George Mason University Top Questions

Stones in your path are not things to trip over and lament about. They are opportunities to examine your path and choose the right direction toward your destiny.

Get yourself a planner or organizer. Write down everything and stay organized. Do not procrastinate. Plan ahead and always be thinking. Partying is great, but study harder. Take advantage of every single extra credit opportunity given. Be respectful to all your professors and let them know that you really care to learn. Don't skip class and treat all your fellow students with respect. Take notes in class and if you need a recorder, use one. If you feel that you are spending more time on Facebook than reading through your books, delete your Facebook -- don't worry, your friends who truly matter will keep in touch somehow. Keep track of all the important due dates. Study in advance for all quizzes and exams. Always use spell-check. Do not sleep in class. Make sure you put your phone on vibrate before all your classes. Try to come to all your classes-lectures on time. Be prepared for anything. If you need help, just ask. Introduce yourself to your professors on the first day and email if you have any questions. Take advantage of all resources. Don't cheat, ever. Enjoy every single day and don't forget to smile.

As a Freshman in college, I am often looking back on my high school years, as they are so recent, and thinking of what I could have done differently to make this transition easier. I can honestly say that I can look bck upon my senior year and have no regrets with one exception, simply learning better study habits. Throughout my twelve years of schooling I didn't really need to study to get A's in my classes, so I didn't, and senior year I began to see how my study skills were lacking and holding me back. My grades, while still above average, were not as high as I was used to and I didn't know what to do to fix that. I wish I would have taken the initiative and invested the time fixing my study skills in order to make the transition to the college workload an easier one.

As a woman who has raised two daughters, served in the armed forces, acquired an AS Degree, and is now entering the golden years of her life, I absoultely have a lot to say to the high school girl I was. First, remember always that you are a valuable human being. As you step onto the road that will determine your life, it is important to know your true worth. You can accomplish so much more than the limitations you may be tempted to place on yourself. If you choose to become a wife or a parent, this does not mean you cannot grow as an individual. Education is the most important aspect of inner growth that you should never deny yourself. The day you decide to enter life as a college student, you should never think, I can't. The student you were - will not be the student you become. At this stage in your life, your desire to learn, to grow, and to advance should not be hindered by the words, "can I do it?". Know, inl your heart, you can accomplish great things, by taking each day as it comes and living that day to the fullest.

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if it was perfect? You're currently complaining about it nearly everyday! You will find the world’s imperfection is what makes it perfect. One of your future English professors, Dr. David R. Williams, will tell you the story of Adam & Eve, the perfect world. You'll ask him, “If the world was impeccable to begin with, why are we living in this flawed world now?” You'll learn it is because humans lack appreciation. You'll think the perfect world was inadequate. Can you imagine living in a world where people are unmotivated to do anything? Because we know there is death after life, and vice versa, people have the energy to make life enjoyable. What's unwanted may seem components of imperfection; but you'll see these phenomenon’s are intense driving forces. Stop fretting over why the world is lacking. My argument to you is the world is actually already flawless. The existing motivation humans have to reach perfection, is perfect. Feel at ease. You will become driven to join the movement of people who strive to grasp perfection little by little and you will be happy.

Do not choose schools based on your major and go in as undeclared. You should look as college as a time to explore your options and find out what it is that you really enjoy. If you pick a college based on your major, you may not get that time to widen your horizons. Also, it is possible that you will be dissatisfied with the program your school offers. Pick schools that offer a wide variety of programs and is well rounded to suit all programs.

Hey, self, try to not get so intimidated by filling out scholarship applications because we really need that money. Also, read up on your major and make sure it's what you really want to do. Try and study more for your AP tests (I know it sucks) but if we get a good grade that will save us some time in college! I know it's scary but you really need to try and be more open to things that you haven't done yet. Try and go to at least one frat party, it might suck but at least you can say you've done it. Be more confident and outgoing, don't be afraid to talk to new people. DO NOT live in a triple room, try for a single but settle for a double if that's all you can get. It costs more but it's worth it, BELIEVE ME. Don't be afraid of going to school so far from home, you'll love it. Keep up in school, don't procrastinate (HAHA I KNOW), and try and do something spontaneous every once in a while. Good luck!

SIGN UP FOR SCHOLARSHIPS EARLY! that's the most important thing i would tell myself. My family is in a tough financial situation so if i had signed up for scholarships early on, i wouldn't have to give my parents such a big financial burden. Another thing i would tell myself, is to enjoy the friends I have now since they're all going away the next year. Lastly, if i could go back, i would tell myself to focus on my studies rather than experience senoritis to the fullest.

College is a very important step in your life, so you need to put 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} interest in it and not slack off. Teachers are not going to be as lenient as they are in high school. If the teacher gives you an assignment and its due on a certain day and time, then that assignment has to be turned in at that exact day and time. Your teachers are not going to feel bad for you and give you another deadline, instead you will have to just deal with the bad grade. There is no room to slack off in college, because there is no extra credit to make up for the bad grade you got on your test or quiz. Some classes are only based on four tests and the final so you need to study hard for the tests, because otherwise your overall grade will lower. As a college student the amount of responsibilities will increase, because you are on your own. Your teachers will not be on your back reminding you of what is due. Overall, college will be a great time to grow and learn a lot about yourself that you didn’t know.

