Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would definitely have few words of advice I would give myself. My first piece of advice would be, understand how financial aid works. My mother did not go to college and did not understand the process of financial aid. I didn’t understand what “refund” meant or advice on what to spend it on. I received $5000 dollars at the age of 18 and didn’t know what to do with it. Looking back I would have pulled less loans out if I didn’t need it or use the money more appropriately. I would tell myself not to work as much while in college. Allow myself the opportunity to devote time to my studies, participate in extracurricular activities and be less fatigued in class. I would have also focused more on my studies looking back on it because GPA means a lot and I regret not dedicating the time to improve my work.

Looking back on my high school self, I was a mess. Depending on the person, if you ask them about their high school experience they either loved it or hated it. I hated it. High school is cruel. High school age students are still trying to discover who they really are and the hard part is being judged while you do so. I struggled to find myself in high school. I tended to go with the flow of what was popular and not truley show my personality. Looking back I would definitely tell my high school self that it isn't worth popularity to have to act like a person you aren't. The people that really matter and really care about you will be there to support you when you are your real self. Popularity wasn't worth not sticking up for the kid being bullied. Popularity is not worth anthing in the real world. I would tell my high school self to not conform to others views and to stand up for what I believe in.

Dear Me: When you leave for college next year, remember to remain strong. Don't feel like you have to conform in order to fit in. Lots of people will suggest to you that smoking dope is fun and won't hurt anything. Don't believe them. Marijuana will get you sidetracked. It will distort your priorities and change your attitudes. It will become the primary focus in your life and make you forget why you came to college in the first place. Please don't go there. You will transform from a promising young man with a bright future into an unmotivated slacker who thinks only about getting high today. Your grades will bottom out, you will leave school, and you will spend ten years of your life wallowing in the sludge at the bottom of the barrel. You will experiment with LSD and become addicted to cocaine. Eventually, you will recognize the tragedy of your wasted youth, but they will be years you can't reclaim. Although you will pick yourself up, return to school, and earn a Bachelor's degree, you will always wonder how your life would have turned out if you had only remained strong.

Life is about to smack you in the face! Wake up! No, really, you need to wake yourself up; do your own laundry; step away from the video games, and learn better techniques on how to study. Write one two page paper a day, so by the time you actually have to write one you’ll be decent at it. This will save you at least two English classes and one history class worth of hardship, trust me. Additionally, college girls are not like you think. Shrug off all of your so-called high school swag and repeat after me: I am an idiot. Shut up. Listen. They’re actually a whole lot smarter than you, and will have very little to do with you if you do not learn how to listen. And lastly, don’t ask for stupid graduation presents. You will lose them, break them, or leave in your old bedroom closet, which will be turned into a workout room that your mom and dad will never use. Instead, ask for gift cards to restaurants. That’s right, you heard me. You’ll get tired of Ramen noodles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and the dollar menu. Thanks.

Dear Self, As your you begin your senior year keep these things in mind. First if you fail that math class, even though you don't need it to graduate, you will forever be forced to take the same math class with a myriad of different names even though you keep passing it. Y=mx+b I get it. You have to apply for scholarships because once you are out of high school you become instantly ineligible for about 50 precent of all scholarships. Save all the money you made working on the weekends and holidays, because maybe then the amount of debt you incur won't be quite so crippling. Sincerely, Self

Do whatever literally scares you to do. Approach those jocks and make friends even if you don't have an athletic bone in your body. Join the drama club, even though you have no idea how to act. Whatever you do, don't sit in the shadows because you are scared. You will regret every choice you didn't make rather than the ones that were bad. Your high school years will be the best years of you life, but only if you reach out and make yourself the life of the party.

Stephanie, you need to seize life and find more balance. You focus too much on your studies and need to take more time to have fun. Remember all of those Friday and Saturday nights you spent studying in high school? I want to make sure that you do not make that same mistake in college. You may eventually by your junior or senior year realize this. However, in college, it takes effort to form relationships with others since you will have classes with hundreds of people, and your classes will not have all the same students. You also need to get to know the women on your floor and be sure to go out and do things with them when they ask especially if it is on a Friday or Saturday night. Take advantage of studying during the day on Saturday and in between classes so that you do not feel guility going out and having some fun. You should also take advantage of all of the speakers and social opportunities on campus. This will make you a well-rounded indvidual, and the social aspect of life will allow you to succeed and perform at a higher level in school.

