James Madison University Top Questions

If I could time travel back to when I was still a senior at Riverbend High school i would be able to now tell myself some very valuable information that no one told me back then. An important thing I wouls tell myself would be to learn how to study because even if I didn't have to study to get in A average back then I'll need that very important skill when I get to college. I would tell the 17 year old me to fine tune the highly needed skill of studying so I know what works for me, because it would make life so much easier in the near future. Another important secret I would let my younger self in on would be that if you think your studying enough your not keep studying. Also be open to new things and meeting new people don't be afraid to try new things andmake new friends, your old ones will still be there for you. These three aspects are what I believe would have helped me a little more my first semester in college.

After stumbling out of the time machine, I made my way to the high school from which I graduated. I saw my younger self digging books out of the dusty locker at which I had spent so much time. I quickly made my way through the hallway eager to talk to the younger me. Young Taylor was so startled to see herself looking right back at her, but I quickly explained the situation and got straight to the reason of my visit. I explained the need to research and make a list of schools I may be interested in and make a point to visit them. The true deciding factor must be if you can actually see yourself living at that particular school. I told the young me not to be stressed out; this is something we all go through and must find out for ourselves. I told myself not to be nervous because we all are striving to succeed in life and meet life-long friends. The given information was not overwelming but definitely a huge help to the upcoming life-changing decision.

I would go back to tell myself to apply for scholarships as soon as possible. It's not worth the hassle knowing that you can't attend school based on finances.

I would tell myself to be less confident about how I might do in college. I thought, because I had taken several AP classes and done well in most of them, that I would be prepared for college, but I was surprised to find out how much self-teaching was associated with university level courses and a little shaken by a couple of test grades my first semeseter. Perhaps if I had been more wary of how difficult my transition would be, I would have worked harder in my first semester. There were definitely people who did far worse in their early time at James Madison than I had that first semester, but I could have done better. I had fun basking in the freedom of "living on my own," but if I could go back I would make sure I understood the importance of doing well. Despite my discrepancies, I did grasp the significance of loving one's environment. I adore this school, and there's truly nowhere I would rather be. It is crucial to success at a university that a student thrive on his or her campus, and love where he or she has chosen to be.

If i were able to go back in time to talk to myself about what the next year of my life would be i would tell myself the following information: "study, study, study, there is rarely homework do but do suggested work it really does help and if you do not follow along with the reading you will be in trouble fast. Yes have fun but do not focus on your social life if you go out three days every week you will sink in a hole that is extremely hard to get out of. This year will shape the rest of your college life with the friends you make, the grades you earn, and the lifestyle that you lead. and just relax everything will turn out good in the end."

Your palms are sweating, heart racing, and legs burning with anticipation of the 5K. The whistle blows; you take off sprinting, trying to get ahead. Stop. You always get ahead of yourself; you take on too much, too soon. You'll burn out by the completion of the first mile, and wished you?d remembered your pacing. Don't rush into college like you rush into a race. Its too important, the finish line is too far away to burn out early. Balancing your life in college is like pacing in a race. If you run slowly, you won't get a good time. If you don't try hard in college, you won't learn enough to be successful. Take advice from professors/counselors, like coach. Don?t sprint the first mile. Taking on too much will burn you out. Organize your time, balance your life. Stay healthy. Eat, workout, and don't drink too much. Like in running, alcohol will hurt your time. Study, don't procrastinate. You know you can't prepare for a race the night before. Most of all, remember the finish line. And know what it takes to get there, with your best time.

Take advantage of all opportuities on campus. Beig involved withthe campus community not only makes college fun but it gives you a community to bond with while you are away from home. This is very important because everyone gets homesick once in a while. You'll get through it with the help of your new friends and they will need you to help them. And its ok to go to parties but you were smart enough to get in to college so don't be stupid now.

I would tell myself to stay strong and that there is nothing wrong with beginning at community college. I would remind myself that when deciding what path to take at college, it is more important to follow my passions rather than to seek out a career that would give me wealth. Me being happy and feeling secure with what I am doing and who I am is much more important than simply doing what everyone else is. Lastly I would tell myself to make my decisions based on what is best for me and my future.

I would say that I have two choices. Either I could go to JMU and get into a lot of debt, or I could choose another school that would be less expensive. The most important thing I would tell myself is to get away from home. The bubble of my hometown shields students from alternate perspectives and lifestyles. I have grown more from breaking out of that bubble that I ever thought possible. I would encourage myself to find new, diverse experiences that help me to grow more as an indivudual. Going to JMU is one way to do that, but there are definitey other universities I could have gone to that would have helped me in the same ways.

The best advice that I can think of to give myself is simple...enjoy and relish every moment of your college experience. Life after college is so complicated. There are 40+ hours to work each week, bills that must be paid, responsibilities at work and home, and it is one big balancing act to keep everything running smoothly. If I could go back and let myself know how important it is to just appreciate all of the wonderful experiences that college provides. I never realized just how amazing my college years were until they were over. The college years are the one time in your life that you are away from your family, your parents house, and you are free to be your own person and do your own thing. Those college years are a time to worry about yourself, to work on yourself, and to get to know yourself. In terms of the advice that I would give for making the transition to college life, I would tell myself that everyone around me feels just as nervous and insecure in those first few days of college. Put yourself out there and open yourself to new friendships and relationships.