? ?Ok, but are you sure you cannot give the lottery numbers?? ?Yes I 'm sure I cannot do that!? I snap back, ?So anyway where was I? Oh right, college. Your first year of college is going to be interesting. Making friends will be a pain at first but stick with it and you will meet some people who will become good friends, though do not be too clingy about it. Also take advantage of school programs such as the comedy shows. Also you might want to look these organizations into the Japanese Animation Club, Up Till Dawn, and Hall Counsel. Let me think what else should I say? oh yeah be sure to go the finical aid office and use your finical aid because you?re throwing money away if you don?t. One last thing before I leave tomorrow?s lotto numbers are?.?

Four years of my undergraduate career has certainly brought about not only many changes in who I am but also several realizations. If I could speak to myself back in senior year of high school, I would tell myself I am worth more than just settling for CSU Chico and to try for more. I allowed myself to hold myself back and stay in the rut that is my current college and current life and I wish I had known earlier that I could do and achieve more. I would also want to tell myself that everything counts and to keep going no matter what. I may have blown my chances at graduate school because of a bad start to the first few years of college and setting for a sub-standard college but at least I can try not to repeat that mistake for graduate school. I know I have to look forward from this time onwards but I had wished, back in high school, I had hoped for more and reached out for something better.

Don't put off studying until the last minute. You will get overwhelmed and perhaps have to pull an all-nighter. It's okay to go to a party every now and then, but don't make it your lifestyle. Don't be afraid to try new things and get out there and meet new people. You're on your own for the first time; make the most of it. It's your life, you need to experience things just to say that you have.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to get used to reading, because in college there is a lot of it!! I would tell myself to be open to making new friends who may not have the same outlook on life that you do. I would also tell myself to make sure to not get caught up in the party scene in college. It is okay to have fun, but there is a time to have fun and a time to do homework and study! I would also tell myself to become familiar with the library, because you will be in there a lot. Dorm rooms aren't exactly the most quiet places to study!! Lastly, I would tell myself to get involved in clubs and greek life in college. It is a great way to meet new people who share similar intrests with you.

Continue to stay motivate with school, like you always have. Education is the number one priority and doing well will guarantee a spot into college. Be prepared for diverse social groups, being outgoing and challenging class loads. With the preparation you get from high school and junior college, Chico will be all the better! Search now for scholarship opportunities and grants. Money for college is difficult and high interest loans are not the only answer. Stay in contact with your financial advisors and do research online for scholarships. The more you do of this, the less you'll have to pay back later!