Emporia State University Top Questions

Dear senior self, When you are in the decision making process for choosing a school to attend, do not count any school out right away, and do not just go to the first school you visit. Choosing a school is a lot of work and it takes a lot of time. Although it can be overwhelming at times, it is a decision that you do not want to rush into. Go visit a variety of campuses and if there is a school that does not give you a positive gut feeling, do not go there. This is a decision you need to make for yourself. No one else can decide what makes you happy, or what environment you learn best in. You are the only person who truly knows and understands yourself, so it is up to you to make this choice. There is a school out there that is everything you want, but if you do not look hard for it, you may never find it. If you put the time and energy into deciding where to go now, you will reap the benefits for later years to come. Sincerely, Graduated Self

If I could advise my senior-self I would rearrange my class scheudle. I wish I would have taken more college now classes so I would have more of the general requirements completed and be closer to start taking classes that actually apply to the field I want to study. I would also advise myself to study more than I did and tell myself it really does matter what you do this year and more so the closer you get to graduating. I would also advise myself to have looked at more scholarships. College is expensive and money does not grow on trees. I would also tell myself to quite freaking out about my roomate too... turns out she is very nice and easy to live with.

Document the things that you do in high school, these are the memories that you will look back on later in life. Never forget to tell your friends how much they mean to you because one day you may need them. My number one advice that I could have given to myself is to step outside of my comfort zone while you feel like you are in a safe enviornment because once you are in college there are many things that are going to stretch and even exceed the limits of your comfort zone. Have fun and take the opportunities given, because you never know if you are going to regret something that you didn't do, whether it was because you didnt want to step out of your comfort zone or just as simple as not doing something because you didn't know anyone. Meet as many people as you can and take the chances to make a change. Don't regret your college experience.

I would go to Emporia State as soon as I graduated high school. I would also tell myself to try harder in on my ACT and final classes in high school. I am happy that I have found the school I am happiest but I wish I would have been able to spend more time here.

As a high school senior I was tied down by a boy that treated my like trash. I entered college in a terrible relationship that made me feel bad about myself and prevented me from really experiencing college and making new friends. I was so focused on making him happy that I lost sight of my own happiness. I am no longer with the boy that made me feel worthless and I am still recovering from the damage. If I could tell myself anything as a high school senior it would be to stay single and focus on school, God, friends, and family. I would do it all over again and enter college as a happy, confident, sinlge girl. I am happy where I am now, but it would save me a lot of tears and heartbreak. Mean boys are not worth my suffering.

If I could go back, I would tell myself as a high school senior, " Look I understand having fun and a good time with friends are your priorities right now, but that needs to change. College is great, but finacially it's a killer. I need you to focus more on school and forget about all the other minor stuff. It's good to have fun, but you're about to enter a whole new world. This world is challenging, you gain new experiences and it's going to make you a stronger person. But when hard times hit, you're going to wonder why it happens to you. So this is what i need you to do : talk to your teachers, take their advice and stop putting so much energy into hanging out with friends; half of them if not all, you will no longer talk to in the future. Look high school is the last days where you will get this much sleep and have this much free time on your hands, so use it wisely and do something that's going to make an impact on your future career" Good luck

I do not have very many regrets when it comes to what I have done after high school. I have enjoyed life, met new people, and traveled to many different places. The one tip I would give myself is to learn more about how credit ratings work and to pay my bills on time. I moved away from my parents at 17, when I graduated high school, and I did not know how important it would be later on to have a good credit rating. When I turned 18 I started to get credit card offers, I viewed it as getting free money at that moment and I figured I could pay them back later. I think that personal finance should be a required class for all high school seniors. I was not financially responsible when I moved out on my own and it has taken a lot of hard work and commitment to get myself back on track. I have luckily dug myself out of debt on my own but I know a lot of people that have not been that lucky.

I would tell myself to try new oppurtunities and meet new friends. I would make sure to tell myself not to be afraid of going new places because that is the only way to meet new people that can change your life in a positive way. I would also tell myself to make sure to have studies be your number one focus or you will fall behind quickly.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell her to never give up on a dream just because things get difficult. Now I know how hard it is to stay motivated in college, especially when everything you though you knew in high school is wrong. In high school, I thought t you just had to pay attention in class and do your homework to do well in school. In college is different because classes are more complicated, thus they require more work. The worst part is when you get a bad grade because you feel disappointed in you, and it is hard to get your motivation back. College is different because you need more help, and there is nothing wrong about that. I would tell my high school senior self: “Do not ever give up on your dream, even when you feel like you are not smart enough, you are, and most importantly you want it badly enough. Just rely on your family and friends and ask for help whenever you need it. Do your best and strive to do better, and you’ll be amazed with the results”.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself about what I know now, I would tell myself not to fret. College is just another stepping stone in the road, so enjoy it! Also, I would make it known to myself that it is okay to apply to different universities. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and that I would go to ESU, but knowing other schools out there with great education programs would have been great knowledge to have for say, Master's programs. Also, I would tell myself to step outside of the box and allow to let people in and to make new friends. It's okay to hold onto old friends, but the new ones you make while in college make a lasting impression. Lastly, I would tell myself to smile. Smile and realize that everything that I have been working for since Kindergarden is finally here and that now is the time to embrace the change!