Lake Erie College Top Questions

The advice I would have given myself as a high school student is to not be afraid of going to college. High school made it seem like only incredibly intelligent people get into college. I don't rate myself as highly as that, but I still was accepted. I would have told myself that all I have to do is try. I'm not sure if I would have listened to myself at the time, but I'm sure I would have been less panicked about it. I have friend who made herself believe that she couldn't afford to go. High school also made it seem like taking out loans was a pathetic idea, so I think she truly believed that and she is working at a fast food place to try and earn enough to go somewhere. I have a friend who is currently a senior in high school. I keep telling her that she will get accepted somewhere amazing, because she tries her hardest at everything she does. She is worrying that she won't get accepted anywhere. I'm telling her now what I should have believed myself when I was applying.

I was always worried about college and the academics. Even though I had success in high school with my academics, I still thought that college would be so much harder than high school and there is no way I would survive. The work is hard but no as hard as I thought. I found out if you set aside time to do the work, you will be successful. So, I would tell myself not to stress so much over college. I would also tell myself to have more fun in high school. I had a lot of fun, but I think I could of be more "laid back" and not worry so much about school. I was always stressing over college and the work that it meant.

I would tell myself to make sure to focus on doing things in college that I'd love to do even if it wasn't for a class. To remember that the classes are supposed to serve my long term goals and the poorest experience from the class is the academic credit. To be certain that every little effort will count towards the final result. I would also tell myself to know that diplomas will not really get me anywhere worth being and what I actually make in college is what will take me places afterwards. I would also advice me to be patient and not expect short term results and maybe tell myself to be worried if I ever stop feeling confused, for intellectual inestability is a sign of growth. I would also remind myself that the most important thing to hold on to when it comes to learning is curiosity.

Always be prepared foor the unexpected. Never put your homework/projects off until the week before its due. It puts you under a huge amount of stress.

If I were to go back in time, the best advice college advice I could give myself would be to accept diversity, find effective ways to manage time, and to put grades before anything else. Throughout my college career I have learned that not everyone I meet in life is going to agree with my thoughts and ideas. We all come from different places, and have different upbringings. The act of compromise is a valuable tool that living with fellow classmates has taught me. Time management is another quality that is essential to success in college and in any career. Effective time management is an aid to success in that one must often sacrafice fun for responsibility in order to accomplish the most important tasks first. Finally, I would tell myself to put my grades above any other college activity. Future employers will not care how a student spent their friday nights. In the end, one's grades will determine if they land a job over another educated college student. All in all, to prepare myself for college life, acceptance, time management, and dedication to my grades are the three pieces of advice I would give myself.

Knowing what I know about college life and making the transition, the advice I would give myself would be to live life as it comes, trust others and enjoy it. I say that because I was worried about getting into schools that I wanted to go to. A lot of the schools I chose were a little bit smaller in size but had a good academic history. I was so stressed out about college while still in High School. I went to a great High School but was still worried because my GPA and ACT scores were not as high as any of my friends. There were too many days where I worried about weather or not we could afford College, and too much research trying to find a cheaper school after taking a visit and falling in love with Lake Erie College. I trusted my coach to help me out, he has. Times are tough and he is fighting to help me again. However, I need help and am trying to do my part right now. The last part, enjoy life is just as is it. Enjoy life by trusting others and living one day at a time.

Take more AP classes to raise your GPA even higher, take the AP exams, and don't slack off.

The advice I would give myself if I was to go back in time would have to be to tell myself to focus more. High school is nothing like college, it's harder. You have to want to learn and pay attention because college teachers/professors are not going to babysit anyone who doesn't want to learn. I would tell myself to be prepared to for the unthinkable. Anything can happen in college and you have to be prepared to deal with it. You have to learn how to keep your stress level to a minimum and just focus on the main prize which is being able to walk the stage and receive that college diploma.

Honestly, I don't think there's anything I could or would have said that would've made any difference. Everything I would say had been said by my high school teachers, my parents, family, and friends. I had heard it all, from my brother and sister who had both been in college before me, from friends of the family, even from acquaintences. I don't think I could say anything to my high school self that would make a difference. I know how I was during high school, and once I had my mind made up or had my preconceived notions (right or wrong), nothing would change them. Going away to school is something that I really had to experience and then look back and say, "Wow, they were right." I wouldn't have changed a thing- everything I chose not to listen to and then experienced was a better learning experience than anything anyone, including myself, could've said. I needed to go through those things with those preconceived notions and see how wrong (or right, in some cases) about things. It made me so much stronger than any words I could say could have.

If I could go back to give myself some advice, I'd tell myself to visit more colleges! I love my current school, but the first school I went to turned out to be not a great fit. It was the only school I went to visit so I went there. Bad mistake! I'd also tell myself to start better study habits. Some classes grades are based only on tests, so if you do not study, you probably will not do as well as you hoped. Finally, I would tell myself to enjoy it. College is some of the best times I've ever had and after finding a school that fit, I would not change a thing! I've met great people, had fantastic professors and learned a lot. Life doesn't get any better!