Eastern Washington University Top Questions

Dear Heather, I have always believed in you to accomplish what you were set out to do. You have always made the right choices for you, and not worried about fitting in with the crowd. At times, I wish you were more outgoing and got involved with extracurricular activities, but you made it anyway. The most notable thing you did and shall never regret is going abroad for a semester. Ghana was the best choice you ever made and will transform your future. It was definitely a challenging time, acclimating to a new environment, family, friends, and culture. Seeing the impoverished parts of the world will encourage you to continue your life changing experience after college. Be prepared to work very hard and stay focused on your lifetime goals. Don't worry about not having the "college experience". You don't have to be a partier or a social butterfly to make it through college successfully. When it comes time to apply for the nursing program, go with confidence and be your humble self during the interview. Stay true to yourself and have faith that God will use you as hands and feet to serve the oppressed. Sincerely, Future You

I'm in my early tweenties, I'm still a young man and my job is hard working and dealing with customers all the time. When I think back during my high school years, I had my days easy going to classes and by staying in school I had a lot of help by my teachers solving my problems with homework, quizzes and test Anything I need help with, I asked and I kept my grades up. My teenager years, I slowly went downhill, I should'nt have done, what I did. Being seventeen, and not studing in school. I relize now being in my early tweenties I made a big mistake. If I were to go back in my high school years, I would tell myself: "study more. If you dont study, your going to end making bad decisions that I don't evan want to think about, staying out of trouble and hanging with the wrong crowd. If you dont study hard, getting into a collage you want, you wont be able to comprehen the collage lifstyle. Your high school diploma is very important because even though it's just paper, that paper shows you can do anything.

Sitting uncomfortably in the metal folding chair I began shifting my weight from side to side, and with each adjustment I grew even more uncomfortable. The anticipation began to bubble beneath me like water on the brink of boiling. The crowd to my left was no longer a distinct sea of individuals rather it had become a sea of moving faces blurred and bound together by yelling and cheers of congratulations. That fateful day I had the world at my finger tips, It was the day I graduated. Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to try your best in college no matter what. Never be afraid to say hello to a stranger, and always try your hardest even if you're unsure of yourself. Transitioning will be hard and at times scary, but I would want to say that by keeping your head up its the best way to be succesful. Try not loose faith in yourself even with the world upon your shoulders, because hard work really does pay off, and the rewards are so worth the pain and struggle it may take to get there.

Justine, know that college is an eye opening expierience. Be excited to have the opportunity to go, and a family that supports you in your quest. The drama of high school will disapear as soon as you throw that red cap in the air on graduation day, so why worry about it now? In college, the people that matter will not judge you on material things. You can truley be yourself, while also finding a new self. Though high school is fun, and it is important to enjoy the ride, do not be sad when it is over. Always consider the things you learned, the people you loved and the experiences that highlight your life, but look forward to where you are going. College is not easy, just as life is not a stroll in the park, but the challenges ahead will be ones you learn from. This last year in high school, embrass your family and friends; they will always be there for you, but will not always be there. Accept that you will lose many ties, but gain many more. College is worth your hard work.

I believe if I had the chance to go back, I would tell myself not to make friendships too quickly. Giving your trust to new friends can be wonderful, but don't give all your trust into them, because some people just aren't worthy of that trust. Some people aren't capable of being true friends, and some people, you come to realize, are not people you want to be spending your time with. You want people to bring a positive light to your world, not people who will compromise the goals you have set for yourself.

If it was the beginning of my senior year, I would try to convince myself that my social life at high school is not as important as my success in college. With this I would persuade myself that attending one of the local community colleges for Running Start would benefit me greatly. If I had attended Running Start I would be that much closer to my degree right now, and I regret not going through with that decision in high school.

Sean, this is yourself speaking to you with a few more years of wisdom under your belt. I am goin to tell you something that will be shocking to you but please believe me, its true. I know you are thinking college is impossible for you because of many different true and made up reasons such as , your family does not have the type of income to send you, your not smart enough and you have lived in this small town forever, how could you ever make it in one of those big city atmospheres? But despite some of these partial truths I know the facts now, college is possible for you! Yes you! Sean, first of all you live in a free country that provides help for you through grants and other means. There are hundreds of charitable businesses and organizations that are willing to help you with scholorships. Money should not hold you back. Also there are programs and friends that are willing to lend you a helping hand, with these and some effort you can be smart enough. Think of all the options, there are thousands of colleges and one of them will meet your needs.

Knowing what I know now, I would reassure myself that it does not matter if I do not have a clear plan for my future. Each course provides new experiences and opportunities to reveal undiscovered interests. Finding the college that feels most comfortable to me is much more important than selecting one based on its history, prestige or specific majors. Impressive campuses and newly built dorms mean nothing if the culture of the college conflicts with my personal values. Finally, I would tell myself that this comfort level is especially important since I must become self-reliant and responsible for my personal conduct and academic success.

If I were able to go back and talk to myself as High School senior, I would give the advice on better studying and sleeping tips. Knowing the college life I have learned how to manage time to study and sleep so that I can stay focused on what I am in school for.

The first thing I would tell myself is that time is invaluable and that I should make the most of it while attending classes and working towards a goal that has such a tremendous influence over my life. I would also stress that preparation for any class project or writing assignment needs to be conceptually sound and given a chance to materialize in the mind before the task is carried out. Specifically with any writing assignment, always expect that it will take much longer than you originally think. Knowing your options and the opportunities that are available is also important and I would make a point to convey the idea of taking advantage of internships and overseas learning coursework. Lastly, I would emphasize the point that just because the social aspects of life seem incredibly relevent and worthy of your time and attention while attending college, they're more often than not just distractions and small instances of momentary satisfaction when compared to the happiness and self-satisfaction you'll feel once you've accomplished a momentous goal such as graduating college and knowing that your ready to start building a lasting foundation that is your life.