Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Top Questions

There is one word that I would love to go back in time and tell myself in highschool and that is prepare. I feel as though my late choice to change from going to a technical school to a 4 year bachelors degree caused me to feel rushed and illprepared for college. I felt that I failed to learn which studying techniques worked best for me while in highschool. This hurt me when entering college because there is a larger amount of independent studying that needs to be done. I adjusted quickly and my grades were not affected much, but the transition to college would have been a smoother process if I was more prepared.

Listen to mom. When doing or procrastinating from doing an assignment, never say whatever -- it can form a habit in giving up which can ruin your GPA which stays with you throughout college. Don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification. Definitely use index cards for studying. Most importantly: utilize your resources in order to do something great.

If I could go back in time and give my 18 year old self some advice I would tell myself not to worry so much about what my friends are doing and focus on my own goals. I was too preoccupied about trying to do the same things everyone else was doing, like trying to apply to the same schools or move to the same cities as them. I wasn't making my own decisions; I was trying to imitate the choices others were making because I was afraid of being different or people criticizing me. So I would have a conversation with recently graduated Mariela and tell her: if you want to study fashion, do it, even if people laugh at you or don’t take you seriously. Pick the school and city that best fits you not the one that all your friends or classmates are going to. Be confident in yourself, you’re strong enough to make it in this world alone and you don’t need the approval or recognition of every single person you know. Trust your instincts and know that the people that love and care for you will always encourage and support you.

Growing up in my household I was always very grateful to be going to college. I never thought I would make my educational goals come true because of how expensive college was. When I decided to attend college the amount of research for finical aid was outstandingly large, but has paid off. Advice I would have given myself about college is every penny counts. I would have told my senior self about how to shop for affordable books, how to find affordable housing that is also safe, I would have spent time in high school doing more research on scholarships. College to me is a gateway to a better stable future. I plan to take advantage of all of IUPUI’s assets, and continue my education at Law School. The most important thing I would tell my high school self is to never listen to someone who says you can’t do something. Even against the finical odds I would notify my high school self that I am achieving my dream.

Don't fail and have to retake so many classes. You could have been out in 4 years and not needed the next summer and fall to finish. Stay school focused. Friends and family will be there for you no matter what. Boys can wait. Studies are the most important thing. Don't let things get in the way of your studies. If your friends don't understand why you have to study, then they don't need to be your friends. You will find new friends that have the same interests as you.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work much harder. College was a huge wake-up call from my lazy senior year. By taking easy classes and missing a year of math, it was truly difficult and made my first semester challenging. Learning to manage time was a whole new concept to me. Considering I rarely had to do homework during my final year of high school, staying up all night and studying was exhausting. I would advise myself to stay on task, and pay attention to my teachers when they warned me to prepare myself for college.

Every freshman should know that they need to purchase a parking pass before coming to campus. The parking pass will have a letter on it and it is primarily "E" for student parking. This means you can park in a lot that has signs posted stating "E" parking for students. Also, freshman should know that the campus has hours posted for each building meaning students are only allowed to enter the building for this amount of time. If you do get in a situation where you need a computer and place to study, the IT lab will be open 24/7 but every other building locks up after a certain time.

IUPUI is the way to go. It's cheaper than most schools, and it has a lot of great opportunities!

College isn't just about intelligence, persistence is a much more important thing. Showing up is ninety percent of the battle and if you plan to be successful make sure you go to class. Also make sure you get help if you don't understand the coursework. The majority of schools offer oppurtunities to get outside tutoring that are very important in success.

There was once an idea of a former me. A boy misinformed and disillusioned. If I could go back in time and talk to this former self. I would say, "Have fun now, but remember that everything comes at a price." Upon graduating high school I thought I would be given a free ride. Like many other American's I felt entitled to get something for nothing, but unfortunately this isn't reality. A better description for life is the harder you work the luckier you get. Often times now so much is provided that we as youth are enabled to have a free ride, but really we all need face and overcome our own challenges. This is the only way to learn. So I would look at my former self and would lead my former self. The best advice is being a inspiration to others. I could reinforce the values and commitments I now have to education through my leadership. I understand now that if I want to achieve the things that I want, I need to contribute to society in awesome ways.

I would tell myself to continue to do my best. I would push good study habits and listening skills as well as good note taking skills. I would encourage myself to be more open to new experiences and new people; to enjoy the world as it comes every day. I would also encourage myself to have fun but maintain my integrity - to plan for and strive for my long term goals. Always remembering where I am going but remembering to have some fun and take the less traveled route to get there. Don't always take the same classes but experiment a little. Find new things to experience and enjoy.

