Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Top Questions

Always look ahead to the future. Often times you will run into obsticles that it seems have nothing you can learn from them and no way to get past them. However, you just have to keep your goals in mind and work for them. No matter how pointless it seems apply to every scholarship that you can. Don't go into living on campus scared. It is a very fun experience and its true when they say you can't judge someone as soon as you meet them. Go to the social events until you get your bearings and have made a few friend. Likewise after you have made a few friend don't quite meeting new people. Lastly make sure that you make time for fun and not just stay in your dorm. Its easier to cope if you have balance in your life. College is about finding yourself, learning to spread your wings, and makeing a start to your life on your own.

I would tell myself to be more open to new ideas and to get involved in anything that sparked my interest. I would also tell myself not to be shy or afraid of trying new things, since I waited too long to get more involved, and when I learned how much fun it was, I was disappointed that I had wasted time previously. It is also very important to know that it's OK not to do an extracurricular activity that you do not enjoy. If you try the activity and don't like it, fulfill your remaining obligations but then find something else you would like more. There is no point to sticking with something that you do not like, not even to put it on a resume. It is much better to spend time seeking out something you will truly love doing so that you can speak about it with genuine passion.

I would tell myself to not be so wrapped up in trying to get away from home. I would tell myself to focus more on the purpose of me going to college and not the perks of college life. I wish I could tell my high school self that I need to do as many college visits as possible, because had I done that, maybe I wouldn't have transferred three times. I would let myself know that "everyday smarts" wasn't going to be enough to make it in college and that I was going to actually have to study and apply myself. I wish I could go back in time and start my college journey over, knowing the things that I know now. With this newly acquired knowledge, I believe my transition wouldn't have been so rocky had I known it then.

If I could go back and talk to myself I would encourage myself to get more scholarships. In high school, I would look at the scholarships listings that our counseling services gave us and most of them were for minorities and athletes or for the very poorest. It was very discouraging especially because my grades were so good. I felt like all that work was for nothing because others got in for being poor or being born black. I would have told myself to look harder because there are some opportunities out there and college was a lot more expensive than I realized because I didn't get enough aid from IU. I also would tell myself to listen to my parents and just stay home and go to IUPUI to save money. When you really look at it, the "college life" isn't worth the money. It's not about the social scene, it's about learning.

College is going to have it's ups and downs and you may not want to be there most of the times because things don't always go according to plan. However, you just have to remember why you're here and what you intend to accomplish in the future.

I would tell myself to continue doing well and trying my hardest. Do not slack off at the end of the last semester of high school. As hard as some of your high school classes may seem, college courses take much more time and concentration. It is not going to be an assigned chapter and answering questions at the end. It will be lectures and a lot of reading and studying on your own time. Rarely will you have assigned homework. And most important, you have freedom. No more asking to go to the restroom, or having mom and dad call in for you when you are sick. You will finally be treated as an adult. So do not slack off and when things get tough, just remember, it will all pay off in the end.

If I were to go back in time the advice I would give myself would be to study hard and stay focused the first 2 years of high school and get your basics for your graduation credits, and the last 2 years expose yourself to different facets of education. This type of early experimenting with education will broaden your exposure to careers available to you in the real world which will give you some idea of the direction you would like to pursue in college. Most importantly, when you commit to something, anything, stay focused and do your best to succeed.

If was could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things that I would advise myself on. I would definitely have to inform myself of the current financial situation that I am in, and to work as many hours as possible before starting IUPUI in the fall due to the lack of ability to work enough and keep up with my school work. I was always under the impression that I would be able to easily balance the two out, but that was wrong. I would also try to convince myself of exactly how much harder it would be, especially without making enough money to pay off everything that isn't covered by financial aid. I would make sure I was fully aware of exactly how much the textbooks would really cost, and what the fee's are like when you don't get tuition paid on time. I would also give myself the web address's for several of the scholarship databases that I have found so that I could get to work looking for scholarships earlier on, as opposed to when I have no money to pay anything with.

I would tell myself that college is extremely different than highschool. Also I would say that it's up to myself whether or not I want to achieve in all my classes, nobody tells me to wake up and go to class. It's very self disipline. I would also tell myself to start being organized and never ever procrastinate because that can hurt you in the long run. Always get your assignments done and study study study. It's not like highschool where you go to the class everyday, you have to be able to make sure you know the material and get help if you need to because you're not going to see your professor everyday. It's important to make sure you get to know your professors and ask them for help because that's what they want you to do. Also, apply for a lot of scholarships because tuition isn't a joke and so aren't student loans so make sure you get any free money people offer. College can be fun you just have to be on it with everything.

I wish I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior. I've always had such a plan for my life and when I realized that plan wasn't workin out for me in college, I forced myself to stick to it and I was truly unhappy my first semester. I have realized now that sometimes plans change and that's ok. It doesn't meen I made a mistake or that my future won't turn out as successfully. It meens I'm working on a new plan, and this one is making me happy. If I could talk to myself my senior year, I'd advise that part of college is about making discoveries and growing. You can't "plan" for every part of life, but if you do what makes you happy, then changing the plan and going along for the college ride will be an incredible experience.

