George Mason University Top Questions

High school was a very difficult time for me, I used to work myself to the bone. I don't know why I was so obsessed and hard on myself about studying. Thinking about it gives me unpleasant memories as I was considered, back then, to be a loner which means a person with no friends. Sometimes I wondered if it was just me, because I used to get lost in trying to figure out why my classmates wouldn't accept me as a friend. If I could've given myself some advise back then, I would've definitely said "Dude, cut yourself some slack !" - enjoy your life for the moment and don't worry so much about your grades or what people think. At the end of the day, all those struggles and resentments that teenagers go through weren't worth it. That's because the trick is to keep a positive mindset and find hobbies that make you feel good about yourself. I might as well have allocated that energy to studying for the SATs and working on college applications . Doing that would have atleast generated something useful and taken me to the college of my dreams.

I would tell myself to get started early - don't slack on scholarship or work opportunities, because every little bit helps. The more prepared you are, the easier the transition to college will be. And it's okay if you don't have a major decided or have no clue what you want to do after college. You still have time to figure it out! Taking general classes gives you time to figure it out while still helping towards any degree you decide on. Keep your focus and don't let your determination or work ethic slip. Even though it might get tiring and you just get sick of homework, it'll all be worth when you've got a diploma in your hands and are on your way to a higher education. College isn't as hard or scary as you might think - while the workload might grow a little, just remember that you are too. It's nothing you can't handle if you have your mind set, so jump in and give yourself the future you deserve!

Make connections, become involved. Never burn bridges.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'm not sure i would take the opportunity to do so. I'm a firm beliver in the idea that everything happens for a reason, and though there certainly are things I wish i didn't take for granted in high school, I would not want to change anything. As far as being able to go back in time and give myself advice, I wish I knew not to rush. Most people rush through high school, and I was a victim of this naive ideolgy. Though I could have benefitted from not doing so, the consequence resulted in who I am today, and i wouldn't trade that for the world. The way I carried myself in high school made me who I am today; my time management, self respect, and work ethic, are all things that I strived for and molded in high school, and they have been vital to my success. The future is bright, and I cannot wait to shine some of my light.

College is the most important part of your life. It is officially the beginning of the practical life. For me the transition to college has been very smooth. My first semester went really well and managed to get a good GPA. College education is expensive. Many times you will feel that you should not have attended this college or have attended community college.The majority of First year college students reported that they had "some" or "major" stress regarding their ability to pay for their college expenses. You may think you won’t be able to pay for the next semester. In the light of my experience,I as a high school seniors would give "paying for college" high importance and think thoroughly on that. Financial Aid or paying for my college has made college scary and haunting for me because even good grades do not pay for your college tuition and fees. Thus, apply to as many colleges as possible giving preference to those where chances and opportuntities for scholarship are the greatest. I wish I could go back and do this, but its too late now.

Choose your college major yourself. Do not let other people influence your decision. You need to choose the academic program that makes you happy. If you are not happy studying something, you probably will not be happy doing it for a living. You are going to be investing a lot of time and money into your college education. Make that investment one that will yield happiness for you.

If I were to go back in time to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself to stay focused and do not forget why I am going to college. I would tell myself that College is a lot of freedom but it also has a lot of responsibility. I would say that in college you are going to be responsible for yourself, and no one is going to be telling you what to do. This is why you must be focused and aim for your goal because it can be very easy to lose focus with our friends and other distractions. I would remind myself that I am the first one in my whole family to go to college. This is the biggest accomplishment in my family dreams to see me go to college and I cannot ruin it. I have to set an example for my nieces and nephews and to open doors for other generations to follow. I cannot turn back, and now that I made the Dean List this semester and that I must continue to make it every semester, and to never lose my goal and motivation.

