Alexia
Adjusting to college is difficult. Your classes are going to be more rigorous and it is a difficult adjustment moving from a school of a few hundred students to a school of forty thousand students. As many people as there are, it's easy to find yourself lost. Try not to get overwhelmed, as difficult as that may seem to be. Try a few things out, join a club, try a sport, take some classes at the gym. You will eventually find your place with a group of people that you can relate to. The important thing is to remember that you are not alone. There are plenty of other kids out there that feel as lost as you are. Take a deep breath, pick something, and dive in. If it doesn't interest you then move on. Don't spend your time only doing school work and wasting the rest of your free time watching Netflix. Colleges are made to provide a well rounded lifestyle for students with more opportunities than you can imagine. So get out there and do something, so you don't feel lonely in place that has so much to offer.
Natalie
If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, I would tell myself to take full advantage of all the scholarships offered to high school seniors. As a senior, I never really understood how expensive college really was. I assumed everything would just fall into place, and all the dues would just pay for themselves. I now realize what a naive mindset this was. College is in fact extremely expensive, and I would absolutely hate to not be able to fufill my potential at Florida State University, because I couldn't afford it.
Kaitlin
If I could go back into high school and tell myself something it would be to start sooner. My senior year was very hard and adding the transitioning process of college made it worst. I think that f I did most of what I needed done over summer or the beginning of senior year I would've got to experience senior year a little more and felt more motivated to finish strong. I got so fed up I stopped looking at schools and don't think I did as well in standardized testing as I could have. Senior year is what matters most but you also need to enjoy it! I think by starting earlier on my college applications and SAT's and ACT's would have made the transition into college a lot smoother.
Rachel
You have ADHD. Mom tried to use that against you but unfortunately she's right. The first time you take Adderall will be the first time you can think clearly in years. Halfway through freshman year you'll stop sleeping, and shortly after you're going to get diagnosed with a blood disorder. Yes there are needles. You still hate those.
When your roommate puts a confederate flag in your window take that as the sign it was meant to be and avoid her. Befriend your suitemate, tell her when her boyfriend gives you a bad feeling, he's worse than you know. Tell the kid next door with the mohawk about discalculia. None of you are straight. These are your best friends, you learn a lot from them.
Your laptop breaks. Twice. Not your fault, but you've got awful luck.
When your uncle dies, adopt the kitten. When your grandpa offers to lend you one book ask for more.
Go to the audition, you get a part. Don't try to pretend you're not thrilled, you're going to hug the director and no one will believe you if you try.
You'll be fine.
Shelbi
I have a few bones to pick with my high school self. During high school, I was constantly busy; pulled left and right by the arm and leg to lead organizations and participate in events. I wanted to be the best at everything. I spent free time stressing about what I was not doing. My teachers, family, and friends could tell that I was physically and mentally exhausted. My first word of advice would be to find a passion and stick to it. After high school, when the weight of responsibility lifted from my shoulders, I realized that I did not want to feel that weight again throughout my college years and I made a change. Since this change, I have never felt more confident in my abilities and future. My second word of advice would be to build and maintain lasting relationships in the community. I was praised by my teachers and administrators but could have created a better network in my hometown. I would tell myself that this network would be my support system throughout college. My final word of advice would be to take statistics instead of calculus. What was I thinking?
Daimi
If I could go back in time and tell my self senior year in highschool would be to enjoy the time with everyone. Not to worry so much that there are worse things in the world and that as long as you have good people around you nothing will matter in the future. I would probably also tell myself to not get bangs(it didnt look good on me.)
Kelli
If I could go back in time I would tell myself not to worry so much, that everything would work out. I would also tell myself to work a little harder in class and to try not only for higher grades, but to really learn study habits that work for me because that has been the hardest thing to adjust to since I got to college. Self discipline is a must that I wish I done a better job a developing when it comes to school and homework because it is harder to work to get done what I need to do now when I am feeling particularly lazy. I would tell myself to work harder to get scholarships because pursuing dreams is not free and cheap and in order to make that happen, I have to make sacrifices. But most of all I would tell myself to be firm on the pursuit of my dreams because they are mine and this is my life and it is important not to be made to feel guilty about pursuing the life I want for myself.
Cassandra
I would tell myself to enjoy the experience and not stress out so much. Everything always has a way of working out. I would also tell myself not to be afraid to get to know your professors. Take time to visit them and ask questions when you don't understand something. Above all stay strong. Don't sweat the small stuff. Take time to get yourself organized and stay on top of the assignments.
Dimple
College is completely different from high school. It's goijng to be hard to adjust, but I promise it'll be worth it once you get the hang of it. It's going to be the best and sometimes the worse time of your life. The academic workload is heavy and the social life is bigger. You'll won't be the smartest person in the class anymore, but you'll be surrounded by people as smart as you. You're starting a new chapter in life soon and when times get hard, just remember, you're blessed.
Matthew
Keep reminding yourself how much your education means to you. It is of prime importance that you keep your head high in the face of defeat, whether it be social defeat, academic defeat, or any other hardship. As Louis C.K. said, "If you can survive disappointment, nothing can beat you."
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
Pain is temporary if you don't quit.
Don't compete with others, compete with yourself (but don't beat yourself up either)
We rise by lifting others
Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.