Marshall
I would tell myself to take a year off. Go out into the world and work for a year. College is wasted on those who don't really want to be there. Gain some perspective, get some real world experience, then come back and really invest in your education. College can be great fun, but it is so much more than parties and socializing. That's important too-- so give yourself permission to blow off some steam every now and then, but don't make it a daily ritual. Get a high-speed internet connection, but don't get cable. Make a point to spend two hours outside every day. Cook a meal every now and then, instead of living only on fast food. Don't smoke. Do as much homework in between classes as possible so that your evenings belong to you. Keep up with your creative outlets. Read at least one book a semester that is NOT assigned. Stay single through your sophomore year, at least. If you're not excited by your major, change it. Learning doesn't stop because school is over. The only reason to be in college is because you want to be there.
Caprianna
The adivice I would give myself is that it is okay if you struggle because all it does is make you stronger. I would definitely tell myself that asking questions does not hurt it just helps you understand the material a lot better than you knew it before. I would also say that it is your responsiblity to take care of yourself not your mom. There is no more crying to get what you want or calling for some money because you are at school it is pretty much up to you. Yes the teachers in high school talk about they are preparing you for college, but the reality is everyone has a different experience in college no one has the same experience. All that is left to say is that college is what you make it. If you slack off you will get the grades you deserve and if you study hard you will get the grades you want. There is no more babying it is all depended on you and what you want to pursue in your life.
Kelly
Two important things:
1) Get involved! There are so many activities to get involved with on campus: sports, faith-based, political, community service, major-related, language, arts-related, Greek, and honor societies. It's easier if you live on campus, since you're there 24/7, to get involved. Once you start making friends, you'll meet people through them, too.
2) Know how to study! Learn to make note cards, highlight notes, etc. Also, write everything down in a calendar or use the calendar on your phone, iPod, tablet, or in your email. Be willing to join a study group, too. Get to know a few people in your class and when a test rolls around, set up a time and place.
Gabrielle
If I could go back in time and talk to Gabrielle as a senior in high school I would tell myself that transitioning to the college life won't be as hard as I expected and I shouldn't stress over the little things as long as I stay focused. Because I was so stressed out trying to second guess myself when I was applying for financial aid, I would explain to my past self that as long as you answer everything truthfully and to the best of your ability then the rest is left up to the distributer, there's nothing more to do other than wait and apply to other sources. The biggest thing that I'd make sure I told myself was to STAY ORGANIZED, because I've found that the key to success in college is not only doing the work and showing up, but being organized. Organization makes everything a lot easier!
michelle
I could go back in time and talk to the me, i would say apply your self. I would let my self know that its not hard, as long as you find something that intrest you. I would communicate the fact that having an education will qualify you for more jobs, that have benifits and allow you to vacation. I would ask myself if having a cashier job with crapy pay, and crazy hours is what I want. Going to college and get my degree will allow me to have the life I did'nt have growing up. I would empasize the happiness that comes fromdoung something productive that will change your life forever. I would let myself know that there are ways to pay for college, not to think that just because i come from a low income single parent home means I can't sucseed in life. Finally I would tell myself to believe in your ability to changes for the better, and the possibilitys that come with knowledge. You are your own# one fan. Don't let anyone or anything discourage you, because no matter what you do there will always be haters! Go Be Awsome You!
rachael
If I could go back and give my self advice, I would emphasize the importance of finding scholarships. I wish I had taken it more seriously then, because I didn't realize how much school is even with HOPE. I would also tell myself to apply for student housing, because living at home is not worth the trouble; parents don't want you there anyway! College is great, and jumping into student organizations like ChiAlpha really help you become a part of the school and are very fun.
Derek
IT IS NOT AS EASY AS HIGH SCHOOL. Just because you have a three point nine in high school doesn't mean that it will translate into college. It gets much harder. So for your first semester don't think that you're superman and you can nineteen hours. Give yourself a little bit of time to acclamate and get to know yourself now that you are living on your own. It's okay to make mistakes just take something from all of them. It will be hard at first but you're the kind of guy that can adapt, so just have faith in yourself and you'll start to find your groove. Also be very nice to ALL of your teachers. They can give you whatever grade they like without really explaining it. Just accapt that they have more power and you will be a very happy freashman.
Gregory
When I first attended college in my twenties, I was not yet aware of the impact that the experience would have on my future; not only my economic future, but the invaluable friendships and bonds that were formed not only with my classmates, but with my professors as well. Even though I attained my degree 11 years ago, I still regard that time in college as a life changing event that helped shape my future, and who I am now, as a grown man with a family of my own. During these tough economic times, these memories have made it easier for me to return to college and persue the next step in my education. After serving as an infantryman in Iraq, I found my true calling as a healer. I have decided to return to college and further my degree in Physical Therapy, there, I can help my fellow veterans who were not as lucky as I.
Kamika
It has been valuable to attend Columbus State University because it was a learning and growning experience. I came to college not knowing anyone and I am leaving with some of the best friends that I could have ever made. I learned how to manage my time and also how to ask for help when it is neccesary. I really love the cultural diversity that we have and I have been well educated about the different cultures through the cultural events sponsored by the college. I have maintained a 3.3 GPA throughout my 4 years while working part time, and I am very pleased with the education that I have recieved here. I am positive that I will complete my career goals because of my learning experience Columbus State University.
