Gardner-Webb University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give my high-school self advice about college life, I would tell myself to get out and meet people! One of the biggest mistakes I have made as a college freshmen is shying away from meeting new people. Don't get me wrong, I've made some wonderful friends, but they are mostly upper-classmen, and when they graduate I will hardly know anyone in my class. I would tell myself that in the first week that I am there, and the school puts on tons of activities for the freshmen, that I should try to meet as many people as possible. That way, when I start my classes I would see some familiar faces, and I wouldn't be as uncomfortable in the first few weeks. The last thing I would tell myself is to meet the other girls who live in my dorm building. Even just leaving my dorm room door open, and as people walk by ask them how they are, or invite them in. I think if I knew this before starting college, I would have been more comfortable in the first few weeks.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior I would give myself advice about how to better prepare myself for the tough transition of becoming a college student. The biggest advice I could give myself would be learning how to study. High school classes and topics always came easy to me and I never really had to study to succeed. When I came to college I found that the classes are more of a challenge and studying was going to become a necessity. Basically, the advice I would give myself would be to study no matter if you feel the need to or not to better learn how to study for college classes and tests.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior, I would personally advise my self not freak out as much as I did once coming here I was afraid of all the change that was going to happen to me. To be more prepared of the idea of being on my own. I am now the only one to take care of myself. I alone have to handle every situation that comes my way. One of the biggest things I could advise myself as a senior is to not be so shy during college, because I now am making my way in the world and it wouldn't be right to give up the oppurtunities of college, for example making friends that will last a life time, all because I was to shy to say one word.

I would tell myself several things. Apply yourself to your studies. Don't let anyone tell you can't do this. It may be junior college but it's NOT putting you behind in anyway. PAY ATTENTION! Don’t shoot for the bare minimum. It’s okay to ask questions if you don’t quite understand it. Take all of your hard classes first!! STUDY A LOT! Above all make the most of your education no matter what. Your education is the most valuable thing you will have. It's not as hard as you make it out to be.

Going back, I would say to myself to be careful with who you choose to be friends and look forward to graduating early, in December, 2012. College is great. People don't try to hurt you and teachers love to help you more than those in high- school. You'll make better friends, who you can trust, and life turns out to be way better. But, those friends in high-school, don't talk to you much once you graduate. You soon start to find out who your true friends are. Stay close to family, as- well. At SCC Beatrice, people seem to understand how hard high- school life was. Most of them had the same or even worse experiences than you did in high- school. Your relationship with your parents get better, and they notice how happier you are at SCC now. They see a difference in your attitude, and you see your future is much better now. You start to focus more on school than you ever did before. You have come a long ways and it all pays off. But don't take this advice for granted. Stay focused and know you'll be happier than ever.

Entering college, I was most prepared for the educational aspect of the experience. I was ready to get good grades, make an impression on my professors, and strive to be a student that I could be proud of. I was not, however, ready for the emotional and mental impact college would have on me. In my first year alone, I experienced more death and heartbreak than at any other point in my life and while my grades did not suffer, my relationships with my family members did. During this time, I lost my great aunt, two Sunday school teachers, and a fellow classmate within five months of each other and my relationship with my brother fell apart. Looking back, I would tell my high school self, to be prepared to be strong through everything and to keep enduring through the hardships. Just seeing myself become a stronger person would make everything worth it. I would also tell myself to not ignore the little pieces of good that happen throughout the day. Sometimes, they can become the only things that help you through.

Don't get to wrapped up worrying about the first week away from home. Everyone is trying to make new friends and you will be easily find others you get along with.

The advice I would give to myself would be to study more and apply myself to school instead of looking at my senior year as a fun time. I would not have dropped my accelerated classes to make it "easy" on myself. I would have thought more about going to college and not relyed on sports to carry me into adulthood.

If I could go back in time and talk to me in high school there are many pieces of advice that I would give me. I have learned a lot about myself discipline and study habits. I would tell me that I need to study and apply myself more to my school work. When you try to slide by and do the minimum it will catch up to you. You need to understand that your social life is not the most important thing. Your friends will still be there when your school work is done. I would also say that you will have many opportunities to take chances, go for it. Hold nothing back and embrace change do not run from it. It is going to happen one way or another and it is best to face it head on.

I would say keep doing what your doing. Just dont get as frustrated and mad as you usually do

I would advise myself to be more social in high school and to participate in more extracurricular activities. My freshman year in college was very hard to make the transition because I am a very shy person and focus more on academics than social affairs. College is still school oriented but being social and taking part in student activities is very important to obtain the optimum experience of college. As a prospective teacher, I must resemble the perfect role model and trying my best in school is very important, but it is also important to show students that they can make a difference in the world and succeed academically. I would definitely advise myself to take advantage of opportunities in my community that could help those who have less and make a difference in their lives. Although I did do some volunteer work in high school, I would advise myself to reach out and enrich my life by enriching the lives of others. Looking back, I realize that I focused only on academics instead of the overall characteristics in which colleges are looking for and thus was lacking in preparedness for college life.