If I were to travel back in time to my some-what immaure high school senior self, the two important advice's I would give would be to not sweat the small stuff and do the unthinkable or at least attempt it. The reason I chose these two advice's to tell my young self is because they are very basic common sense which I lacked back in high school. In the past I've struggled to sweat the small insignifficant problems that wouldn't matter within 6 months and I did not realize that the world offers more obstacles than just a project or an essay that needs to be completed. The second advice was given to me when I realized I was a very shy and unwilling to my community. If I ever wanted to go somewhere in life, I learned that I'd have to do something out of my comfort zone to be recognized, hence why doing the unthinkable is a very suitable advice. Even though I would want to talk a lot of sense into my high school self, these two would be the most significant that would impact my future.

I would tell myself to find a balance. One of the most important things that I have found it balancing fun with responsibility. College is the time to have fun, meet life long friends, go crazy, make mistakes, and find out about yourself. However at the same time it is a very expensive four years and it is the time you shape yourself educationally for the future. It is important to stay focused on your goals and dreams. I would tell myself to think hard before settling on a major, to organize myself better, but most importantly, to have fun with whatever I choose and never look back.

Be yourself! The only mistake you made in college is not being proud of your cultural background. West Virginia is does indeed have to reputation of being poor, backwards, ignorant, and country; but that is not the full picture. Most of the people you will meet at college are indeed very welcoming to diversity. As shocking as it is to hear but, most people on campus have never meet an African American and is even more surprised to meet an African American that is Muslim. You are a double minority and that is in no way anything to be ashamed of. Actually when people find out; you are invited to do class interviews, radio talk shows, invited to teachers’ homes and other activities. Your motto for now on should be African American Muslim and proud!

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would change perspectives. I would tell myself to take my education seriously. One should value every opportunity because they may soon disappear with the wind. I would invest in more financial readiness classes and a budget so that I can anticipate what lies ahead when living the life of a college student. I would mention joining the Armed Forces so that I can gain valuable career experience, see the world, and to learn more about cultural and community relations using my education. I would also emphasize the importance of giving back to one's family as well as to the community. Volunteering is one important aspect that improves a person's self worth and personal growth. I would also provide the younger me with more avenues to connect with community resources so that I can be able to handle my future that currently consists of single parenthood, a career, life choices, relocation with the military, familial relationships, conflict resolution, continuing education, financial issues, and dealing with two teenagers that have been diagnosed with special needs. A strong college education can enhance my quality of life for the better.

Knowing what I know now, I would have told myself to be prepared for homesickness. I knew that going to school across the country would be difficult, but I didn't expect to be missing home as much as I did during my first semester. I also would have told myself to get as involved as possible in different student organizations and to meet as many people as possible. I also would have made more of an effort to go to Washington D.C. and do more sightseeing so I became more familiar with Virginia and the Washington D.C. area. In high school, I didn't realize that making friends and a social life was not the same in college. Students have to make more of an effort to talk to people and make friends. It is easiear to meet friends while joining student organizations rather than in class. Also, on a large campus like George Mason University, it takes more effort to become involved and stay informed on the different activities that were on campus. Most of all, I would tell myself that everyone feels a sense of nostalgia and apprehension for the future.

Even knowing what I know now about not only college life but myself I don't think there would be anything I could say to make the trasition easier. Going though that trasition is what has helped me grow considerably and get me though college life. Also, I was fortunate enough to have done summer camps and programms which required me to stay in dormatories and places that were not familar making the transition smooth. However, If I had to give advise to myself I would say to keep on doing what I am doing and always strive for the best.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the best advice that I would give to myself would be that I should be prepared to face different people with diverse backgrounds and thinking. In high school not many people think that they will ever have to deal with people that they do not get along with but that is completely wrong. In college one is exposed to copious types of people and professors that sometimes cannot be avoided so the only thing that one can do is to work with them and get along. Keeping an open mind is vital to surviving college because one will constanly be exposed to communication between people. Therefore, keeping your mind open and inviting to different views is crucial and the best advice that will make one successful in college.