Maria
I have gotten lots of life experience thus far. College has not only helped me learn things for my future career, but it has helped me with real life lessons... things like budgeting, and time management. My freshman year I joined a Sorority, Delta Zeta, as well. Having sisters throughout this experience, going through the same things as i am and taking the same classes, has really taken the stress off of being new to all of this.
Jared
I have gotten a lot of peace from my college experience and its valuable to attend because it shows a different side of how things run.
Alberta
If I am completely honest in answering this question, I have gotten nothing out of this institution I am currently attending that I would rightly label as a college epxerience. The only thing I think that I might have as a college experience from this institution is the experience of being a college freshmen living in the dorms. It was rather interesting to meet all kinds of people like I did when I lived in the dorms. However, as far academics go, I am still yet to get my college experience. The institution I currently attend does not offer resources outside of the bare minimum to help students achieve their full potential. My first 2 years at this school were spent taking classes that are supposedly core classes but yet cannot be transferred to other colleges. By the time, I realized that I needed to make to leave if I truly intended to graduate college, I was well already into my junior year but i still followed through. I've visited a few other colleges where I've seen both school spirit/pride, as well resources such as 24-7 libraries that show the school wants their students to succeed.
stephen
I have learned a lot since High School . College has given me direction to know what career I desire to pursue. Without an education I won't go far in life. Some of my friends choose to go to work right out of High School and their working for minimun wage. I think college is going to give me a better start in life. My professors are knowledgable in the subjects their teaching and I'm learning lots of new things.
Kathleen
Although I only started my very first year here at Columbus State University in August, I have acquired and grown a considerable amount since then. With having to get up on my own and catching the early morning bus to making sure I do my homework on the weekends and not spend all of my time out and about with friends downtown, I always feel like I have made a home. The education that I have been given in my major has been exceptional and keeps me on my toes. Even when those stress moments sneak up on me, theres always the RiverWalk by the Chattahoochee river which is a few minutes walking distance from my apartment to calm me down as I watch the water flowing. Though it has only been two months, it feels like I have gained a years worth of experience to prepare for an even greater future.
Irma
Something that catches your eye, it excites you, it makes you want to learn more, a desire to do all you can do, is a passion. Life is full of passions, mine is cars. My name is Irma Garcia and I am 18 years old and currently attending Universal Technical Institute. I am taking an auto body collision and repair program. As I began my program I was face with a challenge; To compete with guys in their industry. I believe this is a very though industry for women because we get stereotyped as being unknowledgablein this trade. To this date I have been academically successful and I have put up a challenge against other students. This has been a life changing experience and in doing this I hope to change people’s perspective on women as auto body technicians into demonstrating how women can be intelligent in the automotive business. With the knowledge I gain from this profession I propose to assist people in properly repairing their vehicles. I believe my opportunities are endless with the vocation I am selecting. I am looking forward to my future and I am confident I will have security in this occupation.
Jasmine
College for me has been a learning expirience inside and outside of the classroom. You learn how to learn because you want to learn, as opposed to learning just for the sake of learning. The teachers give you as much help as you need, but let you be free enough to make you own decisions and learn from your mistakes. It has made me learn that I am in college not because I am expected to be or because I am supposed to be, but because I want to be and choose to be.
Audrianna
Out of my college experince so far I have learned so much about myself and I became a better person overall. I have learned better study habits and better spending habits. I have become a lot more responsible since I went to college. I went to college so I would change but in a good way. I am enjoying college so far; it has been a great thing for me. I know in the end, it will really pay off, and turn me into that someone that I have always wanted to be since the fifth grade, which is a pediatrican. To me, college has been valuable to attend , because it has made me more independent and has helped me learn what it is like to live in the real world without my mom. Attending college was the smartest thing I have ever done and I would never regret that decison.
Anna-Marie
To be completely honest, there is no perfect advise about college that can be given to a high school senior. Even knowing what I know now about college, nothing could've fully prepared me for the transition from home to on my own. If I could've told the high school senior version of myself anything about college life, I would've emphasized three things.
1. Apply for scholarships everyday. You don't fully understand the cost of college until you're flat broke and still have books to buy.
2. Choose your school early on and apply early on. Last-minute decisions mean missing out on scholarships and fun events for prospective students where you could get a jump start on making friends.
3. Don't be in a rush to graduate. Have a blast! Use senior year to truly appreciate the friends and teachers you know and love. After graduation, you won't see many of them again.
We always wish we knew then what we know now. However, there will always be some things that I don't know. It's when things go wrong that we learn how to get it right the next time.
Jordan
Don't give up. It is so much easier to push someone down then to help them up and I think that anyone who tried to help me took the easy way out. I'd say don't give up because the best is yet to come and you have to have paitience. When its hard, just pull through and you'll see he benefits of pulling someone up, its one thing to help someone else but it is something entirely different to feel self accomplishment when it has never been present in your life. College is a fresh start to show everyone including yourself that you can do it and if my old self had this gift of advice I think he'd be a great kid.
Tamika
I would tell myself to relaxe and try not to get frustrated when I do not understand something the very first time. I would also tell myself that it would be best to not try to be a friend to everyone because not everyone will be a true friend to you. I would tell myself that college is a lot of hard work, but at the same time it is also a lot of fun. I would just need to be able to find the balance of work and fun. I would tell myself to not let anyone tell you what you are unable to do. The only person that can me back is myself. As long as I believe in myself and work hard, then I can achieve anything I put my mind to.