Stephanie
After two years of college and about to transfer out of community college, I have learned a lot about myself and life. In high school I was convinced that everyone should go away to school, that community college would not give you the same education or experience you would get going away. However, going to a community college was actually the best choice I ever made. Getting a good education and maybe even a better one that allowed me to stay home, work part-time and get a promotion. My friends have debt that has only half accumulated; I was able to keep my debt minimal before going to a 4-year school. Community college allowed the transition from high school to college easier and more enjoyable. My advice to my high school self would be not to be in such a rush to grow up and leave. That community college is not a bad place to start but the smart place. Sometimes it is better to enjoy life and the possibilities that await you.
Karyn
Don't be afraid to get involved! Introduce yourself to everybody! I know that you are shy, but you might end up being that person that is the last to meet everybody. You worked really hard in high school and you are very academically ready for college! So, don't worry too much about getting every single page of reading done. Make sure that you are also spending enough time getting to know the people in your dorm and in your classes. On campus, you never quite know who you are going to meet. Furthermore, you are going to meet people very different from you. Don't freak out! Just because someone was not raised in a very conservative household like you does not mean that they are a bad person or a bad friend. So, keep that in mind when you start to get to know people. You might miss out on some good friendships if you judge. Go forth and make some new friends and lots of new memories!
Courtney
If i could go back in time and be a high school senior I would prepare myself for college more than i did. I did not expect the diffrence between high school and college. My high school did not prepare the seniors with all the study materials needed throughout college. If i could give myself any advice it would be slow and steady wins the race. If you take your time and work hard great things will come out.
Amanda
Those teachers weren’t fucking with you when they said, “your gonna fall on your ass in the real world if you don’t get your shit together in High School”. Just so you know 10 years from now your college life isn’t all parties, drinking, and sex. Daddy’s not there anymore providing that warm house, first-class food, and playing role of Mr. ATM. Do you self a big favor and pull your head out of your ass and stay in High School. Trust me you will save yourself from many nights of eating pork and beans from a can while frantically looking for you last bit of change under the couch of your a mold infested death trap that you pay $1.450 a month for. You will soon figure out that it takes way more energy pick yourself up after failing than it did just to try to succeed in school. However, I still think you were completely validated when you called Mr. Kinkikin an “ugly man troll”.
Brooklyn
If I could go back in time and talk to myself while I was a senior in high school I would give myself the option to attend a community school. When I was in high school, a community school sounded to "poor" for me; I didn't think I would get a good education and thought I would just be throwing my money away. I believed an universtiy or college was the "real deal." Now that i am enrolled in a college I see this is really were they take your money; the tutition is extremely too high and it keeps going up every year. Now, as I look back on it, I wish I would have attened a community school.
Lauren
If you are going to party then please do it responsibly. Make sure you get your lazy butt out of bed and go to class. You are paying for this so don't waste it!
Ceanna
Dear younger Ceanna,
In a few years you will be taking a new step to brighter and wider oppurtunities, but don't be scared because these oppurtunities are going to change your life and make you into one strong, wonderful individual. A little advice before you take this next step though, don't think you always have to be perfect. Perfection is not always the best route because as long as your still trying and enjoying life you will be proud. Going into college is stressful and sometimes you just need to take a step back and look at all you have been blessed with and remember there is so much life has to offer. Enjoy college and make new experiences. Remember those that surround you because these are your true friends that will possibly be in your life forever. Love like there is no tommorrow because you may not get this experience again. College is your way of expanding and making your dreams come true so don't be afraid. Make everything count!
Love,
An older you.
Erica
My advise to myself would be to never give up. Stay in school and don't drop out for any reason. Listen to your instructors and ask as many questions as possible. Exhaust every resource possible that would aid you in preparing you for college- soliciting help from counselors, tutors, taking a college tour, talk to other college students and ask questions about thier experience of college life etc. Explore other cultures, languages and try something new-food, hobbie etc. Learn to prioritize, explore various studying techniques and research career options prior to taking needless classes to save yourself money. Gather scholarship information to help offset the cost of a quality education. Think about what you are about to do before you do it because it may put an end to your career before it even starts. Raising a child as a college student is very challenging, so i would advise myself to consider the consequence of sexual activity. If i had it to do over again, I would take my own advise.
Billy
Knowing is half the battle
If I could go back in time, and speak with the high school senior version of myself, I would say try to keep my parents from moving from place to place so I could stay in one school. Moving from school to school did not set me up for success it gave me a handicap. I would tell myself about Scholarships that they are a great source of money to pay for college in great detail.
