Kennesaw State University Top Questions

I would tell my high school senior self to do dual-enrollment classes! For the love of all that is pure and holy, please, take duel-enrollment classes. You will have far less stress about classes, GPA, and you would already be a junior by now. I would also tell myself that it's ok to join clubs and mingle. I tend to be shy, but there are people just as shy as me and I didn't realize it until the end of the year when I suddenly started being more outgoing and talking to people more often. You were right, being your good ole' awkward self is indeed a plus in college, but you already knew that. One more thing, please get some sleep. I know you want to finish all your assignments and be the best at all of them, but you are not superhuman. You're going to stress yourself out worrying about how all those classes will show in your GPA. College is a time to be social as well as a good student, so do both...and use the gym. It is free.

One of my biggest struggles through the end of high school and my first two years of college has been procrastination. I often find myself paralyzed by the prospect of not writing or speaking with finite perfection. This fear has been a contributing factor to the putting off of papers and projects, an agent of pain and stress throughout college. If I could go back in time to advise my younger self, I would offer this truth: “You never really finish a book, you just stop writing it.” - A.J. Swoboda (PhD, Theology). Often, when I am anxious about my performance, I imagine how my older self would view the situation. Therefore, considering what has occurred behind and what will unfold ahead, I would tell my younger self not to become preoccupied with fear of imperfection, but to move forward. Start early, work in increments, let the project rest, and then return. Once the bulk of the text is written and the mind is clear, proofreading always, always comes easily. But in order to reach that point I must do as Albert Einstein observed, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

If I could go back and talk to the senior year version of myself I would make a point to tell myself three things. First I would tell myself to be open to trying new things freshmen year. Once you begin college you are introduced to so many new people and cultures that you have never experienced before and some of those people can and do become lifelong friends. The second would be to plan your classes each semester with this formula. Take one hard class that will really challenge you, two medium level difficulty classes that will make you work for your grade without stressing you out too much, and one easy class that you are more likely to enjoy and guarantee an A. Finally I would tell myself to relax. College isn’t as scary as you think. The school you’re going to attend will help you wherever you need it. You are going to make great friends over the years. Don’t listen to the doubts in your head because you are going to do well in your new school. You are not only going to succeed, you are going to excel.

Do not stop moving forward. High School may be what seems like the most difficult portion of your life, but in the end, it is all worth the trouble. As a senior, you probably think that studying is a waste of time, but it will definitely get you further in your educational career. College life is full of opportunities and fun; do not waste your time partying life away. Push yourself because the sky is the limit, as our Culinary Arts instructor would always say, "Make yourself indispensable and pay attention to detail." Those words of wisdom will stay with you through your entire life. I live by those words every day of my life, because I will not stop moving forward, I will push until I can not push any further. Remember, "Make yourself indispensable and pay attention to detail."

Alyssa, the things that matter most right now won't matterso much in a few months, or even years. What you think is important today does not define you. What defines you are your passions and beliefs. What defines you is what you would consider your core, your gut reactions. I know you like to play by the rules and take the safe path, but life requires risk, but good risks. Allowing others to determine the risks you take will only end in hope deferred. You will be hospitalized for years fighting the battle of Anorexia. Do not be afraid. Fight. You will almost die. You will watch the disease take your friends and loved ones. But do not stop fighting. You are more than what people say you are and you are stronger than you ever know. Stick to your goals. Stick to your dreams. Don't worry, you will graduate college in four years as planned. You will also be hired as an english teacher, as planned. But then you will wake up one day without any plans and it might scare you. Be OK without having plans; it is in these moments we make the best decisions.

I would tell myself to try harder and take my education seriously. I would also tell myself that education is the key to being a success in life and to purse your educational dreams no matter what the sacrifice.

Dont get any credit cards and put in the extra work for applying for small and large scholarships. When trying to go to graduate school, finding funds is more difficult. So if you have to get loans, save them for grad school, not for undergrad. There are way more scholarships and grants available to undergraduate students.

If I were to go back to senior year, I would tell myself that making sure the college you choose is right for you is one of the most important decisions you will make within the next five to ten years. If you get lazy when applying for schools or even when looking at schools, you will not end up in the right place for you. I learned this because Kennesaw State University was the only school that I applied to. I did not take the time or use the effort to really seek out the right school for me. This desicion has ended up causing me grief. I do not believe that Kennesaw State is the right fit for me, regardless of the wonderful education I am receiving here.

Enjoy your friends that you have in High School and do not take your time there for granted. You think that you can not wait to grow up but really you are going to miss that small town and everyone there more then you can understand right now. Learn everything very well do not just barelly try because you can actually learn the material. It will come in handy to actually know these things already. Learn good study and organizational skills before you get to college and please start saving now!

I wish as a Senior I knew how important college especially as a freshman really is. College is a place I feel that a person truly finds out who they really are. College allows you to transition into a whole new person without being judged. As a senior I wish I would have known that networking was so important. In college that is one of the main things a person has to do. You have to be able to network with others and join different communities. Grades are another important aspect of college. The grades you get in college shapes your future. It is better to start off early getting the best grades you can get, so that you can get use to the routine in college. Having a proper education and doing well in college is so important and I feel like in high school it is not stressed to students enough. This has to change immediately, so that students are not frightened their first couple of months in college.