Grand Valley State University Top Questions

If I were able to go back in time and talk to my high school senior self, there would be two pieces of advice I would give him. First would be to forget everything you have learned. Not literally, but to be prepared for how much you haven’t learned about the world around you. To become a blank slate, ready to receive a myriad of topics and information which might not be readily germane to your major area of study, but in time, will contribute to the wholeness of your education. The second piece of advice I would give my past self would be to commit to organization, to practice being organized every day. Organization is an art form that needs to be perfected; it should be approached with reverence and rigor in order to fully reap its rewards. With these two pieces of advice I would that the past me would to become a better now me.

If I could go back in time, before starting college, I would tell myself not to be nervous. That starting school is a new beginning. A time to make new friends and find out who you really are without major influence from your parents. Classes are harder but there are people around going through the same thing. Living on campus there are always other students willing to form study groups. Just have fun. I will also tell myself to save all my pennies. School is expensive and part time jobs while you’re in school and summer jobs aren’t enough to pay for everything.

The end of high school almost seems like the end of the life you once knew. You are comfortable here in a school of 1,000 students, you know exactly who you are and you know exactly what you want to be , no one is challenging you here, it is safe and secure. In just a few short months you will learn that you do not know just who you are, your life plan is going to come undone, and you will be in a whole new world- but it is nothing you cannot handle. The comforts of high school are gone to make way for all that is new, exciting, and challening! I know that you do not like change but how else are you going to grow and learn? In college you will discover that not everything is black and white and life is what you make of it. I know you are afraid but staying in your shell gets you no where in life, college is all about taking on life's challenges and saying yes! It may be scary but just remember, life shrinks or expands in amount to one's courage.

My grandparents are from Scotland, and in Europe, young people take a gap year. I would tell myself to take a gap year to discover more about who I am and where I am going before I head off to college.

Get involved, challenge yourself intellectually and socially, remain open-minded, and talk to new people! This isn't high-school anymore. You have a lot to learn from those around you. It may not seem like it, but you're going to grow up a lot in your first year at college. Also, if you wear your high-school t-shirts, lanyards, and a head-to-toe GVSU outfit, we can tell you're a freshman.

Get involved, challenge yourself intellectually and socially, remain open-minded, and talk to new people! This isn't high-school anymore. Humble yourself. Also, don't wear your high-school t-shirts, lanyards, and a head-to-toe GVSU outfit. We can tell you're a freshman that way. Also, realize that you have something to learn from those around you--don't show up in class and think that you're the best person there. An arrogant freshman is the worst. Just chill out and go with the flow.

Get involved, challenge yourself intellectually and socially, remain open-minded, and talk to new people! This isn't highschool anymore. Humble yourself. Also, don't wear your high-school t-shirts, lanyards, and a head-to-toe GVSU outfit. We can tell you're a freshman that way. Also, realize that you have something to learn from those around you--don't show up in class and think that you're the best person there. An arrogant freshman is the worst. Just chill out and go with the flow.

Get involved, challenge yourself intellectually and socially, remain open-minded, and talk to new people! This isn't highschool anymore. Humble yourself. Also, don't wear your high-school t-shirts, lanyards, and a head-to-toe GVSU outfit. We can tell you're a freshman that way. Also, realize that you have something to learn from those around you--don't show up in class and think that you're the best person there. An arrogant freshman is the worst. Just chill out and go with the flow.

If I could go back and counsel myself in highschool this is what I would say. I would introduce the student to a method of which has worked for myself once I put it to use. The method to begin practicing is the SMART method. S: specific goal: keep a specific goal in mind and when you find yourself straying away from the path you are taking think about your goal. M:Measurable-one should be able to measure their own progress throughout your college experience. A: Attainable: ask yourself if your goal is reachable, set up a beginning and an end. R: realistic-is your goal within your reach? If so follow it. T:time bound-create a time line of when and how you will achieve your goal. FOCUS! I can not stress this enough. When one focuses they can get through even the most difficult challanges that may arise.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say to take my general education requirements first and not worry about the major classes or finishing "on time." I would emphasis the need to join social activities/groups on campus and to hang out with people in my dorm common area. I would tell myself not to think they only reason I was there was to attend class but to also grow individually.