Lee University Top Questions

When I was a high school senior, I was so excited to apply for universities even though I had not made any thought to where I wanted to attend. After a trip to Lee University with my mother on a rainy day in October, I fell in love with the school. However, it was in a small town and the school was small. I was worried that I would become bored and want to transfer after a year. I still had my eyes set on a school in Chicago. I thought that a school in Chicago would provide me with opportunities that could not be found elsewhere, especially at a small school like Lee. After visiting there, it was clear to me that Lee was the place to go. After three years of being involved in the Music program, I would tell my high school self that opportunities are endless. I soon learned that Lee was providing me and others the most fantastic opportunities available. However, it was my choice to follow them or let them pass me by. Opportunities are what you make of them and no school is too small or big for you to not succeed.

If I went back to my high school senior year the major advise I would give to myself would be to not procrastinate. While being a senior in high school I tended to procrastinate most of the homework, projects, and essays assigned to me. I said to myself a lot of times, "Today for sure I'm going to start writing that essay for english", but the truth was that I always gave myself excuses to put it off until the last minute. I instantly became lazy from just thinking that I had an essay due by the end of the week. Then by the time I had finally decided to start and finish my essay for english, I realize that I still had another essay due for another class. Now that I'm in college I realize that procrastinating does no good and leaves more stress upon me. I did not learn my lesson in high school about procrastinating, but everything changed as a college student. Now that I became aware of how bad procrastinating is I would go back in time and command my senior me to stop procrastinating and get everything done without excuses.

Even though there is much more freedom because parents are not present, this is where time management and self-discipline play an important role in the future of the college education. This point may sound cliche, but just like in high school, people are not who they say they are. I would advise myself to find real and genuine people early on in the year, but yet learn from the ones who end up letting you down. I find that establishing a group of friends is just as important as getting school work done because everyone needs a break now and then. I also found that making plans with friends is motivation to get things done. To go along with the idea of school work, the first semester should be looked at as a new opportunity and a fresh start to try to establish a decent if not better than high school GPA. That way, if the courses are a little bit more difficult in the following semester, if one class does not go as well as planned, there is still a decent GPA to pull through in the class. However, that does not mean slack off by any means.

If I could go back and give myself some advice, I would tell myself to have applied to Lee University and to not have tried any other school. Then I would tell all about the amazing teachers that i would meet, that would guide me through this confusing time dealing with majors. I would try and make myself see that things might not work out like we want. I would make sure to tell myself, not to cry over finding out you won't graduate in the 4 years like everyone else, but to smile and carry on, because of where the journey would take you. I would say that I need to stop sitting aaround mapping out every semester to a science and realize that I am going to change as a person and to be ready for that, instead of graduating with 1 degree you will have 2. I want to tell my self to sit down, take some deep breaths, then hang on and enjoy the ride.

When seniors are deciding what college to go to, they look at colleges that offer the most money, or highest accredation, which are excellent reasons, but when making the final decision, above all things, look for the college that will help you not only acheive your dreams, but motivate and encourage you to get there. Look for the college that will make you the person you have dreamt of being your whole life. College is not summed but by a piece of paper received walking across a stage at the end of your 4 years, but by the things you experienced along the way, the hardships you made it through, the friends you've made and most of all, who those things, grouped together, have made you at the end. An education is an important things, but it is worthless in the hands of a person with not passion, no zeal to be the best they can be. Choose the college that makes you excites you about your future, that makes you want to grow and become a better person, that makes you want to excel in your career field! Choose the college that makes you want to live.

Hello, my Friend, You are about to launch into the newest stage of your life -- college. You will be on your own, but do not let yourself be alone. Much of the college experience is claiming your own identity, so be yourself. Smile and laugh a little more than you have been able to amidst the stress of your senior year. You are a good student, and you will excel academically, but never shortchange relationships (they will last longer than college). You will meet all kinds of personalities in your freshman year, and most of them you will really like. When you relax, your new friends will be more comfortable too. So forget about popularity; being genuine is always more attractive than being showy. Just focus on being a better you, a better friend. Wear your heart on your sleeve because being a little vulnerable will reveal the friends worthy of confidence. You change lives for the better when you forget what others may be thinking of you (they aren't), so look someone in the eye and get to know the soul inside. When your heart is right, everything else will fall into place. Sincerely, Your Voice of Experience

If I could go back in time, I would give myself this advice. You need to study hard. Grades are so important and it is worth putting all your strength into getting an “A”. Getting good grades means you are able to get more scholarships, which are a huge help in paying for school. Although, if you are just cramming for a test for good grades, but you fail to retain the information, it will be harder to remember it in a college setting. Playing catch up is never a good feeling when you are supposed to be at a college level. Also, another piece of advice would be to get involved in athletic and social events. They are a great stress reliever and help make you feel more a part of the community, while keeping your mind focused on what is important and knowing what it is you want to accomplish. Overall, stay true to yourself and keep your eye on the prize.

Take everything with a grain of salt. The most important part about going to a university is building relationships. Live in a community where you are challenged on a daily level by how you live. Honestly, roommates can make or break an experience so learn how to be a good roommate and how to communicate effectively through any conflicts that will arise, because they will come. Grades are important, but so is the social aspect. Learn how to balance and when to say no. Saying no is a must. In order to keep from being burnt out make sure to take time for yourself. Sit down and write out your goals. Stretch yourself and learn new things. Meet people you usually would not hang out with. Learn from those around you have and have the late night discussions/debates. Overall remember that this is the only time life will be this good. Enjoy it, but do not forget what your goals are and why you chose that school over all the others.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self any advice what would it be? I would tell myself to look forward to the college experience and be mindful that everything I had heard about college was true. I would need to study for two hours for every one hour of class and college really is one of the best experiences ever. But if I had to give myself one piece of advice, besides trying not to be a freshman, it would be this: college is great and you will make a lot of friends but try to remember that you are there to learn and not just to hang out with friends and waste money on late night taco bell runs. That is what I would tell myself: try as hard as you can academically and socially in college so that you do not get behind and have to pull several all nighters late in the semester. That is the best advice I could give my high school self.

I would tell my self to apply for scholarships more intensly, and to apply for fafsa earlier. Also not to be scared because it's all going to work out.