Chapman University Top Questions

There is only one piece of advice I would give myself as a high school senior: "hakuna matatta" (no worries). As a senior there were many big hurdles and unprepared moments I had before knowing I was attending Chapman University, which is literally my dream school for the major I am pursuing. When I finally knew Chapman was the college I'd be attending, I was so overwhelmed with joy and anxietes. The film program (since I am a film production major) is top notch. I felt I may be going into this with less experience than some of my peers, and a little worried that I may not be able to catch up. I now have no fear of that. Chapman University's program is designed to teach people with all different experience levels, and I am glad to be going in with what I know and what I don't know. I have been able to learn so much in just one semester and have already seen the growth in the skills I'll continue to develop all my years at Chapman. So I would tell myself "hakuna matatta" because I was prepared for it all along.

I always wanted to grow up, be older, and have more responsibilities? pretty much what every teenager preaches. I was at a blockade when it came to increasing my age since a time machine had yet to be invented, but when it came to exiting the so-thought ?immature realm? of high school I found my loop-hole. I left traditional high school after my junior year and enrolled into an independent school program. It took me only three months to complete my senior year. The adult world was within my reach! Although my need to mature at a accelerated speed has allowed me to accomplish a lot so young, as well as introduce me to the responsibilities of adulthood, I look back frequently and miss my adolescence in a big way. If I could build that time machine I wanted so badly in high school, I would go back and tell myself to take life as it comes. Adolescence only happens once and I wish I could have enjoyed it more than I did. Life comes at you fast, I'm just learning to stop and smell the roses and to enjoy my surroundings every now and then.

More than anything, do not be afraid to meet new people and try new experiences. The best thing you can do is be open and willing to socialize with people you've just met because the likelihood is you will run into them again and it's nice to have as many friendly faces on campus as possible. There's really no better feeling than walking through a building and hearing hellos from a bunch of different people. The only way you can really make that happen is to put yourself out there. You have to make yourself at home, not just expect to feel that way.

If I could go back in time and talk to the high school senior of myself, my advice would be to not be afraid of changing. Going into college I thought I had my whole life already planned ahead of me, to go into the medical field and become successful while being a swimmer and a great friend. I would say only one of those things is still true today, my friendship. Who I was in high school has changed completely compared to who I am today. I now pursue the studies of education in order to develop an equal opportunity to all in the learning environment, and I have swapped out my competitive swimming side for my more community involved club personality. If I knew these transformations would happen to me as a high school senior would happen, I would have been scared, but today I am thankful for every change that has occurred to me. With out these changes I would not have a chance to explore who I really am and the endless opportunities that this school and community offer to me.

Do not attend a junior college!!! Save your money and attend a four year univeristy!!! Just ensure that the college you attend is accreditted throughout the nation. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by the social arena. Remain focused, goal oreinted, and dedicated throughout the years. Education is a previlage, not something that should be taken advantage of.

I would tell myself that every professor and class has something to offer. To never take anything for granted and to appreciate everyones opinions and outlooks because you can only learn so much from a text book but you can learn infinite amounts from peers.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to do more research about my school. I think talking to more students would have helped me know what to expect more. I would probably been less disappointed about some things if I hadn't set my expectations so high. At the same time, I could have learned things from current students that would make my transition into college easier and more enjoyable. It is important to look beyond the brochures and other messages that colleges put out because they do not say anything negative. By talking to actual students, I would have learned both the positives and negatives of what it is really like to attend my school.

I would tell myself to have come out of my shell sooner. I was hesitant and guarded when I first started college, so I didn't make as many strong relationships and do as many things as I could have immediately. I eventually did everything I wanted and met everyone I possibly could, but being able to do so more quickly would have been a great advantage to me early on. Also, I wish I would have taken financial aide and scholarships more seriously when I was a senior in high school. Not taking the time out to write a few essays and fill out a few applications cost me a lot of money I could have had in college. Now, I am paying back loans I could have easily avoided by having great scholarships and fellowships. Finally, I would tell myself don't be afraid to always ask for help and be direct about what you want and need from your peers, family, and professors in regards to school and life. When you put your energy out into the universe and speak your truth, everything around you will start shifting itself to bring you what you desire.

I would tell myself to take more time considering my options, and to have more faith in myself and apply to more competitive universities. I was not able to visit Chapman university because I went to school abroad, but I wish I had the chance to talk to actual students from Chapman and hear what they had to say about it. Coming from a mixed ethnic background and having lived mostly in japan and Switzerland for most of my life, I was shocked to see the lack of international diversity at this school. I made some amazing friends here at Chapman and am satisfied with my overall experience here, but I often feel like the school does not value things that are important to me -- such as artistic and creative expressions of the students, and the integration of different cultures and religious faiths. If I could go back and talk to myself back in high school, I would also tell myself that Orientation is meant to be crazy and hectic, and that you don't have to be friends with EVERYBODY you meet your first week. Your good friends will come along naturally -- there's no need to force it,.

I would say to wait on picking a major unless I was aboslutely sure and to not choose a school based on the majors they offer if you are unsure of what you want to do. I would also say to not be intimidated or shy because everyone at college can be themselves and they will be accepted by someone.