Drury University Top Questions

Follow your parent's advice and choose a school that will benefit you financially, ie gives scholarships. In addition, do not rush to be an adult, enjoy dorm life, social clubs, and the "typical" college experience. You will never get to go back and be in your early 20s again.

I would advise to stay out of the "college life," which is revolved around partying and is not focused on academics. The college life tends to ruin people's education because it interfers with their academics. They spend thousands of dollars towards tuition and taking steps closer to earning their degree, but choose to go out and party instead of focusing on what truly matters. Nothing is more important than education in college; that is the reason why students are there. It is important to stay on track and to prioritize what is important.

If I could go back in time and give my former high school self some advice I would absolutely ensure that I understood the importance of focusing on my school work. Unfortunately, when I transitioned from high school to Saint Louis University I did not understand that importanct. In high school I was like a lot of other teenagers; consumed with social life, sports, friends, and enjoying life. One thing that did not make it onto my radar was studying! I felt good about getting decent grades and rarely (if ever) put in the work to ensure I received great grades. Looking back now it's easy to see my former self perfectly placed for a stiff punch from college life. Now, I'm on my second attempt at college and this one will be successful. I have grown-up and matured as a person with te ability to recognize my past flaws and look forward to 'showing-up' my past self by displaying the amount of focus needed academically to be successful. It wasn't hard to identify what my former high school senior self needed to hear. The real question is, "Would I have actually listened?"

I would tell myself few things. I would tell myself that it isn't as intimdating as you initially thought. That I can accomplish anything, but that I need to study hard. Also, i would tell myself to apply for more scholarships to help pay for college. Other that I felt like that as a senior in high school, that i was fairly prepared to continue my journey into the college life. I was prepared, but scared to make the transition. Once it came time for it, I realized it wasn't nearly as scary as I initially thought it was. With that being said, I would tell myself that I can do it. I would also tell myself that I should shy away from procrastinating. I'd also tell myself that I need to get in the habit of studying a lot. If i could just tell myself that advice, I believe I would be a much better student.

If I could go back in time to when I was a senior, I would tell myself to embrace new beginnings. Life is so full of opportunities and the journey is spectacular. I would've told myself to apply for scholarships. It's difficult seeing my bank account, and my parents, being drained from tuition and books. I would've told myself to spend more time with my family. After all, family is all you have at the end of the day. They have always supported me and I always took them for granted when I was younger and it shows now. I would've told myself to find a hobby and seek pleasure and enjoyment in little things. I would've told myself to let go and face my challenges head on instead of trying to escape. Six years later I am finally starting to see that only I am in charge of my life and others can't make my decisions for me. It's funny how life works and how time has the perfect way of showing you what matters. I wish I would’ve learned that everything I was running from was in my head.

I would tell myself to not take advantage of the down time. and do all the extra credit you can!

I did not go to high school at all, so I would actually go back and talk to myself at age 12 when I completed only one quarter of my seventh grade year. I would of told myself that schooling is much easier to do when you are young and that it will be harder to pick up later in life. I would of told myself that I would for sure be wanting an education in some area in the future and that learning basic education like math will be much easier at a young age.

Study hard and talk to my school counselor about which classes I need to take to help me do better when I go to college. Apply for scholarships during my senior year and keep my gpa high.

College is exactly what you expected, but easier. If you're hoping for an academic challenge, you're going to be severely disappointed. I understand how International Baccalaureate prepared you for strenuous work and night upon night of slogging through homework, and hundreds of hours of work on a single paper (I'm you, I would know, after all). College is different. Get used to it quickly, or else you're going to be miserable and bored, because, really? College needs to be different. You learned how to work hard in high school. That kind of work pays itself off quickly when you know how to write a paper and see symbolism, rather than look for it, and in the kind of general knowledge that you get through Psychology, History, and Chemistry classes. College is learning how to work with people, learn how the world works, and gives you time to figure things out by yourself, and for yourself, without being so rushed that important personal epiphanies get written down and thrown into your next Theory of Knowledge paper. College is less of a 'grade' and more of a personally beneficial experience that absolutely must be taken advantage of.

Dear Ali, I have some adivce for you for the coming months and years. I know you do not feel like moving 800 miles from your home and friends to the Midwest is what's best for you, but your parents actually are right this time. Even though they are the ones who made the final decision you know deep down it is really right. In the end you are going to have the best four years of your life, and you are going to make friends who truely love YOU. You will make mistakes and date the wrong guys, but life is a journey and you will come out on top in the end. Throw all your anxiety and fear out the window. Your freshman roommate is an absolute doll, and you will love every moment you share in your tiny dorm room. Yes, you will fit in and actually join a sorority of girls just like yourself. You can take any classes you want. Take the time to figure out what it is YOU want to do with your life. Enjoy the time; do not rush it. Life is about the journey - embrace it!