Brett
I would tell myself to be more reasonable. I looked only to the stars and though it worked out for me and I made it to my college of choice with a good major, I would have told myself that I need to focus more on reasonable situations. I would say that I need to aim for all my dreams, but to have a backup plan just in case.
Christian
Take AP Literature
Ashley
Don't worry about your not fitting in. You're going to college to build your future, not to be popular. You don't need to change to find friends, just being yourself will bring them to you. Don't worry about your roommates, they're actually pretty okay. Even if you don't like them you'll get new ones in a semester. No matter what you can call your family and visit them on the holidays.
Don't worry about your classes, you'll do just fine. So I suggest working a bit harder on microeconomics. You don't need to worry about your teachers. They're actually pretty cool and want you succeed in their classes. Also don't forget about those scholarship applications that you have bookmarked and say you will get around to them. Its best to just finish them now before you forget like we both know you will. But basically don't worry about anything. It all works out.
Brandon
We all know that being a senior you have one main goal, get into the college of your dreams. I got a headstart on college applications and I was fortunate enough to grab a spot on the Embry-Riddle team. If I could have told myself anything about the transition to college it would have been, never doubt your dreams to suceed. No dreams are too big, apply yourself and you can get anything done. College is as hard as you make it, study hard and smile everyday because you are an Embry Riddle Eagle.
STEPHANIE
If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to follow my own path. That has served me very well in life. I have always followed a very different plan than my peers and it has put me ahead of them time and time again. I would tell myself to always do what I think is right, even if it is not the popular thing to do. I have always stood up for what I believe in and it has made me a stronger person. Everyone should have something they believe in strongly enough to fight for it. Just as a hint, I would also let myself know that joining the military would be the scariest, craziest, most important, and life-changing experience I will ever have and that I will love every minute of it!
Neka
I would tell myself to take better care of my physical health physical. I came down with mono my Sophomore year of college and instead of resting like I should have, I pushed myself too hard and ended up with a lot of complications that caused me to become disabled and wheel chair bound. If I could go back in time I would be able to skip a lot of the pain and suffering I have experienced in the last 4 years. I would also tell myself that the work is much like the work I had to do in High School, and to not worry about it so much.
John
I would tell myself to not live by what others think of me, but to work on finding the academic major in which I find the most passion in. Finding a field of concentration that I love doing, that I'm good at, and will make me a financially comfortable should be something I plan in pursuing. I would also emphasize how important it is to learn how to use MLA format and to keep current on my skills in mathematics for future placement tests at universities. Time management is one of the most important qualities to possess. Not showing up to class early to meet with the teachers when not completely understanding the materials is one of the biggest mistakes I have made. This may come in handy down the line when needing college recommendations for applications. Most importantly, instead of spending a great deal of time hanging out with friends on weekends, taking the time to plan out every class needed per year in order to graduate on time is absolutely essential. This level of preparedness will prevent potential setbacks, always allowing for a backup plan.
Nicole
I'd tell myself that I need to join he ballroom club, because I'll be making friends for life in there. I'd say that I need to buckle down, and not take the Chinese track in my major. It'll only cause problems later. Go with Spanish. Don't be afraid to open up. They are just as geeky as you are, and just as afraid. Don't give up either. Mom might want you to go elsewhere, but work hard. Get a job as soon as possible, and work on scholarships. Always work on Scholarships.
Sara
I grew up on a farm and ranch on the windswept plains of Eastern Colorado. I graduated from high school in May 2008, and by the end of June I was a new cadet at the United States Military Academy. I spent two years wearing a uniform, marching in formation, and living in the barracks before deciding to leave the army and travel the world. I started my adventure in Poland, where I worked as an au pair for a Polish family. From Poland, I moved to Turkey and lived on a yacht sailing between the islands of Turkey and Greece. After Turkey, I flew to the Cook Islands, where I worked as a PADI Divemaster for a local dive company. After returning to the U.S. in August 2011, I enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a Global Security and Intelligence/Arabic major. In August 2012, I flew to Cairo, Egypt where I spent nine months studying abroad, traveling the country, and teaching English. I have not made conventional choices, but I believe that we should each blaze our own path. I would tell my high school self that following this mantra was the best decision you made.
micaela
Build good time management and study habits. School may be easy now but when it starts to get hard you want to have those skills to fall back on or you will drive yourself crazy with stress. Being able to manage when you do homework and study will give you time to hang out with friends and not have to worry about the homework due the next day.