I would tell myself not to worry about making friends or about not being accepted on campus. There's no need to worry about signing up for classes because all of the guidance councelors are knowledgeable and are more than willing to answer any questions that I'll have. There are plenty of class options so that I would still have time to work and save up money and still have time for a social life. The only thing that I would change is to be even more involved with campus activities and to get to know professors outside of my major of study. I would tell myself to volunteer more and to go out of my comfort zone and try and get involved in things I wouldn't normally consider fun. I would tell myself to take advantage of the writing lab and free online tutorials more and to do more independent studies. I have one more year left and there's nothing stopping me from doing more of these things, but I wish I had an earlier start on them. I'd tell myself to enjoy life at IUPUI now, becasue I'm really going to miss it.

First of all, I would allow myself to breathe. There are so many pressures from other people about where to go from high school, and it can be really overwhelming. I think it is easy to forget how much it is about your life, not the people around you. I think if you know what you want to do with your life, that is wonderful and you should chase your dreams. I also think that it is important to explore the world and try to get some experience in different areas if you aren't sure where you want to end up. My advice would be to check yourself and see if college is really the best next step for you. If you are going, you want to be going with an eagerness to learn, not with an obligation hanging heavy on your heart. The experience will be way more enjoyable and successful if you know what interests you and what you are passionate about. But once you know that, go for it. College is full of learning experiences, and it isn't just about academics. You learn about life.

I'd slap myself and tell myself to get in shape, don't be lazy. College isn't the joke I used to think it is, that it was easy. I'd make sure the past me got the message clearly, even if it involves more slaps. I'd make myself go do homework, apply for scholarships, and getmy head out of my behind. Being a senior in high school is no time to mess around and potential mess my life up. I'd also probably tell myself to get a part time job, save up money that way. Basically not be such a bum.

Many things come to mind that I would love to tell my high school self - "Don't worry about what people think about you" or "You'll actually miss your family when you move away", but probably the most important thing would be to go into the education field from the get-go. I am currently going back to school to receive my teaching certification as I have decided that I wanted to teach. However, since I came from a family of teachers, I wanted to try something different, so I pursued Communication. When I had only a year left of college, I knew that I didn't like what I was doing, however, I just wanted to graduate, get a job and start making money. After having 3 different jobs since graduating from college, I decided to return to school. This was a hard desicion because I felt that I had wasted those first years. However, as I sit here now reflecting about this time, I realized I learned much from those experiences and really wouldn't want to change a thing. I would simply tell my high school self to be content no matter what I am doing.

Given the oppertunity to speak with my highschool self, my only advice would be to believe in myself so that I could keep on with school! I had so much potential leaving highschool, however, because I did not have the emotional support and was still on the wrong path (thats to adolences and teenaged angst)I did not continue with school and directly went into the work force. I was a silver knight nominee and an amazing artist, had outstanding grades and a bright road. If I had at least one person who was close to me push me forward, I would not have lived the through the damaging circumstances in my early 20's. I reentered school at 24, already a single-parent, and living alone with my child. Had I kept going with school, I would not be facing the financial and emotional struggles I am now. I finally opened my eyes, and reenrolled. However, it is not for myself, but for my child. I will be that emotional support she needs, so that she does not falter like I did.

If I could give my high school-self advice about college, I would tell myself to remain hopeful. In this life, many things work their way into our lives and try to tear us down, physically, emotionally, and mentally. The stresses of college increase this wearing and tearing. When we get weary, hope is the only thing that keeps us smiling. I will admit my first year of college wasn’t the best. I was dealing with personal aspects of a 17-year-old’s life that reflected in some of my work. I wasn’t truly happy or enjoying life as much as I should’ve been. I was close to just giving up on my work because of how hard I was making it seem, but right when I felt I was giving up, I began to think of why I was in school in the first place. I knew that the outcome would lead me to more happiness than I could’ve imagined. So I remained hopeful and reminded myself every day that it didn’t matter where I was at for the moment because where I was going to end up was worth fighting for.

