Georgia State University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself to apply for campus housing in March instead of July. When I applied for housing, the entire residential system at Georgia State University was full. Instead of starting college in the dorms , I had to live with my older sister. My sister Regina is old enough to be my mother and that?s exactly how she treats me. She?s controlling most times and annoying sometimes. If I lived on campus, I would not have had to wake up two hours earlier than all my friends. If I lived on campus I would have had my own room instead of sharing one with my fourteen year old niece. My procrastination made me miss out on the freedom gained from living on campus. Because I didn?t have a car, I had to ride MARTA with thousands of people who I did know or trust. Marta is inexpensive but very inconvenient if you are in a hurry. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I?d scream, ?Stop procrastinating and fill out the papers!?

Put the laptop down. Take your Cello out. Practice. You applied to a killer school and got in but you are nowhere near good enough to meet your own expectations even if you do impress others. Dormitories are a blast. Do not wait till the last minute to apply. Get your application in as early as humanly possible. Apply for Scholarships now. Get on Fastweb and sort through 'em. DO THE ESSAY ONES TOO. You're already stressed enough as it is without worrying about money. Remind your sister to do the same.

During this last year you're looking into a lot of art institutions as an escape from the inevitablility of West Georgia, but it won't happen and be greatful of that, it's your chance to study Japanese and you'll later change you're major for it. You'll attend this university for two years but while you made it count a few suggestions; take computer science in your're second semester while they're still teaching it with the animation program and astronomy some time as a sophomore so by this point you'll be free to apply for Georgia State , cutting my graduation date back by over a year and giving me the financial aid I need when I attend Georgia State. You'll never get a part -time job but dont let it get you down, what you need will be provided at all the perfect times even if you don't realize it then. Lastly, I encourage you to take in the time you have in Carrollton; you may hate where you are right now but you'll find the friends you've made there will bring encouragement even after you leave, cherish them.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about the college life, two key things I would say is 1) do NOT procrastinate, and 2) STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!! If you follow these two key points, you will have little to no problems with the college life. I would also tell myself to mingle and make friends because they could possibly be the help you need in a critical course that you may struggle in. These friends could make study groups with you and help you pick out particular classes that they enjoyed. Another piece of advice I would give myself is to communicate with the professors; make sure that they know who you are so that you are not just another face in the crowd to them. The professors actually admire that and they are then able to help you one-on-one if need be, and that is always a plus. Lastly, I would tell myself to work hard, do my best, and put my best foot forward because you will feel so good in the end; nine times out of ten, if you work hard, your grades will protray that. But also have fun afterwards!

"STUDY!" In high school, I did not make studying a priority and in college, studying is everything.

" Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today (Malcolm X).? This quote remains true to me and how the veil of ignorance was lifted from my past to bring me to this crossroad today. As I reflect on my past journey in high school, I recall not having ambitions, goals, or a desire to pursue a college education. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would have embraced this quote in paving the way to my future. First, I would advise myself as a high school senior to exceed far and beyond the minimum requirements needed to pass a course. I would diligently commit myself to my academic studies and seek assistance in problematic courses. Second, I would advise myself to participate in college preparatory coursework that would expand my knowledge base and provide a challenge. Lastly, the advice I would give to myself would be to plan for the future through others. I would mentor and encourage other fellow classmates regarding the importance of pursing a college education.

It is okay to be unsure of a major or what to do in the future!! It is not worth to make yourself miserable about it! It is however important and simpler to choose a big school in that case since the big schools offer more major options and opportunities. Also, in the end, it does not matter that much whether you graduate from Harward or a Community College. Your grades, activities, etc. matter more. The only different it would make if there are equally good applicants for a job, the one from an Elite School might be chosen. Yes, college is serious. But it should not ruin your last year of High School. Also, even thought being a Freshman in College is so very different from High School, the same rules apply. Do not slack of and screw up your first year. You will be working on fixing it for the rest of your time there. Have fun, but try to find a good balance that works. It is not necessary to be popular and attend every party. Happiness and satisfaction are much more relevant!

I would tell myself to spend my money wisely, procrastinate less, not to take out too much in loans, and to take only the classes I need. I would also advise myself to study more in school and do more than what is accepted.

AssuAssuming I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, based on what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would give myself six basic pieces of advice: 1. Dream bigger than what the ?I's" say, 2. Strive for a degree that will help me to learn, develop, and grow in a field not common to African Americans 3. Write down my goals and never stop until I reach them no matter what it takes legally, 4. Strive to make grades that emulate my efforts resulting from being focused, 5. Trust God and believe in myself always despite the financial obstacles. 6. Never forget that tomorrow is not promised, thus, live today for what the present will hold as we live to make a difference in the lives of others. Wishing I could actually embark upon a redo yet have life's lessons to propell me forward. Angelia Williams

Assuming I could turn the clock back and give myself some advice before embarking on the journey known as college, I would have told myself to take my own time in deciding my future. There is such an urgency in the college process. You have to pick the right school that has the right programs for the right major. Sometimes, you just need to take a step back and really examine what you want out of your college experience and realizing that obsessing and worrying will not help get you there. I would tell myself that there is no need to feel such pressure, to take your time and have fun. College is a learning process, not only academically, but is it a time to grow up and really learn about yourself and your interests. It is only through experience do you learn what you're good at and what you should pursue. This experience can be attained from classes, internships, and life experiences. Most importantly, I would tell myself to enjoy my college years. You only have the college experience once.