Having been through a couple of years of college now, there are several words of advice I could give myself, but the most important thing I would say is to not be afraid of taking risks. This is your time to grow, experience life, make mistakes (and learn from them), and have time. I repeat, this is YOUR TIME! Do not do things for others because you feel obligated to make someone proud or happy. Make yourself happy and know that at the end of the day you did something because it was your choice. Do not let the fear of making a mistake paralyze you from having fun or doing something out of the ordinary. It can be scary to do something new, but you may find a new passion or hobby. Lastly, do not let your confidence waiver when things do not go as planned-- sometimes the best things are complete surprises.

Dear Morgan, Every day spent of your last year in highschool you will remember forever. You wait four years to hear your name called as you walk towards your diploma and towards your future. That moment will forever be bittersweet. In a sad way you will say goodbye to alot of friends, but know you will make even more. Morgan, the best advice I can give you right now is this: do not be scared. When you turned 18, you told your parents you were an adult and they nodded their heads in agreement. However, here is the truth, you will find out what it truly means to be an adult when you go to college. It is so exciting! But it also bears alot of responsibility. Another piece of advice I give to you is this: never forget where you came from, never forget who you are, and never forget the sacrifices made so that you can be the best possible you. Your opportunities in college are endless, trust me you are doing great things, things you did not know you were capabale of. It is really exciting! Enjoy the rest of your senior year! Love, Morgan

As a high school senior I was very nervous about if my college experience would be exactly like my high school experience (which would not be such a great thing in my case). Knowing what I know now makes me feel a lot better about my choice. If I could go back to my "senior self" and have a talk I'd say that the adjustment would not be nearly as hard as I think it is. I would talk about how in the college I'm going to you do not have to feel like you are going to be judged for being different. If that were the case, nobody at the university would be friends. I would let myself know that though I want to do very well academically it should not consume my entire life. Academics are only one part of the college experience. Everything else includes the life-long friendships, the bonding, the alma mater spirit, and even those days where you and your friends are just chilling in the residence halls. I would let myself know that mistakes are meant to be made and the important thing is to learn from them.

College isn't as easy as I assumed it was going to be 5 years ago as a high school senior. If I could go back and talk to myself, I would let me know that studying is a necessity. You can't go through college without cracking at least ONE book like you did in high school. Be social and get to know the people in your classes and dorms. They can really help you out in the long run and can turn out to be lifelong friends. Be flexible. Life throws cuveballs at you all the time and you probably won't be prepared for it. Don't stress yourself out. Everything will turn out fine. Pursue what you love. A career isn't worth it if it doesn't make you happy. Make the most of your time in college. When you're fresh out of undergrad, you'll realize how overrated adulthood really is. Enjoy it while you're there.

Dear self, You are getting ready to go to college and there are some things you need to know to be successful in college and make a smooth transition. Firstly, it is going to be hard. College is not high school. You can't do well by waiting to finish a big assignment the night before. Put your school priorities first and plan your time. This way you can still have fun! Get the big things out of the way first and you will be less stressed and able to relax with friends because you won't have to be worried about finishing a pivotal assignment at the last minute. Secondly, and most importantly, STOP worrying so much. If you work hard and focus, good things will follow. Relax. Don't worry so much what other people are thinking about you, because chances are people aren't judging you as much as you think they are. Everyone is in the same boat in college. You are all on level playing field. In fact, the peers around you will be your biggest support systems. So get to know them and learn from them. You'll do great.

Apply for scholarships as much as you can, there are very valuable. Also look for carrer oportunities to gain experience in the job. Try to get into a internship as early as possible to know what you are getting in and carefully learn about college life. Try to meet people from the college you are trying to enter to know what it is like.

Dear Me, Stop worrying about what Mom and Dad think. In the long run, they just want you to be happy and do well. They may be pushing for you to do certain things, but its more a guideline than a demand. Stop, and take a breath. Figure out what you want to do. It may be hard, because senior year of high school feels like they are still controlling you and all you want to be is free. Some say college is the time for figuring yourself out, but if go somewhere that you don't want to be, then figuring yourself out is going to be much harder than if you pick the place that you truly love and feel comfortable at. Success will follow your happiness. That isn't to say it will be easy, but you know you've ended up in the right place when the work load is a lot, but you don't mind. Wether it is because you know you are hanging out with your friends that night, or that your professor will be proud of you. Be happy, be true to yourself, and the rest will follow. Love, Me.

Try harder. That is the only advice I would need to give my to give myself. If I had tried harder I would have compeleted a lot more scholarship applications and might not be in debt trying to pay for college. I would have tried harder on my college applications so that I might be going to George Mason's honors college. If I had tried harder I would have gotten 5s on AP test which would have allowed me to reseive credit for unnecessary class in order to take the classes I would love to take, but instead am retaking classes I've already passed. By trying harder, I would have seen more opportunities Mason had to offer and would have gotten into clubs earlier, such as the running club or robotics club. By trying harder I would have an easier time today, but I have no regrets.

You are given a wonderful chance to reinvent yourself in a place where you cannot fail so shoot for the stars. In my final year of school I learned to late to take advantage of everything the school has to offer: I became a founding class President of a Fraternity, I have an interview to become a student senator, and I am also going to work on our academic journal next semester, and become a resident advisor. I would tell myself not to wait so long. It is a time to build your resume and start shooting for the moon because the worst that can happen is you end up among the stars. So, keep up with academics and get involved as soon as you can. Simply put, "live life".

I think the college life it's a wonderful experience apart of high shool senior. In the college we have to make many sacrifices to still our studies. Into college we learn thing ever we imagine and new things. If we want to keep and catch our goals we have to study more and work hard for this and left away our friend if nessesary.

You're living in the "Now" too much. College IS the tool for a future.