Georgetown University Top Questions

Develop a true relationship with a mentor. This person could be a high school teacher, college counselor, older sibling, or a family member. Transitioning into college is a difficult process that one should not have to go through alone. Throughout this process, a mentor can serve as someone who can keep you grounded amidst so much change. That is why identifying someone who can guide you and then fostering a relationship with that person is extremely important. It will be reassuring to know that you can count on the support of someone who has already undergone the college transitioning process. That person should be able to better orient you in achieving your future academic and professional goals as well as help you reflect on new opportunities and challenges that may arise along the way. A mentor becomes someone you can trust and instrumental in recommending colleges, assisting you in selecting the right school and providing advice on how to make the transition from high school to college easier. They help you realize how important it is to listen to others and appreciate the necessity of interdependence.

Hey, it's you, but from the future. College is a place of learning, but learning is not limited to the knowledge of books contained in libraries. Books may help me toward an education, but college is teaching me how to relate with others around me find my place in this world and the universe. The world doesn’t revolve around me, nor does it revolve around any particular person. This ball of dirt may revolve around the Sun, but we revolve around each other and it is the passion within us that causes to gravitate towards or repel away from people, places and things. Although I write my destiny every day, I’ve learned something else in college. I’m not the only one. I'm just one character, not just in a play as Shakespeare would say, but a character of a word in a sentence in a story that continues to be written every day. That story of humanity is History itself, which is written by God. You didn’t believe in Him before, but he found you and saved your life. I’ve found love, patience, and faith. That is more than I ever bargained for.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about college, I would definitely tell myself to not be afraid to take chances. High school puts everyone in their own comfort zone. After all, everyone is their for four years. That zone becomes hard to get out of; it becomes hard to accept change. The difficult part is that going to college is all about transitioning and changing. I was afraid to go far away from my friends and family but I did anyway and I am so happy that I made that choice. Though, even when I got to college I was still stuck in my comfort zone, not wanting to join new clubs and organizations. I would have to tell myself in the past to try new things because you meet so many amazing people and have so many opportunities. Life is all about taking chances. Nevertheless, it is understandable that people get sucked into comfort zones and it becomes hard to leave but once you do your life will take a turn for the better.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schooler about college, I think I would say that keeping one's beliefs, integrity and sense of self is the most important part about making the transition from impressionable teenager to responsible adult. I come from Nicaragua, a very small and conservative country. When I went to the United States to receive my education I admit that I was conflicted-it was so very different. While I always strived to keep in touch with the roots of my past-my culture, my religion, and my language-I do think that in such large societies, where anonimity and loneliness is not uncommon, it is very easy to lose that connection. While I fought that eventuality, I know that when I graduated high school I did not have the same appreciation for my heritage that I do now and that the strength to keep it close to my heart did not come until recently, when I felt it threatened. If I could advise myself in high school, I would tell myself to begin preparing for that intense struggle, as it is what shapes the people we become.

"Breathe, Bridget!" I wish I could scream to my seventeen-year-old self. As a high school senior, living in the aftermath of seemingly endless exams, applications and obligations, it is tempting to sprint to the finish line. I counted the days until my college decisions arrived, until graduation, until I could finally start my freshman year. My mind was anxiously fixed on the future, leaving me no energy to appreciate my final year at boarding school in Switzerland, a beautiful place filled with amazing people that I miss more and more each day. This preoccupation only intensified when summer came, when I became obsessed with picking the right professors and the perfect roommate. Although this preperation and motivation is necessary, I have gained a new appreciation for living in the moment. Freshamn year flew by, and I expect the years to only continue to accelerate as I begin internships and studying abroad. College is a delicate balance of intense experiences of both work and leisure, of transformation and development. In order to extract the best of each, you must prepare by understanding how and when to take a deep breathe and decide how certain experiences will shape your identity.

Staying focused while in high school will lay a firm foundation for you to relay upon in the future. Time goes by faster than we realize. Keep fellowship with the right crowd and do not be swayed by peer pressure. Often, others perspective in life can do more harm than good and deter you from your aims. Set measurable goals. More often than not, goals that are set will be achieved with the person’s lifetime. Develop a time consciousness. Being timely will add significant dividends in your path of life. Also being timely results in trustworthiness. Estimates say that 96{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people in the world are not time conscience. Set yourself apart and advance your life by being timely. Your integrity is more valuable than you realize. In a world where globalization is the norm having integrity in your dealings with people will aid you far more than the greatest resume. Doing what you say you will do holds more value than any alma mater. Your integrity matters more than the special contact you have in your contact book. These are interpersonal values that will set you apart from the rest and are lacking in society.

The transition from high school to college was a challenge for me because of the amount of work that was necessary to get there. The amount of time necessary for studying was very different from what I was accustomed to. When I was in high school all I was told is that, college was going to be tough. I wish I had sought the opinions of those who have been there before and evaluate their situations and applied what’s learned to guide my own situation. If I had the opportunity to give myself advice about college, I would talk about research, financing, dedication, and hard work. Knowing ones options helps others to better prepare for the future triumphs, trials and tribulations ahead. Furthermore, I would talk about the amount of dedication required to achieve a goal, regardless of what that goal is. I would talk to myself about my workload. Whether it be through an education or through back breaking work, I will strive, but I need to always remember to take time for the simple things in life; things that help me to remember who I am as member of society.

Chelsea, failure is not an option, but change is inevitable. One thing I can say about myself is I'm a planner and I need structure in my life. My freshman year was difficult and painful. I missed my family, which is typical for a first year student but was even harder for me since I was separated from my twin sister and had trouble making friends. My worst setback came with my academics. I began the year as pre-med, and, I finished the semester with barely a 2.0. I was angry with myself because I felt like a failed. I eventually, dropped pre-med, allowing myself to focus on my major. I had to modify my original plan and even though my route may be a bit different than most students, I still plan to attend medical school in the future. College has taught me that I can't plan everything and life can be very spontaneous. I wish I knew this in high school, but I'm glad that now, I am more aware of the constant change in my life, and that life is not just black and white, but is colorful and forever changing.

Don't rush into the college decision process. Each school has a unique character, so not every school is a perfect fit for every student. Instead of focusing on the school's name, research the programs the school has to offer, talk to current students, and spend time on the campus. It helps make the transition to college easier if you have already visited and know what to expect. Being in college is great because there are so many new oppurtunities and experiences presented to you, so you should take advantage of them! Try a new activity; you might find a new passion! Sit next to someone in the cafeteria who looks nothing like you; you can make a new friend while embracing diversity. Attend performances, lectures, and sports game; all of them add to the character of a school. Most importantly, have fun! Don't take yourself so seriously. You might think you know who you are, and you had to write it all down on paper for your application, but college is a time of learning and self-discovery. Don't be afraid to change and grow.

if i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior i would tell my self to figure out what my major would be so i wont waste time just taking general education classes. i would make sure to tell myself not to take alot of classes so that i can keep up with the work. i would also tell myself not to procrastinate with the important projects and turn things in on time.