Grand Valley State University Top Questions

I had to learn more about time management. I wish in high school I was taught more of how to organize my schedule enough to where it wouldn't stress me out during the school year.

I would tell myself to be more outgoing and talk to more people during the first week of school. Everyone else is just as nervous as me and I should not expect others to approach me.

Going back to High School days, I think of how scared I was to begin a new chapter of my life. Moving from familiar faces and the comfort of my own bed would be a challenge. However, if I could go back I would tell myself all the wonderful blessings that would await me going to Grand Valley State University. Have an open mind, get involved and allow yourself to find the inner strength to accomplish goals. I would also tell myself to believe in dreams and know that hard work can take you so far. Such an amazing experience and friends that will last a lifetime.

Change. This is going to be a hard and fast time for you, but do not worry because you will get through it and it will make you stronger. I know right now, you feel like you have it all, and then when you leave home you will feel lost. Being lost is part of being found for if you were never lost you could never then be found and on the right track. Do not worry about the people you left behind, because trust me, there are more wonderful people waiting for you on your path. The best thing is, they're on the same path as you and can help you along on your journey. College is about finding yourself, and becoming a stonger person. Now this strength is not physical but mental, throughout college you gain information that you can use in every situation. Creative problem solving is not a pain anymore but a joy. So remember, you will get through the first couple months and come out new and ready to take on the world. The world is waiting for people like you to make a difference.

Change is difficult, but it’s also what keeps things from being static. Without change there would also be no progress. High school provides us with a foundation of skills within a framework based on routine. Upon graduation, that framework is taken away. Change is scary when you’ve become so comfortable with a framework. Now, you’ve graduated high school, earned your associates degree, and transferred to a four-year university. I’m telling you, you can do it. It takes time and effort, but you have it in you. You are capable of change, you are capable of progress, and above all you are capable of becoming the person you want to be in all facets of your life. School is just a tool that you can use as a catalyst for that process and you should’t be so afraid to use it and try your best to reach your full potential. It’s not there for competition, or to emphasize the things you are good at versus the things you are bad at. It’s there to help you grow. Hold yourself accountable, and don’t be afraid of change, because change is necassary for progress.

Your high school really didn't prepare you to do well on the ACT and SAT or to handle the rigor of college level academics. Take a little bit of time out of your social life to study more. It will prepare you more for college so you have more opportunities to socialize in college, which is much more dynamic and fun then hanging out in high school. Focus on your math skills so you don't fall behind. Most importantly though, don't sacrifice yourself. Stay true to who you are and what you were taught growing up. It’s those morals and that character that will get you farther than any college acceptance letter or GPA. Also, don't forget to make friends as soon as you get to college. Otherwise it takes a much longer time to integrate. Everyone during your first weeks will be in the same position as you with not knowing anyone. Prepare yourself and when you get to college focus, study hard, stay true to yourself, and have some fun.

The advice I would give to myself would be to not take it easy senior year and to take as many advanced placement classes as possible. Passing the AP tests save lots of money and they are definitely worth taking. I saved over three thousand dollars alone by taking advanced placement biology, so work hard while you are in highschool because it will definitely pay off, literally.

I remember senior year in high school as being the most stressful time of my life. I didn't know what school to go to, I didn't have money to go to that school, I didn't know what major I wanted to choose, and I was afraid of moving away from home. My life was essentially a mess, and the funny thing was - I wasn't doing anything to fix it. The main thing that I found out through all of that was all that worrying was useless. In fact, if I would have spent half as much time preparing myself as I did worrying about my future, life would have been much easier. If I had to tell my high school self one thing - it would be to slow down for a second and think about how to make things work out, instead of being afraid that they're not going to. Everything has worked out just fine since then despite the fact that I knew nothing, but a little more preparation on my part would have been nice. I have this same advice for any highschooler. Stop worrying, get preparing - and everything will work itself out.

I would LOVE to be able to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would say, "You better kick your butt in gear and raise that GPA so you can be admitted directly into the nursing program, or else!" At least that was my first thought. I'm actually conflicted. On the one hand, I want to say things like work harder than you ever have, keep developing good study habits or your going to be failing real quick next year, and senioritis is a real thing but pushing yourself will pay off later! On the other hand, I've realized college is a lot more stressful then most make it out to be. So, I also want to tell myself to enjoy this last year, make lots of memories, and don't worry about things in the future because I can't control them. Transistioning into college life isn't the harderst thing I will ever have to do, so don't stress. I guess I can narrow it down to one thing. Nobody has life figured out so just do the best you can do always, and don't worry about the rest.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would tell myself to be more courageous. As a young girl, I was always extremely shy, especially when it came to talking in front of a large group of people. I was the worst at public speeches. I never even liked having much attention brought to myself. I usually knew the answer when a teacher asked a question, but I was just too shy to raise my hand for fear that my armpit sweat stain would show from how nervous I was. Up through my senior year, I had learned to gain confidence in myself, but I still was scared of taking risks. Now that I have spent over a semester in college, I find myself even more talkatvie and outgoing that I used to be. I don't mean to say that being shy and not wanting to talk all the time is a bad thing, I just mean that being confident in yourself and not being afraid to say something that you want to say can open up so many doors. I've joined new organizations and made more friends than I thought I would.