I would remind myself that learning, and getting better grades is the key to success. I would also tell myself to pay more attention to in my weak subjects which are Math, and English. I would tell myself to work a lot harder with those challenging subjects so that the fear that I currently had of taking those subject would have disappeared once I started college. High school was not fun I could have graduated with a higher GPA if I had focus on my books, and less on moving, from school to school, and working to helping with finances. Who said it better was United Negro College Fund a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Tiffany
The decision at the end of junior year switching schools to go to Middle Collage was a great idea. The experience that takes place the last year will help more than anything. While attending those four collage classes throughout the last year, taking the two electives have helped getting a minor that will still allow graduating in the four years like plan. Taking the other two classes in your major you want was a great choice. Psychology collage class was a great help, with it being hard it will cause you to go ask for help from the professor. When he finds out in the end of the semester that the whole time that you and a few of your classes mates where high school seniors, he will tell you how proud he is that we were smart enough to reach out. All the knowledge learned there make notes, because when switching to another collage is going to be a smooth ride. Thanks to the wonderful staff at the students you work with will make your first year alone in a new collage an easy one.
Lauren
If I could go back to myself in high-school I would have a lot of advice to give myself. Starting with dorm life, I would say to be patient with others and not be in my room all the time, to get out and make friends. Staying in the same room with the same people you get "cabin-fever" which leads to disagreements and stress. You live with these people, you have to set rules to help reduce mis-communications. Regarding school work I would tell myself to stay organized. Lack of organization is the reason keeping up with school work seemed difficult. Keeping my assignments written down would have made it easier to remember when things are due and to not get behind in class. The biggest thing I would stress would be money. I would give advice about budgeting and saving money. On top of all the school stress, dealing with financial stress leads to lack of focus on school work, and can destroy a student. I believe high school students aren't fully prepared for college until they spend atleast one semester there. They realize they have a lot of responsibility that they have to control.
Caitlin
I would give the high school seniors of today advice on how expensive it is to go to college today and to try and apply for as many scholarships as you can as well as save as much money as you can. It turn you are geting a great education, but it comes with a price. Make sure that you are well-prepapred.
Patrick
The advice that i would give myself would be ? Keep your studying habits updated and never wait to the last minute to do homework also don't change who you are too fit in. Next i would tell myself to work alot of hours to make some money over the summer to avoid calling parents and begging them for money . Finally always keep your faith you can do anything in this world that you want to long as you put your mind to it dreams really do come true.
Becky
I have learned so much in college just in my first semester and half. I am taking medical adminstration and I learned so much in Anatomy class. It is so interesting to me. I hope the rest of my semester go as well as the first two. I have a 3.7 gpa so this should show how well I am doing.
Stori
I have gotten a lot out of my college experience. I have had to deal with a lot of things that I never thought I would have to deal with and it has been a very valuable learning experience, not only about college, but about myself. I have learned more about myself as a person as well as my studies. I have made some amazing new friends, even some from diffrent countries and diffrent religions. I have learned to better accept people for who they are and not be so judgemental. I believe this will be valuable in the future and in my career. You never know who you are going to have to work with. With such a diverse community, you learn to be accepting and willing to learn new things from some people you would have not thought about before.
Rochelle
I have made wonderful friends and got a great education.
Lindsay
Before coming to college, I had a vary narrow view of the world and the people that lived in it. By attendng EKU my eyes have been opened to a whole new world. I have learned about different cultures, religions, sexualities, and ideologies. I am a more understanding and accepting person because of the experience I've had while attending EKU. In my future I believe this will help me because I will better be able to understand how people think on certain topics and why they think they way they do. By being a diverse person, I can better communicate with others affectively and understand the culture from which they come.
Willis
Attending college at Eastern Kentucky has forced me to grow in my ability to make good decisions. Academic decisions include choosing a major, deciding what I want to do vocationally, determining how hard I will try to get excellent grades. There are many social decisions as well, from choosing to drink or not, to deciding what extracurricular activities to attend. I chose to join my school's rugby club, in order to keep fit, have fun, and build friendships. I also chose to attend all my classes and put in the necessary work to keep a 4.0 GPA. I have also decided to go against the flow and not participate in any underage drinking, because I have seen too many people do too many stupid things while drunk., and I belived in respecting the laws of my country. I enjoy college, because it is the doorway to the rest of my life. I am getting better at making big decisions, and good ones.
Brittany
Leaving home might have been the hardest thing for me to do. But attending Eastern Kentucky has showed me that no matter what happens you become a family with the friends around you. Living here for the past two months has been great and has allowed me to talk to people I would have never expected to. The campus is beautiful and having friends to go to in the time of need is great. This campus is home. Its more like a small hometown were everybody knows everybody. Its the best feeling in the world to be able to attend class and have a one on one experience with you teacher for a better understanding on what is going on in class.
Nathan
the most i have gotten out of college so far is the knowledge from the teachers that are helping me become a teacher so i can give back to kids. the reason i want to give back is the teachers i had in high school did not give me the knowledge i needed to start college i want kids to be ready for college an the real world. my teachers did not get me ready for the college work load and how the teachers would do things in college. it has been valuable to attend this school because it is a top notch school for teachers to graduate from.