Breanon
I would tell myself to brace myself for the difficulty of the classes ahead. I would also tell myself to stick to my major even though it will gewt tough and discouraging and to just look ahead to the goal for motivation.
Woodeline
I use my life and any opportunity as a great testemony in anyhow. It is a blessing and a great decision when you stay in school and picture or frame your future. Education can go way behond what you expected in life because there is so much you can doand help other friends,classmates to change their life. Be a mentor,a councelor for everyone on your way,and i am sure the nature or the future will not keep it as simple..Your kids,your generation can benefit from a good decision you take today.
Emily
School work is the most important thing. Always get help even if you are the slightest bit confused. Distance is not worth it. And enjoy yourself. Life can be too short.
Aaron
When you get to college, become the person you want to be. No one knows who you are or what you're about. If there is something about yourself that you want changed, now is the time. Become outgoing; be open to new friends and new ideas. You are about to enter a whole new climate of learning and exploration. It is an entirely different climate than high school. Some people mature and some people never change. You will have some people shock you with their indecency, but don't let it blind you to others' compassion and love. Ignore the unnecessary evil, help those in need, and be the one to make any necessary change happen. Be a leader when it counts and a carefully listening follower the other times; admitting that you do not and will not ever know it all.
Katie
Be open; continually search for what you love. Be open to change your major, but don't be too quick to either. Never be afraid to dream big. Persevere through stuff that you might not like in the short term but will get you there in the long run. Make friends; take risks. School's not everything; live out the college experience! Yes, you must study, but give yourself breaks sometimes; go cliff-jumping! Don't forget everything your parents taught you growing up; continue to ask them for help, but not too much. Most importantly, never stop dreaming!
Kelsey
Well, I actually chose to go to school a year early, so if I could go back to when I was deciding to attend college, there is one major detail I'd note. I would have to tell myself that visiting campuses is paramount. It's important to get out there and see what different schools are like, and if it's something you can handle. I remember visiting a state school and being overwhelmed by the number of people. Between classes, you couldn't walk on the sidewalks. Needless to say, I decided a smaller school or at least one with a small-school feel would be better. I think I should have visited more schools than I did. When visiting a campus, look at the surrounding areas and town/city. I didn't know how small Prescott really is, and now I wouldn't mind somewhere that had more atmosphere that catered to an active, socially diverse, college lifestyle. I do like the outdoors, so my choice for this part of Arizona was actually a great one.
Jessica
I would tell my senior self to study more and be prepaired for long nights and tough classes. I would teach myself how to study better, and develop interview and social skills. I would also tell myself that friends aren't everything. The people you meet in high school aren't going to be there forever, and the people who don't realize that early on, never catch on in the first place. I would also tell myself to develop on my writing skills. Its a very important quality.
Christine
I would advise myself to be more open-minded about my career path and to take other college students' advice to heart. Had I taken advantage of my dad's interest in aviation, I would be much further along by now.
Joel
I would tell myself that you are making a good choice. Don’t lose focus on the important things, but it is alright to stop and enjoy the pleasures of everyday life and not get distracted. Let go of the ambitions that are complicated, because anything that is complicated with make your life exactly that with very little payoff.
Thomas
I would tell myself that i know it sounds cliche, but do not slack off on homework. It will bite you, and it will catch up to you a lot faster than in high school. I would say that it is perfectly acceptable to take a break from school in case of a family emergency, and not to worry about money or keeping scholarships in that case. Finally, I would tell myself to not be surprised that I continue to keep contact with my friend Lindsey. (I would not, however, tell myself that I would marry Lindsey in July 2011!)