Consider all options. Get to know students that currently attend the school you are considering and ask them for advice. Be humble and open-minded to different things because it open doors of opportunities you never knew existed. Be self- motiviated to work hard from the very begining, so when you are almost at the end, you wont be stressed out about getting your GPA back up. ASK QUESTIONS. Ask students, advisors, and professors for advice to get different perspectives. This helps you to choose whats best for you. Take in as much as you can while you can. Remember to have fun, this is the time where most young prople find who they really are through friendships and social circles . Surround yourself around positve, goal oriented individuals, this will help you to do well in your studies too. Network with students like yourself and students that are different from to expose yourself to a broader world. No matter what, stay focused, despite the distractions of friends, significant others, family and trials of life that may come your way.

I would tell myself that forming good study habits is imperative. Also, procrastination adds unnecessary stress and breaking out of that habit as soon as possible would be best. Having supportive friends is also an important thing to making it though college as a freshman. Most of all, taking college seriously and staying on top of my grades will pay off in the long run.

If I could go bac and talk to myself as a high school senior, my advice to give myself would to be to give it your all in college and to just do my best. It does not matter what anyone says, doing your best is all that you can do and you can't do any more than that. The most important thing is to have fun!

The only advice i would give to myself would probably be to keep working hard and be prepared to be immersed in a huge cultural experience. The college life is so different from what i knew in high school. I knew that the Georgia State campus had a wide array of ethnicities, but, coming from a predominantly black high school, i don't think i was as prepared as i could have been to meet so man new people. Since I've been here, I've met people from all around the world. So, if i could go back in time to my senior year in high school, i would make sure that i knew what to anticipate and how to appreciate it.

I would say, "Self, remember when you were afraid that you wouldn't fit into the college lifestyle and you weren't sure what you wanted to do with your life? Well, everything is going to work out just fine. You'll find what you're really good at and you enjoy. You've got to study really hard (your GPA matters), but don't forget to enrich your life by connecting with other people around you. You'll be surprised what you will learn about yourself and the world you live in. Now, it's not always going to be easy. There will be a few times when you just feel like giving up on college after that terrible Pre-Calculus exam, but you'll get through it. One day you'll be sitting in that stadium hearing your name called out to receive your college diploma. It will be a whole new beginning where hard work really does pay off. You'll be so proud of yourself. Oh, and don't forget to call home every once in a while. Mom's going to go through some hard times too with an empty nest."

I would advice myself to learn early how to be a self starter. High school is quite different than college. In high school you are more so being babysitted. In college you need to have that drive to get things done on your own. Your teacher will not constantly remind you that you have a paper due.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to apply for more scholarships to help pay for my student fees and expenses.

I would say to keep your head up, find a school that resembles your personality. Get away from home, but stay close enough to visit every now and then. Do not be afraid to drop classes in college. Don't take ANY courses that won't count towards your degree, unless you have a strong interest in learning more about that subject. Get involved in campus life. If you move away from campus, have strong budgeting skills. Keep your G.P.A. up, because it accounts for a big part of the free financial aid that you get- HOPE. Make many friends and learn how to network. As soon as you move away to school, look for a job. Always remember that family want to hear from you and know how you are doing, and that you miss them because they miss you, too. Stick to what you believe in. Do not lose your faith, due to the fact that there is so much going on in your life while in college.

I would tell myself to be more prepared to be independent. To realize that people will change both good and bad and to prepare better for the latter. However I would also say not to be so scared to ask for help as asking for help does humble you and makes you realize that you are more human. And to keep those who are the closest to you just that.

That is easy because I have already given this advice to my younger friends: I would tell myself to focus even harder my very first semester. I know people have very socially-targeted interests, which is normal, but it's amazing how important the first semester actually is, in my opinion. Since it is your first semester, you have a clean slate. Therefore, the highest G.P.A. that you can realistically and possibly earn is incredibly significant because then it is a lot easier later on to keep up your G.P.A. Like many typical Freshman, I had a difficult time balancing my time, but I was fortunately able to maintain about a 3.3. The following semester I was better at time-management and brought that up several points, but every semester I am still constantly weighing my options making sure I don't drop below a 3.5 (because that is my goal). First semester classes may not be easy, but there is always someone there to help you so there isn't too much excuse to fail that semester. And I truly believe it's the most important semester in that aspect.