Dear high school Macey, College will be where you meet your true friends and build your future. Don't worry about where your friends are going or why just worry about yourself. Don't pay attention to those who call you a nerd or make fun of you for your study habits. Just remember that your the one who will be ahead in the long run. IUPUI is a great school and you did a great job listening to yourself on attending their school. You're a studious girl and always have been, don't let anyone change the way you are. Study hard, avoid the parties, and focus on your schoolwork and what matters most. You're gonna do great kid! Love, Future You

Speaking to myself as a high school senior and knowing about college life and making the transition, I would give myself the advice to do plenty of financial planning. I would explain that while seeking out college scholarships may seem tedious, it is a great investment in yourself to be able to afford your studies without a loan. At minimum, a goal should be set to find enough funding to cover the cost of attendance. I would encourage myself to apply for ten to twenty scholarships per week, using a number sources ranging from the Financial Aid office to privately owned agencies. I would talk to my high school senior-self about alternatives to buying books like renting them online or from the school library. I would recommend living a low-cost lifestyle, cutting out frivolous items like fast-food and long drives, so that money could be saved for future educational costs. I would remind myself to maintain balance between studies and potentially expensive social life events. Finally, I would encourage working often with study groups and taking advantage of a professor's office hours for personal consultations, boosting my grade point average and gaining eligiblity for grant funding.

I would tell my senior-self to get rid of my bad study habits as soon as possible. It would have been so much easier to get out of these habits (example - only studying the night before exams) when the schoolwork was simple versus now when the work is much more difficult. I was definitely not prepared for how much harder the work would be trying to learn it in one night than in high school. The amount of information was just too much to absorb and memorize, and I therefore received a rude awakening on the first exam. Now I know much better and start studying for exams a week in advance, but the transition from my high school ways to studying in this manner was very difficult. This is why I should have started doing this in high school and why I would tell myself to slowly work up to studying a week in advance. First two days beforehand, then three and so on until it was routine.

What should high school Macey know? For starters, don't worry about what people say or think. Once you start college popularity, nerds, average, jocks, and hicks all disappear and it just becomes life. Never turn down the opportunities you get; join clubs, put yourself out there, and most importantly have fun. High school is just a stepping stone to college so absorb as much information as you can and take the time to appreciate the free things high school has to offer. If you have a bad day just shake it off and remember one day, these people will all be going on their own seperate ways. Appreciate what you have Macey, because you never know when you could lose it.

If I could tell the 18 year old version of myself anything, it would be to take more time off between high school and college. More importantly, do not feel inadequate for not going to a traditional univeristy right out of high school. I wasted a lot time because I was so focused on trying to live up to society's expectations. Travel, work, support yourself, live out in the real world, and expereince as much as you can while you are young. You do not have to have your world figured out at 19, so don't try to force it. Really, that is advice I would give anyone graduating from high school. That time between high school and college is so crucial, that now looking back I wish I would have embraced that opprotunity for exploration more than what I did. Taking time off will give you perspective and allowed for growth and maturity before entering into a college setting. College is not a place to find yourself. Once you know what you want out of life, then you are ready for college. Finally, do something you feel passionately about, everything else will work itself out.

High school is a very important time. I would tell myself to focus on school and get involved in as much as you can. Stand out, don't be afraid to be yourself and take chances. High school is the toughest time socially, not academically for most, so live out loud! Make lasting relationships and be confident with yourself and that will take you far! Love the Lord and share it with others!

Get ahead of the game and study your butt off. This is a new life and completly different from high school. Take it serious cause once your in the hole, it is almost impossible to get out.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to never doubt myself. I would tell myself to never think that there's something I can't do. I would tell myself to go and do what I always dreamed of doing, to follow my childhood dreams, to not wait, to not settle. I would have told myself to get the loans and go to medical school. I would have told myself to not worry about the money I would owe later on down the road, but to go on to get the degree I want and worry about paying them back later. I would have told myself that life is too short to second guess. Life is here and now.

I would tell my self to stufy a whole lot more. I would have also advised myself to not take BC calculus and stay in AB. It brought my GPA down a lot, and I'm having trouble raising it up. I would have also told myself to not goof off and study in front of the TV. It's a really hard habit to break. Over all, I would just tell myself to focus a lot more on school work and less on the drama and social aspect of high school.