I would give myself the advice to learn everything that you possibly can. Knowlegde is power. Also, I would tell myself to get involved no matter what your major will be. It will be essential to you in the future.

I wish I had a time machine to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. The transition to college would've been easier if I knew then what I know now. The first thing I would tell myself is "Kelsey, you need to spend time outside of class studying and reading." High school was a joke and I didn't take it serious because I hardly did any schoolwork outside of class. I still managed to get good grades. On the other hand, college is a totally different story. You have to earn your grade. It was difficult to sit down and study instead of go out with my friends. My hard work in college has paid off and my grades reflect on it. Another thing I would tell myself if I could go back a year would be to not procrastinate. I used to be the person that would stay up until three in the morning finishing a paper that was due the next day. I learned my lesson so now I'm on top of the ball. Knowing what I know now about college, I wish I could turn the clock back.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to fill out more scholarships. I know so many kids who are going to college for free because they filled out a million scholarships and got them all. I filled a ton out , but I didn't recieve any. My family really can't afford to keep sending me to the school I want to go to. I would also have to tell myself that I need to get involved in some kind of club so that I can meet new people and make more friends. Another thing I would want to say to myself is that I need to live somewhat spontaneously and not get stuck in a boring routine. The most important thing I would tell myself is that I need to discover who I am as a person while I have so much freedom and time to spare.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell my self not to stress out so much about the little things. I would also tell my high school self to be a little more flexible and take some fun classes along with the required classes, and if those lead you to changing your major to be happier with the degree you are going to get then so be it. I would also tell myself that it is okay to take a break from homework every now and then and have some fun, otherwise you might get burnt out on classes and that is a very unfortunate feeling. The last thing I would tell myself would be to stop being afraid to talk to classmates. Making friends is essential to getting through college.

I would suggest forgetting about friends, gossip, and popularity to the extent that I could concentrate on what is important. I would tell myself that Math is easy when you are paying attention, Science will be your passion, and that I would make an excellent teacher as I understand the concepts explained to me and express myself well. I would emphasize the fact that if I do my homework, pay attention in class, and do not worry about "boyfriends" I will be able to support my children in a much easier way than spending years at a time in the Middle East.

If I could go back and talk to myself I would say be selfish. I know it sounds weird but I wish someone would have said those words to me at the beginning of my college process. By be selfish I mean it only when making the descion on where you want to go and why you want to go there. In the beginning of my process I didn't realize that all the items on my list of things to look for in a school were to please others. As it got closer to my desicion deadlines I tried my hardest to avoid making a choice until I finally, I admitted I didn't like either school. So I took the semester off and this time did my college search based off my wants and goals. I decided on IUPUI and have no regrets! So if I could help anyone I'd remind them "Its your future,no one can live your life for you so take this opportunity now to better it based upon your dreams and goals because if you don't you have to live with regret not those who you tried to please".

As a highs school senior, I would tell myself of the intensity of the work load that is put on a college student. I would inform myself of how much is expected, to what importance it is keep on top of school work, and ahead of the game. It should be mentioned of all the extracurricular activities and groups that will help further your education into graduate school and beyond. The transition from high school to college can be made easier if one is aware of the expectancies beforehand. It's important to be well prepared for the start of college, and a goal in mind for your future. College is the time to shine, to show and fulfill the potential everyone knows you have, be able to meet the high standards of your own, doing so will make you more ready for success and brilliance.

If I could look back as a high school senior, I would tell myself 3 things. One take an initiative at looking at a different schools and what they have to offer. Ask people that you know that is older and have been to college so that you know what to look for. This really makes a difference in the rest of your life. Two do not let anyone else influense your decision. Even though your best friends are going to this school, that may not be the best school to go to for your major that you are wanting to pursue. Three stay relaxed but be proactive. Time is everything so don't waste it.

I graduated high school at 16, and because I was young for my grade I was still 16 my first day of college. I am now 34, and am beginning my 3rd semester as a returning college student. If I could go back and talk to my 16 year old self I would tell her that life is about to get tough. I would tell her that she is about to make decisions that will have a lasting impact on herself and others, and some of the hurts from those decisions will never go away. However I would also tell her not to change a thing. A life lived with regrets is a life not lived. Look at your mistakes and learn from them, but then let them go. Without those mistakes she would not grow into the person I am today. I would tell her that if here and now was the end of the story, that the ending would be a happy, triumphant one, but it isn't over yet. There will always be the next challenge to overcome, and through her tenacity, she will always struggle and overcome each test that life brings her way.

Keep your options open. Don't rule anything out too soon. Give yourself a chance to experience a variety of studies. That little voice inside your head is probably right. Nothing is ever certain, prepare for all possibilities. LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS AND TEACHERS! They are really trying to help you. Mistakes are not the end of your life. They are a chance to start over a little smarter. Get involved in campus life as soon as you get there. Don't be afraid to join groups and activities. Find your place in campus life and make a name for yourself. YES YOU CAN! (repeating what parents and teachers often said)