Johnson & Wales University-Providence Top Questions

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to break out of my shell and be more social, and to get more involved in extracurricular activities. During my first year at college, I was shy and afraid to talk to people. Making friends is not easy when you sit alone in your room all day! The school had so many different activities to get involved in, but I did not take advantage of that and I feel like I missed out on socializing and just plain fun! In addition to that, I would tell myself to calm down and go with the flow. I was a nervous wreck being away from home for the first time, which did not make it any easier to settle in.

I chose to go to Johnson & Wales for their Early Enrollment Program, where high school seniors can attend school as full-time freshmen and simultaneously complete credits that are required to graduate high school. I wanted to explore an education in culinary arts as to act upon the intrigue that I had for it without putting myself back a year if it was not for me. Fortunately, I fell in love with both the program and the university. I have acquired astounding quantities of information, and I have had the privelegde to work in the industry with professionals as mentors. I have developed the drive to make a decision for the career path that I want to take in life. Looking back on all that I have gained from attending school at Johnson & Wales, I would suggest to myself, as I entered the program, that I embrace the uncertainty I had and channel that feeling into an eagerness to discover. I would tell myself not to be bashful from the benefits it will yield and I would remind myself to be patient, to avoid discouragement at the slighter signs and to open my mind to let my potential future in.

Dearest Me, Hello from 2012 from the woman you will become. Yes, I'm that old. 30's have been the best years of my life! We're the same size. That's way cooler at my age We both start college this fall, too. No, I mean literally. Alright, I went once before but I'm going again. I'm the adult completing the degree you are starting. I bet you expect to tell you what to avoid so you don't leave school, but I'm happy with our life story. Actually, you decide to travel the world 2nd year. Thank you! So don't change, but thise tweaks are all things I wish we'd done freshman year : be active, go listen to guest speakers, take Calculus, study Socratic discourse, declare writing as a major, take classes from visiting professors, learn web programming, stay in touch with high school friends, Mom and Dad actually know alot, and stop worrying that people think you're weird. They do. You are. Everyone is. Embrace this whole experience: freedom, oppportunities, challenges, and learning Enjoy the journey. Don't wish your life away. Carpe Diem All the Diem. Stay silly, Me

When it comes to college experiences, the first three things that come to mind are that it takes a great deal just to get into college, that you have to apply yourself to succeed, and that people at the college level are more adult than they were in high school. As a high-schooler, my days involved everything but homework. Now a college sophmore, I spend several hours a day studying, and getting that acceptance letter in the mail wasn't easy either. That said, I wish that I could go back and say to myself "Louis, you should take more time with your studies so you will be better prepared for what college classes are like. It will make your first year a little bit easier." and "Take things like pushing for higher grades and college entrance exams seriously, and apply early to as many colleges as possible. Your chances of acceptance will increase significantly." Finally there are the bullies for whom I was always a target in high school. To that effect, if I could, I would advise my former self that people are more respectful in college and that I could look forward to a great experience.

It is never too late, but don't wait. I know, just graduating from high school that you may not want to go straight to college. You may want to get a job or go for a acting career. They say that time flys, well when you arn't doing anything it seems as if time just stands still. I guaranteed you that college won't be as difficult for you if you go now than it will if you decide to go at the age of 30 with a child. There are so many advantages for attending college out of high school such as your parents/ parent support. Now I don't know about you but trying to pay all the bills and go to school isn"t easy. The time spent working a job that you don't enjoy could be spent studying for something you do enjoy. Not having to worry about a baby sitter, you dont have a child yet! Your skills, such as Math and Biology. Things that you study in High School are still fresh in your brain when you go to college, allowing you to move forward and not go back 15 years.

Look at other universities, think more about what you'd enjoy studying and how many careers you could do with that degree.

Do not procrastinate, and make sure you stay on top of your school work at all times. never slack off and never leave things for the last minute

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to concentrate on my future career from the very beginning. I would encourage myself to complete as many internships as possible to get the experience and to build my resume. With the job market the way it is, experience in your field is necessary when applying for jobs after graduation. I would also tell myself to take school seriously and take as many credits as possible in the beginning so during the last two years I am able to take less credits and work to start paying off college loans. The sooner I start paying off my college loans, even as little as $50 a month, the more it would benefit me after college.

I would tell students to choose a school based on there major and what they want to do. Dont choose a school just because your bestfriend is going there or because you know you can slack and drink and party all of the time. Being a senior in highschool that's all the student wants to do when they leave.Especially leave there parents house and go and have fun. College isnt about the fun though. Yes you make close friendships, but at the same time youre there to start your career. You need to focus and figure out what you want to do because four years will fly by just like highschool did. That's your life your going to ruin if you don't choose the one that's right for your career.

