Fisk University Top Questions

The college experience is frequently called the best time of your life. The freedom of living away from home, the plethora of people you meet, and the seemingly endless activities make a noteworthy experience. I honestly feel like the meories I have made so far will be the best of my life. That is not to say that all days are so remarkable. It's exciting living away from home, yet it's hard when excitement is exchanged for homesickness. It's eye opening to meet different people, yet it's ostracizing when you're no longer surrounded by people like you. It's adventurous to explore the various activities the university offers, but it's no fun when sadness is weighing so heavy on your heart that you can't get out of bed to attend the functions. As macabre as this sounds, this is what I would tell my high school self. There are ups AND downs. The problem is that people don't like to talk about their hardships. However, knowing about the emotional struggle that comes hand in hand with college would help others realize they are not alone in experiencing it.

Thinking about what I'll tell my high school self is like watching a horror film. Not in the sense of being chased by a serial killer but in the sense of making poor decisions. I'm screaming at the television, "Don't do it!!!! Don't go down the dark path," but it does not matter because the dark path is what's chosen. If only I could jump into the screen and shake myself, I would. I'd tell myself that going down this path means getting married at 19 and moving to Tennessee to attend college while my husband remains in Maryland. I'd explain that this would'nt be the wisest decision because that would lead to unnecessary stress. I'd tell myself once you get married, you'll get nostalgia and fly home during examinations causing you to fail your classes. Once you fail your classes, you'll lose your scholarships because you did not maintain the required GPA. You'd then have to get loans to help fund your education and, not to mention, successfully retake those classes to graduate. If only I could travel back in time to be debt free, I would.

Many college students embark on the college life to advance their education, but also to get away from home. While in colllege you experience all sorts of things, and learn who you really are. If I had the opportunity to do things differently before embarking on my college experience, I would advise my high school self to challenge yourself, read more, and start applying for scholarships early. Challenging myself with more advance placement (AP) courses would have made me more prepared for the rigger of college. In high school the teacher taught me everything, on the other hand the professors in college expect you to read before coming to class. Reading more on my own no matter if it was a school book or a book I picked out for pleasure reading would have enticed my interest in reading before college. In high school I was the student who made A's in my courses without reading the text book. Applying for scholarships early would have at least payed for two years of my education. In conclusion, I advise individuals to challenge yourself, learn to love reading, and start applying for scholarships as early as a freshman in high school.

Similar to many high school seniors, I anxiously waited for the day where I would walk across that stage and could embark on freedom. With college being my next chapter, there were somethings that I wish I would have known about. There are three words when it comes to academics of college, organize, prioritze, and utilize. As a college student I've learned that I have to be organized for rigourous classes and to make studying a main priority because there is so much free time that shouldn't be wasted by just being a socialite. Also too, utilize your resources such as forming study groups or attending tutorials. Many say that the goal of college is to major in something relative to your career goals, however many people are still unsure about what they want to do. There is nothing wrong with going into college with an undeclared major, youll find what makes you happy. Self discovery is by far the most rewarding part about attending college. As children and even teens, we are told what to do and enstiled with morals and values. But as college students, our new freedom allows us to discover indivdualism and our purpose .

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to not give up, to work hard and to just be prepared for change to come. Nothing turns out as planned but everything does happen for better and not for worse. I would reassure myself of my knowledge my drive and my strength in order to make it through my senior year. Also encouraging myself to research all schools that I apply to as well as the campus life so that I would not be thrown into a place that I do not know much about. I would tell myself to keep that vision of success in mind and just know what it takes to get there, hard work, sweat, tears, stress and more, but at the end of the day my relentless actions will lead to a beautiful success.

I was very depressed during my senior year because my grades slipped the year before and my family expected me to matriculate at a prestigious institution, such as Harvard or Duke University. With the weight of AP courses, college applications, and extra-curricular activities, I bemoaned graduating and college life before I received my decision letters! I lacked confidence because, on top of that weight, I lost so many friends in four years--people I thought would never leave me--and I was extremely unpopular. I needed someone, but my ego discouraged me from asking for help. So, reflecting on my freshman year of college, I would advise myself to remember my worth and understand that my situation would not last. I was funny, smart, bright, and I did gain acceptance into some prestigious colleges with great scholarships... but neither asking for help or attending a "name-brand" college would define my worth. I alone did. And I could always make new friends and new memories in college. Now, I barely even think about my old screw-ups because I've accomplished and learned so much! I would remind myself to keep my head up and believe in myself.

IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND TALK TO MYSELF AS AN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, I WOULD TELL MYSELF TO APPLY MYSELF MORE. IN HIGH SCHOOL, I DIDN'T HAVE THAT PERSON THAT PUSHED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT COULD HAVE HELPED ME IN THE FUTURE; WHO KNOWS, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR BEING ABLE TO PLAY THE FLUTE WHICH I DID FROM THE SIXTH TO 9TH GRADE. I WOULD ALSO TELL MYSELF TO WEIGHT MY OPTIONS, DO NOT JUST APPLY FOR A SCHOOL BECAUSE MY FRIENDS ARE GOING THERE, ACTUALLY DO SOME RESEARCH AND PICK WHAT BEST FITS YOUR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. I WOULD TELL MYSELF TO KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY FINANCIAL AID PAPERWORK. TAKE UP TUTORING, KNOW HOW TO BALANCE SOCIAL LIFE, STUDY HABITS, REMAIN WELL RESTED AND EAT A BALANCED BREAKFAST IS SOME MORE ADVICE I'D GIVE MYSELF. LASTLY, I WOULD TELL MYSELF TO ALWAYS COMMUNICATE WITH MY PROFESSORS.

If I, in my second year of college, could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would first tell myself that college will not a walk in the park, especially going into any University as a biology major. I would remind myself that I am going to college for one reason and one reason only, to get a degree. Does that mean that I can not enjoy college and have fun outside of the classroom, no, but school work comes first. Third, I would tell myself to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE money!!! I think this is the most broke I have ever been in my short life. Going from working all the time in high school to sometimes when my heavy school load allows me is most definately a transition. But lastly, I would tell myself to cherish the poeple that were and that will still in your life before I go off to college. Real friends are hard to come by and a supportive family isn't everywhere and I love both parties for being that for me. I would have told them that a hundred times more if I could.

I would tell myself to study more so that I would qualify for scholarships. I would tell myself to volunteer because then I would have the value of helping the less fortunate and actually appreciate what I have. I would save my money because in college you really are broke. I would tell myself to join more clubs because I didn't and I missed out on having really good friendships. I would tell myself to buy more clothes because washing clothes once a week is costly. I would plan to spend more time with my family because I miss them so much now.

With the prospect of transferring out of community college presently looming over my thoughts and with the idea of addressing my high school self in mind, I’ve come to realize a sagacious truth. The one word of wisdom I would relay through the fabric of time back to myself during the awkward years of high school would be that the places I go do not define me, but rather, it is the opposite. Truly, education and life speak truth to this maxim; experience is not as important as what we bring to it. Do not look for an outside experience to create you, but rather find yourself, and you will discover that no matter where you go, you will make the best of it, because you have discovered yourself. Do not listen to those who scoff at your bliss; the life you live is yours alone. Heed your own soul, for it is the only one at risk when you pursue your dreams; too many people expect the party to make them great, when its people who make life spectacular.