The first thing I would tell myself is to take as many college classes while they were offered for free. Second I would inform the younger me that my parents are older and wiser in the aspect of life and living. Instead of taking the extra money for scholarships and spending it on any and everything you see is not the smart thing to do. Budget, budget, budget, it can not be stressed enough. What needs to be done is take the extra money that is given to you the first year needs to be put into a savings account after all bills are paid. The key is try and collect the least amount of debt in loans while in college. I was blessed enough to have college paid through my Associates degree. However, I would warn myself that finianical aid does not cover all school, only through your Batchlors. The last thing I would tell myself is to go ahead and put the time and effort in applying to scholarships and always pray/turn to God. For if you are willing to do the work he will provide for your needs.

I would go back and tell myself to find and fill out all of the scholarships possible and not expect the money for college to just appear. I would also tell myself to not focus on having a boyfriend going into college because the first year is a time of discovering who you are and what you want out of life. I feel like this aspect is an important thing to discover on your own. Lastly, I would tell myself not to try and control everything in life that happens, and go with the flow a bit more. Some things in life just have to happen and things have a way of working out no matter what it is. Things happen for a reason and if my high school self had a better understanding of that, she would have had an easier transition into college.

The best advice I can give you is plug-in to the community around you. People are what make the difference in getting a job and in real life.

Going back in time I would make sure that I took quizzes and met with advisors to figure out if my major was something I could see in the future. I would then tour each school that was in my top five choices. When I was touring I would find current students and ask them honestly what they thought about the school instead of only asking my tour guide. I would find people currently going to the school that looked like they would have similar interest as myself and ask them important questions such as; what they do on the weekends, if they could start from the beginning would they go to the same college, how is the food, and how is the housing. When touring the college I would then ask about the surrounding area and what the students do in their spare time. I would then see how the classroom setting was. After finding out all of these questions I would make a pro and con list to my top five colleges along with pricing and choose which college suited my personal taste. However, it is key to talk to students that attend the college currently.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would shake myself by the shoulders and snap my fingers until I get the past Tiffany’s attention completely. I would then remind her of the upcoming college decisions and everything they look for on the hopeful student’s application. I would remind her of the volunteering and work experience they look for. I would kick her in the pants for her to finish the Girl Scout Gold Award. Colleges do look for excelling academics, but they also look for students that will excel in social situations. They want students that can speak with others effectively, that have leadership skills, not a student that will hole up in their books, never to be seen until graduation. I would tell her that she needs to start working on scholarships now. They don’t just get handed to you. If I could talk to my past self, I would tell her to think of my future.

If I could journey back in time and speak to my high school self, I would tell him that every passing moment in a chance to turn it all around, and that anything is possible as long as you are brave enough to take that first step forward. I held back in high school, and regretably did not pursure AP classes. My future was planned out already in my junior year, I was going into the military. Even during my time in the service, I still held back and did not take advantage of the free college courses offered. I was afraid, but I did not know it then. Less than a year ago, I did not think I could pursure and succeed in an astrophysics degree. A field of study that brings me the most excitement out of any other subject in school. I do believe now, and I am succeeding. Better late than never, like some. Also, I would have to say, "Katie does like you, in case you were wondering. Why don't you ask her out? What's the worse that could happen? Follow your heart, it's usually right."

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to read as many books as I could to prepare for college, because there is so much reading in college. I would also tell myself to learn the best study methods for tests, because the tests are a lot harder in college. A final thing I would tell myself would be to start applying for as many scholarships as I can find to apply for, because college is really expensive, and it is good to start applying for them early so you will not be so far behind on paying for school. I do not want to have to postpone fulfilling my dream of teaching deaf students overseas simply because I do not have the money to pay off my school. This is the reason why the number one thing that I would definitely tell myself is to start applying for scholarships early.

If I could go back in time, I would give myself the most important piece of advice I know: learn how to manage your time. In college, you have numerous freedoms that weren't available in high school. You can now spend your time however you choose. It is important though not to spend this time ignoring your homework, essays that might be due, or procrastinating. Create a schedule where you spend equal amounts of time working on schoolwork and having fun.

I would have told myself to go! I have always regretted not furthering my education. After getting laid off from my job last year I decided to make my dream come true. I was a tough decision to make, but once I started I adjusted well and actually enjoy going to all my classes.