Throughout High School I was a Pretty laid back kid, this was especially true for my senior year. I did pretty well in all my classes without having to put fourth an extreme amount of effort. However as I look back at myself now, being a high school graduate, I have many things I would want to tell my former self. The number one thing would be to FOCUS! I see now that your potential to do great things is higher than you ever realize in that moment. I would tell myself to just give it that one extra step, and it will take you farther than you can imagine. When you are at the college level, all you have is your potential, and it is up to you to take advantage of it. College is a tough enviroment, but if you focus and create good habits now, there is no limit to were it can take you.

Most high school seniors cannot wait to get into college where they live away from home and are free from parents instructing them. I was in boarding school for some part of high school and so living with strangers from all over the world in college is not entirely new to me. I have learned to open up and respect people and their cultures or ways of living, but also to be firm and not compromise my beliefs. One thing I would advise is not be in a hurry to grow up. Many college students go out and party, get drunk and engage in various daring activities all in the name of freedom and growing up; becoming legal and no longer having to answer to parents. I have seen that this lifestyle brings misery, though people claim to be temporarily happy. It is important to relax and have fun in college and not spent every waking minute studying. There is a balance between the two. Do not take moving on to college as a license to party and wild living. College is just one stage of life. Hopefully, you will have your whole life ahead of you to grow up.

I would tell myself two lessons I learned just from one semester's worth. Firstly, choose your friends wisely as these can either bless or destroy your future. Many people say that these friends become your best friends in life so let them be good influences and friends to you. Secondly, grades are not the most important aspect of college, but they are extremely important. Be active in college; join clubs/organizations, find internships, but above all, have fun and enjoy life. Get the good grades but also live a balanced lifestyle of work and fun.

If I could travel back in time and discuss with my past self the things that he should do, I would be talking for days. Firstly, research what school is going to cost you. Don't give in to what people say about college. It does not pay for itself. Secondly, quit playing video games. Now. In the future you will spend lots of time and money trying to fix a big video game addiction problem. They completely destroy your first 2 semesters of school and consequently even more time, because you will have to make up for your mistakes. Thirdly, spend some time trying to mature. It is a very lonely college career for a mamma's boy. No one should be willing to help you, if you are so incredibly willing to NOT help them. There must be some give and take in all relationships. Lastly, understand that you will discover how much you love learning. Don't be so reluctant to believe that it is not for you. You truly do love to learn. That is the largest amount of advice I would give to myself. Please forward this to 2006 Blake.

You better start getting much better study habits this year, becuase skating by in college is not going to cut it like it did in high school. You need to stop just relying on memory to pass these tests in college, because there is a whole lot more going on in college, and it is harder to stay focus in class. Get into the habit of speding an extra hour studying everynight, instead of just going out and smoking with your friends, becuase that won't get you anywhere in life. You need to start preparing now, becuase all the habits that you start to form this year will spill over into your Freshman year of college, and its already hard enough, so you don't need to keep feeding yourself these disadvantages. I know you probably won't listen to any of the advice I'm giving you, but hey what do I know. This is only the same advice that my mom had been giving me for years and I failed to take it during my time in high school, which is whey I'm telling your from an older presepective, mommas always right!

As graduate, nears college may seem a little intimidating, but it's not as scary as it seems. Professors respect you when you respect them, as do other students. However, you should never silence yourself when you know what has to be said. Sometimes, people may laugh or not understand you, but don't let that stop you. Doing the right thing doesn't always make sense to others. Stand your ground and hold fast to your convictions of faith, right, and wrong. Be willing to go out on a limb and risk everything if the time comes. You be tempted to think that college is a dark and dangerous land, especially considering my warnings. But, while it may be uncertain at times, it is not as bad as you probably think. College is a wonderful experience to grow and impact others. You will meet people struggling. Reach out to them. Don't be afraid to pour your life into theirs. There will be hard times - late nights of study or difficult friendships - but those things don't have to destroy or define you. Instead, let them shape you into the woman you know God wants you to be.