When I was in high school, I was very adamant about my four year plan; I knew how and when and where I would pursue my career goals. Fortunately, nothing worked out the way I planned, but at the time, I was disappointed about some of the setbacks that I encountered. If I could give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself that everything works out for the best. I did not get into nursing the first time I applied and had to transfer schools, but I now love where I am and am thankful that this was the opportunity that I was meant for. I would have never gained the experience or friends I have now, if things worked out the way I had originally planned. I would remind myself to keep working hard, and the obstacles that are upsetting now, will be lifesavers in the end.

If I could go back in time and talk to my younger high school self, I would tell myself to wait for one to five year(s) before attending school. I was not mature enough at that time to attend an institution of higher learning. I would tell myself to be a lot more serious about my grades and future, that my poor class attendance and even worse grades will follow me for years to come. I flunked out of school (too much partying) in my sophomore year in 1986. Don't worry what other people think of you, especially your fellow high school classmates. You'll probably never see them again anyway. Besides, everyone makes mistakes. Take Chemistry and Biology, and stop being afraid of science courses. Stop being afraid, PERIOD. Treat your depression now; don't wait until age 28 to do so. Stop the alcohol abuse now, quit drinking and enter AA while you are still young. I would tell myself "Your past does not define your future or who you are today. Your parents' mistakes are not your own." Hlep yourself make something of your life now. And be happy, it's most important!

As a 31 year old woman, high school seems so far back on the road I've been traveling. While I never long to relive that part of the journey I certainly have some advice for the yonger me, who seems like a hazy reflection of my current self. I would encourage her not to worry what other people think and not to assess her own worth by the acceptance of others. With all of the adults around having unrealistic expectations regarding her ability to know exactly what she wants from life, I would let her know to be patient and that appreciating each day is much more important than worrying about what the future holds. Regardless of how much a person plans, life never turns out exactly as they expect.

I would tell myself that I was good at something and I just have to go out and find it. College seems scary, but if you work hard and keep an open mind there is nothing you can't do. I know you think you are going to fail, but you are smart and hard working and in college people are going to recognize that in you. You will be rewarded and revered by the school, you'll be the example to the rest of the class. You are going to be good at so many things because you love to learn you just haven't had the right enivironment yet. I believe in you and you should believe in yourself. You are wonderful and college is going to help you realize that and become who you really are.

I am currently taking a Transitions course at my local college. This course teaches a lot of things that would be useful to high school students today. While I understand the emphasis of general subjects to further educations, why haven't we (in the past) had classes that deal with the realistic aspects of life after leaving your parents to pursue your future? Going back in time, I would tell myself to implement time management skills, patience, monetary budgeting, perseverence, career planning , and stress management. If I had to put time into anything, it would be those six skills. In college, if one can master (or come close) to all of these important attributes, then the stress level and pressures of college life would be significantly less, thus increasing the overall performance and outlook of the student after graduating. These skills can and should be applied to life after college as well.

I would absolutely try my best to prepare myself more in all aspects such as; managing and budgeting my money, focusing on what excatly I see myself doing career wise and taking the time to apply for every scholarship I possibly could.

The first advice I would give myself as a high school student would be to learn some good time management skills. Everything in your college life revolves around class schedules and due dates so it is critical that you learn to plan ahead. The best way to handle your homework is to set aside certain days to work on your different classes. The second advice I give would be to get involved with activities and clubs on your campus, do not be afraid to go out of your confort zone. College is more enjoyable when you finally meet and connect with other people who share the same passion for the career that you are pursuing. The last bit of advice I would give would be to stay focused on your goals. Look for opportunities to gain experience working or volunteering in the career you want to do. It will help keep you motivated towards achieving your goals and ultimately earing your degree.