Hendrix College Top Questions

I would tell myself to understand that everything is going to be okay. Making the transition is easier than most make it seem like, and that I will ultimately end up where I need to be. I would also tell myself to really enjoy senior year; to not stress about the college applications, because eventually that really doesn't matter. I would also encourage myself to continue to try new things, and that I always want to surrond myself with good people. I would also tell myself that going to a small, southern school is perfectly fine. Especially, if it provides what I am looking for and what I need. It's okay, even better, to not go where everyone is going because you will find yourself when you go outside your comfort zone. High school is amazing, and you will have good memories. But, by no means is it the penultimate experience of life--college is that much better and way more meaningful.

If I could give my high school self advice, I would tell myself to take my time. The first few weeks coming into college are stressful and seem to function on fast forward. Everyone is intent on making friends, finding a group, or just plain fitting in. It's easy to get pulled into all of that and to forget to simply embrace the moment. More importantly, those first few weeks as a college freshman are there to get your footing, to figure out the kinks in the system. Those first weeks should not serve as a race to alcoholism. Do not feel pulled into the environment where you feel you have to drink yourself to oblivion. Have a good time, but be safe, and be conscious of your decisions. And, of course, figure out what kind of student you want to be. Take the time to make a schedule, learn how to manage your time. There are ways to balance an academic and a social life and being smart about it in the first few weeks is crucial if you do not want to murder your GPA. But most of all, relax and enjoy those exciting firsts in college.

To be able to talk to myself as a senior in high school would be extremely helpful. First I would tell myself that I don't have to go to Hendrix if I don't want to, because it feels like I was somewhat forced to attend here but I love it. Secondly I would say, do not play volleyball; your going to quit anyways and you will be rewarded for practicing with the softball team. I would also tell myself that your better than you imagine there is nothing that is too much for you; sometimes things seem as if everything is crashing down, don't worry your world knows how to put itself back together. Finally, I would tell myself that in order to succeed you must strive for success, you can't become complacent with what you have: you have to desire something more. Talking to myself as a high school senior might not do anything because I tend to ignore myself, but who knows it might have done me some good.

If I were to go back in time and inform myself on how to better make the transition from being a high school senior to being a college freshman there would be a few pieces of advice that I would share. First I would tell myself to not get lost in the crowd of trying to make new friends and fitting in. I learned that I new who I was all along and that I should have asserted my own self image more that I did. Also to not be afraid of the change that is going on in life and to try to embrace the changes because they will eventually play into creating a more whole character. Lastly I would tell myself to study, study, study and be confident in all studies and in sports. I think the biggest problem I face was just having self-confidence in my actions, but I eventually caught on and reassured myself. If I were to go back into time these are the principles that I would convey to myself, but mostly I would want to tell myself to just relax and enjoy college by doing what brings happiness.

If I were able to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would remind myself that, while focusing on the future is not a bad thing, it can lead to not completely appreciating the present. I spent most of high school looking forward to college and not taking advantage of all the opportunities I had then. I don't know what specific things I would have done differently if I had been more socially involved in my high school. Also, I should have challenged myself to study beyond what my classes required of me. It has been hard to develop good study habits in college because I was rarely challenged in high school, so I did not have to study very often to make good grades. Having good study habits would have made some of my classes easier last year.

I would have taught myself more about money matters. This includes knowing how to budgit, how to balance a check book, how to handle a bank account, and how to take out loans. Also, I would have wanted myself to look more into where my money for college was going and what were the cheaper and best options for me.

If given the chance to give some well earned advice my self in a previous mind set I know that I would want to impart two peices of information. First and foremost is always academics and I would tell myself to be proactive in studies compared my past tendencies leaning towards procrastination. Not that I wouldnt be able to acomplish assingments on time but that I will only be learning the minimum. Teachers give out so many comments that could lead to more information if only I would have started looking into it . The other side of college is developing into a new person socially and my second peice of advice applies to this side of life. Its important to experiment and try new things but during this process you have to remember that you can't lose the identity of who you were.

As one of the international students who are studying in America, I would advise myself on two points: make as many friends as you can and enjoy the time you spend in high school. After coming and studying in America, I could not adapt to the new environment very well. I do not want to speak an English letter but a Chinese word. So, I cried crazy to tell what I had encountered to one of my old friends, whom I can rely on. He comforted me a lot and told me to smile. His word works. I do not want to share this feeling with parents because they can only worry about me. It is common for an international student to feel lonely. I always remembered things that happened in the past and most of them happened in my high school. I regret having quarreled with my high school teachers and some of my classmates because I miss them so much.

To be honest, I would tell myself that I am making the right decision by coming here. I would tell my high-school-self to remember that education - and academia as a whole - has never been, and should never be, a means to an end, but the end itself. Participating in myriad clubs and campus events has been an irreplaceable boon to my college life, as those have been the venues through which I have met my friends and teachers, classmates and roommates. These people have made my school my home, a combination I have always craved and envied of boarding school students. I would let my anxious and doubtful high school self know this. I would tell her not to go to the cafeteria with her roommate every day, and to force herself to introduce herself to everyone she meets. I would tell her to have no fear from the very start to speak up in classrooms. I would tell her that the knowledge that she is about to gain will change her life. I would tell her that college would make her education more than an increase of knowledge -- it would make it an experience!

I would begin by explaining how to develop proper study habits, which have proven to be one of the most important aspects of my college career. Adapting to college life is difficult at first, however with adequate preparation one can easily balance social and academic obligations. I would also tell myself to spend more time looking for job oppotunites while in school because that has been a pretty significant problem here. Other than that i think i was well prepared to enter college.