If was able to go back in time I would tell myself to become more organized that way we I get into college I would have a set plan for organization that would aid in my B+ to becoming A’s. Also I would have told myself to take advantage of taking college credits that way I would have a free term to take more internship. Most importantly I would teach myself how to persevere and never give up, because encouragement is always good. Also in college it is very important to encourage yourself on a daily basis.

Hindsight maybe twenty-twenty, but the Butterfly Effect is far reaching and can never be duplicated. That is why even if, I was given the opportunity to go back in time to talk to my high school senior self, I would remain silent. Going into my third year of college, and beginning to focus on choices for possible minors and career paths, I have started to recognize how my past choices have affected my future. I have to validate my future choices with their past counterparts. And, while transitioning from high school youth to college young adult or even Tri-state resident to New Englander, I have, admittedly, made mistakes. However, we are a total accumulation of our past experiences and I would not give up the experiences from my first two years of college for anything. I might not have met my freshman roommate who recently passed, Caitlyn (God Rest), joined the mixed martial arts club, or learned that in New England, rain boots are required. My experiences may not have been easy, but I have learned from them all. So, I might go back in time but only to observe because I would hate to spoil the lessons.

I would adive myself to study hard. Do good on SAT and ACT exam.

If I went back in time and saw myself as a high school senior, I would give myself a background about what happens after high school. How you have to step up to the plate and sometimes need to make your own choices in life. Nobody can always be at your side to help you. College is fun and a great experience but you have to be mature in some of the moments that happen. Enjoy your last year of high school because you will never get to do it again. Have fun, act stupid, get good grades, graduate with your head held high knowing that you accomplished another milestone in your life. Never regret anything and push yourself when you feel like you aren't "capable" of meeting the expectations. You've always met the expectations needed of you and sometimes have gone beyond them. Pay attention to what the guidance counselor says and if you don't know something or you're confused...ASK QUESTIONS.

Younger version of me you should have done a few things differently when you started school. One, you should try to make friends. Two, you should join a club. Three, you should choose a workstudy job where you can sit. Four, explore the city, take a random bus.

Put great emphasis on time-management and applying for scholarships. The two biggest transitional problem areas are living on your own and motivating yourself to accomplish everyday tasks and assignments. When most students fail out of college, it's not because they weren't smart enough. They were accepted; obviously they have some brains, but with so many people and social events going on, it's hard not to lose yourself in the fun and excitement. You're on your own in a new place trying to make friends; its easy to see how one can forget about assignments and meetings. One must set aside time, preferrably right after class, to do their work and study. This will allow them to retain as much information as possible and get there work done before plans for the night begin. As mentioned earlier, scholarships are also extremely important. While at school, especially in your first year, you don't want to be worrying about paying for school and having a job; so much time is spent in each of these areas. One should fill out scholarships everyday so more time can be put towards schoolwork; you are there for an education.

I would try to avoid as much debt as possible. Being saddled with thousands of dollars in student loans makes it very difficult to correctly choose a company or job following graduation. Rather than being concerned with happiness, goodness of fit, or any other intrinsic motivator, I simply looked for the highest paying job once I graduated. With this mindset, I cared more about the grade I received in each class than in the actual content of the class lectures. Money was the motivating factor behind everything. Debt is slavery. Avoid it at all costs.

Out of the 3 and a half years I have attended this university, I gained so much in my industry. Since Johnson & Wales is a career focused school, all students are required to do an industry-related internship for each of our Associates degree as well as our Bachelor's degree. We also don't have to take liberal arts classes that don't relate to our given major; the first two years at this school are focused on our major just as much as our last two years which is a great benefit when looking for a job related to our major. Between the classes and internships, JWU prepares us for the real world after graduation by preparing us BEFORE we graduate.

I have learned a lot about my field in culinary arts as every one nows Johnson and Wales is on the top 3 universitys for culinary arts. I have also been able to have a feel for the envirements I would be in if I was working at a restaurant or kitchen. This has helped me improve my skills and has shown through my hard work at college.

So far, I've gotten some pretty rewarding opportunities out of my college experience. I've had the opportunity to work with under-privleged city kids at an after-school program. Because of that opportunity, I got my job, which is also incredibly rewarding. I'm a Girl Scout Leader for the GSRI Urban Outreach program. Working with younger girls is incredibly rewarding, because I get to help them become better students, leaders, and stronger people. Another opportunity I'm thankful for is the opportunity I've been given to meet people in the industry I hope to enter upon graduation. Getting to meet business owners, managers, and supervisors now allows me to learn more about the industry, and to get my name out there. I've had the opportunity to work with leading industry professionals, and hopefully I can land a job working for one of them when I graduate.

My first class starts tomorrow and I am looking forward to learning so much and getting to know my fellow peers. By attending college for Administrative Assistant A.A.S. I hope to better my lot in life so that I may down the road be able to help others achieve their goals.