Cornish College of the Arts Top Questions

I would tell myself, "Be aggressive!" Stop being that pansy little boy you are now! Rip your shirt off, punch the wall, spit in your own eyes. The world will sweep you under the rug if you don't let it know that you will cause fissures if you don't get your way. Its OK, to be a little passive at times, like when handling children, but when you have to get something don't wait. Don't starve. Go get it. Punch the coffee machine in it's face if you have too. Just go. And you might feel bad about it afterward, but don't say sorry. Don't ever go back on what you say. Unless, you do something ridiculous like break the coffee machine. But ultimately, don't forget yourself. Other people will do what is in their best interest, so stop worrying about them. When you wake up, eat something, if someone else is starving, that's their problem. Learn to put your foot down, and be aggressive.

Within my first year of college I have learned one thing that I believe can be universally applied. Find something that you believe in; that you care about! It is easy to become apathetic within our public school systems. Knowledge can seem to become stale and meaningless within the confines of a high school curriculum. However, if one strives to find passion then all the "busy work" that may seem redundant simply becomes an essential obstacle to an extensively more valuable outcome. Self-reflect; look at what you love in your own life and why you love it. If you can do this, if you can find even the shimmer of a path you might take in the upcoming years that gives you reason to strive; your self-motivation will explode, I promise! By the time my high school graduation came I had become an accomplished procrastination veteran. However, I wasn't reaching my potential. I have found passion in the work I do not only because I love it but also because I find it to have meaning in our world and civilization. I am doing the best work I have ever done because of this, I love it!

If I could go back, I would tell myself to start early, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The more time you have applying and researching colleges, the better. Research colleges over the summer after Junior year, and know roughly where you want to go by the start of Senior year. Have your applications done by Christmas break. If, like me, you have no idea where you want to go, or even how to find out where you would want to go, ask as many people as possible. Ask them where they went to college, what they thought of it, and where they think you should go. Think about what you want out of a college, things like where you want to be, how many students you want to be around, and of course what you want to study. If you're really stuck at the beginning, just thinking about what kind of weather you want to live around can get you going. Your teachers and family are there to help you. Don't be afraid to use them.

If you told me at the beginning of my senior year that I would move to Seattle and attend one of three art schools in the country that have both visual and performing arts programs, I would not have believed you. Despite every life-defining moment that happened over the past year and a half, if I could go back and give myself advice, I would not forewarn what was to come. Instead I would tell myself to trust God that He would help me come into who I was meant to be, and lead me down a path that, if I fought for it, set me in the direction of my dreams made real. I would encourage myself to always speak and live with passion, particularly when talking about any of my artwork or my future career as a production designer. Also, to prevent the kind of shock I experienced this past November, I would hint that when people say it is dark in Seattle, they are not only referring to the rain and clouds, but also that the northward location of city means that the sun sets around four o’clock in the winter months.

I would tell my senior-self to explore more and think less of the future and more of the present. Its hard to do that at a time when you have to make these life changing decisions- however if i've learned anything in college is that nothing is permanent. The world is vast and changing constantly and so will you. I would tell myself to spend more time with friends and family, to take trips (even small ones),save money because it will run out and you will panic and regret buying stickers at the dollar store or that burrito. Take classes in things you want to understand more and if you can't do that take the time to learn the skills and things you want to learn on your own. Go abroad and learn about how other people live. Do what makes you happy not what you think will make you happy or what will please anyone else. Don't plan your future but live until you get there and take time to love the people around you or the ones back home. Everything will work out, and so many things will change. Its ok.

Don't waste time. Don't even waste one minute. Stay focused on attaining the highest good, and ask for guidance from the divine source. Meditate on this and you will recieve assistance. Of course you have to work hard, that is implied, but these things are overlooke, and when combined with work-ethic, this will relieve anxiety and bring you to your goal faster.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to apply for every scholarship possible and to never give up on my dreams. I would tell myself to never doubt what I'm passionate about and to know that if you give everything 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} that you'll be successfull, regardless of whether your major in college is dance or business.

If I could go back and talk to myself at the end of senior year of my high school experience, I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships and work harder overall. By senior year I had already gotten everything I was going to get out of the high school theater learning experience. I would have told myself to prepare for being surrounded by theater all day every day. Going to high school is much different from attending a full time college. The work load is alot more but Iit feels much more rewarding to finish it all.

The education you get now will set the tone for the rest of your life, so don't just see it as an extension of high school - it's much more. College will expand your mind in a way that high school never could. And don't listen to people who tell you the purpose of a college education is to get a better job. While it's true that making more money will allow you to lead a better life, you don't want to spend your life toiling in a career you hate. If you do what you love, the money will follow. It would be hypocritical of me to say don't party and don't waste your time mooning over guys, but just remember that having fun now is not as important in the long run as getting your education. On the other hand, you don't want to be a bore, either. This is a chance to make friends for life - and not just friends, but collaborators, potential colleagues, and a network of people who will help you get where you want to be in life. Have fun, but always remember: your education comes first.

I would tell myself to save up for college and not spend my money on things I wasn't going to use. Along the same lines, I would say to apply for more scholarships and start a conversation with the financial aid office at Cornish before I started attending classes there. I would also tell myself to be open to new experiences, and at the same time make sure you stick to your values. It's okay if you make mistakes every once in a while, because the people you meet here will love you and support you no matter what. Don't be afraid to take chances. Dare to suck! It seems like a simple enough motto, but it can be a terrifying one to follow if you don't prepare yourself mentally for the work we do here.